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THE

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE,

COTTAGE GARDENER,

CoO UN T RY

AND

GENTLEMAN.

A JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE, RURAL AND DOMESTIC ECONOMY, BOTANY AND

NATURAL HISTORY.

CONDUCTED BY

GEORGE W. JOHNSON, F.R.H.S., anp ROBERT HOGG, LL.D.

THE FRUIT AND KITCHEN GARDENS, by Mr. J.
Robson, Gardener to Viscount Holmesdale, M.P., Linton

Park; and Mr. T. Weayer, Gardener to the Warden of
Winchester College.

THE FLOWER GARDEN, by Mr. D. Beaton, late Gardener
to Sir W. Middleton, Bart., Shrubland Park; and Mr.
D. Thomson, Archerfield Gardens.

STOVE, GREENHOUSE, AND WINDOW GARDEN, by
Mr. R. Fish, Gardener to Colonel Sowerby, Putteridge
Bury, near Luton.

FLORISTS’ FLOWERS AND FLORICULTURE, by the
Rey. H. H. Dombrain.

ALLOTMENT AND GARDENING CALENDAR, by Mr.
William Keane.

POULTRY-KEEPING, by Mr. J. Baily, Rev. W. W. Wing-
field, E. Hewitt, Esq., and other well-known contributors,

BEE-KEEPING, by H. Taylor, Esq.; T. W. Woodbury,
Esq., ‘‘A Devonshire Bee-keeper;” ‘‘B & W.;” and
Mr. S. Bevan Fox.

HOUSEHOLD ARTS, by the Authoress of ‘‘ My Flowers,”
and others.

LIBRARY
NEW YORK
BOTANICAL

GARDEN.

VOLUME IvV., NEW SERIES.

YOL, XXIX., OLD SERIES.

LONDON:

1863.

PUBLISHED FOR THE PROPRIETORS, 162, FLEET STREET.

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TO OUR READERS. 5

Ir may be well to devote a few brief sentences to recall to your memory one or two of the events of
the past six months; for wisdom is the application of knowledge extracted from the past and applied to
the future.

In gardening great events rarely occur, but there are a continued series of small events in its practice
which combine, and become of marked importance. Such a combination has resulted in the prevalence
of conservatories. A majority of the houses now springing up for the middle thousands in our metro-
politan districts have each a conservatory. In these conservatories we recognise an increased source of
pleasure, health, home enjoyment, and love of the beautiful. The Chancellor of the Exchequer had no
such result in view when he proposed the repeal of the duty on glass, and we have the high satisfaction
of knowing that our pages helped to the knowledge which created a demand for their erection.

When we announced that cocoa-nut fibre dust is excellent for potted Ferns and some other plants, we
little thought that we were introducing such an additional source of fertility to the gardener; that we
should be the cause of sweeping away the mountains of this refuse which the manufacturers gave gladly
to any who would fetch it away, but which they now can afford to advertise, sell at a good price, and cannot
manufacture fast enough. It has become an ingredient in the composts of many large gardening establish-
ments; and from being timidly used in flower-pots, is now employed in bushels to banks of Rhododendrons,
Strawberry-beds, and other extensive plantations.

Within the six months embraced by this volume the memorial to the Prince President of the Royal
Horticultural Society, has been erected, and the representatives of the people have refused to purchase its
neighbouring International Exhibition building. Had that wise Prince survived he would have applauded
that rejection, for .he never sanctioned attempts to adapt incompatibles; and we now hope to see a
building rise from the foundations of the one condemned that will be a worthy and suitable national museum,
and that will increase the attractions of the national Horticultural Society’s Garden.

It is in no spirit of self-laudation, or from any prompting of self-interest, that we assume to have had an
influence in promoting those occurrences, but it is paying a due tribute to those able men who contribute
to our pages, and whose skill and high character gain for them an entrance into most places where
gardening is cherished. Illness has withdrawn from us one of the most able of those men; but more than
one of equal skill haye been added to our staff, and we haye no fear that our pages will not continue to be
welcome, as we are told by a Lancashire clergyman they have been hitherto “to my parsonage, our squire’s

drawing-room, his gardener’s parlour, and our village reading-room.”

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ABRUS PRECATORIUS SOWING, 175
Acacia squamata, 417
Acacias, propagating, 301
Accrington Poultry Show, 268
Achimenes—Carminata elegans, 137 ;
dying, 214
Achras sapota sowing, 173
Adiantum macrophylium culture, $25
Advertisers, caution to, 352
rides maculosum var. Schreederi,
245
Affghanistan, plants and gardening
in, 478
Ageratum, variegated, 404
Agricultural Hall Poultry Show, 386,
405
Air, admitting near smoky towns,
455
Albert’s, Prince, Memorial inaugura-
tion, 430
Alcoye-aviaries and bowers, 10
Alge, new mode of preserving, 162
Alocasia—zebrina, 300 ; Lowii, 343
Aloe too high for house, 301
Alyssum—variegatum edging, 177 ;
saxatile, 474: compactum, 41+
Amaranthus melancholicus, 333
Amaryllis—seedlings blooming, 177 ;
and its varieties, 371; culture, 452
American Gooseberry, 300
Ammonia fixing beneficial, 434
Anagallis, sowing, 158
Anemone-bed, management, 481
Anemones not flowering, 267
Anguloa Ruckeri, 419
Annuals—list of, 275, 283, 301; se-
lect lists, 241: and culture, 321,
323 ; t of hardy, 325; sowing,
333, 403; twenty
Merits and defects of, 475
Ants, to banish, 385
Aphelandra Leopoldii culture, 441
Aphis Persice, 299
Apiarian notes, Morayshire, 180
Apiary, B. & W.’s, 269
Apis dorsata, 320
Apoplexy in fowls, 124
Apotheme, does it enter plants? 152,
186
Apple—trees, mossy and deciying,
906; Summer-pruning dwarf pyra-
mid, 56; of Amassia, 155; seed-
lings from Newtown Pippin, 267;
transplanted o!d, 267; tree shouts
diseased, 283; buds deformed,
283; trees, hfting frequently, 413
Apricot—management, 163; Canino
Grosso, 293; trees in bloom, treat-
ment, 1135; trees, management of,
200
Apricots—in orchard-houses, 24,
276; failing in orchard-house, 56;
in bloom, treatment, 154; treat-
ment of in bloom, 186; and or-
chard-honses, 220; on Cotswold
Hills, 221; in greenhouse, 234 ; far
north, 244; Affghan, 478 z
Aquatics, hardy, 56
Araucaria, moving, 385
Arctotis reptans, 109
Artichoke, protecting, 11
Artichokes—not quite hardy, 70;
Globe, spring management of, 248
Asparagus—forcing, 34: beds, in-
sects in, 193 ; culture, 366; beds,
seaweed for, 385
Aspidistra punctata albo-maculata,
419
Asters, 146
Atviplex hortensis rubra as an
edging, 103
Auricula—Show, National, 9; in
‘>> 1863, 323 ; Princess of Wales, 419
s=uriculas—the Alford, 324; where
SS to be obtained, 324; house for,
™ #324; shifting, 441
yepiusttalia, garden produce in, 401

select, 4345 |

IND

HX.

Australian seeds, 268

Aviary—Ivy in, 144; window, 270

Azalea—leuaves falling, 13; Surprise,
419

Azaleas—after flowering, 250, 441;
dying after flowering, 282 ; cut-
ting-down old, 333; after cutting
back, 383, 385 ; potting, 392

BAtDCOOT, YOUNG OF, SEEN, 351 |

Balsams, sowing, 158 |

Bantams—yellow-leggzed Game, 19; |
in a garden, 20; Black, disquali-
fied at Darlington, 37; legs of |
Game, 38, 126; with willow legs,
64; Black, combs, 198; diarrhea
in, 270; laying sott eggs, 354;
Black, at Bradford, 463

Barbadoes, seeds from, 173

Barometer, water, 114

Bath and West of England Poultry
Show, 215, 251, 284, 351, 442

Bay trees injured by frost, 267

Bedding-out, 301; how to manage,
366, 368; at Putteridgebury, 383

Bedding plants, 300

Bee—feeders, 19; season in Surrey,
40; keeping, Staffordshire, 144;
season, commencement of, 160;
keeping, 162; protector house,
179 ; season in Renfrewshire, 196; |
keepers, meeting of German, 197,

285; houses, 215, 354; books,
British, 387
Bees—in-door apiary, runaway

Swarms, +1; bottle-feeders, 42;
evening thoughts on, 42; cause
of deserting hives, 61; cure for
sting of, 63; deserting hive, feed- |
ing imprisoned, profitless, St; in
buildings, $5; in churches, &c.,
86: early pollen-gathering, bottle-
feeder and motk-trap, 106; ex-
cluding queens and drones, 1065;
first spring flighc, 125; profit-
less, 126 ; bottle-teeding, 126, 216;
early pollen gathering, 126; in
winter, 144; fertile workers, 169 ;
need they be profitless ? 161 ; pur-
chasing, 162; in buildings, 180,
216; death of a whole hive, 180;
superposing, 196; dronesin March,
197; covering hives, 198; venti-
lation of hives, 198; wintering in
glass hives, 198; best aspect for,
216; in N. Staffordshire, 216; Li- |
gurian, in Australia, 235 ; at Bath,
235; fertile queens, distance they |
fly, 236, 286, 335, 464; in N. of

Scotland, 236; exotic; size of
cells, 252; spring pasturage for,
270; in New Forest, 270; diving,
270; feeding, 286; South Ameri-
can, 280; artificial swarms, 285;
feeding, mortality of, 3:3; uniting,
do Ligurian suck red clover ? food |
for, 304; virgin queens drone- |
producers, burying combs, 320; |
combs fallen, 320; swarm in April, |
334; B. & W.’s apiary, 335; feed-

ing, hive deserted, fertile queens,

335; aspect, 536; feeding, 336;

protecting glasses, uniting stocks,

choosing hives, 336; transferring

their allegiance, 352; aspect for, |
queens destroyed by workers,
Ligurians and clover, drone-breed- |
ing queens, 353, 368; use of pollen,

diligence of, exporting eggs, puri-

fying honey, promoting early

Swarms, 370; food escaping from

bottles, 387; dark Ligurian drones,

388; drones ofa drone-breeding |
queen, 406 ; law relative to strayed
Swarms, 406; swarming difficul-
ties, 425; dark Ligurian drones,

426; “B. & W’s.” apiary ; taking }
a side-comb; feeding, 444; ex- |
hibition of, 446; dying; Ligu-
Tians in Australia; season in Dur-
ham, 446; season in East Lothian,
463; age of queens, death of
queens, season “in Staffordshire,
464; young expelled; transporting
stocks; queenless swarm, driving,
distance between bars, variety of,
483; dying in June, variations,
simultaneous attacks on drones,
not entering a super, 484

Beetroot edging, 35

Begonia—leat cuttings. 100; Grj-
fith4, leaves rooting in water, 479

Begonias—suffering from cold, 93;
culture and list, 110

Belladonna Lily, planting, 56

Belt of trees on clay soil, $1

Beverley Pouitry Show, 423

Birds—useful in a garden, 154; to
prevent theirinjuring Gooseberry-
buds, 187; of prey, a orayer for,
334; a plea for, 457

Birmingham poultry sale, 143

Birmingham Rose Show, 330, 361

Bixa orellana sowing, 173

Blower droppings, 311

Boiler—Riddell’s, 122; a good one
asked for, 2925 a good, 330, 599,
364

Boilers, 55; for garden structures,
32; requisites in, 257; bursting,

318

Borders, fruit, cropped, 228

Bossizea culture, 30

Botanic (Roya’) Society’s Show, 249,
280, 315, 357, 409, 468

Bottom heat, 193

Bougainvillea speciosa, 551

Bouquet, Princess of Wales's Bridal,
202

Bower-birds, 162

Box-edgings, trimming, 2

Brahma Pootra—remonstrance of,
194; egg-bound, 406

Breast, crooked, in fowls for esxhi-
bition, 386

Broccoli—preserying cut, 12; cul-
ture, 94

Brugmansia culture, 122

Buckwheat for poultry, 20

Budgrigas, managing, 106

Bulbs—management of Cape, 141;
Cape, cause of their not flowering,
193 ; Cape, 225 ; in pots, 250; after
flowering, management, 313

Bull’s, Mr., plant establishment, 376

Bushel, its size formerly, 167

Butter, ill-flayoured, 38S

32

CAFE AU LAIT, 304
Calabar Bean, 341
Caladiums sporting, 123

Calanthe — vestita culture, 90;
Veitchii hybrida, 293

Calceolaria — cuttings, 177, 249;
colours of, 250; tetragona, 362;

amplexicaulis, match bed, 40+

Calceolarias—leaves black, 5; cul-
ture, 6; new, 108; deformed, 152 ;
and Geraniums for chain-border,
300; wind-injured, 386

Callicarpa americana, 6

Camellia — flowers deformed, 35 ;
flowers imperfect, 56; leaves
spotted, 81, 267; buds dropping,
299; Duchesse de Berri, 343 ; leaves
partly yellow, 403; soil, 451

Camellias—heating pit for, 158 ; after
flowering, 250; not fiowering, 333 ;
large, 360

Campylobotrys refulgens culture,441

Canaries — breeding, 252; dying,
388

Canary—ceasing io sing, 354; not
mating, 426; cross with Yellow-
hammer, 464

Canna indica sowing, 173

Carnation Samuel Moreton, 229

Carton, Duke of Leinster’s, 115, 180

Currot soup, 304

Catalpa not flowering, 385

Caterpillars, the best way to destroy,
447, 461

Caulifiowers, preserving cut, 12

Cedar of Lebanon, pruning, 267

Celery culture, 6, 46, 55, 115, 121,
348

Cement for putty, 14

Centaurea, candidissima, 122; propa-
gating, 35; ragusina, 103; dying
off, 193

Cerastium tomentosum — culture,
177 ; management, 423

Cereus pterogonus, 127

Ceyion, importing plants from, 301

Chair, Ha-sard’s portable, 227

Chamzrops Fortunei, its hardiness,
453

Cherries, black fly on, 404

Cherry—Belle Agathe,

230; and

| _ Plum aphis, destroying, 422

Chickens—death of, 144; manage—
ment of early, 144; real spring,
234, 252; how obtained gratis in
America, 235; with colds, 252;
remaining with hen, 820; dying
suddenly,320; out of doors, 36S >.
before weaning, food for, 387

Chinese fruit-gardening, 361

Chinese Primrose, Fern-leayed, 419

Chorozema—cordata, specimen, 170,
genus, culture of, 259

Clrysanthemum—Striped Japanese,
293 ; varieties of, 293; history and
cultivation, 257; varieties for pot
culture, 238; to seed, 238; insect _
enemies, 239

Chrysanthemums, 25; Her Majesty
and Lord Palmerston, 76; not
blooming, $1; Pompon—Fauairest
of the Fair, Mary Lind, ana Julia
Englebach, 137; blooming time,
141 ; listof hardy large, 267

Cinchona officinalis, 137

Cinchonas, list of and culture, 434

Cineraria—leaves injured, 195, 229;
267; cordata, 293; maritima seed-
lings, 333

| Cinerarias—cutting-down and sow-
ing, 333

Cissus discolor culture, 123

Clay—burning, 250; soils,
ing, 65, 441

Clematis, to propagate, 195

Clianthus Dampieri sowing, 214, 250

Climate of England, has it changed ?-
413, 456

Climbing birds, 352

Club root, 476

Cobeea scandens flowers altered, 403%

Cock drooping, 252

Cockerels fighting, 162

Cochin-China—with diseased liver,
354; feet inverted, 354; legs para-
lysed, 570; diarrhoea in, 370;
chickens’ mahagenient, 426

Cocoa-nut-fibre dust—for propagat-
ing, 47, 56; over hot-water pipes,
70; in compost, 103; as a manure,
141; experiwents with, 205; quan-
tity needed, 250

Coccoloba platyclada, 419

Codonopsis cordata, 293

Celogyne lagenaria, 293

Coke as fuel, 233

Cold, fowls affected with, 162

Coleus plants damping-off, 267

Colours—barmony of, 153; airange-
ment of, 200

Columbarian Society, National, 105

improy--

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vi

Conifers in Ireland, 154

Conseryatory—plants for back, 14;
pillars, plants for, 141; water for,
386; aspect for, 438

Conservatories, construction of, 171

Coral, 20

Cork Poultry Show, 89, 57

Cornwall, crops in, 329

Corysanthes limbata, 76

Cotoneaster microphylla—leafless,
168; its uses, 458

Cottage gardens, judging, 408

Coton seed-cake as a manure, 114

Cows, furze for, 63

Crassula coccinea not blooming, 169

Creeper for rustic basket, 441

Créve Cour fowls dying, 252

Créve Ceurs not laying, 236

Crickets, destroying, 7

Crocus-holder, cheap, 70

Crocuses—new and old, 22; Spar-
rows destroy, 110, 189; what de-
stroys, 153; transplanting, 193;
destroyed by mice, 211

Crossing plants, 78

Crystal Palace, 316; Bird Show,
124; Flower Show, 375; Show,
florists’ flowers at, 393; Rose
Show, 470

Cucumber—plants, thrips on, 14;
pit, 81; pit dung-heated, 423;
leaf, insect on, 481

Cucumbers—gumming in, 46; and
Melons in a greenhouse, 813 dis-
eased, 250; open air, 366; de-
formed and yellow, 482

Currant-branch grub, 300

Cuttings—over hot-water pipes, 100;
for bedding, 252

Cyanophyllum magnificum, 453, 472

Ceeemene, treatmert of seedling,
85

Cypella Herberti culture, 81

Cypripedium Hooker, 137

Cyrtanthus lutescens, 293

DaAtsy-KNIrEe, 378; ERADICATOR, 416

Daisies on a lawn, destroying, 403

Dammara orientalis, 76

Date-Palm parasite, 157

Datura Wrightii, 153

DEC of rooms, temporary,

8

Delphinium alopecuroides, 343

Dendrobium—nobile breaking, 283 ;
Paxtoni shoots, 423

Deosiar seeds, sowing, 250

Deodars, grafting on Larch, 15+

Deodorising, 472

Devizes Poultry Show, 180, 142;
dottings at, 158

Dipladenia urophylla, 52

Disa grandiflora, 423

Disas, from the Cape, 233; culture
of, 240

Dogs losing their hair, 162, 198; at
the Paris Show, 406

Dorking—fowls. 56; Silver Greys,
57; pullets no‘ laying, 64; plu-
maze of cock, 64; cockerels, 484

Dorkings—Silver-Grey, 19, 104; va-
vieties of, 463; colour of Grey
‘chickens, 464 -

Dottrell seen, 334

Drainage, an effect of, 49

Ducklings dying, 370

Ducks—wild reared with tame, 39;
for table, 64; eggs unfertile, 162,
426; keeping, 302; lameness in,
304; egz-bound, 304 ; prolific Bast
Indian, 368, 425; Rouen and
East Indian, 464; prolific, 482

SEDGING-PLANTS {£8 KITCHEN GAR-
DEN, 233

Edinburgh Horticultural Society’s
Show, 245 y

DHgs—producing age of fowls, 20;
fertilisation of, 320

Eggs—shell-less, 86; do acorns dis-
colour? 159; preserviag, 286;
mossy-Havoured, 354; not hatch-
ing, 406; chilled, 482

Encephalartus horridus, var, trispi-
nosa, 293

Endive culture, 265

** English Botany,’? 120

Entomological Society’s Meeting, 78,
174, 28), 330, 438, 477

Epacris culture, 4

Epacrises done flowering, 383, 385

Epilepsy, Mugwort used as a cure
for, 416

Escallonia macrantha, 52

INDEX.

Euphemia, undulated, 320

Euryops puncta‘us, 368; hardiness
of, 434

Evergreens—bed of, 35; for paling,
mee cutting-in, 233; watering,
44

Exhibition poultry, time for hatch-
ing, 406

Exhibitor and Judge at same Show
not permissible, 104

FaRMING TWO ACRES, PROFIT OF, 255
Fattening poultry, food for, 426
Feathered helps, 154, 172, 230

Beet distorted, in exhibition fowls,

Ferns—in crinoline pots, 55; Gold
and Silver, 55; grubs at the roots,
80; seale on, 81; in greenhouse,
potting, 368

Ferneries—shading, 210, 257

Fertility of our soils, does it de-
crease ? 107, 141

Ficus elastica, propagating, 301

Fig-trees in pots, 480

Figs—falling, 801; dropping, 385

Filberts, pruning, 177

Fire heat direct for heating, 111

Firs, Scotch, fence of, 80

Floral decorations at the civic enter-
tainment, 455

‘Florist and Pomologist,” 114

Feower-bed arrangement — What
flowers think of it, 360

Flower garden—at Straffan, plants
of, 184; plan of a small, 244;
planting, 244; plan, 279, 283, 294,
378; geometrical, 363; plans,
faults in, 407

Flower-gardening, progress of, 199

Ylower-gardens, planting, 305

| Flower-pot, size of, 55

Flower-pots becoming green, 177

Flower-stands, ornamental, 53

Flowers—need new banish old? 315;
old-fashioned cottage, 340

Flue—cleaning a greenhouse, 7;
heating, 135, 141, 181, 211, 214,
258; plea for the old, 292 ; clean-
ing, 403, 435

Flues—v. hot water, 223; two to one
furnace, 391; versus hot-water
Pipes, 326, 358; cheap, 330; heat-
ing by, 414

Foliage v, flowers, 372

Forcing, preparations for, 103

Fountains, 343

Fowls—dung for Roses, 193; yard
for, 286; profitable, 464

Frame—fiue-heated, 234; use of a
cold, 351 ;

Frames, protection for hotbed, 53

French vegetables and fruits, 431

Fruit—room management, 55; tree
training, Du Breuil's mode, 90;
trees, protecting, 188; buds de-
formed, 193; blossom-buds, thin-
ning, 229; flavour of, 274; trees in
pots, 295, 346; raising, Van Mons
theory, 297 ; growing, 309; trees,
repotting yearly, 406

Fruits for an east wall, 123

Fuchsia seedlings, 103

Fuchsias—Sanspareil and Hercules,
137; hybridising, 327; retarding,
386

Fumigating, 213; with tobacco,
1938

Furze as food for animals, 63

GAINES’ PLANT SALE, 342

Galvanic plant-protector, 208

Game—fowls, 87; garden injuries
by, 156; selling live, 162; paste,
Day’s, 286

Gapes in fowls, 387

Garden—abundance from a small,
94; engine, 242; plans, 328;
helps, 347

Gardeners—a few words to young,
27; Company, suggestions for,
189; Society, 221, 253, 305, 342,
473; excluding from exhibitions,
451

Gardenia culture, 48, 376

Gardening in defiance of difficulties,
389

Garnishing, ornamental leaves for,
337

Garrya elliptica, 171

Giirtner, vindication of, 93

Gus—heatei boiler, 31; lime ma-
nure, 123; heating by, 319; re-
fuse as a manure, 379

Gastrolobium calycinum, 136

Genetyllis tulipifera, 122 ,

Geometry applicable to gardening,
295, 313, 379

Geranium — Mrs. Pollock, become
green: cuttings of variegated,
_122; TomThumb’s leaves blanched,
283; Golden Chain, potting, 300 ;
Reidii, 403; bedding for cold dis-
tricts, 403

Geraniums—new bedding, 3; Scar-
let in boxes, 14; bedded, 35;
Scarlet, in pots, 59; cross-breed-
Ing, 88; spotted, 158; bedding-
out varieties, 254; management of
young, 249; Golden Chain, &c.,
085; cuttings of sweet-scented,
386; retarding, 386; new bed-
ding, 412

German Asters, blight on, 386

Gilliflower, the true, 275

Gishurst Compound, 32, 264, 280;
painting with, 35; effects on blos-
som-buds, 204

Gladiolusesin pots, 81

Glass case, plantsand Ferns for, 384;
leaves spotted, 385

Glass—paint to shade, 141; for
greenhouse, 214

Glazing frames, 177

Gloxinia tubiflora, sowing, 158

Cintas culture of, 129; in thumbs,
141

eo Chain Geranium, its edge,

83

Gompholobium barbigerum and cul-
ture, 313

Good manners in visiting a garden,
what are? 345

Gooseberry-buds, fo preserve from
birds, 187

Gooseberry caterpillars, preventing,
141, 154; buds and small birds,
141; caterpillars, 193; destroyed
by white hellebore, 223

Gooseberries, bottling, 333

Goslings, detecting sex of, 40

Gourds, 233; on poles, 35

Grafting, 212

Granite, imitation, 119

Grape—growing in America, 72;
judging, 100; Early Archerfield
Muscat, 323; ‘Trebbiano, 482

‘*Grape Vine,’’ 343

Grapes—on New Year's-day, 11;
keeping late, 13 ; new, in January,
47; old v. new, 71; in Angust,
81; weight of crop, 104; shrivel-
ling when in bloom, 221; spotir,
368; spotted 423; shanking, 441 ;
bunches dying, 442; colouring,
461

Grasses for Queensland, 157

Green Gage stalks yellow, 283

Greenhouse, construction, 35 ; build-
ing, 45; heated from kitchen
boiler, 224; wallclimber, 250 ; gar-
dening in a smoky locality, 397

Greenhouses, heating, 359

Grouse, Pintailed Sand, destruction
of, 482

Grubs in flower-pots, 250

Guano—quantity per acre, 103;
water, 481

Guaya jelly, 406

Guilandina Bondue, 173

HmMAN1HUS NATALENSIS, 343
Hag-berry tree, 214
Hamburgh — fowls, Black, 106;
Silver-pencilled, feathers, 126;
chickens dying, 406
Hamburghs—Silver-spangled, dead
20; points in Silver-spangled, 426
Hams, cooking, 336 .
Hants, North, Poultry Show, 404
Hatching, ill-success in, 484
Hawthorn, early blooming of, 325
Hay, weight in a cubicyard, 162
Heath cuttings and summer culture,
234
Heaths, raising hardy cross-bred, 48 ;
three varieties, 293; after flower
ing, 368; potting, 392
Heating — horticultural buildings,
111; by flues and hot water, 135;
Polmaise, &c., 136; by flue, 141;
garden structures, 172, 176; re-
spective merits of hot water and
flues for, 181; Polmaise system
of, 186; glassstructurcs, 597, 400 ;
garden structures, 414, 435, 452
Heckmondwike Poultry Show, 18
Hedges, evergreen, planting and
trimming, 100

Helps, garden, 263, 293

Hen egg-bound, 370

Hen-house, moveable, 59

Hen’s eyes swollen, 236

Hens—not laying, 144; laying soft
eggs, 144; sitting, preventing,
252; fed on insects, 159; broody,
162; with wounded backs, 320;
dying without laying, 336; for
early sitting, 354

Herbaczous plants—naming, 230;
list of, 442; succession of flower-
ing, 476

Herbs, a chapter on, 338

Heterotropa parviflora, 343

Higginsia Gheisbechtii, 419

Hill, Thomas, on bees, 388

Hippeastrum equestre culture, 35

Hive, Dzierzon’s improved, 19

Hives—at the International, 62; ma-
chine for making, 62; moisturein,
159; Wovdbury unicomb, 160;
Woodbury, made of straw, 252;
Stewarton Woodburyised, 369;
change of form in Germany, 369 ;
waterproofing straw, 369

Holly hedges, planiing and trim-
ming, 100

Hollyhocks, propagating, 385

Honey—season, 236; taking, 464

Horse Chestnut, 96; double-flower-
ed, 119 ; leaves injured, 403

Horticultural Society, Royal—li-
brary for, 22; Fruit Committee,
71, 291, 341, 396, 455; should have
country meetings, 87; proposed
change of officials, 94; country
meetings of, 129; annual meeting,
132; accounts, 145; report of
Council, 150; Show, 164, 219;
schedules for 1863, 182, 203; gar-
den, 201; Floral Committee, 222,
258, 291, 341, 396, 455; reading-
room, 258 ; Azalea and Rose Show,
288; sculpture, 341; Exhibition,
391, 448; Florists’ Flowers at,
411; management, 455

Horticulture, Exposition de la
epee Impériaie et Centrale, 373,

“Horticultural Society’s (Royal)
Proceedings,” 473

Horticultural Showsin North ofire-
land, 25, 69

Hot-water pipes—v. flues,.9; plants
over, 115 ; quantity needful, 267 ;
and doorway, 319; common error
in fixing, 326; surface required,
412; heating by, 436, 452

Hove culture, 351; carnosa culture,

Hunt, Leigh, gardening in prison,

Hutton versus Munn, 58

Hyacinth—Show, Hendersons’, 257
St. Francisco, 419

Hyacinths, 204; in pots, 110; Cuts
bush’s, 225, 242; new varieties,
225; flowering unevenly, 263

Hybrid Pheasants and other Game
birds, 59

Hybrid plants recurring to their
originals, 162

Hydropult, the, 203

Icz-KEEPING, 14, 66; HOUSES, AmE-
RICAN, 81; ventilation of, 32;
houses and ice-keeping, 119; trade
and manufacture, 419

Imantophyllum miniatum, 343

Impatiens bicolor, 229

Incubator, 126

Indian seeds, 250

Indiarubber tubing, yulcanised, is it
injurious? 295

“In-door Gardener,”’ 453 :

Insect-destroying compounds, 14

Insect enemies of the Chrysanthe-
mums 239; on plants in vinery,

Insects—to destroy, 290, 472

Ipomea Learii not blooming, 169

Ireland, a few days in, 183

Iyy pruning, 301

JAPANESE FOWLS, 461

Japanese plants, acclimatising, 162

Jasminum grandiflorum in green-
house, 141

Jeans, Rev. George, 272

Jedburgh Poultry Show, 105

Judging garden produce, 408

Judging plants, 170; fruits, 171

Juniper hedge, 101

KALMIA, LATIFOLIA NOT BLOOMING,
333; not flowering, 351

Kendal Poultry Show, 36

Kidney Beans, forcing, 156, 284

Kitchen garden, seeds for, 134

meng wiEuee, importance of general,

56
Kxohl Rabi sowing, 233

LABELS, oLAss, 81

Lady Gardeners, 335

Lancashire workingmen botanists,
Paeteated, 9, 53, 78, 187, 191,

97

Lapageria rosea not growing, 423

Larch, diseases of the, 3d4

Larks, 302

Lawn—weeds on, 104; mossy, &c.,
250

Lawrie Todd, the real, 127

Laying, promoting, 86

Lessons learned last year, 6

Lice in fowls, 320

Lilies, removing white, 404

Lilium giganteum culture, 453

Lime, 13

Lime water, 141

Limekiln’s influence over
crop, 101

Limekilns, heating by, 278

Liquid manure—strength of, 25;
tor Roses, &c., 266, 267; smell
from, 403

Liquid manuring, 177

Liverpool Poultry Exhibition, 82

Lobelia—kermesina, 301; light blue,
385

Lobelias, new, 108

“Long Firm,”? a member caught,
179

Lothians, the season in, 311

Love-letter—a gardener’s, 380; re-
ply to a gardener’s, 415

Lycioplesium pubiflorum, 293

Lycopodium—denticulatum, propa-
gating, 177; Lyalli not prosper-
ing, 267

Tyas Lord Cloncurry’s seat, 261,
27

Potato

MALay FOWwtLs, 236, 251, 284, 3343
colour of legs, 252; points of, 196;
at Devizes, 268

Manchester Poultry Show, 15, 82

Mangold sowing, 233

Manure, to convert sods into, 193

Melon—culture, 9, 23; house ar-
rangements, 81; pit, heating, 158 ;
forcing, 214; frame arrangement,
266; leaves spotting, 333; culture,
366; leaves diseased, 384

Melous scorched, 351; small, falling,
423; heat needed, 423; retaining
old, 461; thrips and red spider on,
461

Meteorological notes (1862), 7, 346

Meteorology of 1862, Lancashire,
49; Frome, 76; Waringstown,
95; Bradford, 188; Bedfordshire,
220

Meyenia erecta turning yellow, 266

Mice—barking Hollies, 80; field, to
trap, 115; catching field, 162;
injurious to Vines, 183, 186; at-
tacking Strawberries, 318; garden,
475

Mignonette, forming tree, 273

Mimosa viva, 173

Mimulus—maculosus, varieties, 4195
cupreus and culture, 472

Mint, variegated, as an edging, 81

Mistletoe on the Oak, 69

Moles in Vine-borders, 333

Monochzetum, 214; Humboldtianum,
229; Free-ilowering, 293; ensi-
ferum culture, 461

snr Dr., of Glasneyin Gardens,
250

Moss-house, climber for, 81

Moths, preserving woollens from,
21

Mount St. Bernard gardening, 389

Mouse and dog, friendship between,
211

Mowing machines, 481

Mule birds, 84

Mule cage-birds, 126

Musa Cavendishii, its fruitfulness,
399; weight of fruit, 438

Mushroom—culture, 13, 349; house,
constructing and managing, 428

Mushrooms grown in pots, 400

Myrtles not flowering, 403

) PACKING PLANTS FOR

INDEX.

NAMES, SENSATION, 254

Nantwich Poultry Show, 123, 143

Naturalists’ Society, West Riding,
180

Nectarines—cutting back, 319; fall-
ing, 385

Nemophila, Disk-shaped, 293

Nerium flowers failing, 214

Newton, Sir I., a gardener, 389

New York—garden trees, &c., at,
174; florists and flowers, 381

Nierembergia gracilis, is it hardy?
275; hardiness of, 290; wintering,
B41

Nightingales, rearing young, 454

Nile, Flora and map of, 422

Novelties, forthcoming, 337

Nursery grounds, rule for rating, 277

NDraerymens greenhouses, rating,
223

GENOTHERAS ACAULIS AND NANA AS
BEDDERS, 368

Olive, grafting the wild on the, 360

Orach, Purple, as an edging, 103

Orange—tree blight, 122; tree shoots
dying, 177; trees, pruning, 233;
trees, repotting, 319; tree not
thriving, 384; tree leaves falling,
441

Oranges — Tarigerin,
193; large, 360

Orchard-house—tfruit, 49, 308; trees,
310, 314, 339; management and
failures, 355; in the Highlands,
358; uses of, 339

Orchard-houses, 220, 290, 295, 377 ;
bees in, 247 ; merits of, 276, 327,
398; invitation to Mr. Robson to
view, 324; what are, and what to
expect from, 379

Orchards or orchard-houses? 309

** Orchidaceous Plants, Select,’ 136,
316

Orchid—culture and cross-breeding,
206 ; impregnation, 217

Orchids—in conservatory, 141; treat-
ment of neglected, 234; fertilisa-
tion of, 237, 287 ; winter-flowering,
271; sale of, 274, 314; microscopic
examination of seeds, 288

Owl—which Gestroys game? 289,
319; does it destroy game, 420

5; to graft,

ANTIPODES,
233

Paint—for greenhouses in smoky
towns, 268; for posts, 301

Palm, a hardy, 453

Pampas Grass, planting, 100

Pancratium mexicanum, 56

Pansies—new, 2; Impératrice Eu-
génie, Harlequin, Admiration, and
King of Italy, 76; their merits,
and new ones, 89; list and ma-
nagement, 1069; Mr. Thomson, of
Iver, the improver of, 326

Tansy — Beaton’s Good-Gracious,
26; the “ Good-Gracious,” 51, 76,
93; history and future prospects,
239; its first improver, 275;
flowers injured, 441

Paris, jottings from, 373, 431

Parrot picking-out its feathers, 86

Parroguet, Australian, 354

Paroquets, Roselle, nearly feather-
less, 304 r

Parsley management, 204

Passion-Flowers in a glazed porch,
193

Payetta borbonica culture, 441

Pea culture, 317.

Peach—trees in bad order, 14; and
Nectarine trees in orchard-house,
49; tree branehes dyisg, 8i;
house, cleansing, 140; trees in
bloom, 141; trees in bloom, treat-
ment, 157; cracking at the collar,
158 ; trees, failing, 187 ; in unheated
house, 233; tree fly, 299; aphis,
the brown, 311; trees, cutting
back, 319; tree aphis, 480; seed-
ling, 481

Peaches—not setting, 301; falling,
385 ; mildewed, 423

Pear—Huyshe’s Victoria, 76; trees
unfruitful, $1; Beurré Supertin,
91; Calebasse, 137; a monster
Californian, 174; leaves, fungus
on, 333; Nouvelle Fulvie, 343;
tree not bearing, 355; tree,
blighted leaves on, 403; British
Queen, 419; leaves spotted, 423

Pears—this winter, 8; keeping this
season, 28; crop of 1862, 113; new
vary on different soils, 113; on
Ash stocks, 158

Peas—succession of, 45, 101, 102,
109, 232; effects of crossing, 93;
and how to grow them, 465; time
between sowing and gathering,
465; preserving green, 484

Pelargonium—Fancy specimen, 170 ;
culture, 214; garden, 436; train-
ing for exhibition, 474; black on
leaves, 482

Pelargoniums—for forcing, 145
bone-dust for, 56; lists of new, 67 ;
Monitor, Queen of Whites, Regina
formosa, Conflagration, Royal

Albert, Belle of the Ball, and |

Royalty, 137; cross-breeding, 158 ;
Improvement, Censor, and Sou-
venir, 343; cuttings of Rollisson’s
Unique, 382

Pens for poultry, 15

Perennials, to sow, 899

Perilla-bed, edging for, 404

Periwinkle, Lesser, double, 263

Peruvian Bark trees, 434

Petuniss from New York, 327

Pheedranassa obtusa, 137

** Phantom Bouquet,” 250

Pheasant—hybrid between Silver
and common, 40; and fowl hybrid,
82; and Silver-Pheasant hybrid,

159; feeding-trough, Crook’s,
351
Pheasants — hybrid, 59; rearing

Silver, 320; young ones seen, 361
Philodendron Simsii, 345
Philoperisteron Society’s Show, 58
Phycella Herberti culture, 81
Puysostigma venenosum, 341
Picotee Jessie, 229
Pigeon—nests, 20;

hen not laying, 388
Pigeons—Runts, haying colds, 64;

Tumblers with diseased livers, 64;

with overgrown bill, 159; points

ip Tur 270; Powters, a hint,

30
Pigs, salt for, 20, 63
Pimelea spectabilis

122
Pine Apple leaves decaying, 301
Pine Apples, white scale on, 14
Pinus seeds, sowing, 177
Piping required for hot-water heat-

ing, 27 ; covering, 32
Pipes, number Qf return and flow,

12

diseased, 354;

propagation,

Pitcairnia pungens, 76

Pit—use of a vacant, S1; heating,
176; boiler and piping for, 403

Pits and their failures, 50

Planters, encouragement to, 326

Plants, new, of the season, 108

Pleurothallis Reymondi, 419

Plumbago—rosea var. coccinea, 137 ;
capensis now flowering, 385

Pium—Golden Esperen, 76; trees
with fruit on, shifting, 394

Plums budding on Sloes, 157

Plunging material, $1

Poinsettia—pulcherrima, propagat-
ing, 391; for garnishing, 337

Polands, white crests of, 126

Po'len’s influence on seed’s appear-
ance, 70

Polmaise system of heating, 186

Polyanthus seed sowing, 118

Polygala Dalmaisiana culture, 214

Pomegranate culture, 48

Pomegranates not blooming, 177

** Popular Science Review,” 161

Potato—forcing, 34; planting on
ridges, 148; the Barbadoes, 293,
330, 346

Potatoes—Mitchell’s Early Albion
and Lapstone, 1 ; culture, 1; some-
thing more about, 112; planting
early, 140; merits of different,
210; forcing, 232; early, in Corn-
wall, 311

Potted plants, watering, 447

Potting, 460

Poultry—last year, 15; Diary, 42;
Clab, 82; French farm, 83; food
required, 86, 180; for London
market, 123; feeding profitably,
141; what points essential? 177 ;
judging, 194; Club, The, 234, 250,
268, 283; keeping, 252; dying
suddenly, 270; judging publicly,
301; losing feathers, 320; Shows,
coming, 333; judging, rules for,
343

Primroses, double Chinese, 3

Vil

Primula leayes drooping, 80

Primulas, propagating
Chinese, 386

Propagating—bed, 3; house, 301

Protecting frnit-blossoms, 212

Protecting frult-trees, 188

Pi otection for fruit trees, 14

Pullet unable to walk, 106

Pycnostachys urticifolia, 229

Pyrethrums, Mr.Salter’s new double,
374

Pyrus japonica, moving large, 267

doublo

QUAILS, MANAGEMENT OF CALI-
FORNIAN, 252

Quercus phellos, sowing, 267
Quickset hedge treatment, 385
Quick-et hedge worn out, 56

RABBIT EATING HER YOUNG, 20

Rabbits, protecting trees from, 171

Rainfall at Linton Park, 413

Kain water, 14

Ranunculus, Persian, plea for, 21;
list of, 22

Rhododendron —jasminiflorum, 75;
culture, 224; glaucum, 226; seed,
hybrids and manuring, 29+

Rhododendrons, 394; propagating
Sikkim, 123; lifting and cutting
down, 193; diseased, 193; not
flowering, 2|4; Aucklandii, 214;
haiditess of, 253; culture, 254;
seediings and culture, 256; hybri-
dising, 327; Sikkim, in Ireland,
351; Bhotan, 452

| Ribbon-border, 312, 384

Ribston Pippin trees cankering, 467

Rocket, double, as a bedder, 419

Rookery, establishing, 9, 47, 76, £59

Rose—Aniré Leroy @’Angers, 76;
tree cuttings, 122; planting, 122;
Solfaterre, culture, 141; Cloth of
Gold, frosted, 202; Comtesse
Ouvaroff, 223; trees and bone
m inure, 233; lrancois Lacharme,
343; Yellow Banksian, not bloom~
ing, 572; leaves curling, 404;
trees, pruning and manuring, 471

Roses—budding and grafting, 44;
watering, 103; grafting, 103; old
v. new, 145; pruning, 158; and
Ivy against a fence, 158; pruning
on pillars, 158; budd ng, 158; in
pots, pruning, 171; midewed in
greenhouse, 177; manured with
fowls’ dung, 193; at Mr. W.
Paul's, 291; manure water for,
301; in the suburbs, 325; effects.
of winter on, 325; prospects of,,
326; new, 326; forcing, 410

Roupellia grata, 52

Rump-gland, swollen, 162

Roupy fowls, 388.

Rustic stumps, plants for, 385

Saco Patm, 162

Sulsafy, is it a fowl-poison ? 446

Salt not beneficial to pigs, 198

Salvia patens, flowers falling, 301

Sam Slick’s garden, 412

Sapindus saponaria sowing,174

Saxifraga Fortunei, 343

Scilla natalensis, 343

Scottish National Poultry Show, 18

Scottish Ornithological Society’s
Show, 38

Scythe, Ciarke’s Patent, 382

Sea-kale—to be often renewed ? 11;
productive age, 47; culture, 258,
268 ; management, 156

Sea-side, plants for, 158

Season—mildness of, 133; in Corn-
wall, 154; proofs of earliness, 252

Seaweed as a manure for Asparagus,
&e., 314

Sebastopol, gardening during the
siege, 389

Sedum Sieboldi, 76

Shading, 481

Skimmia japonica not fruiting, 266

Slugs—eating worms, 158; destroy-
ing worms, 187; destroying, 301

Smerles, Belgian, 106

Smoky atmosphere, plants for, 266

Snake Millipede, 385

Soapsuds as a manure, 122

Sods, to convert into manure, 193

Soil—importance of fresh, 300; im-
proving light, 481

Solanum, variegated, 76

Sonerila grandiflora, 76

Seat water, 441; syringing with,
26

Vill

Spanish—cockerel lost at the Crystal
Palace, 42; fowls, breeding, 64;
fowls, white, 162; fowls, large
eges from, 482

Sparrow-killing not murder, 78

Sparrows destroyers of Lettuce, 293 ;
their merits, 293

Stephanotis floribunda, 177

Stocks, sowing Intermediate, 111;
of fruit trees, detecting, 158

Stove—without flue, 56; heating by,
318 -

Straffan House, 167

Straffan, flower garden at, 183;
farms at, 185

Strawberry—forcing, 102, 176, 213,
350, 418; weight of crop, 104;
manuring, 104; plants after fore-
ing, 281; Keens’, not blossoming,
329; blooms, profuse, 359; cross-
breeding the American species,
418; failures, 432; beds, tanners’
bark for, 454; plants, preparing
for forcing, 469; at Paris, 475;
millipedes in, 476, 481

Strawberries—crossing, 45; in pots,

249 2
Strobilanthes auriculatus, 209
Stylidium amoenum and culture,
454
Sulphur burning in vinery, 14

-Summer-house, 398

Sunderland Park and Waterworks,
92

Swans, prolific, 425

TABLE DECORATION, 450

Talegalla, 162

‘Tank for liquid manures, 332
Tanks, constructing, 421

Haun ton Poultry Association, 215,
Tea-making, 64

Tenant removing buildings, 350
Teratology, vegetable, 152

Terrier pups, rearing, 162
Tetratheca ericeefolia, 399

Acacia squamata ....... Seo AgROL arp OALOS

4Srides maculosum Schracderi

®sculus hippocas‘anum flore pleno...

Alcove Aviary
-Auricula-house ...
Bee-house

», hive Frame
»» hive Communication..
Boiler, Gas-heated..
5, Connection ..
Border, Plan ofa Ribbon
Bossitea tenuicaulis .....
IBOWYS)s\vensceusceeurce
Calceolaria tetragona ..
Calceolarias, Monstrous
Carton Flower Garden
» Kitchen Garden .
Chorozema cordata
tn triangularis .
Crocus-holder .. ..
Daisy Eradicator..
» Knife

152, 153
116, 117
Spe UGH Hassard's Portable Chair .....

INDEX,

Thorburn, Grant, 118, 127

Thorne Toultry Show, 462

Thrips—destroying, 35, 202; ‘on
Cucumbers, 202, 319

Toad, eating worms, 331, 361

Tobacco—quantity weeded for fu-
migating, 14; fumigation, 253,
259

‘Tomtit and his associates, 284

Tortoises breeding in tn sland, 51

‘Trees for a blind, 351

‘frichomanes radicans—culture, 267
rediscovired in England, 411

Tricyrtis hirta, 76, 2.9

Teifonte ase Gunes 158; Rooperi,

9,

Tropzolum—Ball of Fire, 76; tube-
rosum, 158

zue Show, Northern Counties,

By

Turf arrangements, 208

‘Turnip-tops forced, 34

Tying material wanted, 437, 475

Utverston Povirry SHow, 194

VEGETABLES, NEW, 137

Veitch, Mr., death of, 362

Ventilation, 56, 1u9, 118; of hovti-
cultural structures, 68

Ventilating and warming horticul-
tural structures, 243

Verbena— cuttings,119, 121, 140, 386;
to contrast with Purple King, 384

Verbenas—wintering, 189; Flora,
Rosalie, and Purple Eimperor, 229 ;
Lord Leigh and Lord Craven, 230 ;
pink, and edging for, 234 ; colours
of, 250; planting out, 333 ; cuttings
failing, 333; new, 337

Vinca rosea turning yellow, 266

Vine-border—dung fermenting on,
32; cuttings, $4; mulching and
wateling, 35; borders, dividing,
147; leaves spotted, 319, 403;

With fermenting dung, 381; shoots
gangrened, 403; border manu-
zing, 461 ; border, covering, 482
Vinery—heated by dung, 380; fail-
ures in and heating, 412; tempera-
ture for, 422
Vines—liquid manure for, 56; in
greenhouse, 141; pruning, 154;
stem destroyed by mice, 157; in
pots, 1765; injured by mice, 183,
1865; aérial roots on, 206; lifting
roots, 214; in greenhouse, moy-
ing, 227; not flourishing, 268;
breaking prematurely, 301; in
frames, 282; season after planting,
283 ; from eyes and layers, 283;
old and yigorous, but untruitful,
340; oli, failing, 368; for an or-
chard-house, 368; old, vigorous,
and unfruitful, 381; too highly
heated, 418; leaves waited, 423;
budding, 441; young not flourish-
ing, 442; in Affghanistan, 478;
grub and holes in leaves, 481
Vineyards in England, 209
Violets—forcing, 55; kinds and cul-
ture, 356; after fowering, 319

Wacraits, 802

Walks—broken stone, gravel, ash,
and surfucing, 51; occasional ma-
terials and foundation, 72; tar or
asphalt, 210

Wall—fruits for east, 141; colouring
black, 141; tree bloom-buds,
whitewash over, 198; evergreen
to cover, 301

Warblers, 40

Wardian Case for cuttings, 385

Warning, 144, 196

Warnings, advantage of, 105

Witer-cress culture, 403

Water Lilies, British, 108

Water—softening hard, 403; for
plants, the best, 447

Watering—time for, 404; pot, using

96 Flue-heating ............
10 Flower-stand .......
», and Fern-stand.

19 ”
31 ”

Grant Thornburn ...
Harmony of Colours .

170 Horsechestnut, double

. 245 Escallonia macrantha .

eeeeeeeene

- 269 Kitchen Garden Cropping
» 70 Lime Kilns, Heating by ..
« 416 Lyous Flower Garden ..
see O18 », Plan of Panels .....

n

”

53 - »

», Garden Plans, 244, 279, 294, 328, 829, 363, 378 Philodendron Simsii.
Fountain of St. Peter’s,.
of Palazzo Fornesi
of the Vatican ...
. 436 Gardenia Stanleyata....
Gastrolobium calycinum ........
Geometrical Flower Garden .....
Geometry Figures........
Gompholobium barbigerum ,,

viece O44

»

”

Pelargonium, specimen Fancy ..

Planting Flower-beds ..,
- Protection for Fruit Trees
Rhododenaron jasminifiorum

Room Decoration ....,.

227 Strobilanthes auriculatus.

96 Tetratheca ericiefolia .
467 Window Plant A
278 | Woodbury Unicomb-hive ...
». 261 Woodstock, Section of Grounds... .

Wattle, Australian name, 268

Wax, whence produced, 60

“Weather Book, The,” 8

Weeds—on walks, destroying, 122;
133, 153; destroyed by oil of
vitriol, 223

Week, work for, 12, 33, 54, 79, 101,
120, 189, 155, 175, 191, 212, 231,
247, 264, 281, 298, 316, 831, 348,
365, 382, 401, 420, 439, 459, 479;
doings of last, 12, 84, 54, 80, 102,
121, 140, 156, 175, 191, 212, 232,
248, 265, 281, 298, 316, 332, 349,
366, 383, 402, 421, 430, 460, 480

Weigela ros<a cuttings, 293

Wellingtonia ~ - gigantea planting,
169 ; turning brown, 333

Wellington's, Duke of, gardening,
489

Welwitschia mirabilis, 229

Whitehaven Poultry Show, 178,
195

Winchester’s, Warden of, garden,
254 -

‘ \Vindow-gardening, Scienve of,’’,
316

Winners, who will be in 1863? 104

Winter, the present mild, 169

Wireworms, banishing, 125

Wood, which most valuable? 122

Wooden frame, 122

Woodlice in tan, 423

Woodstock in Ireland, 72, 97 ms

Worcester Poultry Show, 214, 251;
duration of, 194 i

Worms—in lawn, 283; destroying,
301

Wren family, 60

YEAR, PAST AND FUTURE, 14 4
Yucca filamentosa not flowering,
319

ZINC-LINED EOXES, 157
Zinnia flowers, 56

leaves warted, 367 ; border covered the, 427, 447 Zosterostylis atachnites, 419 - =
WOODCUTS.
PAGE, PAGE, PAGE, <
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Garden at Oakley wi
POL ABUOT overiasonvieesrratiavcaere: -437
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Stylidinm amcenum ... mA x5

Caesreoce Summer-house elevation, ground plan, and
818 end view of an ornamental...... Men tcaldeyeeneye 398
128 Straffan Flower Garden Section .. .. 168
153 a Flower-beds......... ». 184

.. 209
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FloweriGarden? sivisssccnesesten OV

January 6, 1853.]

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 1

WEEKLY CALENDAR.

| W2aATHER NEAR Lonpon rn 1862. |

Day Day | | Moon Clock
of of JANUARY 6—12, 1863. | {) iis | Rain in Sun | Sun Rises | Moon’s | before | Day of
M'nth Week. | Barometer. |Thermom.| Wind. \\Taches: | Rises. | Sets, andSets| Age. Sun. Wear.
degrees. | m. h.jm. h.) m. bh. m. 5. |
6 Tu Eerxaany: Twelfth day. | N.W. — | SafSj| daft) 55a5 ) 16 Gan 6
7 Ww Black Hellebore flowers. [GEENA I IES a hal Ieee) 17 6 2s 7
8 Tr Grey Wagtail seen. } Z| W. = 7 682|5-7 7 & | l2e8 18 G 54 8 |
9 F Hedge Dunnock sings. j 5 | S.W. ane Gras 8 4;)2) 9 AD MoT ah9, 9
10 Ss Linnzeus d. 1778. } 2 5 | S.W. 02 6 8} 10. 4) Sh 10 20 7 44 10 |
ll | Sty 1 Sunpay AFTER EPIPHANY. | 29.577—29.975 49—3) S.W. Or} eS |e | a ae 21 8 8 11
2 M J. Ray d.1705. B | 29.714—29.498 | 49-27 N.W. “01 4 8/13 4 mom. 22 $8 31 12

METEOROLOGY OF THE Ws8K.—At Chiswick, from observations during the last thirty-six years, the average highest and lowest

temperatures of these days are 41,1° and 30.1° respectively.

The greatest heat, 54°, occurred on the 6th and 7th, in 1819; and the lowest
cold, 6° on the Sth, in 1841, and 1861. During the period 152 days were fine, and on 100 rain fell. N

POTATOES.

‘ORE than one
answer to COor- |
respondents is
contained in
the following.
independent of |
much very re-
liable informa-
tion relative to
Potato culture.
—Ebs. |

Place aux
Dames, I say,
in answer to Mr. Bird; I am sorry I have only a limited |
supply of Potato sets to give away, and I cannot resist
the appeal of Lady Georgina Oakley for her noble
purpose. The Lapstone Kidneys, I presume, are common
enough ; not so, however, the Mitchell’s Early Albion |
Kidney. I hunted out that variety when it was almost
worth its weight in silver at Mr. Duncan Hairs’, who
formerly lived in St. Martin’s Lane, London, and I have
kept it well before the public ever since. I shall be
happy to send Mr. Bird some very small tubers—if he
thinks it would be worth his while to grow them for sets
for another year—of both sorts, if he will forward me
the address.

In a letter I received from Mr. Daintree a few days
ago he tells me that the Lapstone with him proves very
subject to the disease; and so, doubtless, it would with
me, as well as every other variety, if I cultivated them
on the flat. If any one would make it worth my while
I would cause my whole crop of Potatoes in this cold
shady garden any year to become stricken with disease ;
and, goodness knows, at the certain stage of their growth
it is a very nervous time with me, even on the ridge
system that I do adopt. But the beauty of the Lapstone
is, that when the disease does affect the foliage it
may be taken up carefully at an early stage of growth,
and become very much improved in the ripening pro-
cess by being laid moderately thin in a dark place. I
ought to be able to procure sets from the allotment
people here; but the factis they are slovenly. and so mix
their sorts into one indiscriminate jumble that the task |
to separate them would prove endless.

In answer to “ Prespyter,” and in a great measure I |
must necessarily repeat myself, allow me to say that I |
choose middling-sized whole Potatoes, which are grown |
under my own observation on my man Friday’s allot-
ment—a light hazel soil, and opposite in its nature to my
own, which is a sound artificially-made darkish gravelly
loam. The seed is now disposed in single layers upon
shallow wooden trays, and secured from contact with
damp in an underground cellar, having a temperature
ranging from 40° to 45°; its dimensions are 9 feet by
18 feet, and it has a fair twilight produced by a glazed
aperture measuring 3 feet by about 1 foot. The young

No. 93.—Vot. IV., New Szenrss,

eyes on the sets are shooting well forth. I shall soon
attend to the disbudding process, and leave one shoot
upon those early sets which are the size of a bantam’s

| egg, and two shoots to those which exceed that size in

all cases; and by planting-time these shoots allowed to
remain will become robust and dark with health, with
young rootlets starting from around their bases, sturdy,
so to speak, as the quills of a porcupine. Let me strictly
inculcate that the trays whereon the tubers rest be kept
perfectly dry, otherwise the roots which strike from the
base of the shoots, instead of remaining strong and wiry,
will grow away weak, and become matted together,
deteriorating the stamina of the set. J trust the adyan-
tage just stated over the old enervating “ spurting ”
and cutting method will be plainly seen. Nothing is
here lost to the Potato; whatever virtue has gone out
of it remains elaborated in the young shoot, and the
tuber is delivered to the soil with its powers about it,
in addition to a young plant with rootlets and leaves
making ready to compete for the light of day, and to

egin their fructifying functions without loss of time.
When I plant, at each end of the row opposite to the sets
T drive down a substantial piece of stake to remain there
till the following year, in order to point out that the
tubers of next year shall not occupy the site of this. I
never use rew manure at the time of planting. Quick-
lime or mortar rubbish, which is spread over the surface
soil and slightly worked-in just before planting-time, at
the beginning of March, in a fine dry time, is what I
prefer.

For early Potatoes I allow quite 36 inches between
the rows, and for store Potatoes 42 inches. Strain a line
from two pegs where the rows are to be, and place the
sets upon the surface of the soil at a foot distance for the
earlier and 18 inches at least, if the ground is good, for
large late sorts. Then readjust the lines to the full width
of a rather-worn spade, and mark out for a trench cen-
trally between the two rows of Potatoes. Cut down
rather slantingly inwards, in order to leave the sides
eyen, and cast out every other spadeful right and left,
though not exactly plump on to the shoots of the sets.
The crumbs that are afterwards shoveiled ont take that
central position harmlessly ; and we then have a trench
formed nearly a spit deep, which is intended to become
occupied with the Cabbage tribe anon. Formerly, as
each trench was finished I used to introduce raw dung,
and dig that into the bottom; but now I merely fork-up
the bottoms of the trenches with a three-tined fork I
had made on purpose, as, having a good supply of liquid
manure (house sewage) I use it bountifully mstead when
the plants have attained to a good size.

In this garden, which is partly overlooked by the living-
room windows, I like to see everything appearing ship-
shape; butraw dung hauled about a space of ground after
the Potatoes are taken up, and then followed by the plant-
ing-out of lanky Broceoli piants, &e., is never pleasant
in the height of summer either to the nose or eye; and
under the most favourable circumstances the plants will
take a month or six weeks to recover themselves and to

No. 745.—Vot. XXIX., Orp Smiles.

2 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

look decent. But by the trench rule they can be planted out
expeditiously at their proper stage of growth without being
kept waiting for the Potatoes to come off, and they seldom in-
cline to club with me in the trenches.

Again, how seldom do we find the earthing-up of Potatoes
done properly, or at the proper nick of time. In the above
system the practice is quite superseded, for from the moment
they are planted until they are lifted, nothing in that way is re-
quired, because quite sufficient soil is cast upon them in the
first instance, which also insures their non-appearance above
ground until the first or second week in May, when danger
from frosts is over, and we may fairly anticipate their ripening
to have become accelerated a fortnight or three weeks.

Formerly I allowed the haulm of my Potatoes to fall down on
each side the ridges, but I found that with the later sorts they
interfered with and muddled-up the occupants in the trenches ;
so to obviate this I now drive stoutish stakes on each side of the
ridge, 5 or 6 yards apart, and strain a line of tar cord to them to
retain the haulm in an upright position, and, perhaps, once or
twice I clip off with the garden shears the overhanging points,
should they become too long and dense so as to exclude the
light and air from the Cabbageworts. The clippings I clear
away in a basket, when I take the opportunity to clutch away
any stray weeds above, and to catch and kill the caterpillars
from off the Cabbage tribe below—a very necessary procedure.
From several years’ experience of the system, the conclusions I
have arrived at are—when a dry season arrives the tubers have a
Jarger and moister bulk of soil to grow in; should a wet season
occur, the water drains well away into the trenches; and nearly
a double surface of earth is gained for the beneficial infinence of
atmospheric action. When the Potatoes are lifted a quantity
of soil falis down, which creates a first moulding for the Cabbage-
worts, which appear a healthy and flourishing crop upon the
ground at once; alittle drawn they may be, but the open expo-
sure soon rectifies all that, and it is astonishing the produce
that we get from this small garden under the above system.

In reference especially to “PRESBYTER’S” inquiry about
planting distances, I will urge him to observe, that the sets
are to be dropped from 12 to 18 inches apart, according to
their size and sorts, and the rows for store Potatoes must be
42 inches apart; but 6 inches between each two ridges in the
calculation which he requires, must be subtracted for trenchwork,
to the account of the Broccolis; 8 inches would be a fairer
measurement, but it would complicate the calculation; so let
it go at 4 square yards of land to 31 bs. of Daintree’s Seedling.
Potatoes, which would be about 16 tons, or rather better than
223 sacks, at three bushels per sack, per acre. This is about the
average the garden has produced this year, and a very good
crop it was, the best I ever had; in fact, so good that I routed
up the Broccoli and determined to treat the quarter toa fallow,
and a thorough trenching. I can liken the ground now to
nothing so much as “Talpa’s” field. I suppose you have read
“alpa,” and seen the illustration of that immortal harrowing
by Cruikshank. Everybody should read and digest ‘“ Talpa,”
and then they will be able to conceive all the more easily how
it is that I succeed so well in growing Potatoes.

“There, now, that is very good,” some people may say, “he
is comparing his small garden to a field.” Be it so, yet if I can
throw out a useful hint to my fellow men, my object is gained.
I write for cultivators of small plots, yet my facts may be
suggestive to the cultivators of many acres, just as the tiny, fine-
drawn spring which works a watch, so diminutive that a four-
pennypiece will cover it, enlarged and applied, enables the largest
ship chronometer to keep most excellent time——UPwakDs AND
ONWARDS.

FANCY PANSIES—BEST PROPAGATING-BED—
DOUBLE CHINESE PRIMROSES.

Am page 790 of the last Number of this Journal there is a
chapter on the “ Portraits of Plants, Flowers, and Fruits ;” and
the bottom paragragh of it, on that page, is about Pansies from
the “Florist and Pomologist,” the Number for last December,
where the kinds are very beautifully pourtrayed in their gayest
colours ; and there the flowers are rather larger than the biggest
of the florists’ kinds, but not quite so much alter Euclid as a
florist could exhibit them if he had undertaken to dress them
up for show people, or fo- the chance of a prize from the Floral
Committee. The Floral Committee, however, do not always
go the length of their tether in the direction of Huclid, for they

[ January 6, 1863.

had given first-class prizes already to some of these very beauti-
ful Pansies, as well as to a pin-eyed Primrose, and to other
primitives and primeworts of the school of roundabouts; and
by so doing they have made a better impression on their fellow
labourers, and, probably, on the bulk of the exhibitors of “the
first instance,” than you or your humble servant could have
anticipated in so short a period. here is no need, therefore,
that I should apologise for writing about my own favourite
race of Pansies, or to apprehend that I shall ever be called over
the coals for going at them at the very first opening of the
budget for the new year.

It was only three years since that I was so intent upon Fancy
Pansies that I had a whole collection of them from the very
fountain-head of the race in Yorkshire—Mr. Dean, of Shipley—
who hag done more to soften my feelings towards the florists
than even the liberality of the florists on the Floral Committee.
But it is not so much for that collection of beautiful Fancy
Pansies that I am going to open the new year, as for one kind
of Pansy that was in that collection; for that one kind has
brought me more grist to my mill at Surbiton than all my
seedling Geraniums, which I distribute among my neighbours
by the score every autumn after they are skimmed by the
dealers,

It was the Magpie Pansy that proved so lucky to me. Mr.
Dean sent me word to look after the Magpie and see what I
could make of it. I did look after it, and, instead of making
something of it, I have been made more of myself on account of
it than ever I was about any plant which I ever took to before.

You can hardly conceive how passionately fond the ladies
are of this Pansy the moment they see it, or how it confirms the
opinion that ladies can decide about fiowers on the instant by their
own intuitive perception, It was only last spring I was going up
the road with a Magpie Pansy nosegay in my hand, to show to
a young lady who was making a new garden, when I met two
ladies who knew me, and both of them let go their dresses to
lift up ‘their hands in admiration of the nosegay; and when
I made my apologies for bemg the cause of the accidental soiling
of the bottom of the dresses, they declared, on the instant, they
would not have lost the sight for—no matter what. After that
I found the young lady at home, and in the new garden, and
then there was a repetition, all but about the dress ; and nothing
would do but her ladyship must have a Magpie Pansy for the
new garden. Well, what to do was hard to tell. I had only
five plants left me. After taking up the last pair, I meant to
part with them to Mr. Salter, who first raised this beautiful
flower over at Versailles sixteen or seventeen years since. So
you see the age of a really good flower has nothing to do with
its merits in the eyes of those who value flowers for their own
sakes. But it all ended in the old way. The lady had a pair
of the Magpie for the new garden, and I kad five more plants
in my stock than I intended; and they paid me better than
all the rest, for their fame now will go to the ends of the
earth and be 4 comfort to many, which is the best pay after all.
The only way to manege well in a pinch is to make no difficulty
about the object; and the way to divide five plants between
two people is merely to give two and a half to each, of course.
But that was not the way I did. Itook up the best pair for
the lady, and it so happened they were all roots right up to the
collar, owing to their being manured with cocoa-nut dust,
which set-off the rest of my Pansies all into straw and foliage,
that there never was anything like before in the family. Here
was a chance! I divided the two plants into nine good ones,
replanted seven of the pieces for myself, and took two fair-sized
plants for the new garden; and both in the new garden and
in my own the same result happened, which I should never
have thought of. It was a lucky accident!

But I must bring you back to the year before last, to where I
explained, once or twice, that the Magpie Pansy was only a
spring-fowering ;lant, very like the prettiest stove plant we have
—the Torenia asiatica ; but as you may not know that Torenia,
and as some others might not have seen a live magpie, I must
tell them that it is a beautiful pied bird, a jet black, tinged with
the deepest purple on the wings, with a metallic lustre, and the
centre of each wing as white a: snow, and that is how the Magpie
Pansy is marked; there is a soft white mark on exch, oron 80
many of the petals, and all the rest are jet black, but so beau-
tifully tinged with the deepest purple, as to give even a fint
superior to that on the wings of a live magpie itself.

Well, then, the two similar instances in the two gardens in
1862 go to prove, decidedly, that the Magpie Pansy is, or may

January 6, 1863. ]

be, made a summer flower to hold on to the end of September.
When it was only a spring flower it moulted, as it were, in June,
and lost all the white, and without the contrast of the white it
was no better than a blackbird after midsummer. Now, how-
ever, by dividing the plants late in April, instead of late in the
previous autumn, agyhas been the usual custom, the growth of
the plant is continuous, and has no rest for moulting; so the
interesting contrast and the lovely tints of the Magpie Pansy
may be richly enjoyed to the very end of the flower-garden
season. The plants, then, are to be cut back and left as they
are the whole of the winter, and on to the last week in April.
Another lot might be cut back at the end of July, and be re-
planted or not a month later—say on a dripping day towards
the end of August, and such plants in a favourable spring would
be in bloom as tite March Crocuses were going off.

If I had known all this in time, and had been aware the
Editors of the “ Florist and Pomologist”’ contemplated a plate
of Pansies, I would have told them the story, and suggested to
them to have added a figure of the Magpie on that plate. Butnow
T have almost as pleasant a task—namely, to recommend every
one of my readers to be on the look-out for the Magpie Pansy,
if they have it not, and, to make their own plates full at home,
to order the four kinds of Pansies which are so well set off in
the plate in the “Florist and Pomologist.” The names and
colours are at the aforesaid page of this Journal (page 790) ; but
asa good tale is not the worse for being twice told, I may just
say that I was present when a first-class certificate was awarded
to Mr. Dean for Princess Alice, the very largest and best of the
white-faced Pansies, with a deep purple centre. The next two,
Mrs. Moore and Leotard, I have not yet seen alive, but they are
extraordinary, particularly Mrs. Moore, which has the bottom and
two side petals deeply banded with the same crimson tint as
one sees now and then in some of the crimson Nosegays. The
ground colour is yellow, splendidly shaded with the feathered
deep purple blotches in the centre, and straw-coloured back
petals edged like the new tricolor Variegated Geraniums; and
Leotard is as a noble in court costume, the rest of the
dress being a rich shade of mauve, with the robe in Bishop’s
purple, and the rest to match. The last figure on the plate
is the Double Purple, which has before been noticed in these
pages, and which the “Florist and Pomologiat” rightly says
*““is not new, and was known many years ago; but like many
other hardy plants of great beauty, it has been neglected
because it did not happen to bask in the sunshine of popularity.
It is, however, a charming border plant, and should be in every
garden. Our sample for figuring was obtained from Messrs.
Carter & Co., who, we understand, have been successful in be-
coming possessed of this long-lost and ornamental variety, which
is likely now to be appreciated for its own merits, regardless of
the stringent rules of the florist.”

All this is from the heart and hands of the “ Florist” itself,
being another remarkable proof of what I have just stated about
the liberality of the florists of the present day. “Stringent
rules” are quite right and proper when volunteers are out on
parade, but sadly out of place when they are among the ladies
on gala days, when the stringent rules should all point to how to
please them the most.

I will now tell you how this Pansy can be made more pleasing
still. I had that plant in my hands before any of the com-
mercial people had ever seen it, or, at least, I had cut flowers of
it from our office; and it is the very plant for which I had the
first-class certificate from that flying quorum of the Floral Com-
mittee on that show day, when I was handing it about in
ecstacies at finding that every lady to whom I had shown it was
also “charmed” with it. And what will Mr. March, the author
of that charming book on drawing-room decoration, say when
he sees such additions for his tasteful designs as these, the Magpie
and Leotard Pansies? The misfortune for me is, that my garden
is so rich now that few Pansies can stand it without being
staked; but I shall certainly place Leotard for its colour, and
Double Purple for its ladylike setting, side by side with my
most fayourite Torenia-like Magpie Pansy, and I shall not cease
telling every move they make until the whole country is full of
their charms.

The next entry in my day-book, is a promise I made last year
that I would tell how the double Chinese Primroses are made
into huge specimens hereabouts, and in no place more so than in
the Kingston Nursery. There is nothing about London which
‘can come near to them. Last week 1 measured the largest
plant there on purpose for this notice, and the diameter of the

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 3

plant was within a fraction of being 1 yard across; and there were
thirty-two crowns, or (divisions, in that one plant, or, as one
might put it, thirty-two good cuttings could now be made from
that plant, without touching the spread of the branches as I may
call it,

Now, then, let us take one of those thirty-two cuttings, and go
on with it for the next three years, and if we can do it as well as
they do them at Kingston, we shall not be much short of a yard-
through plant by the end of the period. First of all—say the
very best propagating-bed that could be made, or 18 inches
thick of the cocoa-nut refuse over an open tank, or tank-bed, for
that is, without the smallest doubt, the very best way that has
yet been tried and proved, for it has been proved at the Royal
Gardens at Kew. When a body of the stuff is once warmed to
80° or £0°, it will keep to that degree for a very long period
with the ordinary care of keeping a greenhouse warm; but over
a close tank, or over rubble and hot-water pipes, it is ten times
worse than useless, for I have proved that part of the play myself.
Once get the bottom of the cocoa-nut dust quite dry by the dry
heat from a pipe or flue, and you might just as well endeavour to
drive heat through a two-inch deal board. Charcoal itself is a
better conductor of heat than tkis stuff; but keep its own
natural moistness in it by the vapour from an open hot-water
tank, and there is no other substance will come near it in its
capacity for receiving heat and for retaining it the longest. All
that has been already perfectly proved.

Suppose, then, such a propagating-bed, and such a cutting
from a double white or red Chinese Primula, and a thumb-pot
full of very sandy peat, with the usual covering of white sand
on the surface, not negle-ting a fair drainage, and the cutting put
in and watered on a fine morning in February. When the pot
has drained off the superfluous water and the cutting is dry
in the leavea, the pot is plunged in 85° bottom heat, and for the
next six weeks the heat is not one degree lower than at first,
and may be a little more at times. ‘The bell-glass over the
cutting is twice as large as the thumb-pot would seem to
require, in order to allow twice the usual space over the
cutting, which makes it four times less liable to damp-off than
under a very tight fit. But ere the end of the six weeks there
are roots, and it is necessary to tilt the bell-glass a little from
sundown to breakfast-time next day, until at last the young
thing is able to stand upright of itself; and before the roots
get crowded in the cutting-pot the plant is shifted into a No.
60-pot, and a little leaf mould and loam are given with the sand
and peat. The pot is now plunged in another hotbed, but not
nearly so hot as the first; and in a very short time the second
pot is full enough of roots to need another shift, and that is
into the next size, or No. 48-pot. More loam again, and leaf
mould, peat, and sand, and the pot and plant are now fit to
stand on a shelf across the cold end of a stove. By the time
No. 48 is squeezed into No. 32 the plant is fit for the green-
house, and we are at Midsummer-day. One more shift into a
No. 24-pot brings us on to the middle or end of August; and
two-thirds of the compost are now the best maiden yellow loam,
and the one-third about equal quantities of leaf mould, peat,
and sand. From going into No. 24-pot, all through the winter
and next spring, give no more water than will keep the plant from
flagging, and as much heat only as to save from frost. Any time
late in the spring, or early in the summer, when all the roots.
seem to have got into fair working order, the plant is put into a
No. 2-pot—the biggest pot but one that is made in regular
casts, or just the one-shift system. In this No. 2-pot the plant
Yemains two years and gives two crops of flowers, and each crop,
is worth more money than the plant, and this has been done
for years. D. BEaton.

THE FLOWERS OF LAST SEASON.
BEDDING GERANIUMS.

Some time since I gave a sort of running commentary on the
new Verbenas which had been ushered into public life during
the past season, the notes I made being from some in my own
garden with which I had been liberally supplicd by the raisers._
I now proceed to do the same with the bedding Pelargoniams—
or Geraniums, as I think they had much better nave been
called, and as Mr. Beaton will callthem. I could not, of course, _
expect to find that I coincided in opinion with others who had
similar opportunities of judging Verbenas, and never for once.
meant to say more than what they were as far as my own

——E

4 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

judgment went, and the same remark applies to the subject of
the present paper.

“Tt never rains but it pours;” and so now, because some
person has written well and forcibly on the present style of
gardening, deprecating the extravagant lengths to which it has
been carried, others have followed in the wake, telling us that
we must give it up altogether, and that it should only be reserved
for public establishments. Now, although I have been one of
those who haye written most strongly against the outrageous
lengths to which beds and ribbons have been carried, yet I
think this is just as bad as the other extreme. What we want
is a combination of both; and for those who, like myself, con-
sider that one great advantage in a garden is to be able to
gather a bouquet at any time for one’s friends, it is a positive
boon to have beds of scarlet Geraniums, Verbenas, and such
like, always affording a supply, and always brilliant in their
colouring.

The multiplicity of sorts is apt to puzzle and perplex an
inquirer after such as may be most suited for his purpose; and
notwithstanding that every year witnesses an accession of a
considerable number, yet those which permanently remain in
the more select lists are, comparatively speaking, few in number,
New tints of colour are, of course, not to be easily found, and
in habit we cannot get much beyond the kinds we have. It
must be something, then, of superior excellence that should be
marked for permanence in our gardens. Thus, although superiors
to Tom Thumb, Attraction, and Punch have been over and
Over again announced, J think they are still unsurpassed; and
although better variegated ones than Bijou have been as often
promised to us, I do not think that there is one superior to
it in its own peculiar shade of colour. It is somewhat large in
its style of growth, but this can be obviated by pinching-back ;
but if we could oblain what I haye not yet seen—the same
good foliage and large flowers on a more compact style of growth,
it would be very desirable.

Having these notions on the subject, I am prepared before-
thand to receive with much caution the hich-sounding characters
we so often have with new kinds, and to wait for that time
which proveth all things before putting off the old love. ‘Too
fastidious,” some would say; but surely it is better that a few
things should be known to be good than a multitude of inferior
ones passed off on us to fill up gardens and create only dis-
appointment. The first season that a flower is to be let out
there are many, who will and must have everything new, who

‘do not care whether it be bad or good; but for the more general

public greater caution must be exercised. I begin, then, with
a section which seems only to be in the hands of Messrs. BH. G.
Henderson & Co.—I mean the yery beautiful Tricolor Golden-

zoned varieties, and of which we haye now some very beautiful

examples. I have also included Silver Tricolor kinds.

‘SErcrtion I.—TRICOLOR GOLDEN AND SILVER-LEAVED VARIETIES,

Mrs. Pollock.—Although not of the last season, yet its pre-
vious high price made it comparatively unknown. It is very
beautiful; fine habit ; the zone bright red, with occasional deep

-¢rimson blotches, retaining its colouring in all weathers.

Sunset.—A. flower very similar fo the above, perhaps a little
brighter, but certainly not so good in habit; still it may be
safely recommended. A bed of these varieties will, in a fine
summer be a very handsome sight.

Countess.—One of the Silver Tricolor varieties. My expe-
rience of these for some years induces me to believe that they
will never make effective out-of-door plants ; but for pots they
are very attractive, and this is one of the best.

SEcTIoN I].—VARIEGATED-LEAVED VARIETIES.

Gold Leaf (E. G. Henderson & Co).—This style of leaf does
not please me, and in my garden it was very delicate.

Mrs. Milford (E. G. Henderson & Co.).—I would give the
same character to this. Ido not admire them.

Queen of Queens (Bull).—A free-erowing and free-flowering
variety. ‘he flowers are layge, and the silyer margin is very
clear and distinct.

Cheerfulness (Turner).—Foliage green with white margin,
Flowers red and well-shaped,

“Suction IlT.—worstsHor GERANIUMS WITH FLOWERS OF
SALMON AND SCARLET OF VARIOUS SHADES.
Baron Ricasoli (EH. G. Henderson & Co.).—A very neat
dwarf-growing variety in the style of Baron Hugel, but with

[ January 6, 1363.

much better flowers; the zone in the leaves being dark and
well defined. t
Herald of Spring (Turney).—A very pleasing and effective

| variety ; the leaves marked with a broad deep-coloured zone;

the flowers large and freely produced. Very early as a pot
plant, quite justifying its name. Has received three first-class
certificates. “

Woodwardiana.—(H. G. Wenderson & Oo.),—As like the pre-
ceding as two peas, but not so free-flowering. :

Gem of Gems (Bull).—I grew a plant of this which would
have filled a bushel basket, and it had one truss of bloom on it,
and this in the same bed where the other varieties were; 80
that it was no excess of manure that led it to do this. .

Srorion [V.—PINK AND ROSE VARIETIES.

Prince of Hesse (Turner).—Pale salmon pink ; flowers well-
arranged in a large even truss; the habit moderate. Suited
for pot culture rather than for the open border—a remark which
I believe to be applicable to all those in this section.

Some other flowers, such as the Nosegay section—Magenta,
&c., [have not seen. Those which I have remarked upon here
as good will, I believe, not disappoint any who may purchase
them. It will thus be seen that no addition, as far as I have
seen, worth mentioning, has been made to the plain scarlet-
flowering varieties represented by Tom Thumb and Attraction,
the more fancy colours and sections being mainly run upon,

Nosegays I can see no beauty in, though Mr. Beaton will think ~

me a heretic for so doing.

Will you allow me to correct a misprint in my paper on Chry-
santhemums ? Wor “he has this year eighty large ones,” read
thirty ; and for, in the last paragraph “in my first section,”
read “his first section.’—D., Deal.

EPACRIS CULTURE.

In answer to “YY. Z.,” I would say that if there is no men-
tion of this group in the three last volumes, there is plenty of
writing respecting them in earlier volumes. It would not serve
our correspondent to refer him to these articles, so I will tell
him how to manage the nice selection of young plants he has
obtained, now coming into flower, and which he is anxious to
increase in size as soon as possible.

One great advantage of cultivating Epacrises in mixed collec-
tions is, that they will stand rougher treatment than Hricas,
and without showing any signs of mildew, which is almost sure
to attack Hricas in such circumstances. Another advantage is,
that most of them will bloom, or may be made to bloom in the
winter and early spring months. Another peculiarity is, that
as they bloom best on somewhat long, well-ripened shoots of
the previous summer, like the Black Currant, the plants are
generally most attractive when rather young, instead of yery old
and bushy.

In Propagating the Hpacris, I would prefer as times the end
of February and the end of May. In the first case I would
select firmish side shoots, and the points of long flowering-
shoots, from 1% to 2 inches in length, rather firm at the
base, clean cut through there. In the second case we could
thin-out young shoots after pruning, about an inch long, slip-
ping them off with a sharp knife close to the older shoot. In
both cases remove the leaves for about a quarter of an inch next
to the base, and insert in silver sand in well-drained pots, as
described the other week for Aphelexis, and carefully cover
with a bell-glass. As extremes of temperature and of dryness
and moisture are to be avoided, it will be found of great advyan-
tage to have a glass case inside of a propagating-house, beneath

| which the propagating-glasses with their pots and cuttings may

at first be set, and then, in three weeks, plunged in a mild
bottom heat. When struck, four plants may be potted round

| the sides of a four-inch pot. The next spring each of these

plants may have a three-inch pot,iand the season following a
four or five-inch pot. I presume that it is such plants that our
correspondent has obtained; and in general it is by far the most
economical to purchase such plants from nurserymen who make
propagating a principal feature in their trade. ;

The best Sod for Hpacris is good heath mould lightened
with silver sand. For small plants in the smallest pots, the

‘soil should be rather fine. As the pots and the plants get

larger the soil should be rougher, so that for a seyen or eight-
inch pot there may be many pieces as large as fuir-sized mazbles,

January 6, 1863. ]

and some of the very dusty parts of the peat should be excluded
before the silver sand is added. For such plants as require
from an eight to a ten-inch pot, the soil should be three parts of
good fibry sandy peat, and one part should consist of equal
parts of silver sand, rough pieces of charcoal without dust, and
broken pieces of pots also without dust. In such sizes there
may be pieces of soil as large as walnuts; in six-inch pots,
pieces as large as Mazagan beans; whilst in smaller sizes, the
rough pieces should be little larger than peas.

Watering.—As a general rule pure rain water is the beat, and
the plants should never be very dry. The quantity of water
required will be regulated by the weather and the state of the
plant. When resting after pruning, little moisture will be re-
quired ; and a rather-close atmosphere, and a skiff from the
syringe overhead, morning, noon, and night, will be better than
much watering at the root. Most water will be needed when
the plant is making its new wood, and when it isin bloom. At
these periods weak clear manure water, made from cowdung,
sweet, and from twelve to eighteen months old, will be an ad-
yantage. No artificial manure should be trusted unless very
weak—as one ounce of guano to at least six gallons of water.

Pruning—This should be done as soon as the plants have
finished, or have nearly finished, flowering. Take care that the
plants are not extra-watered beforehand. The mode of pruning
depends on circumstances, and what is chiefly wanted. Bear in
mind that in no case, except very young plants, will they bear
the wood to be cut that is older than one season’s growth, A
cleyer young fellow once did me out of a good collection in a
few minutes by using his knife on well-established plants as if
they had been so many willow stools. If is safest to confine
the pruning to the shoots of last season’s growth. In the case
of our correspondent, who wishes large specimens as soon as
possible, I would, as a rule, prune back these shoots to from
4. to 8 inches from their base, put a string round the rim of the
pot, and with threads bend these shoots to it, so as to cause them
to break somewhat regularly all over. This will secure a plant
well stored next season with a great many flowering-shoots ; but
there will be few shoots covered with flowers from 12 to 20 inches
in length. To secure these fine long shoots of bloom, the bulk
of the young shoots now should be cut back when done flowering
to 2 or 3 inches in length. Im fact, for this purpose I have
often treated them as willow stools—never touching the old
wood, however, as my man did unmercifully, but cutting-in the
young wood pretty closely every season. Something of the first
plan is the best for symmetrical specimens. As already hinted,
the plants after pruning should have a rest for a fortnight or so
—that is, should not be excited by extra heat or moisture.

» Time of Repotting.—The best time is when the new shoots
are 2 or 3 inches in length, after pruning. Care must be taken
that the roots are moist previously, and the plants should be
kept close and be sprinkled overhead, and shaded from bright
sunshine until the roots and tops are progressing freely, when
more air and light should be admitted by degrees.

General Treatment and Position.—In winter the plants should
occupy an airy position in the greenhouse, which should seldom
be below 40° at night, and seldom above 50°, with a rise from
sunshine of from 10° to 15°. Water to be given according to
weather. Frosty air to be kept from beating directly on the
plants. After pruning set the plants together, and be careful
not to overwater. In a fortnight, if they can be kep& closer and
warmer in the house, it will cause them to break more freely ; if
nof, taking them to a house or pit where the heat would range
from 50° to 65°, would be all in their favour, syringing the
stems seyeral times a-day to encourage them to break freely.
Hxamine the drainage, and top-dress or repot as stated above.
Keep the plants in a similar temperature, shading from brightest
sunshine until the shoots are growing freely. Remove the plants
then to a cold pit where more air can be given to them. Keep
them there, if possible, all the summer under clean glass, with
plenty of air back and front. In September and the first half of
October leave the sashes off entirely in fine sunny weather; but
if wet is anticipated, place the glass on with air on back and front.
This will ripen the young shoots and cause them to show bloom
at almost every joint along them, except the soft younger points.
House in good time in October. If not convenient to give the
plants the shelter of a cold pit in summer and autumn, the pots
should be protected from the sun, so that the fine hair roots are
not injured.

Of Insects «nd Diseases there are few that trouble the
Hpacris.

The worst insect te eradicate is the white scale. If: througha pail of sulphur water, or of size water, as recommended

JOURNAL OF TORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENE R.

the plants are large it is hardly worth while attempting to cure
them. I once cleaned a fine large plant, much infested, by
dipping it wholly in a thin paint of clay made with weak soap
water, The plant was set in the shade in a close shed, and the
clay was allowed to dry on the plant for four or five days; and then,
when the fingers and some brushes were run through tlie branches,
the clay and insects came away together. The plant was then
well swinged in a pond of clear water, and afterwards showed
little trace of the doctoring and grew well. Smaller plants might
also be tried in a weak solution of glue water, or size or gum
may be used. The water, if just a little sticky, shuts up the
insect from atmospheric air; and it would appear that few insects
can stand this so long as plants can. Few plants when growing
freely can stand such treatment above forty or fifty hours.
R. Hise.

TANGHERIN ORANGES.

Axtow me to correct your report on the Oranges placed
before the Fruit Committee at Kensington on the 9th ult.
They were, it is true, sent by me; but, as I stated in my letter
to the Secretary, from J. Stoveld, Esq., of Stedham Hall, near
Midhurst.

His mode of cultivation has been the past season such a
perfect success, that a few words as to the modus operandi may
not be unacceptable to your readers.

The trees, some four or five years old, were wintered in a
greenhouse with Camellias and other plants, and removed in
March to a pinery, the pots being plunged in warm tan. They
bloomed in April, and set a large crop of fruit. As the months
of June and July were so wet and cold it was thought proper to
allow them to remain in the pinery all the summer. From their
first entrance into this house the trees were syringed regularly,
but/only on the stems and lower branches, so as to avoid wetting
the blossoms, while they were in bloom. Under this treatment
the crop was most abundant, so as to weigh down the branches
of the trees. The fruit commenced to ripen in September, and
continued to do so all through October and November.

They were larger than those usually imported, and being
suffered to ripen on the trees, they were so full of juice as to
wake their rinds crack ; their richness of flavour and fine aroma
were most remarkable.
Oranges ripened well in orchard-houses,. but not so in 1860 and
last summer; so that to cultivate them in high perfection in
ordinary seasons the trees, after being wintered in a greenhouse,

should be placed in a pinery or vinery where Grapes are forced, or-

in any other house where forcing is carried on.—T'Hos. RIVERS.

CALCEOLARIA LEAVES TURNED BLACK.

Can you tell me the cause of all my young Calceolaria seed--

ling plants being affected in a manner that destroys the outside
leaves by turning them black, so that there is little leff besides
the stem? My gardener changed the little yacht stove I had in

the greenhouse to obviate frost for a larger and more close one, _

as he thought the leakage of the former affected his plants. Can
it be the heated metal of the present stoye? Two other remarks
Imade to him about the seedlings before this defect was ob-
served—viz., that he watered too frequently, and pinched out
the centres too early, having done this with both Calceolarias
and Cinerarias fully six weeks ago.—THos. PEARSON.

[The leaves were so dried-up beforewe received them, that we
could scarcely make out whether the effect was produced by air
burnt by au iron stove or by thrips. We think that very likely
both had an influence in making them leafless. If you have read
“Doings of the Last Week,” you would see that Mr. Fish
objects to fire heat altogether, if it can be avoided, for Calceo-
larias ; and also you would find that, provided moisture and cool-
ness be secured, they can hardly go wrong, if frost be excluded.
Whenever airiness, coolness, and moisture are neglected, thrips is
almost sure to seize the plants. If on examination you find your
plants are much occupied with that jumping insect, the best
thing you can do in their present stripped state would be to
throw them away. If, however, the stems are strong, we would
place all the plants close together and smoke them with the best
shag tobacco; the second day afterwards place the hand over the
surface of the pot reversed, and swinge the head of the plant

In the hot summers of 1857-8-9 these-

5 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

to-day for Azaleas affected with thrips, and ina day afterwards
syringe with clean water, the pot being laid on its broadside ;
and when the plant as respects the foliage is dry, ramove a
‘little of the surface soil, top-dress with fresh, and set the plants
standing on damp moss, at the part of the house farthest from
the iron stove. Here let us remark, that in using fire in these
atoves, it is important that the fire should be longer continued,
in preference to ever letting the iron approach red hot, as that
zmakes sad havoe with the air enclosed. The fireplace in all iron
stoves should be at least 3 or 4 inches from the surrounding
case, and it is best that the fireplace be of brick.

We do not like to give an opinion about disputed points
between gardeners and their employers. As respects watering,
we incline to think that the gardener was right, and stopping is
also a matter of taste and convenience. Where there is plenty
of room, herbaceous Calceolarias and Cinerarias may be grown
without stopping at all; as, if repotted as soon as the roots
touch the sides of the pot, and plenty of air is given, the plants
will become bushy without any stopping at all. Our border
Calceolarias last season were never stopped, and no plants could
have been more bushy, or flowered better; but before planting-
out they were kept cool.]

CALLICARPA AMERICANA.

THIS is a native shrub found from Virginia southward but
hardy in Ohio. It is very beautiful, bearing crowded small
violet-coloured berries called French Mulberries by some, though
not a Mulberry at all.

This, though a southern plant, is sufficiently hardy. As it
blooms and fruits on the young new wood, a little winter-killing
of the extreme twigs is no injury, and may be followed in the
spring by the knife or shears to the manifest improvement of the
appearance of this ornamental shrub.— (Prairie Farmer.)

[This plant is usually found in nurserymen’s catalogues as a
greenhouse plant under the name of Callicarpa purpurea. Haye
any of our readers tried it out of doors as a hardy plant, and, if
80, will they oblige us by stating the result? It is recorded that
when the plant was first introduced it was treated as a hardy
ye i} was destroyed by the severe frost of 1740.—Hps.

. OF H.

LESSONS LEARNED LAST YEAR.

In reply to Edward Ollis in No. 91,1 beg to say with respect
to Little Dot that, the stock is yery small; but owing to cir-
cumstances over which I haye no control, it will be parted with.
And there are a few dozens of two-year-old plants ; and he may
venture to include them in his next spring’s arrangement so
far as the cost may be concerned, which will be low; but the
particulars will very shortly be made known through the adver-
tising columns of the Journal.

There has been a very remarkable omission by your corre-
spondents—an account of their success in the floral department
during the past summer. No one seems to have hit upon any
good move worth recording. That the season was unfavourable
for producing a grand display is generally admitted, so that most
people have had! just cause for being dissatisfied and keeping
silent; still there have been local circumstances favourable to
some plants, and even the success of one or two good and
useful kinds for the summer decoration will be worth making
a note of,

Some year or two ago much discussion took place respecting
Calceolarias in general, and the yellow in particular. It failed
very often, and spoiled the best-made arrangement. Hither in
the mass or in the ribbon a gap here and there was to be seen ;

and unless there was a good reserve kept on hand that gap.

would be seen to the end of the season. It was found that the
yellow Calceolaria was too useful a flower to be dispensed with :
hence the anxiety about the sudden failures, and the many sug-
gestions as remedies. But who ever saw the Calceolaria do
better than during the summer of 1862? I use it largely, as
it is easily struck and as easily kept through the winter; and
with the experience of the past summer I think it as easy to
manage through the flowering season, because to do so we haye
only to look back to ths state of the weather during the six
months the Calceolaria is supposed to be planted out. From
the 1st of May to the last of October there was more than an
average of 3 inches of rain for each month, and pretty evenly

[ January 6, 1863.

distributed, so that the soil could never have been thoroughly
dry ; at no time during the summer did the thermometer rise
to'70° in the shade, and I have one of Negretti’s patent maxi-
mum ones; and I have only had occasion to replace one plant,
and that from an accident. Notwithstanding much rain and so
low a temperature I frequently gave them liquid manure when
it was raining, and nothing could have been more successful :
therefore it may be presumed that the Calceolaria requires a
large supply of moisture and a cool atmosphere, which, if not
naturally afforded, must be artificially made.

On the other hand, I had not a solitary Balsam that I would
take the trouble to plant out. Petunias all went to green.
Verbenas made no progress till the latter part of the summer.
Asters and Marigolds (French), were very good; Dahlias but
middling.

My most telling bed was in an out-of-the-way piece of ground
near a part of the dwelling-house. ‘The back row was Dablias;
then a row of Delphiniums a foot apart. As soon as these had
done blooming they were cut down, and a French Aster in bloom
planted between each two; then two rows of Calceolaria Gem +
then one row of yellow Calceolaria; then a row of variegated
Mint, which kept up the Calceolarias nicely ; then a row of Prince
of Orange Calceolaria; next, Scarlet Geranium, and, although
they were two-year-old plants, they became so coarse I was
obliged to take them away and substitute the only plants I had
—Ageratum mexicanum. The next row was a row of two-year-
old plants of Little Dot. The next and outside row was Lobelia
speciosa. ‘That, too, grew so strong that it almost smothered
Little Dot, and I was obliged to remove it also and substitute
Portulacas in three-inch pots; but I am fully convinced that
the original plan or arrangement would have been better if
T had had a Scarlet Geranium with the same properties as Little
Dot, and, if there must be an edging at all to Little Dot, it
must be very dwarf indeed, and I think a variegated one. ‘

Now, looking at the above bed from a distance, there were
only the yellow, the variegated, and the rose to be seen distinctly
in lines. And although at a distance and at a closer view it
was decidedly the best display we had, I do not mean to pre-
sent if as a guide to any one else; but it has proved that Little:
Dot is highly adapted, and can be depended upon even in
ground too strong for any Scarlet Geranium, for ribbons, or
for an edging, and it can be planted out at once almost to touch.
each other. I have proved it under a Chestnut tree, where no-
sun at all touched it, and no rain but what came through the
tree; it is easily propagated, and it will stand more frost and
other hard treatment than any other Geranium I have. For
vases no plant could be more suitable-—Tuz Docror’s Boy.

CELERY CULTURE.

I riwp from Taz Journat or Horricunrure that some of its.
readers have been disappointed in raising Celery this season ; and
as I have been very successful, I will detail the way in which
mine was raised.

The seed was sown thinly, using potting soil for the purpose..
Hither a pot or box may be used. An eight-inch pot will raise.
several dozen plants. and there is no use in raising more of them
than are required. Place the pot or pots upon a very slight
hotbed, and after the plants are up give plenty of air until they
are strong enough to be pricked-off. When doing so be sure to:
take the very best plants and none with fewer than four leaf-
stalks, as those with fewer will not make good plants. Be very
careful to avoid those which have any rust upon the roots, as I
have frequently found that upon seedlings of Celery when
pricking-out, and if kept they will get worse. After pricking-out,.
the plants should be carefully shaded in sunny days and not
allowed to stop growing freely, as I believe any check to their
growth is very injurious tothem. Free-growing healthy plants
are never attacked by disease in my experience. After the plants
are growing freely, give plenty of water. te

I do not make the trench deep, but rather allow additional
room betwixt the trenches to afford earth to supply the necessary
earthing-up, and am careful to take away all decayed leaves
before that is done, which should be upon a dry day and when
the plants are growing freely—at least once a-week. This I
believe to be one of the main preventives of the stalks decaying.
T also tie the plants together with strings of old matting, which.
prevents the wind from breaking the tops. If the soilis coarse,
a little leaf mould may be placed next the neck of the plant,.

aS

January 6, 1863. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE
and the hand used to put the soil close to this part previously to
earthing-up.

T also use very rotten dung, for I believe rank manure is very
unfit for growing Celery.

I prefer any of the Red sorts to any of the White. The latter
are oftener hollow and stringy.— James REID.

METEOROLOGICAL NOTES, 1862.
LINTON PARK, KENT,

THE following table represents in the two first columns the
highest and lowest range of the thermometer each month; the
highest and lowest range of barometer; the number of days
in which the wind was in each of the eight principal directions
indicated, taken at noon each day; the rainfall each month,
with the number of days on which it fell; also the number of
frosty days; and compared with the summary of these is the
record of past years, as under :—

S|) 020 ast
oloaoe Bis
Pi ei os
Bless oUs
=I! Se pes
Bi[cte Ea
oo Si
a RRS SIE
= --t :
S|.s:!
SECS at .
: SOs sess Maxi- | 5
| B=essseSae nds pss
mum. as
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: | SSS SS RSaSes= Mini- | ¢3
: SRNSHSSSANISS mum. | > >
BY OKVYHHNVHSow
Sm ss552 f= | SLeosSsesosess High: | =
eee eae voce : SSSVNCOneoeoraws ap sTES =
SSaAnNNNwnre-a2aocy } ¢
=
SEESESSESESS |
: > ||¢ | SS SSSeoseSees |
> - |? |SSeeotornwass Lowest. ©
Ser K-aesstawaso { =
noeere —e !
RROD] oO] a: He: Pt Eno S |
Seasons] w ue |
SSN=S35)}] =| ww Soaseeap w 4
iS |
5
seseycs| x = = o
SRV SH RA!) SCHEmacassaacean a e
S2exrw2enp|o Ss = = |
— SPR eSsas| al w~wesasosorwsssra S.W. yal
|
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SYyebeww| « : ZS]
SSN ERK SE | Sl SH oe! eee e wns = es
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Sooo e] — = - =
SSESSSx| =| Srettol 2 tesco: ec | Naw. 2
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Been sala — = Z lanes
SDmesoones| ©] wey Sw sOoae sss = |=
S
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Sacer! o : x =
SSAND AN | SB Ser OEE aoKaS CE js
(a aGRes fee. e222 2: lie: Change-
Els [ose hee ehoote able. |
Bevervesn] wo in ins
SHRSSSS | S|] Pe Re wepwprores ad
SIGwOrao| 5S) HPmeoouvSy eso nu aa a
MOBOaCa=) a) HSoosmonsanssaan parts. S
=== SS | 7 5
Q@SSeaen!] S] per eee re epy— No, of :
SSIO=—S2/ oq} S3S eR SSSR SEES a.
ays.
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RS BBS] WS] OSI ttt i aS “= ry
zo =
S 5

The year that is past has been more remarkable for the mild-
ness of the winter than for the heat of the summer. The
number of days’ frost is much below the average, while the
rainy days recorded are much above it, the rainfall being above
the average; the greatest fall on any one day was October
18th, .91 inch, while on the two following days 1.01 inch fell,
making nearly 2 inches of rain in three consecutive days. The
barometer has varied less than on most years; 30.28, on the Sth
of February, is the highest range I have, and 28.82, on the |
28th of the same month, is the lowest. The variation of the |
thermometer is also, perhaps, less than that of most years;
and it is somewhat remarkable that the hottest day by 7° was
May 6th, thermometer S6°._ The coldest night, that preceding the |
9th of February,was 16°. With regard to the prevailing winds,
the above table shows a falling-off in those from the N.E., while
those from the S., and also N., show an increase. The prevail-
ing winds of the year were S.W., W., and N,, counting 245
days ; leaving only 120 for the other directions. |

The principal features of the year may be summed-up monthly
somewhat thus—yviz., } |

January.—Frost in the middle of the month, otherwise mild, |
with scarcely any snow ; but the hazy rain kept the ground wet |
and dirty. l

AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

February.—Mild, no heavy rain, and less wind than usual.

March.— A wet month, with less wind and frost than usual.

April.—First week wet, afterwards fine and favourable ; last
week very warm. Cuckoo heard on 21st.

May.—First week very warm, the 6th extremely hot; the
latter part of the month more dull, and less warm; neverthe-
less, at the end of May everything seemed forward, and pro-
mising an early season.

June.—Dull, cold, wet, and unfavourable, retarding vegetation,
while the rain injured the hay crop.

July.—Not remarkable. The latter end of the month finer
than the beginning.

August.—Some useful rains about the middle, afterwards fine
and seasonable.

September.—The beginning and end of the month wet; the
middle fine; in other respects not remarkable.

October.—First week fine, afterwards wet, with some high
winds ; very little frost.

November—Not remarkable any way.

December.—Unusually mild, and the wind so high and dry on
the 21st as to cause the dust to fly—an unusual thing on the
shortest day. Very little frost for December.

On the character of the season in regard to the agricultural
crops, it is not my purpose here to enter, further than that the
harvest was later than usual, especially in late places. The wet
weather setting in about the time the corn was ready to cut, and
continuing throughout October, retarded that operation much.
The harvest, however, in more favoured places was tolerably well
got through. Of fruits and other produce I purpose saying
something hereafter.—J. Rogson.

CLEANING A GREENHOUSE FLUE.

I am afraid my greenhouse flue is becoming stopped-up with
soot, as it does not draw so well as it did formerly, nor does it
give out so much heat. It has not been cleaned out since this
time last year. As it would be very inconvenient, if not im-
possible (on account of the plants in the greenhouse) to have
the flue opened and cleaned, I shall be glad if you would inform
me whether I should be in danger of injuring my plants if I were
to set fire to the soot in the flue, which I have no doubt I could
do by putting some dry straw in the fire-hole. The flue is of
brick, 9 inches by 44, and the length from the fireplace to the
chimney about 20 feet. I feel pretty confident that setting
fire to the flue would so far clear it that it would work until the
apring, if you think I may do so without danger of injuring the
plants ; I mean by the excessive heat likely to be generated by
the firing of the soot in the flue—Country CURATE.

[Im such a short flue we should think you could clean it in a
quiet mild day, and with only one opening, sending most of the
soot to the chimney bottom, and to the furnace. It is great
waste and dangerous to use a dirty flue. If done carefully the
flue might be swept without dusting the plants in the least.
If you were obliged to take any soot out in the house, the
hole could be covered with a bag, which would prevent any
scattering. Your flue being 43 inches thick, would stand being
set fire to better than a thinner flue; but we would not at all
advise you to do so—not because, as you imagine, you would
haye too much heat from the burning soot, but because there
would be such a likelihood of explosions that your fiue would
never be sound afterwards. |

DESTROYING* CRICKETS.
A CORRESPONDENT lately inquired how to destroy them, and
I recommended thin slices of bread and butter with arsenic
placed on them, and then the buttered arsenic-sides placed

| together. I knew that once my friend Mr. Fraser, of. Luton

Hoo, was much troubled with them, and the plan he adopted
was, he thinks, more successful. Arsenic was mixed in little
balls of fat, made like good-sized pills, and these were dropped
into the dry warm places where crickets were known to frequent
most before starting on their depredations. At night, when the
light of a candle was as quietly and noiselessly as possible thrown
upon the spot, the crickets would be seen not only devouring
the pills, but also, in cannibal fashion, devouring those that were
already sick and dying, and thus obtaining a double portion of
the poison. If once they get a-head they will destroy almost
everything tender.—R. F.

PEARS THIS WINTER.

In the last Number of your Journal, I seea notice from
“HH. B.,” of some kinds of Pears haying kept unusually well this
season. Mine have, upon the whole, kept very badly; but
there has been very great uncertainty in their keeping. Two
months ago all my Winter Nelises grown on pyramids were quite
ripe, many with spots of decay upon them, and going much
faster than we could consume them, while Pears of the same
sort, gathered from an east wall, were perfectly green and hard,
and are now just in perfection, and showing no tendency to decay.

My Duchesse d’Angoulémes were also, one quantity of them,
fully ripe two months ago ; while another quantity gathered from
another tree (both pyramids) were quite hard, and have only
been finished about a fortnight ago.

Several other varieties, Beurré Diel, Beurré d’Aremberg,
Beurré Duhaume, Passe Colmar, &., have prematurely and
suddenly gone bad at the heart, and become thoroughly decayed.
With a few exceptions, Pears have, moreover, with me been
decidedly wanting in flavour this season. In my crop of Glou
Morceau, I have noticed that all those which are deformed and
drawn out of shape by canker are far the best, while all the
fruits which are clear and perfect are very deficient in sweetness
and flavour. Ihave this sort both on an east and west wall,
but decidedly inferior this season, and many of the largest and
finest fruit are going at the heart before they are properly ripe
—C. P., Herts.

NEW BOOK.

The Weather Book: a Manual of Practical Meteorology. By
Rear-Admiral Fitz Roy. London: Longman & Co.

(Concluded from page 789.)

At Chapter XIII. of this valuable work we come to the prac-
tical utilisation of meteorology. “Having statistical facts, and
understanding their relation to our atmosphere at any given
time or succession of times, we know what is occurring around
us within a certain area of several hundred miles in diameter
in the air and clouds that may be aboye or passing near us;
and, not only so, we can tell, with even more than probability,
what will be the atmospheric conditions within and at any part
of such an area during the next two or three days.” The
author then gives a brief outline of the practical system at the
Board of Trade, with reference to meteorologic telegraphy.

“In treating so complicated and extensive a subject as that
of our atmosphere and its movements, it is extremely difficult
to combine mathematical exactness with the results of experience
obtained by practical ocular observation and much reflection ;
but to some extent this has been effected recently, the Board
of Trade having arranged telegraphic and frequent communi-
cation between widely-separated stations and a central office in
London, by which a means of feeling—indeed one may say
mentally seeing—successive simultaneous states of the atmosphere
over the greater extent of our islands was established, and an
insight into its dynamical laws has been obtained, to which each
passing month has added elucidation and value.

“The first cautionary or storm-warning signals were made in
February, 1861; since which time similar notices have been
given as occasion needed.

“Tn August, 1861, the first published forecasts of weather
were tried ; and after another half-year had elapsed for gaining
experience by varied tentative arrangements, the present system
was established. Twenty-two reports are now received each
morning, except Sundays, and ten each afternoon, besides five
from the continent. Double forecasts, two days in advance, are
published, with the full tables on which they chiefly depend,
and are sent to eight daily papers, to one weekly, to Lloya’s, to
the Barely, and to the Horse Guards, besides the Board of

ade,

“The forecasts add almost nothing to the pecuniary expense
of the system, while their usefulness, practically, is said to be
more and more recognised. Warnings of storms arise out of
them, and, scarcely enough considered, the satisfaction of know-
ing that no very bad weather is imminent may be great to a
person about to cross the sea. Thus their negative evidence
may be actually little less valuable than the positive.

“ Prophecies or predictions they are not: the term forecast is
strictly applicable to such an opinion as is the result of a scien-
tific combination and calculation, liable to be occasionally,
though rarely, marred by an unexpected ‘ downrush’ of southerly

i OURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ January 6; 1863.

wind, or bya rapid electrical action not yet sufficiently indicated
to our extremely limited sight and feeling. We shall know
more and more by degrees.” ' “

As a proof of the usefulness of these warnings or “ forecasts,”
it is mentioned that, “ At a meeting of the shareholders of the
Great Western Docks at Stonehouse, Plymouth, it was stated
officially that ‘the deficiency in revenue is to be attributed
chiefly to the absence of vessels requiring the use of the graving
docks for the purpose of repairing the damages occasioned by —
storms and casualties at sea.’” .

Tn order to enable the reader to judge of the basis on which
rules for forecasting the weather likely to occur is founded,
some explanations are given, as the method is new in its combi-
nations, although depending on old or well-known principles.
For these the work itself ought to be perused ; but as many of
our readers will be curious to know from what circumstances
these rules are mainly deduced, we shall endeavour to point out.
a few of the principal.

Air-currents, we are told, sometimes flow side by side, though
in opposite directions, as parallel streams for hundreds or even
thousands of miles. Sometimes they are more or less super-
posed; occasionally, indeed frequently, crossing at various.
angles, sometimes so antagonistic in their angular collision as to-
cause those large circular eddies, or rotatory storms, called
cyclones. :

“Wherever a polar current prevails at any place, or is:
approaching, the air becomes heavier, and the barometer is high
or rising. When the opposite, tropical, prevails or approaches,
the mercury is low, or falls, because the air is, or is bezoming,.
specifically lighter.” The northeast and south-west are reckoned
by meteorologists the “wind-poles;” and all varieties of winds
may be traced to operations of the two principal currents, polar:
and tropical, our north-east and south-west points.

Great and important changes of weather and wind are inva--
riably preceded, as well as accompanied by notable alterations.
in the state of the atmosphere. It has frequently been asked,
“how much rise or fall of the glasses may foretel remarkable
change, or a dangerous storm?” ‘To which can now be replied,.
“ Great changes or storms are usually shown by falls of the baro-
meter exceeding half an inch, and by differences of temperature
exceeding about 15°. Nearly one-tenth of an inch an hour is a
fall presaging a storm or very heavy rain. The morerapidly such.
changes occur the more risk there is of dangerous atmospheric
commotion.”

The barometer often, if not usually, shows what may be ex-
pected a day or even days in advance rather than the weather
of the present or next few hours. By means of telegraphic com--
munication warning can be sent of such changes all round the
coasts.

Extensive changes, showing differences of pressure above or
below the mean height of the mereury in the barometer, amount--
ing to nearly an inch, or thereabouts, are certain to be followed
by marked commotion of the elements in a few days. If the
fall has beew sudden, or the rise very rapid, swift but brief will
be the resulting elementary movement. If an extensive fall or
rise take place slowly, the change in the weather will likewise be
gradual, but will last longer, whether for better or for worse.

At the Board of Trade, we are informed, from thirty to forty:
weather telegrams are received daily (except Sundays), and fore
casts or premonitions of weather are drawn up for publication in
the newspapers as speedily as possible. Those received at ten A.M..
are examined and sent out at eleven a.m. for publication in the
second edition of the Zimes, and soon afterwards to other
afternoon papers. Suppose that on a given morning the baro--
metrical readings are nearly alike, it may be not differing more
than a few hundredths of an inch from Nairn to Jersey, from
Valentia to Heligoland ; temperature, evaporation, nearly similar,.
as well as the direction and force of the wind—such statical
data would show at once a settled state of the air; and as
statical alteration must precede dynamic motion, a continuance
of settled weather is probable. Under such circumstances no
general change of importance can occur during a day. :

My. Glaisher’s balloon ascent on the 5th offlast September is-
noticed. He and his companion attained a height, it is said, of
more than 6 miles, and they probably exceeded 7 miles, which is-
higher than Deodunga, the loftiest summit of the Himalayas, about
29,000 feet—6 miles being 31,680. ‘The last registration of the
barometer, before Mr. Glaisher losf consciousness, was 10 inches.
and this was in the extreme cold of 57° below freezing, and in
an air eo rarified that the pigeons which were liberated fell like-

J. anuany 6, 1863. ]

stones, ‘‘ There was

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND OOTTAGE GARDENER,

4 9

0 moisture, there were no clouds, for | firmly in the fork of the upper boughs as high as he could climb ;

they were far above both. They were nearer to heatless, airless, | for the tallest trees are preferred by rooks, and the Beech and

and mysterious space than ever mortal man had previously
penetrated.” Beds of moisture (clouds or fog) lie at various
heights not exceeding about two miles.

The work is illustrated by numerous plates and diagrams;
and in an appendix the storm-warning signals, now so bene-
ficially employed, are explained, together with other matters
relating to'the subject of the weather. Altogether it is one of
the most interesting and useful publications that haye appeared
‘in modern times.

At present forecasts of the weather are limited to some days;
‘but they may, in a time not far distant, extend to weeks, or to
the season, with nearly equal certainty.

NATIONAL AURICULA SHOW.

For the information of the Auricula-growers and exhibitors
vat the National Auricula Show to be held at York, I can state
that the communications I have received are in favour of five
being the minimum number of pipson a truss of edged varieties,
and seyen ongselfs. But it must not be understood that the
truss is to be teduced to that number; for where a larger truss
is exhibited it will be preferred, if the properties are equal.

With regard to showing the plants in ths pots in which they
are grown no restrictions will be made, as it is thought necessary
by some to turn them out for the convenience of travelling.

I would much rather others would give their opinions; but,
whilst on this subject, I cannot refrain from saying that I think
the exhibitor gains no advantage by so doing. The only object
in doing it, that I can see, is to save railway carriage, which is a
great object to many persons; and I think we ought to give
every facility for exhibitors sending their plants to and from the
Show with as little expense as possible. I certainly did object
to the untidy manner in which some plants were placed on the
exhibition tablelat the late Show, which I will take care does not
occur at York. i

I would strongly urge those who intend to exhibit to send me
their names at once, as I am desirous to get the schedules out as
3000 as possible.

T have been solicited to add a class for Alpines, and it would
have giyen me great pleasure to have complied ; but not wishing
‘to encrdach upon our funds, I cannot take it upon myself to do
so. As I am desirous to secure a good show, I shall be happy to
give one guinea to be! competed for in this class.

Having had several inquivies as to the principles fixed upon
for the guidance of the Judges, I may state that Glenny’s
properties of the Auricula will be the standard, a copy of which
wiil be forwarded to the subscribers shortly.Joun Doves,
Davy Gate, York.

BEGONIAS SUFFERING FROM COLD.

I HAVE, in a conservatory which cannot be heated but by a
-Joyce’s stove at times, some Begonias that suffer much, appa-
rently, from the damp sea air. The temperature of the house
never sinks much below 40° Fahr.—DorsETsHiRE.

[There ‘are few Begonias that will keep healthy at a tempera-
ture of 40°. You will succeed in keeping most of them over the
winter at from 40° to 45° if they are kept just sufficiently dry
so as not to be dried-up. ‘hese would lose most of their leaves,
and look unsightly ; but they would bloom well, and look well
in summer, as the sun gave them heat enough. ‘To look well in
winter they would require a heat of from 50° to 60°. With
‘your temperature of 40° the best you could do would be to
place the Begonias temporarily out of sight, and just keep them
alive and rather dry, and they will be all right in summer. ]

La
ESTABLISHING A ROOKERY.

I srz in your, No. 91 an inguiry from a correspondent
“‘ GATLEY,” regarding the formation of a rookery, and I beg to
forward my own experience in a similar case.

My sister obtained a nest of newly-hatched rooks from a
rookery very near to the trees we wished inhabited, within the
distance of three or four fields, and the lad carried it carefully
in sight of the old birds, which followed the cries of their young.
He {carried it up to the top of a very high Beech, and fixed it

Elm to other species.

The old birds brought up their little ones, and a settlement
was thus formed, which remains to this day. If there should be
any rookery in the neighbourhood of “GarnEy,” if might be
worth his while to bestow a little time, care, and trouble, to try
this experiment.—Tun AuTHorEss or “ My FLowers.”

&

MELON CULTURE.

You will oblige me by stating how Mr. Fish waters his Melons
through drain-pipes. I had a good crop this year; but after
they began just turning the leaves became blotched, and brown
spots came all over the Melons. They did not all turn at once,
as two or three ripened. The roots I found were cracked from
the bottom to just level with the soil. & had slates all over the
soil, and the plants ran over them. I grew flowers in the pit
with the Melons. The soil was light common garden soil mixed
with rotten manure. This last month I have had two loads
of stiff marly soil mixed with some rotten manure, which I have
thrown in a heap, and I soak it with the liquid manure from
the stable, and will continue doing so till the spring. Am I
doing right? I watered the Melons between the slates, but
now I think of trying Mr. Fish’s plan—A Two-yrars SuB-
SCRIBER,

[The cracking of the roots was greatly owing to the richness
of your soil. Leaves are apt to decay if the atmosphere is kept
very warm and dry. In your case we suspect that the roots
were rather dry. Your preparation of soil for next year may
answer in the hands of the initiated, or of those who will take
care to counteract it, but Mr. Fish says it is far too rich for
him to approve. He prefers soil rather stiff than light, and
with little manure in it, especially if fermenting material is used.
Hyen when ripening the roots must not be dry; but if flavour
is the chief object the atmosphere must be rather dry. This
cannot be the case when the surface of the bed is always moist
from syringings or waterings. When the fruit, therefore, ap-
proaches maturity no watering to speak of is given at the sur-
face, but the soil beneath is kept rather moist by pouring water
into small round drain-tiles, inserted perpendicularly in the
soil at back and front of the frame, about 3 feet apart, and
fitting a plug into the end of the tile. ]

THE DISTRESSED LANCASHIRE
WORKINGMEN BOTANISTS.

I HAVE received, since I last wrote, from two workingmen
botanists at Manchester 5s.; from V.R., 10s.; from Dover, 2s. ;
from Mrs. H. Wood, Hoole House, Chester, £5.—JoHNn HAcueE,
36, Mount Street, Ashton-under-Lyne.

P.S.—By a stupid mistake I put my address ‘36, Church
Street” the other week, which has caused some little confusion.
The above is the correct address.—J. H.

HOT-WATER PIPES versus FLUES.

In describing, a few weeks ago, the gardens at Ravensworth
Castle, Mr. Robson remarked on the advantages of flues over a
hot-water apparatus there and at other places similarly situated
as regards coal. I have looked through the succeeding Numbers
of Tus JouRNAL oF Hortiévnruns; expecting some hothouse
builder or hot-water apparatus manufacturer would have re-
marked on the alleged advantages, and in opposition stated
somegof the advantages of an efficient hot-water apparatus. But,
perhaps, they have been deterred from doing so by the obvious-
ness of the advantages, and not from any delicate feeling of
seeming interest in the matter.

With sll due deference to Mr. Robson’s better judgment, I
am still of opinion that even with coal at 4s. per ton in large
places, hot water is the cheaper in the end. It not only re-
duces the labour in attending to the fires, which is no inconsi-
derable item if two or three men are required for the purpose,
but it also reduces the haulage; and these advantages together
would, I believe, do more than cover the interest on the outlay
upon an efficient economically-constructed hot-water apparatus.

I quite agree with Mr. Robson in the greater freedom from

10 - JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE

AND COTTAGE GARDENER. Teadele 6, 1863.

“blacks,” from a long horizontal flue than the short vertical | sence of the dust and mess occasioned by opening them in plant-

ones usually erected over boilers; but I think that evil is counter-
balanced by the perfect freedom in-doors of hot water from all
noxious gases which sometimes escape from flues, and the ab-

houses for the purpose of removing the soot, &c.

Mr. Robson, I am sure, will courteously receive my doubts
of the economy of flues.—W. Craw, Enville.

t

:

*
_ THE grand general principle of propriety in garden decorations
is, that they should never be objectless; and this, with the
selection of sites, which should be so felicitously chosen as to
give to each structure the appearance of being in a position, as

ALCOVE-AVIARIES AND BOWERS. ,

it were, predestined for it, forms the fundamental law of the
code of landscape-gardening.

The accompanying design for an alcove-aviary is intended to
Occupy a position not distant from the residence, and yet con-

cealed from it. It should form a point of attraction capable of
inducing frequent visits, by its convenient proximity, and yet
convey to the spectator an impression of agreeable surprise every
time it is approached. These conditions are not difficult of
fulfilment. The readiest mode would be the following :—Let
us suppose a side garden-door of a country house (not the
principal entrance) opening upon a small lawn enriched, by
geometrical flower-beds, or a rosery, through the midst of which
a dry broad path leads towards the shrubbery, which is entered
by a winding walk, at a given point of which, about half way
through, the visitor is introduced by a sudden turn to an open
space of long, oval form, running longwise in the direction of
south-east to north-west. This space should be bordered with a
neat but somewhat bold and massive cement coping, which
would form a support of congenial character to the pedestals
and vases which are intended to stand on each side of the
entrance, and, at distances, all round. The entrance should be
at the south-eastern end of the oval, opposite to the alcoye-
aviary, which would thus have a favourable aspect, securing the

sd iN MR elle,

early morning sun, so essential to birds, especially in a state of
comparative confinement. Both the entrance and the way out
should be concealed by well-designed windings.

I propose that the front and exterior sides of those portions of
the structure deyoted to the aviary should be of one piece of
strong glass, which would enable birds to be seen without the
disagreeable intervention of wirework, and at the same time
form a protection from cold winds and beating rain, highly
important to the healthy keeping of the birds. On the interior
side of each compartment of the aviary, I would have wirework
only, as open as the size of the birds might render advisable.
This, with the addition of proper ventilation planned under the
thatch, would admit a sufficient quantity of air, and ‘would place
the birds in more open and immediate intercourse with the
visitors, snugly seated within the shade of the alcove, and watching
the varying play of sunshine upon the plumage of the moying
birds, or renewing the food and water of the inhabitants of the
aviary, which, it is scarcely necessary to state, should be done
every day at least once, but if twice so much the better, For

‘

a eee eT

January 6, 1863. }

these purposes, it is of course necessary that a wirework door,
large enough for a person to enter, should be framed into the
interior wirework.

Tt will be seen by the design that a more decorative style of
rustic-work is suggested than that usually employed—a branch of
garden decoration on which I intené to offer some advice, accom-
panied by designs, on another occasion.

Rustic-work of this character, if found impracticable by the
usual mode—that of unbarked branches judiciously interlaced—
should be rougbly carved in wood, and varnished with trans-
parent but deep brown varnish; or might be modelled, and
then cast in cement, or even in iron; and I wonder much that
low fences, &c., have not been cast in iron in thatstyle. The edge
of the roof is surmounted by smaller rustic tracing of a similar
character. This alcove-aviary should be well backed-up by
thick-growing trees of considerable size, and the plantation

should be of sufficient depth to prevent it being seen through, |

or the effect of a dark background to the structure would be
destroyed, and the spell of seclusion—the great charm of the
scene—would be broken.

An additional interest might be imparted to this secluded
spot by the introduction of a large but excessively simple tazza,
containing gold fish ; into this a gently bubbling fountain should
convey a continual supply of fresh water. This tazza should be
almost of the dimensions of a miniature pond or basin, while its
slight elevation on a low stand, as designed, would give it a novel
and architectural character in keeping with the other dressings
of the scene. The small fountain in the centre might be made
to issue from an opening of miniature rocks, raised slightly
above the level of the water, and covered with water-loving
Ferns and Moases. But the exterior of the tazza should be kept
freshly cleaned or painted ; for wherever animal life, in whatever
form, is the object to be petted and cared for, an appearance of
daily attention and perfect order and cleanliness are the most
agreeable adjuncts to all arrangements for the purpose. The
stand of the tazza is intended to be surrounded at some little
distance with a low cement coping, within which some low-
growing profusely-flowered plant is intended to grow (such as
Thrift at some seasons, double Daisies at another, or annual
dwarf Lobelia at another), which would partially break the
formality of the coping, without destroying its symmetrical effect.

An ayiary and alcove of this kind might be approached from
the house by a covered path if thought advisable, in which case
the entrance from such a path should be from the back, so as
not to disfigure the open approach; and in that case a door in
the back of the alcove should lead to the covered path, which
might pass through without interference with the close shrubbery,
which should effectually shroud the back of the structure.—
H. N. Humpnreys.

On the subject of Bowers, we append the following hints and
sketches supplied by another correspondent :—

It sometimes happens, when trees are cut down a few inches
from the ground, that they send up shoots all round the stump.
These shoots grow to a greater or less height, according to
circumstances, and in some cases even attain a size little inferior
to the original tree. It is difficult to prevent these shoots
pushing up from a tree-stump, which thus often becomes a
source of annoyance on a lawn or pleasure ground, while the
labour of uprooting it is grudged. One mode of overcoming this
evil, or rather of converting an object of annoyance into an

Fig. 1,—Tree-stump preparing for a Bower.

object of utility and ornament, ie illustrated by the following
sketches. Fig. 1 shows the stump of a tree (Ash) with the young

JOURNAL OF HORIIOCULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER, 11

branches grown up round it; and fig. 2 illustrates the fashion in
which these branches may be made to form an elegant canopy
to one of the most natural of rustic seats—the stump of the

Rig. 2.—The same more advanced.

tree; which may, however, be provided with a soft cushion if
required. The branches need simply to be tied together by
means of wire ; and if a few plants of Ivy and Brier, with one or
two of the more choice climbing Roses are planted around the
base, the whole would soon become very compact and beautiful.
The wires should not be tied tightly, lest they should cut the
branches in the course of time; and perhaps, for this reason,
ordinary string-ties would be preferable.—DELra.

MUST SHA-KALE BE OFTEN RENEWED?

Your correspondent Mr. Knight, in No. 89, page 716, says
the Globe Artichoke, like Sea-kale, should never be allowed to
remain in a garden after one or two years if grown for profit.
If that be the case I am sadly out of the rule, for I have some
Sea-kale that has been in the same bed for the last ten years,
and it still proves very profitable; but then I do not force the
plants too severely, nor cut from them two or three times in &
season.

Sea-kale, like an animal, if hard worked and badly fed will
soon be exhausted.

My Sea-kale is just coming on. Before I cover-up the plants
T always let them have a drinking carouse with their friends,
the liquid cans, merely to wish each many happy returns of the
season. Also about June I allow them to show off their new
and blooming foliage.

I think if the Sea-kale plants are properly treated they will
last much longer than our friend Mr. Knight has been led to
believe.—P. M.

EARLY GRAPES.

In a letter from “J. H. F., Knowsley Hall,’ in No. 88 of
this Journal, he disputes Mr. Thomson, of Dalkeith, being the
first person who produced early Grapes on the Ist of January.
In reply I beg to inform “J. E. F.” that Mr. Thomson was the
first ever reported to have shown early Grapes on the Ist of
January, which he did on the 1st of January, 1861, and on the
1st of January, 1862. The only early Grapes reported to have
been shown were grown by myself. ‘I'here were also one or two
other samples exhibited about the middle of January ; and if
“J, EH. E’s.” Grapes were ready by the Ist of January, why
did he not send them for inspection until the 10th of February,
1862 >—JamzES FowLER, Harewood Gardens.

PROTECT THE GLOBE ARTICHOKE.

Axout fifteen years ago we had a very severe winter. I was
but a lad, but well remember in the garden where I was this
now much-talked-of Artichoke was not protected, consequently
the plants were all killed. it is true we do not yery often have
such severe winters, but there was in 1860-1.

12 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

Ihave grown them in my present situation, and probably.
taken more care of them than some folks, for 1 always protect
them, and, therefore, seldom lose any; but in the year 1860 1
jost several plants notwithstanding the protection.

Your correspondent, Mr. Henry Knight, in No. 89, page 716,
thinks if the plants are but one or two years old they will
stand the frost the better. Now, I have no faith in that; for in
1860, when I lost most plants, they were all young, and not one of
the old plants that perished; but even these came up weakly,
and proved of little service. They ail received the same pro-
tection, which was coal ashes heaped up round them from
9 inches to a foot deep. If you will be always safe I say, as
does your correspondent “J. H. M.,” Protect them.—H. G.,
Stroudwater, Gloucestershire.

WORK FOR THE WEEK.

KITOHEN GARDEN.

‘WHEREVER the soil will admit of being moved with advantage,
fet every vacant piece of ground be trenched or deeply dug and
ve left in ridges. Keep the Broccoli, Celery, and Spinach free
from dead leaves. Carrots, where young ones are wanted early,
prepare a slight hotbed for the purpose, cover it with leaf mould
to the depth of 6 or 8 inches, in which sow the seed. A little
Radish seed may be scattered on the bed at the sametime, but the
roots must be drawn ina young state. Oucwmbers, prepare dung
for the main early bed, making a small seed-bed for raising the
plants. Zettuce, where there is a scarcity of autumn-sown, sow
ona slight hotbed or im boxes in aforcing-house to be afterwards
pricked into a frame, Sea-/ale, as that which was covered first
is cut, remove the pots to that portion which has hitherto had
NO covering, so as tokeep up a succession. The dung and leaves
which have been previously used will serye the purpose again if
a little fresh be added.

FLOWER GARDEN.

The very common but bad practica of digging shrubberies is
generally one of the principal occupations at this season. It is
to be regretted that such is the case, as the operation is highly
injurious to the trees and shrubs, in consequence of destroying
a large portion of their most valuable roots. The digging of
shrubberies for two or three years after they are planted, where
there is no danger of touching the roots, is no doubt highly
beneficial to the plants, but after that time nothing should be
done to disturb the roots near the surface, as the health and
vigour of the plants in many cases depend almost entirely on
them. Where alterations are contemplated—such as making
new walks, new fiower-beds, or renewing the soil in old ones,
these should be forwarded whenever the weather will’ permit.
Holes for planting choice or new shrubs or trees may also be
prepared, by removing the bad soil and replacing it by a compost
suitable to the plants; and even when trees are planted and not
growing well, the soil may be carefully removed from the roots
and replaced by better material,

FRUIT GARDEN.

Proceed with pruning, and protect newly-planted trees by
mulching their roots. Strawberries in pots, put a quantity of
these in heat, according to the stock and demand, every fortnight.
Keep them near the glass, and begin with a temperature of 45°
to 50° at night, increasing it to 55° by the time they begin to
truss-up. In all stages of growth the Strawberry must be well
supplied with fresh air, and a damp stagnant air is certain ruin
thus early, when in bloom especially.

STOVE.

The temperature of this house should not exceed 60° now by
fire heat, and a fall of 10° may be allowed at night in very cold
weather, Although all plants now at rest should be kept com-
paratively dry, they will require to be looked over occasionally
to see that they do not suffer for want of water, especially those
nearest the pipes or flues. Orchids may be potted, tied up to
logs, or fitted into wire-baskets at a time when but little can be

done out of doors, but they need not be watered or induced to
grow for some time.

GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY.
About 40° is a good temperature for these houses when not:
attached to sitting-rooms, and when only used for the purpose of
‘wintering large specimens without plants in blossom; but where

[ January 6, 1863.,

heat is 45°. Cinerarias, which are great favourites, are thirsty
plants, and will require to be carefully attended to with water. Ii
Camellias are not regularly supplied with soft but not too cold
water the buds will drop; if too much is given, frequently that
will cause them to drop too. Thin the flower-buds if crowded.
Never give heat to Heaths as long as frost can be kept out by
coverings. A few degrees of frost will never injure Cape Heaths,
whereas fires are their ruin. Let the air blow upon them on all
favourable occasions, So with the entire class of New Holland
plants. Chrysanthemums, now done blooming, protect from
severe frost, If the soil of any plant is sodden with water it
should be turned out of the pot and the drainage examined, and
no more to be given until it becomes dry. Ifa plant droops and
the soil on the surface is damp, by turning the ball out of the
pot it will be seen whether the whole or only a portion of the
soil is wet, as sometimes when wet soil is uaed and fresh potted,
it dries and shrinks from the sides of the pot, and when water is
applied it runs down and moistens the outside without pene-
trating the ball.
FORCING-PIT.

The plants here now require constant attention. Keep them
neatly tied-up as they grow, and once or twice a-day look over.
them with the water-pot. Remove them as they open, and bring
in a succession. Neapolitan Violets may be brought in to force
now. Forcing Roses must be looked over frequently, or the
“worm i’ the bud ”’ will soon destroy the cultivator’s hopes.

PITS AND FRAMES,

Keep the plants in these structures as hardy as possible by
fully exposing them in mild weather. Do not give them any
more water than is absolutely necessary, but when it is given all
the soil in the pot should be wetted. Clear the surface of the
soil from moss and weeds, remove all decaying leaves, and pre-
serve the atmoxphere in as healthy a state as possible.

W. Keane.

DOINGS OF THE LAST WEEK.

KITCHEN GARDEN.

Looxzp over Broccoli, and bent a few leaves over those head-
ing, to protect them alike from much wet and any sudden frost
that may come. Took-up a few rather forward, and put them
under a thatched shed; find they will keep longer thus than if
planted in a pit with glass covering. Some years ago I detailed
how Mr. Crockett, gardener at Raith in Fifeshire, kept Cauli-
flowers all the winter on the floor of a shed with a small window
to the north, by merely cutting the heads when about half-
grown, with a foot or so of stem, removing all the leaves, and
fastening the stems firmly in light sandy soil, so that the heads
did not touch each other. I can vouch for this being one of
the best and easiest modes for securing a winter supply. The
heads when cut were thrown into a pail of cold water for a few
hours before sending them to the kitchen. I meant to do
something of this kind with a bank of late Cauliflower, but
was unable; for, owing to the mildness of the weather late in
autumn, the whole plantation, from not being looked at for a
few days, got too forward for managing this way, and. was, there-
fore, used for common purposes. It is no use trying this, or,
indeed, hardly any other method, of thus saving Broccoli and
Cauliflower, except the heads are firm and not, too large. I
may mention, in the case of those coming on out of doors, that
in addition to bending a leaf or two over the head, it is advisable
to have a bundle of old hay or oat-straw, just fo stick a small
handful over each head in a sudden frost. Stirred the ground
among young Lettuces, Cauliflowers, Cabbages, and Radishes in
frames, thinning the latter also to give them room to grow.
Among these a few Carrots and Lettuees were sown. Prepared
what little fermenting material could be had for beds of Carrots
and Potatoes; a Carrot-bed being one of the most profitable things
when slightly forced that I know, and especially if left pretty
thick, so that the first gatherings act in the way of thinnings.
Sowed Cucumber seed in @ sweet small hotbed almost wholly
of leaves, with a good dusting of lime on the surface layer to
settle worms and snails, sowing the seeds in large 60-pots, and
then placing the small pot in the bottom of a 32-pot, and a
square of glass over the latter, and a weight on the glass to pre-
vent a mouse getting at the seeds. The glass will also permit
‘the plants to grow into the rough leaf before shifting, and after

a supply of stove plants in bloom is kept up from a forcing-pit, | that mice in general will not touch them. Sowed some Tom ,
which is necessary to every good conservatory in winter, the best | Thumb Peas about six seeds in 24-sized pots, and also some in.

January 6, 1863. ]

60's, to be again repotted, and put them in a frame to bring
them on a little, so that they can be fruited in pots under pro-
teetion. Swept over Mushroom-beds, having great plenty of
all sizes; the chief complaint is that they are individually
rather thick. In the last earthed bed, the man who manages
the beds left a piece of the earthing rough and unbeaten. Alto-
gether the earth was rather too wet, and I was a little doubtful
about it, and on that account covered it with straw and hay,
which drew up the damp, and were removed as soon as dampish,
and dry substituted. ‘lhe whole bed is now like a sheet; but
the little fact I wish to chronicle is that the yard or so, with the
earth left loose and unbeaten, came the first into bearing, and very
strong, which the workman ascribed to the looseness of the soil,
and I to the fact that that part was close to a boiler which was
frequently used ; however, there may be a little in both reasons.
The chief object in beating these shallow beds firm, and beating
the one-and-a-half to two-inch covering of earth also firm, 1s
to secure strong short-legged Mushrooms, and for the ease with
which a bed can be swept with a hair broom when from cover-
ings or other causes the spawn would be inclined to run along
the bed instead of throwing-up the Mushroonis. From what I
have several times observed, however, did I want Mushrooms
in a hurry—say three weeks or four weeks after spawning, I
would cover with about an inch of soil, and leave it rather loose
and rough. I should not.expect such a bed to last long, but it
would be earlier than one well beaten and deeply covered. From
six to seven weeks I should expect to pass before I gathered
from the latter.

FRUIT GARDEN,

Here the work has been much the same as in previous weeks.
Damping the Vines in a small pit, temperature averaging 55° ;
putting a few hot leaves on vinery-border, and the stubble that
was there before over them, making about 14 inches in all.
Looking over Grapes in late house, and find the Hemburghs
are just getting too ripe and beginning to go here and there.
West’s St. Peter’s and Muscats still very good and likely to
keep much longer than we can let them. There is a fine idea in
Mr. Thomson’s book on the Vine with respect to such houses
in which it is desirable to keep Grapes late, and yet have them
moderately early, which, though not new to me, as I followed it
out twenty-five years ago in & large house from which Grapes
were cuf from June to Christmas, has yet been little referred to,
if at ell, in any work on gardening—that is, to go over now the
shoots on which the bunches are hanging, and pick out all the
buds except those wanted to break next season for bearing-
shoots. By this means bunches may hang on the Vines—and
better there than anywhere else, so long as the house is kept
dry—until the sap begins to rise, and then, when the bunches are
cut, all the snags may remain until the fresh shoots from the
buds left are in leaf, when all may be cleared away without
bleeding or any other injury to the Vine. This will just meet
the difficulty of “Juyrnis,” who has some Black Grapes that
he thinks he could keep until the end of February, only he must
start the house by the end of February. He may prune now in
the regular way all wood where there is no fruit, and disbud
all the rest of the shoots, except those at the base of the shoots,
or where otherwise wanted. If plants requiring much water
must be put into such houses, the bunches should be put in
glazed bags loosely to exclude damp; or the shoot with the
bunch may be cut off, the end inserted into a Beetroot, and the
bunches suspended in a dry room, as Mr. Thomson also recom-
mends. In looking over some Peach trees in pots found two
or three pretty well clustered with the black beetle, though the
plants had been moderately smoked with sulphur, and the trees
had been well syringed with soap water at about 170°; so it
shows how hard this gentleman is to kill. The worst of it
is they seem to deposit their eggs in the soil in myriads. The
trees already not so treated will be well ecrubbed with soap
and water, and then pzinted with clay and sulphur and a little
Gishurst. Those so done a month ago give as yet no sign of
insects of any kinds, and when such painting is resorted to I
think it should be done a considerable time before the buds
begin to swell. Hooked over Strawberries, and gave a little
water when necessary. It is of little use hurrying them on in
such weather unless when wanted early.

CONSERVATORY.
Removed the most of the Chrysanthemums, placed the pots
in an earth-pit, covering thinly with tree leaves, where they may
remain until we want the pots, when they will be turned ont.

| until the third week in Mary.

| We

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 13

Those who want large plants next autumn should now be getting
their suckers in; and the quickest way, if not for exhibiting
as single plants, is to put three suckers in a pot. Filled-up
with Geraniums, Calceolarias, Cinerarias, and formed edgings of
Variegated Geraniums. All hardwooded plents should now
have plenty of air, but if very moist or frosty it should not beat
on them directly. In watering, great care should be taken not
to overwater, and, what is of more consequence, not to pour
water on the collar of the plant, but rather near the sides of
the pot, allowing the water to flood the pot all over. The pour-
ing the water on the stem, so as to make a depression there,
more than anything causes gangrene in such stems, and sends
many a plant to its last resting-place in the rubbish-heap that
otherwise might have lived and been beautiful for years. Plants,
taken from foreing-pits and houses—as bulbs, Roses, Dielytras,
shrubs, &e.—should be hardened with more air anda cool stand-
jng-place before being taken to 2 greenhouse or a conservatory.

PITS AND FRAMES.

Examined all these again in this dull weather to remove all
trace of damped leaves, which so soon taint the zirat this season;
and when the soil in entting-boxes was at all damp, not only
stirred the surface with a stick, but threw a little very dry
soil over the surface. Of course small plants standing thickly
together will require more looking after than those that have a
little pot each to themselves. I am now getting soil nicely
dried over furnaces and in sheds to mix with what is already dry
enough ia stacks for potting-off great numbers of such things
as Variegated Geraniums into the smallest pots, which by the
time the roots have filled the pots will be again emptied; the
plants going into beds or boxes, to be protected when necessary
The great difficulty now will be
to find room for and get forward the numbers thet will be
required. A little carelessness about the new year, either as
respects damp, watering, or insects, wil! often render abortive all
the care of young stock since September. Many fine batches of
Werbenas last year on Christmas-day could hardly be said to see
the 1st of February. Thrips and other evils did for them as
soon as the sun gained a little sirength.—R. FP.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

x*, We request that no one will write privately to the depart-
mental writers of the “Journal of Horticulture, Cottage
Gardener, and Country Gentleman.” By so doing they
are subjected to unjustifiable trouble and expense. All
communications should therefore be addressed solely to The
Editors of the “Journal of Horticulture, Fe.” 162, Fleet
Street, London, £.C.

also request that correspondents will not mix up on the
same sheet questions relating to Gardening and those on
Poultry and Bee subjects, if they expect to get them answered
promptly and conveniently, but write them on separate
eemmunications. Also never to send more than two or
three questions at once.

We cannot reply privately to any communication unless under

very special circumstances.

Cocoa-nut Reruse (A Regular Subscriber).—The dust of the sample you
sent is the portion used in forming 2 compost, or asa manure. The fibres
must all be taken away, but they would do instead of moss for covering the
drainage of your pots, and for the surface of Strawberry-beds.

Lr (An Ignoramus).—It absorbs carbonic acid gas from the air if long
exposed to it, and combining with the acid thus absorbed is converted into
chalk, or carbonate of lime. In very few instances can lime be of use in
garden soils. It may be mixed with advantage with peat or other soils
overcharged with vegetable remaius.

Azatea Leaves Fatiine (Rebecca).—It isas natural for the Azalea, un—
less kept extra warm in winter, to shed a few of its leaves, as it is for an
Oak or 2 Beech to cast its leaves. This interferes little with the beanty
of the plant at flowering time, as, with the expanding of the flower-buds,
fresh foliage also comes. Your leaves have, howeyer, something more
than age to make them discoloured, as, though we found no thrips, we
found their signs in plenty. If the plants are larg2, the best remedy is to
smoke them with shag tobacco two or three times, at an interval of three
or four days; keep them rather shaded, and take the plants individually
outside; lay each upon a cloth on its broadside, and syringe thoroughly round
and round with clear water ata temperature of 125°. Let as little of the
syringing as possible touch the soil in the pot. If the plants are small,
the moss effectnal mode would be to dip the head of the plant ™ size or
gum water, just strong enough when cool to show a little adhesiveness
between the thumb and finger. Keep in the shade two or three days, then
draw the fingers rapidly through the leaves and shoois, and syringe
thoroughly with water at 130°.

Books oy Botany (Subscriber at Wigan).—Henfrey’s “Rudiments of
Botany,” and Smith’s ‘‘ Introduction to Botany,” edited by Macgilivray.

14

PLaNts ror BACK or A ConsERVATORY (7. B. C.).—As you seem to have
quite enough of Vines in front, the best thing you could do with the back
wall would be to plant it with Camellias and Oranges. Some years ago we
described how such a wall was beautifully clothed in a vinery and Peach-
house at Tingirth, If you planted Vines at the back and trained-down,
there would be no doubt of their succeeding beneath the glass; but with
the other Vines, and the stage in the centre, neither they nor anything
else would do any good against the back wall itself. With that stage,
even Oranges and Camellias would thrive only in proportion as the Vines
were kept pretty close to the rafters.

Pracu Trexs 1n BAD OrpeER (W. Wowlan).—We fear your trees, which
you say have not made more than 2 or 3 inches of wood the past season,
are past all remedy, and if so, removing them and planting others in fresh
maiden loam is the best thing to do; but if they are young trees, and rot
otherwise diseased or deformed, the free and judicious use of the knife may
restore them, taking care to leave what young wood you do retain at its full
Jength. If, however, these short shoots have not ripened well, there must
be something wrong with the border, and if it want draining let that be
done atonce. Report to us the result, and attend to some other instruc-
tions that will be given from time to time on the Peach and other trees,

ScaRLeET GeRANiuMs IN Boxes (A. P, S.).—If you have space at com-
mand in spring, it would certainly be better to pot these singly in small
pots; but, as generally happens, every inch of glass is full to overflowing
at that time, and it is hopeless to expect a pot for every plant. Mr. Fish
has, on former occasions, explained how he deals with them, and Mr,
Robson has also promised to do so. The latter, to whom we have referred
yout inquiry about putting the cuttings into the boxes at once, instead
of first striking them in the Open ground, says there is no particular
disadvantage either way; but he prefers taking-up and replanting, as
greater regularity can be given to the mass in the box, as by haying them
put into the box at first, the loss of one or two cuttings in a particular
place cansesagap. Mr. Robson says he often enough keeps Variegated
Alyssum, Lobelia, Tropzolum, and other plants in boxes; but for the
Spring-forcing of these in hotbeds broad pans are better, as they suffer less
by being plunged in the sawdust or other damp material, otherwise the
boxes are quite as good and more convenient in handling, &c. Yerbenas

are better kept in winter in larger pots, as the spring growth is of most
consequence in them,

Waite Scar on Prine Appies (J. B.).—Your dusting the roots of Pine-
Apple plants with soot, will not kill the white scale upon them. Washing
the whole plant, roots and altogether, with soap water holding a little
size in solution, and at a temperature of about 140°, letting the plants
drain, and in a day or two swingeing them through clean water at about
120°, would be more effectual. The best plan of all would be to have a bed
made from 30 to 86 inches deep of fresh horse-droppings; make a wicker

bed over it, on that place all the Pine Plants, and shut-up close for forty-
eight hours if the atmospheric heat is not above 100°.

Tries on Cucumper Prants (£. C. Q.).—If the plants are in a house,
that you can examine the under side of the leaves, there is nothing so
~effectual as the Weayer remedy—that is, ‘Catch and kill them:” thus,
have a basin, with a little water, and a small sponge wet, which daub on
eyery jumper you see. We prefer doing it with the finger ourselves. You can
use syringing very little at this season. Next to the above, the best remedy
issmoking two nights running with the best shag tobacco. If that does not
settle them, break and bruise a bushel of laurel leaves, and spread them
outin the place; and if that does not do, smoke again, Be sure the smoke
is cool. The mischief is that, if you have allowed the thrips to get a-head,
you may Kill all alive in a couple of smokings, and in a few days you will
thave fresh generations of them to tease you. If taken in time, there is
nothing like a quick eye and a nimble finger,

BurNING SuLPHUR IN A VinERY (A Kentish Amateur).—Of course you
do not mean to burn sulphur in your yinery with plants in it,tokill thrips
and red spider, because it would kill every green plant. If the Vine
‘wood is well ripened, and you took every other plant out of the house, you
might then burn half a pound of sulphur mixed with sawdust in such a
house, doing it before dark in the evening, and keeping the house shut
the following day if dull, but giving air if sunny; then scrub the house,
and do as detailed in “Doings of the Last Week”? a fortnight ago. A little
care and trouble now may save you much annoyance in summer. ‘The
Dradescantia zebrina has white bars along the purplish-like leaf.

HEATING A GREENHOUSE AND FRAMES (S. Taylor).—There is nothing to
prevent your plan answering, only when you work both greenhouse and
trames, it will be necessary to regulate the draught with the damper below
the coil, as the heat will be more apt to ascend there than pass along the
flue. A little regulating will make that all right. If your furnace-bars

could be sunk a little more—say 6 or 8 inches, it would be as well; but as
they are you will manage.

Bovaver Frames—JV. H. MV. asks, ‘Is there any place in London
‘where wire frames for making hand-bouquets, as described in No. 662,

Vol. XXVI., page 172, can be bought?” Gan any ofour readers give the
desired information ?

Forcing Prnarconiums (Hortus).—Alba multiflora, Gauntlet, Crimson

King, Dennis's Alma, and Blanchefleur will answer your purpose for early
apring flowers.

Cument Insteap or Purry (Idem).—Portland cement instead of putty,
for glazing an old} ricketty, leaky greenhouse, and with waterlogged sash-
bars, is a yery odd idea and a very unlikely thing to answer; but as we
have never tried it, and never heard of such a thing, we would recommend
you to try the original idea yourself, and let the world know how it
answers. But we can confirm your apprehension, and say from experience
that paint and putty laid on wood that is green, damp, or wet, is a sure
method to destroy such woodwork.

RAIn WATER (Inquirer).—If the thatched shed is very old, the water
will be apt to become thick and smell disagreeably; but you could remedy
this by causing it to pass first through a small barrel with a lot of charcoal
and gravel in it. There will be no danger from that source of red spider, &c.

Topacco RequirED ror FomicATIna (Jdem).—For a house 20 feet by

2 feet, a quarter of a pound of shag tobacco would be enough at a time,

urned slowly, and the smoke emitted cool by passing through a covering
of damp moss,

Corracr GarpENERs’ Dictionary (¥. A,).—It contains both the botanical
nd English names of plants.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ January 6, 1863:

CHRYSANTHEMUMS Yor Exutsition (Young Gardener).—You want to
exhibit next Martinmas, without knowing when to make the cuttings—on
the first of the new year; and then you want to know the best twenty-
four kinds for showing. There are hardly twelye kinds of good habit to
make specimens of that would carry a prize in these days,

Icr-xrupine (An Eleven-years Subscriber).—We think you have over-
done the ventilating, If twenty loads fill the place, the ice-well must be
small, and extra care requisite. The water at the bottom, if it did stay there
would melt the ice if the vapour arising from it rose up. The ventilation
has been extreme. We would have kept the surface of the ice covered, and
had a six-inch opening in the door, and a three-inch opening in the dome.
Mr. Fish uses no straw when he does not ventilate. If he ventilates
moderately he prefers the surface of the ice to be covered with straw.

PROTECTION FOR Fruir Trees (Musewm),—Thin tiffany or Nottingham
netting still thinner is the best protection for fruit trees yet out, where the
covering is to remain night and day, and where the frosts in general are not
severe. Neither of them will be sufficient if the blossom should encounter
a frost of 10° or so. Their chief value is, that through them the openings
are small, and the trees are kept dry, rains trickling down instead of
going through them. Numerous temporary expédients may be tesorted to;
but the most lasting and every way the best means yet out, if labour is
not grudged, are coverings of strong calico sheeting, put on so as to be
easily moved by pulleys or rings. These should be puton as soon as the buds
begin to swell, kept on on sunny days to retard the blossom, and removed
on dull cold days for the same purpose; but taken off after the blossoms
open in fine mild days, and replaced at night. We have known such cbvers
put away dry, last a great many years, and there is nothing so good yet that
we know of. Thefirst expense is the only objection, especially at present,
but even now they would be cheaper in the end than most of the things so
highly recommended.

GISHURST AND OTHER InsEcT-pEStROyING Compounns (Idem).—We
believe that Gishurst compound is good judiciously used, and so are Par-
mentier’s, &c., but no preparation will work such wonders us the advertise-
ments generally state. A little allowance must be made in these matters
for the zeal and enthusiasm of the inventor, and the result often is, that
after each in turn being a great favourite for a time, the gardener at last
often turns back to old-fashioned methods, which on the whole he finas
quite as efficacious. Soap and sulphur, and something’ of the nature of
tobacco, are the chief materials in most of these wash mixtures, and it is
often a great advantage to have them in a concentrated form ready for
immediate use. fi

NAME oF FERN (A Constant Reader).—It is Pteris serrulata.

POULTRY, BEE, and HOUSEHOLD CHRONICLE.

PAST AND FUTURE.

Our task is a sort of “Montagne Russe.” The impetus
derived from the descent of 1862 should carry us up the
ascent of 1863. We are thankful it is so, and that on our first
appearance in the new year we can hail our friends cheerily,
thanking them for that support which has made our task an
easy one, and which has given a charm to our daily pursuit.
We are glad to ayow our grateful sense of the mercy that has
enabled us to pen another address to our many readers.

The year that has just closed has been a prosperous and
pleasant one for those concerned in the pursuit of ‘which we
treat. The “happy medium” has been itscharacteristic. We
have had no “sensation headings’’ of success or failure. We
have kept on the eyen tenour of our way because things have
been smooth with us and our pursuits. While we are very
thankful for it, we can but feel what a damper it puts on ver-
bosity. “Thank you” will express the gratitude of twelve
months. ‘The slightest complaint will coyer sheets of paper, or
feed eloquence for an hour. We are almost disposed to wish
we had a little grievance. We know with what feelings we laid
down the “‘ History of Hngland’” when, at the conclusion of one
of the chapters in the reign of George III., we read—* England
had no peace at home, and little glory abroad.” We knit our
brows and sat moodily down in an easy chair, and we brooded
from daylight to dusk, and from dusk to dark, and still thought
“no peace and little glory.” If we had read “peace and glory,”
wo should have had little or no interest in it. Only imagine the
difference between lecturing the labourer on the blessings of his
position, on 9s. per week wherewith to keep a wife and seven
children, one deaf and dumb, and two under three years of age ;
and the poor “ticket-of-leaye” who has yet three to serve of the
eighteen months which will entitle him to liberty, although
sentenced to ten years penal servitude! j

What a dull audience while we explained to the labourers the
advantages of their position and the luxuries within their reach !
What startling attention from the poor convicts while we told
them a large part of the country sympathised with them—that
it was enough to deprive them of liberty, without serving their
mutton so cold that the fat swam on the gravy—and that all
society wanted was fo reclaim, not to punish them ! ! "

Reports and reviews are like portraits. The even line of
beauty is hard to catch, and the likeness is difficult; but in a
face with a marked feature—a nose like a knocker for instance,
the artist has something to lay hold of.

January 6, 1863. ]

Revenons a nos Dorkings. We have not to note any remark-
able change in weight. ‘They are nearly as large as they can be,
they have been shown in better condition and feather than
at any previous time, and they have held the position gained
years ago by their own merits.

Coohin-Chinas have decidedly improved so far as the Buffs

_are concerned. The Whites hardly remain where they were ;
and those rank imposters, the Blacks, have disappeared.

Spanish have not held their own in 1862. When Mr. Davies
gave them up, Mr. Rake took his place. He has not shown
this year, and he is missed. Who will come to the rescue ?

Hamburghs have been most excellent except the Silver-pen-
eilled. There is no reason why these latter should fall off
because Mr. Archer proved they might be produced perfect in
every particular.

Polands are improving in every way, and we have seen birds
this year equal to anything we ever saw.

Tt is needless to eulogise the Game—they are always perfect.
In this breed Mr. Archer has done as he did in the Pencilled
Hamburghs. He is always successful. The same may be said
of many other exhibitors in these classes, the "Hon. W. W.
Vernon for instance; and it goes far to prove, that spite of all
“wise saws” to the contrary, mortals may command success.

Brahma Pootras are appreciated, and it is only here and there
a caviller can be found. We must rank them with those who
believe that donkies are immortal, and that post boys never die.
Not only are the merits of these birds admitted, but their points
and plumage are so equally. The beauty, uniformity, and
numbers of their classes will prove it.

Malays do not grow in numbers; they are perfect in quality,
but there seems a limit to their entries.

___ Bantams are what they always were—favourites with the public.

We suppose on the same principle, that if two boys of unequal
size are fighting, nine out of ten side with the smaller. ‘Che
Game Bantams are becoming one of the large classes. The
Blacks and Whites have their defined points. The Sebrights do
not increase in numbers, but they have been perfect in size,
“carriage and feather.

Geese are still onwards—a truly marvellous pen at Bir-
Mingham, three white birds weighing 76i1bs. Geese of 20 lbs.
are common, and Mr. Fowler has a habit of showing three Grey
birds that weigh 73 lbs.

Aylesbury Ducks hold themselves excluded if they do not
weigh 7 lbs. each, and the Rouen tread on their heels. This
latter class is marvellously increased, and bids fair to be the
largest of all Duck classes. The birds shown are also perfect in
colour and bill. The experiment of a class for Black Ducks has
proved itself a success.

Turkeys remain excellent in weight, but they do not increase
in entries. -

We have to notice the advent of a new breed in numbers that,
‘with a small increase, will demand a separate class. We allude
to the Créve Coeurs. Mr. Wakefield, of Dorking notoriety, has
been very successful in this class. Report speaks highly of them
as table fowls. The Black Hamburghs were also strong in
numbers and quality at Birmingham,

Shows have been numerous and wellattended. Sales have, in
many instances, been yery large. Exhibitions are on the in-
‘crease in Scotland, and capital birds are shown.

As a market commodity, and as an article of food, poultry has
been unusually scarce and dear throughout the year. We atill
lack statistics on the subject. They would startle the most
‘supine. During the war at the beginning of this century, a
meeting of coach-proprietors and of those who horsed coaches,
was held at Stratford, to consider the price of oats. Among
those who were summoned came a stranger. Who was he?
‘He modestly said he was a goose-feeder. He was pooh-poohed
and laughed at, till he proved his consumption, which was
twice as great as any of the sufferers present. It would be the
same now, if some of those who fancy they represent important
interests could see poultry-returns.

We have gone on glibly. We have had only to speak of
generalities and of others. There is no difficulty in that; but
now we must speak somewhat of ourselves.

Friends, correspondents, contributors, we thank you. It is
much to say that all has gone on harmoniously for twelve
months. We can say so, and when such is the case something
is due to every one. We gratefully acknowledge it, and to
such cheerful co-operation we attribute in a measure the success
that attends us. We have no new profession of faith to make,

8 ae a Rive

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

15

We appeal to the past, and assure our readers that as we have
been so we will try to be.

Tied to no party, wedded to no opinion, we endeavour to hold
an even balance, and to be the impartial record of all events
that pertain to our columns. They are open to all, provided
nothing offensive or injurious be found in the contributions.
We can honestly say we have not knowingly printed one word
with a view to cause pain: if we haye done so unwittingly we
are sorry for it. We would stand well with all, and in our
mind’s eye seeing all our friends, we desire to wish them heartily

A Hapry New YrEsr.

MANCHESTER POULTRY EXHIBITION.

AxrnoucH the shadows of the last evening of the year 1862
are fast brooding around us as we commence our remarks on
this interesting Meeting, it really appears but, as it were, yester-
day when we stated that the inaugural meeting of this Society
had taken place in the Belle Vue Zoological Gardens, among the
many festivities provided for the public by the spirited proprietor,
Mr. Jennison, last Christmas. Last year the Show was well
supported on all hands; and the congratulations were universal,
that although poultry shows in Manchester had unfortunately,
from some cause or other, hitherto proved altogether a failure,
under an improved management an entirely reversed issue was
effected. The prizes of 1861 were in the aggregate £500, and
the entries amounted to 565; the value of the premiums being
somewhat dependant on the entry money received from the
exhibitors. ‘The worth of the prizes compared to the number of
competitors being far greater than in any case that had preceded
it, combined with the most prompt and scrupulous payment to
the winners, augured well for future meetings ; still there are
always parties to be found who profess to see a cloud, however
clear the horizon.

Acting on this grumbling anticipation of future ill luck, there
were to be found those who, not being themselves successful in
their own previous efforts, hesitated not to roundly affirm, that
even apparently successful as everything then appeared, another
year would prove its want of vitality, and that the “new Show”
would soon follow in the footsteps of its predecessors. The
dauntless proprietor of Belle Vue Gardens, however, was not to
be turned from an object that had previously received his well-
matured attention in all points: consequently, a far more com-
pendious prize list was issued in connection with the present
Meeting; and the entries it this year called forth were 1288,
being very considerably beyond the double of last year, and
carrying with them an appropriation of prizes to the tune of
£800. he above statistics refer alike to both the poultry and
the dogs, the Exhibition being a combination of the two, thus
affording attractions to the lovers of either the one or the other.
We rejoice that so well merited a result has ensued; for none
could strive more energetically than did the whole of the
Messrs. Jennisons to fulfil their duties with credit to the Show,
tempered with an amount of civility to every inquirer the
most praiseworthy. Each individual had his allotted task to
perform, each stood well to his post, and the sequel proved that
everything was carried out without mistake or misapprehension
of any kind. The unbroken order, promptitude of action, and
general management of the Exhibition thus became the subject
of universal admiration.

A few of the most important points of excellence we must
briefly allude to. Perhaps there is not to be found a building
more excellently fitted for the carrying-out of such a Show than
the great Music Hall of the Belle Vue Gardens. Every pen of
poultry was placed at a proper height, and ina single tier. The
light was universally good, s0 much so that the most anxious
exhibitor would scarcely have troubled himself to make a selection
for his birds, even had the opportunity been granted him.
This is a boon to an exhibitor that cannot be spoken of too
favourably. The scrupulous cleanliness of the pens and kind
attention to the birds exhibited could not possibly have been
surpassed.

This brings us more especially to the matter of the pens them-
selves. They were the most convenient we have met with, being
both airy and sufficiently large for even a group of Cochins, Dork-
ings, Brahmas, Spanish, or Game fowls to move about in any
direction without discommoding each other, thus also affording
every visitor the most easy opportunity of narrowly examining
every bird shown without the waste of a single moment. This

16 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE

was a subject of general comment at the Manchester Show ; and
we hope that so truly important a feature in the arrangements
of an exhibition will thus force itself again on the consideration
of the Managing Committice of the Birmingham Meeting, where
the pens have, unfortunately, of late been so injudiciously circam-
scribed, that when the larger varieties of poultry are penned, it
at once becomes alike impossible for arbitrators or the public
to see them properly, besides inflicting an amount of permanent
injury on birds that certainly deserve, and ought to receive, a
far greater amount of accommodation,

But to return to the pens at Manchester. These pens were
provided with quite a new appliance ; each had an iron bar that
yan through both top and bottom, provided at the upper end
with a loop, through the whole of which, from end to end of
each tier of pens, a strong piece of wire was tightly strained,
making it impossible for any of the birds to be interfered with
by strangers. ‘The eggs laid were instantly removed; and, as a
further proof of the determination to stand aloof of even suspi-
cion, every egg was at once broken at one end hefore placing it
in the basket provided for their reception—a plan which should
be universally adopted; as, to our knowledge, surmises of no
very pleasant character have suggested themselves in vecent cases
to the minds of the proprietors of the fowls laying, by them-
selves afterwards witnessing the eges (when not broken on the
spot when first taken from the pens), being afterwards carefully
packed to go noone professedly knew where.

It is not open toa doubt that the only legitimate purpose to
which the eggs laid during an exhibition ought to be applied by
any Committee are strictly those of a culinary nature: con-
sequently the plan that was pursued at Manchester prevents the
possibility of objection, for, being publicly broken, collusions of
all kinds are prevented.

One of the most striking peculiarities of the Belle Vue Show
was how uniformly excellent were the birds exhibited, this
arising, most probably, from the fact of 10s. each pen being the
rate of admission. 'Nhis, of course, kept indifferent pens from
being entered at all, and it was remarkable that scarcely any
pens entered were not sent, for, as observed by a visitor, * Ten
Shillings is too much to throw away without sending them.” It
is gratifying also to state that the awards were all completed
before the time of public admission. This was effected by
dividing the classes, as will be seen by reference to the appended
prize list, among the various arbitrators; some of those gentle-
men having actually completed their arbitrations in half the
time placed at their disposal. Nothing that could insure this
speed and regularity remained unappointed.

The classes for Silver-Grey Dorkings headed the list, and un-
expectedly we found this really useful and beautiful variety not
nearly so well represented as we anticipated—in fact, they were
one of the weakest classes in the Exhibition. The cocks, almost
without an exception, were either partially white-tailed or more
or less spotted with white on the throat and breast, both of
which are fatal objections, as both the breast and tail should
be purely black, In the class for Silver-Grey Chickens, there
were exhibited a pair of pullets, a bright clay colour, causing
some merriment, and others slightly spotted with white. These
palpable mistakes (attended, too, with an expenditure of 10s.
entrance money in each instance), proves that the peculiarities
of these birds are not generally understood. In the classes for
coloured Dorkings except Silver-Greys, as might be expected,
the rivalry was indeed severe. Viscountess Holmesdale, how-
ever, maintained the highest position by taking three first prizes
for this breed alone. We may confidently state not an indifferent
pen could be found throughout the collection, though the entries
were some of the heaviest in number in the Show. The White
Dorkings were few but good.

The Spanish classes come next in’ order, and proved a really
meritorious collection, being by far the best we ever yet saw;
Messrs, Rodbard, Martin, Teebay, Potter, Hyde, and Smith ex-
Aibiting birds of as close an approach to perfection as can ever
be expected to be attainable. The quality of the faces and
perfect condition of the majority of the male specimens was re-
markable, and evidently proved that all the winning birds had
been especially reserved for the competition at Manchester.

We next come to the Cochin-Ohina classes, decidedly among
the great guns of the Exhibition, The number of entries in
each of these classes was the best proof they still have many ad-
mirers. It was quite a treat to see four such pens as those that
took prizes in the adult Buff class. Mr. Tomlinson, of Bir-
mingham stood first with as good a pen as were ever yet sent ;

AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ January 6, 1863.
out by even that gentleman. Their character and condilion were
excellent, their size was unusual, and the matching of the pen
perfect. Mrs. H. Fookes, in taking second place, showed a pair
of the most lovely hens we have seen for a long time past, and
the same remark is alike applicable to Mr. Bates’ pea; but in
the male birds Mr, Tomlinson easily gave these rivala the go-by.
The class for chickens was but little if at all inferior to that of
the old birds, Greater competition as to regularity of quality
in well-filled classes never occurred at any Show than in the
Partridge-coloured Cochins. Many breedera of this popular
variety stated that “it was well worth a long journey to see these
birds alone.” By referring to the prize list it will be seen old
names held position against a host of new comers. The White
Cochins were nicely shown and of very high quality.

The Malays were not so good as we have seen at many other
recent shows.

The best of the Polands were the White-crested and the
Silver-spangled. The Golden-spangled ones disappointed most
visitors,

Weare now arrived at the Golden-pencilled Hamburghs. We:
pity the man who indulges the yain hope of eyer seeing better,
perfection being the order of the day. The birds exhibited by
the Rey. T. L. Fellowes and Mr. J. Munn were constantly
admired, and had not the arrangements of space in the avenues
between the pens been so liberal and commodious, an absolute
block-up by visitors must haye ensued at the front of these par-
ticular pens. Nothing of the kind, however, occurred, and
every one had ample opportunity of seeing them. The Silver-
pencilled Hambuxghs were not nearly so meritorious; and it
certainly struck the breeders of this variety that the first prize
in the old birds was a mistake of the Judges altogether. ‘The
Golden-spangled and Silver-spangled Hamburghs were excellent
classes throughout.

Never were the Game claeses in better trim than at Manchester.
Pen after pen was shown in faultless condition and true to
feather ; Mr. Fletcher’s Black-breasted Reds, Mr, Robinson’s
Brown Reds, and Mr. Harry Adams’s Duckwings and Red Piles:
being the most noteworthy.

The Game Bantams were exquisite specimens, comprising a
very large entry and scarcely a pen unworthy of notice. The:
other Bantams were few in numbers, but very good. ~

The Rouen Ducks were the best of the Duck classes, the first
prize of £6 falling to a name quite new to us. ‘Chis is as it
should be : it causes old breeders to look to their colours.

The Pigeons were a marvellously good display, Mr. Peter
Eden’s Powters, Carriers, and Barbs being among the highest
ranks of perfection throughout the whole Show. We must also:
briefly allude to a pair of wonderfully good Mottled Runts shown
by Mr. Baily, of London. The Owls were also particularly
good. :

We cannot conclude without congratulating the projectors on
this more-than-even-anticipated success of their second Exhibi-
tion. In such hands the result is certain: progress will be the
order of the day. Strange as it may appear to those who haye-
not visited Belle Vue Gardens, the great Music Hall would,.
with perfect comfort, easily accommodate twice the number of
entries of even the Show just closed, and the manner in which
the birds have this year, as well as last, been treated has been
such that increased public confidence must, beyond question,
ensue,

As the weather proved so spring-like there was no cause for
heating the Hall this year; otherwise had stress of hard weather
taken place the whole could haye been at once heated, and the
comforts of both visitors and poultry provided for. Enjoying
so many unusual advantages for holding such meetings, com-
bined with the same civility to high and low, rich and poor, we
have no doubt that Manchester will take its place in the very
foremost ranks. of our poultry exhibitions.

Dorxines (Silver-Grey).—First, J. Dixon, Bnadford. Second, Mrs. Hill
Woodlands, Heywood, Cock.—Prize, T. Statter, Stand Hill, Whiteficld-
Hens.—First, E. Musgrove, Aughton, near Ormskirk. Second, J. K-
Fowler, Aylesbury. CxicKENs.—First, G. Cargey, Stone. Second, T.
Statter. Third, W. R. Court, Middlewich. Cockerel.—First, T. Statter-

Second, R. Carr, Towngate, near Preston. Pullets,—Prize, Mrs. M. Seamons»
Hartwell, Aylesbury, Bucks.

Dorxines (Coloured, except Silver-Grey).—First, W. Copple, Eccleston,
Prescot. Second, T. Burgess, Whitchurch, Salop. Third, Viscount Holmes-
dale, Staplehurst, Kent. Highly Commended, B. Tudman, Whitchurch,
Salop. Commended, Viscount Holmesdale; Mary Hill, Woodlands, Hey-
wood. Cock.—First, Viscount Holmesdale. Second, Mrs. Rothery, Hal-
semere, Surrey. Third, E, Tudman. Highly Commended, B, Smithy,
Middleton. Hens.—First, H. W.. B. Berwick, Helmsley, Yorkshire, Second;
Mrs. A. Guy, Eaton, near Grantham. ‘Third, J. Robinson, Garstang.

January 6, 1863. ]

Highly Commended, E, H. Garrard, Broadway, Worcester. CurckENs.—
First, Viscount Holmesdale. Second, W. T. Everard, Barton Hill House,
near Ashby-de-la-Zouch. Third, J. Holme, Knowsley, near Prescot. Fourth,
C. H. Wukefield, Malvern Wells. Cockerel.—First, E. Tudman. Second,
E. Shaw, Plus Wilmot, Oswestry. Third, Mrs. Hill. Highly Commended,
Rey. J. G. A. Baker, Biggleswade, Beds. Commended, ‘I’. Rigby, Fenny
Wood, Winsford. Pzllets.—First, Viscount Holimesdale. Second, 1. E.
Kell, Wetherby, Yorkshire. Commended, G. Potter, Fallowfield, Man-
chester. i

Dorxines (White).— Prize, Mrs. H. Fookes, Whitechurch, Blandford.
Cock.—Prize withheld. Cuickens.— Prize, W. Chamberlain, Desford,
near Leicester.

SpanisH.—First, J. Martin, Bingley. Second and Third, R. Teebay,
Fulwood, near Preston, Highly Commended, R. B. Postans, Brentwood,
Cock.—First, J. R. Rodbard, Wringion, near Bristol. Second, J. Potter,
Droylsden. Third, T. P. Wood, Boythorpe House, near Chesterfield.
Fourth, J. W. Smith, Northamptonshire. Highly Commended, R. Teebay.
Commended, J. Siddal, Halifax. Hens.—Virst, S. a. Hyde, Ashton-under-
Gyne. Second, J. Shorthose, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Commended, H,
Lane, Bristol. Curckens.—First, R. Teebay. Second, HW. Lane, Third, E.
Brown, Sheffield. Yourth, E. C. Monk, Fleetwood. Highly Commended,
H. Yardley, Market Hall, Birmingham. Cockere/.—-Tirst, J. Potter. Second,
H, Lane. Third, S. Robson, Brotherton, Burton Salmon. Commended,
J. S. Lowndes, Aylesbury. Pv7lets.—First, J. W. Smith. Second, H.
ae Third, Mrs, Craigie, Chigwell, Essex. Highly Commended, Mrs.

raigie. 5

Cocuin-Cmina (Cinnamon and Buft).—First, H. Tomlinson, Birmingham.
Second, Mrs. H. Fookes, Whitechurch. Third, H. Bates, Birmingham.
Fourth, E. Musgrove, Aughton, near Ormskirk. Highly Commended, J. B.
Walthew, Aughton, near Ormskirk. Cock.—First, T. Boucher, Birming-
ham. Second, H. Bates, Birmingham. Highly Commended, E. Smith,
Middleton. Hens.—First, Master J. T. Smith, Middleton. Second, H.
Bates, Commended, W. Copple, Eccleston, Prescot. Cuickens.—First, G.
Pell, Warrington. Second, H. Tomlinson, Birmingham. Third, T. Stretch,
Ormskirk. Commended, E. Musgrove; H. Bates. Cochkerel.—First, J.
Potter, Droylsden. Second, J. Elliott, Leigh. Third, R. White, Sheffield.
Pullets.—First, Rey. G. Gilbert, Norwich. Second, H. Butes.

Cocury-Cuina (Brown and Partridge-feathered).—First, E. Musgrove.
Second, E.Tudman, Whitchurch, Salop. ‘hird, J. Shorthose, Newcastle-
on-Tyne. Highly Commended, R. Chavasse, Birmingham. Commended,
T. Stretch. Cock.—First, J. Shorthose. Second, E. Tudman. Highly
Commended, J. Holme, Knowsley, Prescot. Hens.—First, Capt. Heaton,
Manchester. Second, J. B. Walthew, Ormskirk. Highly Commended,
©. Tudman. Curoxens.—First, T. Stretch. Second, Capt. Heaton- Third,
&.Tudman. Cockerel.—First, R. White. Second, E.Tudman. Pullets—
First, J. B. Walthew. Second, E. Smith, Middleton.

Cocuin-Cuina (White).—First, R. Chase, Birmingham. Second, G. C.
Whitwell, Kendal. Third. F. W. Zudhorst, Dublin. Cock,—Prize, R. Chase.
CnickENS.—First, R. Chase, Second, G. Blyth, Birmingham. Third, W.
opple, Eccleston, Prescot. Cockerel.—Prize, D. Causer, Birmingham.

BrauMA Poorra.—first and Second, R. Teebay, Fulwood. Cock.—Prize,
R. Teebay. CurcKens.—First, J. K. Fowler, Aylesbury. Second, Mrs, M.
Seamons, Aylesbury. Third, J. Pares, Chertsey. Commended, 8. Teebay.
Cockerel.—Prize, R. Teebay.

Matays.—First, withheld. _ Second, N. Sykes, jun., Mile End, London.
Cock.—Prize, G. H. Evans, Lancashire, Cuickens.—First, J. Choyce,
Jjun., Atherstone. Second, N. Sykes, jun. Cockerel.—First, withheld.

Potanp (Black, with White Crests).— First, H. Carter, Holmfirth.
Second, J. Dixon, Bradford. Cock and two Pullets.—Prize, J, Dixon.
Cockerel.—Prize, S. Farrington, Chat Moss, Manchester.

Pouanp (Golden).—Prize, J. Dixon, Bradford. Cock.—Prize withheld.
CHICKENS.—Prize, J. Dixon.

Potanp (Silver).—Prize, J. Dixon. Cock.—Prize, J. Dixon.
—Prize, W. Newsome, Bingley. Cockerel.—Prize withheld.

Any orger Distrncr VArirry.—Commended, D. Howarth, Manchester,

Hampurcu (Golden-pencilled).—First, Rev. T. L. Fellowes, Norfolk.
Second, J. Munn, Newchureh. Third, A. Nuttall, Newchureh. Cock.—
Prize, J. Garrs, Bradford. Cu1cKnxs.—First and Second, J. Munn. Third,
Rev. I. L. Fellowes. Fourth, Mrs. W. Kershaw, Heywood. Cockerel.—
First, Mrs. W. Kershaw. Second, J. Robinson, Garstang. Third, W.
Rothwell.

Hampuren (Silver-pencilled).— First, D. Harding, Cheshire. Second,
3. Martin, Worcester. Third, W. Cannan, Bradford. Cuickens.—First,
J. Martin. Second, T. W. Walsh, Worcester. Third, G. Addison, Bradford.
Fourth, J. Dixon, Bradforu- Cockerel.—Prize, S. Fielding, Middleton.

Hanpurcu Hens (Pencilled).—Prize, J. Munn, Newchurch. Pullets.—
Prize, J. Robinson, Garstang.

Hamsuren (Golden-spangled).—First, J. Davies, Birmingham. Second,
P. Swindells, Stockport. Third, S. H. Hyde, Ashton-under-Lyne. Highly
Commended, W. Cannan, Bradford; H. Carter, Holmfirth. Cock.—Prize
withheld. Curckens.—First, S. H. Hyde. Second, N. Marlor, Denton.
Third, G. Whittaker, Bolton, Fourth, J. Dixon, Bradford. Highly Com-
mended, J. Roe, Manchester. Oockerel.—First, J. Mellor, Slaithwaite.
Second, J. Buckley, Ashton-under-Lyne. Third, P. Swindells.

Hampurcn (Silver-spangled).—¥irst, J. Dixon, Bradford. Second and
Third, H. Dale, Middlewich. Cock.—Prize, J. Robinson, Garstang.
Cutcxens.—First and Second, J. Viclding, Newchurch. Third, J. Robinson.
Fourth, W. Cannan, Bradford. Cockerel.—First, J. Dixon. Second, P.
‘Swindells, Stockport.

Hamsuncu Hens (Spangled). — First, H. W. B. Berwick, Yorkshire.
Second, J. Roe, Manchester. Pullets.—First, I, W. B. Berwizk. Second,
S. H. Hyde, Ashton-under-Lyne.

Game (Black-breasted Reds).—First, J. Stubbs, Stafford. Second, C.
Chaloner, Sheetley, Notts. Third, J. Fletcher, Manchester. Fourth, H.
Adams, Yorkshire. Fifth, E. H. Sykes, Stockport. Cock.—First, C.
Chaloner. Second, J. Stubbs., Third, J. Fletcher. Fourth, J. Wharin,
Jjun., Rotherham. Highly Commended, J. S. Butler, Poulton-le-Fylde;
AL, Adams. Crickens.—First, J. Fletcher. Second, J. Martin, Worcester.
Third, S. Matthew, Suffolk. Fourth, W. Bourne, Newton Heath. Fifth,
G. Cargey, Stone. Highly Commended, J. Stubbs; A. B. Dyas, Madeley,
Salop. Cockerel.—First, T. Whittingham, Naatwich. Second, N. Grim-
shaw, Burnley. Third, S. Matthew, Suffolk. Fourth, T. Bottomley,

CHICKENS.

Halifax. Fifth, S. Harrop, Manchester.
Gane (Brown and other Reds, except Black-breasted).—First, T. Robin-
on, Ulyerstone,

sacand, €.'Chaloner, Sheetley, Notts. Third, J. Fletcher,

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COLTTAGEH GARDENER.

17

Manchester. Fourth, fl. Adams, Yorkshire. Fifth, C. Cargey, Stone.
Highly Commended, T. Statter, Whitefield; IT. Robinson. Commended, R.
Swift,, Notts. Cock,—Tirst, R. Swift. Second, T. Statter. Third, C.
Chaloner. Yourth, N. Grimshaw, Burnley. Fifth, T. Moss, Poulton-
le-Fylde. Highly Commended, I. Howarth, Manchester. Catckens.—
First, S. Matthew, Suffolk. Second, J. Wood, Wigan. Third, J. Fletcher.
Fourth, H. Adams. Fifth, R. Swift. Highly Commended, H. Parker,
Shropshire; G. Cargey. Commended, R. Peacock, Gorton Hall. Cockerel.
—First, J. Wood. Second, G. Clements, Birmingham. Third, N. Grim-
shaw. Fourth, A. B. Dyas, Madeley, Salop. Highly Commended, J.
Fletcher.

Game Hens (Black-breasted and other Reds).— First, N. Grimshaw,
Burnley. Second, H. Adams, Yorkshire. ‘Third, W. T. Everard, Ashby-
de-la-Zouch. Pullets.— First, J. Stubbs, Stafford. Second, J. Wood,
Wigan. Third, R. Parkinson, Poulton-le-Fylde. Highly Commended, W.
Pares, Derby; J. Camm, Southwell, Notts.

Game (Duckwings, and other Greys and Blues).—First, H. Adams, York-
shire. Second, J. Fletcher, Manchester. ‘Third, W. Kershaw, Heywood.
CuickEns. — First, J. Martin, Bingley. Second, J. Hodgson, Bradford.
Third, J. Stubbs, Stafford.

Gamer (except Black-breasted and other Reds),—First, E. Needham,
Chesterfield. Second, J. Wilders, Grantham. ‘Third, J. Hindson, Liyer-
pool. Fourth, J. Grocott, Cheshire. Highly Commended, E£. Viggor,
Cheshire. CxickENS.—First and Second, J. Fletcher, Manchester. Third,
J. Wood, Wigan.

Game (Black and Brassy-winged, except Grey).— First, J. Fletcher,
Manchester. Second, T. Burgess, Whitchurch. Cuicsens.—Prize, J.
Fletcher.

Game (White and Piles).—First, H. Adams, Yorkshire. Second, A. Guy,
Eaton. Third, J. Camm, Notts. Highly Commended, J. Fletcher, Man-
chester; S. Matthew, Suffolk. CHickens.—Tirst, H. Adams, . Second, J.
Wilders, Grantham. Third, B. W. Bretherton. Fourth, A. Hartley
Rochdale. Cockerel.—Prize, J. Fletcher.

Game Hens (except Black-breasted and other Reds).—First, H. Adams,
Mousnire Second, J. Hindson, Liverpool. Cuickens.—Prize, W. Pares,

erby.

Game Bantams (Black-breasted and other Reds).—First, T. H. D. Bayly,
Biggleswade, Beds. Second, J. Grocott, Cheshire. Cockerel and two
Puilets.—fFirst. J. W. Kelleway, Isle of Wight. Second, J. Camm, Notts.
Third, T. H. D. Bayly. Fourth, E. Yardley, Sheffield, Highly Commended,
E. Musgrove, Ormskirk.

Game Banrams (Any other variety).—First, C. W. Brierley, Rochdale.
Second, R. B. Postans, Brentwood. Cockerel and two Pullets.—First, J.
Camm, Notts. Second, R. Hawkesley, Southwell. Third, M. Billing, jun-,
Suen Highly Commended, R. Hawkesley ; W. Lawrenson, Poulton-

e-Fylde.

Game Bantam Cocxs.—First, J. Munn, Newchurch. Second, R. B.
Postans, Brentwood. Cockerel.First, W. Lawrenson, Poulton-le-Fylde.
Second, R. Swift, Soathwell. Third, J. W. Kelleway, Jsle of Wight.
Fourth, T. H. D. Bayly, Biggleswade, Beds. Highly Commended, R.
Hawkesley, jun., Southwell.

Bantams (Gold-laced).—Prize, P. Norbury, Timperley.
two Pullets.—Prize, J. Dixon, Bradford.

Banzams (Sliver-laced).— Prize, T. H. D. Bayly, Biggleswade, Beds.
Cockerel and two Pullets.—Prize, R. M. Stark, Hull.

“Bantams (White, Clean-legged).—-First and Second, E. Holdsworth, Leeds.
Highly Commended, T. H. D. Bayly, Biggleswade, Beds. Cockerel and two
Puillets.—F¥irst, J. Dixon, Bradford. Second, J. Rumsey, South Hackney.

Bantams (Black, Clean-legged).—First, W. Cannan, Bradford. Second,
T .Rigby, Winsford. Cockerel and two Pullets.—First, Miss M. Harrop,
Manchester. Second, 'l’. Rigby.

Banrams (Any other variety).—Prize, F. Musten.
Pullets.—Prize, P. W. Storey, Northamptonshire.

Bantams (except Game).—Prize, P. Robinson.

Ducks (White Aylesbury).—First, W. Dolby, Rotherfield, Sussex. Second
Third and Fifth, Mrs. M. Seamons, Aylesbury. Fourth, E. Viggor, Cheshire.

Ducks (Rouen).—First, G. Winn, Liverpool. Second, E. Longton,
Liverpool. Third, J. Munn, Newchurch. Fourth, T. Statter, Whitefield.
Fifth, R. BR. Ashton, Bury, Lancashire. (Highly meritorious class.)

Ducks (Black East Indian).—First, J, R. Jessop, Hull. Second, R. M.
Stark, Hull. -Highly Commended, F. W. Earle, Prescot.

Ducks (Any other variety).— First, T. H. D. Bayly, Biggleswade, Beds.
Second, J. Dixon, Bradford. Third, M. Hill, Woodlands, Heywood.

ORNAMENTAL WATER Fowts.—Prize, J. Dixon, Brdford.

Gress (White).—First, W. Kershaw, Heywood. Second, Mrs. M. Seamons,
Aylesbury.

GuesE (Grey and Mottled).—First, W. Kershaw, Heywood.
J. Taylor, Stretford.

Tourteys.—First, Mrs. A.Guy, Grantham. Second, J. Eckersley, Chorley,
Lancashire. Cock and two Hens.—First, J. Smith, Grantham. Second,
J. Dixon, Bradford.

Extra Srock.—First, J. Harrison, Blackpool. Second, W. Chamberlain,
Leicester. Third, C. Bocquet, Route D’Iyry, Paris.

Cockerel and

Cockerel and two

Second,

PIGEONS.

Powters.—First and Second, F. H. Evans.
(Gighly meritorious class.)

Carrer Cock (Black).—First, E. S$. Corker. Croydon. Second, J. Wads-
worth, Halifax. Any other colour.—First, T. Colley, Sheffield. Second,
P. Eden, Salford. Very Highly Commended, P. Eden.

Carrirr Hen (Black).—First, E, S. Corker, Croydon. Second, P. Eden,
Salford. Third, J. Wadsworth, Halifax. Any other colowr.—Prize, P. Eden.

Dracoons.—First, F. Esquilant, Oxford Street, London. Second and
Fourth, T. Ridpeth, Rusholme. Third, C. J. Samuels, Manchester. Highly
Commended, J. Wadsworth, Halifax ; T. D. Walker, Liverpool. i

Jacoprns.—First, F. Esquilant, London. Second, H. Morris, Forest Hill,
Kent. Third, W. Carlton, Howden.

Nuns.—Prize, I’, Elso, Bayswater.

Runts.—First, J. Baily, jun., Mount Street, London. Second, C. Bocquet,
Route D’Ivry, Paris.

Barzs.—First, P. Eden, Salford.
Third, T. D. Walker, Liverpool.

Turvits.—First, F. Else, Bayswater. Second, A. L. Silvester, Birmingham.

Owts.—First, F. Else, Bayswater. Second, H. Morris, Forest Hill, Kent.
Third, H. Yardley, Birmingham. Fourth, T. Ridpeth, Rusholme..

Third, P. Eden, Salford.—

Second, A. L. Silvester, Birmingham.

18

TRuupEreRs.—First, W. H.C. Oates, Newark. Second, J. Baily, jun.,
Mount Street, London. Third, C. J. Samuels, Manchester. Highly Uom-
mendea, F. Key, Beverley.

Fanvaits.—First, J. W. Edge, Birmingham.
olme. Third, F. Else, Bayswater.

AtMonD TumBLERs,—First and Third, P. Eden, Salford, Second, E. T.
Corker, Croydon. Commended, H. Clegg, Oldham; J. Cheetham, Rochdale.

Batps.—First, F. Esquilant, London. Second, J. W. Edge, Birmingham.

TUMBLERS (Any other yariety).—Prize, J. Cheetham, Rochdale.

Beanps.— First, W. H. C. Oates, Newark. Second, F, Else, Bayswater.
Third, F. Esquilant, London. Commended, T. Ridpeth, Rusholme; J. W.
Edge, Birmingham.

ANY OTHER New or Distincr VARiIeTY.—First, A. L. Silvester, Birming-
ham. Second, Lady E. Talbot, Knowsley, near Prescot. Third, A. P.
Leite, Manchester.

Jupexrs. — Poultry: Edward Hewitt, Hsq., Eden Cottage,
Sparkbrook, Birmingham, and G. J. Andrews, Esq., Dorchester
—Classes 1 to 42; J. Douglas, Esq., Ranton Abbey, Stafford-
shire, and T. Chaloner, Eeq., Whitwell, Chesterfield—Classes
810119; W. Lloyd, Hsq., Waverham, near Northwich, Cheshire,
and Philip Castang, Haq., London—Classes 43 to 80, and 120
to129. Pigeons: T. J. Cottle, Esq., Pulteney Villa, Cheltenham.

Second, T. Ridpeth, Rush-

HECKMONDWIKE POULTRY SHOW.

THE first annual Exhibition of Single Cocks took place on
Friday, the 26th ult., at the Royal Hotel, Heckmondwike, when
there was a first-rate display of Game and other cocks.

Game (Reds).—First, H. Beldon, Bradford. Second, H. Hatton, Cleck-
heaton. Third, H.C. Mason, Drighlington. (The competition was so
severe in this class that the Judges were obliged to give a third prize.)

Gamez (Duckwings).—First, W.H. Atkinson, Heckmondwike. Second,
H. Beldon, Bradford.

Gamez (White and Piles).—First, H. ©. Mason. Second, H. Beldon.

Game (Blacks and Brassy-winged).—First, G. Noble, Heckmondwike.
Second, T. Hartley, Gomersal.

Game Bantams (Red).—First, I. Goodhull, Heckmondwike. Second,
J. Wilson, Dewsbury Moor.
Game Banrams (Duckwing).—First, T. Hirst, Batley Carr. Second,

C. Lister, Mirfield.
Bantams (Black),—First, J, Parker, Heckmondwike. Second, H. Beldon.
Bantams (White).—First, J. Elam, Heckmondwike. Second, H. Beldon.
ANY oTHER VARIETY.—First, T. Greenwood, Dewsbury (Biack Spanish).
Second, H. Beldon (Golden Poland). Third, H. Rushforth, Mirfield
(Golden-pencilled Hamburgh).

Messrs. William Marriott, Dewsbury, and Henry Wood,
Great Horton, officiated as Judges, whose decisions gave great
satisfaction.—J. THoRNTON, Hon. Sec.

THE SCOTTISH NATIONAL POULTRY SHOW.

On Christmas-day the first Show under the auspices of this
National Society was held in the Queen’s Rooms, Glasgow, and
certainly, in every respect, it did credit to all the parties con-
nected with it. The arrangements were complete. The entries
amounted to 406 pens, including about 1200 fowls ; the aggregate
amount of the prizes awarded was about £150; and the attend-
ance, notwithstanding the inauspicious character of the weather,
was very numerous, including our leading citizens, accompanied
by ladies and gentlemen from Edinburgh and other parts of
Scotland, and a few from the South.

This Society was originated at the end of last summer, with
the view of improving the various breeds of poultry, and giving,
3f possible, an impetus to this branch of agriculture, as well as
to enlist attention to the matter by others not engaged in agri-
cultural pursuits. It had its origin in the fact that the Glasgow
Agricultural Society had given up their winter show of poultry.
This being regretted by many, a meeting wae called, and a
Committee appointed, with Mr. R, Cowan, Gordon Street, as
Secretary; anda better Secretary could not have been found, for
he has laboured most patiently, and spared no pains to insure
the success of the splendid display now in the Queen’s Rooms—
for which poultry-fanciers and the public in general owe him a
deep debt of gratitude.

Making a somewhat careful examination of the pens, the
leading feature was most palpably the general excellence of the
fowls ; indeed there was not abad bird in the whole Show, and
very many that we have never seenequalled. In adult Dorkings,
we state enough when we say that it comprised the winning
birds from the recent leading English and Scotch shows; and,
in the opinion of good judges, there never was a finer show of
Dorkings exhibited. In the second class the fowls approached
very close to each other, so that, as is often the case, the Judges
did not satisfy all. The Spanish class never were better repre-
scnted, a leading breeder from Lancashire carrying off the first

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

[ January 6, 1863.

prize; and many of the best of our own county breeders also
showed. The Scotch Greys—our national bird—were numerously
and well represented. The show of Cochin-Chimas was perhaps
the finest that has ever been seen together, and the Gold-
pencilled and Gold-spangled Hamburghs were very numerous and
very good. The La Fléche pen of Mr. D. Allen was probably
the first of that breed ever shown in Scotland. The Game
Bantams formed perhaps the most interesting class in the Exhi-
bition, from the variety and beauty of their plumage.

Of Rouens there was undoubtedly one of the finest shows ever
seen, and the Judges admitted that they never had so much
difficulty in giving their awards as in this class. The Turkeys
were in excellent condition; and such fowls as those which
gained the first prize, and which were quickly bought by a great
Scotch poultry-fancier, are seldom seen. The Ganders and
Geese were also remarkably fine; the first-prize pen weighed
54:1bs., and the second 50 lbs.

We subjoin the names of the Judges, who were all fron
England, and their awards :—Mr. J. Douglas, Ranton Abbey,
Staffordshire; Mr. E. Challoner, Whitwell, near Chesterfield ;
and Mr. R. Swift, Nottinghamshire.

Dorxinc.—First, Earl of Wemyss and March, Harelaw, Longniddrie.
Second, D. V. Allen, Inchmartine, Inchture. Third, H. W. B, Berwick,
Helmsley, Yorkshire. Highly Commended, J. D. Wauchope, Dalkeith;
D, V. Allen. Chickens.—First, D. V. Allen. Second, J. C.Wakefield, Thornlie-
bank. Third, Earl of Wemyss and March. Uighly Commendec, J. D.
Wauchope, Dalkeith, Commended, J, Anderson, Meigle; J. Gibson, Wool-
met, Dalkeith.

SPANISH.—First, R. Teebay, Fulwood, Preston, Lancashire. Second, W.
M'Intyre, Coalhall, Stair, Ayrshire. Third, Miss B. Ridpath, Edinburgh.
Highly Commended, J. K. Fowler, Aylesbury; W. Wilson, jun., Beith,
Commended, W. Pettigrew, Driffen, Lesmahagow. Chickens.—First and
Second, W. M‘Intyre. Third, R. Teebay.

Scorcn Grey.—First, W. Thorson, Glasgow. Second, W. Pettigrew,
Driffen, Lesmahagow. Third, R. Watson, Cathcart. Commended, S. Young,
Kirkton Mill, Neilston. Chickens.—First, J. Gilmour, Broom, Stewarton.
Second, W. Thomson, Glasgow. Third, J. Connell, Hillhead, near Jobn-
ston. Highly Conmended, W. Thomson; S. Young.

Cocuin-Caina.—First, Miss Biggar, Nethermilne, Moffat. Second, E.
Smith, Middleton, near Manchester. Vhird, Miss E. A. Aglionby, Wighton,
Cumberland. (The whole class highly commended). Chickens,—First,
Miss E. A. Aglionby. Second, A. Patterson, Airdrie. Third, D. Y. Allen.
Gorauentess Countess de Flahault, Tullyallan Castle; E. Smith; D. V.
Allen.

HamsBvuncu (Gold-pencilled),—First, W. H. Dyson, Horton Bank Top,
Bradford. Second, J. C. Wakefield, Eastwood Park, Thornliebank. Third,
W. Cannan, Adolphus Works, Bradford. Highly Commended, *. Glen,
Erskine; C. W. Brierley, Rochdale. Commended, W. Gilmour, Stonehouse,

HampunrcH (Gold-spangled).—First, Mrs. W. Whitehead, Kingsland
Road, Shoreditch, London. Second, N. Marlor, Denton, near Manchester.
Third, W. Cannan, Bradford,

HampurcH (Silver-pencilled).—First, Miss E. A. Aglionby. Second, J. C.
Wakefield. Third, A. Yuill, Airdrie, ‘

HamBureli (Silyer-spangled.)— First, J. Stewart, Springhill, Barrhead.
Second, J.C. Wakefield. Third, E. Collinge, Boarshaw, Clough, Middle-
ton, near Manchester. Highly Commended, R. Teebay.

Poranv (any colour).—First and Second, Miss E. Beldon, Bradford.
Third, Countess de Flahault, Tullyallan Castle, Kincardine-on-Forth.
Highly Commended, A. Yuill; S. Neil, Airdrie.

ANY OTHER BREED.—First and Third, D. V. Allen (Brahma Pootra and
La Fléche). Second, E. Hutton, Pudsey, Leeds (Black Hamburghs). Highly
Commended, D, Y. Allen (Créve Cour). Commended, B. Barker, Wyseby
Hill, Kirtlebridge (Chinese Silky fowl). ‘i

Game (Black-breasted Red and other Reds).—First, J. Hodgson, Brad-
ford. Second, J. Arderson, Meigle. Third, Miss E. Beldon, Bradford.
Higbly Commended, J. Wood, Haigh, near Wigan. Commended, J. Firth,
Halifax ; J, H. Macnab, South Arthurle, Barrhead. Chickens.—First, J.
Anderson. Second, A. B. Dyar, Madeley, Salop. Third, J. Moltison,
Ruthven, Meigle. Commended, J. Firth, Halifax; I. Moss, Poulton-le-
Fylde, Lancashire.

GamME (Any other colour).— First, A. Guy, jun., Eaton, Grantham.
Second, J. Hodgson, Bradford. Chickens.—First, J. Mollison, Meigle.
Second, J. Wood, Moathouse, Haigh, near Wigan. Third, J. Crosland,
jun., Wakefield, Yorkshire. Commended, J. Hodgson,

Bantams (Game),—First, W. R. Lane, Bristol Road, near Birmingham,
Second, J. Anderson. Third, J. Crosland, jun. Highty Commended, Dr.
Corbett, Barrhead. Commended, J. Crosland, jun.; Mrs. Gilmour, Shaw-
burn, Hamilton. ;

Bantams.—First, J. Anderson. Second, E. Hutton. Third, G. J. Mac-
lean, Edinburgh.

Ducks (Aylesbury):—First, J. K. Fowler, Prebendal Farm, Aylesbury.
Second, J. Smith, Breeder Hills, Grantham, Lincolnshire. Third, H. Heys,
Springfield House, Barrhead. Highly Commended, A. Cameron, Bogside,
by Springburn ; H. Heys; J. C. Wakefield. Commended, J. M‘Cowan, Old
Cumnock,

Decxs (Rouen).—First, J. Gibson, Woolmet. Dalkeith. Second, Lord
Kinnaird, Rossie Priory, Inchture. Third, D. Y. Allen. Highly Com—
mended, A, Cunninghame, Craigends, Renfrewshire; W. M. Gilmour,
Shawburn, Hamilton. Commended, J. Gibson, Woolmet, Dalkeith. (The
whole class highly commended.)

Ducxs (Any other breed).—First, Countess de Flahault, Kincardine-on-
Forth. Second, Mrs. W. Whitehead, Shoreditch, London, ‘Third,
E. Hutton. Highly Commended, D. V. Allen; A. Cunningham.

Turkers.—First, J. Smi.h. Second, D. V. Allen. Third, Mrs. A. Guy,
Eaton, near Grantham. (The whole class highly commended.)

Gerse.—First, J. K. Fowler, Prebendal Farm, Aylesbury, Second,
H. Heys, Springfield House, Barrhead. Third, D. VY. Allen. (The whole
class highly commended.)—(@/asgow Herald.)

January 6, 1863. ]
YELLOW-LEGGED GAME BANTAMS,

You must know that Iam a member of the * Yellow-legged
Game Bantam fraternity,” and my forefathers have gained many
laurels in the days when yellow legs were considered the crack
colour; but since the olive or willow understandings have become
the rage, I and my brethren have been obliged to succumb, and
at best get only a commendation. :

Now although I cannot expect the high honours myself, I
should be proud to see my progeny in the lists with some
chance of success; and as I am about to mate with two of the
opposite sex who have what are called blue legs, I shall take it
a fayour if you or any of your kind correspondents will inform
me whether I and my blue-legged spouses are likely to produce
the desired Willow.—Ux Coa.

[ Vous étes poursuivi par un songe,” no one has objected to
your yellow stockings. When you won, they were not the
cause; wher you lost they were guiltless. If you will show
yourself the worthier, willow legs will not save your antagonist.
The alliance you propose will not, we fear, be successful; and
since you are so ashamed of your continuations, that you would
not wish them to be hereditary, we advise you fo make a match
with willow legs, and to centre your affections on those of your
oliye-branches that take after “ mamma.” ]

SILVER-GREY DORKINGS.

Some two years ago had alittle friendly controversy with you
about the points of Silyer-Grey Dorkings, and I am obliged once
more to take up the pen on behalf of my favourites, which are
threatened expulsion from Bingley Hall by no less a person than
yourself, because, forsooth, there were only six entries in the
adult class, and only two pens were considered worthy of a prize.
Let us look, Mr. Editor, at a few facts. There are five classes
for Silver-Greys, and five for Spanish ; the entries for the former
are 71, and for the latter 59, giving rather over 14 as the average
in the former, and not quite 12 in the latter. Again, there are
94 classes of poultry, and 1368 entries, being an average of about
14% for each class—so that the Silver-Grey Dorkings, the latest,
or rather the newest class, already come up to the average
entry, and I have little doubt but that they will go on increas-
ing, for “the coloured Dorkings” (not Silyer-Greys) cannot for a
moment be compared to them for beauty, and you acknowledge
we are fast coming up to them in size. Let us look at the two
classes as we go along—first at the Silver-Greys—all the pens
uniform in colour, the cock with black breast and tail and
beautiful light hackle; the hens such lovely grey bodies, and
black and white hackles. What a contrast to the coloured class!
—searcely two pens alike in colour; but I will not attempt to
describe them, but refer you to the letter of “E. C.” in your
Number of December 9th, where he dilates upon mottled breasts,
white tails, and light and dark highly-commended pullets, &c.
Surely, Mr. Editor, I have written enough to prove that the
Silyer-Greys are worthy of a class in Bingley Hall, and at all
first-rate shows——A BREEDER OF SILVER-GREYS.

[We are anxious to give you all the adhesion we can, but we
still think we are right. It is for the breeders of these beautiful
birds to correct us if wrong. That cannot be done on paper.
The increase in the entries of old birds next year will be the
Most convincing argument. We have strong doubts as to the
possibility of breeding them with certainty of producing colour.
We bred last year from a cock in which we could detect no
fault; the hen this year moulted with a white breast halfway
down. If in the adult state, the points of perfect beauty
disappear, they become that from which they sprung, and which
are despised by the “Silvers”? They are “Greys.” If our
correspondent can prove they are a breed, we will at once con-
cede they are far more beautiful than the Greys or coloured. ]

DZIERZON’S BEE-HIVE IMPROVED.

In your Number for November 25th, 1862, you give a draw-
ing and partial description of Dzierzon’s bee-hive. Will you
kindly give one of your readers, who had not the opportunity
of seeing it at the International Exhibition, such a description
of it as may enable an ordinary mechanic to make one? It is
especially desirable to have very clear directions as to the making
and fixing the frames. Not understanding German, I shall be |

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

19

thankful to be told the meaning of the word “lager.’—A Brx-
KEEPER.

[The German word “lager” has almost as many different
significations as the English word “box.” When applied to a
bee-hive, it means “lying down.” For instance: the “lager-
stock” is a long hive only one storey high, something like our
English collateral-hives, but haying the entrance at one end,
and consisting of only one compartment; whilst it differs
entirely from the “Standerstock,”’ which stands upright, and
accommodates two, or sometimes three tiers of combs.

The accompanying sketch represents one of the frames of the
Danish hive described in page
688 of our last volume. The
projection at A rests on a ledge
in the central partition, whilst
the other end is sustained by
the small eye B, which slips on
a little wire hook driven into
the top of the hive. The frame
is kept from vibrating to and
fro, by the lower part dropping
into one of the notches in a
strip of wood running from
front to back, as shown in the
original engraving. If you bear
in mind that the frames are
all 9 inches wide, by 10 inches
deep inside, and that half an inch clear space should be left at
their top, bottom, and sides, whilst they are so arranged as to
be exactly 14 inch from centre to centre, there will be little
difficulty in determining the exact size of each compartment.
The strips of wood of which the frames are made, are 1 inch
broad and a quarter of an inch thick. We should commenee
by making a dovetailed “carcase,” as it is technically called, of
inch wood with partitions half an inch thick. The roof and
pedestal should be separate and moveable.

The annexed sketch shows the mode of communication be-
tween the brood-room and the honey-
room of each compartment. It will be
perceived that a piece about 6 inches long
by three-quarters of an inch deep is cut
diagonally out of the edge of the partition
next to the glass, and is kept in ifs place by
means of a central screw. When in its
original position the communication is of
course closed, but is readily opened by
turning it as indicated by the dotted outline.

In the Exhibition-hive the side of each
compartment was closed by two panes of
glass in frames of equal size, and meeting
in the centre as shown in the engraving. If
we were making a hive of this description
we should prefer to have the twe panes
and their frames of unequal size, but corresponding to the dimen-
sions of the brood-room and honey-room in each case. |

A

BEE-FEEDERS,

Mr. Gzorcz Expres, brazier, Woodstock, makes my zine
bee-feeders, and would be most happy to do so for “H. A. H.,”
and they would cost Is. each, with package. But as carriage
also would ultimately have to be considered, would it not be
better if ““ H. A. H.” were to order them of the nearest tin-plate-
worker? TI advise a distinction and a difference to be made in
feeding bees; the contrivance for early spring use which I
adopt is made of zinc. It is 10 inches long in the trough,
13 inch broad, two-eighths of an inch deep, having a rounded
handle attached to it 1 foot long and about three-eighths of an
inch in diameter. It is so simple that a child can apply it
without danger to itself or the bees either; it has merely to be
inserted at the entrance of the hive in the dusk of the evening,
when the weather is not frosty, and drawn away again the first
thing next morning. It holds between two and three table-
spoonfuls of honey, and less than that will be quite sufficient at
a time during this season of the year.

““H. A. H.” wishes also to be informed how to make the
autumn bee-feeder out of a fig-drum.

Procure an empty fig-drum—and I trust to be forgiven ag I

20 J OURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

say co at this festive time—having a depth of about 63 inches ;
take ont the bottom and refix it an inch and a half higher up,
filling up avy cavities that may remain around it, or up the
original closing at the side, with hot glue. Cotton wadding
forced in firmly with a small chisel is also a very good substitute.
Around the circumference at the bottom of the drum cut out
three arched sections, rising an inch for each apex, leaving
between each about 3 inches of the base as supports.
Opposite each other and inside of the drum fix two upright
pieces of deal 44 inches long, and four-eighths by three-eighths
of an inch in substance, with very small screws from the outside.
Then cut a circular piece from out of the lid of a papered hat-
box, about one-eighth of an inch smaller in circumference than
the inside of the drum, and cut two opposite niches or grooves
out of it, so that it may relieve itself well of the uprights.
Fasten with tin-tacks two thin strips of deal, an inch apart,
parallel and across, to prevent the fioater from warping. ack
on the under side, at right angles, four pieces of a cork eut
three-eighths of an inch thick, and with a bare bodkin or knitting-
needle heated red-hot pierce a quantity of holes over its whole
surfaee, and form one central hole half an inch in diameter,
and secure therein a strip of bended zinc to answer as a handle,
and the bees will be enabled, through the agency of the central
hole and the corks below, to clear away the food from the
bottom. ‘This self-acting float will effectually secure the bees
from death by immersion from the downward progress of the
food; and it will be a rare sight to watch them at an evening
feast of this kind. It is gluttony perfectly typified, though
really to be understood in the opposite sense as regards our little
insect friends.

When I find occasion to feed in autumn I proceed as follows:
—I cut a strip of thick cotton wadding about 2 feet 6 inches
long by 2 inches broad, and encircle it upon the top towards the
outside circumference of the hive, then quietly and quickly as
possible ply-up the central piece of plaited straw, place upon the
hive a narrow deal fillef half an inch wider than the hole, and
immediately lay on the adapting-board; the fillet refuses the
bees admittance under the board, for the central parts of straw
hiyes are generally become sunken a little more or less—circum-
stances which I submit to, as I prefer my hives to be made of
straw throughout. Now place the feeder upon the board over
the orifice, and a large bell propagating-glass over the feeder;
then, with a goose’s wing—which should always be at hand in
all bee-operations—waft off the bees that may be running about on
the board, and cover the glass with a super-over-hive, and sur-
mount with a milk-pan, which will bear the hive down upon
the board, which presses the cotton wadding into the irregu-
larities of the surface of the stock-hive, defying earwigs, wood-
lice, and all other insect depredators, which are sure to be
on the alert on these occasions. In the course of about half
an hour’s time listen, and you will hear a sound as of a resound-
ing sea.

ity drum-feeder holds 8 Ibs. of food. I supply it to the hive
about six P.M. in August and at five p.m. ifn October (I prefer
August), and by nine next morning the bees have generally stored
the food and mostly forsaken the feeder by about eleven a.m.
I then, if it is in October, spread a piece of matting before the
hive, remove the pans, super-hive, and glass and feeder; and
when no more food is to be given, I place the feeder on the
matting. I consider my stock-hives should weigh 30 lbs. each in
the latter end of August. Then take offadapting-board, wadding,
and fillet, secure the piece of plaited straw over the hole with
three or four slender nails, waft off any stray bees with the wing,
and replace the milk-pan on the stock-hive. With the wing I
then move off what bees there are loitering about the feeder on
to the piece of matting, because, in October especially, the
ground is apt to be damp and cold, and the bees, either from
being gorged or taken suddenly from the warm temperature of
the hive, when they are brushed to the cold ground become
numbed, and never rise more; whereas, alighting upon the
dry matting, they recover and return to their hive. When
more food is to be given, then I merely replace the bell-glass,
super-hive, and pan, and return the feeder replenished in the
evening.

Never feed them during the daytime. It incites the bees to
roystering and to gadding about, and, what is worse, their portal
is left in a great measure unguarded, which awakens in their
neighbours their never-failing picking, and stealing, and fighting
propensities. The bee food which I invariably make use of is
composed in proportions of 11b. of loaf sugar, 5 1b. of honey,

[ January 6, 1863.

aed + pint of water to be dissolved in a stew-pan over a clear
es

In conclusion, I will observe, that a quarter-of-a-peck measure
is more likely to be on the premises than a fig-drum, which was
the case with me last autumn, so I merely with some tacks as
small as possible, fastened two parallel uprights inside the
measure, driving the tacks from withinside in this instance.
These formed a tioat after the manner above stated. I fashioned
a wooden ferrule out of a lath an inch broad, cut away three
three-inch segments, half an inch deep, out of its circumterence,
and placed the measure plenished with food upon it, upon the
adapting-board over the hive. Nothing could answer better,
and it is a simpler matter of construction even than the drum,
whilst the quarter-peck remains good for its other legitimate
purposes all the year round.—Upwarps anp OnwagDs.

SALT FOR PIGS.

1 rank Mr. Preston has not solved the question. An over-
dose of salt is a poison to all animals, and pigs are frequently so
poisoned to my knowledge by bacon-brine. That they thrive
at sea is because they get, in medical verbiology, quantum sat,
and that much improves most animals—not, I think, excepting
doge, but those animals most that are subject to internal
parasites.

I give my horse and my dogs salt as an alterative, nor do I
forget myself or my friends; many of whom, especially of the
poorer order, have expressed their satisfaction at a benefit from
80 easy a remedy as a spoonful ef salt in a morning before break-
fast, and continued daily for weeks if pecessary.—QuaRrTz.

[We think our correspondent has shot by-side the mark. The
question raised was not whether an excess of salt is fatal to pigs,
but whether in moderate quantity it is injurious or beneficial.
Bacon-brine may be fatal, but fatal because it contains saltpetre,
which is poisonous even in small quantities to other animals.
We will add the following which came to us by the same post
that brought the letter from “ Quarnz : ?—

“J HAVE seen salt given on a small scale to pige, but with
beneficial results, as they seemed to relish their food better with
it, and it had no ill effect upon them. I fancy if those worthy
folks who say it is injurious were to use it themselves at the same
rate they have given it to their pigs, it would very likely disagree
with them too, as the effects they ascribe to 1t are just what one
might expect from an over-dose.—A. R.”

OUR LETTER BOX.

Brack Bantams st Dartincron.—We have received an explanatory
letter from Mr, Munn, but too late for insertion this week,

Brack Banrams.—Will the ** Winrsuire Rector,” who wrote in this
Journal of December 23 ‘‘A Plea for Bantams,” inform * C. G.” where.
she can obtain a cock and two hens of the pure Black Bantam breed, and
at what price? ‘

Dead Sitver-spanctep Hamsured Porters (Gallus).—The crops of
both the birds you sent were quite empty, and there were no stones in the
gizzard. Your feeding is geod, and yet your birds look and dissect as if
they died of atrophy. There was no appearance of the gizzard having had
anything to do for days. Has their roosting-place any kind of flooring ?
Constant chill might have to do with it. We doubt not bread steened in
strong ale weuld saye them, and, in the event of another case, advise you
to try it freely.

Lavine Ace or Fowrs (A. B. M.).—Pullets only lay in the winter:
Cochin Chinas and Brahmas, hatched in May, will lay in the winter:
Dorkings and Spanish, hatched in February, will also do so. It may be
taken as a rule that Cochins and Brahmas lay when from twenty to
twenty-four weeks old, and others at thirty to thirty-six weeks old.

BanTAMs In A GARDEN (Jfusexm).—We have often had occasion to
notice that Bantams, and especially Sebright Bantams, do little harm in a
garden. ; :

Corsi (Idem).—There are naturally three kinds—white, red, and
black. We never heard of the colours of the two last-named being
whitened, for the colouring pervades the whole substance.

BuckwHeaT ror Poutrry (A Subscriber).—Buckwheat is good for
change. Pheasants are not very fond of it, Partridges are; but neither
care much for it in confinement. If a piece of it be grown, Partridges will
teed on the stubble till all be ploughed-up.

Picrons (Idem).—Tiles make very good Pigeon-nests, as they [do not
harbour vermin like straw and wood. The shapes most adapted are those
that are ridged and curved towards the edges. We have known flower-
pot saucers used. We do not know where you canmeet with Blue Rocks
for your dove-cote.

Dor Ragpits EATING THEIR YOUNG Oves (F, C.).—Generally speaking
only very young does eat their young ones, If they arc kept quite away from
the buck, are kept quiet, have a private place in which to kindle, and are
plentifully supplied with every sort of green meat, especially parsley, they
seldom eat their young.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

January 13, 1853.] 21
WEEKLY CALENDAR.
{ | WEATHER NEAR LONDON IN 1862. cy 9 | z c wy hal fr
| Day Day t = ¥. | = | Moon | Clock
of of JANUARY 15-19, 1863. | | if Raing Sun | Snn Rises |Moon’s before Day of |
M’nth Week. Barometer. fesasats.t'| Wind. Thebes Rises. | Sets, jandSets) Age. | Sun. | Year.
| a | degrees. | l'me he)m. bef meh. m. &
13 Tu | Primrose flowers. 596 | 51-35 | W. 12) | det Se) Wafide | 596 OW) Gt |S 54 13
lt | W Bajerus b. 1677. B. $2. | 44—31 N.E. 03 BIAS HLS re dellh p22 2t 9 16 14
15 | TH Snowdrop flowers. | 29.940— 4 45—25 N.E. — 2 <8.) 17 04) 33 8 Dog 938) 15
16 ¥ Crowfoot flowers. | 30.038—29.970 41—20 S:E. = US! PALO) WEN laa 96 | 9 59 16 |
17 s Caspar Bauhin b. 1560. Bi | 30.005—29.997 35—19 | S.E. = OfeSh) 200) 45) 5Ie5 oF | 10 19! 17
18 Sun 2 SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. | 29.971—29.960 36—17 | S.E. janice VII 22.4) 46 6 28 10 3 13 |
19 M J. Amman d. 1741. B. 29.900—29.766 29-24 | S.E. Itt. asaya 58 7 24 41]. sets @® (10 58 | 19
Mereononocy oF THE WeEEK.—At Chiswick, from observations during the last thirty-six years. the average highest and lowest
temperatures of these days are 42.2° and 30.6° respectively. The greatest heat, 60°, occurred on the 19th, in 1828; and the lowest cold, +3°

below zero on the 19th, in 1888. During the period 147 days were fine, and on 105 rain fell.

THE PERSIAN RANUNCULUS:
A PLEA ON ITS BEHALF:

HAV Eoften wondered
why this very beau-
tiful flower is not
more largely culti-
vated than itis. My
own earliest associ-
ations as a lover of
flowers are connected
T could not have been

more than twelve years old
when a schoolfellow took me
to see his uncle’s garden in the
neighbourhood of Dublin. It
was a small plot, just such as many of those suburban
residences have attached to them; and would, with its
straight narrow beds, have given a landscape-gardener a
fit of the blues. But the old gentleman’s spéciaiité was
the Persian Ranunculus. He was no florist; but being,
I believe, someway connected in business matters with
Holland, had managed to bring together a very nice col-
lection. Whether it was-that my eyes were more easily
satisfied then than they are now, or that the garden was
well adapted for them, I know not; but although some
thirty years and more have rolled over my head since
then, and’ many a scene of far greater importance has
passed from my memory, I see those beds of Ranunculus
as clearly now as if they were veritably in bloom before
my eyes. All shades of colour T recollect were there—
ashy grey and purplish-black, brilliant yellows and glow-
ine crimsons, all kinds of spotted and edged varieties,
and, I can verily say, such a bed I have never seen
since; and if I have ever given the readers of THE
JourNaL oF HorvicuLture any information that has
been of use or stirred-up their flower-loving spirit, that
bed of Ranuneulus was the exciting cause of all my after-
taste. It will hardly be wondered at that it should be
a favourite flower, and that I should feel surprised at
its not being more widely cultivated. Years after this
a well-executed plate in the “ Florists’ Journal” stirred-
up the old love which, perhaps, other plants had taken
the place of, and I then set about growing them. My
garden at that time was on a cliff overhanging the sea,
exposed to every wind that blew; and yet, by dint of
contrivance and perseverance I had a very nice bloom.
Since then under varying circumstances I have cultivated
them. Five or six years ago I had a beauteous bed of
them in my garden here; but since that time my success
has not been such as I had then. As next month is
the best period for planting them I have thought that,
perhaps, a few observations on them now might not be
out of place.

I believe that one great reason for their being, com-
paratively speaking, so little grown, is that they are
somewhat capricious in their blooming. But this applies
mainly to the old Dutch varieties, many of which, such

No. 94,—Vot. IV., New SERtEs,

as those that I saw in my boyish days, are perhaps now
extinct ; but during the last thirty years several very
successful florists have been engaged in raising seedlings
in this country, the two most celebrated being Mr. George
Lightbody, of Falkirk, and Mr. Carey Tyso, of Walling-
ford, Berks. These seedlings are remarkable for their
vigour of growth, great size, and above all, comparative
certainty of bloom; and when we recollect that a flower
whose home is the Levant has been acclimatised and
made to seed in the cold uncongenial quarters of North
Britain, we might naturally expect that it had acquired
some hardiness of constitution. So in truth it has;
and at the same time one cannot help admiring the zeal
and perseverance of our northern florists, who, nothing
daunted by frost and snow, have in so many florists’
flowers taken the lead of us in the south. To any one
beginning their cultivation, I do not think I could give
better advice than, Put yourselves into Mr. Lightbody’s
or Mr. Tyso’s hands; tell them what you want, and you
may rely on being well served. I know more of Mr.
Lightbody’s flowers than I do of Mr. Tyso’s, and can
unquestionably recommend them ; and at the end of this
short paper have given the names of a few I know to be
good.
SOIL AND SITUATION.

A good deal has been said on this subject; and the
great expense which is recommended by many growers
has oftentimes, I am persuaded, frightened florists from
attempting them. It is, I dare say, true that they can
be best grown by taking out the soil of the bed in the
autumn, and placing a good layer of well-decomposed
cowdung about 6 inches below the surface: but this is.
not necessary. Any goodrich garden soil, but without
fresh manure, is suitable for them. When the natural
soil is not good the beds must be made for them and
filled-up with a mixture of loam, manure, and leaf mould,
all well rotted together: As the Ranunculus delights in
moisture an arid soil or a sunny situation does not suit
them so well; but neither must the bed be placed under
the drip of trees. In my own garden this is one of the
great difficulties I have to contend with in the successful
cultivation of the flower. We receive so much sun that it
counterbalances the natural good condition of the soil,

MANAGEMENT.

The beds should be prepared in autumn, so that they
need not be much disturbed in the spring when planting
takes place. Should the weather be frosty it is a good
plan to throw the surface up in small ridges to sweeten
(as this winter we have not had a night’s frost here, that
has been impossible); and when the time for planting
arrives the bed should simply be raked down smooth.
It is a great mistake to raise the beds; they should be
not more than an inch above the level of the walks.
The 12th of February is the day which I have always
fixed for planting; and in the successful execution
of this depends half the future results. The bed being
made quite flat, drills should be drawn about 5 inches
from one another. In the bottom of this drill some white

No. 746.—Vot. XXTX., Orp SERIES.

~«

22 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE

Reigate sand should besown ; and the tubers then planted about
5 inches apart, and not more or less than 14 inch below the
surface. The drills should then be covered-in and the bed raked
smooth. If the season should be a dry one they will require
watering; but it is always best to do this between the rows, and
not all over the bed. When the flower-buds begin to show
colour it is time to have an awning of some sort ready to
stretch over them, in order to prevent the effects of the scorching
sun and heavy rains. Although the plant is so dwarf in habit
it is not well to have the cover too low down, as this is apt to
draw the plants; 23 feet at the sides, and about 4 feet in the
centre is the correct height. After the bloom is over the cover-
ing should be taken off on all fine days, as it is very important
to get the tubers up in a good state of preservation. If taken
up too soon their vigour is spoilt; if left too long they are apt
to sprout again, which 2s more injurious still. If the weather
be very moist it is better to loosen the tubers by putting the
trowel into the soil near them; but if dry this will not be
necessary. When dried, put them imto paper bags and keep
them in a dry place.

CHOICE OF SORTS.
OLD DUTCH VARIETIES.
Feu Eclatante
Grande Monarque
Tlercules
Jaune en Pompadore

Gillet Parfait
Passe Niobe

Reine de Portugal
Roi des Renoncules

Angouléme
Apollo

Beauré Behemoth
Bishop van Lima

Bouquet Sanspareil Manteau Noir Téméraive
Catlos Mélange des Beautés Tippoo Saib
Condorcet Naxara Voctonnox
Cossack Gil Noir Voltaire

Féie Nocturne
LIGHTBODY’S SEEDLINGS.

Admiral Home Farl of Errol Miriam
Brilliant Erskine Niobe
Chatterton Goethe Sir J. de Greme
Commodore Napier Grace Darling Sir J. Dombrain
Countess of Kglinton John Joyce. Sir H. Pottinger
Dean Swift John Waterston Splendour
Don Roderick Lady Sale Talisman “
Dr. Channing Lame Ten Pounder
Qr, Niel Magellan William, Penn

, TYSO’S SEEDLINGS,
Aurelia Exhibitor Premier
Auriga Felix Reformation
Catheart Hanalet Saladin
Claimant Jubal Tubal
Creon. Melancthon Virtuosa
Delectus Miriam Waldensia
Dr. Horner Orsippus Xerxes
Edgar Paxos Zwingle

Ihave only given the names of a few. Those in list No. 1
are mainly selfs; those in 2and 3 spotted and edged. In all
three classes there are a great’ many more equally as good, I
dare say ; but I have named those I know best.—D., Deal.

THE FRENCH FOUNTAINS—LIBRARY AT
THE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

NEW AND OLD CROCUSES.

‘In the monthly summary which closed the last year and in the
Jast; volume of the ‘‘ Proceedings” of the Royal Horticultural
Society, it is stated that the French Fountains (the worse luck)
are now definitively abandoned, the amount subscribed haying
proved insufficient for the purpose, and the instructions, of the
subseribers with regard to the disposal of their subscriptions
are now being taken. So far as is yet known, it would appear
that the subscribers will unanimously direct them to be applied
in the purchase of works of art for the decoration of the garden.
Notwithstanding that the fountains are now out of question,
“the subscription list will still be kept open,.as it is understood
that a number of the Fellows who would have subscribed for
bronzes or general decorations have refrained from subscribing
so long as the purchase of the fountains was in doubt.”

Thete is much more than at first appears in that paragraph.
The subscribers will most certainly no¢ direct their money to be
laid out in bronzes unanimously, and I for one do hereby protest
against any more bronzes or brass, except ‘the brass bands, for
the new garden, until we have as good a library as the want of
brass deprived us of on the fall and folly in Regent Street.’ But
let’ bygones be bygones, and let us ali join in the one pursuit
which of all othersis the most likely to contribute to the progress
of the cultivators of the science and practice of gardening—the

endeayour to place as good a skeleton of a garden and scientific '

AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [{ January 12, 1863.
library at South Kensington as there is there now of what a
town garden should be, and which embraces the period when the
sister arts went hand in hand together with the science and art
of gardening. I can very well understand the feeling in the
Council of the Society on the subject of a library—they all feel
our want of it as much as any of us; and they must also know
the force of the feeling which the selling of the old library raised
against the body. But let us all agree to forget what is not
agreeable, and let us set on foot the really agreeable idea that
ours will be the best library of the kind in the kingdom at some
future time, if we set about it now with the French fountains’
subscription sure in hand.

The best book I had for the last three months was the book
on Crocuses; but the Crocuses themselves were still better.
From the last day of September to the first day of January I
have not been without a bloom of Crocus, or a pot of Crocuses
in bloom, outside of the window-sill facing the south, and all
with four kinds of wild Crocuses; and the last of them promises
to run on to near the end of January. Well, then, what could
be nicer than that for four of the dullest months? for, if
October should be fine and fresh, still it is possible to keep back
the October-flowering Crocuses to the beginning of November
by keeping the pots dry a month longer, or by not potting the
bulbs so soon by a month. Speciosus was the first to bloom
with me, and it was noticed at the time as so much like Leuco-
coryne ‘ixioides in the light blue streaky colour. A botanical
clergyman from the country wrote to me to say his speciosus
was very different from the oneI mentioned ; and so it was, for
his sort is Parkinson’s pyrenzus, which is the same as Sir E.
Smith’s nudiflorus, and is first called speciosus in the Supple-
ment to “English Botany,” vol. ii., fig. 2752.

This pyrenseus of Parkinson and nudiflorus and speciosus of -

Smith is the same as the Crocus which is so abundant in the
meadows at Nottingham. My speciosus is the true one, and was
so named in the “ Botanical Magazine,” 3861, by Bieberstein,
after whom the new Cerastium Biebersteini is called. He wes a
Russian botanist.

My present new-year bloomer looked so much like the true ver-
sicolor as to put mein the dumps about it, when the flower-buds
made their first appearance about the middle of December. It is
the Crocus Imperatonius of Herbert in the “ Botanical Magazine,”
3871, and the C. Imperati of Tenore, ‘* Botanical Register,”
1993. Itis a native of Monte Pollino in Calabria, and farther
south to the very spot where Garibaldi received the ball into
his ankle, There are six blooms of it now open before me as I
write this, and I see nine more coming in different stages, so
that I shall be sure to have one bloom of it atleast to the very
last day of January, if not well on in February, as some more
flower-buds may yet appear from among the foliage, which in
this kind becomes 2 or 3 inches long before the flower-buds come
up. In the bud this beautiful Crocus is a light yellow, or straw
colour, streaked with purple-feathered stripes on the sepals. The

inside of the sepals and both sides of the petals are of a rich .

violet colour (saturate violaceo) ; the bottom of the flower is
smooth, and of an orange colour, like the eye in the breed of
versicolor, and the size as large as that of Prince Albert.
Altogether it is a very desirable Crocus coming naturally in the
dead of winter, besides reminding one of a host of similar kinds,
which might be within our reach if we once adopted the notion
of cultivating a selection of them.

I am indebted to the kindness of the king of cross-breeders
for them all, and his kinds came quite true to name. One of
them, for which he had no name, and which he received from
Dr, Herbert’s brother, is the next on my list, and the third
which bloomed with me. It is odorus, a lovely light blue
flover all. over, with a yellow bottom, and it bloomed for six
weeks from the end of October, and is a very sweet-scented flower.
Tt is the Crocus longiflorus of Rafinesque, an Italian botanist ;
but the name cdorus was previously applied to it by another
Italian, Bivona Bernardi, and there is a figure of it in the
“Botanical Register” for 1844 (8, jig. 4), under the name
longiflorus, together with that of another variety of it (ig. 5),
which is 2 native of Malta.

The fourth kind of my stock is byzantinus, the oldest of them
all, and one of Parkinson’s Crocuses ; it is also the most curious
of all the Crocuses, and had several names—as banaticus, by
M. Gay, of Paris; speciosus, of Reichenbach; and iridiflorus,-
of ‘Dr. Heuffel; but Parkinson’s name, byzantinus, haying had
the priority, is the right one. Before the flower opens one might
be excused for taking it to be speciosus, the colours being much

January 13, 1863. ]

the same. When it wes fully open Dr. Heuffel was very near
the mark in naming it iridiflorus; and M. Gay, in the “ Bulletin
de Férussac,” haying had it from the Banat of Hungary, and
probably through Dr. Heutfel or Visiani, without a name, was
not so far out either in naming it banaticus ; but Parkinson had

_ it through Constantinople, so it may have a long hilly range
from the Banat eastwards. :

Well, the oldest Crocus is still the most striking and the most
singular flower of them all, and mine possessed a most singular
feature which has not been mentioned by any author as far as 1
know. All my flowers, nine or ten, had four large spreading
sepals, the first true irid flower I had ever seen with so many,
and some had four petals, and some only the usual number—
three. These petals are of a deeper blue than the sepals, and
only about: one-half their size ; they stand apart in the centre,
erect and not spreading, and at a short distance look very much
like some Iris. Two good gardeners mistook my flowers for
Iris. This and the Cloth of Silver of Parkinson had both been
long lost until they were introduced again by Dr. Herbert,
and many such, as it would appear, only to be lost again alter
his own loss to scientific gardening.

The twelve kinds I had from the far north are all growing,
but none of them are autumnal or winter bloomers; and they
may, probably, turn out to be merely garden seedlings, for I have
no names yet for them, and I am afraid the names have been lost.
But the old story again. I want more kinds of Crocuses, and
T want no seedling Crocus but Mary Queen of Scots, which
Mr. W. Paul exhibited the spring before last before the Floral
Committee, and which I booked as so much larger than Sir
Walter Scott. Any kinds of Crocus to bloom from September
to February I want, except speciosus, odorus, byzantinus, and
Imperatonius, and any kind I may obtain shall not be lost
again for the next generation after me; but I would give a fair
price for any authentic kind of the race of autumn bloomers.

To conclude this part of the subject I would remark, that the
three weeks next ensuing is the best time of the whole year to
pot Crocuses from the open border, so as to have them without
much forcing a month or six weeks earlier than they will be
from the open ground. If the patches or rows of Crocuses have
been down twelve months, or a number of years, the best part of
their roots is made before the middle of January, and the
leayes are nearly on the surface by this time, in such a mild
season as this, and it is under these conditions that all the
difficulties of learning to force Crocuses vanish in practice. No
one, therefore, need wait one day longer at trying his or her
maiden effort at “early forcing,” a subject which is music to
the ears of an old gardener. So muchis it so in my own instance,
that the fire for keeping the seedlings on the move is constantly
referred to as “the early forcing,” while the fire to keep off the
frost is of little or no account. But when I was in the very full
of it,and hed all sorts of bulbs and of Crocuses in forcing, I
never missed lifting a certain number of patches about this time
in addition; and with the same treatment as with forcing
Asparagus I could always reckon on as early a bloom and a
better one than that from potting dried bulbs after the middle
or end of October. A mild, moist bottom heat was maintained,
and the lights were slid down all day and tilted at night; but
on the window-sill this style of early forcing is almost as good
as any. D. Braton.

MELON CULTURE.

“#8.” has a greenhouse and a two-light frame, the command
of plenty of stable manure, a good stiff loam in his kitchen
garden, leaf mould, and access to road-scrapings, and he asks
if with these, being quite a novice, whether he can grow Melons ;
and, if he can, how and where he should raise the plants.

Our reply may be useful to many similarly placed.

Figst, FoR Mopzratriy Earnty Mrtons.—Begin now, and
having obtained two good cartloads of stable manure, throw it
together into a heap, mixing the short and the long regularly
together, and watering if the straw part is very dry, and beating
it down if there is much straw matter in it. Make the heap in
a square shape in preference to acone. When finished, throw
a barrowload or two of long litter over it, to cause it to heat
sooner and more regularly. In ten days or so you will see the
heat steaming nicely. Remove the straw covering and lay it

carefully aside, and turn the whole heap over carefully, placing
. the top at the bottom, and the outsides in the middle, shaking

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

23
it all regularly, and watering only with the rose of a pot where
the manure seems dried and parched, and cover all over ggain
with the long litter. In about the same time, less or more
according to the weather, turn the heap again and coyer as
before, and most likely, in a week or so, the manure will be
sweet and fit for your bed. Whilst these preparations are
being made, take half a dozen barrowloads of your garden loam,
a spit below the surface would be best, and put it in any place
where it can be well aired and dried. Place also along with
it a barrowload of road-scrapings, if free from weeds and yery
fresh leaves; and one barrowload of well-rotted sweet leaf
mould. These will be quite sufficient for forming a ridge or
two mounds in the centre of your bed. Whilst this is going
on, the dung from the stables will have accumulated to a load
or two—say two loads. Then fix upon a site for your two-light
frame, and choose one where moisture will not accumulate, and
mark out a piece of ground, at least 18 inches longer and
18 inches wider than the size of your frame. Shake on this the
long unsweetened dung from the stables, keeping the sides and
ends plumb or perpendicular, and then build upon that the fine
sweetened dung you have been preparing. If your frame is
rather shallow, you may make the sides in which the frame
stands higher than the interior of the bed by 6 to 12 inches,
and that will give you more room for soil, for the top of the soil
should not be nearer the glass than from 15 to 18 inches. The
soil should not be less in depth than from 15 to 18 inches. Put
on the frame as soon as the bed has been made. If the bed has
been equally beaten it will sink equally ; but it is as well to wait
a few days to see, and let the heat rise nicely and regularly.
Then you may put in your aired soil, either as a ridge along
the middle of the bed, or as a mound of two or three berrow-
loads in the centre of each light. As soon as this soil is warm,
and from the clear condensed drops of water on the sash-bare
and the sweet smell of the bed you can reckon that all is safe,
you turn out your plants, either along the bed or two or three
in the centre of each light. These plants we are supposing that
you beg or borrow from some neighbouring gardener; if not,

then sow as soon as the bed is up, pot-off, and plant-out as

above ; but thus you will lose much time. By the above mode,
and using the stable manure for linings when the heat declines,
you may have two crops of Melons from that frame before the
nights become very cold in the autumn.

As soon as the roots fill the ridge or hills, the frame may be
partly or wholly filled with mould, using well-aired soil round
the hills, and the rather stiff soil of your garden trodden firm
for the rest, and putting no manure with it unless it is very
poor indeed. In the directions in late Numbers to which you
allude, we do not agree either in the mode of stopping detailed,
or in the rich soil stated to have been used. But the reasens
for this have been repeatedly given, and you must exercise your
own judgment.

You seem anxious to do everything for your plants youreelf,
and therefore we may state that you may raise your own plants
in the greenhouse, and sow now, if you would make a emall
wooden hot-water box for yourself—say 2 feet square and
18 inches deep, or, better still, 15 inches in front and 20 inches
at back. Fasten a tin, or plate-iron bottom across the box,
6 inches above the lower bottom, and on that plate place some
rough sand, &c., for the pots to stand upon. The six-inch
space below to be filled with a box, or drawer of zine, tin, or
plate-iron, which you can empty or fill at pleasure. From
3 to 4 inches of hot water—say twice in the twenty-four hours,
would, with a covering of the glass lid at night, give plenty of
heat for the Melons, and interfere nothing with the plants in
the greenhouse, as a little more air could easily be given just
opposite the box. ‘The temperature of the box should range
from 65° to 70°, with a rise of from 10°, 15°, or 20° in sunshine. _

The bottom temperature of the dung-bed should average 80°,
the atmospheric temperature of the bed at night may range
from 60° to 65°; if as much as 70° leave a little air on. In
fayourable weather give air early in the morning, and then, if
the sun raises the atmospheric heat to 80° or 85°, it will be all
the better. Shading should not be resorted to unless in sudden
changes. Much has lately been said as to watering.

A Szconp Mopr FoR SECURING ONE Goop CROP WITH
Lirrtr Trovpir.—Secure plants by the second or third week
in May, either by begging, buying, or raising them in the
greenhouse as above described, sowing the seeds in the box in
the first week of April. Choose an open place for the box,
excavate the earth some 9 inches deep, placing the earth round, .

so that the hollowed space will be about 18 inches deep. _ Place
@ few barrowloads of litter on the bottom, and then tvwo, cart-
loads of dung, thrown together about the Ist of April, but not
80 much sweetened as in the first case. Get that into the hole

by the Ist of May,'put your frame on with the earth close to”

the outsides, allow the heat to rise, leyel the surface nicely, cover

with 15 inches of your stiff loam, let the sun have full access ,
‘during the day, and cover up, at night, and as soon as the soil

from heat and sun is about 80° turn out your plants, tread the
soil firm, and attend to air-giving, &c., as necessary; in fact,
the training and air-giving wil be pretty nearly all the trouble.
The dung may be used less sweet, because covering the bed all
over with soil, and tramping it firm, especially near the sides,
will prevent all steam from rising, ‘I'o prevent cracking, keep
the surface loose for half an inch or so in depth.

A Turmrp any Easter Mopz.—Set your frame full south,
raise it up behind, so as to give the glass roof an angle of 70°
instead of 80°, which is the usual slope for a frame. ‘The
raising the ground for the frame to stand on will do all that;
then remove some’6 inches or ‘more of the natural soil, and
supply with fresh incorporated with the old. About the middle
of May keep the frame shut, and cover-up with mat or tarpaulin,
in cold nights. The soil inside will soon become warm from
the sun alone; turn the goil frequently, so that it may be heated
all through, and by the 8th or 10th of June turn out the
Melon plants that had been raised and hardened-off by degrees
in the greenhouse. By such means, in the climate of Reading,
where you reside, you may obtain fine Melons through the
autumn. ‘

THE Fourth Prawn is what you should try if you wish to
astonish your friends by giving them plenty of Melons as proofs
of your good will. Your greenhouse is 30 by 18 feet; you do
nof say whether you have Vines in it or not, we presume not.
‘You do not say where your heating medium is; we shall, for

_ -argument’s sake, presume it is near the front. Well, in this

ease we would sow the seeds in the first or second week in April,
eyen if you should want a second hot-water box for the seed-
lings, which, in this case, should be potted singly. By the
Ist of June all the hardy greenhouse plants may be moyed out
of doors to a sheltered place. Such plants as Azaleas, Eipacris,
and even Camellias may be left at the back, a little shaded until
they have formed their wood, and then be hardened-off by de-
grees. If floral decoration were deemed necessary, then grow such

annuals as Cockscombs (common and feathered), Portulacas, &c.,

and such tiuberous-rooted plants as Gloxinias and Achimenes,
which will keep in a cool dry state in winter. Then we would
have twelve large pots, set near or over the heating medium in
front of the house, each pot about 15 inches in diameter at
least, well drained, and filled to within an inch of the top with
your good loamy soil, with nothing in it but a little sweet leaf
mould. When the, soil is warmed, turn out a stiff stout
single plant in the centre of the large pot, water and shadea
little for a few days until it is growing freely, and fasten the
shoot to a string or rod, keeping it always, at the least,
115 inches from the glass. We prefer, for this work, that each
plant should have only one shoot or stem, and that this should
be a secondary and not the primary shoot of the plant. This
was all recently explained, but we will recapitulate thus far,
The primary shoot is the leading upright shoot of the seedling
which the Melon sends up as naturally as the Oak. But we do

“uot let this grow; on the contrary, as soon as it'can be seen

after two or three rough leaves ave visible, the point is nipped-
out with a penknife. This, of course, seems to arrest the growth
of the plant for alittle; but we have an object in view. Hre
long two or three incipient shoots will appear instead of one.
All are nipped-out with the point of a penknife when very
small, except one, and this one we train and grow on from the
pot, until, from the space at our command, the shoot is from
3 to 6 feet in length before stopping it at all. vom every leaf
of that shoot, or mearly so, ab the point where the leaf joins
the stem, would come first a little bud and then a shoot, what
we think was previously called a tertiary shoot; and if we
nipped-out the point of our main shoot, to throw strength into
these side tertiary ones, almost every one of them would show
fruit. We do not stop the main secondary stem so soon, and
we pick-out every one of ‘these incipient buds or shoots for
more than half the length of what we intend the stem to be,
because we do not wish our space to be filled with small shoots
and foliage, and because we wish our plant to be strong and
wigorous before any fruit shows. For this purpose, when we

24 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

|

[ January 13, 1863.

do stop the point of jour stem, we leave from six and onwards
of these young’ shoots in the axils of the leaves unpicked-out,
and these then come strong, show fruit boldly, and then them-
selves are stopped one joint beyond the fruit. So much for
the front of the house. But it would be just as easy to cover
the whole house with Melons, by having another range of pots
on the stage at the back, which would pive’9 feet of roof for
each row, or a row might be placed likewise in the middle of
the house, which, in addition to the front glass if there is any,
and the length of the upright glass, will give fully 6 feet of roof
for each set of Melon plants.

Be it clearly understood that, in disbudding as above recom-
mended, care should be taken that the older leaves on the stem
should not be injured. All that is necessary to turn such a
greenhouse into a first-rate melonry, is the removing all plants
that extra heat would injure, and then using as much fire heat
as would secure an average temperature of from 65° to 70°. If
a little air is left on at night, and more given early in the
morning, the plants will stand arise of 10° to 15° from sun
heat without injury; 60° would do at night if the roots had
bottom heat, but without that, and as the pots will cool by
radiation and evaporation, we would, in such cases, approve
of from 65° to 70°. We know that fruit thus obtained will,
in general, be much superior to those raised on dung-beds.
We forgot to mention that, in trying Melons without any hot
dung below.the soil, the frame should be shut up early in the
afternoon to enclose sun heat, and great care ‘should be taken
not to overwater, and at any rate to prevent the surface being
deluged orsloppy. A few open drain tiles set upright, furnished
with plugs, will enable you to keep the soil beneath moist
enough, whilst the surface is dry. A flooring of slates over
the soil would also absorb and then radiate the heat. These
remarks apply to your specific circumstances, and’ we shall be
glad both to give more details if necessary, and to hear of your
BUCCESB. R. Fisu.

APRICOTS IN ORCHARD-HOUSES.

Ir is very satisfactory to be able to put “Constant SuB-
SCRIBER” in the way of succeeding with Apricots under glass.

My trees have generally been too much crowded with fruit
for some years past, and particularly in 1860 and 1861; but in
1862, in spite of what I thought fo be good management, there
was a failure, and on my large trees I had but half ‘a crop, or
barely that. Now I knew, when the trees were in blossom in
April, that the dull, still, cloudy, moist weather was most un-
favourable to the pollen being, as it should be, dry and dusty,
and so I gave a portion of air to the house, even when the
nights were frosty, so as to prevent stagnation. In spite, how-
ever, of all I did, the blossoms dropped by thousands, leaying
but a. scanty crop of fruit. I did not, as usual with us frail
mortals, “do as I ought to have done;” I ought, on observing
such unfavourable weather, to haye had a pan of ehareoal
lighted at 9 a.m., have kept all the doors and ventilators open,
so as to have brought on active currents of dry air, which, as is
well known, a bright fire always does. The pan should have.been
replenished with fresh charcoal at 7 P.M,, aud this kept burning
all night, with all the ventilators open. Three or four days of
such treatment would have made nearly every blossom set.
Dry, briskly-moving air, no matter if cold, as long as the ther-
mometer does not descend below 27°, is most necessary to the
setting of Apricot blossoms. Just let us imagine the hills of
the Caucasus, “the mountains there to the top being.covered
with Apricot trees ;” and let us picture to ouvselyes a March
day there, when the Apricot trees are in the full glory of their
blossoming—a, dry, cold, biting wind, with a bright sun, and
the air full of the impalpable pollen dust. “The same, or nearly
the same atmospherical state must exist on the northern coast
of Africa and the slopes of the Atlas, where the Apricot is so
abundant. Well, is it not our duty to give our Apricot trees,
when in full bloom, 2 humble imitation ef the climates im which
they succeed so well?

As to the effects of frost on the blossoms of Apricot trees, it
is, when the trees are under glass, of much less consequence
than moist stagnant air, and I can illustrate this very pointedly.

‘Last July I happened to be looking into one of my hedge-houses,

those most useful’ structures. In one of them, with a Beech
hedge for its back wall, about $ feet in height, and the same for
its front wall, about 4 feet high, I found some bushes of Moorpark
Apricots in 13-inch pots: these were placed there forthe pur-

January 13, 1863. ]

pose of producing ripe shoots early in the season for budding.
The borders in this house in spring were dust, for they had had
no water for six months. To my surprise I found these trees
full of fruit; so much so that a tree only 18 inches high had on
it two dozen. This led me to look into the matter so as to
account for their fertility, as I felt assured that they must have
stood in a very cold, windy, dry place; as the trees had had but
little water, owing to these houses being a long way from the
house, and had thus been partially overlooked; and as it was
thought necessary to give them a soaking of water only when
they commenced growing, tlie fruit being a matter of no import,
for the houses were open to the numerous boys working in the
grounds.

I found on referring to my journal the following memoranda |
taken when the Apricot trees were in full bloom in April last :—
“ April 12th, cold and dry. 13th, ditto; frost severe, thermo-
meter registered 24°. 15th, frost severe ; thermometer at 23°.”

Now, in these hedge-houses the temperature in a frosty night |

is never more than 2° above that in the open air, and often
only 1°; so that we have Apricot blossoms in a dry airy place
sustaining at least 7° of frost without injury. Ineed not enlarge
on this simple fact—it bears out all that I have ever said about
the necessity of giving Apricot trees while in bloom constant
air and abundance of it. A neighbour of mine is now so satis-
fied of this, that he declares his potted Apricot trees shall be
placed out of doors daily in dry weather while they are blos-
soming, and even all night if the weather be mild, removing
them to the house only when the nights are frosty. Apricot
trees in orchard-houses, as soon as cultivators will cease to take
“too much care” by keeping their houses closed while the
trees are in bloom, will be held in higher estimation than many
other kinds of fruit—they are so beautiful in their blossoms and

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURK AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

foliage, and their fruit is of such high excellence.
There is something droll in my friend Pearson recommending
us to water the blossoms.

“be as dust”? we must not water the flowers of our Apricot

If we wish the dust to fly we do |
not water our roads: ergo, if we wish the pollen to fly and |

trees. But doubtless he has some good reason to urge for the
practice.

Tn referring to the habitats of the Apricot I omitted to !

mention that Dr. Hooker, when travelling in the lower ranges
of the Himalayas, and Morecroft, who travelled toa great extent
in the far east, found Apricots so abundant in the hilly districts
as to form an article of food for the inhabitants. Reasoning
from analogy, and from my experience here, I am inclined to
Gry culture for the Apricot under glass.—Tuos. Rivers.

CHRYSANTHEMUMS.

Tw the excellent article on Chrysanthemums by “D., Deal,”

is a sentence which, if not corrected, would lead many to sup- |

pose that the Chrysanthemum was not thought very higaly of
by the patrons of floriculture. The sentence I mean does not
emanate from “D.” himself, but is what he quotes from the

“Proceedings of the Royal Horticvliural Society,” that because
so few persons went to the Gardens on that day the wisdom or
not having a Chrysanthemum show was patent.

I, as an exhibitor, can only say there were three or four times
as many visitors as i expected to see, thinking that a dull
November day would only draw the members of the Committee
and the few exhibitors. I was, however, agreeably surprised,
and the interest taken in the few plants and cut flowers was
evident to any observer. At lerge exhibitions I have never
noticed the flowers end plants more severely criticised, the ladies
especially taking great interest in them and carefully inspecting
the whole. The writer of the sentence in question evidently
drew 2 wrong conclusion in comparing this smell meeting with
an exhibition.

_ I would ask, Wes not the Fruit and Chrysanthemum Exhibi-
tion of November, 2861, a decided success? i, 2s well as many
others who grow Chrysanthemums, object most strenuously te
the sentence quoted, and if net contradicted it might lead
many persons te suppose that’a Chrysanthemum Exhibition is
not 2 source of attraction, or that the growth of this popular
flower is declining; whereas every year brings an accession of
cultivators: and exhibitors. The Crystal Palace exhibitions ef
this dower were always. well attended, taking the season into
consideration, ane i think, dn 2 peeuniary point of view, were
not masuccessfel. dn the present year Lbepe to see both the }

]

| clusiveness.

25

Royal Horticultural Society and the Crystal Palace Company
again holding Chrysanthemum Exhibitions. If they do not,
Stoke Newington will still be loyal and hold its seventeenth
annual Exhibition, and this is still equal to any —H. W.

STRENGTH OF LIQUID MANURE.

I swovrp feel much obliged, and I think many of your
readers would be so too, by some correct and minute information
as to the use of liquid manure, say for pot Vines. All agree that
to uze it too strong is an evil, and if too weak it may be of no
appreciable advantage.

Now, taking Peruvian guano as a manure of most general
suitability and known average strength, what quantity of guano
should be dissolved (so far as it will dissolve) in four gallons of
water to make a solution sufficiently weak to use freely twice
a-week? Or, would it be better to use a still weaker solution
three times a-week? in either case allowing the intermediate
waterings to be from soft water.

For convenience last summer I stirred-up 6 lbs. of guano in
about a hogshead of soft water, diluting the solution as I used
it. But during the warm weather a considerable fermentation
took place, which must have materially altered the chemical
conditions of the various constituents of the gnano ; but whether
for the better or the worse I cannot tell, and shou!d like to know.
I think this is worth consideration, for it is certainly much more
eonvenient to use a bowlful of a strong solution with each pot of
water at the time of using than to be continually mixing-up
fresh parcels of guano and water.—PAMPINUs.

[Phe subject has received a considerable amount of attention.
For four gallons of water we should consider three ounces of
guano quite strong enough for pot Vines. In fact, we would
prefer two ounces. If mixed long beforehand, the barrel should
be covered. You will find varying the manure useful —as half
a bushel of soot to a barrel, a bushel of sheep-droppings to a
barrel, and if fermented all the better.

For Vines in pots we know no artificial manure more easily
applicable than superphosphate of lime. You may put an ounce
of this orer the surface of the pot aud pour the water over it,
and put another ounce on in a fortnight: it will do no harm.
The same quantity of guano put on the surface-soil of a pot
would be apt to kill the plant. Except when we use guano,
which we rather prefer keeping dry before using it, we prefer all
other manures to be in solution for some time, and to reduce

| them in strength as we use them. |

HORTICULTURAL SHOWS IN THE NORTE
OF IRELAND.

Att horticultural exhibitions when well conducted by those
who take upon themselves such responsibility, are a source of
pleasure, not only to those who pay their admission fee at the
entrance gate and are exclusively bent upon sight-seeing, but
also to the gardener, who with all his care, toil, and anxiety, hes
watched the progress of his plants and fruit for many long
anxious weeks. He is most delighted, not only in viewing his
own productions, but likewise the productions of his more suc-
cessful neighbour, whose success only stimulates him to further
exertions. But when I assert that these exhibitions are fre-
quently conducted (in this part) on principles which in the end

| must prove most prejudicial to their success, I am giving an

opinion founded upon observation.

These exhibitions ought to be of an open character, and not
conducted, as they too frequently are, upon a principle of ex-
I will briefly illustrate this by examples from this
district.

Being desirous of advancing the interests of horticulture in
my immediate neighbourhood, I wrote to a friend in the town
where the Show was held, desiring him to pay the annual sub-
scription requisite to entitle me to exhibit a collection of fruit,
which my noble employer most willingly allowed me to take.
The friend in question took my subscription to the Secretary,
who refused me permission to exhibit my employer's property in
my own name, as he (my employer) was not a regular sub-
scriber. When I heard the decision of the Committee I thought
such proceedings most unfair; buf when I examined the report
of the Show a short time 2fterwards in the newspezpers, I was
not at all surprised at my exclusion, for two of the Committee-
men (gentlemen’s gardeners), received nearly the whole of the

26.

principal prizes!’ Now, the advancement of horticulture must
ba quite foreign to this Society’s views, otherwise such a display
would have never occurred.

At another Show nearer home, in which my noble employer
takes a most lively interest, and to which he desired me to send

all I possibly could to make the Exhibition as attractive as |

possible, I forwarded a rather extensive collection of both
plants and fruit, naturally expecting that I should be allowed
to compete in all the fruit classes; but I was doomed to dis-
apointment in only being allowed to take one prize in a class:
however inferior any dish or collection might be, that actually
was awarded the second prize, in comparison to those against
them. I consider this a most obnoxious rule, and the sooner it
is expuvged from the Society’s schedule the better for its
interests.

THE long-lost Double Purple Pansy has been frequently alluded
to in our columns, and was figured and described in the “ Florist
aud Pomologist”? of December last; but that our readers may
form a correct idea of this highly ornamental plant, we have
now the pleasure of giving them a representation of its appear-
ance. The stock of this plant isin the hands of Messrs. Carter
and Co,, of Holborn, who have given it the name of Beaton’s

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

[ January 13, 1863;

This same Society had a rule to the effect that all prize fruit.
was to be the property of the Society when the Exhibition
closed ; but what gardener, I should like to know, would venture
to exhibit his employer’s produce with such an outrageous ruleas’
| this in force? Why not claim all the prize plants? the Com-
mittee would then be able to furnish their greenhouses eco-
| nomically. The worthy Secretary of this Society does not
| consider the gardener in the least entitled to the puny awards in
| the shape of prizes; but forwards them all to the gardener’s
| employer, thus leaving the exhibitor no alternative but to pay all
the expenses out of his own pocket, which is no trifle when
some of the exhibitors have to convey their plants a long distance
by water, and be from home three days and nights. I wonder
how you southerners would endure such mismanagement as
| this, —A Practican Garpener, Ireland. ‘

BEATON’S GOOD-GRACIOUS DOUBLE BEDDING PANSY.

Good-Gracious Double Bedding Pansy, by whiel: appeHation we
trust it will become as generally known as it deserves. The
outer or guard petals of the Mowers are about the size of a good!
Pansy, and the inner gradually diminish towards the centre,
forming a double flower. There can be no questiow that it will
form a valaable plant for beds and borders, more esgecially as
we understand that it has proved a p1sfase bloomer.

January 13, 1863. ]

LENGTH OF HOT-WATER PIPING REQUIRED
FOR HEATING.

Can you kindly inform me whether two lengths of three-
inch pipe (each 9 feet), one flow, and one return, would heat a
small pit for stove plants; the pit being 10 feet long, 6 feet
wigs 4 feet righ in front, 6 feet high at back? And how much
arger could I have the pit, supposing four-inch pipes to be
used P—A. B. C. Pit SBR Ne nn

[Tf you use no covering for the glass you need about 40 feet
at least of piping for such a stove-pit; if four-inch pipes the
least you could have would be about 30 feet. ]

A FEW WORDS TO YOUNG GARDENERS ON
EDUCATION AND ATTENTION.

Ir gardeners are still wanting in intelligence, it is not because
enough has not lately been said of our evident deficiencies, of
the knowledge we ought to possess, and of the education which
the young especially ought to receive. It is quite possible to
have even too much of a good thing. A man may starve in the
midst of plenty. The labourer, who uses well his few volumes
may haye more intellect and wisdom than his neighbour who
possesses a large library. The very range and the extent of
accomplishments and attainments may so dwarf the intellect as
to render it unfit to concentrate its force on any definite object :
nay; the very extent of the fields traversed, if we have not obtained
enough of knowledge to show us our own great deficiencies,
will haye a tendency to make us self-sufficient, and lead us to
look over or contemn the simpler elements of knowledge.
Talk of gardening being a learned profession as much as you
please ; make that learning if you will the groundwork for the
social elevation of gardeners, but forget not that some acquaint-
ance with the higher departments of science will prove no com-
pensation for the want of unremitting attention, the want of
oncentration of purpose to devise, and of activity of hands and
feet to execute. That concentration is seldom thoroughly
gained without a substantial grounding in the simpler elements.

I was much pleased in reading the other day some statements
made by Lord Littleton, when distributing the awards at the
Midland Institute at Birmingham, as, after reviewing the
studies of the candidates in languages, mathematics, the sciences,
natural philosophy, &c., his lordship expressed a hope that such
an extended range would not prove detrimental to the acquisi-
tion of the very humble but very useful arts of spelling and
writing correctly ; and added, to strain the intellectual faculties
of youth is like beating out gold into gold-leaf—in gaining a
larger surface strength and solidity are lost. So much was this
the case, that it is no uncommon thing to find young men
crammed to examination-point in many of the learned ologies,
and who yet fail to succeed because unable to read, and spell,
and write their own language with anything like ease, correct-
ness, and elegance,

I would respectfully leave it to those who may have even better
opportunities than mysolf of judging, to say whether, as respects
these rudimentary elements of education, a number of young
gardeners have not great reason to improve themselves, and
that before troubling themselves much with higher branches of
knowledge, which, without a good grounding in these elements,
cannot prove to them sources of much pleasure or profit. So
much do I feel on this matter, that could my opinion have been
of any influence, I would have joined that party in our parlia-
ment which lately insisted that the obtaining of public money
for assisting education, should be greatly dependant on the
proved proficiency attained by the pupils in reading, writing,
and arithmetic. I should have done this, not only because these
fundamental elements of a good education were often compara-
tively neglected from a preference being given to what was
more showy and superficial, but also because I have a strong
conviction that, to preserve the sturdy independence of the
English character, the assistance given to education should be
confined to these elements, and then allowing the parent or the
pupil to pay for themselyes for whatever is wanted in addition 3
and this all the more, because equally convinced that the girl
and boy that can read, and write, and cipher well, hold in their
own hands the keys that will enable them, if disposed, to open
all the locks to the great temple of knowledge.

There can be no question, that gardening as an art and a
‘science has made great improvement in this country, and chiefly

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGH GARDENER. a7

through the intelligence and industry of gardeners, It is just
as unquestionable that with a few exceptions there has been no
corresponding improvement in the social position of gardeners.
This matter has been pretty well ventilated in previous volumes ;
and though pressed to suggest some remedy by many who feel
they are sinking deeper in a quagmire of difficulty and find they
cannot help themselves, I candidly own I can see no effectual
remedy.

A thorough grounding in the profession—a certificate of ap-
prenticeship, journeymanship, and foremanship have been insisted
on; and also examination by competent persons, and diplomas
to be given according to supposed proficiency, have ail been
recommended as means for elevating the profession, and all have
more or less been tried by leading nurserymen, the Horticultural
Society, &c., and with little or no avail. In this free country
we cannot prevent any man calling himself a gardener ; nor can
any restraint be put upona gentleman as to who he is to employ.
It matters not, though the employer suffers greatly in the
end, and his cheap servant turns out a very expensive one. The
very frequency of such cases gluts the market, keeps the apparent
supply above the demand, keeps wages down to mere existence-
point, and causes many a good gardener, whose services other-
wise would be eagerly sought for at home, to starve out of place,
or resort to emigration as his only remedy. And yet with all
this nurserymen tell me, that at times when a first-rate man is
wanted, they are frequently at their wits’ end where to find him !

It may be a satisfaction to our young aspiring friends to let
them know as a great secret how it is that professional and
general intelligence, united with propriety of conduct, is not
more generally relied upon asa test of fitness. It is simply
this, that these qualifications alone willnot make a good servant.
I am as much convinced as I ever was, that the more intelligent
a workman is the more likely will he be to do his work well. But
I am more convinced than I was at one time, that the extra
success obtained by a gardener of extended intelligence, is not
quite so much owing to the general knowledge thus gained as
to a generalising power, which enables him to bring that know-
ledge to bear upon practical details, and to give an earnest
“ attention” and constant watchfulness over the minutie of
these details. No acquaintance with “ ologies and graphys”’ will
ever compensate for inattention to these details : hence, the plain
plodding man whose knowledge is limited, but thorough as far it
goes, and who has a veneration for attention to minutie, will in
general excel the philosopher who thinks such minutiw beneath
his notice.

Some time ago, I unwillingly overheard two gentlemen speak-
ing about their gardeners. Said A, ‘“‘ What a philosopher of a
gardener you have! he seems to know everything.” “ Philo-
sopher, indeed!” replied B, “I tell you, I never did such a
foolish thing as let old C leave me, and just for a few pouuds
more wages. Then everything was so nice, and the man so
modest and retiring, and respectful to everybody, though some-
what independent withal; and when I had occasion to write to
him, he sent me such nice letters, confined so scrupulously to
the matters in hand, and so well written that I used to let my
visitors see them, and that is how he had so many of my friends
after him when there was an inkling he was going to leave me.
But for shame, I would give anything to have him back again.
You see how I am served, flower-beds weedy and half empty,
scarcely anything for the table from out-doors or in-doors; and
instead, bushels of philosophy, giving me learned lectures on the
causes of failure—failure coming after failure to furnish materials
fora fresh lecture, as if my table were to be supplied with long
learned words instead of fruit and vegetables ; and, then, with all
this parade of entomological, and phytological, and physiological,
and other jaw-breaking ‘logicals,’ the few letters I have had
show too well he never learned to put a sirgle sentence together
in decent English. And as for reading, when, because I had forgot
my spectacles, I asked him to read a handbill, I was obliged to
shut my ears andrun! Philosophy, indeed! He is a crammer,
has had his head crammed with a lot of big words, and these I
must eat if I like, instead of vegetables or fruit.”

Why allude to such a dialogue that might have been heard
last autumn beneath the arcades of Kensington? Not to
depreciate knowledge—not to damp the aspiration of the young
gardener to study and render himself as intelligent as he can—
but to show clearly that, as a gardener, this knowledge will be
of little use to him unless combined with attention to the
smallest practical details; nay, further, that unless this atten-
tion is seen to be generally associated with great intelligence,

ue

Vy

28 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE

that intelligence alone will not become as many desire it to
be—a test of fitness and suitability on which employers) may
depend.

So much has of late years been said on the education of
gardeners—so many are the: sarcasms levelled at us because we
do not know this, or are ignorant of that, that really it is high
time not to attempt to draw the winds out of the'sails of know-
ledge, but quietly to inquire whether these sails are distended
with the breezes of Common Sense, or the sweet zephyrs of
Romance. When knowledge in such circumstances is looked
upon, not only as:a power which will ever bring its own reward
of pure and elevated pleasure, but is also: regarded im its utili-
tarian aspects, Common Sense comes in and asks, What temporal
benefits, what increase of comfort, what social respectability are
to be gained. by this increased intelligence? Are we to go to
the afflicting details that come before the Committee of the
* Benevolent,” or to'the still more harrowing details that come
so often before respectable nurserymen, and those gardeners
somewhat comfortable in their position, for a too true answer to
the inquiry? As an act of honesty, I would wish to strip
gardening as a trade of much of that mere feeling of romantic
interest which lingers around. it, and advise young men to: look
at it im its stern realities.

Through that feeling of romance, and the statements so fre-
quently made as to the necessity of a first-rate education, many
well-educated youths enter upon gardening with the full confi-
dence that they will gain some of the few prizes that are to
be obtained. And so no doubt they would if they waited for
them, and combined their extra intelligence with attention to
practical. details, as some of our best men’ will tell you, but
with the addition that they saw, when too late, they might
have taken their education to a better market. I know myself
estimable! young men, who, when the romance of the: affair was
gone, and when they calculated the smallness of the returns in
wages they were likely to receive even if successful, have entered
upon a fresh employment after being several years at gardening.
I have also met with many other highly-educated youths who
would have made a good show at an examination table, and
yet did not succeed extra well as gardeners, merely because
they trusted too much to their intelligence, and considered
attention to practical details a secondary matter. Of course
there is no absolute or natural necessity for this, quite the
reverse; but that the circumstances too often exist admits not
of a doubt. ®

Unpleasantness, too, is often the result. A gardener will
often speak highly of the general conduct and the polished edu-
cation of # youth, and yet owu that, for attention to a’ specific
charge, or performing the common operations of gardening, he is
not/so much to be depended on as a common garden labourer.
Misconceptions are thus too apt to exist; the polished young
gardener imagining that his chief duty is to observe and note
as much as he can, with as little soiling of his fingers as
possible; and the worthy, old-fashioned gardener, considering
that/he would neither be honest to the young man himself, nor
yet, faithful to his own employer if he did not insist on good
workmanship and attention, and those who take such highly-
educated: youths:as apprentices or improvers, would do them an
act, of kindness by giving them @ good spell at first among the
stokeholes and dungheaps. If they could not stand that with-
out wincing; the sooner they entered upon) a more congenial
employment the better.

Upon the whole, then, unless there is 9 particular inclination
in that direction, a thorough resolution to make nothing of
difficulties, to pay attention’ to all minutie, combined with’ the
resolve, as mattersnow are, to be satisfied with very small remu-

neration for their talents, I would advise highly-educated youths |

to take their talents to a better-paying market than gardening.
And I do'this the more, not because valuing intelligence’ less» as
the great means of improvement, but because’ the field would
then be more open for improving the’ position of those in
a humbler class of society, and who had received only the
elements of a common education, but who resolved that no
want of attention to minutix, no want of self-denial and earnest
attention to study and self-culture, should unfitthem for holding
a good position in their profession, and a higher position in
society than their fathers did. With but few exceptions, from
such a class\ the most successful, the most contented, and, so far
as knowledge! was brought to bear om professional subjects, the
most intelligent gardeners have come. :

T allude to these latter ideas, because there is a vast difference

AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ January 13, 1863.

between the comfort enjoyed by aman who feels he has improved
his social position, and that of a man: who feels he is falling
lower and lower, and has never obtained what he considers his
deserts. The youngest, if they have followed me, will be in no
danger of considering with a friend of mine, that I am at all
opposed to highly-educated gardeners, though I insist so much
on attention to trifles, “Is it likely,” said he, * that we should
have had such instructive writing from Donald Beaton if he had
been a stranger.to a classical education?” “Is it likely that
your old friend Mr. D. should have taken such few steps from
the bothie at 8. to the superintendence of a gentleman’s large
estate, being equally at home in the building of a mansion, and

the erection of a conservatory, but for his good education ?’”
‘But, for the same advantages, is it likely we should have been
honoured with a Sir Joseph Paxton?” and so on with many of
the chiefs in the profession.

Tn all such cases I am not so far a-field. The education did
something ; the concentrated attention to everything entrusted
to their care, the self-denial, and the never-intermitted self-
culture, did far‘more. Mr. Beaton has told us something of his:

‘young days in the Highlands, and his troubles in parsing

Virgil, &c., and we lmow something of his never-ceasing self-
denial. and self-culture in the Lowlands. To such studies,
far more than to his Latin, was he indebted for being able to
write the reviews of Herbert?s ‘‘ Amaryllidacere,” and become
a foremost man ever sinee. The same talents, energies, and self-
denial, would have led to) success in any field of science and of
commerce; and, in’ the latter, wealth and position might have.
been gained had such been objects of ambition. J rather think
that Mr. D. did not know mueh of the classics, but he had received:
a good sound education—could take plans, draw, and reason-
outa problem of Huclid. ‘With such advantages was he con-
tented? No! never was there a more zealous student. T often
regret I was not influenced more by his example in that respect.
It is a great mistakein young men to imagine that they must
obtain influence and'patronage to succeed. I donot suppose that
Mr. D., even in the common acceptation of the word, solicited
such influence, but’ he secured it from those with whom he came-
in contact by his never-ceasing efforts at self-culture, his readi-
ness) to oblige, his courtesy of manners, and his faithful atten-
tion to everything confided to his care. 5

Of the younger days of our honoured knight in gardening'T
know little for certain. There are mauvy current reports in
Hertfordshire as to how he worked and studied. Some’ time
ago I chronicled seeing the bed on which he slept in the bothie-
at Woodhall. There may be something of popular exaggeration,.
but that distinctly points to Sir Joseph as a self-made man—
the result, chiefly of long-continued self-culture.

To highly-educated youths who resolve upon gardening, not-
withstanding the plain truths I have placed beforethem, I would
say, If you wish to be successful consider no attention and no-

| trifles. beneath your notice. To the larger class, who think little

except of six o'clock, and how they may get away and spend
their evenings in what they call pleasure, it would be useless to:
say one word. To, those from humbler positions, who have
mastered merely the simpler elements of education, I would
say, Combine strict attention to details, with constant efforts to-
improve yourselves in intelligence; and thus, not only widen
the sources of pleasure, but secure the ability to retain a good
situation when you obtain one. A few simple hints on this sel{-
culture may come before us at a future opportunity.—R. FisH.

THE KEEPING PROPERTIES OF PEAR
THIS SEASON.

Your. correspondent ‘EH. B.,” of Deal, im Tux JOURNAL OF
HorricuLnrure, page 795, puts a question about) the keeping’ of:
Pears, and you desire to have information on the subject. Tf,
therefore, you deem the following observations useful I shall
feel pleased in having made them.

The spring of 1862 gave as great a promise of an abundant
Pear crop as Lever saw. My trees, standard and pyramid, were-
a sheet of bloom, and great were the expectations of pomologists:
—in fact, I caleulated on being able to show two hundred sorts ;
but, alas! the rains began to be over-abundant, and the tempera
ture kept so low, that soon the rosy blossom began to pale and
fade and to show the white feather—a, sure sign that the root-
action wasinot, going on as: it; should have done. The conse-.
quence was a weakly set of fruit, which progressed slowly, until

January 13, 1863. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE
about the size of pigeons’ eggs, when a sudden fall of the ther-
mometer nearly denuded the trees. Yet hope was strong; and
although a thin crop was left I expected, with a rise of tempera-
ture, to have come out strong with those that were left. But
‘one mishap very often follows another; aud whilst I was in
London in the beginning of August seeing the great Exhibition,
a hurricane tore over London, and -was felt over a wide zone of
country. Hven our beautiful Somerset felt the “ chilly blast ;”
and when I reached home, oh! my poor Pears)! there they lay in
their glory, and there I left them for the birds. A‘few only
now remained, and it was evident that I could do nothing in
the show way, so I was content to watch what were left, and to,
note their daily progress.

The récolte came, and I found many sorts had braved every
danger, and were brought.safe into port. How they have fared
since I may now tell. Altogether I saved specimens of about
150 kinds, but many of these were small. The following sorts
bore well, and have generally kept well :— ~

Bergamot, Haster.—Now ripe, two to three months before its
usual time; buttery and delicious.

Bergamot, Gansel’s (from Pyramid).—First-rate flavour, and
kept two months longer than usual.

Beurré Berckmans (Pyramid).—A beautiful and delicious
little Pear, just done, Christmas-eve, its usual time.

Beurré Bose (Pyramid).—Large, rich, aromatic, and delicious;
just now finished—Christmas, two months later than usual.

Beurré d’Aremberg (Pyramid).—Melting, buttery, and very
wich. Ripe end of November, two months before its usual time.

Beurré de Capiaumont (Pyramid).—An abundant crop, fine
flavour, and first-rate this season here. Once in two or three
years, in my soil, it is worthless. Ripe about its usual time,
‘October.

Beurré Diel.—In my soil always small, and not often second-
rate. This. season better than usual, and some of the fruit have
kept till now. Speaking generally, in this neighbourhood this
kind is magnificent.

Beurré de Rance seems keeping well, and I suppose will do so
till May by its appearance.

Beurré Duhaume, Beurré Waster, Beurré Gris d’Hiver, and
Beurré Langelier haye all kept well till now, and haye been and
sare excellent. F

Beurre Nayez and Beurré Superfin.—The first bore an
immense crop, which was very good, and ripened as usual in
September; the second was delicious, kept sound, and was ripe
in the end of September,

Bishop’s Thumb.—A heavy crop. Has been in use during
November until now, and very good. Some still remaining.

Bon Chrétien, Williams’.—Was very fine, large, and good.
Ripe as usual. One of the hardiest Pears known.

Broompark has kept well, and is just beginning to turn ripe.
First-rate from my soil.

Calebasse.—Heavy crop. Kept sound, and ripened as usual
in October.

Calebasse Grosse.—Very large, and with me very fine; this
season extra fine.

Catinka.—A delicious and first-rate fruit here; is just done,

dts usual time.

Chaumontel.—Not yet come in; seems to be keeping well,
beyond the usual time here.

Citron des Carmes.—Bore abundantly this season, and was
ripe from the tree in August.

Colmar Neill.— Not good this ceason; just done two months
after its usual time.

Comte de Flandre.—Hirst-rate; has kept good till now,
December 31st.

Comte de Lamy.—Immense crop, of which the birds had the
greatest share: they know what is good. What they left
ripened in November ; extra delicious.

Conseiller de la Cour,—A splendid Pear in my soil, and the
‘tree a great bearer, especially upon the Quince. Good till end
of November.

Delices d’Hardenpont (Belgique), and Delices de Jodoigne
have both been excellent, and have kept over their usual time.

De Trousseau.—Has been excellent here, and it ripened in
the beginning of December.

Doyenné Boussoch.—Delicious, and ripened a week after it
was gathered, October 18th.

Doyenné Defais and Doyenné Goubault.—Both ripened in
December, and are first-rate sorts.

Duchesse de Mars.—Small here this season, but a good crop. |

AND COTTAGH GARDENER. 29
No signs of ripening yet; usual time November and December
Delicious.

Duchesse d’Orleans,— Was fine in October, its usual time.

Easter Bergamot and Haster Beurré.—Now both ripe and
delicious, the last especially melting and fine. Usual time
February.

Figue de Naples.—Not yet ripe; usual time November.

Fondante d’Automne.—Abundant orop, excellent, and ripened
in October; later than usual.

Fondante des Charneux and Fondante de Noél.—Both first-
rate. The first ripened December 4th; the last is not yet ready.
Usual time Christmas—one of the best of Pears.

Glou Morceau.—Delicious, and ripened in November; a
month sooner than usual.

Grand Soleil.— Large and excellent.
about its usual time.

Hacon’s Incomparable.—Was ripe in November and very
good.

Jaminette.—Not yet ripe.

Laure de Glymes.—First-rate.
time October.

Louise Bonne of Jersey.—Ripened about a fortnight later
than usual.

Marie Louise.—Kept good until November, and was then
excellent.

Monarch.—Bore well this season.
looks sound and good.

Napoléon.—Bore well, but the fruit was ripe from the tree
in October.

Ne Plus Meuris.—Just beginning to turn soft. Bore well.

Paradise d@ Automne and Passe Colmar.—Both good, and just
becoming ripe.

Rondelet.—A. delicious sort.
November.

Seckle—Some of the fruit kept till November, and was
delicious.

Sieulle.—A fine aromatic fruit; kept sound till November.

Thompson’s.—This fine Pear ripened in October, 2 month
earlier than usual.

Urbaniste.—This delicious Pear ripened early in October, its
proper time.

Van Assche.—A rich and fine Pear; kept sound till the
middle of December.

Vicar of Winkfield—Is now in eating, and is this season a
nice juicy fruit ; generally only fit for the cook.

Winter Nelis.—Whilst writing these notes, I have just had
some in to taste this delicious and first-rate Christmas fruit.
It will continue good for another fortnight.

Zéphirin Grégoire.—This rich, sugary, and delicious Pear
ripened here a month ago, being nearly two months earlier than
it does sometimes.

Besides those enumerated above, I have still some others not
yet ripe; but they are, generally small and inferior to what
they should be, and it would not be doing them justice to say
anything about them this season, which has not been at all a
propitious one. May we hope that the one just arriving may
provemore genial? Again, our fruit trees are covered with buds,
I think to even a greater extent than last season; and look-
ing over my collection of Pears, three hundred sorts, to-day
(January 1), on purpose to report to you the prospects of the
coming season, I find very few indeed that are entirely devoid
of fruit-buds, and the Cherries, Plums, and Apples in the
orchards here look promising indeed.

We have now had four good cider years following, and there
is every appearance of haying a fifth. I think we must thank
the wind for this, as it thinned the crops liberally, giving two
adyantages to the orchardists—viz., a good crop of finer and
better-matured fruit, and also a prospect of a crop the following
year, from which I think that “those who run may read” a
lesson. Were we to attend more to the careful thinning of our
fruits, our trees would not suffer by overbearing, and the quality
of the fruit would be much improved, and its keeping properties
lengthened-out. Does a Grape-grower expect, when he leaves
all his bunches on and his berries also, as is nearly always the
case with out-door Grapes, to obtaina crop the next year? We
all know that Grape-growing requires extra thinning, and who
will say that the same rule ought not to be applied to all kinds
of fruit? Were proper thinning and careful root-culture more
attended to, we should find the keeping qualities of most fruits
much improved.—J. Scorr, Merriott, Somerset.

Ripe end of November,

Ripened in November ; usual

Fruit not yet ripe, but

Ripened in the middle of

30 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

CULTURE OF THE

THE Bossieas are a family of leguminous plants, chiefly from
Australia and Swan River, some of them remarkable for a
singularly elegant habit of growth, and the whole of them for
the very profuse manner in which their flowers are produced.
Unfortunately most of them produce flowers nearly of the same
colour, and hence they are not so much cultivated in collections
as they otherwise would be; but some of the species being
remarkably distinct in foliage and habit, and forming, when
properly grown, very elegant’ specimens, are worthy of consider-
ably more attention than they are receiving at the present time.
Their cultivation is very simple; the secret of producing fine
specimens being that of laying a good foundation, for without
that it will be impossible to produce a fine plant. To this end
procure, when purchasing plants, the
strongest you can meet with in the I
nurseries, When we say the strongest, cz
we do not mean plants 12 or 18
inches in height with a few branches, She \y
but short bushy fellows; and if the SG ONAN
collar, or part of the plant just above Zz
the soil, is as thick as your finger,
and the plant is healthy, and the
roots vigorous, you may make sure
you have a good plant. It may be
remarked en passant that the pre-
ceding criterion of a good plant may
be taken as a safe guide in purchas-
ing plants of all kinds, more espe-
cially hardwooded plants; for if they
are dwarf and healthy, and have,
moreover, strong stems, you may

[ January 13, 1863,

GENUS BOSSL#A, :

When they are first potted it will be necessary to water the
plants with caution, but after they are in free growth, and
are well rooted, a good soaking occasionally with weak liquid
manure, such as is produced by steeping a bushel of sheep’s-
dung in a hogshead of soft water, to which s peck of soot and a
quart of guano may be added, will be of considerable service.
This, diluted with an equal quantity of clear water, will be found
excellent for plants of all kinds, providing its use is guided by @
practical eye, and too much is not given at one time, As a
general rule, if the soil is good, liquid manure should never be
used until the pots are tolerably well filled with roots, and under:
uo circumstances to a plant that is im delicate health. To
expect to invigorate 2 sickly plant by giving it liquid manure
would be as wise as to expect to
sober an intoxicated man ‘by ad-
ministering alcoholic drinks: there-
fore recollect in plant-cultivation,
overfeeding is worse than under-
feeding, for you may keep a plant
alive on short commons, but once
gorge the system, and a plethorie
habit is induced, and all healthy
action is atan end. We make these
remarks thus plainly, not only as
applicable to this tribe of planta,
but to’all plants, and to all cultiva-
tion: therefore inexperienced per- -
sons will act wisely to'make a note
of it for their future guidance. AH
the plants belonging to this genus
are very subject to the attacks of the

make sure that whether they be = y v is red spider, so it will be well to look
large or small, they have been well Se // ASS WY ( | We them over occasionally, and after
Se Cy SE rere tere ae at
b —¥ ~ IZ
See ome such, take mane Sa Sy SEY WY8> remain for a fow days, when it may
t f fs WA b 1

Hoes iauaniderdandsslantentoniae BSS el Drees ne eae to ated b
; ISG SN AVEESS ossieoas may be propagated by

procure from Wimbledon Common; ay \f@ AR LS cuttings of the half-ripened wood ;
and after removing the imert soil, or US y) WW, INN na but, as they produce seeds very
fand, as it is sometimes called, from “2a EE an eS) i readily, it is seldom necessary to

the bottom, and the coarse vegetable
matter from the upper surface, break
it into small pieces, and then pass
every part through a half-inch sieve ;
to four parts of this, add one of nice
mellow, fibrous, turfy loam, two of
gritty sand, and one of charcoal and
potsherds, broken to the size of hazel
nuts; mix these intimately together,
and then they are ready for use.
Next procure some clean porous six
or eight-inch pots, and drain them
thoroughly. If the plants are such
as we have advised you to purchase,
place the strongest in the largest
pots, and the weak ones in the six-
inch size, taking care to fit the soil
nicely about the roots, and to make
it tolerably firm; indeed, if the compost is dry you may make
it as firm as you can, without, resorting to the ramming process
of our forefathers.

The plants should then be placed in a pit or frame, where they
can be kept tolerably warm and moist, shading them in mid-
day until they begin to grow, and taking care to syringe them
and shut them up early every sunny afternoon. ‘hus treated,
they will progress yery rapidly, and some of them will probably
Tequire a second shift towards September. If a frame or pit
cannot be spared to place them in, make the nearest approxima-
tion you can to the conditions required, to promote free growth
in the greenhouse, by keeping a part of it close; or place the
plants in a Vvinery, or other forcing-house, where the temperature
is not too high, and where plenty of air can be admitted in
favourable weather. It willl be necessary to curb redundant
growth by timely stopping the strongest shoots, to make them
branch ; but’ in the cultivation of Bossisas, unless a branch takes
a decided- lead, nothing will be gained by stopping it, as they
generally, at least the majority of the kinds, produce secondary
or lateral shoots in tolerable abundance.

Bossigea tenuicaulis,

increase them by cuttings. The
seed should be sown directly it is
ripe in July, and the plants be
nursed in small pots through the
winter.

In the second year, the established
plants may be grown, after they have
bloomed, in the open air, taking the
same precautions as before directed
as to insects, &c., and potting them
when necessary.

The following ane distinct and
pretty species; the engraving repre-
sents B. tenuicaulis :—

B. cordifolia.—A dwart-spreading
shrub, with terete villous branches,

-and cordate acute, nearly sessile
leaves. The yellow flowers are
marked at the base of the standard with a purple circle, and
have a dark purple keel. New Holland. Introduced 1824.
Flowers in April and May. .

B. disticha —A dwarf shrub, rather erect in habit, with slender
branches, and two-ranked ovate-obtuse leaves. The flowers are
showy, on stalks longer than the leaves; the standard is pale
yellow, with a spot of deeper yellow at the base, and bordered
with red—the wings stained with red at thebase. Flowers from
April to October. Swan River. Introduced 1838. A variety
of this is grown in gardens under the name of B. disticha
plumosa.

B. ensata.—A asingular-looking upright species, with com-
pressed linear leafless branches, toothed along the edges, and
bearing the flowers from the notches. ‘The flowers are yellow ;
the base and back of the standard brownish-orange purple; the
keel brownish-purple. Flowers from May to July. New Hol-
land. Introduced in 1825.

B. linophyila.—A small, slender, erect-growing shrub, with
compressed branches, bearing linear leaves with the edges re-

curved, The flowers are yellow, the standard veined at th

ec es

THE

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE,
COTTAGE GARDENER,

AND

COUNTRY GENTLEMAN.

A JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE, RURAL AND DOMESTIC ECONOMY, BOTANY AND
NATURAL HISTORY.

CONDUCTED BY

GHORGE W. JOHNSON, F.R.H.S., anp ROBERT HOGG, LL.D.

THE FRUIT AND KITCHEN GARDENS, by Mr. J.
Robson, Gardener to Viscount Holmesdale, M.P., Linton
Park; and Mr. T. Weayer, Gardener to the Warden of
Winchester College.

THE FLOWER GARDEN, by Mr. D. Beaton, late Gardener
to Sir W. Middleton, Bart., Shrubland Park.

STOVE, GREENHOUSE, AND WINDOW GARDEN, by
Mr. R. Fish, Gardener to Colonel Sowerby, Putteridge
Bury, near Luton.

FLORISTS’ FLOWERS AND FLORICULTURE, by the
Rey. H. H. Dombrain.

ALLOTMENT AND GARDENING CALENDAR, by Mr.
William Keane.

POULTRY-KEEPING, by Mr. J. Baily, Rev. W. W. Wing-
field, E. Hewitt, Esq., and other well-known contributors,

BEE-KEEPING, by H. Taylor, Esq.; T. W. Woodbury,
Esq., ‘‘A Devonshire Bee-keeper;” “*B & W.;” and
Mr. S. Bevan Fox.

HOUSEHOLD ARTS, by the Authoress of ** My Flowers,”
and others.

VOLUME IIr.,

NEW SHRIES.

VOL. XXVII., OLD SERIES.

LONDON:
PUBLISHED FOR THE PROPRIETORS, 162, FLEET STREET.

1862.

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— A
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TO OUR READERS.

We know of one who would not have on the parlour chimney-shelf a dial with a second’s hand, because
it made him see and feel how life lessens, as it were, drop by drop. What he would have said, or how
he would have felt, if he had to write these Prefaces surpasses our power of surmise, for they at once
tell of six months gone—and how quickly gone!

Grateful are we to record that truth, for miserable is he over whom time passes on heavily. But
no such weight has been upon us: no day has been long enough or slow enough—each day’s evening

seemed to arrive before its morning had passed into noontide.

This was not because there were no sorrows around us; for we have had by our desk refugees from
the once United States, telling of homes crushed, and of brother in arms against brother in fratricidal
and suicidal war: we have had a blast from that war among our own homes, and our pages have told
of one small passage in the wide and deep amount of privation and sorrow which it whelmed over our
cotton districts. Death has not been less frequent than usual in his visits among those whose aid we had;

nor haye we found jealousies less jaundiced, nor envyings less detractive.

But we have had compensations for all these ills. We were able to give occupation to the unemployed
and to point out to others those who deserved assistance. Whenachasm occurred among our friends others
stepped forward to render the vacancy less observable; and as for the jealous and the envious, we had

no leisure for being inconvenienced by them.

Thus have we passed on through 1862; and over its close we will inscribe the hope that from its
days our readers, as well as ourselves, have passed on into 1863 wiser, happier, wealthier—wealthier
not merely in this world’s gear. May its harvest of wisdom, happiness, and wealth be even more abundant
than that yielded by its predecessor ; and we will include in that prayerful hope our brethren across
the Atlantic. Many of our readers are there, and they may accept from us as truth that great is the
delusion which suggests that ‘“ Britishers wish nothing but evil to America.’ If that fiendish desire
actuated our countrymen, they would not so earnestly hope that the internecine war waging there may
speedily cease.

Heartily do we join in that hope—nay, more, it is the most prominent in a cluster of good hopes,
including one for the well-being and well-doing of each and all of our contributors, and another for the
vigour and endurance of those so abundantly recording themselves as our ‘‘ Constant Readers.” May
they all be evergreens, and then our concluding wish will be gratified, for we shall all have

A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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biteoon oral Eeeingg Lind

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"a bea! ‘ante wa Tata At

ABIES MICROSPERMA, 84

Acacia, Drummondii pruning, 90;
armata in summer, 230

Acanthonema strigosum, 553

Acclimatisation Society, 93

Acer, palmatum atro-purpureum,
540; of the Romans, 593

Achimenes, 727 ; at rest, 618 ; Mauve
Queen, 678

Aconitum of the Romans, 702

Acrotrema Walkeri, 790

Adelaide Botanical Garden, 549

® African (South) Economic Flora,”
678

Agave glaucescens, 495

Agricultural Society’s (Royal) Show,
implements at, 204

Agrostemma coronaria, 398

Ailanthus silkworm, 118, 246, 531,
688

Ajuga reptans purpurascens as an
edging, 476

Alexander, James, 164

Almeidea rubra, 555

Alocasia metallica and macrorhiza
variegata, $5

Aloe, about to bloom, 221; family
and their culture, 574

Alphabetical arrangement of poultry
exhibitors, 772

Amaranthus, melancholicus ruber,

369, 430; tricolor, new, 449

Amaryllis—belladonna culture, 55;
Unique, 143 ; belladonna soil, 166 ;
culture, 479; blue, 480; aulica,
705; formosissima culture, 769

Amaryllises in pots, 618

American plant, leaves diseased, 224

Ammoniacal liquor destructive of
caterpillars, 192

Ammoniacal gas in a hothouse, 490

Amphitheatre of verdure, 455

Anemone, apennina culture, 34;
narcissiflora, 398

Anemones after flowering, 146

Angers, its tree and fruit trade,
745; market - gardening produce
of, 788

Angraecum fragrans as a medicine, 16

Anguria Warczewiczii, 52

Anisanthus splendens, 488

Annuals, for edging Geranium-beds,
85; select list of, G44

Anomochloa marantoidea, 378

Antholyza zthiopica, 488

Anthurium Scherzerianum, 196, 337

Antirrhinums, wintering seedling,
479

Ant-bills, to get rid of, 146

Ants, in Melon-bed, 241; in grass,
262 ; in Cucumber-frame, 343

Aphelexis culttre, 765

Aphides and their destruction, 176

Apiarian, events of 1861, 17; notes,
18, 423; Miscellany, 708, 775

Apiary—* B. & W.’s” in 1862, 129;
of ‘Upwards & Onwards,” 731

Apple—trees, heading down, 55;
trees cankering, 127; Irish
Peach, 378; trees unfruitful, 594 ;
nee, vitality in, 714; renovating,
7

Apples—sweating before storing,
83; storing, 302; selection of,
705; keeping, 719; Ribston and
Cox's Orange Pippins, 761

Apricot shedding its blossom, 127

Apricots—under glass, 223, 240;
scale on, 705; in pots in orchard-
house, 785

Aquarium—parlour, 235; Watring-
ton’s, 262; water for, 685

Aquariums, in gardenesque scenery,
103, 122, 141

INDEX.

Aquilegia glandulosa, 398

Arabis alpina, propagating, 229

Araucaria, Cookii, 237 ; not thriving,
704

Arbor Vita, cutting American, 495 ;
hedge, 617, 618, 671

Arbutus procera, 84

Archerfield Early Muscat Grape,
451, 457

Architectural features in gardening,
494

Arctotis, new, for edgings, 368;
reptans, 407

Argemone grandiflora, 398

Aristolochia Gibertil, 677

Arnott’s stove, brick, 726

Arrowrooé culture, 94

Artichoke, is it hardy ? 668

Artichokes, are they hardy? 716,
725; culture and hardiness of,
744; protecting, 762, 763

Arundo donax culture, 108

Ascidia intestinalis, communis,
arachnoidea, tubulosa, and pru-
num, 452

Ascidians, compound, 436; social,
437

Asparagus—earliness of, 118; beds,
mismanaged, 127; culture, 127,
637; ailing, 166; beds, 281, 321;
tops, 398; salt for beds, 402;
moving, 479; beds, wireworms in,
499 ; forcing, 578, 724; beds, ma-
purine, 618; bed, removing old
770

Asphalt, flooring, 540 ; walks, mak-
ing, 783

Aspidiotus ostrerformis, 562

Aspidium Ficus, 437

Athanas nitescens, 399

Atriplex hortensis, 382

Aubrietia purpurea, propagating, 229

Aucuba japonica, male and female, 3

Auricula, Show, National, 10; ex-
hibitors, North and South, 116

Auriculas, in 1862, 83; George
Lightbody and Southern Star, 294

Australia—South, at the Exhibition,
295; Western, at the Exhibition,
319

Aviary, birds for, 624

Aylesbury ducks, characteristics, 226

Azalea—its characteristics and cul-
ture; 415; varieties, 416 ; indica,

cuttings, 108; Duc d’Aremberg, |

196; Mars, 294; Brilliant, 495;
leaves, insects on, 541

Azaleas—classified list of, 425 list |

of, 154; in summer, 230; to
harden-off, 382; propagating In-
dian, 685; manure for, 686; ina
vinery, 726; and liquid manure,
769

Axius stirynchus, 375

BaBIANA RUBRO-CYANEA, 488

Balance the good and the evil, 318

Balconies, management of plants in,
389

Balsams, sowing, 36

Bantam cock, points, 584; hybrid
with Pheasant, 584; class at the
Crystal Palace, 750

Bantams losing head-feathers, 76;
Duckwinged, 150; Black cock’s
ear-lobes, 150, points in Game,
168; colour of ear-lobes, 266;
Pied, 599, 665, 666; classes at the
Crystal Palace, 600; (Game)
classes, 619; food for, 624; Black,
at Darlington, 770, 797; plea for,
772

Basket plants, 302; pendulous, for
greenhouse, 705

Baskeis for fowls, 286

Bath and West of England Poultry
Show, 72, 184

Beauty and utility combined, 220

Bedding-out, 55, 182, 202; at the
Crystal Palace, 308; at Cliveden,
336; at South Kensington, 387 ;
plants, propagating, 407; system
defended, 777

Bedding plants—in pots, 146; and
the Derby Day, 189; supporting,
223; propagation of, 417; prepa-
rations for propagating, 433 ;
wintering, 597

Beds, circular, of three kinds of
plants, 127

Beech hedge, making, &c., 670

Bee-keepers’ perplexities, 284

Bee-keeping—in Cheshire, 110;

Woodbury on, 129; in Cornwall, |

167; in Staffordshire, 163; com-
mencing, 325; hints to practical,
385, 405

Bee—fiowers, late, 304; cells in
Jamaica not enlarged, 323; season,
Middlesex, 346; Gloucestershire,
336; Larkspur, two-coloured, 495 ;
parthenogenesis in, 5645; season,
in North Lancashire, 74; in
Devon, 92; season, Berwickshire
and Lancashire moors, 622; East
Lothian, 623; Beeyear, 1862, 709 ;
Dzierzon on parthenogenesis, 731;
apparatus (Swiss) in the Inter-
national Exhibition, 753

Bees—in winter, 17; uniting, 20, 37,
364, 443; removing, 38; as che-
mists, 58, 112, 149; over-feeding,
58, 112, 149; and swallowa, 93;
early swarm, 93 ; travelling by
railway, 130; death of a queen,
110; cross between English and
Ligurian, 112; zine about, 112;
attaching combs to bars, 149;
winter management, 149; feeding,
149, 346; queens, destroying,
artificial swarming, artificial comb,
and milk as food, 150; deserting
their hives, 187, 226, 245, 442; do
they vary? 207, 225, 242, 284, 463,
642; queen destroyed by workers,
207; swarming, in a storm, 226 ;
season in North Lancashire, 243;
tithed, 226 ; present season ; death
of a queen ; hybrids ; as chemists,
265, 305; Who ascertained first the
sex of queen ? 266; do they make
honey? 284; settled facts about,
286; Ligurian queens, 304; in
Jamaica, 305; Ligurians not iras-
cible in America, 305 ; fumigation,
deserting hives, 305; losing a
queen, 345; misfortunes of season,
345 ; Ligurian, 385; queen from
worker-egg, 404; fumigating, 405;
introduction of a Ligurian queen,
423; artificial combs for, 423 ;
practical observations on, 423;
queen mutilated by workers, 424 ;
transferring and uniting, 442;
hiving in a frame-hive, 442; trans-
ferring, eggs not hatching, 463;
abandoning hive, 482; foresight
of, 483; in Staffordshire, 484; va-
rying in their proceedings, 501;
in smoky places, ejecting eggs,
chloroform for stupifyimg, 502;
and bee-hives at the International
Exhibition, 583 ; queens becoming
drone-layers; queens assailed by
own workers, 544; queen’s fertile
age, 601; do workers become fer-
tile? 604; using embossed wax,
604; queen’s age of fertility, 623 ;

longevity of working, 643; fert
workers, 643; hybrid Ligurians
“B. & W.'s”’ apiary in 1862, 665 ;
deserting their hives, 688; fertile
workers, queen drone breeding,
774; bottle-feeder for, 776; in
buildings, 798

Beet, Rea, as a border plant, 592

Begonia prismatocarpa, 52; fuchsi-
oides culture, 748

| Begonias, propagating, 55

Bejaria coarctata, 277

Belladonna Lily culture, 779, 795

Berberis japonica, intermedia, and
Bealii, 146; aurahuacensis, 256 ;
Wallichiana, 698

Berberidopsis corallina, 677

Bessera elegans, 488

Beverley Poultry Show, 203

Bird question, 298

Birds, and the crops, 124; utility of
small, 151, 175, 219, 283 ; protection
of in Switzerland, 196 ; why they
should be protected, 200; destruc-
tion of small, a plea for, 256, 258 ;
spare the, 315, 318 ; uses and de-
structiveness, 536; migration,
538 ; mischievous, 576; small, &c.,
660; use of, 6365 balance of, 681 ;
cause pleaded, 792

Bird’s Nursery, 625

Birmingham Rose Show, 63, 180, 272

Birmingham Poultry Show, 619,
638, 706, 727, 729; pens at, 520;
Exhibition week, 640; Judges at,
664, 688

Bishop’s weed, 146

Blackberry, Lawton, to train, 412;
wine, 504

Boiler, adapting a stove to, 55; for
vinery, 617 ; at back of parlour fire,
heating by, 705 ; Clarke’s, 767

Boilers leaking, 35

Bois de rat, 64

Bolbophyllum rhizophors, 52; cu-
preum, 196 ; pavimentatum, 378

Bone-crushing, 15

Bones and potash,55; dissolving, 281

Borders, good form of, 764

oreo report on varieties, 293,

Boronia serrulata culture, 64

Botanists, meeting of workingmen,
271, 318

Botrychium lancifolium, 553

Botryllus, 437

Bottle-feeder for bees, 37, 58

Bougainvillea glabra culture, 218

Bouquets, 493

Bowling-green, size of, 541

Box-edging, management of, 88 ;
destroyed by salt, 183, 238

Box Ledge, making, &c., 671

Brahma Pootras, 776; merits, 38 ;
hens as layers, 464

Bridgesia spicata, 712

Brisbane Botanic Garden, 589

Broccoli, Carter’s Champion, 142;
manured with sewage, 158 ; moy-
ing large, 638

Broccolis, report on, 333, 374

Brodiea grandiflora, 489

Brugmansia leaves yellow, 363

Bryanthus erectus, 277

Bucket, Holmes’ self-tilting, 786

Bulb-bed to flower throughout the
year, 498

Bulb (Cape) culture, 778

Bulbs, Cape, 368; for out-door
planting, 488; management of
spring-flowering, 508; in pots,
509 ; carein testing, 527 ; out-door,
561; in beds, 579; rare, 638;
yegetating strongly, 747

|

Vil

Bullfinch-paralysed, 544

Bullfinches’ eggs disappearing, 345;
385; Black, 776

Bupleutum fruticosum, 712

Burmah, notes from, 197

Butter, large yield from one cow, 38

Suey killing for specimens,

Buxus obcordata, 4

CABBAGE—SOWING AND PLANTING,
351; caterpillars, 581; Jersey
Sticks, 490

Cabbages, report on, 492

Caladiums in winter, 541

Calampelis scaber culture, 34

Calayansa Bean, 99, 123

Calceolaria—leaves spotted, 545 his-
tory, &c., 120; as a bedaer, 120,
136; cuttings, 561, 625; planting,
684

Calceolarias—wintering, 480; shrub-
by, 609; cuttings, 617; for ex-
hibition, 638

Californian orchards, 613

Callianassa, Underground, 375

Callistemon brachyandrum, 535

Calne Poultry Show, 619

Calocaris Macandres, 375

Calochortus pallidus, 515

Calves—fatting, 88; rearing on milk
and linseed meal, 188

Camellia—and its culture, 59, 169,
261, 445; watering, 59; seeds,
sowing, 166; list of varieties, 170;
propagation, 267; Contessa La-
vinia Maggi, 294; seedlings cul-
ture, 322; flower-buds breaking,
562, 618; buds falling, 747

Camellias—in summer, 230; cross-
baesnings 332; recently grafted,

Campanula Vidalii, 615

Canaries—diseases of, 19; selling,
88; mortality among, 38, 283;
in a room, 58; model prize list,
73; dying, 584

Canary—and British Finches, 73;
cock eating eggs, 150; hens sitting
without laying, 185; sick, 688

Cantua buxifolia, 657

Cape Gooseberry culture, 281

Carex Fraseri, 36

Carnation—characteristiecs and cul-
ture, 47; varieties, 48; tree, cul-
ture, 756; list of, 757

Carnations—tree, culture, 71 ; strik-
ing, 382 ; sowing, 439

Carrot—grub, 281; crop failing, 587

Carrots on clay soil, 302

Carter & Co.’s Nursery, 156

Caterpillars—on fruit trees, 139;
venomous, 246

Cat, destructive. 305

Cats v. birds, 219

Cauliflowers — under glass, 107 ;
protecting, 560

Caution, 299

Ceanothus genus, species described,
21

Celery—turnip-rooted, 34; ctlture,
239, 280, 517, 725, 789; grubs on,
241; roots, 261; leaves brown,
479; fiy, 587; culture in Lanca-
shire, 592; white-leaved, 598;
growing and failure, 655 ; fly, pre-
venting its attacks, 700; failure
this year, 744; how to grow good,
762; failures, &c., 788

Cells, formation of royal, 482

Cement walks, making, 784

Centaurea—candidissima, 518, 691,
795; propagating, 229; cuttings,
519; argentea as an edging, 742

Cephalotaxus Fortuni, 51

Cephalotus follicularis culture, 562

Cerasus—japonica flore pleno cul-
ture, 71; ilicifolia, 712

Cerastium—tomentosum, propagat-
ing, 16; frosted, 71; Biebersteinii,
127, 367, 425; for flower gardens,
45, 84

Cerastiums, tomentosum and Bieber-
steinli, 189; treatment of, 402

Ceropegia Gardneri, 52

ChareoalerA manure, 370; making,

“Chemistry of Soils, Handy Book
of,”? 142

Cherry—blossoms falling, 70; Trip-
pleton, 90; Nouvelle Royale,
ua ; trees, winter-pruning young,

Cherries—on walls, 240 ; falling, 281

INDEX.

Cheshire Poultry Show, 542

Chickens — large brood of, 128;
noise in throats, 306

Chinese Primrose, Double-flowered,
196

Chinese Primroses, Delicata and
Rubra grandiflora, 378

Chippenham Poultry Show, 730

Chiswick, Royal Horticultural So-
ciety’s garden at, 372 /

Chiton cinereus, &c., 558

Chlidanthus fragrans, 489

Chloride of lime as an insect-killer,
177, 250

Christmas, poultry market, 770;
time, 794

Chrysanthemum—culture for show,
82; motes on, 647, 650; at Mr.
Salter’s, 652

Chrysanthemums, 625, 779; twelve
superior, 16; list of, 780; ma-
nagement of seedlings, 727

Cinchona, trees introduced into
India, 606; plants, introduction
of into India, 659

Cineraria maritima—euttings, 14, 34,
540; seed sowing, 70; propagat-
ing, 498, 748

Cineraria flowers not opening, 685

Cinerarias—preseryative from green
fly, 98 ; compost for, 224; James
Andrews, The Artist, and The
Winner, 378

Circumstantial information, 451

Cissus discolor, growing specimen
of, 11

Clarkia, White-margined, 678

Clavelina lepadiformis, 437

Clay soil, to improve, 581

Clayey loam, lightening, 769

Clematis—viticella venosa, cutting
down, 84; lanuginosa, hardy, 770

Clerodendran—Thomsone, 143, 173 ;
culture, 514

Clethra arborea, 402

Clianthus Dampieri potting, 499

Climbers—for conservatory, 127,
480; in verandah, pruning, 254;
for a greenhouse, 421; for an
arbour, 580

Clipped trees, effect of in decorative
gardening, 453

Clomenocoma montana, 52

Clonmell House, 81

Clover, four-bladed, 164

Clusia Brongniartiana, 294

Coal tar for vermin, 791

Cobzea scandens seedlings, 223

Coburgia incarnata, 488

Cobwebs, 457

Cochin-China cock, coldin, 688

Cochin-China fowls—falcon-hocked,
246; vulture hocks in, 286

Cochin-China pullets—not laying,
20; combs, 326

Cochin-Chinas—points in, 366; Cin-
namon, 624

Cockscomb culture, 56

Cockscombs, sowing, 36

Cocoa-nut fibre refuse, 381, 426,
480; for seedlings, 15; as a ma-
nure for flowers, 16; mixing soil
with, 55, 146; for drainage, 218;
for peat, 231; for cuttings 241; as
a general manure, 272; for Cy-
clamens, 281; and clay soil, 769

Coelogyne Parishii, 293

Coix lachryma, 362

Coleus Verschaffeltii, 190; as a bed-
der, 184, 158; for bedding, 309 ;
culture, 727; hardy, 795

Collingham Poultry Show, 621

Colour, theory of, 134, 196, 300

Soleetoh Sweet-scented, culture,
‘

Columbia, British, botanical ex-
pedition to, 451

Comb foundations for hives, 524

Combs—crooked, 366; artificial, 604

Conclusions, too hasty, 298

Concrete walks, making, 784

Coniferse—propagation of, 410, 453;
notes on some hardy, 742

Saitenss propagating by cuttings,

Conservatory—climbers, 202 ; plants

_ for back wall, 598; heating a
small, 738

Cooking old fowls, 282

Coop for chickens, 604

Coriaria sarmentosa,.712

Cork refuse, 52

Cornwall—weather and crops, 118;
market-gardening in west, 577,
595, 612, 636, 659

Coronillas in summer, 280

Corydalis nobilis, 398

‘* Cottage Improvement Societies,”
279

Cottingham Poultry Show, 441

Cotton—seed refuse, 30; spinners,
Lancashire, 333; plants, soil for,
706

Cow—management, 11; keeping,
504; dried before calving, 710

Cows, 732; in Guernsey, manage-
ment of, 644

Crabs — Common Shore, Velvet
Swimming, Arched Fronted,
Cleanser, and Marbled, 284, 235;
Dwarf Swimming, MHenslow’s,
Common Pea,Angular, Pennant’s,
and Circular, 294; seashore, 334,
359

Crepe goslings, 363 ; in fowls,
66

Cranston’s patent horticultural
buildings, 6,101 .

Crassula coccinea, propagating, 303

Craven Poultry Show, 462

Crenella marmorata, 516

Créve Caeur fowls, 206

Cricket-ground, grasses for, 479

Crickets, destroying, 705

Crinum capense culture, 769

Crocus—Imperati, 5; the genus,
114, 185; bulbs, treatment of, 402 ;
speciosus, 526 ; bulbs, saving from
mice, 770

Crocuses, saving from mice, 581

Crossing flowers, 348

Crow—and farmer, a fable, 306;
family, the, 404

Crystal Palace, 330, 416, 532; Flower
Show, 185, 157, 446; Flower and
Fruit Show, 171; Rose Show, 271,
888 ; Poultry Show, 282, 303, 421,
439, 619, 730, 748; specimens at,
4815; duration of, 796

Cuckoo, 516, 552

Cucumber — Reynolds’ Perpetual
Bearer, 696; leaves blotched, 705;
457 5 pit, 770, 799

Cucumbers—keeping fresh for a few
days, 71; gumming, 127, 146, 201,
457; pickling, 504

Cultivators, generally useful, 11

Cuphea—cinnabarina, 3877; verti-
cillata, 656 ‘

Currants—removing, 402; drying,
424; Red, failing, 748

Curtis, J., death of, 552

Cuttings, 55; of Geraniums, &c., 498

Cyanophyllum magnificum culture,
705, 726

Cycas revoluta, remarkable speci-
mens of, 297

Cyclamen — seeding, 90; vernum
and crosses, 348; seeds, sowing,
479: seedlings, 527, 748

Cyclamens, 131; leaves of, 15; Ita-
lian name for, 15; europreum, 155
new, 15; notes on vernum and
europzum, 39 ; vernum and euro-
peum, 61; culture of, 70; and
seedlings, 71; vernum, 142; notes
on, 113; raising seedlings, 113;
are they hardy? 668; modes of
crossing, 669: from cuttings, 735

Cynthia rustica and grossularia, 452

Cypresses, theatre of, 454

Cypripedium—insigne and calceolus
culture, 26: Stonei, 790

@yrtanthus culture, 778

DAHLIA TUBERS, PRESEROING, 136

Daklias, twenty for show, 15 ; Pom-
pone, Star and Little Dorrit, 143;
lists of, 449; Pompone—Little
wnilemings Darling, and Philip,

Daisies on lawn, 202, 541

Damp, excluding from brickwork,
776

Damson wine, 263

Dandelion, preserving for use, 146 ;
culture, 788

Daphne leaves decaying, 261

Darlington Poultry Show, 751

Datura, arborea culture, 312, 382 ;

_ Wrightii culture, 334

Delphinium formosum, to make a
bed of, 581

Dendrobium Lowii, 52; Salaccense,
173 5 nobile culture, 795

Deodar, 727

Desfontainia spinosa, soil for, 16;

~ pruning, 108 .

Despair, never, 343

Deutzia gracilis culture, 334

Dewsbury Poultry Show, 462

Dianthus libanotis, 398

Diarrheea in fowis, 688

Dibber-planting, 182

Dicksenia antarctica culture, 166

Dictyanthus campanulatus, 414

Dielytra spectabilis, forcing, 727

Digging, cost of, 637

Dimorphotheca Barberiz, 495

Dinner-table decorations, 347, 535,
605; plants, 485, 645, 693, 714;
plants not suitable, 646; Rivina
levis, and Callicarpa purpurea as,
674 E

Dioscorea batatas, 581

Dike gxanaiton, 62, 108 ; superba,
3

Ditch, right of, 421

Dog, a noble Australian, 286;
muzzles, 326

“Dogs, house and sporting,’’ 92

Dorking fowls, 286; cock’s comb,
564; cock’s comb drooping, 644;
fowls, weight of, 688 ; and Cochin-
China fowls, cross between, 644

Dorkings plumage of Grey, 306; at
Birmingham Poultry Show, 729;
Silver-Grey, 776 ; cup-combed, 798

Dove’s dung, 202

Dove with darkened plumage, 326

Downton Castle, 177

Draczena phrynioides, 790

Drainer, Law’s Patent Bijou, 489

Drake, hatched under a hen, 94

Drawing-room table decorations,
March’s, 153

Driffield Poultry Show, 364

Drone development, 58

Drones, saving, 324

are rotundifolia for a rockery,
458

Drumlanrig Park and gardens, 571

Dublin Syciety’s Poultry Show, 108

Dublin Exhibition Palace and
Winter Garden, 162

Duck, cross with Pintail, 94 ; hatch-
ing in China, 774

Ducks, African, 38; Carolina, 286 ;
feeding for exhibition, 444, 484;
illness of East Indian, 584; Ayles-
bury, weight of, 688 ; rearing wild,
753; wild, bred with tame, 773,
798; dying, 776;* Rouen drake
sickly, 776; Penguin, 797

Diirkheim, the Grape cure, 590

Dutch garden and greenhouse, 275

Dysentery in bees, 37

Dzierzon on bees, 175 at home, 443
reconverted, 754

East Surron, Krenz, 699

Eceremocarpus scaber,, 302

Echinostachys Pinelliana, 196

Tdging plants, 480; new, 367, 711

Edging to a mixed border, 638

Edinburgh Horticultural Society’s
Show, 5

Edwards, J., death of, 198

Egg-plant fruits, cooking, 584

Eggs—destroying vitality in,76, 150 ;
distinguisning sex in, 205; pre-
venting soft, 246; retaining power
to be hatched, 266; weight of,
266; to preserve in lime, 422; to
preserve fresh for six months, 422 ;
vitality of, 482; preservation of,
499, 520, 541; hens dropping, 544 ;
with thin shells, 710

Egypt, bulbs for, 479

Eleocarpus cyaneus culture, 638

Elder'tree, superstitions relative, 159

Elderberry Catsup, 188 ,

Elizabethan house, plants against
an, 770 i

Emarginula rosea, 359

Endive culture, 191

England a century ago, 34] |

Entomological Society’s Meeting, 13,
124, 163, 258, 360, 878, 393, 577,
675, 791

Epacrises, Fireball, Butterfly, and
- Exquisite, 143 M

Epidendrum—replicatum, 435 5 pris-
matocarpum, 495; funiferum,
539

Epigynium leucobotrys, 241

Epimedium macrautaum, 398

Epimediums, culture of, 344

Epsom Races a century since, 306

Ercilla spicata, 722

Wrica Cayendishi pruning, 322

Ericas, insects on, 541 M

Eriostemons, culture of, 742

Erythrina hybrid, 553 4 ¥
Escallonia macrantha, pruning, 726
Espalier trees, pruning, 541

Essex Poultry Show, 205

Eucharis amazonica, 35; culture,

55
Eugenia Ugni and the gourmets,
605
Euonymuses, new, +
Eurya latifolia, 4
Evergreen hedge, making, 671
Evergreen trees for screen, 638
Evergreens, in smoky place,
propagating, 55; under trees, 50
Everlasting Flowers, 765

Exhibition cards, inscriptions on, 654 |

Exhibiting, allowing gardeners, 349

Evxhibitions—infinence of horticul-
tural, 896; consequences of alter-
ing their days, 481; holding them
simultaneously, 600

Eshibitors, fraudulent, 641

Extracts from a teo-much-neglected
‘book, 400, 418, 437

Eyes and no Eyes, 227

Fasm, 16

Fairchild sermon, 219

Fairchild, T., 513

ers grande from cuttings,
735

Fattening young fowls, 281, 363,
382, 403, 458

Fattening poultry, 753

Feathers falling from fowls, 286;
bent sickle, 776

Fernery out of doors, 262; making,
519 ; making out-door, 612; wood
in constructing, 716; heating a
small, 795

Fern Owl, 517

Ferns, stove, 35; mildew on, 45;
new, 51; sowing, 108, 166; in-
sects on, 479; for a Fern-case,
540; diseased, 598; greenhouse,
673, 678, 705; for a glass case, 748

Fern stems, imaginary forms in, 137,
216; glass, damp inside, 183;
house, painting, 183

Ficus Cooperi, 174

Fig culture, 240, 457 ; leaves spotted,
241; trees in pots, 727

Figs dropping, 90; standard in
Guernsey and Sussex, 490; under
glass, 684

Filbert, pruning, 540; culture, 550

“*Filicum Synopsis Africe Aus-
tralis,’’ 678

Fire management in winter, 769

Fitz-Roya patagonica, 237

Flax refuse, 52

Fléche fowl, 244, 264

Flies, plague of, 524

Hlora of the Roman Classics, 593;
702

“‘Flora Capensis Medice Prodro-
mus,"’ 678

Flower-bed with coloured illustra-
Bon, 227; at East Sutton Place,
hs Pe]

Flower-border, chain, 699

“Flower and Fruit Decoration,”
7357

Flower garden, arrangement of, 84,
nee plan, good mode of showing,

5)

Flower-gardening, a pleafor modern,
777; without flowers, 792

Flowers, by post, sending, 9; pack-
ing cut for travelling, 24, 45; cut,
conveying to shows, 117 ; of the
season, new, 505; preserving in
sand, 703

Hlowering: plants at acceptable times,

Flower shows for the town poor,
739 ; for the working classes, 410

Flue, divided, not drawing, 70;
heating a vinery, 706

Flues emitting smoke, 55; pipes for,
480; cleaning, 718

Fly-catchers, 708

Food required by poultry, 624

Footpath-making, 783

Forcing-house, constructing, 562

Fork, Guernsey, 391 \

Forrestia pubescens, 712

Fountains, French, at Royal Horti-
cultural Society’s Garden, 565, 585

Fowl culture, importance of, 91

Fowls, fattening and cooking, 281,
282; blindness in, 386; to make

15.3 |

prolific, 404 ; selection of pencilled

Hamburghs, 424

INDEX.

Frogs, tree, 118; Green, minage- | Gladiolus—bulbs not disturbed, 475 :

ment of, 531, 700

Frome Poultry Show, 620

Frost, early, 589

“«Fruit Garden, the Miniature,’ 701

Fruit-judging, 714

“Fruit Manual,’? 231

Fruit-room, construction and ma-
nagement, 287

Fruit-storing, 519

Fruit trees, unproductive, 531 ; trees
against a bank, 541; near a ma-
nufacturing town, 550; in pots,
treatment, 579; for south-west
wall, 618; dwarf, stopping, 638 ;
cutting down newly-planted, 663

Fruiterers’ Company, 158

Fuchsia as a bedding plant, 104;
leaves diseased, 127; bed, soil for
146: leaves curling, 146: specta-
bilis culture, 223; Meteor, 294 ;
cuttings, 311; seedlings, 458;
venusta, 474; berries as fruit,
519; training pyramidal, 519

Fuchsias shedding flower-buds ; in-
sects on, 362: white, for bedding,
425; to propagate, 425; bedding,
477 : as out-door standards, 545;
wintered in beds, 617

Fuel, economy of, 194, 234

Fumigating. 410

Fumigator, Stephens’, 398

Fungauses, British, 476

Furnace, for greenhouses, 630:
small, for garden structures, 673

GALATHEAS, 375

Game—cock, drooping, 20; having
diarrhea, 38; cocks must be
dubbed for exhibiting, 226; cock,
Duckwing, points in, 524; cock’s
earlobes, 644; cocks backward in
moulting, 688 ; Black-breasted, re-

quisite characteristics, 772; Duck- |

wing cock’s plumage, 776

Gapes in poultry, 363

Garden-seat at the Villa Strada, 454

Gardens—act for protecting, 354;
on house-tops, 558; City, 661

Gardeners’ hours and holidays, 209

Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Insti-
tution, 233, 278

** Gardener’s Annual for 1863,” 739

“Gardening, Science and Practice
of,” 739

Gas—heating by, 15, 65. 70; in hot-
water pipes, 86, 178; heated
Melon-pit, 121; fatal to Apple
trees, 166; heating by, 241, 479;
water, destructive to insects, 398 ;
stove, 726

Gate-piers, plant to cover, 581

Gaultheria bracteata, 786

Gazania splendens—in a bed, 153
cuttings, 691

Gebia stellata, 375

Geeke, destroyers of Buttercups,
227,

Grieorbige Rocheana and vaginata,
88

Geometric winter beds, materials
for, 146

Geranium — Miller’s Horseshoe-
leaved, 46; Mangles’ Variegated,
183; Waltham Pet, 183; Mrs.
Pollock, 196; and Pelargonium,
distinction between, 240; bloom
falling quickly, 343; Golden Chain,
408; Steila, 608; Golden Chain
cuttings, 617 ; cuttings, 638; Little
Dot. 685, 691

Geraniums—for bedding, what are
needed, 65; leaves diseased, 71;
turning out Scarlet, 89; leaves
turning red, 90; white bedding,
108; in pots for bedding, 328;
variegated crosses, 349; Nosegay,
368 ; hybridising, 408; wintering,
479, 684, 747; cuttings of Unique,
480; cutting back. 480; use of old
Scarlet, 498; bedding, 507; va-
riegated, turning green, 541; notes
on a few bedders, 549; cuttings,
560; Stella and other new, 565;
Fancy, out of doors, 580; leaves of
Tom Thumb mined, 581; spot in,
664; for edgings, 766

German bees ferocious, 168

Gesnera longifolia forcing, 232

Ginger, preserving, 20, 38

Gishurst Compound—for dogs, 385;
caution about, 736

Gladioli—for pots, 55; in beds during
winter, 795

cuspidatus, 489 : Mr. J. W. Lane,
678: pronouncing, 685: its future,
736: list of, 737
Gladioluses, lists of, 448
Glasgow Poultry Show, 639
Glass — structures, 35:
scorching, 166
Glendinning, Mr. R. death of, 655
Gloucester Flower Show, 352
Gloxinia seedlings, eulture, 223
Gloxinias—for early forcing, 146:
with summer bloom-buds, 362:
Lauretta, Beauty, Anonyma, and

causing

Fairy, 495: propagating and
managing, 529: autumn-bloom-
ing, 618

Glue for ready use, 624

Guaphalium margaritaceum as a
white-leaved plant, 189; lanatum,
190, 368, 420, 534, 565; culture,
766

Gold Fish, 499 : turning black, 424

Goose culture in America, 129

Gooseberry caterpillars, preventing,
35: destroying, 194

Gourds—lists of, 570: eatable, 658

Grammitis caudiformis, 378

“Grape Vine, Practical Treatise on
the Cultivation,” 332

“Grape Vine, Thomson on,” 611

Grape—Archerfield Muscat, 470, 528,
568, 586; Golden Hamburgh, 519 :
Lady Downe’s, 678: judging, 748

Grapes—late and early, 33, 35, 56;
preserving unshrivelled, 91 : keep-
ing, 118; \hinning, 166; preserv-
ing, 241, 560; Muscat, spotted,
262 ; shanking, 328, 598 ; keeping,
after ripe, 332; colouring, treat-
ment, 362: for a cool vinery, 374:
cracking and shanking 458 ; worst
of badly grown, 473; roughness

“on, 499: Museat, 552, 581; judg-
ing, 586, 627, 628; as a medicine,
590; Tynningham Muscat, 598 ;
treatment, hanging on Vines, 609,
616; swelling and keeping badly,
629 ; early and late, at Dalkeith,

65] ; Muscats for greenhouse, 663; |

points of merit in, 674, 714; new,

on New Year's day, 695 ; through- |

out the year, 783

Grass in paved yard, 541

Gravel in poultry pens, 322, 346

Green centre in Roses, 86

Green fiy, 108 : destroying, 56

Greenhouse—as am orchard-house,
15; arrangement, 63; heating a
small, 70: plants, hardwcoded,
treatment in summer, 229; heat-
ing from kitchen fire, 362; putting
plantsinto new, 562: construction,
726 ; arrangement, 795

Greenhouses, water store in, 693

Grubs—garden infested by, 30; in
Cabbage-beds, 71: destroying,
281

Guans, 94

Guernsey, its climate and out-door
plants, 472

Guernsey Lily, 489; history and
culture, 510

Guinea pig, gestation of, 406

Gum trees, 194

Gutta percha for hoofs, 798

Gymnogramma peruviana argyro-
phylla, propagating, 705

H2=MANTHUS CINNABARINUS, 143

Hail, protecting glass from, 166

Halifax Poultry Show, 460

Halimodendron argenteum, 712

Hamburgh cock, points in Golden-
spangled, 36; points in, 58: hen
paralysed, 94: Golden-spangled
at Leeds, 366, 384

Hamburghs, points in Golden-pen-
cilled cock, 776

Hamburgh, Golden, Grapes shrivel-
ling, 357

Hampton Court Gardens, 506

Ham Wood, 251, 274

Hants (North) Poultry Show, 224:
East, Poultry Show, 521

Hardheads, destroying, 223

Hares, cover for, 618

Hatching early chickens, 56

Heath cuttings, striking, 183

Heating, span-roofed house, 618;
easily managed, 654; froma hot-
water cistern, 686

Hedge—of Quick and Holly, 71;
establishing an evergreen, 571:
evergreen, 638

vil

Hedges, useful and ornamental, 670;
high for shelter, 672

Helichrysums, 571

Heliconia metallica, 143

Helipterum Sandfordii, 790

Hemstead Park, 626

Henderson & Co’s, Pine Apple Place
Nursery, 8

Hen with male plumage, 36: house
floor, 168

Hen-and-Chicken
gating, 685

Hens’ spurs, 776

Hens, cruelty to sitting, 167; dying
of apoplexy, 366: fecundity of,
385: breathing noisily, 464

Hepaticas, propagating, 55

Herbaceous plants, select, 397

Hesperis grandiflora, 398

Higginsia refulgens, 677

Hippeastrum reticulatum, 520

Hippeastrums, descriptive list of,
79: culture and descriptive list of,
98

Hippolyte varians, 399

Hive, Woodbury’s, 73; ventilation,
93; waterproofing, 93: examin-
ing, 366

Hives, flat-topped, 37: ventilating,
56; insulating, 57: waterproof-
ing, 58: of straw, putting a super
on, 112: kinds of, 130: Payne’s,
149 : size of, 167: moths in, 584:
at International Exhibition, 601,
687, 775, 797: Boothman’s, 604:
Sticks in, 625; cross sticks in, 643

Hiving into combed hives, 130

Hollies, time for pruning, 581 : re
moving, 704

Holly, the, 755: injured by frost,
598: hedge, making, &c., 671

Hollyhock, management, 302; pro-
pagation, 499: culture and list of,
667

Homeria spicata, 488

Honey, changing sugar to, 37; from
sugar, 93: chemistry of, 111:
Australian wild, 246: this season
for, 386: and wax at the Inter-
national Exhibition, 464, 503, 523:
season, Devon, 522: harvest on
the moors, 584: harvest, on Dur-
ham moors, 643; in Germany,
666 ; onthe Yorkshire moors, 687

Honeysuckle, variegated Japanese,
791

Hornbeam hedge, making, &c.. 670

Horticultural Society’s, Royal, 25,
307, 327: planting-out at, 387:
Shows, 10, 41, 51, 211, 247, 268,
467, 537: Committee Meetings, 27,
80, 115, 330, 394, 430, 431, 510,
649, 647: American Plant Show,
170, 197; new plants at, 173 : Chis-
wick Garden, 372: subscription to
purchase fountains, 410: Garden,
427 : arcades in, 428: International
Exhibition, 546, 569, 588: Chry-
santhemum Show, 647 ; complaint
against, 696

Horticultare and humanity, 792

Hotbeds of vegetable refuse, 165;

Hothouses, the picturesque in, 316

Hot-water pipes, gas in, 117; for
room-heating, 770

Houdan fowl described, 186, 205

Hull Poultry Show, 183

Humea elegans, culture, 95; leaves
become yellow, 127

Hurstbourne Park orchard-house
produce, 513

Hyacinth Due de Malakoff, 143; cul-
ture, 525; list of, 526; training,
727

Hyacinths, descriptive list of, 8; in
pots, 89

Hydrangeas, treatment of, 421

Hypocerta gracilis, 277

Daisies, propa-

Ingx—Fortuni, 4; cornuTa, 179:
rotunda, 712

Imantophyllum v. Imatophyllum,
176

Impatiens Jerdoniz forcing, 232

Implements, horticultural, 154

Indian Corn, 589

Insects in greenhouse, 223

International Exhibition, 95, 175,
195, 221, 288, 293, 319, 358, 452 :
some of its contents, 155: New
South Walesat, 338: Tasmania at,
378: a visit to, 426

Ipomza alatipes, 378

Treland, a few days in, 30, 46, &1,
119, 183, 274, 251

viii

Iron casement, &e., 262

Iscarum Pyrami, 293

Ivy—propagating variegated, 458:
as a screen, 671: German, 795

Ixia conica and patens, 488

Ixora—laxiflora, 66: salicifolia, 698

Ixoras Griffithii and Javanica, and
the culture of the genus, 575

Japan Litres in rors, 541

Japanese plants, new, 3

Jersey, fruit trees for, 637

Jerusalem Artichokes, 578 ™

Judges, their duty as to disqualify-
ing, 599

KALE, REPORT ON VARIETIES, 293,
314

Keighley Poultry Show, 500, 522

Kew Gardens—report on, 32: bed-
ding at, 486

Kitchen-garden, vegetables for south
of Scotland, 16: stock, moving in
Qctober, 343: cleaning a fallow,
362; fallowing, 725: seeds for, 795

Kitchen vegetables, seasons for sup-
ply of, 77, 97

Booyah, 64

LABELS, MARKING, 12

Laburnum trees splitting, 146

Leelia Schilleriana, 174

Lambton Castle, its garden and
scenery, 654

Lancashire botanists, distress among,
585, 607, 623, 650, 674, 702, 723,
745, 767, 791

Lapageria rosea—pruning, 108; eul-
ture, 685, 705

Larch after Scotch Fir, 795

Lastrea v. Lastreea, 173, 193

* Lathyrus magellanicus, 398

Laurel-hedge, 618; ornamenting a
bank beneath, 7; making, &c.,
671

Laurel leaves for destroying insects,
202

Laurels dying, 35

Laurustinus standurds, 146

Laurustinuses, in tubs, 618, hedge,
making, 671

Lawn—seeds for improving, 15:
mowers, 157, 158: on light soil,
grass seeds for, 362: neglected,
480

Leaves—of stove plants injured,
$22; colour of autumn, 418; their
uses, 553

Leeds Poultry Show, 322, 345, 751

Leeds and West Riding Show, 622,
640, 686

Leg-weukness in poultry, 501

Lemon trees, summer-pruning, 281

Leontice altaica, 398

Leptodactylon cuttings, 458

Leptostelma maxima, 397

ee culture, 279, 456: sowing,

Lettuces in winter, 487

Levéque’s Roses at Paris, 373

Lice on poultry, 563

Light in plants, 335

Ligurian bees, 187, 484: sting of,
36: irasecible, 167: inoffensive,
168: compared with common,
225: in 1862, B. W.’s, 324: in
Scotland, 364: for Australia, 523:
in Laneasbire, 543

Ligurian queen bee’s
207

Ligurianising an apiary, 58

Lilies, white, 382

Lilium — longifolium failing, 89:
auratum, 311, 495, 553 : giganteum
guleine 322; lancifolium in pots,

Liliums in pots, 618

Lily of the Valley—variegated, 51! ;
after transplanting, 612; as a
Christmas flower, 612; culture,
618; forcing, -658, 675, 686; in
Dots, 664

Lily, new Japanese, 495; of Japan,
Gold-banded, 678

Limatodes rosea, 143

Lime water, 35; for flowers, 519

Lindley, Dr., testimonial to, 693

Linnet’s claws, cutting, 366

Liquid manure, 202; of sheep's
dung, 108; for variegated plants,
127; injury from undiluted, 178;
ad to be clear, 224; how to use,

fecundity,

INDEX.

Liquid manures, 35, 685

Lisianthus Russellianus culture, 474

Lobelia—speciosa and gracilis, sow-
ing and managing, 27: speciosa,
saving seed of, 403: erinus cut-
tings, 498: speciosa, its defects,
528: double, 705

Lobelias, new, 439; wintering, 479 ;
speciosa, wintering, 479

Lonicera aureo-reticulata, 495

Luculia gratissima forcing, 232

Lusus nature, 56

Lychnis fulgens, 397

Lyeopodium clavatum, 519

Lythrum asia bee plant, 246

MANCHESTER AND LIVERPOOL PovL-
TRY SHow, 482

WN SIIB: Poultry Show, 520, 564,
582

Manchester Poultry and Dog Shew,
599

Magnolia acuminata, 200

Mangold Wurtzel leaves, 519

Mansonita, 84

Manure, weight of, 124; street, 413

Munures, liquid and solid, 721.

Marchantia conica, destroying, 198

Margottin’s Roses at Paris, 350

Marigold, seedling pot, 629

Marnock, Mr., testimonial to, 371

Martynia fragrans, intoxicating
effict of, 434

Maurandya in window, 618

Mauritius, Botanical Society at,
259

Mealy bug on Vines; 664

Medals, 480

Melianthus major, 398

Melon-pit, gas-heated, 65; culture,
261, 763; falling, 261; stems
splitting, 352

Melons, 4033; in an orchard-house,
178; with imperfect fruit, 303;
succession of, 3821: not setting,
848: cracking, 458; cracking at
the stalk, 480: judging, 628

Melton-Mowbray Poultry
522, 543

Mesembryanthemums as bedders,
67

Metrosideres tomentosum, 721

Mexico, fruits changed by ciimateof,
135

Mice, excluding from bulbs, 681

Middleton Poultry Show, 600

Mildew, 69; on Vines, 89:
Grapes, 303, 560

Milk-pzns, 732

Milla biflora, 488

Mint, variegated, 55, 189; propagat-
ing, 581

Mistletoe, 787: uses: of, 4; on the
Maple and Acacia, 240

Mole trap, 257

Molewarp, 241

Molgula tubulosa, 452

Mollusca, 416

Monarda amplexicaulis, 787

Monmouth Poultry Show, 583

Monocheetum tenellum, 553

Montrose, near Dublin, 133°

Morello Cherries a dessert fruit,
473

Morley Poultry Show, 521

Morphology, 458

Moss on glass, 382

Moths, mode of killing for speci-
mens, 286

Moulting and laying. hastening, 500

Moussonia elegans, 377

Mowing machines, 362;
398, 420

Mud, from pond, its use, 281; from
pond or cesspool,: 262

Mulberry tree fruitless, 534

Munida, Long-armed, 375

Musa vittata, discoveny of, 1938

Mushroom culture, 361 : beds, mak-
ing and managing, 497: spawn
raising, 518: beds, 539: house
management, 578: bed manage-
ae 597 : spawn, 616: forcing,

6

Mushrooms, 418: under a green-
house stage, 183 : decaying young,
726: in Russia, 785

Mussels, 515

Mutisia decurrens, 196

Myosotidium nobile culture, 190

Myosotis azorica, 183

Myrtle, to kill scale on, 403

Mysis Chameleon, 399

{ Mytilus edulis and modiolus, 516

Show,

on

Green’s,

NaGera ovata, 50

Narcissus aurantia flore pleno, 25

Nardoo, 105 ‘

Nasturtium, sowing common, 16

Nazareth, plant from, 573, 690

Nectarine—buds falling, 55: Dblos-
soms unfcrtile, 223: culture, 250,
676: trees failing, 251: training
and nailing, 310: pruning, 540

Nectavines—select, 370 : shrivelling,
580: potted in yinery, 632

Nemophila Elegant, 196

Neottia spiralis, 533

Nepenthes, culture of the genus, 695

Nepeta czesia as an edging, 711

Nephalaphyllum pulchrum, 378

Nerine—Fothergilii, 202: culture,
779; Larger Glittering, 791

Nettles in grass, 262

Neutral beds, 506

Newbury orchards, 701

Neweastle Poultry Show, 522, 512

Newmillerdam Poultry Show, 384

Nika edulis, 399

Niven’s horticultural buildings, 192

Nolana—lanceolata, 378: mauve-
coloured, 791

agape Poultry Show,
3

Notching fruit trees, 35, 70

Notes whilst resting, 390, 411, 431,
449, 472,490, 510; from Paris, 395

Nutley, 119

Nuttallia cerasiformis, 515

Nuts, storing, 579

Oak, Live, 598

Ouks, 363

Ochra, 90

Sone mee Lamarekiana, wintering,
49)

Gnotheras, white, 15

Oncidium and Odontoglossum Ins-
leayi, 343

Onion-grower, a large, 400

Onions—destroyed by fly, 223; mag-
gots in, 541

Ononis arvensis, white, 7

Ophelia corymbosa, 337

Ophioglossum vulgutum culture, 180

Ophiopogon spicatus, 678

Orange grove, to form, 142

Orange tree, forcing, 232: seedling,
312: culture, 76L

Orange trees, cutting down, 35:
from pips, 55: summer pruning,
281: peculiarity m, 410

Orchard-house—glass and tiffany
for, 44: range of temperature in,
96: trees, Watering in, 146; roof
leaky, 183: for Vines in pots,
292: trees at Burton-on-Trent,
434; fruitlate and deficient in
flavour, 531

** Orchard-house, Pearson on,’ 609

**Orehard-house, The,” 142

Orehard trees — failing, 477:
branches dying, 615

Orcharding on a large scale, 700

“Orchidaceous Plants, Select,” 314,
573

“ @rchid-grower’s Manual,” 611

ae sowing, 61; seedlings,

‘Orchids, Contrivances for Ferti-
lising,” 163

Orchids—producing seed, 46: au-
ae treatment, 470: sule of, 516,
5

Oreodaphne californica, 198

Ornamental but common plants,
712

Osiev-beds, 362

Osiers, varieties and culture of, 399;
cultivation of, 412; vurieties of,
413

Osmanthus ilicifolius, 4

Ourisia coccinea, 174, 495

Oxalis—speciosa producing bulbs
only, 80: elegans, 198

Oxford Mills Cottage Gardeners, 592

Oyster, 536

Pxzony, WHITE, 704

Palisota Barteri, 196

Panzetia Lessonii, 678

Panama hats 604

Pancratiun, new, $

Pansies, treatment of seedling, 562);
Princess Alice, Mrs. Moore, and
Leotard, 790

Pansy aureo-marginata, 174

Paris, gardening at, 395)

Parks in 1772, 342

Paronychia arabica, 690

Parrot eating its feathers, 385 losing
feathers, 148; eating feathers and
moulting, 150; moulting, 624

Parrots, food for, 406

Parenip grub, 281; The Student, 701

Parsnips in Guernsey, 490

Parthenogenesis in bees, 57

Pasture, breaking up for a market
garden, 432

Patella vulgata and pellucida, 559

Paudalus annulicornis, 399

Paulownia imperialis flowers, 174

Paxton’s, Sir J., garden, 328

Paxton’s glazed houses, 580

Pea, Strathmore Hero, 402

Peach, buds falling, 55; blossoms
falling, 90 ; leaves blistering, 108;
trees on glass-covered wall, 166 ;
leaves diseased, 166; trees dying,
173; leaves blighted, 223; blossom
unfertile, 223; culture, 250, 676 ;
trees failing, 251; culture, soil,
choice of plants, plonting and
pruning, 291; training and nail-
ing, 310; culture, protection, dis-
budding, thinning, watering, in-
sects, 355 ; pruning in pots, 362;
culture, winter treatment, dsi-
eases, 369; mildew, select sorts,
870; cultivation of, 429; tree
culture, 472; tree, branches
dying, 519 ; tree, repotting, 580 ;
house, trees too close in, 664;
trees, winter-pruning young, 748 ;
buds falling, 785; Violette Hative,
791

Peaches not setting, 183; doubdle-
flowered, fruiting, 458; potted,
in yinery, 632

Pearls, vegetable, 343

Pexar blossoms falling, 90; blossoms
unfruitful, 166; tree not bearing,
166 ; shoots blighted, 223; Sum-
mer Doyenné, 294; trees unfruit-
ful, leaves diseased, 302; tree at-
tacked by caterpillars, 344; Chau-
montel, 490; British Queen, 546;
tree scale, 562; trees, root-pruning
old, 587; unfruitful, 594; Easter
Beurré, 598; leaves diseased, 598 ;
for south-west wall, 598; Con-
seiller de la Cour, 635, 672; trees
from seed, system of M. Nelis, 63;
trees, vitality in, 714

Pears on standards and walls, 507 ;
cravked, keeping, 663; keepmg,
719; infested by scale, 726; for
late use, 726; keeping long, 795

Pees, late, 260 ; staking, 320; pre-
serving green for winter, 498 ;
with dark centres, 519

Pebble-paved walk, making, 784

Pecten niveus, maximus and oper-
cularis. 535; varius, 516

Pelargoniums, a plea for pyramidal,
28; management of pyramidal,
49; potting, 54; Celeste, Mrs.
Hoyle, and Princetta, 143; lists
of, 154; variegation in, 231i; over-
tall, 302; crossing, 402; potting
young, 727 S

Pencils, Wolff's solid ink, 299

Pens at Newcastle and Melton-
Mowbray, 583 ‘

Pentarhaphia cubensis, 337

Pentstemon cordifolius, 256

Pentstemons, propagating, 229

Perilla nankinensis planting, 166:
treatment of, 381

Petunia Ehza Mathieu, 52:

Petunias Rosa Belle-forme and
Flower of the Day, 378

Phenocoma prolifera culture, 766

Phaius ‘Tankervilles culture, 795

Phaleenopsis Lowil, 790

Pheasant and Silver
hybrid? 797 : :

Pheasants, keeping confined, 16;
Silver, laying, 17 tame, 6544 ;
Silver, 710

Phopnocoma neglected, 35

Philadelphus hirsutus, 495

Phlox, to strike cuttings, 352;
Drummondi culture, 581 ; culture,
685

Phloxes, Madame la Comtesse de
Bresson, Le Vésuve, and Eclair,
553

Physurus maculatus, 52

Picotee, characteristics and culture,
475 varieties, 48 “

Pigeon dropping her eggs, 123; So-
cieties of London, the’ Philoperis-

Pheasant,

teron, 708; the National Colum-
barian, 731 ; eggs, changing, 91

Pigeons, breeding Powters, 38;
rotten feathers in, 58.; canker in,
91; raising bythand, 185; at the
Bath and West of England Show,
242; inflamed lungs in, 323;
bine Owl, 482; Mr. Balt’s Powters,
687; Sparish, 710; consumption
in, 754.

Pig-keeping, 208 ; injured by salt,
753; notinjured by salt, 774; salt
does not injare, 797

Pine-Apple soil, 35; culture, 100;
stoves for, 108 ; successioa plants,
suckers and crowns, 121; water-
ing, Tepetting, renewmg heat,
122; propagation, 152; planting
in bed, 143; old stools, winter
cultare, 144 ; culture, insects, and
diseases, 193; Hurst House or
Fairrie’s Queen, 785

Pine Apples black in centre, 363 ;
exhibiting, 499; not swelling.
658 ; white scale on, 726°

Pinioning young Wild Ducks, 366

Pink, many-flowered, 196

Pinks, propagating, 229; Attraction
and Device, 553

Pinus Douglasii spar, 194

Pipes, leaking, stopping, 562; hot
water, angle for, 580; hot-water,
quantity needed, 706 :

Pitcher-plants and their propagation,

695
Pit, warming, 541; constructing,
580; heating, 581; for various

uses, 631; heating, 685

Pits—turf, 55: cheap and useful in
soil, 54; cold, neat, and cheap,
489 ; constructing small, 717, 745;
for propagating and forcing,

Plant and propagating case bijou,
123; cases, in-door, 124; case,
plants for, 617

Plantain in turf, to banish, 498

Plantation for shelter, 638

Pleione lagenaria, 217

Pleroma elegans culture, 653

Plum, Transparent Gage, 52 ; leaves
Giseased, 458 ; Mitchelson’s, 553 ;
tress, training and pruning, 748

Plums in pots, 420

Plunging material, 70

Pocklington Poultry Show, 459

Poinsettia pulcherrima forcing, 232

Polands, spangled, 38

Pond-mud for Conifers, &c., 770

Pontefract Poultry Show, 500

Pony-keeping. 112

Portsea Canary Show, 753

Posts, preparing the underground
part, 155

Potato culture in Lancashire, 592;
in Cornwall, 596; its leading va-
Tieties, 679 ; the Barbadoe=, 759

Potato2s, keeping, 71; earthing-up,
241, 261; storing, 302; early and
late planting, 698; comparative
metits of, 733; testing, 761; forc-
ing in pots, 769; and their quati-
ties, 783

Potentitia atrosanguinea, 397

Potentilla ochreata, 555

Pots, garden, how measured, 337

Potting, soil for, 362

Poultry, keeping profitably, 188,
776 ; and its produce, 242; from
Treland, 128; prices 1000 years
ago, 148; food, 303; farm, 403 ;
illnesses, 481; for small space,
542; origin of varieties, 543;
esoking. 562; mixing varieties
at a show, 553, 582; shows near
London, 563; killing and prepar-
ing, 582; treatment of killed,
598; mixing varieties in a class,
600, 639; keeping largely, 601 ;
exhibitions clashing,639 ; in frosty
weather, 636; profitable to the
farmer, 655; results of overfeed-
ing, 707; with diseased livers,
&e., 710; in the past year, 795

Prairie hens, 92

Prescot Poultry Show, 282, 303

Preserving plants in winter, 429

Prices in 1772, 341

Primula, sinensis, sowing, 70 ; fari-
nosa sowing, 477

Prince’s Feather, 518 ; culture, 89

Privet hedge miking, &¢., 671

se ropesatang house heating a small,
‘

Propagating structure in a green-
house, 658

INDEX,

Propagation of flowers in summer,
228

Prowse trees for picturesque effect,
54

Pteris argyrea, 90

Pullets, precocious, 1S

Pumpkins, 400

Putteridgebury Gardens, 491, 512
Putty-softening. 362

Pyrola media, 479

Quvatrs. CaLtFors14n, 150; HATCH-
Isc, 128; food for Cilifornian,5it

Queen in danger, 7+

Qaeen bee—delay in hatching, 365 ;
Mutilated by workers, 365; de-
struction of young, 366; super
annuated, 483; ean working bee be
transformed to ? 484; loss of, sub-
stituting a Ligurian, 501; bees’
treatment of, 502

Queltia aurantia, 35

Quercus sclerophylla, 179

Quick hedges, management of
young, 540

Quickset hedge, making, &c., 670

Razsir—SHow, BrrumeHam, 92;
keeping, 112; skins, preparation
of, 130; with swollen face, 366;
griped, 644

Rabbits—destroving, 55; skin of
Silver-grey, 187; feod for, 685

Railways and country horticultural
societies, 529

Rain, sunshine, and the watering-
pot, 233

Rike, revolving, 157

Ramterye. 90

Raspberries, planting, 697

Raspberry—culture, 391, 511; situa-
tion, soil, planting, pruning, and
training, 392; removing, 402;

mulching, thinning shoots, cutting |

down, winter treatment, propa-
gation, r se]
varieties, 409; Fastolff, failing,

aising new sorts, select |

458; Fastolff, 556; stakes, 598; |

planting, 743
Rats vc. Poultry, 72
Ravensworth Custle and cardens, 603
Reading Horticultural Show, 432
Red spider—in vinery, 241; and
sulphur, 2
pentine, 277; on stove plants,
296; on Vines, 362; to kill, 421
Retinospora obtusa and pisifera. 50
Rheumatism in gardeness, 638, 685
Rhinoceros shooting, 197
Rhodanthe maculata and atrosan-
guinea, 553
Rhododendron—Nuttalii, 82; arbo-
reum car. limbatum, 143 ; fulgens,
196; mount, 218; Dalhousie hy-
bridum, 293; Prince=sAlice, 673
Rhododendrons—grafting, 146; for

2; and vapour of tur- |

conservatory, 146 ; hardy. in pots, |

231; select hardy, 664 ; planting,
728; praning, 796

Rhopalas, to propagate, 439

Ribbon-border, 71; distance be-
tween, plants for, 90

Ribbon-borders, 35, 55

Ridge-and-furrow planting, 16

Ritchiea polypetala, 677

Rogiera ameena, 636

Roofing. waterpoof, 275

Roofs, measuring angles of, 781

Roman Candle plant, 747

Room plants, 280

Rookery, establishing a, 770

Root—pruning, 15; heat, in forcing,
142; blaster, 157; pruning young
trees, 553

“ Rosarium, Toe Amateurs’,” S6

© Rose Annual for 1861-62,”* 25

Rose Show, forthcoming, 9; Bir-
minghan, 30, 156

Rose—stocks, wild, treatment, 15;
Manetti, 23; cuttings, striking,
228, 421 ; mildew, blue vitriol for,
329; John Hopper, 262, 378; de
Meaux, culture for market, 573;
catalogues, 633; grafting by the
fireside. 672; culture, suburban,
697, 719, 750; list of Roses for,
719; pruning, 727; beds at Kew,
795

Roses—forcing. 26; Manetti and
stock, culture, 62; history of, 87;
not blooming, 91; in pots, 10S,
303, 704; lists of, 164; manuring,
156; at Royal Horticultural So-

ciety, 248; new, 249; mildewed,

262; at Birmingham and Crystal

Palace, 271, 272; not thriving,
281; classed aecording to colour,
289 ; retarding, 302; at Paris, 350,
373; at Reed Hall, 354; hints on
budding, 376 ; of 1862, 435 ; in au-
tumn, 567; for the seacoast, 538;
the first two years, 587 ; tree, 598;
yellow Banffshire, 593; pruning
until two years old, 606; for
standards, 617 ; Manetti, 618 ; cut-
ting-back, 633; of 1862-3, 692;
praning, 705; a hedge of, 781;
stock for, and cuttings, 795

Rouen ducks, points in, 484

Roup, fowls attacked by, 621

Roupy cock, 208

Rubus biflorus, 712

Rudbeckia pinnata, 397

SaccOLABIUM MINIATUM, 294

Saddle, Guernsey, 412

Salads, French, 533

Salt injarious to pigs, 697

Salvia gesnerzfiora, 63+

Sandwich, origin of term, 413

Sap, why is its greatest force ver-
tically ? 694

Sarracenia purpurea a new remedy
for small pox, 76

Sarmienta repens, 173, 378

Sawfly, ravages of Currant, 358

Saxe-Gothza conspicua, 237

Seabiosa cancasica, 397:

Scarecrows and crafty birds, 68

Sciadopitys verticillata, 50

Scilla Berthelotii, 52

Screens, of evergreens, 638 ; of trees,
638

Serophularia nodosa variegata, 71,
189, 395 ; aquatica variegata, 407

Sea-kale—culture, 54; forcing, 166,
578, 689, 724; use of flower-heads,
126; sprouts as a culinary yeget-
able, 158; sets, 260

Seashore, what to look for on, 234,
294, 334, 359, 375, 399, 416, 436,
452, 515, 535, 558; pebbles for
walks, 362

Season—in Cornwall and Herts, 118 ;
the present, of blossoms, 139; in
Cheshire, 331; at Ashton-under
Lyne, 333

Seaweed manuring in Guernsey,
449 ; uses of, 450, 532

Seeds, preserving from birds, 104

Self-coloured beds, 506

Septoclinum maculosum, 437

Serissa feetida variegata, 174

Sewage —use of, 127; well, 344

Shade on roller, 108

Sheep, Chinese, 93

Sheffield Poultry Show, 364, 383

Shelters, wall-fixers for, 44

Silene—compacta, 398; Schafta, 534

Silk fowls, 68S

Siphocampylos Orbignyanus, 474

** Silva Capensis,”’ 67S

Skimmia japonica unfruitful, 195

Slaters, 89

Slugs—and earwigs, 71; and their
remedy, 275

Snake Millipedes, 223

Spangles on Oak leaves, 382

Spaniels, breaking, 92

Spanish —fowls’ feathers diseased,
76; cock’s comb, supporting, 226;
fowi's eye, tumour on, 246; comb
black, 246; pullet’s comb, 2385;
hens dying suddenly, 346 ; hensas
layers, 464

Sparkenhoe Poultry Show, 459

Sparrow—its merits and demerits,
681; murder, 753

Sparrows are our friends, 29S

Spencer, Mr. J., 45

Spergula—pilifera, 137, 241; sagi-
noides, a plea for, 220

Spheerogyne latifolia, 174

Spimach—sowing, &c., 301; dying-
off, 789

Spiranthes autummalis, 533; mode
of fertilising, 163

Sprekelia formosissima, 488

Spring crops, manuring, 561

Squilla Desmarestii, 399

Stachys lanata culture, 480

Stamford Floral Féte, 312

Standard-, raising evergreen and
deciduous, 132

Standish’s Nurseries, 3, 5¢

Starch, chemistry of, 143

Starlings, 708

Statice Holfordi culture, 598

ix

Stenogaster multiflora, 174

Stephanotis floribunda nor bloom-
ing, 303, 747

Stock, Intermediate, forcing, 232

Stoke Newington Chrysanthemum
Show, 650

Stokesia cyanea, 685

Stove—-for greenhouse, 35; for small
greenhouse, 479

Strathfieldsaye, 556

Strawberry—spring culture, 107;
plants, saving from grubs, 198 ;
culture, 202; culture in pots, 343;
produce in, 343; forcing, 362,
725; planting, 704; in pots, 705

Strawberries—insects on, 14; plant-
ed out after forcing, 192; protect-
ing fruit, 222; affer forcing, 239 ;
in pots, 302 ; cross-breeds of, 672 5
cross-breeding, 721, 779; should
the fruit be held upright? 763

Streptanthera elegans, 488

Streptocarpus Rhesii culture, 748

Stylidiam mucronifoliam and saxi-
fragoides, 296

Species, culture and lists of,

65

Sulphur—in ‘hot-water troughs,
146; burning as a fumigation,
617, 61S; fumigation, 726

Sunbeams, digging in, 165

Super-posing hives, 37

Supers, size of for hives, 23

Swainsonia, mauve-coloured, 29+

Swallows, 708

Seana, Testlessness of artificial,

Swarming—artificial, 187, 77£; ex-
cessive, 235

Swarms—artificial, 130, 263; not
Working, 265; umiting, 323;
making artificial, 324

Sweet-briar hedge, 55

Sydserff, R., 75; on bees, 325

Symplocos japonica, 179

TABERNSMONTANA LONGIFLORA, 67

Tacsonia manicata flowers falling,
770

Tagetes tenuifolia, 71

Tan, heating a pit by, 90

Tank, plants for, 421; heating a
small greenhouse, 489; heating,
580

psmanian products, 358; timber,

a

Tate, Mr., again, 687

Taunton Poultry Show, 91, 246

Temperature of air, mean, 251

Temple Hill, 30, 46

Tenant removing trees, &c., 663

Tents at the Royal Hortcultural
Society, 155

Terraces, rustic, 160, 161; architec-
tural, 198; styles at different
periods, 356

Terrier, the Skye, 92

Thibaudia micrantha, 217

Thorne Pouliry Show

Thrips, destroying, 560

Throat disease in poultry and
Pheasants, 322

Thujopsis lete-virens, 174

Thunbergia coccinea culture, 727

Thyrsacanthus rutilans for dinner
tables, 693

Timber, causes of its decay, 339

Tithing or tolling bees, 226

Toads v. woodlice, 227

Tobacco fumigator, Stephens’, 336

Tobacco-root, 6£

Todea hymenoides, 281

Tomato culture, 239 ; management,
321

Tomtits destroy gall insects, 360

Transplanting, 540

“Travels in Peru and India,” 639

Tredegar Poultry Show, 771

Trees, plantation of, 382

Trellis, plants for covering, 16; for
house climbers, 795

Trichonema bulbocodium, 351

Tritileja uniflora, 89

Tritoma uvaria sowing, 91; culture,
108, 657 ; plants, 519

Tritonia aurea culture, 354

Tropeolum Smithii, 721;
phyllum culture, 726

Tropolums, propagating for bed-
ding, 105 ; in window, 61S

Tuberose culture, 183

Tulipa sylvestris, 7

Tuip, its characteristics, 140; cul-
ture and arrangement, 190; list
of, 191

penta-

x

Tulips after flowering, 146 ; for bed-
ding, 648

Turf-edgings, 145 ; what to do with
old, 241 ; for sloping bank, 480

Turkey culture in America, 109

Toe, raising, 323; weight of,

Turnip sowing, 239

VALIKILI FOWLS, 522

Vallota purpurea—in the open air,
84; soil, 166; forcing, 232; di-
viding, 617

Vancouver’s Island—botanical ex-
en to, 451; fruit trees in,

Vanda, culture of the genus, 613

Teeeouy effected by cultivation,

Variegation, progressive, 5; retain-
ing, 46; in plants, 196; causing,

ol

Vegetable, name of, required, 90

Veitch, arrival of Mr. J. Gould, 78

Veitch's Royal Exotic Nursery,
Chelsea, 138, 321

Ventilation of hives, 37

Ventilators, new arrangement of, 10

Verbena—cuttings, 224, 540; Lord
Leigh, 348

Verbenas, 71; wintered in a bed,
15; new, 43 5 list of, 449; thrips,
on, 480; new, 505; propagating,
&c., 561

Verdier’s Roses at Paris, 373

Veronicas, culture of, 726

Vertigo in fowls, 20

Viburnum suspensum, 712

Victoria, products of, 452

Vieusseuxia villosa, 488

Villa Panfili Doria, 199

Vinca minor, double, 7

Vine—injured by fire, 43; eaten by
mice, 45; the Yeddo, 51; leaves
curling, 55; leaves diseased, 70;
from Elysian Fields, 272; leaves
spotted, 88, 343; planting inside,
458 ; stems, air-roots on, 568; re-

INDEX.

potting, 580; borders, keeping
warm, 616 ; shoot, cutting a long,
685; borders, dressing, 705;
borders, slating, 741; roots,
bringing to the surface,719 stems,
scrubbing, 727 ; border, 770

Vinery—borders, 127; cleaning, &c.,
597; plants for acold, 663; Rev.
Mr. Bushby’s, 6735; early, not
productive, 705; management, 768

Vines—in pots, watering and stop-
ping,4; forcing, 5, 429; in hot
damp air, 15; watering during
stoning, 35; classing in vineries,
64; crop permissible, 65; and
Peaches in same house, 66;
syringing, 67 ; injured by fire, 90;
bearing and not bearing in the
same vinery, 106; bresking at
top only, 108; vigorous, 127;
planting late in vinery, 146; graft-
ing, 155 ; air-roots on stems, 156;
in a corridor entrance, 200; and
Vine-borders, 216; air-roots on,
220; in corridor, 220; luxuriant
but unfruitful, 241; leaves spot-
ted, 241; summer pruning. 254;
leaves rough beneath, 262; in
pots, 292, 402; arrangement in
house, 298; in South Australia,
295; leaves brown, 302; sweet-
scented, 302; very vigorous, 302;
oid untruitful, 303; on trellises,
312; bearing at top only, 343;
reglected, treatment, 363; plant-
ing, 480; in a greenhouse, 540;
treatment of old, 598; over-
cropped, 598 ; resting while main-
faining stove heat, 612 ; removing
young, 638; for forty-feet house,
617; grafting, 651; close prun-
ing, 659; in pots, bottom heat for,
672; in a plant-stove, 6735 in
pots in pinery, 693; unproductive,
696; on back wall of vinery, 705;
newly planted, 705; for vyinery,
705; management and budding,
720 ; in pots, 727, 746; over-luxu-
rant, 789

Viola—pyrolefolia, 595, 664; penn-

sylvanica and pyro!zefolia, 704
Violets, Russian and other, 35
Vraicing in Guernsey, 449

WAITZIA TENELLA, 553

Wakefield Poultry Show, 461, 563

Walks, management of, 747 ; their
kinds and construction, 783

Wall trees, protecting, 581

Walls, constructing and heating,
256; pointing old stone, 580;
plants for north and south, 712

Waltonian Case, described, 1; tem-
perature, 90

Warrington and Wardian Case, 594

Wasps, queen, 208; destroying, 478

Water Cresses, cultivating, 70

Watering, notes about, 233; plants
ee sunk frame, 672; in winter,
76'

Watsonia fulgida culture, 334; Me-
riana, 488

Wax-moths, 265

Weather, the, 31, 52; vicissitudes,
69; near London, 658

““ Weather Book, The,” 789

Weeds destroying, 560

Week, work for, 18, 88, 58, 69, 88,
106, 125, 144, 164, 181, 200, 222,
239, 260, 279, 801, 320, 360, 380,
401, 418, 438, 450, 478, 496, 517,
588, 560, 578, 596, 616, 637, 661,
688, 708, 728, 746, 767, 794 ; doings
of last, 14. 33, 53, 69, 88, 167, 126,
145, 165, 182, 201, 222, 239, 260,
979, 301, 320, 842, 861, 380, 401,
419, 488, 456, 478, 497, 517, 539,
560, 578, 597, 616, 637, 662, 683,
704, 724, 746, 768

Weigela rosea, propagating, 202

Wellingtonia seeds, 519

Wellingtonias dying young, 302

West Riding Naturalists’ Society,
496

Wild flowers, some of our rare, 331

Weymouth Pine, 726

Wheeler, Mr., testinionial to, 700

Wild fowl, confined, 36, 72

‘* Wild Flowers, Rambles in Searc!
of,”? 722 I

Williams’s Nursery, 99

Window-gardening, 389; in Ireland,
434; town, 471

Wine-making, 443

Wines of South Australia, 295

Winter, Cherry sowing, 71; greens,
ts ; Violet Grass, 697; covering,

5

Wintering plants in a frame, 331 ;
greenhouse for, 673

Wire-fence strainer, 157

Wire fencing, 71

Wistaria sinensis flowerless, 534

Wood, formation of, 348; pigeons
destroy Pilewort, 227

Woodbridge Poultry Show, 262

Woodlice, 795 ; in Cucumber-beds,
&c., 240; on peach walls, 480

Woodstock Poultry Show, 521

Wood’s Nursery, Maresfield, 567

Wool refuse, 59

Were man, what he can do,

Worms, expelling, 35; in pot soil,
55; destroying by Gishurst Com-
pound, 68; lime water, 70; in
Jawn, 541

Wortley and Armley Poultry Show,
564

XANTHOXYLON ALATUM, 712

Yameau, 84

Yates’ Nursery, 218

Yew-hedge,. renovating, 90; mak-
ing, 671

York Poultry Show, 730

Yucca recurva, knobs on, 198

ZINC LABELS, INK FOR, 26, 76; oxi-
dising, 241

Zine boxes for verandah plants, 519

Zoological garden, Hood’s verses on,

COLOURED PLANS.

PAGE PAGE
FLowEr GARDEN AT LINTON PARK ........0..ccceeeeeeees 227 FLOWER GARDEN AT CLIVEDEN .........0008 eoucnanootonston 336
\
WOODCUTS.
FAGE PAGE
Abies microsperma ........... erected 84 | Fitz-Roya patagonica ... Pruning Forest Trees... 554
Aphelexis spectabilis grandiflora 765 | Fléche Fowl.. Quercus sclerophylla 179
Almeidea rub 555 | Flower-border, Chain Raspberry Training. 392
Aloe picta . 574 | Fork for digging . Rockery Tank .. 141
Aquarium, Warrington 236 | Fuchsia venusta ... Rogiera ameena.. 656
Araucaria Cookii 237 | Furnace for Greenhouse 630 | Roofs, Angles of 781
Azalea Model..... 415 | Gapes, Worm causing 363 | Roze—Budding 376
Bee Bottle-feeder.. 87 | Gaultheria bracteata .. 786 » ‘Trellis... 782
Bejaria coarctata .. 277 | Geometrical Flower Garden . Saddle of Rushes . 412
Berberis aurahuacensis . 256 | Ham Wood Flower-beds Salvia gesnerzeflora.... 634
on Wallichiana .... 698 | Hemstead Park Flower Garden Saxe-Gothsea conspicua 237
Bijou Plant Case .. 123 | Hives—Woodbury Shelter Wall-fixer 44
Border Formation Tid al Upwards and Onwards’ Silene Schafta ....... 534
Bryanthus erectus .. 277 ; Pettit’s . Siphocampylos Orbignyanus.. 474
Bucket, Self-tilting .. 786 a Nielson's 688 | Staircase and Pelargoniums.. 29:
Callianassa subterranea ........ 875 50 Machine for Making. Stylidium saxifragoides and mucronifolium 296
Callistemon brachyandrum ... 535 cb Oettl’s SUN ial yee eecerccnereee pocconacnnoctqsseoonococsoangagc 495
Calochortus pallidus . 515 | Houdan Fowl o0 Symplocos japonica ... 179:
Campanula Vidalii .... 615 | Hypocyrta gracilis .. Taberngemontana longiflora . 67
Cantua buxifolia 657 | Ilex cornuta ... Tank for Water Plants
Carnation and Picotee Models .. 48 | Ixora laxiflora Terraces and Pelargoniums.. 49
Cissus discolo= ....... ily », Griffithi and javanica. >» Rustic
Clerodendron fallax 514 » Salicifolia >, Villa Panfili Doria
Clipped Trees, decorative 454 | Juniperus excelsa ......, >, inthe ldtheentury .
Comb Foundations, Nachtmann's . 798 | Lisianthus Russellianus.. 5, at Heidelberg ..........
Combs, attaching.. .. 149 | Metrosideros tomentosum. >, Casino Sachetti
>, avtificial .... Mole Trap Tether for Cows
Conservatories Monarda amplesicaulis . 787 | Thibaudia macrantha .. 2
Cranston’s Glass Houses ... 6 | Moussonia elegans 377 | Tropewolum Smithii... 72
Créve Coeur Fowl... Niven’s Glass Houses, 102 | Tulip Model .... 140
Cuphea cinnabarina, Nutley Terrace 119 | Vallikili Fowl . 522
sn verticillata . 656 | Nuttallia cerasiformis. 515 | Vanda suavis.... 614
Cycas revoluta .... 297 | Ophelia corymbosa... 337 | Vases for Flowers . 395, 397
Cyclamen leaves .... 40 | Orchard-house Roof . 610 | Ventilators.... 10
Drawing-room Flower-baskets . 153 | Oxalis elegans . 198 | Vine Border . 216
Dictyanthus campanulatus ..... 414 | Peach Training... 676 » Trellis . 312
Dutch Garden and Greenhouse . 276 | Pear, Conseiller de la Cour 635 5, Budding . 720
East Sutton Place Flower-bed. 393 | Pentaraphia cubensis........... 337 | Vines resting... 612
Egg, sex in.. 204 | Pentstemon cordifolius ..,. 256 | Viola pyro)efoli 595
Epidendrum replicatum 435 | Plant Case, Warrington. 594 | Wall, Flue-heated 237
x funiferum 585 } Pleione lagenaria 217 | Waltonian Case. 2
Eriostemon intermedium 742 { Pleroma elegans 655 | Water Reservoir in Greenhou: 693
LATGIEL TROTNG | cognosdnadn eorpockada cco ooecCoo icconden 122 | Potentilla ochreatw .........cce.cecscererceoesnseee 555 | Yate’s Nursery 219

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January 13, 1863. ]

base with red, and the wings and keel marked with the same
colour. Flowers from May to September. NewHolland. In-
troduced in 1803.

B. rhombifolia.—A small-spreading shrub, with the branches
terete, and the branchlets compressed, bearing rhomboidal-
orbicular leaves, somewhat emarginate and mucronate. The
flowers are yellow: the standard with a zonate red mark at
the base, the base of the wings red, and the keel brownish-

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

31

purple. Flowers from April to June.
duced in 1822.

B. tenuicaulis—A pretty twiggy shrub, with round, slender,
straggling branches, and sub-sessile ovate-subacute mucronulate
leaves. The flowers are yellow; the standard marked with a
zonate blotch of red at the base, the wings streaked with red,
the keel dark red. Flowers in April and May. Van Dieman’s
Land. Introduced in 1836.—( Gardener's’ Mag. of Botany.)

New Holland. Intro-

GAS-HEATED BOILER.

HAVING seen many inquiries made about which is the best
way of heating small greenhouses, I send you a sketch of my
small patent gas boiler. It is formed of seven tubes, with a
ring of jets of gas beneath. ‘There are seven small burners, one
fixed exactly under the centre of each tube. ‘I'he boiler is made |
of copper, and is 12 inches high by 9 inches in diameter; and

the water space is between the tubes upon the same principle as
the locomotive engines.
case just the shape of the boiler, made to fix on the top and
extending down the side nearly to the bottom. This case con-
fines the heat to the outside of the boiler, and to prevent the
cold air getting between this casing and the boiler a flange is fixed.

The whole is enclosed in a sheet-iron

In the above drawing, A A are two cast-iron boxes about
9 inches long, and of just sufficient width and depth to admit |
of an inch-bore pipe being screwed into them. The top one, of
course, forms the flow and the bottom one the return. B is
another box which answers for the return; Cis asmall air-tube; |
D the supply-cistern, which may be placed wherever most con- |
venient so long as it is above the highest point of the pipes, |
whieh should be the box B; and Eis where I generally put in
the supply-pipe, which need not be more than three-eighths of an |
inch thick.
You will observe from the sketch I have four flows and four |
returns, the surface of which is a little more than two rows of
four-inch-bore pipes; for the circumference of a four-inch-bore |
pipe is about 144 inches, while that of four one-inch bore pipes |
1s better than 16 inches. Sometimes I put only three rows, and |
sometimes only two, just according to the size of the house.
F is a slide for lighting the gas, which can be opened and shut
atpleasure. Thereisa tap for drawing the water off at any time.
H is a two-inch sheet-iron tube for carrying-off the burnt gas.
This boiler may stand in the greenhouse and the flue-pipe be
taken through the roof, or, what is better, if practicable, put into
a chimney-shaft. This boiler contains about three quarts of water.

If you refer to your No. 90, at page 738, you will find an
inquiry and a remark made that two three-inch pipes should be
used; and as regards heating surface no doubt the remark is
quite right; but, as a practical engineer, I must beg to say that
neither two nor three-inch pipes ought to be used for gas, if
economy is to be considered. Supposing, for example, the cir-
cumference of a three-inch pipe is 9 inches, 1 foot in length
would contain 84.82 cubic inches of water. Now, if we use
three one-inch pipes instead of one three-inch pipe, we obtain the
same heating surface, and have only 28.27 cubic inches of water
to heat: consequently a great saving in gas is effected. I use
to my gas boilers one-inch-bore wrought-iron pipes. Sometimes
I put as many as four flows and four returns, just according to
the size of the house.

I can guarantee my small gas boiler to keep the frost out of
a greenhouse 20 feet long by 15 feet wide for something like
8s. 6d. to 4s. pec week. I have several fixed in Liverpool, and
some in Scotland ; some have been at work ever since this time
last year, and have been also fixed in the house without any
injurious effects whatever. In short, that is impossible, as alk
the burnt gas is carried off—T. C, CuarKn, Eagle Foundry,
Liverpool.

AMERICAN ICE-HOUSES.

Icr can be kept in large quantities during the whole summer
season in houses built entirely aboveground; but where it is
desired to have a preserving-chamber, and to insure a sufli-
ciently low degree of temperature to attain good results, it is
indispensably necessary that the earth should be banked-up to
the height of several feet against the outside of the building. In
constructing my ice-house, I took the advantage of a convenient
and descending spot, sunk a pit 15 feet by 18, and from 4.to 5 feet
deep ; walled it up to the height of 9 feet, banked the earth up
to the top of the wall all around, except a space for the door-
way; upon the wall I put a frame 6 feet high, which gives a
height inside from the bottom to the comb of the roof of over 20
feet. I put heavy sills in the bottom, except in a space 4 feet
square for the preserving-chamber. Upon the sills I put a floor
of two-inch oak plank, and on the top of this a floor of one-inch

pine jointed closely. he floor has a descent of 2 inches

towards the preserving-chamber, and it conducts the waste
water from the ice to this chamber. I put it in an inside frame,
and lined it inside; this left a space of 6 inches between the
lining and the wall to fill with sawdust, and the partition
between the ice and preserving-chamber is also double, and
filled-in with sawdust well packed.

To complete the preserving-chamber, I first put in clean sand
to the depth of 4 inches, then paved it with medium-burned
bricks, they being preferable to hard, on account of their
capacity to absorb and retain a large amount of water. Pains
were taken to have the floor exactly level in one direction, and
also very tight, so that all the waste water from the ice shall be
conducted to and distributed regularly upon the bricks. This
keeps them eo constantly cold as to preserve milk during the
hottest season for from thirty-three to thirty-six hours perfectly
sweet, and keeps butter very hard. One valuable feature belong-

32 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

ing to this mode of preserving, milk and butter is, that during

“the warmest weather of summer season, when cold, sweet milk,

and butter of a degree of solidity equal to that of the winter

‘ season, are appreciated as two of our greatest luxuries, we can

have them so, from fhe simple fact that at that particular time
the supply of cold ice water is greatest.

Butter made and kept in this way does not, become so soon
soft after being brought to the table, as that which has been kept
in a spring of water, nor do thunderstorms appear to hasten the
development of lactic acid. We have noticed no perceptible
difference in the length of time which the milk has remained
sweet, in regard to clear or stormy weather. I have observed at
different times, by placing the thermometer within a foot of
the bricks in the preserying-chamber, that the temperature was
about 54°, while it was 95° in the shade outside. ‘The sand
underneath the bricks subserves an important purpose, by re-
taining the water, and supplying it to the bricks by capillary
attraction at such time as there is not a great supply coming

_from the ice,

The space above the preserving-chamber should be open and
unobstructed to the roof, and over the ice there should be good
ventilation to the roof, to carry -off all the vapour which may
arise from the milk.

An ice-house constructed in this manner is one of the best
investments for a farmer, for besides securing the luxury of
preserving milk and butter cool, vegetables of different kinds
may be preserved fresh until succeeding crop grows. I kept
one year’s Beets good tillithe following summer ; also Cabbages.
These latter I laid upon the ice, which imparted to them a
crispy sweetness, perfectly delightful in the very warm weather
of June. Vegetables may also be preserved in this manner by
farmers, so as to bring them fresh to the market in early summer.
—(Canadian Agriculturist.)

PRESERVING ICE IN AN ICE-HOUSE.

THE ventilation adopted by “AN HIEVEN-YEARS SUBSCRIBER” I
think was not so much at faultas the quantity of ice put together.
Twenty loads of ice, when pounded, would not make a larger
bulk than ten loads or tons\of Potatoes. ‘Probably no ice-house
an the three kingdoms could keep twenty loads of ice longer
than he states. Hifty loads of ice are aboutithe smallest bulk
which most gardeners would like to trust ‘to for a season’s
supply; but just double that quantity, or very near it, is the
more usual amount, and I have put 160 loads in one heap
in the open air, and found it not too much for a daily run
on it from the beginuing of July till ice:cameiagain. It strikes
me a “return” of the quantities of ice stored bya dozen or
two of our leading gardeners, who have to keep up a large
supply, would be an excellent guide fora right understanding
of this question. About fifty loads are theismallest quantity I
ever saw put together. I often puti from seventy to eighty loads
together, sometimes 100, and.on ‘severed occasions 150 loads,—
D, Beaton.

BOILERS FOR GARDEN STRUCTURES.

HAVING observed in one of-your Numbers of December last a
few remarks from Mr. Legg, of Tranmore, relative to’the merits
of Clarke’s new patent boiler as compared with those of the old
saddle-back boilers, allow me to offer some observations in
corroboration of Mr. Legg’s statements, as I haye had con-
siderable experience in the management of saddle and similar
boilers for some years, and latterly of Clarke’s new patent.
ike Mr. Legg, I too opine that those who are in favour of
saddle or similar boilers are not aware of the merits of Olarke’s,
one of which has been under my care for more than twelve
months past, and I have found it exceed my most sanguine
expectations.

About fifteen months ago my employer wished to have erected a
new vinery, and, at my suggestion, onthe rafter principle, 50 feet
long by 15 feet 6 inches wide, to be divided into two houses—in
eonnection with an old but still good metallic vinery and suc-
cession Pine-house combined, 43 feet by 17, which was heated by
one of Thomson’s retort boilers. This was considered incapable
of heating effectually the three houses collectively : consequently
‘it had to beremoved for one of greater power. As I was per-
mitted to:select any kind of boiler that would meet the \require-

- ments, owing to the apparently superior :construction of Clarke's

’

[ January'13, 1863.

new patent, I at ‘once applied to Mr. Clarke, of ihiverpool, to
furnish us with one of his smallest-sized boilers, with piping,
taps, &c. I now find it takes less fuel to heat the whole range
than what the ‘retort boiler took to heat ‘the whole vinery, and
with fully one-third less attention, which latter I attribute chiefly
to the efficiency of a very ingeniously-contr:ved deflecting fine-
plate or hollow top, in thoroughly concentrating theheat. It is
truly, as Mr, Legg observes, a capital amateur’s boiler, and, T
may add, also for where extensive ranges of glass are required to
be heated on the one-boiler system, as, in addition to the above
merits, a duplicate would not be required to assist it; and it
possesses strength of material, great power, and rapid heating
capabilities.

In conclusion, allow me to add that I hope shortly to prove
its further capabilites in heating an early Peach-house, ‘36 ‘by
15 feet, by the same boiler.—W.'Ganpiner, Hatington Park,
Stratford-on-Avon.

COVERING HOT-WATER PIPES.

You will oblige me much by advice how best to obtain bottom
heat in a pit lately completed, having one four-inch flow-pipe
above in front, and four four-inch return-pipes side by side
‘below, like a table or counter, 3 feet from the glass.

I put a foot .of cocoa-nut refuse over the return-pipes, yet
though they are so hot that I can hardly bear my hand on them
below, the refuse above them is as cold nearly as the garden
border.

Would tan bark above the return-pipes, a foot thick, allow
the heat to reach pots plunged in it properly >—J. M.

[You could scarcely haye a worse conductor of heat than the
refuse tan would be. For cleanliness we prefer small stones for
a foot, and sand to plunge in; but coal ashes do admirably. In
such cases we generally use stones, and then surface with any-
thing most convenient. We have just half the number of pipes
for giving bottom heat to a Melon-pit, and the earth generally
becomes warm above the stones in a couple of days, and retains
the heat then. ]

DUNG FERMENTING ON A VINE-BORDER.

I HAVE covered a Vine-border with fresh stable-litter laid on
at various times during the last two months, and find that since
the last layer was put on the whole of the covering has fermented
yery much,-and is now hot. At the same time a stake, pushed
through it into the earth of the border, is not much warmer
than the air at the lower portion of the stake. Can you tell me
if the heat being so considerable at the top is likely ‘to injure the
roots of the Vines? The border is well drained, and has an
open trench in front. I am about to commence heating the
inside of the house—A RmapzEr.

[You must judge for yourself, according to the depth of the
roots. It is aswell that the soil should not be warmer than from
40° tio. 80° where the roots are. If the roots, however, are a foot
from the surface they will take no harm, though the heat on the
surface of the soil should be as muchas 85° or 90°. If the course
js ‘persevered in you must be more careful of the extra heat every
year, as the roots will get nearer the surface, If you find the
heat is too much where the roots are, reduce the covering. The
bottom of a long trial-stick is no guide; regulate your proceed-
ings by the heat indicated by a thermometer where you expect
the most of the roots to be. Many Vines have had their roots
burned when a strong heat was applied, and the roots were near
the surface. |

GISHURST COMPOUND.

THE paragraph at page 14 of your last Number of the Journal,
speaking of Gishurst compound, makes me-yenture to send you
the enclosed extract from a Melbourne newspaper received only
the day before yesterday. The writer, an influential amateur
horticulturist, was unknown to me until hewrote'me the results
of dressing with Gishurst on his and his neighbours’ Orange,and
Apple trees. ‘The zeal and enthusiasm of the inventor” has
never gone 80 far.as Mr. Carson, who, speakingyas he found, and
unconnected with Gishurst. except’ as a purchaser and user, ‘has
for nearly three years constantly held up the virtues of Gishurst.
I believe it is aymedical rule that medicine is best studied where

January 13, 1863. ]

the disease is most virulent. Mr, Carson’s account of the
Australian blights, unchecked as they are by winter, makes our
English ones appear insignificant.

From haying been some twenty years among chemical experi-
ments, I haye had some practice in watching results; and yet
must confess that the Gishurst action sometimes fairly puzzles
me. That it does more than soap, and sulphur, and tobacco,
and any combination of all or any of them, I have heard and
seen too much to doubt ; but to obtain the full action on trees at
rest strong solutions must be used, and then some care must be
used not to injure the buds.

For several years pasf I have made it a point of honour to
dress all my own trees with either a stronger or more thorough
Gishurst washing than I recommended, and I never gaye them
any after-waterwashing, so that any injurious action might be
at once perceived.

Early last month I very thoroughly drenched my trees with a
solution, eight ounces to the gallon, laid on by means of a large
painter's brush. One portion of the trees had the solution, fresh
from the box, used directly it was dissolved; another portion
had it dissolred forty-eight hours before, as recommended.
Yesterday, on carefully going over the trees, I found that
Apples, Nectarines, Cherries, Peaches, Apricots, are all crowded
with their fast-swelling perfectly-healthy buds and the Plums
quite untouched; but some of the Pear-buds are browned and
will fall. Now the trees seemed all at rest when the’ solution
was applied. Some of the Pear trees have not a bud injured,
others a few buds, others a large proportion. Last year—and I
doubt not a similar, result will obtain this—increased vigour in
the buds left made the trees bear as much fruit as was good for
them to carry; but the result of this second year’s experience
would lead me in future to recommend not more than six-ounce
applications (unless followed by a waterwashing) to Pear trees,
even when at rest.—GrorGE WILSON.

Extract from « paper read in the Atheneum, Kew, by
Mr. Carson.

“But, fortunately for those now about to plant, about three
years since Mr. G. Wilson, of Belmont, having a desire to free
his sister’s Roses from the aphis, discovered a most effectual
remedy that is now sent out under the name of Gishurst com-
pound, at a cheap rate, by the company that he is connected
with, and can be so prepared and applied as to meet every case
of attack from any of the insect tribe, and with not the slightest
injury to the trees. The benefit this invention has been to the
gardening world may be conceived when I state that the year it
came out I had made up my mind to root-up all the Orange
trees and put them in the fire, for all our spare time did not
suffice to keep them clean.

“At this tune Twas burning my blighted Apple trees, and
lately I have been told by several gardeners that they had con-
demned their Apples when they learned from me of this cure.
But for this the axe, they said, would have settled blight and
trees together.’— (The Yeoman and Australian Acclimatiser
27th Sept., 1862.)

WORK FOR THE WEEE.

KITCHEN GARDEN.

WHERE a systematic rotation of crops is carried out it is an
excellent plan to trench all the kitchen garden successively in
the course cf every three years, the trenching to be performed
each year to be on the ground intended for tap-rooted plants—
such as Carrots, Parsnips, &c.; also in laying-down new planta-
tions of Strawberries, Raspberries, bush fruit, &c., if the sub-
soil is stiff and sour it should be left at the bottom, and a good
coat of cinder ashes worked in amongst it, which would serve to
facilitate the passage of water and the admission of the atmo-
sphere. Beans, Broad, sow some Longpods to succeed the crop
sown in November. Carrots, sow Early Horn on a sloping
bank thoroughly prepared for the purpose. Peas, sow a good
breadth of any of the early sorts to succeed the November
sowing. Potatoes, Ashleayed Kidney and Early Manly may be
planted on a warm border; sets of these may likewise be pleted
in small pots for the purpose of being forwarded for pianting-
out in the open ground.

FLOWER GARDEN.
As the weather is mild the planting of trees and shrubs may
be proceeded with, as may also the pruning where pruning is

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTLAGE GARDENER.

33

necessary. This is a good time to lay new turf, or repair turf
edgings. See that all half-hardy plants are secured against
severe weather. Regulate herbaceous plants, reduce Phloxes,
&e., where they require it, and replant them after well digging
the ground; take care not to plant too thickly, and leave room
for more tender plants in summer.

FRUIT GARDEN.

Tf Vines on walls have not been already pruned the operation
should be no longer delayed. Protect Figs, if not already done.
The method generally adopted is to unnail the trees, tie them
in bundles together, wind some straw ropes around, and cover
them with mats. Regulate the heads of Filbert trees, and
remove suckers.

STOVE.

This is a good time to prune and regulate the heads of the
specimen plants. Many—such as Justicias, Poinsettias, Aphe-
landras, &c.—had better be cut down altogether, and kept dry
for a few weeks; if the stock of Euphorbia jacquinicflora is large
cut down some of them also, which will enable them to make
an early growth, and, consequently, come into flower earlier
next winter. Look at the Gloxinias and Gesneras on the dry
shelves, and set a few roots of each into growth to produce &
succession of flowers.

GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY.

The conservatory should present a gay appearance now if the
forcing-pit has been well supplied. Examine daily every flower-
ing plant, remove every decaying flower as it appears, and
see that the foliage of Camellias, Khododendrons, Oranges, and
similar plants is perfectly clean. The contrast produced by
the fine, clean, large leaves with the numerous blossoms at this
season especially gives increased interest to the houses, and
renders them doubly capable of yielding enjoyment. Keep the-
Pelargoniums in the greenhouse in a quiescent state, give as
little water as possible—in fact, none, unless the plants show a
disposition to flag in the leaf. Abundance of air is requisite,
avoiding, however, cold currents, which are very liable to spot
the leaf when in a tender state through close confinement. Keep
Cinerarias, Heliotropes, Calceolarias, and all softwooded plants
in the lightest part of the house and as near the glass as
possible ; Correas, Epacrises, Heaths to be placed on a bench
by themselves in the most airy part. This is a good time for
collecting the droppings of deer, sheep, and stall-fed oxen ;
these and such like manures'as can be procured should always
be had in store.

FORCING-PIT.

Tke principal point to attend to here is to keep the tempera-
ture, with # moderate supply of moisture at 60” at night. Let
the maximum be 65°; and to keep up the supply of such plants.
as can be forced successfully, and be made available in the con-
servatory either for decoration or perfume, bring in Persian and
common Lilacs, Azaleas, both the hardy and Chinese sorts,
Lily of the Valley, Hyacinths and other bulbs, Acacia armata,
Epacris, hardy and Nepal Rhododendrons, Daphnes, Deutzias
and the early sorts of Pelargoniums, Roses, &c.

PITS AND FRAMES.

Examine your stock, and such plants as you are short of
should now be placed in a gentle heat for the purpose of exciting
their growth for cuttings—Verbenas, Petunias, Salvias, Helio-
tropes, Ageratums, Pelargoniums of sorts, and all other such
plants for filling beds and borders in summer. Prepare soil for
potting-off store pots. Auriculas require great attention just

| now. Care must be taken to remove decayed leaves, the surface-

soil to be kept stirred, and the plants allowed all the air possible,
bearing in mind that drip or too much moisture at this seaso2
is their destruction. Polyanthuses to have all trusses of flowez:
removed, if good blooms are to be expected at the proper season.
Tulips are peeping up, and will require to be covered on frosty
nights with mats or hoops placed across the bed. Carnations
to have all the air possible; if they are well established and of
a fine glaucous hue they require but little attention in compa-
rison with those that have been potted late; bricks to be put at
each corner of the frame, raising the woodwork at least 4 inches.
from the ground to secure good ventilation. Ranunculus-beds-
to have a dressing of old cowdung and old leaves slightly
forked-in preparatory to planting in February. Examine Pink-
beds, and where the pipings have been raised by worms they
must be carefully fastened. W. KEane,

|

34 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

DOINGS OF THE LAST WEEK.
KITCHEN GARDEN.

ATTENDED to yegetables as mentioned last week. Took up
more Sea-kale and Rhubarb. Gave all the air possible to Radishes,
Lettuces, and Asparagus under glass, the two-light frame of the
latter still furnishing excellent cutting. See the mode of packing
ina previous Number. “ Hecror” says he has very little from a
two-light box ; but, no wonder—he had placedhis old lump of
roots as thinly as he would put Cauliflower plants in a quarter.
According to his own account a quarter of a light would have
held all his roots and not been much crowded. Where is nothing
gained by thinness in such a case, as the roots are of no more
use after being forced, and, therefore, the less room they occupy,
provided the buds have free opportunity to lengthen, the better.
It is this fact of the uselessness of the od roots after forcing that
makes Asparagus so costly in winter. The great advantage is,
that the soil from whence the Asparagus is taken is fit to grow
anything else afterwards. To obtain Asparagus in November and
on to the 1st of January, all things considered, I question if there
is any mode more economical than taking up part of an old bed
and packing the roots closely overa bed of dungand leaves. But
circumstances must alter treatment. For mstance: here is a
“‘LovER OF ASPARAGUS,” who writes to say, “I have little
ground for kitchen-garden purposes. I am anxious to have
Asparagus after Christmas—say about the 10th of January, but
if I sueceed I must have the plants to bear continuously, and
though I have sufficient litter to give enough of heat, I must
have that litter concealed. I could use at that time five sashes
5 feet long and 4 feet wide, and I have wooden covers to match
the sashes. What had I better do?” The best plan for you
would be to have Asparsgus-pits, either raised above the ground
or mostly sunk beneath it, ifthere is no danger of water lodging.
Suppose the last to be the case, I would fix on a suitable place
and mark out two pits 21 feet in length and 8 feet in breadth,
with a six-feet space between them. ‘hese ecight-feet widths I
would excavate to the depth of 24 feet. The outsides I would
slope a little from top to bottom, and keep all tight with brick
on bed, leaving a little more than 18 inches for lining. The
centre space would be a brick pit, the wall pigeon-holed until
you came near the level of the ground. The front wall might
‘be a couple of courses above that level, and the back wall four
courses or five, which would give a slope when the sashes were
put on. Now, inside of that pit I would fill-in 15 inches of
any rough boulders or clinkers, to secure effective drainage, and
also admit the heat freely from the linings. On the top of this
Zi would have 15 inches of good loamy soil two parts, and the
other parts of equal proportions of drift sand and sweet leaf
mould. On that I would plant two-year or three-year-old plants
yather thickly, and as soon in the spring, and not before, as the
plants had grown a couple of inches in length. These should
be watered and shaded a little at first, and top-dressed with rich
manure surfacings and manure waterings several times during
the summer. A little hot dung in the linings until midsummer
will cause them to come strong the first year and ripen early,
and will thus produce a gathering the next season, though it
would be as well to wait until the following year. I am sup-
posing that both pits are treated exactly alike. Iam also sup-
posing that fillets are placed on each side of the lining, or that
14 inch of brick has been left out all the way along to receive
eee covers, about 6 feet long, which will thus conceal all the

ung.

Well, the first season it is designed to force the Asparagus the
heads should be cut down as soon as the foliage becomes yellow,
the bed be cleaned, forked-over a little, some fresh mulching
with a little galt added, and then covered-up with either the
sashes or wooden covers to keep drenching rains from the bed.
About the middle of November fill the linings half up with hot
dung and leaves, and cover with the boards, and in a few days
water the beds with manure water at about 100°. In a fortnight
fill up the linings. As soon as the Asparagus is a couple of
inches in length endeayour to use the glass sashes to secure
greenness. By this time the second bed may be slowly excited,
and the wooden covers would do for that until the glass could
be spared from the first bed. By using these beds as the first
alternately, and giving rich manuring during the summer, these
beds would continue bearing a great number of years, and, if
anything, be yearly becoming better. Much would depend on
the free growth in summer and the early ripening of the shoots
an autumn. Ihave often resorted to a medium mode between

{ January 13, 1863.

such established pits and taking up the plants, by having some
beds well raised in the open garden, with alleys 18 inches
deep between them, filling these alleys with fermenting dung
and then covering that with straw, and either laying loose sashes
across the beds or setting hand-glasses on them. I have also
obtained a gathering a fortnight before the usual time, by setting
four-inch flower-pots thickly over the beds as soon as the shoots
began to peep above the surface, with a tile over the hole of the
pot. In sunny weather the heat inside the pit caused rapid
growth. In a frosty night some litter sprinkled all over kept
the shoots all right.

For some years I found blanched Swedish Turnip-tops rather
liked in the winter months, but my man says they seem not to
be much cooked now. In severe winters, however, they would
be very useful in many circumstances. We can have as many
as we like by merely sticking the tubers in a little moist earth
or litter in the Mushroom-house. Any place averaging from
50° to 60° of temperature would produce them in great quantity.
No doubt they would be good green, grown in light; but I
think they are richer when yellow from haying been grown
in the dark. The head should not be above 6 or 7 inches in
length before it is cut; and if not longer, the Turnip is not
much injured for cattle.

Potatoes, started in small 60-pots, have been transferred, three
plants to a 12 or 15-inch pot, and two to a nine-inch pot. The
pots were drained, half filled with light loamy soil containing
a good portion of leaf mould, and the plants, each with one
stem, placed close to the sides and the pots filled-up to within
1 inch of the top, pressing the rather dry soil firmly about
the plants. If left loose these will grow as well if not more
freely, but they will not tuber so well.

FRUIT GABDEN.

Proceeded with nailing and pruning as the weather would
permit. Looked after insects which have not quite left the
Peach trees in pots. Removed all traces of decay or shrivel
from branches of late Grapes, keeping the house empty and dry,
and a fire every damp day. Rather more than half of the house
being cleared, contemplate pruning and clearing that portion,
keeping a cloth between it and where the fruit is, and then cram
it as well as every other place with plants. Placed some Straw-
berries in vinery from a frame where they stood for several weeks,
on a hotbed, not plunged in it. Put a few more leaves in the
frame to bring the bed nearer the glass, and filled that again with
Strawberry plants, standing on the surface so as to be coming
on for the Peach-house, which now, with the exception of 1 foot
of path, is crammed above and below with bedding plants, but
these will be removed as soon as the buds swell, All the air
possible is given, unless on frosty nights, as we do not want the
crop so early this season. No black fly or beetle have appeared
since the smoking, washing, and painting of the shoots. When
painting the shoots is resorted to, be it Gishurst, some com-
bination of sulphur and clay, or even clay and soot alone, I
think it important that this should be done as long as possible
before the buds break. Washing just as they are swelling fast,
can be of little use for keeping insects and their eggs shut up
from the air.

Put in a fortnight ago a number of Vine-cuttings in a mild
hotbed, and moved them to a warmer bed to encourage quicker
growth. There are many ways of treating these cuttings or buds.
Perhaps the oldest is as good as any. ‘Take a shoot, or shoots,
of the Vine to be thus propagated ; cut it into as many pieces as
there are good buds, leaving about a space of 1 inch on each
side of the bud, thus making the cuttings 2imches long. ‘The
two ends may as well be cut clean across. ‘his is all that is
really necessary in making the cutting of well-ripened wood ;
but, in addition to this, I generally slip off a thin shaying on
the side of the cutting opposite to the bud, so that more liber
and alburnum are exposed, Then, taking a number of six-inch
pots well drained, and filled to within 1 inch of the top with
sandy loam neither wet nor dry and pressed pretty firm, the
cuttings are placed somewhat thickly with the shaved part next
the soil, pressed rather firmly, and, with the buds thus uppermost,
I cover them with half an inch of sandy soil. If the pot is plunged
in a hotbed and covered over with a saucer, there will be no
necessity for watering until the buds are appearing. When
great nicety is necessary, as when itis required to fruit the Vines
from these cuttings the following year, the cuttings should
be separately put into small pots, and then the roots receive
little or no check in potting. Removed the Vines in pots that

|
.
|

January 13, 1863. ]

were placed in a frame with a bed of leaves and horse-droppings,
into a pit where a little fire heat could be used, because the
frame being in a rather shady place and the weather so duil, no
moderate amount of airwould enable one to dry the Vines, but
the moisture and damp hang to them—a matter of no moment
for the first few weeks, but which might have injured the buds
as they were swelling. ;

ORNAMENTAL DEPARTMENT.
Here, too, pruning, planting, digging, and cleariny have been
generally practised, along with leaves-gathering. Conservatory
plants were looked over. In stove, small plants of Ferns and

_ other “things repotted into aired heated soil. Pelargoniums

were smoked with tobacco and capsicums—Scarlet Geraniums
especially ; Variegated were potted separately; and Verbenas,
being very thick in G0 and 4S-pots, were repotted into 32-sized
pots, or several plants put into a 16-pot. Before doing this, as
there were a few whitish marks, respecting which it was doubt-
ful whether they were white smears or might be mildew, and as,
though I did not see any, I was rather suspicious that there
might still be some vestiges of thrips left, a bucket was filled
with sulphur laurel water, and, turning each pot with the fingers

across the soil, pulled the heads of the plants several times

through the solution, and then, to prevent the latter finding
its way into the soil, laid the pots down on clean litter on their
broadsides. After remaining there half-a-day, each potful was
syringed round and round with clear water at about 130°, and the
pot watered so as to make sure of every fibre being moistened,
and thus fo be ready for shifting the following day. The soil used
was light and rich; and though the small pots had been nearly
half-filled with crocks, all were left in, and the roots not dis-
turbed. After potting, the pots were plunged in a leaf-bed
with a kind gentle bottom heat; but in all such mild weather
the tops will have plenty of air. From what I have seen take
place with Verbenas I have a reason for every one of these
minutiz. One friend says, ‘Why not pot-off the Verbenas
singly?” Well, this I never like to do until the middle of the
month and in favourable circumstances ; but as to finding room
for a tithe of such potted-off plants I might as well attempt to
fly. The little bottom heat at first after shifting will cause
vigorous root-action. The plants can be shaken-out afterwards

_ for earth-pits if we think proper; but our chief object is to have

plenty of stubby short-jointed cuttings a month or six weeks
hence. I have several times stated how to make sulphur lime-
water: a gallon bottle of it will last ever so long.—R. F.

TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED.

W. Cutbush & Son, Highgate, London.— Catalogue of Select
Vegetable, Flower, and Farm Seeds for 1863.

Plymouth Seed Company, Plymouth.— General Price Current
of Kitchen-Garden, Flower, and Farm Seeds. 1863.

J. Iman, Wellington Place, Strood, Kent.—Catalogue of
Stove, Greenhouze, Hardy Exotic and British Ferns. 1862.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Loszzia Seepninc (J .0).—The two plants are now in most beautiful
health in Mr. Beaton’s omnibus-pit. They seem much easier to keep than
speciosa, and would make a gardenful of plants by next May were they
propagated to order. GOne of the plants flowered in September, and was
not then nearly so good as the same style of seedlings was at the Crystal
Palace; but it was too late in the season to judge properly. They will not
be propagated, but will have a fair start ina clergyman’s garden, and Mr,
Beaton will report on them in August. i

Buppinc Forcep ROsES (P., Brentiwood).—Your plan is founded on
scientific principle, and your plan and theory are both correct, and must
sueceed; but, after all that, the practice of the whole trade is against
you. We shall enlarge on this question next week.

GotrDs on Pores (Adolphus).—One of our regular correspondents has
grown them on poles for the last two years, forming a series of arches
across a central walk in the kitchen garden ; but he thinks, from the short
time the plant and its fruit remain ornamental, they hardly deserve the
trouble they give. A pear-shaped and a fig-striped one were about the
most ornamental in a dozen or twenty varieties; but they sport very
much. The best eatable varieties are the old Vegetable Marrow and the
Custard. We have heard of others being wholesome, but not so agreeable
as these. We cannot undertake to recommend nurserymen; and such a
sporting plant as the Balsam is always prone to furnish single-flowering
plants from seed of the best double.

FARFUGIUM-LIKE CycLameN (7Z.).—We are requested by Mr. Beaton
to say that a customer comes forward, who will give a fair price for
the Cyclamen with the leaves blotched like the leaves of Farfugium

_ grande, providing Mv. Beaton can assure him that the leaves are really so

marked. If “T.’s” friend will, therefore, send a lezf to Mr. Beaton, it
will be sent back by return of post if “T.’s”’ friend wishes it.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTLAGE GARDENER.

35

Hipprastrem EQuEsTReE Cutture (H. M. K.).—There were two kinds
of it from the West Indies, one with larger flowers than those of the other.
Itis the most difficult of them all to manage, owing to its “singular con-
stitution.” Naturally, it is not prone to expend itself in making offset
bulbs like your plant. You cultivate it like aulicum and that race, otherwise
your tale wonld be different. Hippeastrum equestre should lie dormant, in
a dry place in the stove, from the end of October to the beginning of
April, and then be watered until the plant flowers, or until the leaves are
at their full length—say by midsummer. From that moment, from the
flowering, or from the leaves attaining their full length, it is a hardy
greenhouse plant, and in July and August wonld do better out of doors
than in any house; but by the end of Augustit ought to be on2 high back-
shelf ina greenhouse, be watered till the end of October, and then turned
into a stove and water withheld, soon after which the leaves die down.

SPAN-ROOFED GREENHOUSE (J. Buckley).—It is purely a matter of taste
and economy as to whether you have a house made with rafters and move-
able sashes, or a fixed roof. Where much heat is not required, you may
give air by the moving of the front upright sashes; where much fire heat
is wanted, as in early vineries, it is a great advantage to admit air close to
the warming medium. With sashes, you could have the upper ones to
slide. Witha fixed roof, with three-inch rafter-sash-bars, you had better
haye a donble ridge, with a foot ventilator between and a cowl outside, as
Mr. Cox airs his houses at Kimpton; or, as you seem to contemplate a
stage in the middle of the house, that ventilator could be drawn along from
the ends, as is done by Mr. O'Brien, at Mr. Bewley’s, near Dublin, or by
Mr. Niven, for front air, at Drumcondra, which we presume you have
noticed. Ina fixed roof, the supports will do well. Of course there isa
bar on each side the whole length of the roof, against which these posts
abut. Ina sliding roof with rafters, no posts would be necessary. For a
greenhouse alone, the height of 12 to 14 feet would be ample in your ex-
posed place. The higher you go the more room for the Vines, but the more
exposed it will be. We would have the two ends pointing north and south.

CENTAUREA CANDIDIssIua (J. C.).—We have just seen ten plants of Cen~
taurea candidissima in No. 16-pots in a nursery, and the way followed
there would suit you and all other nurserymen. A dozen were bought
last year for stock ; they were planted-out, and were too late for autumn
propagation; they were lifted, and put into the big pots at once, and in
the beginning of December they were put intoa gentle forcing-house—say
into 50° of heat at night, and on the second day of the new year we saw
them just on the moye; and we advised an old practical hand to have all
the centres of the heads of the plants to be stopped, by twisting a
piece of wire down the centre of each division of the heads, and that
stopping will increase the suckers and side shoots tenfold for cuttings.
Our friend had done the Pine Apple suckers long since on that plan,
stopped them, and put more strength into the fruit—a better plan, he
said, than teasing a good fruiter by tearing-off so many suckers.

Catrrerrar (TZ. F. R. €.).—It is a caterpillar of the Noctnide, and
most probably of Noetua meticulosa, the Angle Shades Moth. This cater-
pillar had been very destructive of our correspondent’s Begonias and
Cinerarias.

EvERGREEN-B5D (B. B.).—As you have Rhododendrons already, and
wish a graduated rise in the evergreen-bed from the edging of Roses, the
best plan would be to plant the first row of Andromeda fioribunda, about
10 inches or a foot high, and a foot from the Roses, and make the bed of
different sizes of Berberis aquifolium. After a bed of one high colour of
Rhododendrons, a bed of this Berberis is the most telling evergreen-bed
that has yet been made. Mind, the Roses must be Chinas and kept very
dwarf, otherwise the effect of the bed is soon ruined.

Bretroot Epsixc (4 Constant Reader}.—Our correspondent asks “* Will
Beetroot make a good edging to Calceolaria floribunda, or can you give me
a better?” Beetroot would make a good edging to any of the bedding
plants; but the question is, who would like it saye a farmer, and he would
find a much better use for it.

BrppEep GrRantums (IJdem).—Christine, edged with Mangles’, wou'd be
more telling than Bijou or Mountain of Light, or any of the other
variegated Geraniums, or all of them put into one bed could be with an
edging of Mangles’, and for this reason—that there is no contrast and no
combining of tints, when a bed of variegated plants is edged with a varie-
gated plant of the same kind as that in the bed.

List of Beppinc GrRantums (Jdem).—There are two kinds of Alma
Geraniums as bedders—Mr. Vennis’s large purple perpetual of the green-
Eouse class, and the variegated Alma. Both these are the very best in
their respective sections, and both of them are less miffy, to a certainty,
than any other kinds of equal merit in their strains. The best dwarf Nose-
gay Geranium is Baron Ricasoli, and “ D., Deal” puts it first in the lists of
last year. But to decide which is ‘*the best” of anything in yardening
is = futile attempt, for tastes differ. However, we shall enumerate the
good, the better, and the best, according to our liking after a while.

Cocoa-Nur Frers Dust (W.H. Z.).—A hundred times we have said
that this refuse is dust, more like brown snuff or mahogany sawdust than
anything else, and you send us a bunch of hair-like fibres and ask us if
thatisit! Such fibres will do to cover pot-drainage, but for nothing else.
(Z. B. M.).—This is the right material, though not so fine as it is usually.

Parinc witH Gisnurst Comeounp (MW. P.).—The painting of the
walls, &c., of a Grape-house and orchard-house with Gishurst compound
could dono harm if done now, so that the strong scent would be gone
before the buds swelled; but, unless there is some particular reason, we
do not see much io improve inthe plan. If the walls were full of holes
and insects, then it would be desirable.

Mutcuine anp Watxrinc Vines (Jdem).—When to do so? is too in-
determinate, and depends, especially watering, on the time you wish them
to grow, and if dry or moist at the roots. Mulching can do no harm at
any time. Night soil, either liquid or otherwise, should be used in small
doses. Last year we knew some fine young Vines ruined, because their
owner imagined nothing could be too rich or too gross for them.

Cawentia Frowens Derorsep (dn Inquisitive Under-Gardener).—
When plants are very healthy, the appearance you complain of—the
flowers defective, or twisted on one side—is often the result of the centre
of the ball being le!t dry, or too much water remaining from defective
drainage ; in either case the root-action being deficient. If neither of these
is the source of the disappointment, it would be advisable to tie a woollen

thread round the buds when swelling freely, to keep them from splitting.

36

Serpuinc Crverarias (JV. H. M.).—They are good border varieties,
but there are many better.

Names or Fruits (Jin. Godsail).—Fondante de Noél.
1, Cockle Pippin, 2, Dumelow’s Seedling.
Enown. 5, Lewis! Incomparable. 6, Grange.

Names oF Prants (C. G., Staford).—Pilea muscosa. It belongs to the
natural order Urticacexe, and the Linnzan class and order Monecia Te-
trandria. (8. J. S.).—The plant is known as Celosia pyramidalis aurea,
yealiy a feathered variety of yellow Cockscomb—that is to say, a sport
which has taken the opposite direction from that of the great flattened
““combs”’ more usually grown. (Katey Did).—The -pecimen of the plant
which grows so abundantly on Clee Hill, Shropshire, is Lycopodium
clavatum.

(J. B. ED.
8, Keswick Codlin. 4, un-

POULTRY, BEE, and HOUSEHOLD CHRONICLE.

THE KENDAL POULTRY SHOW.

THE eighth annual Show of this Society has just concluded,
quite eclipsing all the preceding oves ; and it may now be deemed
fairly established as belonging to the best of our local meetings.
This gratifying result has, however, not been attained without a
hard struggle on the part of its projectors. In the first place
the Kendal Show has from time to’ time been subjected to many
difficulties, simply from the trouble of obtaining a room’ at
once. sufficiently large, and at the same time properly lighted,
wherein: the Exhibition could be held. Various were the suc-
cesses’ on’ this score; and at one time so much difficulty arose in
this respect as to cause the meetings to be discontinued altogether
for two consecutive years. At length, however, the affair has
assumed a far more exhilirating aspect; in short, this year the
necessity of the case has worked its own cure. To the astonish-
ment of the Secretaries, they found the accumulated entries
madeat) the time specified for closing them were about twice as
many as those of former years; and the question that stood
supreme to all others was, first to determine in what way so
extraordinarily increased an assemblage could by any possibility
be'accommodated. Lhe happy thought occurred to them, that if
they could obtain the use of the new wool warehouse, now scarcely
completed, belonging to Messrs. Whitwell & Busher, every
obstacle would be remedied. Its loan was at once kindly con-
ceded, and the Show was consequently held there. This ware-
house of two storeys is one of the most capacious structures in
the northern counties, well and thoroughly lighted from the
roof, and possessing fireplaces, and every other needful accom-
modation for such a meeting. It is most substantially erected,
the timbers being of prodigious strength; and the computation
of the builder is, that it would sustain in perfect safety on the
upper floor a human being to every square foot. In a compara-
tively very emall portion of this compartment the Show took
place; and, were it requisite, certainly fifteen hundred pens
could be exhibited in single tiers, and every one in a good light.
The arrangements were decidedly good, and the only improve-
ment that suggested itself to our minds was, another season (as
space allows it), to show’every pen side by side, and especially
to place the Pigeon pens somewhat nearer the level of the eye
by dropping them at the least 2 feet. But to the birds tlie a-
selves.

Spanish were the first classes on entering, and so good a show
we have rarely inspected. The old birds shown were the most
numerous; but the silver cup to the best pen in either adults or
chickens fell to the latter. For this premium the competition
was remarkably close, so much so that the arbitrator remarked,
“that to give it to either was an injustice to its opponent, for
both were equally good; and, consequently, each was as equally
deserving.” A considerable time was wasted in the final deter-
mination, for it eventually proved both pens were the property
of the'same breeder, although the Judge was then unconscious
of its being so; and the chickens gained the supremacy, simply
as from their youth these birds were of the most pecuniary value,

- and without any disparagement to the older birds. A closer
run was never seen; and if Mr. Teebay has others such in
reserve, no doubt 1863 will add mach to his present high repu-
tation as a Spanish-breeder. The birds shown by Messrs.
Fowler, Heath, Robson, and Dixon, were also very good. The
Grey Dorkings were one of the gems of the Kendal Show, parti-
cularly the whole class of old birds, In Cochins the Partridge-
coloured: were the most perfech; and, although the old birds
were a capital class, it strangely occurred the chickens were
decidedly the least worthy assemblage in the Exhibition. The
White Cochins: were very good indeed; the birds so much

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ January 13, 1863,

admired at the recent’ Birmingham Show: still maintained their
position. Progressing, we come to the heaviest classes of the
Show, the Game fowls; the display was universally good. To
this portion a silver cup» was given for the best pen of Any
variety; and Red Piles proved'the successful ones, the winner
being Mr. Harry Adams, of Beverley. We cannot call to mind
a single case heretofore in which Piles stood pre-eminent ina
general competition; they were a.truly wonderful pen, and we
believe haye been recently shown by another exhibitor. The
Game chickens, as a whole, greatly lacked condition, attributable
in their case, no donbt, to the late damp season. The Golden
Hamburghs, Pencilled or Spangled, quite outdistanced their
lighter-co!oured companions. ‘The Golden-spangled were de-
cidedly one of the best collections seen during the past year. In
the class for Single Game Cocks, the Brown Red shown by
Mr. George Whitwell is worthy of our highest praise. This
bird secured the plate premium, the whole class being first-rate ;
but the cockerel class was comparatively indifferent. Among
the adults, pen 237 was “disqualified” on account of the breast
being painted to hide a deficiency of colour. It is really time
some prompt measures were adopted as a veproval for such
unfair practices besides “ disqualification;” and we shall be
glad to hear that committees take the matter in hand where so
maean artifices are detected, as they are evidently either very
greatly on the increase, or have been more succeasfully detected of
late than formerly. In the cockerel class a remarkably good old
bird was shown; but as this might as probably be the reault of
accident as design—an excuse not available in the “painted” case
—we forbear to state the number of this pen, as the loss of a
good position in its own proper class, from disqualification in the
young birds, entails a sufficient punishment. The Game Ban-
tamus were very good indeed, the best birds being found in
the pens of three. Singularly enough not a Sebright Ban-
tam was exhibited. Some excellent Siliies were shown in this
division.

The Rouen Duck class was best of any, though the Aylesburys
were meritorious. Some capital Grey Call Ducks and tamely-
reared wild Ducks were entered in the Variety class.

The Pigeons were superior, particularly the Carriers, Barbs,.
Owls, Trumpeters, Turbits, Jacobins, and Powters. In the
“xtra class” were many beautiful varieties, and, consequently,.
the competition was severe. Some Icelanders and splendid
Silver Dun Runts were shown. We also noticed a pair of very
large White Runts, shown recently at Newport we believe, and
would strongly advise their owner to take special care of them,
as, if we are correct in recognising them, they are fearfully gone
out of condition, sadly damaged in health, and. quite spiritless
since shown there, even though so recently. It is a pity to lose
such birds from neglect.

‘We were informed by the Hon. Secretaries; Messrs. Whitwell
and Wilson, that for future years the obtaining the same accom-
modation for the poultry then shown had been mace a fixed
promise, and we congratulate them on so great a boon. It
must give increased hopes for future meetings:

SranisH.—A Silver Cap, the gift of G. Carr Glyn, Esq., M.P., for the
best pen. First and Third, R. Teebay, Fulwood, Second, J. K. Fowler,
Aylesbury. Highly Commended, A. Heath, Calne, Wilts. Commended,
J. Dixon, Bradford; G. Robinson, Kendal. Chickens.—Cup and First,

R. Teebay. Second, W. H. Hayward, Birmingham. ‘Third, S. Robson,
Burton Salmon, Yorkshire. Commended, J. K. Fowler.

Dorkines (Coloured or White).—A Silver Cup, the gift of Major-Gen..
Hon. G. F. Upton, M.P., C.B., for the best pen. Cup and First, J. Robin-
son, Garstang. Second, J. Dixon, Bradford, Third, R. Sergencson,
Huytin, Prescot. Highly Commended, J. Moore, Windermere; Major-
Gen. Hon. G. F. Upton, Milnthorpe; Miss M. A. Hill, Woodlands, Heywood ;
T. Burgess, Whitchurch, Salop. Commended, Mrs. M. Seamons, Aylesbury.;
H. W. B. Berwick, Helmsley, Yorkshire; G. C. Whitwell, Kendal; T.
Whittaker, Lancaster. Chickens.—First, W. W. Ruttlidge, Storth End,
near Kendal. Second, R.Sergencson. Third, J. Robinson. Highly Com-
mended, J. Moore; W. W. Ruttlidge. Commended, D. Steel, Windermere.

Cocuty-Cu1na (Cinnamon and Buff, or Brown and Partridge-feathered).
—A Silver Cup, the gift of the Managmg Committee, for the best pen. Cup
and First, J. Shorthose, Newcastle-on-Tyne. Second, R. White, Sheffield.
Third, H. and G. Newton, Leeds. Highly Commended, H. Chavasse,
King’s Heath, Birmingham. Commended, W. Copple, Eccleston. Chickens.
—First, k. White. Second, T. Stretch, Ormskirk. Third, €. Bower, Bolton-
le-Sands, Lancaster.

Cocnin-Cuina (White).—First, G. C. Whitwell, Kendal. Second, J.
Dodd, Middlewich, Chester. Commended, G. C. Whitwell. Chickens.—
First, G. C. Whitwell. Second, R. H. Nicholas, Newport, Monmouthshire.

Game (White and Piles).—A Silver Cup, the gift of R. L. Watson, Esq-,
for the best pen, Cup and First, H. Adams, Beverley. Second, F, C.
Ellison, Milnthorpe. Third, J. Fletcher, Stoneclough. Highly Commended,
G. C. Whitwell, Kendal; W. Wilkinson, Milnthorpe. Chickens.—First, J~
Fletcher. Second, F.C. Eliison. Third, W. Wilkinson,

Game (Black-breasted and other Reds).—First and Third, J. Fletcher,

January 13,1863. ]

Stoneclough. Second, W. R. Lane, Birmingham. WUighly Commendec,
H. M. Julian, Beverley; Hon. Mrs. Howard, Milnthorpe; D. Parsons,
Cuerden, near Preston; T. Robinson, Ulverstone; H. Adams, Beverley.
Commended, W. J. Cope, Barnley; R. Parkinson, Poulton-le-Fylde ; W.
Rogers, Woodbridge; G. C. Whitwell, Kendal. Chickens.—First, R. Par-
kinson. Second, W. Boyes, Beverley. Third, T. Moss, Poulton-le-Fylde.
Highly Conimended, Hon. Mrs. Howard; A. Sugden, Kendal, Co rmended,
J. Fletcher ; T. Burgess, Whitchurch, Salop; Miss J. Taylor, Kendal.
Game (Any other variety).—First, J. Fletcher, Ston-clough. Second,
H. Adams, Beverley. Third, T. Robinson, Ulverstone. Chickens.—Tirst,
J. Fietcher. Second, J. Hodgson, Bradford. Third, W. J. Cope, Barnsley.
Hampureus (Golden-pencillea).—A Silver Cup, the gift of the Managing
* Committee, for the best pen. Cup and First, f. Robinson, Ulverstone.
Second, J. Robinson, Garstang. Highly Commended, J. Dixon, Bradford;
W. Cannan, Bradford.
Hanburens (Golden-spangled).—First, N. Marton, Manchester. Second,
¥. Dixon, Bradford. Highly Commended, J. Robinson, Garstang; S.
Wales, Kendal. Commended, H. W. B. Berwick, Yorkshire; W. Cannan,
' Bradford; J. Robinson.
Hamburens (Silver-pencilled).—First, J. Robinson, Garstang. Second,
W. Cannan, Bradford. Highly Commended, C. Moore, Poulton-le-Fylde;
J. Sunderland, jun., Hipperholme, near Halitax. Commended, J. Dixon,
Bradford.
Hamporens (Silver-spangled).—First, W. Cannan, Bradford. Second,
R. Teebay, Fulwood. Highly Commended, J. Robinson, Garstang,
HAmBukGus (Any variety).—First, W. Cannan, Bradford. Second, R. H.
Nicholas, Newport. ‘Third, H. W. B. Berwick, Yorkshire. Highly Com-
mended, M. Whittam, Settle.

SINGLE COCKS.

Seanisn.—First, R. Teebay, Fullwood. Second, J. Simm, Kendal. Highly
Commended, G. Robinson, Kendal.

Dorkine.—First, G. ©. Whitwell, Kendal. Second, J. Rowlandson,
Hawkshead. Highly Commended, W. ¥. Eraithwaite, Eastbourne, Dar-
ington ; R. Sergencson, Prescot. Commended, ©. R. Whitwell, Darlington 8
R. Farrer, Bolton; G. C. Whitwell.

Cocnin-Cnina.—First, F. M. Hindle, Haslingden.
Wilson, Haslingden. Highly Commended, Rev. F. Wilson.
Y. M. Hindle; A. Worthington, Bolton-le-Sands.

Game.—A Silver Cup, the gift of the Managing Committee. Cup and
First, G. C. Whitwell, Kendal. Second, W. Boyes, Beverley. Third, J.
Firth, Halifax. Fourth, J. Fletcher, Stoneclough. Highly Commended,
J. Fletcher; M. Whittam, Settle; W. Thompson, Moresdale Hall, Kendal;
A. Heath, Calne, Wilts; T, Moss, Poulton-le-Fylde; A. Winskill, Kendal ;
H. Adams, Beverley; G. Lingard, jun., Birmingham. Commended, J.
Sunderland, jun., Hipperholme, Halifax. Cochkerel.—First, R. Parkinson,
Poulton-le-Fylde. Second, J. Boulton, Ulverstone. Third, J. Pletcher.
Highly Commended, W. J. Cope, Barnsley; J. Hodgson, Whittington.

Gaxe BantaM.—First, T. Wilson, Kendal. Second, Kk. Moon, Liverpool.
Third, T. Moss, Poulton-le-Fylde. Highly Commended, C. Bower, Lan-
caster. Commended, W. Laurencson, Poulton-le-Fylde.

Bantams (Game). — First, R. Farrer, Bolton. Second, J. Mashiter,
Ulverstone. Third, C. W. Brierley, Rochdale. Highly Commended, J.
Crage, Kendal; E. G. Hornby, Westmorland ; J. Wilson, Kendal; R. H.
Nicholas. Newport; T Shaw, Kirkham; W. Laurencson, Poulton-le-
Fylde ; E. Brown, Sheffield. Commended, T. Wilson, Kendal; R. B.
Parkinson, Kendal; E. Holdsworth, Leeds.

BaANnTAMS (Any other variety).—First, Capt. Wetherall, Toddington. near
Kettering. Second, R. H. Nicholas, Newport. Commended, G. A. Gelderd
Aikrigg End, Kendal. ;

orkInes (White).—First and Second, J. Robinson, Garstang, ir
E. R. Whitwell, Darlington. : ; Peis ye

Ducks (Aylesbury).—A Silver Cup, the gift of John Whitwell, Esq.,
Mayor of Kendal, for the best pen. First, Rey. F. Wilson, HWaslingden,
Laneashire. Second, Mrs. M. Seamons, Aylesbury. Third, J. Robinson
Garstang, Highly Commended, Mrs. M. Seamons. ;

DucKs (Rouen).—Cup and First, T. Robinson, Ulverstone. Second, J.
Sergencson, Kirkby Lonsdale. Third, J. Redhead, Kendal. Highly Com-
mended, Mrs, J. A. Alston, Fleetwood ; F. M. Hingle, Haslineden.

: Ducks (Any other variety).—First, D. Parsons, Cuerden, Prescot.
‘Second, FE. W. Earle, Prescot. Third, R. Sergencson, Huyton, Prescot,
Highly Commended, Miss M. A. Hill, Woodlands, Heywood.

Second, Rev. F.
Commended,

PIGEONS.

_Carniprs.—First, W. Cannan, Bradford. Second, S. Robson, Brotherton,
Yorkshire. Highly Commended, J. Lewthwaite, Kendal; W. B. Van
Haansbergen, Newcastle-on-Tyne. Commended, T. Bateson, Kendal.

ALMonD TUNBLERS.—First, T. Kew, Westmorland. Second, H. Yardley,
Birmingham.

Tumurers (Any other breed).—First, H. B. Pring, Newport, Mon-
Mmouthshire. Second, I’. Else, Bayswater, London. Highly Commended
J, Monkhouse, Kendal; W. Cannan. E

Owx1s.—First, W. Cannan. Second, J. & W. Towerson, Egremont, Cum-
berland. i

Powers or Croprers.—First, E. Brown, Sheffield. Second, S. Rob-
son, Brotherton. Highly Commended, T. Kew, Commended, W. Cannan;
H. Yardley, Birmingham. ;

Banres.—First, A. L. Silvester, Birmingham.
haven.

TUN DATLS rraE Esty Nee sie, Birmingham. Second, F. Brown, Shef-
eld. ommended + Else, Bayswater, London; I’. Key, ;
J. R. Jessop, Hull. : i : : SHEA Ea cek OE

_TunB:1s.—First, R. Thompson, Kendal. Second, J, Barrow, jun.,
Kendal. Highly Commended, F. Else, Bayswater, London; A. L. Silvester,
Birmingham; J. W. Edge, Birmingham. i

TRUMPETERS.—First, J.J. Wilson, Darlington. Second, F. Key. Bever-
ley. Hiehly Commended, F. Key; W. B. Van Haansbergen ; H. Yardley,
peerunghams 8. Robson, Brotherton, Commended, T. Kew, Westmor-

Jacozins.—First, A. L. Silvester, Birmingham.
Birmingham. Highly Commended, R. Thompson.
Bayswater, London.

ANY orHER Vaniery.—First, A. L. Silvester, Birmingham. Second,
M. Irvine, Whitehaven (Runts). Highly Commended, J. W. Wooler

Second, M. Irvine, White-

Second, H. Yardley,
Commended, F. Else,

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

37

(Spangled Swabians) ; H. B. Pring, Newport (Runts, Spanish imported) ;
R. Thompson, Kendal (Nuns). Commended, A. Heath, Calne, Wiltshire

(Isabels).
Mr. Edward Hewitt, of Sparkbrook, near Birmingham, offi-
ciated as the Judge.

GAME EFOWLS.

“iH. A.S.” seems to wish that the Game classes should be
judged by plumage only, and not for their game qualities. If so,
instead of being, as they now are, one of the gems of the exhibition,
their character would be totally changed, and a great portion
of the interest now taken in them would cease. As “B.A. 8.”
seems to take such interest in them, perhaps he will ‘tell us the
whole of the qualities necessary for perfection in a pen of Black
Red Game.—An Exnipiror.

DISQUALIFIED BLACK BANTAMS AT
DARLINGTON.

I HAVE just returned home, having been absent since the
middle of November, and during that time I have not seen a
copy of your Journal. I now find that the Black Bantams
lately exhibited by me at Birmingham and Darlington have
been the subject of some discussion, and I take the earliest
opportunity of explaining the matter. ;

Your correspondent “ Justit1a” is quite correct in saying
I claimed the pen (for £3) at the Crystal Palace Summer Show.
They were exhibited by Mr. Hutton, and were “highly com-
mended.” He (Mr. Hutton), as he says, took first prize with
another pen on which he had £2. I preferred the, highly-
commended pen at £5 to the first-prize pen at £2, and claimed
them. As soon as the birds arrived at home I sent them out
to a walk, and did not see them again till few days before I
left home in the middle of November, when my man brought
them up, and I discovered that the cock’s legs had changed to
white. As I was leaving home immediately, my man was anxious
to know what was to be done. I told him to write off to Mr.
Hutton at once, and inquire if he had any good cocks to dispose
of. He wrote back saying that ke had, and asked £2 each for
them. My man requested him to send two on approval. They
arrived (I being from home), and my man assures me that they
were perfectly valueless for exhibition, one having legs as bad as
the bird I already possessed and being worse in other points,
and the other having red earlobes. He (my man) was quite at
a loss what to do. He did not know where to apply to for
another bird, and he had not time to write to, and receive an
answer from, me before sending to the Birmingham Show; so
he concluded the only plan was, as he thought, to follow the
example of the former owner of the birds and colour the cock’s
legs. He did so, and they were sent to Birmingham and Dar-
lington in that condition. I suppose his success at the former
Exhibition encouraged him to send again to the latter. When
they were sent to Birmingham I was in the south of England,
and when to Darlington in Scotland, and knew nothing at all of
the affair. If I had been at home, they certainly would not have
been sent.

In your Journal.of December 15th you say ‘This pen at the
recent Birmingham Meeting took first prize among a heavy
class.” You would have been much nearer the truth if you had
said “among a weak class,” as by reference to the Birmingham
catalogue you will find that only four pens were exhibited.
When I claimed the pen at the Crystal Palace the cock’s legs
were, to all appearance, perfect. Mr. Hutton says “ that not
the least particle of colouring matter, or stain of any other kind
whatever, was laid on, or came in contact with, the legs of the
birds referred to, by either myself or any other person, previous
to their being dispatched to the Show.” I suppose we are in
courtesy bound to believe him; but it certainly is the most
peculiar case that ever came under my notice, that a bird’s legs
should change from black to white in three short months.
When my man wrote to Mr. Hutton he explained why I wanted
another cock; but, in his reply, that gentleman offered no
explanation, or even mentioned the bird’s legs, confining himself
to the mere fact that he had birds to dispose of. —THE EXHIBITOR
OF THE DIsQUALIFIED PEN or Buack BANTAMS AT DaRLINGTON.

[We consider the above explanation exculpates Mr. Munn,
and his sincerity is sustained by the fact that he has returned to

38 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

the Exhibition Committee the prize awarded to the Bantams at
Birmingham. The culprit now would appear to be Mr, Hutton,
for it is quite certain that the natural colour of the legs of the
Bantam would not change.—Eps. J. or H.]

SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION.

Tur fourth annual Exhibition and competition of fancy
Pigeons and Canary birds, under the auspices of this Associa-
tion, took place on the 1st and 2nd inst. in the Trades’ Hall,
Glassford Street.

In the Pigeon department the Show was excellent; and
although the entries were not so numerous as at last year’s
exhibition, still the birds shown were superior, if not unequalled.

In the Powter and Carrier classes the birds were exceedingly
good, as were, indeed, all kinds of Pigeons exhibited.

The entries in the Canary department were not so large as
last year, but this is to be accounted for in a great measure by
the number of local exhibitions taking place on the same day ;
but in consequence of the prizes at this Exhibition being the
most valuable, the show of birds was superior. A circumstance
almost unprecedented we believe, occurred at this Show—viz.,
the pair of Canaries which took the first prize last year were
again successful on this occasion. There was a fine display of
Canaries, and some of the finest Mules we have seen were shown.

' The following are the awards :—

PIGEON DEPARTMENT.
EXTRA PRIZES,

A Silver Cup, presented by the Assoeiation, for the best three pens
(Carriers, Powters, and Short-faced Almond Tumblers), G. Ure, Dundee.
Very Highly Commended, P. Eden, Manchester,

ASilver Medal, presented by W. Smith, Esq., Halifax, for Powter cocks
(Black, Blue, and Yellow), P. Eden, Manchester.

A Silver Medal, presented by P. Eden, Esq., for Powter hens (Black,
Blue, and Yellow), J. Huie, Glasgow.

A Silver Medal, presented by J, Miller, Esq., Camlachie, for Blue Pewters
pred in 1862, G. Ure, Dundee. Very Highly Commended, A. Muir, Coat-

ridge,

A Silver Medal, presented by J. Huie, Esq., Glasgow, for Yellow Powters
bred in 1862, M. Stuart, Glasgow.

A Subscription Silver Medal for Powters, any colour (Blue and Yellow
excepted), bred in 1862, P. Eden, Manchester (White). Very Highly Com-
mended, G. Ure, Dundee (White), Highly Commended, J. Millar, Glasgow.

Pow7ens (Black cocks).—First, H. Hawkins, Belfast. Second, M. Stuart,
Glasgow. Very Highly Commended, M. Stuart. Highly Commended. J.
Millar, Glasgow. Commended, J. Huie, Glasgow.

Tee (White cocks).—First, P. Eden, Manchester. Second, G. Ure,
undee,

Powers (Blue cocks).—First, M. Sanderson, Edinburgh. Second, H.
Hawkins, Belfast. Very Highly Commended, J. Millar, Glasgow. Highly
Commended, M. Sanderson.

Powrerrs (Red cocks).—First, H. Hawkins, Belfast. Second, G. Ure,
Dundee. Very Highly Commended, H. Brown, Sheffield.

Powrerrs (Yellow cocks).—First, G. Ure, Dundee. Second, P. Eden,
Manchester.

PowrTrxs (Any other colour).—First, J. Huie (Mealy). Second, W.
Taylor, Sheffield. Very Highly Commended. W. Lightbody.

Powrers ‘Black Hens).— First, J. H. Frame, Carluke. Second, P. Eden,
Manchester. Commended, G. Ure, Dundee, Highly Commended, J.
Millar, Glasgow. Very Highly Commended, J. Huie, Glasgow.

PowzeErs (White hens).—First, H. Hawkins, Belfast. Second, G. Ure,
Dundee. Highly Commended, J. Huie, Glasgow.

Powters (Blue hens).—First, G. Ure, Dundee. Second, J. Ruthven,
Glasgow. Very Highly Commended, J. Huie, Glasgow.

Powers (Red hens).—-First and Second, G. Ure, Dundee,

Powters (Yellow, hens),—First, G. Ure, Dundee. Second, J. Huie,
Glasgow.

Powers (Any other colour).—Firet, J. Muir, Glasgow (Chequer). Second,
M. Stuart, Glasgow (Mealy).

A Silver Medal, presented by J. Wallace, Esq,, for Carriers (any colour)
bred in 1862, J. Huie, Glasgow (Black). Very Highly Commended, J.
Wallace, Glasgow. Highly Commended, J. Huie, Glasgow.

Canziprs (Black cocks),—First, H. Martin, Glasgow. Second, G. Ure,
Dundee. Very Highly Commended, J. H. Frame, Carluke.

Carrrers (Dun cocks).—First, T. Colley, Sheffield. Second, J. Wallace,
Glasgow.

Carriers (Black hens).—First, J. R. Rennards, Helensburgh. Second,
P. Eden, Manchester. Very Highly Commended, W. B. Van Haansbergen,
Newcastle.

Carriers (Dun hens).—First, T. Colley, Sheffield. Second, J, R. Ren-
nards, Helensburgh. Very Highly Commended, T. Colley.

A Silver Medal, presented by G. Ure, Exsq., Dundee, for Almond Tumblers
bred in 1862, P. Eden, Manchester.

SHORT-FACED ‘luMBLERS (Almonds).— First and Second, M. Stuart,
Glasgow.

SHORT-FACED TUMBLERS (Mottles, any colour).—First, P. Eden, Man-
chester (Mottles). Second, G. Ure, Dundee (Black Mottles). Very Highly
Commended, W. H. C. Oates, Newark (lked Mottles).

SHonrT-FAcED Tumpners (Any other colour or yariety).—First, R. Fulton,
Tondori. Second, M. Stuart, Glasgow (Red Agates). Cock Very Highly
Commended, H. Martin, Glasgow. Highly Commended, R. Pickering,
Carlisle (Red). Commended, M. Stuart, Glasgow (Kites).

A Silver Medal, presented by E. Gilroy, Esq., Lanark, for Barbs (any

colour) bred in 1862, P. Eden, Manchester (Black).

[ January 18, 1863.

Barss (Cocks).—First, J. H. Frame, Carluke (Black). Second, P. Eden,
Manchester. Very Highly Commended, J. H, Frame (Red). "i:

Barss (Hens).—First, P. Eden, Manchester. Second, J. Green, Overtom
(Black). 4

A silver Medal, presented by Lord Binning, for Fantaiis (any colour)
bred in 1842, J. Wallace, Glasgow. Very Highly Commended, J. H. Frame,
Carluke (White), Highly Commended, D, Stewart, Perth (White). Com-
mended, F. Else, Dundee.

Fanraits.—First, J. Huie, Glasgow. Second, G. Ure, Dundee. Very
HiBLy Commended, G. Ure (White). Highly Commended, F. C. Parker,

undee.

Jacopins.—First, A. L. Silvester, Birmingham. Second, J. Ruthven,
Glasgow (Yellow), Very Highly Commended, N. Morton, Baliymena,
Ireland (Red). Highly Commended, J. R. Rennards, Helensburgh.

TRuMPEriRs.—First, J. Bell, Newcastle. Second, H. Yardley, Birming-
ham. Very Highly Commended and Highly Commended, G. Ure, Dundee
(Black Mottled), Commended, N. Morton, Ballymena, Ireland (Mottled),

Toursits.—First, A. L. Silvester, Birmingham, Second, F. Else, London.

Very Highly Commended, J. W. Edge, Birmingham. Highly Commended, |

J. R. Rennarda, Helensburgh.

Ow1s.—First, F. Else, London. Second, J. R. Rennards, Helensburgh.

Nons.—First, J. R. Rennards, Helensburgh. Second, F. Else, London.
Very Highly Commended, J. W. Edge, Birmingham.

Macrine.—First, W. M. Gilmour, Hamilton. Second, N. Morton, Bally-
mena, Ireland,

Common TuxeteRs.—First, J. Sephton, Prescot. Second, J. W. Edge,
Birmingham, Very Highly Commended, J. Sephton. Highly Commended,
A. Morrison, Glasgow (Red Mottles). ;

OvnER Berzps.—First, F. C. Parker, Dundee (Lace Fantails). Second,
A. L. Silvester, Birmingham. ‘Third, W. H. C. Oats, Newark (Isabels).
Very Highly Commended, H. Yardley, Birmingham (Swallows). Highly
Commended, W. M. Gilmour, Hamilton (Blue Priests). )

CANARY BIRD DEPARTMENT.
EXTRA PRIZES.

A handsome piece of Silver Plate, and £1 1s: as a second prize, presented
by the Association, for Scotch fancy, the produce of 1861, or priur thereto
(Yellow Cock and Buff Hen, or Buff Cock and Yellow Hen). First, G.
Buchanan, Glasgow. Second, W. Hunter, Kilbirnie.

Scorca Fancy.—A special prize, presented by G. Buchanan, Esq., for

Yellow or Buff Cock. Yellow Cocks.—¥First and special, G. Buchanan, |

Glasgow. Second, W. McLeod, Glasgow. Third, J. Fulton, Beith, Fourth,
T. MeMurtrie, Kilmarnock. Buff? Cocks.—First and special, D. Stewart,
Perth, Second, A. Ferguson, Kilmarnock. Third and Fourth, D. Gunn,
Glasgow.

Re onecial prize, presented by the “‘ Thistle Ornithological Society,”
Glasgow, for Yellow or Buff Hen. Yellow Hens.—First and special, G.
Masterton, Glasgow. Second, D. Duncan, Carron. Third, G. Buchanan,
Glasgow. Fourth, D.Gunn, Glasgow. Buff Hens,—First, G. Masterton.
Second, S. Brown, Glasgow. ‘Third, G. Buchanan. Fourth, J. Johnston,
Kilmarnock.

BreLcran Fancy.— A special prize, presented by Messrs. Paterson and |

Buchanan, for Yellow or Buff Cock. Yellow Cocks.—First, J. Goddard,

Kendal. Second, D. Talbert, Dundee. Third, J. Ruthyen, Glasgow. Buf? .

Cocks.—First and special, J. Huie, Glasgow. Second, J. Toward, Glasgow.
Third, Mrs. Clark, Glasgow. Yellow Hens.—First and special, J. Harding,
Dumfries. Second, Mrs, Clark. Third, J. Simpson, Edinburgh.

A special prize, presented by M. Stuart, Exq., for Yellow or Buff Hen.
Buff Hens.—First, J. Ruthven, Glasgow. Second, J, Simpson, Edinburgh.
Third, Mrs. Clark, Glasgow. , Y

PIEBALDS.—A special prize, presented by the Association, for Yellow or
Buff Cock or Hen. Yellow Cocks.—Firet, W. M‘Murray, Edinburgh.
Second, R. Borland, Glasgow. Third, N.M‘Leod, Glasgow. Buff Cocks.—
First and special, N. M‘Lean, Glasgow. Second, W. Clason, Glasgow.
Third, J. M‘Kimm, Govan. Yellow Hens,—¥irst, A. Riddell, Carron.
Second, M. Henderson, Ardrossan. Third, J. Fulton, Beith. Buff Hens.—
First, J. Armstrong, Glasgow. Second, N.M‘Lean. Third, R, Lawvrie,
Glasgow.

Gomes Mores. — Yellow Cocks. — Yirst, W. Wilson, Mauchline.
Second, G. J. Barnaby, Derby. Buff Cocks.—First, W. Bainbridge, Ayr.
Second, R. Foster, Carlisle,

The following were the Judges :—Of Pigeons :—H. L. Corker,

Esq., Croydon, Surrey; and D. Wolstenholme, Hsq., Gray’s-
Inn Road, London. Canaries :—Messrs. W. White, Renfrew ;
J. K. Johnstone; J. Graham, Kilmarnock; G. Ayton, N.
M’Lean, and D. Johnstone, Glasgow.—(Glasgow Herald.)

LEGS OF GAME BANTAMS.

For the information of your correspondent in last week’s
paper on the subject of “ Yellow-legged Game Bantams,” I
write to say that for the last two years I have had a Yellow-
legged cock of that breed, a bird that Tam very proud of. At
the commencement of last breeding season I shut him up with a
Blue or Slate-legged hen, trusting that the mixture of blue and
yellow would make green as the paint does, but I was disap-
pointed—my bivds were principally Slate-legged, a few White-
legged, and one cockerel Yellow-legged like hisfather. I showed
him at Birmingham, he was highly commended and sold at the
price I put upon him—viz., £3. A cockerel and two pullets,
Slate-legs of the same hatch took a prize at the Sparkenhoe Show
at Leicester last September, which clearly proves that the prizes
are not solely for Willow-legged birds. uast year I had also a
Yellow-legged Black-breasted Red Game cock, which I mated
with some Blue and Willow-legged hens. The result invariably

January 13, 1863. ]

was Blue-legged chickens from Blue-legged hens, and Willow
from Willow-legged mothers, with a very few exceptions where
the yellow peeped out, in which cases I destroyed the chickens,
well knowing the prejudice against the yellow legs in Game fowl,
though I do not believe that hitherto it has extended to the
Game Bantam class.

Would it not be much better if there were some fixed standard
to go by? so as to make it impossible that an exhibitor should
say, “Oh, Mr. So-and-So is Judge. Well, itis no use sending my
fowls, he won't give a prize to any but Willow-legged ones.”
Whata drawback to ashow! Why should not each show publish
in the catalogue of prizes the particular points of the fowls in
each class requisite to enable them to take a prize? It would
save a world of trouble, and a great decal of disappointment
and dispute.—W. P.

CORK POULTRY SHOW.
Tue third annual Exhibition of the South of Ireland Poultry

Association was held on the 7th and Sth of January, in the large |

rooms of the Atheneum at Cork. The rapid and steady pro-
gress made by this Society must be most gratifying to its pro-
moters ; for it has now attained a position that would reflect
credit on any town in the United Kingdom.

The following is the prize list :—

Spanisu,.—First, Miss De Courcy Drevar. Second, F. Hodder. Chickens.
—First, F. Hodder. Second, Mrs. Dring.

Dorxines (Coloured).—First, Mrs. Webb. Second, Mrs. Dring.

Dorxrnes (Silver-Grey).—First, A. E. Ussher. Second, T. O’Mahony.
Chickens.—First and Second, A. E. Ussher.

Doexmes (White).—Prize, T. O’Mahony.

Dorzines (Coloured or White).—Chickens.—First, T.O’Grady. Second,
FP. Hodder.

Cochins (Buff or Lemon).—First, J. C. Perry. Second, W. R. Burke.

Cocutss (Partridge or Grouse).—First and Second, J. C. Perry.

Cocutss (White).—First, T. W.Zurhorst. Second, F. Hodder.

BranMa Poorras.—First, P. Heffernan. Second, N. Breslin.

Game (Black or Brown Reas).—First, J. C. Perry. Second, W.A. Roberts.
Chickens.—First, J. M. Roche, M.D. Second, J. C. Perry.

Game (Duckwing or Piles).—First, P. Cronin. Second, J. MW. Roche, M.D.

Poranps (Gold-crested).—Prize, Rev. J. O'Sullivan.

Potanps (Silver-crested),—First, Mrs. Dring. Second, Miss A. E. Pike.

Potanps (White or Yellow-crested).—First and Second, Miss De C.
Drevar.

Hamsrrces (Rose Comb, Gold).—First, Mrs. Dring. Second, T. Hare.

Haxeu Reus (Rose Comb, Silver).—First, Mrs. Hodder. Second, T. Hare.

Banraus (Sebright).—First, A. E. Ussher. Second, T. O’Grady.

Bantams (Silky).—First and Second, Mrs. Hodder.

Bantams (Smooth-legged).—First, J. Penrose. Second, Miss A. E. Pike.

Bantams (Feather-leeged).—Prize, J. Donegan.

ANY OTHER Vanriety.—First and Second, J. C. Perry (Créve Cur).

TuRKeys.—First, R. Briscoe (Cambridgeshire). Second, J. Bruce (Nor-
folk). Poulis.—First, A. E. Ussher (Cambridgeshire). Second, A. C.
Sayers (Cambridgeshire).

Geesr.— First, J. Bruce (White Embden). Second, T. O’Grady (Toulouse).
Goslings.—First and Second, A. E. Ussher (Toulouse).

Ducks (Aylesbury).—First, Mrs. Webb. Second, F. E. Curry. Ducklings.
—First and Second, R. Cliffe.

Devers (Rouen).—First, R. Cliffe.
First, R. Cliffe. Second, J. C. Perry.

Ducks (Any other yariety).—First, W.’R. Burke (Muscovy). fSecond,
Mrs. Hodder (Call.)

Best Dorkivc Cockeret.—A Medal, given by Mrs. Ussher, ¥. Hodder.

Best WHITE-FACED Spanish CocKEREL.—A Medal, given by Mrs. Lyons,
¥. Hodder.

Bust WHITE-FACED SPANISH, DORKING, AND CocHtn PULLETs.—A Medal,
given by Dr. Harvey, F. Hodder.

Second, Dr. Parker. Ducklings.—

PIGEONS,

Carnisens, Black.— First, J. Perrott,
superior class.

Carriers Dun.—First, P. Goulding. Second, J. Perrott.

Cannrizrs, Bine, or any other colour.—First, J. Dowlizg.
Lloyd.

Powrers, Black Pied.—First, H. Hawkins.

Powers, Blue Pied —First, H. Hawkins.

Powers, Red Pied.—First, H. Hawkins.

Powers, White.— First, H. Hawkins.
good class.

Powrers, Any other colour.—First, Dr. Harvey (Yellow).
Perrott (Splash):

AtmonpD Tumsiers, Short-faced.—First, Dr. Harvey. Second, J. Perrott.

Ate Tomeprers, Shoréfaced.—First, T. Hare. Second, Dr. Harvey.

SHorT-FackD Tumsrers, Baldheads or Beards. —First, J. W. Edge
(Bald). Second, Dr. Harvey (Blue Bald).

SHorT-FracepD TumBLERs, Mottles, or any other colour. — First, T. Hare
(Mottles). Second, Dr. Harvey (Agates).

PAsTArts,; White.—First, J. Perrott. Second, R. J. Nash.

Second, A. E. Ussher. A very

Second, J.

Second, Dr. Harvey.
Second, Dr. Harvey.
Second, Dr. Harvey.
Second, Dr. Harvey.

A very

Second, J.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

| very suspiciously.

39

Fantatts, Black, or any other colour.—First, R. Lane (Blue). Second, R.
Daly (Black).
eee Yellow or Red.—First, J. Lloyd (Yellow). Second, J. Slattery
(Red).

Jacogtns, Other colours.—First, T. Babington, jun. (Black).

Bares.—First, J. Perrott (Black). Second, Miss A. E. Pike (Red).

Ow1s.—First, W. R. Baldwin (Blue). Second, A. E. Ussher (Silver).

Tursits.—First, Miss H. S. Pike (Yellow). Second, J. Dowling (Blue).

TruMPeTsRS.—First, J. Perrott (Mottled). Second, T, Babington, jun.
(White).

Nuns.—First, J. W. Edge. Second, T. O’Grady.

Macpres.—First and Second, P. Goulding (Yellow and Black),

Common TumBLERS, Baldheads or Beards.—First and Second, J. W.
Edge.

Comsron Tumprers, Other varieties. — First, J. W. Edge (Speckled).
Second, R. Lane, Black Mottled.

Common TuMBLEKS, Any other variety not classed.—First, J. Dowling,
Dragons.

SWEEPSTAKES FOR CarrreRs.—Prize, P. Goulding, Dun Cock.

Powrkr AND SHORT-FacED TuMBLER.—A Medal, given by Mr. J. C.
Perry. H. Hawkins, Blue Powter and Almond Cock.

CAGE BIRDS.

Cawnartss, Yellow.—First, F. Hodder. Second, R. Lane. CaNartres,
Green.—Prize, F. Hodder. Cananrres, Mealy, or any other colour.—First,
Mrs. A. E. Ussher. Second, F. Hodder, Lizard. Muxes, Linnet.—Prize,
Rey. J. O'Sullivan. Brackprsp.— Prize, W. Miles. Turusnrs.—First, J.
Lloyd. Second, J. Fitzgerald. NiGHTinGALe.—Prize, Rev. J. O’Sullivan.
Biackcap.— Prize, Rey. J. O’Sulliyvan. Woopiark.—Prize, Rev. J.
O'Sullivan. Sky~arks.—First, R. Daly. Second, F. Hodder. BuLtriycH.
—Prize, Mrs. Hodder, Talking Bullfinch. (Speaks several sentences very
well.} GotprincueEs. —First, F. Hodder. Second, J. Corcoran. LinNETs.—
Prize, D. Carbery.

Jupers.—Poultry : J. Blandford, Esq., Ashgrove, Cork; W.
Corbett, Esq., Castleconnell, Limerick. Pigeons : W. B. Teget-
meier, Esq., Muswell Hill, London ; John Austin, Esq., Pano-
rama, Terrace, Cork. Cage Birds: W.T. Jones, Esq., M.D.,
Cork ; Adam Parker, Esq., Landscape, Cork.

WILD DUCKS REARED WITH TAME.

I WIttIncry concede to the request of your correspondent
“J. R.” for further information respecting my former pets,
the wild Ducks. Permit me to add, we invariably pinioned
all the offspring as well as the primitive generation produced
from the eggs of birds still in a state of nature, as they all
proved themselves not to be certainly depended upon in case
of any sudden alarm or stress of weather, of which they were
peculiarly susceptible. The approach, for instance, of any
strange dog or cat caused them to rush headlong into the

| water, dive about, and make their best repeated efforts to take

wing until they became really exhausted. To show their
power of discrimination on the other hand, our own dogs and
cat were always running about quite unregarded, and al! three
of them frequently lay down and stretched themselves listlessly
about in the sunsiine, in the closest proximity to the Ducks—
‘Sa happy family.” So much did this difference to them and
strangers manifest itself, that I have seen the Ducks walk softly
to the dogs and snap at their hair when they wished to drive
them away from a spot they themselves coveted. Any positive
change of apparel in my sister to that she customarily wore
when among them, caused them at once to move away, as they
always did from an absolute stranger. Jt was evident they
depended at once entirely on the eye when thus withdrawing to a
distance, for a kind word or two from my sister instantly recalled
them, though for a few minutes or so they might still regard her
Usually they fed without hesitation from the
hand. I never tried to breed between the true Mallard and the
tame Duck. In justice to their constancy, I never Knew any
tendency of disposition on their parts to bigamy, or wanderings
after other female specimens of waterfowls that might be with
them of a different variety. On the contrary, I have seen a
Mallard fight desperately with a strange odd male of his own
species on his venturing too near the mate of his particular
selection. They always paired for the years we kept them, as
we never to the best of my recollection bred them beyond five
or six generations, as they then proved so much less beautiful.
The white collar round the neck of the Mallard then became
much broader and far more irregular; and another great token
of domestication carried beyond due limit was, the appearance of
white in the few longest fiight-feathers of the ducklings’ wings.
In all such cases we immediately resorted to wild-laid eggs
again, and put away those previously reared altogether.

Having given my experience of the Mallards of the true wild
Ducks, however ungallant it may appear, I must say a word or
two on the Ducks only. They seemed inclined to stray from

40 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

allegiance to their mated’ partners. One wild Duck particularly,
after breeding a: couple of seasons with her own Mallard, at once
shook him off on my placing a drake Pintail on the water. It
was evidently a case of love at first sight, for she swam about
the new comer caressingly, though he appearedevidently alarmed
and averse’ to her overtures of affections. From: that hour she
fought’ her old partner. Winter passed by, and the next spring
the Pintail seemed to haye become a conyert to her blandish-
ments, for they nested’and produced’ sevenior eight young ones.
Six were ultimately reared, and, strangely, proved all drakes.
They were’ most’ curiously-marked| “hybrids,” having much of

_the outline of: the father—viz., the Pintail’s bill, length of body,

dark legs, &c., but when moulted they all assumed the chestnut
crop of a true Mallard, and still more singularly, a triple row
of curled feathera'in the tail; the proper tail-feathers being also)
mouch longer than a wild Mallard’s: They were considerably
larger than either of their parents, but proved altogether hybrids,
never associating with their companions. At length, although
exceedingly beautiful, we parted with them.—Hpwp. Hewirz,
Sparhbrook, Birmingham.

ASCERTAINING THE SEX OF GOSLINGS.

Av the late Birmingham Show I claimed from Mr. Manfield
the-first-prize pen of young white Geese. I exhibited them for
the first time at Manchester, when they were disqualified, two
if not all of them being ganders. Mr. Manfield also exhibited a
pen there, and! it is rather a singular fact that they were dis-
qualified for the same reason.—J. Munn.

[We know of no mode of ascertaining the sex of live young
Geese : therefore there is nodelinquency in the above cases ; but
we think Mr. Manfield ought to let Mr. Munn have Geese in
exchange for the superfluous ganders:—EDs. |

HYBRID BETWEEN THE COMMON PHEASANT
AND THE SILVER PHEASANT.

Havine noticed a query on this’subject in your last Number,
I write to inform you that a gentleman in this town has'a stuffed
specimen of this hybrid, a male’ bird. It was shot some years
ago near Raby Castle, the seat of the Duke of Cleveland, where
some Silver Pheasants had been a short time before turned! loose:
The plumage is certainly very beautiful, and (if it is possible to
judge from a stuffed bird), the size and shape are good.—C. P.,
Darlington.

You are mistaken in saying that there has never been a cross
between the common and Silver Pheasant. There are several
places here, in Yorkshire, where they breed in the preserves
every year. The crossis generally a Pied variety ; but it is not
desired or highly prized by gamekeepers ; they consider the birds
weak and tender, and not easily reared. In the ‘ Zoological
Proceedings’ of 1836, is mentioned a cross between the common
Pheasant and the Silver Pheasant, and between the common
Pheasant and the Golden Pheasant.—S.

THE WARBLERS.

I comE now to the migratory insect-feeding warblers, many
of which are our finest songsters,. They arrive in spring, about
the\10th of April, when the first broods of caterpillars are being
hatched by the return of warm weather, and on them and the
larvee of other insects: they raise theix own broods; and, as
summer advances, insects of various kinds are added to: their
bill of fare. hey arrive in this country when insect life is first
awakening from the sleep of winter, stay with us while these
pests are'active, and depart in autumn when the colder nights
warn them their food-will soon beiless easy to procure. Thus
by anallwise decree they are sent to assist in checking that rapid
increase’ of insect life; silently and almost unnoticed they spread
over the whole'country doing; their miseion of good, to assist) in
the protection’ of every crop, Yet I have'ssid birds are not an
unmixed good, and truth compelsime to’say that many, perhaps’
negrly all; of these migratory insect-feeding birds do take tithe

a

[ January 13, 1863.

of the fruit which they have assisted in saving from utter destruc-
tion by insects.

In enumerating the warblers, the Nightingale —the most
delightful of all songsters—must head the list; second in the
choir comes the Blackcap, then the Garden Warbler, followed
by the Wood Wren, Willow Wren, Chiffchaff, Whitethroat,
Lesser Whitethroat, Wheatear, Redstart, Furze Chat, Grass-
hopper Warbler, Reed Warbler, and Sedge Warbler. Hach of
these birds has. its favourite haunts and imsect-food. Thus: it
will be seen that they all contribute to the destruction of insect
pests ; nevertheless, it must not be forgotten that those that are
most active in the gardens and orchards, eating and keeping in
check the insects that would destroy the buds, blossom, leaves,
and fruit of the bushes and trees—as, for instance, the Black-
cap, Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, and Willow Wrens—are
just those that take most tithe of fruit for their pains.

Gardeners, generally, are not well acquainted with the habits
of birds, nor do they often know all the species that visit their
gardens and plantations; most of these are plain-coloured birds,
and by the unobservent may be passed byas’ Sparrows, or cer-
tainly under that all-including title—small birds. The object of »
these papers is to awaken in gardeners a spirit of observation,
that they may learn how best:to save their fruit. I do not deny
that small birds-eat' fruit. I am well aware that many are very
annoying in their attacks on various crops; but then, if we are
to kill-off every bird that is in the least injurious, how shall we
save our crops from utter destruction from the imcrease of
insects? That birds do an immense amount of good is an
established fact, and without them few crops can be depended
on; that which L have always! advocated is to save’ the birds as
our best friends and allies against the armies of insects that
would otherwise devastate our crops, At the same time, F
would endeavour, as far as possible, to protect the sown seeds
and rising crops, as well as the ripening seeds and fruit, from
their taking too heavy a tithe, or too high wages for their labour.
The case will stand thua: The closer you kill-down the birds
‘the more troublesome will be the insects, and consequently the
smaller and smaller becomes the crop. But where the birds are
in fall force so as to enable them, each sort, to keep in check their )

favourite insect-food, then (weather permitting, for the birds

cannot alter the season) will the trees be enabled to produce
fruit, though the birds may claim a share if they are not kept
off at the proper time. Or, it amounts to this: Will you kill-
off the birds and preserve the insects that you may have no fruit
to be bothered about? or will you save the birds to destroy the
insects, and so, taking*the chance of the season, have a good
crop and some trouble to protectit? The question: is, Is a
large crop worth that trouble?—B. P. Brent.

BEE SEASONS IN SURREY.

HAvine taken great interest in, and derived much instruction
from, the communications on bee-keeping furnished by various
of your contridutors, I feel pleasure im sending you an’ account
of my experience in bee-keeping during the seasons of 1861-2,
in this part of the country (southern part of West Surrey).
Both seasons have been bad, particularly the latter year. !

I keep my hives in houses, made to hold six in two tiers. T
began the season of 1861 with six stocks, of which two gave out
three swarms each, three others gave one swarm: each, and one
stock did not swarm—nine swarms altogether.

Wishing to increase the number of my stocks, I hived them
all separately. ‘The first swarm came off on the 4th June; the
next swarm from another hive came out June 13th. Up to
this time not a drone was seen to come from any of my hives.
The next day I saw two or three drones come from the hive that
swarmed June 4th, ten days after the swarm ; and again drones
did not issue from the hive that’ swarmed June 13th until ten
days after the swarm. I think that very late for drones to make
their appearance. Both these hives gave three swarms.each ;
after which I placed a small glass on one’ of them, and took
about 31bs. of honey. From the two first swarms of these stocks
I also took small glaes supers of honey. Of the two second
swarms or casts one did very well, the other not so'well and it
died last winter, but not for want of food. Of the two third
swarms (or colts, or smarts, as some. people call them); which
are said by some not to be worth keeping by themselves, both
did very well, one’of them becoming in the autumn the’strongest
of all my hives: Indeed, the bees-were clustered outside so

January 15, 1863. ]

strong on the ist of October that I determined to put on a
small glass super, with a little empty comb init, to see if they
would deposit any honey, which they were then collecting in
great quantities from the ivy. I took a small quantity from the
super on the 7th October; but it tasted so strong of the ivy
that a very small bit nearly made me sick, and I did not dare
to touch it again. Have any of your correspondents noticed a
similar nauseous taste in honey taken so late ?

The doings of this third swarm the next season (1862) will be
particularly noticed hereafter, because it shows that in some
localities second and third swarms, although small, as the one
referred to was, can be hived by themselves and expected to do
well that and the following season, notwithstanding the state-
ments to the contrary contained inmost books on bees. Of the
other stocks and swarms I have nothing particular to note.
The autumn of 1861 found me with fifteen hives—the six stocks
I commenced that season with, and the nine swarms. I im-
properly deprived two of the stocks of most of their stores in
August. They were not able to replace their store, did not
prosper after, and died the following winter—a caution to me
for the future. These two deaths, together with that of the
second swarm previously referred to, left me with twelve stocks
to commence the season of 1862. The results of the year 1862
shall be given in another communication.—A Surrey BrEE-
KEEPER.

IN-DOOR APIARIES, AND RUNAWAY
SWARMS.

In reply to the queries of “.A Nortu-STarFroRDSHIRE BEE-
KEEPER” in No. 92, of the 30th of December, 1862, I have the
pleasure of sending the following remarks :—

Brom what experience I have had of keeping bees within
doors, I have no hesitation in recommending this mode to any
apiarian not possessing a regular bee-house. I's formation may
thereby be saved (and they are in too many instances anything
but ornamental structures), should he have a spare room or
closet in his dwelling or office-houses; or a staircase window
may be turned to good account for a like purpose, always pro-
yiding that the situation be dry, quiet, cool, and airy, and the
hive brought to within an inch or two at farthest of the external
atmosphere, otherwise dysentery would in all probability set in.
Even the village cottager, who has but his garret, may there
place his bees beyond the reach of depredators, independent alike
of either milk-pans or straw-hsckle; if unlathed so much the
better, as then there is no obstacle to his fitting at once his box-
front to the bevel of the roof, an entrance-slit being cut in the
boards, to which the slates are attached to tally with a corre-
sponding one in the box, over which a slate can be raised by a
couple of wedges three-quarters of ‘an inch thick at outer end.
This admits of space enough for the bees crowding in at the
approach of a shower. Should the box be placed half-way up
the roof, and top and bottom furnished with bar and slides, or
like convenience, he may super, nadir, or work collaterally to his
heart’s content, only taking care that the skylight be so far
moveable as to admit of the exit of any bees escaping during such
operations, as they fiy to the light. The cottager may thus very
simply establish an apiary; and I have seen that apartment con-
yerted into an extensive aviary for breeding canaries or other
birds ; and should the two be combined he could in his leisure
hours survey the operation of his bees through the window of
his hives, solaced by their pleasant busy hum and the merry
song of his birds.

Ihave found bees thrive as well, if not better, 20 to 30 feet,
or even 40 feet, from the ground with a north aspect, than in
my Gordon-hiyes at as many inches when dueS. or S.E. How-
eyer, our situation is not an exposed one; and, in addition, the
force of the northerly blast is broken by old trees beyond the
garden wall. At such an altitude the bee-keeper is of course
necessitated to work exclusively on the depriving or other plan
to prevent swarming. ‘Were they to issue they would generally
be lost, either from flying a long distance before settling, or
alighting on a tree-top.

“A NortH-STAFFORDSHIRE BEE-KEEPER”’ wishes to learn the
history of an observatory-hive to which I some time ago made
allusion, to detail which in a measure involves a description of
its predecessor from whence it/sprung, and which will equally
serve his purpose. In close proximity toa little press containing
the boxes of a vagabond stock, located for many years in our

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENHER,

41

roof (a description of the working of this and other roof-hives
your correspondent will find in THE Corrace GarDENER, No.
589, 10th of January, 1860), was a little half staircase window
facing the north, there serving the purpose of a press, and into
which I resolyed to place a stock. In order to bring the in-
mates nearer the outside, [ removed some 3 inches of mastic
plaster, then a pair of thick shutters, the fruits of the window-
tax blockade, and cutting an entrance through the centre of the
bottom of the frame placed on a shelf flush with the sill. On the
7th of June, 1859, I had a small first swarm (2 lbs. 14 ozs.), in a
Stewarton-box, and on the 30th of the same month I hived another
a large swarm (5 lbs. 11 ozs.) in another Stewarton, and placed
it underneath the preceding. The united colony wrought well—
quite equal to any of my other strong stocks, the beginning of
September finding them with three boxes full, thenett contents of
which weighed 43 Ibs. 13 oza., having previonsly yielded a hand-
some two-guineasuper. 1 removed the lower box-comb so soon as
the inmates had ascended for the winter, and instead introduced
an eke: this box was returned the following season as soon as they
required room. Beginning of March, 1860, I again weighed the
hive, and found the nett contents 33 lbs., or a deficiency of
10 Ibs. 13 ozs. against the six months’ keep of this strong colony.
That season was inferior to its predecessor, but, doubtless,
partly owing to its immense population, the hive yielded a super
rather heavier than in the preceding seasons, and now, having
fairly outgrown my space in height, 1 resolved to appropriate its
contents; but, fearing a large part of the population would
return to the window and be troublesome, although united
to another stock at a different stance, I put a young queen
and a small body of workers in the empty observatory in its
stead, and, after a hunt through the remaining five compart-
ments of the Stewarton, at last secured and destroyed the old
monarch, and united her subjects with those of the observatory.
The nett contents of the three upper boxes containing the honey
weighed, after the bees were removed, 49 lbs. 7 oz3.

I fed the large population of the observatory liberally with
the inferior part of the contents of their old hive, and an abun-
dant supply of sugar syrup. Comb-building went on briskly in
the full light, and as the season advanced I had a good opportunity
of observing the effect of the lowering temperature on the
inmates till it reached the extreme point of 25° of frost on the
memorable morning of the 24th December. Contrary to my ex-
pectatiou they came through in fine order, and were kept regularly
supplied with food till the spring was far advanced, when a
jong tack of northerly wind caused me to cease feeding during its
continuance, fearing to disturb them unnecessarily, and trusting
to their surplus store. In this I quite miscalculated, for to my
no small chagrin I one day found all still, the bees packed-up
between the combs, and after sweeping them off the comb saw
that not a cell contained food. Had I then the experience I
accidentally became possessed of last spring, that the majority
of the population of a hive when in’that benumbed, starved, and
seemingly dead condition for a short time, may be resuscitated
by being brought in contact with a gradually increasing tempe-
rature, this observatory-hive might still be in full operation.

Your Staffordshire correspondent’s remaining query as to
how vagrant swarms prefer a high situation, such as a roof
church-tower, &e., can only be accounted for ‘by their ‘known
instinct in dispatching scouts so soon as swarming becomes
imminent, to select some suitable situation to which the young
colony may migrate, and that the above or some hollow tree
is the only place with a sufficiently contracted entrance to
exclude marauders to which they can gain undisturbed ad-
mission, besides, as your correspondent suggested, possessing
an equable temperature, to which may be added the suitable
considerable bevel of the roof, removing all dampness and
débris. It is singular the predilection bees have for such a
situation ; more particularly when once a swarm has established
itself, others are sure to follow. I bave often watched with
interest the daily increasing surveying-roof party of scouts,
the invariable precursors of a swarm. If they suddenly cease
their visits it may be concluded they have come off and been
eaptured; but should the space contain in addition the empty
comb of a defunct colony, they will even abandon their new hive
after working therein. What bees in such situation ‘thrive and
prosper is undoubted; aided doubtless by generally selecting a
north aspect, their dormancy is more complete, and the drain on
their store at a minimum, so that they rarely perish from starva-
tion. I have myself measured stretches of comb in one roof
extending to 6 feet in length; in another a few miles distant

4.2

the proprietor, on plundering several of the roof-hives, required
to employ washing-tubs to contain the mass of combs of
various hues. ‘he roof of the Lord of the Manor, as recorded
in No. 9, possesses quite a talismanic influence, and is a standing
terror to all the surrounding cottage bee-keepers. I related in
that Number the chase of one after a swarm. It is, however,
fair that | should mention it has since come to my knowledge,
that although the details of that story were as related, still my
informant was not aware that the stock from which the swarm
proceeded was placed at a farm standing nearer the manor-house
a good deal than his own dwelling.

The last laird had a great liking to the bees, but failed to
induce them to work-out into boxes fitted-up for their reception
—very likely from not having sufficiently contracted the space
where they were located—but consoled himself by having always
the lath and plaster removed from the divisions where the bees
established themselves, boards kept in their place with small
buttons being substituted ; so that, with the aid of a little smoke,
the butler could promptly procure, when ordered, a piece of
beautiful honeycomb fresh from the hive to sweeten the repast
of his friends. His successor being no apiarian, and fearing the
bees might penetrate to the very nursery, had them removed
and the seams papered-up with stout paper; but notwithstand-
ing, the following season brought as usual a large prime swarm,
which, nothing daunted, occupied the favoured site, having
cut a suitable entrance through the paper. They survived last
winter, and were very strong in spring, when they were merci-
lessly banished—not, however, without inflicting signal vengeance
on their destroyers. The whole slates were removed from the
north end, which was covered with roofing felt before they were
replaced ; and it now remains to be seen if this prove a sufficient
preventive against the inroads of our indefatigable little favourites.
—A RENFREWSHIRE BEE-KEEPER.

BOTTLE-FEEDERS FOR BEES.

One Who Has Bees would like to know what kind of bottle is
used for feeding, and how it is applied to straw skeps haying a
four-inch opening on the top, with the combs built across it.

[Any kind of bottle will answer the purpose, but those with
short necks and of a squat shape are the most convenient. For
occasional feeding in spring, nothing answers better than a
common four-ounce or six-ounce medicine-phial; whilst for
copious feeding in autumn, an ordinary pickle-bottle leaves
nothing to be desired. The best arrangement for straw skeps
with a four-inch opening, is that recommended by ‘A Drvon-
SHIRE BEE-KEEPER” for wooden hives, and delineated in Vol.
XXV., page 42. The opening in the top of the hive is
covered with a piece of perforated zinc, on which is placed a
block of wood 5 inches in diameter, with a central hole to
receive the bottle-neck. The bottle filled with liquid food, and
haying its mouth covered with a piece of coarse cap-net, the
meshes of which are not less than a sixteenth of an inch in
diameter, should be quickly inverted over the opening in the
wooden block, so that any food that escapes may run into the
hive, and its neck being inserted therein, it will stand steadily
in an inverted position, whilst the food remains perfectly sus-
pended by atmospheric pressure without a drop falling, until
the whole is appropriated by the bees. If very rapid feeding
be desired, the net may be drawn out after the bottle is inverted,
thus bringing the food more completely in contact with the
perforated zinc, and enabling the bees to remove it in a wonder-
fully short time. The points to be attended to in adapting the
perforated block to a bottle are, first to make the hole suffi-
ciently large to admit of the neck passing freely in and out
when enyeloped in the neck; whilst the block itself should be
of such a thickness that, whilst the bottle-mouth rests on the
perforated zinc underneath, the upper side of the block fits
close to the surface of the bottle. This is very important;
because, if strange bees or wasps are able surreptitiously to
obtain a taste of the forbidden sweets from the outside, serious
injury, or even the total destruction of the colony, may very
probably result from a combined attack, which few stocks are
able successfully to resist. In conclusion, we may add that a
long and very extensive experience warrants us in fully endors-
ing the conclusion of our able and esteemed correspondent
‘°B. & W.,” that the inverted bottle is indeed the xe plus ultra
of bee-feeders. |

JOURNAL OF HORTICULIURE AND COTTAGH GARDENER,

[ January 13, 1363.

EVENING THOUGHTS IN JANUARY.

(From the German of ADALBERT BRAUN.)
By “A DzyonsHIRE BEE-KEEPER.”
WIrTaIn my little garden
Stands also a bee-house,
And bees therein protected
From sly tomtit or mouse.
How quietly they’re sitting !
And little trouble give,
Beyond the needful watching
That undisturb’d they live—
That all, indeed, are living
Yn strong unbroken health,
And, in the brood-nest hanging,
Consume their hoarded wealth—
* That in the dwindling store-room
Sufficient stores remain,
Until the rape-plant donneth
Its blossom dress again !
Thus daily do I visit
My garden and my bees,
Neglecting thereby often
My dinner and my ease.
Thank God! they all were humming
Within their hives to-day ;
Nor could I find a symptom
Of hunger or decay.

And yet what ardent longing
I feel, O Spring, for thee!

My darlings’ gleesome frolics
Ave happiness to me !

How would this anxious longing
Consume my very breast,

But for a little being
So full of love and jest,

In heat or cold that prattles
Around me ev'ry day,

And stills the throes of longing
By commune blithe and gay.

Ye bee-keepers can value
A joy that is complete ;
It is my wife—the darling
Whose lips are honey-sweet.
With e’en the richest bee-stand
Were joy and pleasure gone,
If my heart’s queen were wanting
And I left here alone.

Thus her I love and honour,
No difference have we,
But oft-times go together
Our little pets to see,
Her kisses sweet removing
All sorrow from my breast,
And honied joys surrounding
Proclaim us highly blest.
—T. W. Woovzury, Mount Radford, Hueter.

OUR LETTER BOX.

Poutrry Diary (A. Barker).—Its publication has ceased. We use an
interleaved copy of ‘‘ Johnson’s Farmer’s Almanac,” which may be had in
a cloth binding for 2s,, and we rule the blank leaves according to our own
requirements for eggs. &c,

SpanisH Cockenet Lost at THE CrysTaL PALAce.—'* Not having re-
ceived back the single Spanish cockerel which I sent to the Crystal Palace
Show; and Mr. Houghton, although he has taken great trouble, having
been unable to ascertain what has become of him, I am induced to inquire
whether this sort of loss has ever happened to any other of your readers.
It is true that a bird was returned to me, but it was totally unlike the one
Isent. Mine was bred by me from birds highly commended at Manchester,
was the pick of about fifty chickens, and was itself commended at the
Crystal Paluce Show. The bird returned to me was worth about 2s, 6d.—
R. B, Posrans, Brentwood.”

Tur Mancuesrer SHow Prize List.—The first prize for old Spanish and
Duckwing Game chickens, we are informed, should be ‘John Martin,
pea Worcester,” and not “John Martin, Bingley,” as stated in this

ournal.

_ | speak most highly of the kind houeehold treatment of Mrs, Behr.

Boys’ Scuoor (Pater).—We advise you to send your sons to Dr. Behr’s,
Winton House, Winchester. We know several youths who have passed
excellent public examinations after being under his charge; and they all

i a

ae ee

January 20, 1853. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER, 43
WEEKLY CALENDAR.
WEATHER NEAR Lonvon In 1862. | cid tg
Day Day | Moon Clock
of of JANUARY 20—26, 1863. Rain in| S82 Sun Rises |Moon’s before Day of
ERR Wile Barometer. |Thermom,} Wind. | 7) hes, | Rises Sets. jandSets| Age. Sun. Year.
degrees. m. h,| m. _h.| m. h. m, 8
20 Tu R. Sweet d, 1835. G. 29,691—29.532 32—27 SE. = 97 af? | 25af4 | 2a 6 | 1 11 16 20
21 Ww Sun’s declin. 19° 57's. 29.483—29.432 40—29 E. *06 56007 27 4 | 27 7 | 2 ll 3% 21
22 TH Lord Bacon b. 1561. 29.511—29.379 53—28 5.W. “05 by |) PRY cb GBs 3 3 11 50 22,
23 F Agardh b. 1785. B. 29.629—29,.357 50—38 Ss. “09 647) 30 4 4 10 | 4 12 6 23
24 Ss. Boccone b. 1633. B. 29.486—29.411 56—40 S.W. 03 5oe 7a Soe 8 11 Sie) 112) 21 24
25 | Son 3 Sun. arrer Erie. Con..S. P. | 29.985—29.564 | 48—19 S.W. “22 at 7 | 344 morn. 6 12 35 25
26 | M Dandelion flowers. 30.192—30.173 | 53-36 | N.W. — {50 7/36 4/29, 0} p | 12 48 2

MrrroroLocy or THE Wrek.—At Chiswick, from observations during the last thirty-six years,

the average highest and lowest

temperatures of these days are 43.9? and 32.3° respectively. The greatest neat, 08°, occurred on the 28rd, in 1834; and the lowest cold, 7°

on the 20th, in 1833.

During the period 141 days were fine, and on 111 rain fell.

G A HARDY RACE OF

HINTS FOR RAISIN
= CROSS-BRED HEATHS.

OST surprising is it in
this age of botanical
enterprise, with the
high estimation in
which gardeners hold
Cape Heaths for de-
corating, the conser-
yatory and greenhouse
all the year round, to
find that no attempt
has hitherto been
made to cross them
and their numerous
garden varieties with

the hardy European
kinds, so as to produce a perfectly hardy race suited
to the open border. If the art were difficult, and the
chances hopelessly rare, this might readily be accounted
for; but as there are ample materials, and great facility,
no fear need be entertained that a person with moderate
skill, ordinary perseverance, and a slight botanical ac-
quaintance with plants would fail. Individuals who follow
such pursuits generally obtain more or less reward for
their trouble, and abundance of that blessing to mankind,
“the pleasures of hope,” besides, the great gratification
arising out of the unexpected accession of new and beau-
tiful objects, the pleasures from which occur almost
daily. When the prospects of obtaining such objects
fail to be realised, anticipation yields the same balm to
the mind, and thus, whilst it stimulates the operator to
fresh action, also invigorates the animal powers, and in-
creases the capabilities of enjoyment, for each succeeding
set of seedlings always brings some interesting novelty
which has been little expected. Mrs. Grant, of Laggan,
sings, “ What lovely prospects wait each waking hour,
when each new day some novelty; displays ;” and as such
novelties are almost sure to be realised by hybridisation,
if patiently. and attentively carried out, and as no one
can be.an enthusiastic cultivator of flowers without feel-
ing desirous of seeing improvements effected, how better
can such a desire be gratified, than by raising seedling
varieties? Nothing can give greater pleasure to the
lover of his garden than watching, through the various
eipece of ee Bore his productions until they arrive
at maturity, and burst forth to gratify the eye wi i
hitherto-hidden beauties. ean My Tene
It will, however, only be after a course of years,
coupled with much care and perseverance, that the gar-
dener will be able to bend the stubborn wild beauty. to
his will, and that the cross-bred plants will arrive at a
state of perfection which. never could have been anti-
cipated when. first the attempt was made to improve

them, even by the most judicious use of the materials at
No. 95.—Vou. IV., New SzEres.

the hybridiser’s command. And who can tell after all
but that such efforts only help to do that which Nature
herself has done oftentimes before without the aid of
man? Still, care and cuitivation uniformly develope cer-
tain qualities differing im each variety, which are only
dimly perceived, or, perhaps, not at all seen in the wild
or natural state, or only in such species as are capable
of great diversity in their varieties. In Nature there
are a system of development and a definite point of per-
fection, the approach to which constitutes improvement
in each variety ; and this is effected by crossing those
varieties that have shown respectively the greatest
advance in the direction desired, for the whole system
abounds in varieties whose offspring is mongrel in race,
uncertain in progeny, and variable in aspect, and from
which circumstances alone fresh varieties are constantly
produced, more and more developing qualities in some
direction, and pointing to a standard which when reached
would be perfection in that particular variety. Not-
withstanding that less is due to chance than skill and
judgment in the first instance, still the work of the
hybridiser is simply to follow whither Nature leads
him, selecting always that track in which there is the
greatest promise of his securing the accomplishment of
his desires.

The botanist considers hybridising plants as a sort of
presumption to mend Nature, for he loves her for herself.
A rustic beauty to him is “loveliest when least adorned,”
while the gardener loves Nature too, but not in her
déshabitle—for him she must be ‘clad in all her charms.”
The scientific man also considers hybrids as departures
from Nature and interferences with the habits of plants,
and calls them ‘‘ Nature’s bastards.” Still “‘ Nature is
made better by Art, for that which adds to Nature is an
art that Nature makes;” and the study of Nature does
not lead to irreconcilable differences, but unity of pur-
pose, for there is no difficulty in following the successive
advances, or in discovering that there is no capriciousness
in flowers, because those advances lead to correct results,
and haye real natural connections.

It, therefore, only requires skill anda moderate amount
of perseverance to succeed in giving the hardiness oi the
European. Heath to the more tender ones from the Cape,
and so produce an assortment of shrubs of great beauty
for ornamenting the open border at all seasons of the
year, similar to those which now decorate the greenhouse
and conservatory. And there is no reason to suppose,
from what has already been done with hardy Rhododen-
drons, but that success would crown the endeavours of
all those who tried their skill in raising cross-bred Heaths,
which would flourish in the open border, and withstand
the rigours of our severest. winters, like the beautiful
little hardy moor Heath, Prica carnea.

The first and most essential point, therefore, to be
attended to, in raising a race of cross-bred, hardy Heaths
suited to the open border, will be to give a hardy con-
stitution to the plants, by blending the hardiness of the
little moor Heath with some of the spring-flowering
Cape kinds, and those hardy species. such 2s EK. tetralix

No. 747.—Vor. XXIX. Oxp Series,

44

ciliaris, cinerea, multiflora, vagans, and Mackayana, with the
summer and autumn-flowering Cape ones, making the hardy
kinds at first the male parent, for in so doing you not only have
a large assortment of Cape sorts to experiment upon, but also the
advantage of having them out-doors. It will, however, be very
requisite for those persons who take up the subject in earnest,
to obtain a full set of the hardy kinds and their varieties, and
keep them in pots, so that the plants may be at all times ready
in a portable form.

The process of hybridising plants being now so generally
understood, it appears unnecessary to allude to it further than
to remind the operator that self-fertilisation must be carefully
guarded against, by removing the pollen-bearing parts of the
flower before any pollen be dispersed, and that he must labour
even more diligently than the industrious bee among his flowers,
or his hives will produce nosweets. It may also happen that some
of the first attempts at crossing the hardy Huropean Heaths
with the beautiful and more aristocratic varieties from the Cape,
may prove failures, or that but little advance may be gained
from the first crosses; still, by recrossing the hybridised seed-
ling productions with a hardy kind, and more experience in
the selection of sorts for trial, such difficulties will soon be
overcome, and the result after the second generation prove a
hardy race, for many of the Cape kinds may already, be con-
sidered as half-hardy, bearing, as they do, several degrees of
frost without injury.

In sowing the seeds and raising the young plants, the treat-
ment should be in all respects like that of the hardy Rhodo-
dendron, and at no time should artificial heat be used to obtain
or stimulate growth. Afterwards select, when the proper time
shall arrive, the most promising kinds as regards hardihood for
recrossing, until a thoroughly hardy race is established, when, as
is the case with all mongrel productions, selection and cultivation
will do much towards attaining perfection.

The cross-breeder, however, should at all times be guided by a
comparison of results obtained from experience, and from such
draw conclusions upon which to act, for mistakes are made, and
will still be made, in the endeavour after advancement ; and
much will depend as to the value of what may be raised after-
wards by attending to particular objects. In the present case,
‘everything must be sacrificed for hardiness, and the varieties will
afterwards be improved by selection and cultivation, like the
offspring of all mixed breeds.—GzoRGE Gorpon, A.L.S.

BUDDING AND GRAFTING WITH A SELECTION
OF NEW AND OLD ROSES.

THERE was a proper answer, and a very queer answer in the
last Number about budding forced Roses. A gentleman down
at Brentwood, where the eastern counties’ farming begins to
tell after leaving London, wrote to say he had a lot of Manetti
Roses, and he wanted to bud on them from some of his forced
Roses for two reasons—the first, to gain so much time, or say one
season, if he did them now or up to the end of February. The
second was a more valid reason—he was a good hand at bud-
ding, and could bud them himself; but as to grafting Roses, he
had so little practice in it that he felt he was not quite well
enough up to the mark of doing it; and the next best plan, of
course, was to apply to the fountain head of practical knowledge
in such matters. The answer he had was what tickled my
fancy, and made me write about Roses to-day. Oh, yes!
“Your plan is founded on scientific principle, and your plan
and theory are both correct, and must succeed; but, after all
that, the practice of the whole trade is against you.” Now,
that answer must have sprung from one of two very different
causes. The gentleman from Brentwood must have begun his
letter on the second page, and so put the Editors into their
best mood, because they would have no trouble with it; or else
they, the Editors, intended to show cause why there should not
be more than two modes of proceeding. The common saying
is, that there can be but two ways of doing or saying a thing—
the right way and the wrong way. But here we have a dif-
ferent version of it. A plan and theory founded on scientific
principle must, indeed, succeed unless very badly managed ; but
“the practice of the whole trade is against it.” I always said
that the practice of several in the Rose trade was not alto-
gether good; but to say the whole practice of a trade is against
a plan and principle on a plain scientific foundation, is just as
much as to say there are two good ways of doing a thing against

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ January 20, 1863.

one bad way of doing the same. And, as is always the case
when the Editors have two strings to their bow, they make us
writers draw one of them with no more to say than “ mind the
mark,” and on this occasion it so happens that it is my turn to
pull; otherwise the Editors, would keep Manetti and Moryen
as far apart as the poles of the earth so early in the season.

The first turn is, that there are two ways of budding Roses
and ten ways of grafting them. The gentleman at Brentwood
has hold of the second way, which is the surer of thetwo. He
is about putting, or has already put, his lot of Manetti stocks
into the forcing-house, forwarding them to the growth they
would have naturally in the middle of May. The bark will soon
“yun,” and so will the gentleman, and never stop until the whole
are budded with the best new Roses—such as John Hopper,
Beauty of Waltham, Madame de Chabrillant, Madame Furtado,
and Madame Crapelet, Louis XIV., Senateur Vaisse, General
Washington, General Simpson, and Admiral Nelson, Victor
Verdier, and Madame Vidot, and such like popular and much-
prized kinds out of the newer Roses, together with a very select
few of the older kinds, beginning with Madame Laffay, Géant
des Batailles, Barcnne Prevost, Duchess of Sutherland, Duchess
of Norfolk, and down to Général Jacqueminot, which was an
oldish Rose the moment Senateur Vaisse hoisted the standard ;
also a very few sweet-scented Roses, which no one likes to
mention in these days on account of Manetti, which such
Roses neyer want to be budded upon. I mean the old Cabbage
Rose (the very best of them yet after all), the Crimson and
Crested Moss, Boule de Nanteuil, Kean, Paul Ricaut and Paul
Perras, Coupe d’Hébé (Her Majesty’s favourite Rose), Chénédole,
and “ Lee's Perpetual,” all sweet, sweeter, and sweetest.

Of course, he, the gentleman aforesaid, will bud all these, and
some others, as near to the surface of the soil in the pot as he
can manage to turn the worsted thread in tyimg on the buds;
worsted being the best tie in the forcing-house, as it will keep
moist of itself the whole time, from the moisture or vapour
needed in the air in all such forcing. Having full command,
now, over his handiwork, he will not allow one joint more to
grow on the Manetti parts, but force the whole action of the
roots into the one outlet of the new buds; then it is one sees

the effect of forcing with 10° or 15° more of heat than out of -

doors in summer—there would seem to be more huckstering
between the Rose stock and the bud, to see which could go first,
as it were.

Now, and for two more months, the stock, even the excitable
Manetti, will yield to the run of the new bud, on a pressure of
from 55° to 60° of night heat, with that degree of moistare. Then,
if March be a fine month, by the middle of April every one of
the buds will have made shoots from 10 to 20 inches long,
according to the sorts, and by that time, no doubt, the pots will
be taken to the greenhouse, or at least to a cold pit, and if any
bloom-buds come they will be instantly picked off. All this
time not a leaf of the Manetti stock must be touched, all, as

yet, consisting in merely stopping every effort to make more |

growth to Manetti; for, recollect, what the Vditors say about
scientific principle, all this work is based on that, and going at
railway speed, to make up one whole season in advance.

Well, cold-frame work till all the bedding plants are out, and,
last of all, give the spring-budded Roses their free liberty in the

richest-made bed of loam and rotten dung that ever was made in —

the eastern counties. But, yet, that scientific principle has kept
on the head of Manetti, and at the planting-out time the shoots

from the budding are to be cut back just one-half their length; the ©

balls entirely shaken off, and some shading will be necessary for
the first ten days. The first effort of new growth will be at the
top of the pruned shoots, and when the new growth there is
three or four joints long will be the time to begin to reduce the
head of the Manetti. Up to that moment poor Manetti has been
doing the necessary work of that member of the Rose peerage
for whom his head is to be cut off, and we shall see no more
of him, for in these eastern counties they found the safety of
giving burial to all Manettis on the occasion of cutting off the
heads; and soit is, and if there is an inch of Manetti not buried,
that inch will dispute for pre-eminence with all that are worked
on it, and both would be crippled. So there is no need to follow
further the fortunes of this batch.

But, how comes it that the trade never bud their forced Roses,

or force the new Roses to have buds from? ‘They do both,
but they do it very differently, and make every bud produce a
plant after all. If the trade were to wait till the bark of the

stocks would *‘run” in order to bud, their customers would .

January 20, 1863. ]

bark ten times louder for the delay than they now do, and every
one knows the barking is loud enough as itis. This I can tell
to my cost, for Tam obliged to buy every inch of Rose I grow,
on account of my relation to Manetti, and though I went in for
John Hopper as early as the middle of December, I could not
obtain it for love or money ; but I was lucky enough to procure
Beauty of Waltham on its own roots.

All the nurserymen graft the new Roses as fast as they can
make them grow the first year, and many, if not most of them,
grow all their best Roses from cuttings both the first year and
until they have a full stock of them; but the real new Roses
are difficult to be had on their own roots the first season, and
so I lost my chance of John Hopper for another year.

It happens sometimes that when one is cutting-up a new
Rose for grafts there are some very small side shoots which are
too slender for grafts; but being as good as so much gold they
are struck as cuttings, and are soon as good as the grafted
plants, and that was the luck by which I was enabled to pro-
cure Beauty of Waltham and some others of the same feather.
Well, budding Roses is one of the easiest operations to learn;
but grafting them is an easier process and a much safer way to
make every bud tell for a plant; so there are two best ways of
doing this part of the business.

The best way to bud a Rose in summer or winter is not to
extract the bark and bud from the shield of soft sappy wood
as some do, but to take the thinnest slice of the sapwood along
with the bark and bud; then if the edge of the bark does not
take at once, the soft woody slice behind the bud is sure to
stick to the soft body of the stock and amalgamate with it for
the flow of sap into the new bud, and it is on that same principle
that a grafted Rose is more safe than a bud put in on the ordi-
nary plan of budding. Grafting Roses is not like grafting
Apples and Pears, it is more of an intermediate process between
budding and common grafting ; the Rose-grafters, merely take
a thicker slice of wood behind the bud than is doue in bud-
ding —say a thicker and a little longer slice, and one bud
only ; then the stock needs only a like slice to be cut out of it,
and the new bud and slice to be nicely fitted to the part without
tongueing or wedging: nothing but to tie on the slice. Sup-
posing you took a slice of bark and wood off a branch, and cut
across the bottom to take it out fair, would it not be easy to
Stick on the same slice again, and tie it round with some soft
binding? Of course it would; nothing was ever yet easier to
learn in this world:

_Rose-grafting is quite as easy, only you take the slice from a
different branch, which is all the difference. But clever prac-
titioners do it still easier. They cut off the head of the Rose
stock, and leave only a little stump out of the pot; from the top
of this stump they slice off about 14 inch down, and make a
cut across the bottom of the slice which leaves a notch there,
and on that notch they rest or fit the bottom end of the graft
slice, then cut the top end of the slice square with the top of
the stock, tie, and clay ; sometimes they do not clay at all, but
it is more safe for ordinary people to put on a little clay for all
kinds of grafts.

The best way to clay a Rose graft and all pot grafts is, to put
a lump of clay in @ pot saucer and as much water as will make
it into a soft paste, like very thick paint, and with a little brush
paint the stock and graft all round, then dust it over with sand,
which will keep it from cracking, and all is finished. Gardeners
make their own brushes for this work, a bit of soft matting tied
on the end of a stick like a pen-holder is all they require. When
you hear of people grafting Roses in-doors, the plan is still more
easy. There is no pot or mould, only so many Rose stocks lifted
out of the ground on purpose, and any of the ways of grafting
will do. I am going to graft a great many Roses this next
month merely for amusement, and to try two or three ways,
the one against the other to find out which is the easiest and
most sure. Most of my stocks will be six-inch lengths of any
Rose roots that I can lay hold of, for, ultimately, I shall induce
the grafts to root on their own account. D. BEaton.

PEAS—GREENHOUSES.

I Must this week ask to be a seeker of information instead of
being, as usual, in my small way, a giver of such; although,

probably, the result of my questionings may be useful to other |

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 45

some great mist over our eyes about diamonds, that fabulous as
was their value it was not warranted by their appearance, that
to his mind the imitations of the Koh-i-noor in cut glass were
quite as brilliant, and that he questioned very much whether if
one of them had been placed in lieu of the veritable gem half
the crowd that pressed in to sce it would have found it out.
Of course this was a most heretical declaration, but I only men-
tion it just to shelter behind while I make one as bad—namely,
that there is, to my mind, as great an illusion on the subject of
Peas. We have a wonderful variety—Peas as large as bullets,
and as sweet as if they were sugared ; Peas that grow 6 and 7 feet
high, and others that only grow one anda half. But I must—
turn me out of your company, oh! ye gourmets—express my
entire abhorrence of the whole race of Marrows. I do not
think there are any Peas that equal those we have in the first
part of the season. Daniel O’Rourke, Sangster’s No. 1, &.,
Ican eat and enjoy them; but when they are over, and these
great hulking grenadiers come in, my Pea-eating diminishes
in an inverse ratio, and I look foward to the coming-in of the
French Bean as a positive relief. Now, what I want to know is,
and will some one who does not blush for my want of taste
inform me, whether it is not possible to have such Peas through
the season, and, if s0, what would be the conditions under
which one might expect to have them? All through the summer
at Paris you have the petit pois; and, I suppose, our Victorias,
Ne Plus Ultras, &c., would be considered as only fit for the
strong stomach of John Bull. As one must be now looking
out for seeds for the year, I should be really glad of any in-
formation on this subject.

Then, again, I want a little advice on the subject of a green-
house. My present one is all coming to pieces, and I want to
put-up a new one in its place. It is a lean-to, and heated by a
flue. Of course I want to put it up as cheaply as I can, and
for this reason purpose having the top a fixture, no sashes,
but simply bars glazed. I have in my mind the size I want,
and most of the details; but I should be glad if some friend to
small gardeners would say what is the best plan of ventilating.
The house will be about 16 feet long and 10 wide, in a corner,
so thai the wall forms one end of it. It faces about south-west,
so that it receives a good proportion of sun. It needs good ven-
tilation, and that is one point I want information on. Then,
with regard to glazing, I remember seeing, some two or three
years ago, at the nursery of Mr. Wm. Paula new system, which
seemed to me much more economical than the ordinary one.
The glass was laid on putty, and screwed into its place with
screws on indiarubber bands. Will he kindly give his experi-
ence of the matter, and say how it answers, and whether frost
affects 16 or not, and how it is to be done? I dare say such
information is to be had, and has been given before; but then
every year makes such changes and introduces so many improve-
ments, that it is just possible one might reap the benefit of some
more recent experience.—D., Deal.

CROSSING STRAWBERRIES.

I wad intended, on seeing in my November part of your
Journal the question put by Mr. Darwin about crossing Straw-
berries, to have replied, mentioning an experiment I had made
in that way, but haying occasion to go to the country for a
time, | postponed doing so. It had gone out of my head till
after my return, when I was again reminded of it by seeing two
answers to Mr. Darwin’s letter in the December part of your
Journal. These answers do not exactly meet the question,
neither does mine precisely, as | am now to giveit. But, as the
subject is one of high interest and referring to a tribe of plants
among which I have been experimenting for many years, any
item of information, however small, may not be without its use
to some of your other readers, if it should be valueless, as I fear
it may, to Mr. Darwin.

Having many years ago received from my friend Dr. Jameson, of
Ecuador, seeds of a large-fruited Strawberry, cultivated at Quito
as an importation from Chili, I sowed them and raised a very
large-berried brood, but with fruit so insipid that I regarded
them as utterly worthless. Having at the same time a very
fine but intractable kind of Strawberry in my garden, called
“Myatt’s Pine,” which after a time ceased to bear fruit, I be-
thought myselt of trying to infuse its delicious aroma into its

folks besides myself. In one of the reviews of the Great Exhi-/ robust congener from Chili; and I was induced to this the
bition just closed the reviewer remarked—there must be surely | more from observing one valuable property in this latter species

46 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

—namely, its stout fruitstalk—so I made the cross and haye
now cultivated the progeny for two or three years. The m-
sipidity of the Chilian parent is removed, and a considerable
share of the Pine flavour communicated. The fruit-stems, too,
are stronger than in the Pine. Plants are at Mr. Darwin’s
service if he wish forthem. They area good deal alike, yet there
is one of a peculiar habit, very dwarf, and throwing off few or
no runners, the fruit of which is globose, not angular, as is the
casé with most others of the batch.

It may not be uninteresting to Mr. Darwin and your general
readers, to mention a result in crossing which I haye not heard
of being before detected.

In the spring of last’year I made several crosses among Rho-
dodendrons with the pollen of R. Nuttalli, the largest-flowered
and noblest of its race. Observing the unusual size of the seed-
pods of this cross, I took measurements to-day of their dimen-
sions, and beg now to note the respective measurements of these
pods as borne by R. Dalhousiex. The largest pod I can find of
R. Dalhousie, not crossed, is 14 inch long by 13 in girth.

Of three pods of R. Dalhousie crossed with R. Nuttalli, each
is 1§ inch long by 2 inches im girth.

One pod of R, Dalhousie crossed with R. longifolium (rather
a robust species, but not nearly so robust as R. Nubttalli),
measures 1} inch long by 1; in girth.

The seeds of the above'crossed with R. Nuttalli, one of the
pods of which, pulled some days ago and opened to-day, appear
to be as abundant as they are large, those of one pod nearly
half filling’an ordinary-sized teaspoon.

Has this result of enlarged fruit or seed-yessels ensuing from
crosses effected by larger species than the seed-bearer, been before
observed ? “With me it is too marked to be a matter of chance.
—Isaac Anprrson-Henny, Hay Lodge, Trinity, Edinburgh.

[Ma. Anderson-Henry enclosed a leaf of the cross-bred Straw-

berry. It is very peculiar in form, the leaflets being compressedly-
circular, or, as botanistsiterm it, oblate-orbicular.—ips. J. oF H. |

CELERY CULTURE.

‘As I have been more successful than “HuppErsrirrp,” 1
‘will detail my mode of growizg Celery.

T sow in pans about the middle of March, and place them inja

‘little heat, close to the glass. When ready for pricking-off, I
transfer the plants to a frame in which Asparagus has been forced,
and in which the heat is almost exhausted. When tlhiere for
three or four days, I give the bed’a slight watering, if required,
and then prick-out the plants and water, keep them close for
two or three days, and’shade if requisite. When they take hold
and commence growing I give plenty of air, hardening them by
degrees, and ultimately removing the sashes’ altogether.

‘Watch fora favourable opportunity to plant out. If the sum.
should break out shade with some spruce branches. I never
allow the plants to receive a check. ‘hat I consider is the most
essential point in Celery-growing.

For my principal crop I grow from twelve to fourteen hundred,
and the man that takes them up for the kitchen tells me that he
has not met with half a dozen bolted plants up to this time, and
Zan answer for the Celery being as crisp and solid as any one
could wish for.
that Tattribute'to the maggot or blotch on the Jeaf, which was
very bad, and equally bad on the five sorts that I grew. I had
some ‘quicklime and soot dusted ‘on the leaves, but I was too
late in doing it, as the mischief had been done; but it ‘pre-
vented it from becoming any worse.

I plant single rows'in a trench, the after-treatment is similar
to that of “‘ HuDDERSFIELD’s,”

The sorts that I have grown’ this year are—Cole’s Superb
Red Solid, Cole’s Crystal White, Seymour’s Superb White Solid,
Bossam’s Pink, and Incomparable Dwarf White. The last is,
indeed, incomparable, for none of the other sorts can com-
pare ‘with it for crispness and solidness. It is small, but we do
not want great clumsy stalks for a gentleman’s table. Bossam’s
Pink comes next to it for quality.—A. 8., Staffordshire.

I worrcx in your Journal of this last season many complaints
apout a failure in the Celery crop. Wow, 1 do not know how it
is, except that Ireland possesses a better climate, &c., for growing
that favourite vegetable ; but this I know, that I never had
a better crop, ardmy'man makes no fuss about growing it. The

[ January 20, 1863.

way he does is: as ‘follows :—During the season all the droppings
of the cow-house which pass through the grating or! gripe are
‘wheeled into the garden, and accumulated there ready tobe put
in the trenches, when the Celery is about to be planted, in a
layer of about 6 inches thick, and mixed a little with the:soil.

“The seed is sown on a slight hotbed amongst iate’\Oauliflowers
about the 1st of March; and after the young plants are well up
the lights are taken off, and the plants allowed to spindle-up to
about 6inches. I donot think pricking-out is of much service,
as the taller’ the plants\are the sooner'they may have their first
moulding; and ‘the earlier they are planted and moulded the
better Celery is obtained. I make about three miouldings or
earthings do. Ido not dribble, dribble-up a little mow! and then,
but give'a regular'good moulding—say of 4 or 5 inches ‘at once.
I pull the plants ont of the seed-bed without any ball, just
‘keeping what’soil remains to the: roots, and in this way the man
by a glance can see whetherany grub or canker worm ison the
roots.

I always sow the old kinds, Cole’s Crystal White, ‘and Cole’s
Superh-Red,‘and*have no cause to be dissatisfied with'them. I
have 14\inches ‘of: good, clear, solid stalk, 2 iimeches*im cir-
cumference, and entirely devoid of stringiness or soft heart. I
always choose the stiffest part of the garden for growing Celery
‘in. ‘Idonot use either liquid’ manure or soapsuds, as we here
have always plenty of Nature’s liquid’ falling upon’ the:plants.—
HiIBERNICUS,

DISEASE IN CUCUMBERS.

TE Cucumbers were planted out’ in. pits, heated ‘by hot
water, ‘last year, before I.came here, and the trellises were nicely
scovered, the plants looking-healthy, moderatély:strong, and
showing abundance of fruit, My predecessor told methow they
would:go, and well I know it. -I-could scarcely find one out of
fifty from which Icould: manage'to take a piece out that was fit
‘to eat. I have tridd a:great many sorts, but they all go the same
here. They swell till ‘they are’about 5 inches long, then they
curl up dike; ram’s horn, anda sort of gum issuesfrom all
parts of the fruit. If we letthem hang long, they willidrop a
bit at a time,'/and»smell like a rotten.egg. Lhe soil wevhave
used is good fibrous. loam, a little decomposed dung,/and leaf
mould, &c, I keep them neither too wet nor too dry‘at the
roots, and I use the syringe very sparingly overhead, but
sprinkle water over the floor and pipes when shutting-up, if
open. generally have the house at 70° by fire heat in the day,
‘and from 60° to 65° by night. I find the Cucumbers just the
same in spring and summer on diung-beds. Ifyou know of any
preventive I should feel obliged:-—A. Constant READER,
[Yours'is one of those inveterate cases of Cucumber ‘disease
which seem to have hitherto bafiled‘all'attempts to effect’a enre,
or suggest ‘a preventive. We have, however, submitted the

It was not'so large as it should have been, but.

matter to one of ‘our regular correspondents, who writes 2s as
follows :—

“T am sorry to hear of the Cucumber disease appearing in
| your correspondent’s winter fruit, ‘and I cnly wish I could with
certainty suggest'a cure. ‘This, unfortunately, I cannot under-
take! to ‘do,'as'T ‘have ‘had no experience’ of the disease’ since
‘1850,'when I had it)amongst’ some winter fruit exactly ‘as ‘A
Constant READER’ complains of, and, subsequently, crop ‘after
crop of frame’ fruit became likewise affected, and’ even’those on
‘ridges ‘were’ similarly attacked, though not so severely, perhaps,
as those‘under glass ; ‘but the Cucumber crop of that year might
be safely pronounced a failure. ,

“ Of course, the season did not pass over without my trying
several experiments, with a view to arrest the éyil, but they were
so far unsatisfactory that I ‘believe no single plant produced
| fruit entirely free from disease. ‘Nevertheless, dome were more:
diseased than others, and’ I was led'to the conelusion, that al-
though the disease is’a malappropriation of the juices of the
plant, which instead of producing fruit, furnished’a disgusting-
looking glutinous tumour almost at every spine, yet I could
not but believe that the disease was also in many respects con-
tagious or infectious; for although I tried plants on soils as
widely different from each other as sand from elay, the disease
still existed, differing, however, in degree. “his and other
reasons led me not to attempt Cucumbers in winter the ensuing:
seasop, but to try growing them the following spring and
suramer in a compost the same as that in which they seemed

‘least affected with disease the preceeding season. ~ Accordingly

January 20,1863. ]

some extreme mixtures were made, in which charcoal duat,
mortar rubbish, and other materials entered freely—not all
alike by any means, but there were several which at other
times I should have considered odd and unsuitable; still the
exceptional nature of the case warranted this at the time.

“he resulb was crops of fruit, not so fine certainly as have
been grown on more fayourable mixtures, but the fruit was
healthy and clean, and my object was attained. This, I-may
observe, was in 1851, and I do not think we had a diseased fruit
until very late in the summer, and am not sure there was any
then, and since that time we have been free from the disease.

‘*T have heard ofits visiting other places in a like manner, and
T believe it. to be more prevalent in winter-grown fruit than in
those grown insummer. This is easily to be accounted for: the
plant at the latter time is more robust, and capable of so pre-
paring its juices as to feed its legitimate objects; whereas, the
energies of the other go to feed an incurable abscess, and whether
you grossly feed or half starve the patient, he cannot long survive
when the stomach remains so long out of order. Plants like
human beings, however, benefit much by inhaling a more
suitable atmosphere, and it is possible ‘A Constant READER'S’
plants may partially recover when more sunny weather sets in;
but my experience leads me to think they will be too far gone
then, and the fact of their being affected on dung-beds in
summer, both in his case and in my own, leaves little hope of a
cure until the growing of Cucumber plants has ceased for a time,
so as to alloy all traces of that contagion or infection, which
T believe has a something to do with the matter, to die away; and
a fresh beginning made at a proper time when there isa good
chance of success, will most likely result in healthy plants, and
clean and wholesome fruit.—J. RoBson.”]

COCOA-NUT FIBRE DUST FOR PROPAGATING
PLANTS.

Tue tide threatens to oyerflow the tanks already in the matter
and manner of applying the cocoa-nut fibre dust over open
tanks for propagation, They told me at Kew, last September,
ten times more in favour of the stuff that way than 1 put on
record, because I missed the head propagator, and, also, because
T intended to go to Kew on purpose for this: one object, some
time at the height of the propagating season. Meantime, and to
stem the tide of inquiries about how the refuse is to be kept out
of the tank, let me come, or become, a correspondent, and put a
few simple questions to ladies like “A. H.,” in a shade of
mauve pink paper; and to gentlemen like his reyerence down
about Salop,

How is it that the coffee “grounds” are kept back, and that
tea leayes do not get into breakfast-cups? The way those feats
are achieved, ora way like it, ought certainly to keep back. this
refuse from a tank of water under it, and yet let up the vapour
to keep the refuse constantly moist.

Or, how do the brewers down in the country manage to keep
the “grains” from going down from the mash-tubs into the
cooler? Surely the ingenuity which has accomplished such
difficulé engineeving processes could suggest some simple mode
of effecting this; for to tell the truth, I quite forgot to ask the
gardeners af Kew how they managed to surmount the difficulty,
but I must take a note of it and make a diligent inquiry.

But I can tell how our clergyman, the Rey. Edward Phillips,
managed this winter to prevent this refuse from going down in
his propageting-pit, and in another hot pit, which may be
30 feet long, and 5 or 6 feet wide, all heated by Mr. Jones’s
cannon beiler.

The reyerend gentleman sent for a load of the cocoa-nut
Sire bristles, not the dust of the refuse, paid 10s, for the load on
the spot, so it must be worth over three times more money than
“our dust,” and so it is, for it is found to be better than hair in
all stuffing where hair is used, and in all kinds of plaster and
mortar, and such-like. Well, 3 inches of this bristly stuff,
put over open rubble, is pressed into 1 inch in thickness, which
keeps back sand and mould, and lets up hot vapour in abun-
dance.—D. Beaton.

SEA-KALE.
For Sea-kale tobe in the same bed for ten years as “ P. M.'s,”
and prove profitable in the year 1863, is taking us young men by
surprise, who have for their motto “ Upwards and Onwards.”

JOURNAL OF HORTIOULTURE AND COTTAGH GARDENER. 47

Sea-kale, like all other strong-growing vegetables, is yery fond
of liquid manure at midsummer; but I never before understood
that it cared for it at Christmas, nor any other plant wanting
foliage. What would Grape-growers say if Mr. Thomson, in his
admirable treatise on the Vine, advocated giving liquid manure
to the Grape before a leaf was to be seen on the rods? Though
the one is a fruit and the other a vegetable, both should have
leayes, at least, before a stimulant in the shape of a liquid is
brought into use.—H. Kyienr.

NEW GRAPES ON NEW-YEAR’S DAY.

Your correspondent, James Fowler, Harewood Gardens, seems
to question my statement doubting Mr. Thomson’s being the
first to raise new Grapes on New-Year’s day, because I did not
send any to be inspected before the 10th of February, 1862.
Now, for the “why.” I might have sent sooner; but, if he
will remember, that was the time the question first became
discussed in your columns, or in that of your contemporary.
“Next,” because I never show Grapes or any other fruit in
London.

I herewith send you a small buach of new and old Ham-
burghs for your opinion, and may state I cut some of both on
the ist of January this year.

I have at the present time hanging — Barbarossa, Lady
Downe’s, West’s St. Peter’s, Muscat of Alexandria, and
Charlesworth Tokay. I have no word at the present time
to say which are the best, but will leave that to abler hands to
judge. To show that the idea is not new of haying Grapes so
early, I may mention that I saw at this place, some few years
since, Grapes ripe on the lst of January, and they had had
them some years before then, which statement, should my pre-
decessor see, he can youch for.—J. E. F., January 12th.

[The bunch of new Grapes sent by “J. E. F. was a very
fine one, short, and well set; the berries large and as black as
sloez. They were not, however, quite ripe, having rather a too-
marked acidity about them ; still they evidenced on the part of
“J.B. F.” very high gardening skill. Accompanying the fruit
was a leaf which measured 17 inches broad, and 17% inches.
from the point to the margin of one of the lowerlobest It
was like a rhubarb leaf for size. The bunch of old Hamburghs
had decidedly the advantage in flayour ; they were considerably
shriyelled and had begun to assume the raisin form.—EDSs.
J. oF H.J

Iwas rather surprised a few weeks back at seeing in your
Journal a communication from Mr. Anderson, setting up the
case of Mr. Thomson’s having new Grapes on the 1st of January
as unprecedented. I would have taken no further notice of the
matter, only from seeing that there is some doubt still of others.
having done the same,

Lhave little doubt there are many cases of the kind in the
country, if they were made known. I myself cut some good
new ripe Grapes at Christmas, some sixteen or seventeen years.
ago. I can see no reason why any one who is allowed the means
should not have done so for years back. In fact, I consider it.
much easier to have new Grapes in December than in March.
Of course, the Vines require a season or two of preparation.

Your correspondent, Mr. Fowler, need have no doubts about
“J. H. F.,” of Knowsley Hall, having ripe Grapes on the Ist of
January, for it is well Known in this neighbourhood that the
late gardener at Knowsley, Mr. Jennings, who is well known as
one of the best gardeners in the country, had regularly for many
years back a large house of new Grapes ready by Christmas,
and Grapes of such a quality as would not have disgraced our
great London exhibitions in May: therefore, with the means.
already provided, the present gardener would, with ordinary care,.
have but little trouble, so far, in following the footsteps of his.
predecessor.—J. SEENE, Garswood, near Warrington.

ESTABLISHING A ROOKERY.

Ir “ Gatiry” will take the top of an old bee-hive and fix it:
firmly as high up as it can be placed in one of his Elm trees, I
think he may succeed. I did so some years ago and the rooks,
had young ones in it for two seasons, but they were stolen each
time, so that I did not succeed after all. The trees were nearly
in the centre of this city.—D., Lincoln.

48 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGH GARDENER.

GARDENIA AND POMEGRANATE CULTURE.

THE following hints are in answer to the inquiries of an
Irish subscriber, and refer to the two hardier kinds—radicans
and florida—the first growing compact as a dwarf bush, and
the second rising more upright as a larger shrub; both pro-
ducing large, double, white, sweet-scented flowers; and both
coming to us originally from the flowery land of China.

1. Propagation.—Any time during the summer will do; but
from the Ist of March to the middle of April I consider the

best, as the plants will then be well established before winter. |
Small shoots, about 2 inches in radicans, and 3 inches in florida, '
of nearly 2 season’s growth answer well placed in well-drained ;

pots, in sand and covered with a bell-glass. hese pots may
stand on the surface of a mild hotbed for a fortnieht or three
weeka, and then be plunged in a bottom heat of 80°. If the
bottom heat is from sweet tan, or dung and leaves, no bell-class
will be required, as the vapour from the dung, &c., with a thin
sheding in bright sunshine, will be quite sufficient to prevent
wasting-perspiration from the cuttings. In such a place the
cuttings will root quickly, and then should be potted-off and
placed back again in the same place, kept close at first, and air
given as the roots work freely into the new soil. Then nip out
the point of the plant to make it bushy ; and if a small 60-pot
was first Used another shift may be given into.a54 or a48; keep
growing with heat and mois-
ture, and give more air in
autumn that the plant may
stand cooleriin winter. After
a@ second summer’s growth
the plants will be large
enough to bloom in the fol-
lowing spring.

2. Soil.—This should be
heath mould and loam, and
a little sweet leaf mould and
silver sand. The heath mould
should preponderate in the
first shifting, until for middle-
sized plants there should be
equal poriions of each. | For
large well-established plants
fibry loam should take the
preponderance; and as soon
as the plants are intended
to bloom, not only should
the drainage be ample, but
the potting should be done
tight.

3. Time of Potting.—¥or
great success this is a matter
of importance. Good-sized
established plants will do
well seyeral years without
repotting; but still when
convenient it is as well to
give the plants fresh soil, if
no larger pots are used. ‘The best time to do this is after fresh
growth is taking place after pruning. hen pick or shake away
a good portion of the old soil, use fresh soil well aired, plunge
the plant if possible in a mild hotbed, water with water at 80°,
and keep rather close and shaded until roots and tops are growing
freely.

4. Pruning.—This should be done as soon as the plants are
done flowering. The radicans will generally need but little prun-
ing. Frequently young shoots will be growing before the flowers
quite fade, and then the cutting-out of old pieces to give these
room will be the chief pruning. Florida will need more of the
knife to keep it in shape. The object in pruning is to obtain
as many shoots all over the plant, as equal in strength as pos-
sible, as there is room for, and which will not only be strong
enough, but ripe enough before the end of autumn to produce
flowers at their points next season.

5. General Treatment and Position. —1 will suppose that
the plants have done flowering in June, and that they are stand-
ing in a warm greenhouse. After dressing or pruning, and
syringing overhead, the plants may stand a few days, and are then
taken to a hotbed. Here they remain on the surface for a few
days, and are then, if possible, plunged in a bottom heat of 80°,
the place kept rather close, and the plants syringed evening and

Specimen Gardenia ‘Stanleyana.

morning, and a littleshade given in the middle of the day. After
pruning some plants may haye enough of young shoots, and in
their case top-dressing or repotting may shortly be done. In

[ January 20, 1863.

1

the others, as soon as fresh growth is proceeding repot and ~

encourage this growth, giving more air by degrees as the shoots

become pretty equal in strength. The next object is to harden
| them so as to cause the flower-buds to set. About September
| air should be given liberally and plenty of sun, and by the
middle of the month the pots should be kept free of the plunging
materials—in fact, a cold pit would then do as wellas a hotbed,
and in such a bed with a hot-water pipe, or in a greenhouse, they
| may stand pretty close all the winter in a temperature averaging
| 45° at night; and during that time the soil should just be
| moist not wet. When it is desired to start them into bloom

in spring select those first with the plumpest buds, and set them
'in a hotbed on the surface, where the temperature will range
| from 50° to 55°. Ina fortnight the pots may be plunged in a

temperature of 80°; and the top heat may average 60°, witha rise

from sunshine. As soon as the flower-buds are nearly expanded

raise the pot out of the bed. In a few days move to a drier

atmosphere, and then in a few days more the plants may be moved
to the greenhouse, in a rather close place, and where the tem-
' perature will be from 45° to 50°. Here the bloom will continue
much longer than in a hot
pit or stove. After flowering
the pruning, potting, &c.,
must be proceeded with ‘as
already detailed. These
plants, provided they obtain
a growing, a ripening, and a
resting period, will do pretty
well without a hotbed; but
the hotbed treatment is not
only the most successful, but
does much to keep the plants
in a clean and healthy state.

6. Watering. — When in
bloom the colder the place
the less water will be re-
quired, and that should be
warmer than the house.
When resting little water
will be required, but the
soil must not be dry. When
growing freely water will be
needed rather plentifully,
and manure water then will
help much. After sunny days
the syringing of the foliage
will be relished. In autumn
no more water should be
given than will do to keep
the leaves from suffering.

7. Insects.— Green fly is
apt to appear on the flower-
buds when swelling,’and also on the'very young shoots, and a
little tobacco smoke is the best remedy. ‘Thrips and scale are
also apt to assail them, but the hot vapour from fermenting
material is the greatest enemy to such depredators as these.

Such a fine variety as Fortuni may have exactly the same treat-
ment, but the temperature in winter should not be below 50°; and
for such tropical kinds as Devoniana and the long-tubed Stanley-
ana it should not be lower in winter than from 55° to 60°. These
latter could not be managed well without a stove; the former, to
which I have chiefly referred, can be grown in fine order with the
assistance of a greenhouse and a hotbed.

Punica (Pomegranate).
We are glad you have succeeded so, well with this in a pot,

though you failed with it ‘against a wall, especially as respects ~

its blooming. Perhaps the plant when against the wall was
scarcely old enough to bloom freely. From all I have seen of
if, single and double, [ consider the Pomegranate to be rather
hardier than the Myrtle, and when once established the treat-
ment of both is very much alike. When against a wall the Pome-
granate delights in soil light rather than stiff. When ina pot,
and especially the double-flowering variety, it delights in soil more
stiff and rich. To’secure free-flowering, the training and prun-

January 20, 1863. ]

ing should be regulated to obtain a great number of slender
shoots, as it is from them, and at their points chiefly, that the
little bunches of flowers come. All rank shoots should either
be removed or shortened. Against walls, therefore, the shoots
should be spurred. In fine specimens in pots grown to a
single stem, the head must be managed in a similar way to
secure abundance of these spray-like shoots. Such specimens in
pots, if the pots were mulched, would be safe enough in a shed
in winter where little frost could enter, and when from 6 to 9
or more feet in height, they make pretty objects out of doors in
summer. The single kinds are easily increased by seeds sown as
soon as the fruit is ripe ; also, by cuttings and layers, and the
double and dwarf kinds by grafting on the single kinds.
R. Fisx.

METEOROLOGY OF 1862.

HARROCK HALL, WIGAN, LANCASHIRE.

o| S2oR2 Seek ads
s Sosa Sbesess
Bledosk4osnage
S Beisa = pep
i Bega : So
Soto 5 rsd
per io FSR eG a:
DO pe re RN SEIN 8
NABDAAH IA 7
SARSSSINASNS, | Maxi-| 5
NONSKNONSOOWOW mum. Pe
S 7
SNERSSSESSRS, | Mini | 3
ek —— I} muin. )
! coco mercer cn crn oo 8
SASNESRASISs Mean =
QROHSOboOrR-Nbec 3
= SSCTHANS oe
NwWwwoerwrwrywww
SSsssssssSsS5 | Maxi-
SSrKKHsSmamcocows
PANTSMOBASSSA mum.
SSOsB=HSHSSSS isc}
NWNwNwnwNhyywrerny =
CHOOSE PS QOS Mini- S
ONWKFPOONHousSp B
ASsawsooanansa mum, ro)
FEsoHeossooroog =
oO
tmormrnrwnwnrrrwrn )
SSSSSSSSSSSS 7
Hop ipin ine ion
EaSaesoSssss Mean
TOWN MOUN Dp Rw
Zz te]
= Pini: oes 59 6
Fp cor: 2 ft: Ce) = a
a s
es
=
PA eo eee No. of
z - : Es}
or} >
St] ermgeom sso. | Amount) 5
2) swNROGTNSDhOineg
a EaAobmanroesue inches
=
eee ESS) A Y
- ic}
i] oS a
we Or aw 3 roto N.E =
=
i=
3
&| woearwrwateat |x S
=
a - w ms
WO] RPHOBRD? Nawwwop ics} Be
= i=]
Z =
| rin Hop top co eA si
Ay °
Wl] Onme propa S.W. =
S epee &
FE] PNP wNIBMHO ROAR = i
ic]
AS _ 5
GQ] Poe oppartppat N.W. S
7)
DB] wwwcwacwnoacwcnce Total

The highest reading of the thermometer in the shade occurred
‘on the 29th of May, 72°.0 ; lowest ditto on the 4th of March,
19°.0. The greatest quantity of rain that fell on any one day in
the year was on the 4th September, when 2.43 inches fell in the
seven hours preceding 11 P.M. of that date ; barometer at 29.301
inches; wind, W. ‘The aggregate rainfall of 1862 is below the
average of the last five years, and 9.45 inches less than 1861.
It fell in small quantities at a time, and extended over a greater
number of days than in the year last named. The temperature,
especially of the summer months, was likewise considerably
below the average. It was this low temperature, and the con-
tinued showery weather, that rendered the summer of 1862 so
disastrous to gardening. :

Kitchen-garden crops of all sorts have either been entire
failures or most indifferent in quality. Spring-sown Onions
Were, in a majority of instances, complete failures. Carrots
little else. Peas and Beans ran terribly to straw, the pods
(legumes) filling indifferently or not at all. Kidney Beans never
&row above 5 or 6 inches high, and never yielded a single dish

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

49

Celery I am almost afraid to speak of. It certainly is t he worst
crop I ever grew. Out of some 900 plants I believe there are
850 of them bolted. The White sorts are worst in this respect ;
the Red are a little better. I cannot account for it in any other
way than by supposing it to be the result of the untoward
season, as it was treated the same as in previous years.—
J. Dunn.

ORCHARD-HOUSE FRUIT.

WE received some time ago specimens of the Newtown
Pippin Apple and Winter Nelis Pear grown by George Wilson,
Esq., of Gishurst Cottage, Weybridge Heath. On former occa-
sions we have had frequent opportunities of speaking of the
success of Mr. Wilson as a cultivator of fruits under glass, and
now we are enabled to lay before our readers additional proofs
of his skill in this branch of horticulture. The specimen of
Newtown Pippin measured 13% inches in diameter, and was of
a fine uniform pale yellow colour. Unfortunately it was seized
with an attack of that mischievous fungus, so prevalent this
season, before we had an opportunity of judging of its flavour ;
still, from what we saw of the Melon Apple and Northern Spy
grown by Mr. Wilson in former years, there is no doubt that
the Newtown Pippin would also have been fine. The Winter
Nelis Pears were among the finest we have seen, the largest
weighing 5%0zs. They were very handsome, and the flavour
was exquisite.

POTTED PEACH AND NECTARINE TREES IN
AN ORCHARD-HOUSE.

Supposina Peaches and Nectarines in pots to be three or four

| years old, to what extent should they be pruned in March ?

The trees in question have been pinched-back in the last summer
three times, according to Mr. Rivers’ plan, and the shoots made
since August 1st are from 12 to 18 inches long. The writer is
aware that a small portion of last year’s shoots must be shortened
to three or four eyes. His question refers to fruit-bearing
branches of the present season.—SUBSCRIBER.

[If the trees have made shoots since they were pinched-in,
‘from 12 to 18 inches long,” ‘these shoots should be shortened
to about 9 inches, taking care to prune down to a triple bud, or
a single leaf-bud. If there are too many of these shoots, so that
the tree is likely to be wounded when the leaves are on them,
some of them should be thinned-out with a sharp knife, leaving
no spur, but cutting them out close to the branch. ]

EFFECT ARISING FROM DRAINAGE.

Havin lately visited a friend on the edge of the fen country,
I heard a most singular and to me unaccountable statement of
a supposed fact, unchallenged and evidently believed by all
present. It was to this effect.

Many persons living could remember fields in which the peat
soil when they were young was 15 or 16 feet in depth, and in
which a crowbar planted perpendicularly would soon bury itself;
that in ploughing these same lands now, the clay was often
brought to the surface, the peat, or bog soil rather, haying all
disappeared except a few inches, and yet that the surface of these
fields was as high relatively to surrounding objects—for instance,
canal-banks, lock-gates, roads, and highlands as they are called,
upon which the towns and villages were built—as before the dis-
appearance of this large amount of soil.

On my asking how they accounted for this phenomenon, they
all agreed the clay subsoil had risen in the same degree that the
surface had disappeared, and attributed it to the same cause—
drainage. Being equally unable to controvert or explain this
statement, I agreed to refer the matter to you for your opinion.
Does wet clay increase in bulk when deprived of moisture? I
had always thought the contrary, but we wait your decision.—
J. R. Pearson, Chilwell.

[There is a well-known story of Charles II. enjoying the joke
of puzzling the Royal Society by asking, ‘“ Why a vessel of
water weighed no more when a fish was put into it than it did
before, though no water escaped from the vessel?” The joke
was ended when one of the members said, ““Who has proved
that it is so?” We, following that member’s example, must
ask, In any place known to have lost 15 feet of peat, is the surface

50

of the clay beneath raised 15 feet, so, that’ the. soil’s; surface,
retains the old level with surrounding objects?

It is quite possible for small depths of| bog-earth to disappear
in consequence of drainage, and yet the soil beneath to appear as
high as before such: disappearance, because the banks around the
enclosure, if resting on the bog-soil, would sink-in proportion as
that bog-soil sunk.— Eps. J. or H.]

PITS, AND THEIR FAILURES.

Ir is. very unpleasant for people of hopeful or sanguine tem-
perament, to hear of crosses or failures.in matters where.they ex-
perience or anticipate success.. I'am not, therefore, surprised to
find that my former remarks about small pits should call forth
words of disapproval on account of the doleful and discouraging
character they bore, Still the facts are as stated, although the
deductions might not be the best. It is,easy to imagine how the
most inappropriate and badly-designed structures, might not
only be. turned to, good account, but that results of a more then
ordinary. character might be produced from them in the masterly
hands of Mr, Fish, in the same way that an,eminent chemist, in
his early days as an experimentalist, produced wonderful results
from the, use of tobacco-pipes and other crude. appliances, that
few ordinary men could or would use. I, can also understand
how a.cleyer amateur may work. a small pit to advantage, where
another would be unable to make anything of it. And it is to
this same cleverness that some little merit should be awarded ;
for if every one who undertook the management of a pit or
greenhouse could manage it) to perfection’ at) first starting,
where would be the great merit, or where the superiority of one
gardener over another? It is just to allow that readers are to a
certain extent acquainted with the subject treated: on, and,
doubtless, most of the readers of Tue JouRNAL oF Hortt-
CULTURE are well informed in gardening matters; but then it is
possible to allow too much, and-as a proof that I have not
recounted all the mishaps that have oceurred with regard ‘to
small pits, and that there are people in the world who do take
such matters in hand without proper thought-and care, I will
relate one or two more instances:of failure. One man built a
turf-pit of 20 feet by. 6 feet, and 4 feet high at back, furnished it
with a brick stove and fiue, part brick.and part pipes. The first
winter, having spent 12s. for coke, he,did not keep a:single plant
of 500: Scarlet Geraniums—the stock. put. into the pit during
the autumn, Another built a good, sound brick-pit of eight
lights ; and. finding that it did not answer his expectations, and
that he could not perform wonders with: it at first: starting—
like a person buying a fiddle under the impression that with it
he is buying an ear for music and’a talent for playing—he gave
up in disgust. all care about it- Another. builf.a pit.of wood
6 feet high at back, 18 feet long by 6 feet wide, as near as I
could judge from sight. This also was furnished with a brick
stove and flue. The man was both ingenious ‘and persevering.
He tried many methods of makme it: profitable and’ useful, but

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ January 20, 1863.

much. ‘If a person’s means enable him-only to build a pit, why:
not be content at first with plants that are easily grown? or if he |
haye only a frame, is there less merit in filling it with healthy-
looking Intermediate Stocks, or choice Picotees or Pansies, tham:
in giving himself no.end of labour in trying to keep tender
plants, which at, best do him little credit?

In this. neighbourhood there has been of late years too much:
attention given to plants of warmer climates—that is, by. the
poorer horticulturists;, while the. equally pretty and useful:
plants that, will,, in a. great measure, stand the rigour of our
climate, and are far.more easy to cultivate, are scarcely.thought.
of. This has been.the. reason why. many whose means.did not,
allow of building a greenhouse have, substituted a. pit, and not:
finding the result up to their expectations, discourage the attempts
of others.

In referring to my former remarks (which probably bear a
more melancholy character than I intended), “BR. F.”’ says that
the mishaps there enumerated were more: the result of simple
mistakes than of necessity... He was right. Whena man builds-
a pit without any thought or care of what he will be able to do
with it, he makes a great mistake. If he burns his plants by
over-heating, he makes a mistake. Ifhe builds the flue so that
the smoke and gas come through, he makesa mistake. In fact, all
fajlures are the result of mistakes; and itis when a mamis able to
avoid mistakes that he can successfully cultivate plants. Again,
“R, F.” says there is no necessity for. poking your fingers into the
parlour fire on a cold, frosty morning. I for one should be very
careful not to approach the fire with my hands, were they very
cold, for I have experienced that sensation caused by the sudden
reaction in so doing, and-do-not. wish to experience. if again ;
although it is a common occurrence to see people rush to the
fire, and almost, if. not quite, poke. their fingers into it, and
many of them have to smart for it afterwards. This is not
unlike those who rush too,thoughtlessly-into pit-building.

Why I mentioned charcoal as a.good fuel for heating-asmall,
pit, is because a yery small fire may be kept going with it, and
in some places it is comparatively cheap, although here it is
very dear; still I may be wrong. But this I do know, that
I have kept the frost ont of small greenhouses by. means of a
small cylindrical\iron stoye in which charcoal was burnt; the-
stove being placed inside‘the, greenhouse, and so arranged as to
burn slowly.

Some years ago the wet got into the roof of a brick-built shed ;
the rafters rotted, and the roof had to be taken off. At my
desire a glass roof was placed on instead. There was no stage put
in, but the place wag soon filled with Oranges, Camellias, Azaleas,
Neriums, and such plants.. They have always done well, and
grown as if the plaee suited them exactly, and I have used no
means of keeping out frost but a charcoal stove, and this has
answered the purpose. Makeshifts-are- very well-where a gar-
dener is always near to look after them.;_ but makeshifts are not
exactly suited to those who-pursue gardening as a recreation, for-
they often involve such an amount/of labour as destroys every
semblance of pleasure, unless labour be regarded as a pleasure.—

with only partial success, for of ail garden.structures these small} F. C

places require the most constant. and watchful care,
in the weather will sometimes unexpectedly-make a fire burn up
clear and strong, endangering the lives. and health of the plants,
and where a man cannot always be on the'spot, as.is mostly the
case where’ such places are built for recreation, he can scarcely
give them the attention required. :

I could give other instances, but it would ‘be‘only a waste of
space to do so ; I will therefore merely observe that I have myself
had the care of a small pit heated with flue-pipes, and made it
answer all the purposes for which it was intended, and in a way
that would to many be perfectly satisfactory-; but not so to me,
since, being in the habit of weighing the cost) and’ labour with
the results, the latter would lose considerably in comparison
with those of a pit properly furnished with hot-water pipes, &.
Nor would the hot-water pit want half the'care and watchful-
ness required by one heated with a flue.

I should never for a moment object to, a good-sized greenhouse
being furnished with flues, for some of the best plants and best
fruit haye been grown in houses so, heated. Nor would I
attempt to discourage any one from trying.to do his best in
the way of cultivating plants, It.is rather for encouragement
that I would caution the inexperienced against, being misled by
the notion; that because a cleyer and experienced gardener can
produce good results from barely adequate, means, they have
only to become possessed of like applicances:to be, able to-do as

A: change. |

WALKS.
(Continued from page 785.)

WALKS MADE OF Broken Stove oz Brick.—With the ex-
ception of walks formed of gravel, and, perhaps, ashes, the above-
form the most important materials of which walke, public or:
private, are made ;. andthe comfort. which walks of this kind
present is visible, in. mosticountry. turnpike roads, where: the-
pedestrian often prefers:the middle of the road in clean weather
to the, prepared footpath, eyen when the latter is good: But,
turnpike metal, as the stones are called, will not easily of them- :
selves form a good footpath without theaid of wheel carriages >;
therefore, however good they may be in forming the foundation,
something elee must be used at. top less hurtful to tender: feet.
The same kind of, stones-may, howeyer, be broken smaller;and
in thet condition they.form a very good surface by rolling, &.
It not, unfrequently- happens that the inmates of workhouses:
are employed in breaking stones to the size required, and im such:
cases they are to. be had at a.much more reasonable. price: than:
when broken by those earning proper wages. The beststones E
ever saw. used for this. purpose, and which formed abont the best,
walk I ever saw, came froma lead mine, the hard, white-coloured’
stone containing the ore being crushed by machinery uptil the
particles were not. larger than boys’ marbles, but, of conrse,.

January 20, 1868. |

angular, This refuse stone, being all about one size, formed an
excellent surfacing to a walk, the white clean colour adding to its
general appearance. I believe similar broken or crushed stone
is to be had where mining of other kinds is goingon; and where

machinery exists for the purpose of crushing such stones it,

could easily be made to perform the same office to some kind
that was well adapted to walk-making. ‘The chippings of a
stonemason’s yard are also often worked-in; and I have more
than once made a tolerably good walk of what might be re-
garded as little else than rubbish, some of the stones being as
large as a man’s head, intermingled with mortar siftings, chip-
pings of briek, stone, and fragments of anything else, with a
fair proportion of dirt, shavings, and straw. ‘The two last-
named articles, however, were, in a gréat measure, taken out.
This heterogeneous mass was wheeled into a walk, the foun-
dation of which was deep enough to receive and bury the largest
stones; and, beginning at one end, every time a couple of barrow-
loads were tipped against the preceding mass, the large stones
were raked to the front, so that nothing was left in the depth
of the rakes’ teeth but such fine matter as would pass through
the teeth. A good rolling, traffic, and heavy rain, ' consolidated
the mass into avery good walk—certainly not equal to the best-
made gravel walk, but good and firm. The same mode of pro-
ceeding may be applied to other substances as well, nothing
making a more compact walk than plenty of mortar rubbish
mixed with the other material. The walk alluded to above
had a little of this admixture, as well as the other things
mentioned. A very good and pretty walk may be formed’some-
times of waste soft bricks crushed-up. \ Such as ‘are unfit for
building purposes,and break easily, may be used in this way, as
likewise may all old or waste bricks, and, ‘in fact, ‘almost any-
thing of sufficient hardness to hold together; slaty substances,
however, not being good. ‘Stone-shatter, and stone of’all kinds,
may be used for the bottom, Some kinds, however, are better
than others, as will be shown hereafter.

f WALES or Gravet.—This is unquestionably the most legi-
‘imate and best of all materials,*and, being tolerably widely
spread, is available in most places. ‘It’ differs, however, much
in quality; and notwithstanding all that has been said in its
favour, the best kinds have their faults. The great secret in a
good gravel walk is plenty of traffic upon it: certainly not the
continual wheeling of barrows’all in one place, but a well-spread
company of pedestrians—such, for instance, as those who use
and consolidate the park walks in Hiondon.and elsewhere. It
is not fair to attribute the smoothness of these thoroughfares
entirely to the gravel they are made of, for it is the multitudes
which daily pass over them that make them so firm; and it is
hopeless to expect the same‘appearance in a walk which, perhaps,
does not number more than ‘twenty pedestrians along it per
day ; frequent rolling may do much*to consolidate it, but it can
hardly be expected to compete’with the other. There are also
different kinds of gravel; ‘the best for ordinary purposes in
private places being somewhat porous, and consequently liable
to loosen a little in dry weather. This must not be com-
plained of too much, as the opposite kind, which sets almost'as

hard as cement in summer, is also impervious to rain, and con-
A medium kind is of course ‘best.’
The difference in the two kinds named, consists in the fine:

sequently objectionable.

substance which intermixes with the stony particles; if this
is a sharp sand the gravel is of course porous, and becomes
firmest in wet weather. If it is a loamy clay, which very often
prevails when the gravel is rounded like eggs and marbles, then
it sets very hard in dry weather; but when small portions are
broken-up it sets badly again, until the mass is also broken.
The loamy substance also sticks to the feet after rain, until, by
continued rains, it becomes consolidated between the stones,
and the latter stick up like a miniature pavement, the sole of
the pedestrian only bearing on the top of the stones, much the
same as in the pebble-paved walks previously alluded to. It,
however, seldom happens that there is any choice in gravel,
circumstances determining beyond a question the kind to be
used. The best, therefore, must be made of the kind at hand; if
it is too stony, part of the stones may be taken out; if too fine,
some of the sand or fine Joam may be sifted and remoyed. The
quantity of really good gravel required in making a walk is not
so large as might be expected; the bottom and even part of
the top may be of an inferior kind, the surface only being good.
‘yery one knows the colour in general estimation, but there
are other colours as well. Local circumstances, however, always
determine this. A kind of spar gravel I have seen in North

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 51

Staffordshire and also in Derbyshire is yery good; and perhaps
the kind that is the least of all agreeable, especially to the feet,
is that found on the seashore. Where this kind is used it
ought not to be larger than beans or peas; and the large kind
sets badly for carriage roads and similar purposes, although
often used for such, there being so little adhesion im the round
marble and egg-shaped pebbles which constitute the bulk of
seashore stones or gravels,

ASHES OF VARIOUS Kinps ror WaAtLxks.—There is great
diversity in these. A sort of red furnace ash or cinder makes
perhaps a better walk than any kind of gravel, worms and weeds
both disliking it. “Unfortunately, it is not to be had excepting
in a few places; but the refuse ash and clinkers of many factory
works may be advantageously used for walks, the great advan-
tage being their porosity, and at the same time they often set
well, and wear as smooth as tne best substance that can be had.
The colour may be too sombre for some places, but for secondary
walks they are invaluable; and, as before stated, worms seldom
meddle with this description of walk. Sometimes the pernicious
substances with which such ashes are mixed are distasteful to
weeds: thus the ash from soda, copperag, different alkalies, and
other chemical substances manufactured in certain places are
more or less poisonous to vegetation, though rarely hurtful to
the roots of trees or shrubs that may be underneath.

Supstances Usep ror SurFacine Wa1Kks.— Where the ma-
terial a walk is mostly composed of is not of an agreeable colour
or quality, it is not unusual to give it a top-dressing with some-
thing better. In some districts, a fine white spar gravel is to
be had by washing and sifting, and in others white shells from
the seacoast are used for this purpose; the latter, when resting
on a foundation of brown gravel or sand, presenting a sort of
creamy grey colour, clean and agreeable-looking after rain, and
easy to walk upon. The spar gravel is also equally pretty, and
many other substances are likewise used at times, more especi-
ally to give colour, in some gardens, to the polychrome features
recently become so fashionable, as brickdust or chippings, both
buff and red, small coals, and broken-up glass or chinaware.
The many substances which may be worked into a walk are so
numerous, that it can hardly be expected of any one individual
to mention them ; but they will readily present themselves to
those who notice what is going on around them.—J. Roxson.

(Zo be continued.)

THE GOOD-GRACIOUS PANSY.

I BEG space for a short, but not unimportant, remonstrance.
In page 26, describing Mr. Beaton’s Double Pansy, which
seems likely to have a great demand, you give its name as
“ Good-Gracious,’’ by which you “trust it will become gene-
rally known.? Indeed, I trust it will not. To some, nay, i
hope to very many, of your readers, such an appellation jars
painfully upon the moral sense, as something excessively near
a transgression of the third commandment of God’s holy

‘law. Is not this the’appellation of the blessed God? What is

the essential difference between saying, “ Good gracious!” and

Good God!” ? “Are not both equally the common invo-

cations heard fém'the lips of the profane? Let us not be
repelled fromthe love ‘of flowers by profanity.

It does not ‘appear that Mr. Beaton himself has invented this
unseemly uame ; and from what'l judge of his character from his
writings, 1 hope he will repudiate it, and protest against it.

Expressing what I am sure will be the thought of hundreds, I
will not conceal my yvesponsibility under a pseudonym, but
subscribe myself—P. H. Gossx, Torquay.

[We coincide with our correspondent’s dislike of thename, and
have to explain that when the words “by which appellation we
trust it will become generally known” were written, we had
received the Pansy under the name of “ Princess Alexandra;” and
that just as the Journal of last Tuesday was going to press,
and after the sheets had passed from our hands, Messrs. Carter
and Co. sent requesting that the name might be changed. Messrs.
Carter are responsible for the change. Neither the Editors nor
Mr. Beaton knew of the alteration until subsequently.—Eps.
J. oF H.]

TORTOISES BREEDING IN ENGLAND.
‘A ¥rmatE land tortoise was brought from the West Indies
and was given to the mother ‘of Mrs. Williams upwards of fifty
years ago, it was then about the size of a watch.

52 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

It has been in the garden at Tregullow near Scorrier,
‘Cornwall, about thirty-two years.

Four years ago, another’ was obtained, which turned out to be
a as They were allowed to roam in the garden at their
will.

In 1860 some eggs were found, but from insufficient heat they
were not hatched.

About the 25th July last, the gardener on passing a south
border observed the female tortoise making a pit with her hind
legs in a very peculiar manner, On watching her he found she
had made a hole some 4.inches deep, quite flat at the bottom. On
returning in about five minutes, he found she had deposited
six eggs, and was in the act of covering them with earth. He
immediately removed them in a flower-pot stand, about 2 inches
deep, filled with white sand, toa pine-pit, and placed them on

[ January 20, 1863.

atan bed. On the 16th of October following, he observed tw
of the eggs had been hatched, and on looking around, he found,,
much to his astonishment, two young live tortoises.

_The eggs are about the size and appearance of those of a
pigeon.

The young ones are kept in a pine-pit in a wooden box, with
some earth and moss, under which they nestle, they are fond of
lettuces and strawberries, but do not eat much; they appear
quite well and lively, moving about briskly, and are now (January.
10th) a little larger than a half-crown.

The eggs were not disturbed while in the pine-pit, the tem-
perature of which, during the time they were there, was from
85° to 90° by day, and from 65° to 70° at night.

The female measures 12 inches Jong, by 12% inches wide;
the male 8 inches long, by 8} inches wide, each over the back.

ORNAMENTAL PLANTS.

1. Rovprri1a Grava (Agreeable Roupellia).—This beautiful
stove climber is an evergreen. It belongs to the natural order
Apocynacer, and to Pentandria Monogynia of the Linnean

2, EscanLonra MACRANTHA (Large-flowered Escallonia).—
This handsome hardy evergreen shrub is of a genus which gives
a name to the natural order Hscalloniacer, and it also belongs to
Pentandria Monogynia of Linneus. It is a native of the cold
districts of Chili, Its terminal corymbs of purplish-crimson
tubular flowers open in June.

3. DIPLADENIA UROPHYLLA (Tail-leayed Dipladenia).— A

system. It is @ native of Sierra Leone, and produces in May
its white fragrant flowers in cymes at the ends of the side shoots.
It is known as the Cream Fruit of tropical Africa.

stove evergreen shrub of the natural’ order Apocynacer, and
Pentandria Monogynia of Linneus. It is a native of the Organ
Mountains in Brazil. Its leayes termmate in a long point,
whence it obtained its specific name. In June ifs racemes of
flowers open; they are long, funnel-shaped, creamy outside,
yellow within, spreading into a fiye-lobed salmon-coloured
limb.

January 20, 1863. ]
PROTECTION FOR HOTBED FRAMES.

A ¥Ew months ago I saw advertised, “machines for making
straw matting,” to protect frames, &c. As much has lately
been said in ‘l'nE JouRNAL or Horvictnrune on this subject, I
should be glad to know whether any of your subscribers have
tried it. I should say it would answer. My own plan is this—
Two Russian mats covered on one side with waterproof calico,
and stitched round the edges with twine; these are made the
size of the glasses, and a light wooden shutter covers the whole.
The shutter keeps all dry—the great point. I find this answers
perfectly on a cold pit. A. R., Bromley.

[We have not tried the patent mode. About a year ago
Mr. Fish described a homely machine for making strong straw
matting ; but in wet weather the mats were very heavy to move.
We prefer them fastened to frames the size of the sashes. The
mode of making them was also described. If the expense of cover-
ing them with a waterproofed material was gone to, these straw
covers would be very good. We do not see the use of water-
proofed calico on the mats, and light wooden covers too. That
would be like eating bread, butter, and cheese in slices, all of
equal thickness, at the same time. We do not think there is
anything equal to wooden shutters, with straw or Russian mats,
or any warm material below. A thin, flexible, waterproof
covering to keep all dry, would be valuable, especially when
hands are scarce, as it takes two to move most kinds of frame-
coverings. |

ORNAMENTAL FLOWER-STANDS.

So much attention has been devoted to decorative art,
that it is by no means surprising to find it prominent in
those departments of social economy with which the cul-
ture or enjoyment of flowers is more especially connected.
Flowers, too, and those of the choicest kinds, of all hues,
and of the most delicate perfumes, are in these days
brought so far within reach of all who find any enjoyment
in the refinements and luxuries of civilised life, that not
only in the garden and greenhouse, but in the parlour
and boudoir, they become almost necessary ornaments.

The accompanying figures show some of the ways in which
art and nature, under the form of vases and flowers may be
brought into intimate association in the sphere just alluded to.
They are from designs by A. Aglio, Hsq., jun., and are intended
to be constructed in terra cotta, or zinc, on a large scale, for
terrace gardens, halls, and similar situations, where they are to
be filled with ornamental plants in the growing state; or they
may be made in porcelain, or any fine material, as stands for cut
flowers, or smaller plants suitable for in-door-decoration,

Zhe sketch above is of a vase intended chiefly for the table or
boudoir, and to be constructed of coloured glass, porcelain, or
the finer earthenwares, either plain or with the ornamentation
coloured. When filled with cut flowers, these should be arranged
amongst fine green moss, kept continually damp, and may or
may not be covered by a bell-glass. In addition to the central
stand, this vase has the three supporters continued upwards into.a
kind of cornucopia to hold smaller flowers, and they may be ap-
propriated each to hold a small plant of some elegant Fern. For
these purposes, the size may range from 18 inches to 2 feet in
diameter. This design may be made of larger size, 3 to 4 feet
in diameter, and of zinc or terra cotta, for out-door use, where
it may be employed with much appropriateness in detached

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

53.

terrace gardens, or in situations where yases of summer-Howering
plants are required.

The larger design is intended for the double purpose of cul-
tivating a few very choice Ferns in the upright vase, covered by
the bell-glaes, whilst the stand in which it is placed is to be kept

filled with cut flowers. The supporting figures hold cornucopias>
which are intended to take some very choice’ flower, such as
fine Moss Rose, a Camellia, a fine sprig of Fuchsia, &. ‘he
lower stand may, if preferred, be planted with Lycopodiums—
L. denticulatum being preferable for this purpose. The diameter
of the stand may be conveniently from 23 to 3 feet, and the
diameter of the vase 1 foot; the height about 3 feet. It may
be made of glass, porcelain, terra cotta, or metal; or the figures
alone may be of metal. Colour may be appropriated for the
figures and ornamentation.

When vases of this kind are employed for the growth of
living plants, the first consideration is proper drainage; there
must be no stagnant water. This being the case it would be
preferable to use the centre vase for growing plants, and allow
this to drain into the lower one, which could be employed for
cut flowers. The next point is soil: this should be turfy peat,
with plenty of sand intermixed, the mass resting ona thick layer
of broken crocks for drainage. Then the plants, if in a living-
room, must be constantly covered with a bell-glass; and enough
water must be given to keep the soil and atmosphere moist, but
not saturated.—( Gardeners’ Magazine of Botany.)

DISTRESSED WORKINGMEN BOTANISTS OF
LANCASHIRE.

THE many kind donations I have received from time to time
from your readers has enabled me to cheer many hearts here,
and some who were accustomed in times past to take a three or
four days trip into Derbyshire, or other parts fayourable to
Mosses, when the weather permitted, at a Christmas time, have
not been denied a part of their usual hunt after Mosses this year,
thanks to the liberality of the readers of Taz JouRNAL or Hor-
TICULLURE.

There is a slight improvement in trade. Roger Schofield has
had from one to two and a half days per week of work for the
past four weeks, and John Whitehead has gone on five days per
week last Monday ; but will have hard work and little pay until
a better quality of cotton can be had. Two others have a little
more work, but the rest are as they haye been for a long time.

54

T have had to neglect several correspondents this last’ week or
ten days through indisposition, but hope 'to answer all im a few
days. I have received from Miss Baling, 10s.for wet Mosses ;
from Mrs. Lewis D. Wigan, Rock House, Maidstone, £1 11s. 6d.,
for Ferns, green and dried; from a Working Gardener, 2s. 6d.
(monthly) ; from William Moult, Esq., £1, for dried plants ;
from Lady D. Nevill, £1—JoxHn Hacur, 36, Mount Street,
Ashton-under-Lyne.

P.S.—A Mother, from Ipswich, has sent every week since I
last noticed it, 2s. 6d. each to Whitehead and R. Schofield.—

WORK ‘FOR THE WEEK.
‘EITCHEN GARDEN.

PROCEED with digging, trenching, &c., whenever spare ground

occurs and time-permits. ‘If some of this ground should re-
quire digging a second ‘time*preyious to cropping, so much the
better; it will amply repaythe labour. Broccoli, a little Harly
Cape sown in a box and) placed in heat, will be serviceable for
early summer use’if there bea deficiency of Cauliflower. Cab-
dage, sow a little ina box to be excited by heat, if there is a
scarcity of autumn-sown plants. Atkins’ Matchless is a good
sort for the purpose. Celery, sow also for early summer use,
for soups, &c. It cannot be depended upon as a permanent
crop, as it will ‘generally soon run to seed. Lettuce, sow in
boxes. Give air to those in frames when the weather will
permit. Onions, sow seed of the Spanish in boxes for planting-
out in the spring. Potatoes, the Harly Frame or Ashleaved
Kidney may be planted in the beds on which Asparagus has
‘been forced, or new beds may be made with a large portion of
“eaves mixed'with the dung. Sow Harly Frame Radish in the
‘same bed, to come’ off before’ the Potatces are far advanced in
Growth. “Zomatoés, sow some seed immediately, to obtain strong
plants fit for turning-out in May.

‘FLOWER GARDEN.

Where any of the’ beds in the flower garden require the soil
to be renewed, frosty mornings offer an opportunity of doing
the work cleanly and expeditiously. Prepare for planting
hardy shrubs. If the soilis not suitable forthe kinds intended
to be planted, replace it with ‘better’ soil, as: much is gamed by
—preparing well at first. Prune hardy climbers during this
favourable weather, nailing and tying as you proceed. Relay
Box-edgings. Level turf on lawns, adding fresh where it is
wanted. Clean walks, turning the gravel where necessary. In
March, a thin coat of fresh gravel might be laid on, which would
‘look well during the summer’and may be kept clean ‘without
much labour.

FRUIT GARDEN.

‘The late heavy rains have been’ favourable for newly-planted
‘trees, by washing down the finer particles of soil from the sur-
face'among the fibres. In some’ cases, however, openings may
have been formed by the same means, which would prove in-
jurious if not closed-in by working the surface with the spade or
‘hoe ; for although the soil may be pressed close'to the roots, as

‘it ought ‘to be in planting, yet, in the case of trees with large
‘voots, a settling from heavy rains will cause vacuities near the
stem, whilst round the latter an opening is frequently occasioned
‘by the motion of the tree by winds. If water lodge in this it
is bad for the tree. Some recommend postponing the pruning
of Peaches and Apricots till late in the spring, or, rather, till
the period when severe frosts are not likely to occur; but by
late-pruning the force of vegetation is very much diminished.
The French only recommend it for trees which are over-luxuriant.
When pruning Gooseberries and Currants, let the centre of the
bushes be kept free and open, and cut-out all branches that
Gross one another, leaving the leading shoots ‘about 9 inches
apart, and' topping at a bud inclining to the’ open space, All
lateral twigs not required to form branches'to be spurred-in to
a few eyes: The fruit is borne on short natural spurs, or on
“clusters of buds formed on the old wood, and also on young
shoots, which should be shortened’ to one-third of their! length.
Old worn-out branches to be cut-back to a well-placed’shoot.

STOVE.

Examine the various tubers and bulbs that are dormant, and
see that they are in a| proper condition, and not suffering from
mouldiness. Do not excite the plants here at present, wait for
donger days and more light.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

‘noon, has now made the plants all right, with no marks of the)

} from unsettling them.

[| January 20, 1863.

GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY.

The continued damp atmosphere which has prevailed for
some time, especially about London, has caused great destruction
amongst many softwooded plants: They should be carefully
examined individually, and every infected leaf or branch re-
moyed, Slight fires to be occasionally applied; but this should
be done carefully and judiciously. The injury greenhouse plants
may frequently suffer from too much heat, is more than they
would suffer from a few degrees of frost when in a dormant state.
When regulating the plants, it will be well to wash the foliage
of Oranges, Camellias, and other smooth-leaved plants with a
sponge and clean water, and the dust may be removed from
Pelargoniums, and other woolly-leaved plants, by brushing them
lightly with a soft brush. After the plants are cleaned the pots
should be washed, and the surface in each replaced with fresh |
soil, and if the plants require it they should be neatly tied to
fresh stakes.

PITS AND FRAMES.

Where there is the advantage of a little fire heat, a sowing of
Ten-week and Intermediate Stocks may be made. If unfavour-
able weather for out-door work should set in, the most forward
of the Verbenas, &c., in stock-pots may be potted-off, to be then
supplied with a little heat until they make fresh roots.

W. KEANE.

DOINGS OF THE LAST WEEK.

RiGHT or wrong, we are beginning to think that we shall |
drift behind with all out-door work, from so much and con-)
tinuous wet with’scarcely a ray of sun’ to cheer us. When fair’
abovehead there never could be a better winter for turfing lawns )
and planting fruit, forest, and ornamental trees. In stiff soils )
digging and trenching have often been out of the question. It)
is often sound economy to let such ground stand until drier
weather, as when turned up so wet ib scarcely ever pulverises
kindly. On Monday morning, the 12th inst., we had the
sharpest frost of the season—and unexpectedly, too, as at eleven.
the previous night it was quite cloudy and inclined to drizzle,
with the wind, however, veering to north andeast. Some plants)
in pits were just slightly touched, as air had been left on some)
of them; but syringing them with cold water, shutting-up close,
and keeping shaded all day, there being sunshine in the fore-

frost on them. On that morning until mid-day all strength was
directed to wheeling dung and rotten leayes on bordérs and
flower-beds at liberty. For the latter purpose at this season,
we prefer the beds to be rough-ridged at first, and then the slight
manuring spread roughly over them. ‘The exposure to the air’
and frost sweetens it without abstracting in cold weather much
of its nourishing properties, these being washed-in’ by the rains 5
and from its sweet and pulverised condition it mixes better with
the soil in future turnings as the days lengthen. \

On Monday afternoon it commenced raining, and it continued)
to rain heavily without intermission for about twenty-four hours,
It is these sudden changes that make it so important for us to be:
constantly on the watch, and to regulate our work and doings)
accordingly. From the force of the wid much wet was driven)
into our late vinery, and did no good to the late Grapes.
From what cause we know not, a good deal of putty this winter
has got as crumbly as bread-crumbs, and of course can offer no
resistance to wet; and the puzzle is that one sash-bar will be)
thus affected from top to bottom, and the next one to it be as
firm and smooth as possible. Sometimes a whole sash will be thus
affected, and the sash next to it as sound as need be, and, so far
as we know, all were glazed with the same putty, and used in!
every respect exactly alike. Gan any reader throw any light on
the subject? Several painters and glaziers confess: themselves
to, be nonplussed. :

KITCHEN GARDEN.

Examined vegetables as last week. Prepared materials for
hotbeds, for Carrots, Potatoes, &e. Gave plenty of air to Potatoes
in pots, Peas in pots, &c,; took-up more Sea-kale and Rhubarb;
beat and trampled-down a fresh piece of Mushroom-bed.; potted
Cucumbers into small pots in a dung-and-leaf frame and pre}
pared ground for Shallots and Garlic, as itis as well to plant
before growth commences much. We prefer autumn-planting ot
the whole; but in stiff soils they do as well in spring, fastening
the little bits in drills half an inch deep, and then coyering-nj
with light soil and lime which keep the birds and worm)

January 20, 1863. ]

FRUIT GARDEN.

Much the same as last week. Put Strawberries on an empty
shelf in the Peach-house and back of narrow Vine-pit. Syringed
Vines in a. sunny day as the 14th. :

Looked over frwit-room in wet afternoons, and put some

Vine-pots into a leaf-bed to bring them on gradually; watered
the Vine cuttings in pots. Put a few warm leaves close to the
wall of Peach-house to keep the roots there comfortable; and
laid a layer of straw neatly along the back of a narrow pit, used
for Vines and other early things. This wall is from 4 to 5 feet
in height at back aboye the ground. The straw is placed on
neatly about an inch thick, and three strings along fasten it
securely, In cold weather the straw covering makes a. great
difference in the heat. When the outside of the straw was all
covered with hoar frost the wall inside of it was as comfortable
as a warming-pan. The wall is 9 inches thick, and rather old
and worn out. In a hollow wall or near a coalpit such keeping-
in of heat need not be resorted to. The last straw covering of
the walls lasted three years, and half a load of straw would
do more than 200 feet in length of such a wall. For cold pits
made of brick it is the neatest and best mode for making them
secure in winter. We recollect a pit of nice plants being securely
protected as respects the glass, but the frost went through the
brick walls and did all the mischief.
_ Talking of heat brings me n mind of a chance expression we
used some time ago as to a return being made in Jarge places to
the saddieback Got/ers, which I see has brought out two corre-
spondents in praise of Mr, Clarke’s tubular boiler. Though we
have done little with the working of such boilers, yet. in de-
scribing Mr. Weeks’ system of heating we then professed so far
our adherence to it. The whole of the rest of these tubular
pees are borrowed or adapted from Mr. Weeks’ plan; but if
other boilers are well set they will also do their work well, and
if not convinced they would do so, they would not adopt.them
ut Trentham, and in such splendid new gardens as those at
Welbeck. Give only a dash of zeal and enthusiasm, and a
zardener will make a common boiler do wonders. For ourselves,
however, ou various accounts, we have a hankering after the
upright tubular boilers, though we have heard of considerable
cracking and flying among them.

ORNAMENTAL DEPARTMENT.
_ Looked over the plants in conservatory, and gave more water
jo Camellias swelling their buds, to Cinerarias, &e, All forced
dlants should go at first to the closest and warmest end.
Chinese Azaleas, after the middle of January, need but: little
jeat to start them into bloom. All plants from bottom heat; as
Hyacinths, Lily of the Valley, Musk, &c., should be raised out
o£ the plunging material a few days before being moved. All
such plants should be as carefully guarded against. sudden
shanges as any pet in the animal world on which we set a high
value. Give plenty of air to Heaths and Epacris, and other
iardwooded plants; but,when the temperature outside is near
reezing, give little or no front air to beat on the plants. A
ew Gardenias may be put in a sweet hotbed, and air given
it first. Succession bulbs may also be started. Little is gained
oy forcing Violets ; but a little bottom heat, and plenty of air
n suitable weather, will cause them to come finer aud stronger.
All runners should be removed from the Neapolitans, which are
18 sweet as any still. For cool houses and entrance halls, the
Jasminum nudiflorum would be very showy at this season,
specially if grown with a stout stem and a drooping head.
Che wet and the frost injure the flowers outside, but kept from

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

vet, the plant might look like an umbrella. of green and gold.

[f has no scent, however.

. PITS AND FRAMES.

Found thatithe mice had penetrated into a frame of bedding
Jalceolarias, and nipped-off the tops of one kind entirely—
Victory, a small dark sort. Poison and traps must be laid for
hem. ‘These cuttings were put-in in November after the first
rost, and have just rooted too well; not one, we believe, has
nissed, and all are quite healthy. We shall not know. where to
ind room for them. But for the frost coming, it would be
{uite time cnough to. put-in these cuttings in December, as the
ooner they are put-in and the sooner they root, when planted so
hickly the sooner do they demand thinning and moving in spring.
A few plants were covered all day on the 12th, as they were not
srotected: the previous night. Having made a little room, we

lave commenced taking-off some hundreds of cuttings of varie-
sated Alyssuin, variegated Geraniums, Crystal Palace Nastur- |

55

tiums, &c,, as at this season, with a little bottom heat, they
strike quickly and need no shading. Whilst the sun is so low,
we prefer, in a sunny forenoon, giving a slight syringe overhead
in preference to shading or watering. Who is to let out the
pretty new Lobelia ?>—R. F.

TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED.

Sutton & Sons, Reading.—Spring Catalogue and Amateur’s
Guide for 1863, Containing Selections of Kitchen-Garden Seeds
and Roots, Flower Seeds and Plants, and Agricultural Seeds,
together with Cultural Instructions.

W. Steward & Co,, 18, Drake Street, Plymouth.—Price
Current of Garden, Farm, and Flower Seeds. 1863.

James Lothian, Campbeltown.—List of Dutch Flower Roots:
Autumn, 1862.

B. 8. Williams, Paradise Nursery, Holloway, London,—
Catalogue of Flower, Vegetable, and Agricultural Seeds, Bulbs,
and Roots, 1863.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.
«*, We request that no one will write privately to the depart-
mental writers of the “Journal of Horticulture, Cottage,
Gardener, and Country Gentleman.” By so doing they
are subjected to unjustifiable trouble and expense. All
communications should therefore be addressed solely to The
Lditors of the “Journal of Horticulture, §c.,” 162, Elect
Street, London, H.C.
also request that correspondents will nof mix up on the
same sheet questions relating to Gardening and those on
Poultry and Bee subjects, if they expect to get them answered
promptly and conveniently, but write them on separate
communications. Also never to send more than two or
three questions at once,
cannot reply privately to any communication unless under
very special circumstances.

CuLery (County of Durham),.—We do not think that the variety grown
had any connection with the ‘‘ bolting”? last autumn. The same occurred
very generally, and to every variety. The cause we believe to Lave been
a check to the growth of the young plants, caused by ungenial weather at
pricking-out time.

Size oF Frowrr-ror (Country Secretary).— We know of no rule requir=
ing the diameter of a pot to be measured an inch belowthe rim. We
think it ought to be measured close to the rim, All such measurements:
are taken izside. -An eight-inch pot ought to be § inches diameter next
to and within the rim, and 8 inches deep perpendicularly from a stick laid:
across the rim to the bottom of the pot inside. A small fraction of an
inch, provided not exceeding an eighth of an inch more, in any such ,
Measurements ought not to disqualify.

GaARDENER’s RESIDENCE (W. A. B.).—There is:no doubt that it would
be more fitting for the gardener, if married, rather than the married:
groom, to live in the garden-cottage; but we are quite sure that public,
journalists have no right to interfere with such arrangements. ‘he gar-
dener must plead his owm cause with his mistresses.

Wuitr BraMeie (Rubus. Biflorus).—Any of the large London nursery>
men who advertise in our columns could supply you with it.

ScarLer GERANIUMS IN-Pots (LZ. C.).—There is no particular treatment;
required now, nor until next May, for Scarlet Geraniums, nothing more
than to keep the frost from them and to see they do not want for water,
and that they have no more water than will just keep them alive. The
pots ought to be more.or less diy all'the spring, but not'so dry as to cause
a leaf to flag.

FERNS IN CRINOLINE Pors (H. B.).—Ags far as we can, judge, in the
absence of actual experience, we should say decidedly that the cocoa-nut
refuse dust would be more suitable for Ferns grown in crino!ine pots than
for those in common pots. Let us say a crinoline pot is another naire for
a sieye-like pot, or pot-basket of wirework, with meshes of greater or less-
diameter all over it. Theu say, use such pots of double or three times the
size of clay pots for Ferns; line them with thin flakes of the surface
of peat soil, and cram them as tightly as you can press it withthe dust
from the cocoa-nut fibre mills, and if the Ferns do not flourish in crinoline
pots in that way much better, and at half the expense of attendance, than
they ever did before, we should be very much surprised, We haye only
just learned that the Ferns at the great International Exhibition, which
Ferns were only bought for the purpose at the Kingston Nursery. the week
before the opening of the Exhibition, were then, shaken out of the peat
and planted in the pure cocoa-nut fibre dust; and the plants were only
watered four times the whole time they were on exhibition, and then only
by men who never before watered Ferns and only a very few common.
plants,

Gop anp Stiver Ferns (A Subscriber).—The chances are against your
Gold and Silver Ferns doing any good after having lost their fronds, from:
bad packing and too much cold, no doubt. 50° is the lowest. temperature
for them in winter, and 55° to 60° should now, be the warmth for your
leafless ones, and keep them alittle moist at the roots ; do not give them up.
before the middle of May. Gymnogramma is their botanical first name,
and the different kinds have various second names. This is the worst time
to give lists of Fuchsias and Pelargoniums, as better sorts will be out:
immediately in the spring catalogues.

We

56 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE

Harpy Aauarics (W. Beard).—We cannot say where you can purchase
these; but nurserymen who have nota piece of water generally procure
them from some place where they are plentiful. There are usually
plenty to be had from most ornamental waters, and we have seen the
most of them growing in small rivers and marshy grounds round London.
We haye no doubt this notice or an advertisement will bring you news of
them. To your Calla palustris, Hottonia palustris, Butomus umbellatus,
and Nymphea alba we would add the large-flowering gorgeous Nuphar
Intea, Stratiotes aloides, Menyanthes trifoliata, and Aponogeton distachyon.
This last-named had better be planted in pots, sunk near the margin, and
in severe winters the pots could be raised and set in a tub of water in a
«lose shed or greenhouse.

CENTAUREA CANDIDISsIMA (A Subscxiber).—Centaurea candidissima is
not better than Cerastium tomentosum for some edgings, and it is much
better for some others than any other plant in cultivation. All depends
upon the plants in the bed to be edged.

Liquip Manure ror Vines (An Amatetr).—If your Vines are in-doors,
and the roots dry, you may use your water-closét sewage, much diluted
and heated to from 80° to 100°, before starting the Vines. If the roots are
out of doors, the roots most likely will be wet enough, and water is not
likely to be required until the ground becomes dry and warm—say from
June to September. We would even then, however, use such material
with great care, It is almost sure to be too strong, unless much water is

added, We once knew fine Vines completely spoiled by using the liquid
strong and in a fresh state.

Bonz Dust ror PELARGoNIUMS (Wew Year).—Give your strong Geraniums
no manure water or top-dressing until the flower-buds are formed and
forming. ‘Then, instead of watering, you might put a quarter of an ounce
on the surface in each pot, and give as much more again in ten days,
Mixed with water, you might use about three ounces to four gallons of
water, mixing it up the day before. See answers to correspondents last
week. We like to vary the stimulus just on the principle that a person

will thrive better on beef and mutton alternately than on either con-
tinuously.

CAMELLIA FLOWERS IMPERFECTLY OPENING (S. D. G., Ireland). — Your
Camellia Hawkerii, which both last year and this formed fine large buds,
of which a few of the outer petals opened but the centre continued a hard
ball and finally fell off, requires the centre of the ball of earth to be
wet enough and its drainage perfect. In such dull weather, of which we
have had so much, air would be advisable, even though a brisk fire should

be made in the morning and allowed to burn out, using none at night
unless frosty.

AprLe TREES Mossy AnD BRANcuEs Dvine (@. C.).—If your trees are
not too far gone they may be, to a certain extent, renovated by a slight,
not a heavy pruning, and by lime-washing the stems and branches as far
ag you can, coating them thickly with the lime, On a fine, mild, and
slightly damp morning in April let a man with a ladder go round and
throw some quicklime all amongst the tops. A great part of this will,
of course, come to the ground; but it will do no harm there, and what
falls amongst the mossy-covered branches will stick to them, and in a
great measure destroy the moss.| A damp, calm day is best for this work.
Much good will also be done by manuring the ground; and, if it is in
tillage, do not by any means dig it deep. If these remedies fail, it would
be better to destroy the trees and plant again elsewhere. Cutting-down
and severe pruning rarely answer for above three or four years, unless che
trees are young and vigorous, in which case they seldom want this, ex-
cepting to change the kinds.

VENTILATION OF STOVE AND GREENHOUSE (A ZLady),—You will see an
article in our next Number on this subject, but we may here say that
during the doll months 55° may be regarded as the minimum for a plant-
stove, and 38° fora greenhouse. You may, however, give air freely to the
latter; but the former will require but little until brighter weather set
in. The sand in your stove may be kept damp when plants are growing,

but when they are at rest keepit ary. Your further inquiries will be met
in the article above alluded to.

Puanvine Betuaponna Lizy (A. S.).—The depth for planting these was
stated to be 6 inches in the article you allude to. Mr. Beaton has always
said that all bulbs which remain in pots from year to year are more safe
if buried as low as the neck of the bulb; and when they are not so potted
many of them perish from the damp of our hothouses and open-air climate
penetrating between the coats of the bulhs when they are at reat, The treat-
ment of Eucharis amazonica has been given in every volume of this Journal
for the last seven years. The treatment for 1863 is this: To have it always
and in all places under-potted—that is, to have the bulbs in smaller pots
than Lily bulbs of the same size; to use nothing this season but the best
loam and about one-sixth of the quantity of sand; to give it stove heat
from first to last, and, better still, to plunge in a hotbed of 80° bottom
heat and 70° of top heat from the middle of February to thejend of May,
and to keep it as constantly watered as a pot Pelargonium every day in the
year.

PANCRATIUM MEXICANUM (Jdem).—You haye given the key to your gay-
deceiver bulb. You say this Pancratium is dreadfully subject to thrips,
There never was a more direct libel, for there is no plant the thrips dis-
like worse than a Pancratium. Your bulb from Mexico is not a Pancratium
nor a stove bulb at all, and you did not give it one-quarter of the quantity
of water it requires in the heat of 4 Geranium-house, Your Pancratium
which flowered two months ago was a genuine Hymenocallis. Mexico is
full of these, and from almost hardy to stove kinds; and the whole of the
Hymenocallises of the Americar. continent require saucers of water under the
pots from May to November, and the saucers to be kept full of water the
whole time, From the want of water, and from too much heat probably,
the juices of your bulb were made so sweet that even the thrips could not
resist the temptation of sucking the leaves. Although the bulb is so much
like a Pancratium that no man could tell that it was not a Pancratium
while it was in flower, no botanist can tell a Pancratium from a Hymeno-
callis without seeing the seeds,’ But lest your bulb be not so hardy as would
seem to be the case, go through with it one more season in water in the
Stove, but nearer to where /air is admitted ; and if you see one thrips on it,
Temove it immediately to aigreenhouse. ae

Cocoa-nur Fisre Dusr (A. H.).—One of the best covers oyer an open
tank to let up vapour, and to keep out the dust of the cocoa-nut fibre, is
the bristly refuse of the fibre of the nut, or the refuse of the mat and
brush makers laid upon a floor of galyanised iron net.

AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ January 20, 1863.

Maepiz Pansy (Idem).—Mr. Salter, of the Versailles Nursery, who
raised that beautiful flower, is the most likely person about London to

have it on sale. Mr. Beaton said in the article you allude to that he shared
it with Mr. Salter.

MARIGOLD Av Kensincton (Zex).—Marigolds have florets, not petals.
That you saw at Kensington has the best name; it is called Pot Marigold
in all the seed-shops, and is one of the best town flowers we haye.

Zinn1A Frownrs (Jdem),— The diameter of double Zinnias, like the
diameter of Dahlias and all such flowers, yaries very considerably in
different varieties; we have seen them from 1 to 3 inches across. All
depends upon the variety and on the way the plants are treated.

STOVE WiTHouT Frur.—‘‘T haye always understood that to be in any con-
fined place where coke was burning in a stove or other apparatus, without
a flue or pipe to take the smoke and sulphur away, is injurious to the
health of those who inhale the fumes of it for any length of time. I should
be much obliged by your opinion on the subject.— Jonny Jones, Ryre
Gardens,””

[Such fumes are very prejudicial to health. A stove without a flue-pipe
is quite as bad as a brazier burning charcoal, which has caused so many
deaths to those sleeping in a room where one was placed. The fumes

cause headache, oppression of the chest, fainting, and palpitation of the
heart.—Eps. ]

Apricots Fairing in OxcHArp-House (A Subscriber).—Mr. Rivers?
plan of treating the tree as an out-door one is more likely to insure fruit
than when it is in-doors ; but in that cuse what is the use of the orchard-
house? Apricots haye been tried under glass upwards of thirty years ago,
and failed then. It is possible that by letting them haye almost a super-
abundance of air they may set better, and possibly they may swell and do
well under glass; but we have much doubt of it, As a fruit tree the
Apricot is more hardy than most others, and requires a cooler and Btiffer
soil than the Peach; and if your trees in pots do not furnish fruit this
season, we would say plant them out as bushes in the open ground, and
report the result. If your situation be a dry one, we fear your trees will
not be fruitfnl against a south wall; or even when they do bear, the fruit
will not unlikely ripen and decay on one side before the other side is Tipe
atall. An east or west aspect is better than the south for the Apricot.
We are, however, promised an article on this fruit by one of the con-
tributors to our Journal, which will doubtless contain some useful matter
bearing on your case; In the meantime, let your gardener prune and
regulate your wall trees in the proper way, and if very cold weather occur
at the time they are in blossom, protect them only at night. A close
uniform protection of netting, or anything that way, though useful and
beneficial to the Peach, is not required by the Apricot, which, with the
exception of the Plum, is perhaps the hardiest fruit-b!ossom we haye.—J. R.

O1p Horzep Dune (2. H.).—This, and that in the bin you mention,
although all exposed for a length of time to the weather, will still be so

abounding in fertilising components as to be very useful if applied to your
Rose trees.

SuMMER-Prunine Dwarr PyrAmip Appie Trexrs (WV. J.).—Your trees,
which you say were pruned in summer and haye since made shoots
10 inches long, have evidently been pruned too soon. It is better not to
prune either wall, espalier, or any other trained Apple tree until the young
wood begins to harden at the base—say for a couple of joints or so; then
there is less fear of its exhausting itself by shooting again. This you
should bear in mind another year; but, in the present season, you must
prune-off the half-matured shoots that have been made since the summer-
pruning, leaving, however, a little at the base if the tree should want
enlarging. The top will also want shortening accordingly.

Worn-our QuickseT HEDGE (Alpha).—You are perfectly Yight in de-
stroying the old worn-out hedge, and replacing the soil it has been grow-
ing in for other mould, as no good results from planting the Quick plants
in the same soilagazin, Your mode of planting two rows of Quicksets a
little distance apart, and a row of Privet between them, is very good for
making a good hedge; but as the Privet grows much faster than the other,
we would put in cuttings of this instead of rooted plants, thus enabling
the Quickset to have a start/at least equal with the Privet. If the two
rows of Quicksets were a foot apart, carefully planted on good fresh soil
that had either been in tillage or taken from a meadow field, and cuttings
of Privet a foot or 15 inches long thrust in between them, say 6 inches
apart, you will likely haye a good hedge in a short time. We would prefer
this to Hornbeam or Beach, which are better adapted for shelter than for
turning cattle, retaining their old leaves most part of the winter.

Names oF Fruits (H. B.).—Apples.—l, Striped Russet; 2, Lewis's
Incomparable; 3, Oxnead Pearmain. The Pear is Vicar of Winkfield.

Names or Puants (A Reader).—1, Coronilla glauca ; 2, Genistaracemosa;
3, Erica hiemalis; 4, Hardenbergia monophylla.

POULTRY, BEE, and HOUSEHOLD CHRONICLE.

DORKINGS.

| We cannot resist the temptation of writing a little on
Dorkings. We have often done so before, but it is long since,
and the question has re-appeared on the surface. Like many
other similar matters, essentials are ignored, and trifles are
placed in the front rank. Two, points have been greatly and
most improperly insisted upon as bemg of first-rate importance
—combs and plumage. Both are ridiculous as essentials. ‘The
comb of a Dorking fowl is quite immaterial, and it always was ;
but so much was said about the rose or double combs that they
are now but seldom seen; they were formerly numerous, and
were the largest birds. We were more than glad to see Lady
Holmesdale show such good rose combs at the Crystal Palace.
The most ridiculous attempt was to endeavour to make Dorkings
birds of plumage, and it was endeavoured to lay down the rule

|
January 20, 1863. ]

hat unless the tail and breast were perfectly black the bird was
jot true. Now, nothing could be more mistaken, and it was
lecided at the time not only that the points mentioned were not
sential, but that they had nothing to do with the purity or
itherwise. Yet a correspondent writes, he always thought a
yrize Dorking should haye a black breast; whereas he had seen
me with white spots or speckles all over it, and thereon he
pes: an objection to an award. More recently we hear from
Scotch show that birds of unquestionable merit were disquali-
ed because they were too dark in plumage.

It was to satisfy a longing that could not be legitimately
ncouraged that Silver-Grey classes were introduced ; they were
‘concession made to those who, like our correspondent, would
ave Dorkings to be birds of plumage. Here their own ideas
rere embodied, and Dorkings were judged to colour. Few
shibitors haye been satisfied. Nevertheless, the remedy is in
ieir own hands, the points are thoroughly understood, and the
lack breasts are indispensable; but they are the exception,
nd even in these special classes numbers of cocks lack them.
£ other proof were wanting, the statistics of the yards where
Jorkings are bred would prove the difficulties attendant on the
adeayours to breed them to feather or colour. That which
mateurs have successfully tried has been to ally increased size
ad weight with perfect symmetry. This could never have been
one had there been any restrictions of colour. We give our
est support and our adhesion to the Silver-Grey classes.
xhibitors send them in sufficient numbers to make separate
asses, and they have, therefore, a right to have prizes offered
r them ; but they will only have done mischief if the amateurs
f them endeavour to disturb the rules that have guided our
ast judges in making their awards in the general classes for
any years. Such would be the effect of listening to the com-
laints that appear in the mild form of thoughts—“T always
lought,” &e.; “but I find,’ &c.—and such is the result of
yards for colour that discourage many old and good exhibitors.
fe have no hesitation in repeating, that which we have often
fore said, and which the institution in many places of the
Iver-Grey classes justifies us in repeating, if possible with more
nfidence, that Dorkings are not birds of colour; that pro-
ded they are large and square, have five good claws on each
of, are alike combed throughout the pen, and present no
aring disparity of colour; that whether or no the cock has
hite on his breast or tail, or the hens are a shade darker or a
ade lighter, they have all the requisites for successful compe-
ion so far as colour and comb are concerned.

SILVER-GREY DORKINGS DEFENDED.

Havine read the article in your Number of the 9th of
ecember, suggesting doubts as the impolicy of continuing
parate classes for Silver-Grey and Coloured Dorkings, as a
eeder of Silyer-Grey Dorking fowls for almost twenty years I
nfess I should regret if this suggestion were acted upon.
The Silver-Grey, if properly bred, will never become grey on
e breast. It is quite true that where they are thrown out
indiscriminate breeding, as is not unfrequent, no dependance
n be placed upon them; and it is more than probable on the
cond moult that coloured feathers may and will appear both
the breast, back,and wings. Many such birds are shown in
e Silver class as chickens that never can again compete in the
me class. Whis arises from want of sufficient care in the
ection of stock birds for crosses. It may be that a bird may
ve himself all the characteristics of purity of blood, but may
obably be an offshoot from an indiscriminate yard.
The Silver-Grey, in my judgment, ought to be a counterpart
the Silver-Duckwing Game. The comb should be large and
I defined, deeply and distinctly serrated, not projecting unduly
‘0 the beak, and perfectly upright; with breast and tail straw-
loured or whitish ; back and hackle with certain well-defined
sings on the wings. The hens should be pure silver-grey,
free from brown on the wings as may be; the breast salmon
lour, not, as is too frequently the case in winning pens, one
n or sometimes both nearer approaching a brownish-white ;
e fifth claw separate and distinct, well defined, of sufficient
e, and well formed. Any pens not coming up to a defined
indard ought to be disqualified if exhibited in this class. If
operly bred they will never become, however old, grey on the
east, as I can testify from long experience, for I have hens
ree, four, and five years old that are as pure and true in their

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COLTAGE GARDENER,

57

markings as they were when chickens, and so similar that unless
marked the different strains could not be known.

All breeders of Dorkings ought to be obliged to “EH. ©.” for
the able article in your Number of the 9th of December relative
to the Dorking class at Birmingham, and if his suggestions were
carried out as they ought to be, and defined characteristics
attended to by the judges, exhibitors would be more careful in
their selection of the birds composing a pen. A well-defined
fifth claw, so important a feature in a first-class Dorking, seems
to be, to a great extent, disregarded, and short, imperfect, and
in fact connected or ill-defined claws, seem to be by no means
uncommon.

In the Silver-Grey class at Manchester, in Class 1, the prizes
were awarded to pens haying several glaring imperfections. The
combs of the cocks were both imperfect. The hens in neither
of the pens matched, a hen in one pen having speckled feathers
in the breast; in the other pen one hen had a salmon breast,
the other a browny white. One of the rules of most of the great
shows is that condition and brilliancy of plumage and well-
defined markings, not mere weight, should be the standard for
approval. Weight ought certainly not to be disregarded in a
Silver Dorking, though it should not be the primary consideration.

Fond as I am of breeding the Dorking I would not accept the
best pen of Coloured birds, as all interest with me would cease.
mere weight being apparently the only desideratum. The Silver
bird, when pure, is in my eye a comely and handsome bird, re-
quirmg some judgment to breed; his Coloured namesake is
generally a large, shapeless, and fluffy-feathered creature, haying
nothing but size, produced in many instances by crossing with
Cochin, Brahma Pootra, &c.—a step no Silver-Grey breeder dare
venture to try.

The numerical preponderance in favour of the Coloured bird
at exhibitions arises from the fact that breeders of the Silver
birds, from want of care in selecting stock birds for crosses, find
themselves at sea, and in despair of righting themselves fall back
upon the Coloured birds.

Tt is quite true that the Silver bird is fast approaching the
Coloured even in weight; still they are as distinct in their main
features as any of the Game classes, and I venture to hope as a
breeder, but only a casual competitor, that the time may be
long distant when your suggestion will be carried into effect.
I know very many who hold the same opinion.

If this suggestion is worth anything, it goes to undermine the
classification of Game fowls; there being as much difference
between the Silver and Coloured Dorking as there is between
the Black, Brown, or Duckwing Game.

T have endeavoured to show from my own experience that,
as regards your remarks in reply to “ A BREEDER OF SILVER-
Greys” in yours of the 6th inst., the fowls on which your con-
clusions were based were not Silver birds proper, but offshoots
from indiscriminate breeding —ANOTHER BREEDER OF SILVER-

Greys.

CORK POULTRY SHOW.

Tre poultry exhibited were of various degrees of merit. The
Spanish were particularly good, Miss Drevyar and Mr. Hodder
taking prizes with birds that would be regarded as first-class in
any show in England. Thirty pens of Dorkings were exhibited,
and, as was the case last season, were very good. Cochins, asa
whole, were poor; but Mr. Perry’s prize Buff and Mr. Zurhorst’s
White were remarkable exceptions to this general rule. The
Game classes showed a great lack of knowledge of this beautiful
variety. Duckwing cocks were matched to Black Red hens and
vice versd, the birds exhibited were destitute of anything like
style or beauty, being short-necked, loose-feathered animals that
no Game-breeder would endure in his runs. From this sweep-
ing denunciation one or two pens must be exempted. Mr.
Perry won in old birds with a good active-looking Black Red
that won as a atag last year. But most of the other winners
were as lumpy and loose-feathered as Dorkings, and some
very nearly as heavy. The Gold and Silver-spangled Polish
were not so strong as last year, owing to the absence of
the birds of Mr. Palmer Williams; but the Gold and Silver
winners were well-crested and well-marked pens. Miss Drevar
swept the White-crested Black class with better birds than are
generally seen at any except the very largest shows. The pen
of Silky Bantams belonging to Mrs. Hodder were as good as
any we have seen lately, the black comb and wattles being well
developed, and free from any tinge of redness.

58

In the * Any other” class, Mr. Perry won first with as good
a pen of Créve Coeurs as we have seen for some time.

Turkeys were very good. :

Geese were of various kinds, many pens of Chinese being
shown; and under the name of Danubian, there were many pens
precisely similar to those loose-feathered birds that Mr. Harvey
D. Bayly has shown under the name of Sebastopol.

Ducks were large and good.

he Pigeons were truly a magnificent show. The class of
Black Carriers was of extraordinary merit. The Powters were very
good; Mr. Hawkins, of Belfast, brought the birds with which
he won at Glasgow last week, and carried off many of the prizes,
being closely pressed by Dr. Harvey, who was also very success-
ful. The Short-faced Almonds and Kites were numeyous, but
not equal to the Powters in merit. ‘Twenty-five pens of Fan-
tails made a feature in the show-room. The winning birds were
very good, particularly the Blues and Blacks; Jacobins poor;
but Barbs ‘very good, particularly those of Mr. Perrott, Miss
Pike, and a cock of Mr. Dowling’s. The Sweepstakes for the
best young Carrier was won by Mr. Goulding with a splendid
young Dun; the bird of Dr. Harvey being of almost equal merit.
An “ Extra prize,” given for the best young Powter aud Short-
faced Tumbler, was won by Mr. Hawkins with a Blue Powter
and Almond cock. The White hen, exhibited by Dr. Harvey
for this prize was one of the best birds we have ever seen, very
long inthe limb and feather; but her chance was damaged by
the Kate with which she was associated.

The birds. were exhibited in the Halifax pens, and were
Managed in an admirable manner. No show in the kingdom is
conducted with more spirit and energy than the Cork Exhibi-
tion: consequently it yearly increases in the number of entries,
and in the interest it excites, as testified by the number of visitors.

We understand that many additional prizes and medals will
be given at the next annual Hxhibition. ;

We published the list of prizetakers last week.

MR. HUTTON versus MR: MUNN.

Having read with astonishment Mr. Munn’s attempt to
drag me into ‘the disgraceful mess into which he has got him-
self, by imposing upon the Birmingham Committee and the
exhibitors in the Black Bantam class at that Show, 1 feel myself
more than ever called upon to defend myself from his attacks
upon my character, and to show to your readers that he is now
trying to impose. upon them also.

It is, no doubt, very convenient to have a “man,” behind
whom to shield himself when caught in any kind of irregularities.
Mr. Munn says that he left home “in the middle of Novem-
ber ”’—we will call it the 14th or 15th, and bind him down to
that time; also, that I “sent two birds on approval,” which is
correct. He says he was away from home on their arrival. If
£0, why did his “man” use the following words in his letter of
advice to me when they were returned P—“ Mr. Munn desires me
to say that he does not see the value of £2 in either of the birds.”

Then, again, as the enclosed note from the Great Northern
Railway Company’s office here states, the birds were sent off to

him on the 5th November, and returned on the 7th of that |

month; so that’ the whole transaction was completed seven
clear days before the admitted’ “middle of the month,” ' when
Mr. Munn says he left home. Query, Where was Mr. Munn in
the interim? But, supposing he had been from home, the birds
would not besent to the Birmingham Show till the 28th, which
leaves twenty-one days for his ‘“‘man”’ toapply elsewhere or have
Mr. Munn’s advice in the matter; and still Mr. Munn does not
scruple to tell us that his “man” ““had not time to-write to
and get.an’ answer from” him. Then he says “they were ‘per-
fectly valueless for exhibition ;” but, in the advice referred to, he
says nothing at alli about the quality of the birds, but contents
himself with grumbling at the price.

The one, he'says, had red ‘ear-lobes, had pure black: legs,
was an excellent bird, had already taken first prizes at/Skipton
and Settle, and I bought him because of the size andiwhiteness
of his ear-lobes; and the other has good blue legs yet, and, if
desirable, shall be sent to.your office for your inspection.

He says further, that he “knew nothing at all of the affair ;”
but, on turning over two leaves of your Journal; he says that he
“claimed a pen of Geese” at Birmingham. Ofcourse he would
be at Birmingham. How, then, are we to reconcile his assertion
with that fact ?

JOURNAL OF HORTIOULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

When his “man” wrote to me he used’ the following words ©

only, “The one we have has white legs,” and never informed me
that he had been claimed from me at the Orystal Palace Show :
therefore I cannot see what explanation he could expect from me.

There is an old adage that’ ‘one tale is: good till another is
told :” therefore I shall feel it very hard towards myself if’ you
object to retract what you have ‘said’ respecting Mr. Munn’s
letter, exculpating him; and if he has returned’ the prize money”
to the Birmingham Committee, he has not nor is it in his power
to restore the rightful honours to the exhibitors whom he has
wronged.

As to the change in the natural colour of the legs of fowls, my ~~

experience as an extensive breeder and dealer tells me the con~

trary of your assertion, I haye seen Black Polands, Bantams,

and Hamburghs at the age of sixteen or seventeen’ weeks, with

legs within # shade of black, as were the legs of the bird referred’
to, change to be almost’ white by the time they were six or seven”
months old. I hayeno doubt but that many of your readers:
can. bear me out in this.

In a previous letter I made an assertion which you seem to
doubt; but, fortunately {or myself, I have invariably acted onthe
maxim that “two heads are better than one,” and have sought
advice from other exhibitors before sending a fresh pen of birds
to any particular show. In the case im hand I had them
examined by two whose names haye appeared in prize lists in
your Journal; and having washed the legs of the birds before

they were sent off, they will give their signatures to the effect —

that they were naturally a good dark colour, and perfect in that
respect, if you will allow them to do so.—E. Huron,

[We have omitted much from Mr. Hutton’s letter, but have
inserted all that is at all applicable to the subject.
says that he knew nothing about the Bantam’s legs being
blackened, and even Mr, Hutton’s assumptions—and they are
only assumptions—are not irreconcileable with Mr. Munn’s
statement. ‘Che man when rejecting and returning the Bantam
cocks might say, without any criminal deviation from the truth,
that Mr. Munn desired him to say what he did say, because
Mr. Munn had left him to exercise his own judgment. That
Mr. Munn has returned the prize money to the Birmingham
Committee we know, because we haye seen the Secretary’s
acknowledgment of its receipt. Mr. Hutton may have seen

chickens’ legs become lighter as they became adult; but we think: a

he. will not venture to say he has seen the black legs of an adult
fowl become white as it became when three weeks older.

May we not take the most charitable view of the conduct of
both parties, and accept as truth Mr. Munn’s declaration that
he knew nothing of the legs being blackened, and Mr. Hutton’s
declaration that no colouring was put.on the cock’s legs sent
to the Crystal Palace? ‘There haye been many instances of

birds on their way from a show being. changed.— Eps. J. or H.] ‘ i,

PHILOPERISTERON SOCIETY'S ANNUAL:
SHOW,

Tax annual Show of the) Philoperisteron: Society was\heldiini
the Freemason’s Hall on Thursday: the 15th.
birds was truly magnificent in character, andj in spite of some:
varieties not being represented, must) be pronounced) as one of;

the best: that) the Society has.ever held.. ‘Nhe room) was almost,

inconveniently crowded ‘during the afternoon... Among the com=: ’
pany present were many well-known) fanciers. In addition to:
the members we noticed Messrs. Bellamy, Pyne, Dean, Wole
stenholme, &c., and a good sprinkling of those/savants who take:
an interest in the variation. and origin of species—Mr. Smith,
the President of the Entomological Society; Mr. Wallace, the:
celebrated ornithologist, to whom we are indebted for the living:
Birds of Paradise; Dr. Giinther, of the British; Museum, the
highest authority on. thenatural history of fishes; the Secretaries
of the Acclimatisation Society, and many others. +

Of the birds it is difficult to speak. Mr. P. Hden’s: Powters:
worthily occupied the pens hitherto filled by those of Mr. Bult;:
those of Mr. Hayne'were also present at the other end of the.
room, In Carriers the Show: was particularly. strong. Mr.
Hayne is a host in himself, and) was rivalled by many of) the:
country members. Mr, Oliver’s birds were: splendid in eye and»

[ January 20, 1863) ~~

Mr. Munn» —

The show: of: —

i
4]

style. Some.of the celebrated: Plymouth strain from Mr. Chalker: 7
putiin anjappearance. Good birds were also shown by Messrs. |

Dale and Hverett, and an exquisite White hen by Mr. Hsquilant..

|

Short-faced ‘Tumblers. were in-full-force.. A Society which in- F |

January 20, 1863. ]

cludes the names of Messrs. Lucy, Esquilant, Percivall, Archer,
and others, cannot fail in these varieties. A more beautiful
pen of White Funéails were never seen than those sent by the
President, Mr. Harrison Weir, and his Zurdits were equal in
merit. Mr. Wicking’s pens of Swallows and Priests were almost
dazzling from their purity of colour. The Barbs of Mr. Eden
were superb. Amongst them we noticed more particularly two
Yellow cocks and one Black that for breadth of skull, shortness
of beak, and size of eye we have rarely if ever seen surpassed.
Jacobins were not in strong force as to numbers, though the
quality of those exhibited was good. Among the more miscel-
laneous birds we may notice’a singular single specimen exhibited
by Mr. Archer. This bird, which came from Belgium, conjoins
the colour of an Archangel with the head of an Owl or Barb, its
most striking peculiarity being the extraordinary length of the
tail and flicht feathers, the latter crossed beyond the tail giving
the animal the appearance of a gigantic Swift (Cypselus), or
Donewinged Hawk. Mr. Esquilant exhibited a pair of very good
Blue Dragons, and Mr. Tegetmeier a pen of Belgian Homeing
Sirds—the Smerles of the continent, but which are usually
termed Antwerps in England. This pen included some young
birds bred from those of M. Simonis, that won the sweepstakes
in the long flight from Marseilles to Lidge, nearly six hundred
‘miles ; from M. Pumel; M. Lejeune, the editor of ‘Le Pigeon,”
a sa journal devoted to the flying fancy; M. Rutk, and
others.

@aken as a whole it was regarded as the best Show that has
ever been held by the members of this Society, and as more than
sustaining its ancient prestige.

The increase of the number of the members and the zeal with
which they bring from great distances large numbers of birds to
this annual réunion, proves the inherent vitality of the Society,
which goes on steadily and surely progressing year after year ;
every succeeding Exhibition showing more birds, more pens,
more members, and more visitors.

HYBRID GAME AND POULTRY.

Frox the ready answers I have seen about crossing Pheasants,
Zam indaced to mention two crosses I haye lately obserred—one
between the Grouse and Black Game, the other between the
Guinea Fowl and the common hen. Both were so plain as to
be indisputable, haying characteristics of both birds. I cannot
ayoid remarking on the pleasure that may be derived by the
interchange of knowledge and remark in natural history.—H. R.

PHEASANT CROSSING WITH THE
SILVER.

Sone correspondents of your Journal expressing a doubt that
erosses between the common and Silver Pheasant have never
occurred, I beg to say that cases of their haying done so are
ommon enough; but excepting for the novelty of now and
then shooting a sort of a piebald one, there is nothing to admire
in the breed so brought about. On the contrary, I have heard
gamekeepers affirm that the cross spoiled the breed, the offspring
being tender and sometimes mistaken for domestic fowls, and
deficient of that bold bearing which characterises the Pheasant
cock of the wild breed. The half-bred differ considerably in
appearance, and some may be regarded pretty, but generally they
present that mongrel sort of character which is only endurable
to those who have never studied the beauties of distinct breeds.
—J.R.

COMMON

BROWN, WHITE, AND PIED CROSSED
PHBASANTS.

TWENTY years ago I had more time to spare than now, and
4ook great delight in having Game birds in every variety as tame
as could be. Breeding freely, I found no difficulty in rearing
hybrids—that is, crosses between White and Brown Pheasants,
Grouse cock and Bantam hen, Partridges and Bantams. I often
heard of, but never saw, a cross between a Pheasant and common
hen, haying frequently tried and, of course, failed. Common
sense and reason prove it impossible, fer the Pheasant takes four
weeks to hatch, the common fowl three weeks; and although
reading your invalnable Journal for many years, I never saw this
vemark at any time.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

59

The Pheasants must be pinioned and really tame—that is, feed
from the hand and allow themselves to be handled: a run in a
garden indispensable. They should be a White cock and Brown
hen, or Brown cock and White hen; they must be together the
whole season, or hatched together; and the hens must be of one
kind. The birds produced are beautifully marked, partaking of
both kinds.

I have had Snipe, Woodcock, and Plover living in my garden
for a length of time, until cats and other vermin destroyed
them. The plan I adopted to procure Game when a boy was to
watch the hen, find her nest, change the eggs by putting
Bantams’ eggs instead, and the chicks, when hatched, would be
as wild as their foster-mother. The wild eggs, Pheasant or
Partridge, were brought near home to a secure place in a hedge,
where a Bantam would take charge and bring them home when
a week or fortnight old; then they are easily domesticated.—
W. W., Dublin.

CROSS-BRED PHEASANTS.

T aarvery giad fo sée the interest evinced in your last Number
about the cross between the common and Silver Pheasant. It
is extremely rare, but has been met with. I have never seen
one. Ihave seen fourteen or fifteen between the common and
the Golden. ‘The late Lords Beauchamp and Hastings bred
them. Iam disposed to believe “S.” is mistaken. ‘he Pied
Pheasant is bred between a common and a White bird. I have
bred many, and have one now in my possession. The common,
White, Pied, Chinese Versicolor, and Bohemian may all be in-
termixed, and the produce remain a Pheasant ; but if either be
mixed with the Golden or the Silver, the produce is a hybrid.
The cross between the fowl and ordinary Pheasant is a hybrid.
T have had many.—Y.

THE MOVEABLE HEN-HOUSE.

Tr would be a great improvement if it were possible to fatten
to a convenient degree all fowls intended for the market before
delivering them over to their fate; for, although the art of so
raising and feeding certain breeds has been greatly advanced in
some countries, they are usually handed to the merchant in very
poor condition. They are often allowed to become too old; and
except some chickens fed for special tables, nearly all pass
without preparation from the courtyard to the kitchen.

The reason is that the farmer who breeds and raises them has
scarcely ever time to fatten them. There must be a great differ-
ence between quietly allowing poultry to go and come freely
about a farm, and occupying one’s self with it as a’ special
branch of the establishment.

T-do not enter into such details as to decide, for example, what
sort of fowls ought to be chosen. Some'breeds which lay well
do not produce such good chickens as others which are less
famous in the first respect. It is for the intelligent breeder who
understands his business to choose the sort of bird most suitable
for his purpose.

In France, the towns of Le Mans and La Fléche, in the
western districts, are celebrated for the fattened’ poultry with
which they supply Paris.

I do not now tell you of the many methods of fattening
adopted by professional poultry-feeders, nor even among other
modes of a very ingenious machine, with which a man is able,
through the help of a wheel moved by his foot, to fill the stomach
ofa fowl which he holds in one hand, while with the other he
ascertains the vacuity or fulness of its crop.

These processes can only be employed by persons who devote
themselves not merely to the breeding of fowls, but solely to the
fattening of birds which they procure in poor condition from the
farmers. ‘ ;

I wish to write of a system suitable to a strictly farming
establishment, and which serves the two purposes of raising
poultry economically, and of keeping down in the fields the
swarms of grubs which devour their produce.

Birds of all kinds are the sworn enemies of the insect tribe.
It is their special mission to restrain the natural multiplication
of these creatures within such limits that man shall not suffer
by their ravages. But, generally speaking, birds that destroy
insects are of no use to man in the way of sustenance. Thus,
then, if in place of leaving the insects to the crows and such
other birds, we could have them eaten by hens and other

60

domestic fowls, would there not evidently be a double benefit in
such arrangement? It is for the solution of this problem that
M. Giot has invented his moveable hen-house.

The interior of the hen-house resembles that of ordinary fixed
hen-houses. Its size differs according to the quantity of poultry
which you may desire to put in it, and it is mounted upon wheels
like a carriage, in order that you may shift it about more easily.
It is moved by manual labour, or with the help of a horse,
according to its size or the condition of the soil which it
traverses. It is desirable to have it furnished with a door, which
can be closed at night in districts where there is reason to dread
the ravages of vermin. If there are thieves in the neighbourhood,
it may be necessary to place a watch-dog in charge of the
colony.”

The results of this system are numerous. Chief of these is the
destruction of insects to the advantage of edible fowls, the more
complete destruction of insects, and the preservation of the
fowls in much better health than in enclosed courts.

For persons who desire to try this system, the following mode
of procedure may be recommended:—About the middle of
March, if the weather is favourable, the moveable hen-house may
be placed in the field. Its inhabitants should receive one-fifth
part of their food in corn, this being necessary to correct the
effects of the course of worms and grubs to which they are at
first apt to devote themselves too exclusively. During harvest
and in autumn they have no need of such additional diet, at
least in ordinary cases, but they may occasionally require water.
At the end of October the spring regimen should be returned to,
and on the first approach of frost the hen-house must be sent
back to the farm.

During the ploughing season it is necessary to follow day after
day the course of the plough, in order to destroy with certainty
the larvee turned up by that operation. After harrowing, it is
profitable to do the same thing, in order to allow the fowls to
pick up the grains which they find on the surface.

Several objections haye been made to this system, but ex-
perience appears to have refuted them. Some farmers had
expressed a fear of seeing their poultry wander; they know now
that there is no danger of that. At the end of some days the
birds know perfectly their own house in all its travels, Others
maintained that hens, from their scratching propensities, would
do more harm than good in the sown lands, where it was
recommended to place them after the harrows. It is true the
hen scratches, but it can scarcely be said that she is invariably a
scratching animal. Thus ina court, often very small, where her
eye cannot discover food necessary for the satisfaction of her
hunger, she naturally scrapes up the soil; but allowed to go
freely in open fields, she soon loses that habit. It is sufficient,
then, in order to insure the safety of the fields of sown grain,
that the fowls should not be permitted to remain too long on the
same spots ; for the habit which they have of digging-up the soil
and half burying themselves there, for the promotion of their
digestion, can do no harm to the crops if they are moved
sufficiently often to prevent them burrowing repeatedly in the
same place,

It is even observable that in the stations of the hen-house the
crops are superior, owing, without doubt, to the better mixture
an land with the manure and feathers which these animals leave

ere: . :

In respect to sown fields, M. Giot reports to the effect that he
had tried such a structure as is here described, and that he was
surprised to find that the hens had carefully picked up all the
grubs that made their appearance one morning after rain, along
with all the grains of corn that had been left uncovered by the
Operation of the harrow, but that they neyer once attempted to
scratch up those which had been properly deposited in the seed-

bed.—(Scottish Farmer.)

THE WREN FAMILY.

Unpbrr this heading I wish to include all those English
warblers that remain with us through the winter. They are the
Golden and Fire-created Wrens, the Common, Jenny, or Puggy
Wren, the Stone Chat, the Dartford Warbler, the Robin Red-
breast, and the common Hedge Sparrow, known by a variety of
sobriquets, as Molly, Dunnock, Shufflewing, Hedge Accentor, or
Fauvette d’Hiver. These are all soft-billed or insect-feeding
birds that remain in this country through the whole of the year.
Some frequent the woods and heaths, while others prefer the

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

fatigue of a long flight, when food is to be procured on ea

[ January 20, 1863}

gardens and cultivated lands. Flying from tree to tree, or cre
ing along the hedges, they are continually hunting for their da
food, eating an immense quantity of insects in all stages of t
development, from the egg to the perfect insect. Thus they ve
greatly contribute to check the rapid increase of these deva
tators, and, consequently, confer an immense amount of go
on mankind. Nor is there one of the whole family that oa
accused of doing injury, on which account they should be strict
preserved and protected. |
here is no fear of their becoming too numerous. Their fog
being always insects, they suffer severely in winter; and gre
numbers perish from cold and starvation in frosty weathe}
When the earth and bushes are covered with snow, or all thingy
bound hard by king Frost, these poor little famishing birg
become very tame, and, driven by hunger, approach the houses’
pick up any crumbs or such food as they can eat to sustap
life, till better times arrive, at which season numbers fall a pri
to boys and cats, or die from cold and exhaustion. Under s
circumstances it is pleasing to see the children instructed |}
collect the crumbs and scattered fragments to give to the pow
birds—it speaks of a kindly feeling, and an appreciation of #)
sufferings of the brute creation. But this reflection is foreign
my present papers, and I must dismiss the subject for the mo
sordid one of profit and loss. It is with respect to the pros ar
cons—concerning the good or injury rendered by birds to
gardener and agriculturist—that I have penned these articlep
to endeavour to undeceive those that practise poisoning ar
indiscriminate destruction of these little creatures, each i}
which has a good office to perform, and, as far as I am able,”
point out the benefit each may confer ; nor dol omit to ment]
those cases which are known to me, where any of them comm
an injury, or give an annoyance, a
In the present instance I am not aware of any one of #
above-named birds doing any damage whatever, though it
been stated by some that the Robin does sometimes eat a fg
currants. On the other hand, they all feed on insects wheney
they can procure them, and when these fail them they mu
die. This, then, being the case, any person having a garde
plantation, or land, must, unless blinded by prejudice, ' reg;
them as profitable tenants, and for his own sake desire to preser
them through the winter, that they may be able to assist
keeping down the rapid increase of’ insects in warmer weath¢
It is, therefore, evidently to the occupier’s personal interest |
protect the Wren family, and even offer them food in wintel
that he may insure their more eflicient service in summer,
Although I urge my petition more particularly in favour
this class of birds, still there are many others equally deservin
even among those that it is impossible to deny do some injur
or cause some annoyatice; and I believe that the majority do|
greater amount of good than ill. a
Some persons think and argue, that since the destruction»
Hawks and birds of prey has been so general, that small bit
have become too numerous; but I consider such reasoning
being somewhat erroneous, for I believe the Hawk’s mission, an}
indeed, that of most carnivorous animals, is to destroy the age
the maimed, and the diseased, and thus keep the stock healthy
That Hawks when sharp set, will chase and kill healthy bin
Ido not deny. Many persons, no doubt, haye witnessed t
faet ; but very few Hawks will give themselves the trouble
8) L
terms, for‘a small bird naturally flies for protection to a hed,
or bush, where it can easily baffle its pursuer. I do not thi
old birds in possession of health are often destroyed by Haw.
certainly not so frequently as these) theorists would desire us
believe ; though young birds may often contribute to the Haw!
bill of fare, yet, I suspect he would prefer the young chicken”
Partridge, which could not escape by flight, or lead him {
uncertain chase. ' 4 ’ if
In my opinion, it is the abundance or scarcity of food t
will zegulate the number of birds. When any colony of birds hi
so reduced the insects on which they prey in one district
living becomes difficult, they must die-off or migrate to off
localities. It is the struggle for life that will ever hold
balance in Nature.—B. P. BRENT.

Propucrion or Wax.—Prof. Leuckart has recently exprest
the opinion that for the production of wax, pollen is of rat
more significance than honey; the latter or its equivalent is
course always indispensable, and the former may at times fi

muary 20, 1863. J

f space be dispensed with ; but for the rapid and abundant
duction of wax, both are required, and the Professor thinks
pollen is much more extensively used in the process than is
erally supposed.—(Prairie Farmer.) :

rof. Leuckart is a distinguished physiologist, but is not a
keeper. If he really has expressed the opinion ascribed to
, (of which, however, I have seen no notice in the German
Journal), I should most respectfully ventura to differ from
.—A DryoNsuIrE BEE-KEEPER. |

IESERTION OF HIVES AND ITS CAUSES.

Nuts is notoriously both a dull and a gay season. In the outer

pid of nature—in mountain, field, and garden, all is desolation,
dm, and silence. Hyerything without—earth, ocean, and sky
ll participate in the same dismal aspect. The sun, shrouded
sombre livery, sheds his feeble rays obliquely through the
jse vapours that surround the horizon, while Boreas sweeps
withering blast o’er hill and dale.
*€ All bleak and Cismal look the naked woods,
The fields are stript of all their gay attire,
Peal with loud noise the cataract’s heaving floods,
Nature herself seems almost to expire!”
es! It is only in the soeial intercourse of friends—in the
| drawing-room of fashion, or around the domestic hearths of
many happy homes of “‘ merry England” that we must look
his season for much of pleasure or amusement; in short, it
nly in the communities of men, and not in the communities
ees, that we are to expect any signs of social activity or joyous
nifestations of life.
t such a time as this, amid the warm greetings and hilarities
a festive season, the apiarian is apt to forget his numerous
rge in the cold silent garden; or, if his footsteps chance to
J, as mine are apt todo from habit, to the apiary-site, he
only give utterance in measured plaint to the first words of
elebrated poem “‘ How still and peaceful is the’’—little bee!
\ short time ago I looked into the garden of an apiarian
nd, who expressed a desire that I should see his stock. The
was comparatively mild—the thermometer standing at 52°
o we found the bees partially astir, availing themselves of
privilege, so seldom afforded at this season of the year, in
northern climate and in a large town locality, of exercising
ir bodily functions. Side by side in the apiary stood the
,ow-banded Italian and the old English. Few bees appeared
but the former; but an adjacent stock of the latter showed a
siderable muster. At the first glance a curious phenomenon
sented itself to my notice. A considerable moiety of those
ung from the English stock were Italians ; and having directed
friend’s attention to this fact, he at once branded the
signers as the most arrant thieves imaginable, and insinuated
in imitation of their lords, but after a different fashion,
y were no doubt interchanging the civilities of the season by
ering wholesale from their neighbours’ repositories. ‘‘ Not so,”
splied; ‘“‘those are notthe motions or habitudes of robber-
s. They must have deserted from your Italian stock,
ernised with the English, and are now become completely
esticated.”? ‘“Impossible!”’ ‘* Well, let us see.’ We ex-
ned the interior forthwith, and found it was even so. Of
e exposed to our view, twenty per cent were of the Italian
2! To this little incident the following remarks on “‘ Desertion
i Its Causes” owe their origin :—
Dn the subject of desertion I will be as brief as possible, and
rapidly run over a few cases which have come under my own
ervation, and cursorjly allude to some of those chronicled by
ens.
Desertion of bees from their own hives may arise from various
uses, some very trivial in themselves, and others of more
oortance. Some cases are quite easily understood, while others
more obscure and less definable in their origin and character.
hall refer to each of these, though not perhaps in the order
e stated.
he simplest forms of desertion are such as occur in the
wly-hived swarm, when, if by some casualty it loses its queen,
: whole bees will, as a matter of course, return in a body to the
rent hive. The next form of desertion may be illustrated in
» case of a hive being found in early spring minus its queen.
e desertion in this case is frequently slow and gradual, and the
y Outward evidence which even the most observant apiarian
y sometimes haye of the fact, will be the noticing for a con-

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 61

siderable time afterwards, farina-laden bees enter the queenless
hive, speedily come out again, re-enter perhaps several times,
then fly away, and finally go into some neighbouring hive
to which they have before allied themselves. No doubt, in a
ease of this kind some bees may perish abroad, and some in
vainly endeavouring to gain admission to an unfriendly neigh-
bour; but others are evidently more fortunate. i need scarcely
remark to the experienced apiarian, that when such strange
vagaries are exhibited by the bees of any hives, they may be
considered as bad omens regarding the state and condition of
that hive. I will afterwards show that in the case of queenless
hives in autumn the same results will not follow like causes.

Another curious form of desertion, partial in its character, oc-
curred some years ago with myself. In my apiary stood insummer
a stock teeming with a superabundant population. The bees
hung in masses around and about the hive; but they were
unprepared to swarm, and tlerefore during the heat of the day
they felt uncomfortably oppressed and restive. At noon I re-
moved this hive for some contemplated experiment ; but changing
my purpose, I again replaced it on its old stance. It had only
been removed for a few minutes when the bees, returning from
the fields, found their way into a neighbouring hive, which they
entered with a loud humming noise. When I replaced the hive
on its stance there was no great disposition manifested by these
wanderers to return again. The consequence was, that 2 perfect
rush from the dense clusters hanging around the returned hive
took place which I in yain endeavoured to quell ; and nearly the
whole outlying bees, attracted by the hummings of their associates
in the adjacent hive, deserted into it, and permanently allied
themselves to its unresisting population. The stock which
received this unlooked-for accession of bees was thereafter con-
yerted froma comparatively weak colony to one of extraordinary
industry and yigour. This form of desertion, though partial and
altogether peculiar in itself, arose from a cause purely incidental.
Nevertheless, I am the more desirous to notice it because I have
reason to believe that in numberless instances partial desertions
of a limited character constantly occur in a large apiary without
the knowledge of the bee-cultivator, and without producing any
perceptible benefit or injury in the hives in which they take

lace.

: And here I may observe how much the apiarian of the present
day is aided in this, as in all his other researches, into the many
curious phenomena which constantly present themselves in the
study of the bee, by the introduction into this country, through
the instrumentality of Mr. Woodbury, of the yellow-banded
Italian. It is but very recently that I became possessed of a stock
of this beautifulrace; but I expectto be greatly assisted through
this agency in the future in investigating, in a new form some of
the more abstruse and scientific points pertaining to thy natural
history of the bee, some of which are embraced in the®German
Dzierzon theory of parthenogenesis. I have no wish o speak
unfairly or disparagingly of this theory; but, believing tas I do
that there is a great principle involved in it which, however
plausibly argued by its yotaries, and borne out by experiments
apparently carefully and scientifically performed, yet, coming as
it does into jarring collision with all which we have hitherto been
accustomed to hold as essential to animal reproduction, it is
right that the evidences brought forward in support of it should
be carefully weighed, tested, and tried in every possible way ere
it be allowed to assume a definite position in nature. No loop-
hole should be left unexplored so as to admit of doubt, and every
objection (and there are several which might be urged) should
be satisfactorily disposed of, which can be fairly shown to militate
against the conclusions deduced, which in some instances appear
to me to be rather assumed than proved. This, however, is all
by the way—a little desertion from the subject on hand, to which
I must again return.

Well, a short time ago I noticed a solitary Italian bee in one
of my common stocks apparently completely domesticated and
fraternised. I happened to be interfering with the stock in
some way, when forth came a few bees very furious and greatly
incensed at the disturbance. Foremost among these defenders
appeared a yellow-striped Italian come forth to resent the insult.
“Ho! ho! my little friend, what are you doing here? Domes-
ticated? Let me see.” I took it on the point of my finger a
considerable way off to try. There—gone! Where has it flown?
To the Italian stock? No, but to its affiliated hive from whence
I took it, where it was received with all friendliness.

Desertions in autumn, I may remerk, are somewhat different
from those which occur in spring. A stock of bees in spring

62

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ January 20, 1863.

which, through some casualty has lost its.queen and been unable | and which are superinduced by these internal evils which hasten

to supply itself with a new one, will not continue to work beyond | the final result. Under such circumstances the queen becomes,

a certain period—namely, after the brood are all hatched; but it | affected by the general epidexnic, her breeding powers are para-

is otherwise with a hive so situated in autumn. After the usual
manifestations consequent upon the loss of a,queen, or their
inability to supply themselves with a new one, the bees are
sobered-down, through dire necessity apparently, to a kind of
settled content, which/has often surprised me; and more surprised
still have I ‘been by the fact, that when so left in this condition
for a considerable: time, I have in vain supplied the bees with
materials fron: which they might supply. themselves with a new
sovereign. ‘The eggs and young larvée they diligently tended and
nourished, but too frequently haye I been disappointed in their
success in rearing for themselves a queen. It would be foreign
to my present purpose to enter into a speculation as to the reason
of this. I;simply desire now to record the fact, at the same
time remarking; to prevent an erroneous solution which might
occur to some, that any such curious phenomena as “fertile
workers” were present to affect their usual instinct in such
circumstances. Ijhave had such hives which continued to work
on till latein the season, when ultimately they either becarre the
objects of pillage, or the bees suddenly dispersed themselves and
disappeared altogether. I must also observe that queenless hives
can never be industrious hives, and I have never found them to
add much to their honey-stores.

There, are other kinds of desertion, which occur both in the
spring and autumn, of a.different character from any yet men-
tioned—namely, a desertion by: the bees en masse from the hive
in the form of a swarm, and which are usually ascribed to inter-
nal enemies—such as the ravages of the waxmoth, mice, &c., or
to destitution and want. I should be ashamed myself to have
had any personal experience of such strange occurrences in my
aplary, from causes, implying as they do, if this theory be
correct, the: grossest carelessness and neglect; but, if I am to
give credence to information derived from other sources, cases of
desertion have occurred where: none of those causes stated seem
to have been present to affect the bees. As an illustration of
this class of desertions, I shall merely chronicle two cases which
I myself made the subject of special investigation. One occurred
towards the end of March, the other about the middle of Decem-
ber. In answer to my inquiries as to the first case, I was in-
formed that the hive was.a second swarm of the previous year,
and was apparently in a thriving condition, when, on a mild
day towards the latter end: of March, the: bees left in a body
like a swarm, and gathered on a gooseberry bush, The hive
from which. they issued was: examined and found to be utterly.
deserted; but containing plenty of honey in the combs, and no
assignable cause was exhibited for such a strange occurrence. In
the evening, the swarm was put into the same hive and removed
to its old stance again, and some food administered, but, when
the hive was examined two days after, the bees were all found
dead. The other case occurred about the middle of December,
The hive was described to me as a vagrant swarm, found in
June of theisame year ; and as evidence of its prosperous con-
dition, the gross weight of the hive at the close-of the season
was given at) 52 lbs. About:the beginning of December this
hive wag removed from its summer site, which was stated to be
an exposed one, to a warmer locality a little distance off in the
same garden» The bees were observed to be frequently out
after this removal, but all seemed to take to the new site well
enough, On the 20th December, which wag. described as a
beautiful day, a little before noon,. the whole of the bees rushed
out of»the hive and clustered on a hedge a little way off from
the place they formerly occupied. Some were brouglit back to
the hive and some followed, but a cluster still remained on the
hedge till evening, when the branch upon which they gathered
was cut down and laid beside their hive; but the bees did not
enter till morning. The weather being fine, they afterwards
showed themselves reeling about, but nothing occurred to indi-
cate anything wrong in their condition. The hive was described
as having plenty of honey and a good supply: of bees. To these
particulars Tadd no comment.

I have not exhausted the subject of desertions in these remarks.
There are other causss which give rise to desertion besides those
already stated, upon which I cannot here dwell, such as internal
damp or excessive moisture, noxious smells,.old musty.combs, a
superannuated or diseased queen. All these may produce a
gradual desertion—a dwindling away of the bees until utter ruin
overtake: the hive; but in these and similar instances of the
decay and: mortality of hives, there’ are other. causes at work,

lysed, desertion and mortality gradually proceed, while there is
no cornpensating ratio of increase. The results aresuch as might,
@ priorz, be predicated in the cireumstances—the speedy decay
and extinction of the whole hive.

I would simply, in conclusion, remark, that there are other
curious phenomena which periodically occur in every large
apiary, not certainly haying any necessary connection with the
subject of this article, though giving rise to-a very strange phase
of it, and with respect to which the queen is a prominent cause.
In investigating the singular phenomena to. which I can only
here allude, I have bestowed considerable attention and thought ;
and though I cannot say that I haye been yet able to. unravel.

entirely the true solution, yet 1f ever induced to take up my pen.
to endeayour to cut this gordian knot, to unriddle this physical ,
mystery, I should describe the subject of my essay to be, “ A.

New Chapter on the Natural History of the Bee.”—J. Lowe.

APIARIAN MISCELLANY,
(Continued from page 7'76:)

OF the hives in the Exhibition, taking them in the order as
already noticed in your pages, I next arrive at the curious affair
sent by J. Neilson, of Denmark, a very good representation of
which is to be seen at page 688. I cannot discover a single
advantage likely to be gained by using such a multwm in parvo
bee-shed; while the disadvantages are so obvious they need
hardly be particularised. Imagine, however, eight populous
colonies congregated within this contracted space; imagine, also,
the door opened exposing to the light the interior of four colonies
at once; having removed the glass side, proceed to manipulate
on one of these, depriving it of a brood’or honey comb, searching
for a queen or royal cells; and imagine if you can the scene of
tumult, fighting, and slaughter which would be likely to follow
the desperate venture. My first impression on seeing this com-
pound structure in the Exhibition was that it was only fit for
firewood, and, used as intended by the manufacturer, { am of

the same opinion still. The neatness of the outer covering of
straw was, however, well worthy of remark, and by knocking

out all the interior work the case would make a very nice house
for one or, at most, two separate depriving-hives.

I did not observe in the Exhibition the apparatus for marking
the foundations of combs on bars by forming an impression on
a thin coating of wax by means of an engrayed roller; but
having had an opportunity of inspecting one which ‘“‘ A Drvon-
SHIRE BEE-KEEPER” constructed for the purpose, I am enabled
to speak favourably of the invention, and believe it to be well
adapted to the end in view.

The machines in the Austrian department for making straw
or rash hives struck me as being very admirable, and worthy of
imitation by our own hive-makers. By means of these machines
hives of a square or oblong form adapted to the use of the
moveable bars and frames can be easily made of ‘greater thick-
ness and stability than by the usual eystem of straw-hive makers
in this country. Of the form of the Austrian straw hive I can-
not speak so highly. Manipulation at the ends instead of at the
tops of the hives is decidedly objectionable. The drawing of
one of them at page 798 is admirable, and gives a correct idea of
its squareness of outer form and general solidity.

Ihave no doubt there were other hives to be found in the
Exhibition, but this includes the sum of those of which I took
notes at the time. To “Upwarps anD ONWARDS” we are
much indebted for his elaborate survey of the numerous speci-
mens of honey and wax, and their various preparations, the
inspection of which must have consumed no small amount of
valuable time.—S. Bevan Fox, Hixeter.

MACHINE FOR, MAKING SPRAW BEE-HIVES.

Witt the writer of the article in your impression of 30th”

Dec2mber last, tell me how the leverage for pressing-down the
straw,is obtained? I suppose by inserting the moveable handle
into something—but what? Amnd-what purpose does the tall
upright serve, which is seen rising from! behind the others in the
engraying? There appear to be horizontal as well as per-
pendicular’rows of stitches ; are both put in befoze the piece is

ee ee ee

eS ee

— er ee

——_"

January 20, 1863. ]

removed from the machine? and what material is used to stitch
with? Ishould very much like to apply the process with some
modifications, perhaps, to the manufacture of stra: “ Woodbury ”
_ hives for my own use.—Joun P. Epwanps.

{The tall upright in the engraving to which you refer, is an
iren bar 1 inch wide by three-eighths of an inch thick, firmly
secured to the work-bench by means of a screw and nut, and
perforated throughout its entire length with holes 2 inches apurt.
This forms the fulerum of the lever which is hinged to it by
means of a moyeable iron pin, which is shifted upwards from
hole to hole as the breadth of straw increases. The rows of
stitches run only in one direction, being perpendicular in the
machine, and horizontal in the hive. The perpendicular lines
are perhaps rather too strongly marked in the engraving of the
latter, as they merely indicate the successive layers of straw by
which the hive is formed. ‘he fabric must be properly stitched
with what material you please, “efore it is removed from the
machine. Most of the hives of this department were stitched
with bramble-splits, but one or two were neatly sown with (we
believe) iron wire. Now the rust from this would quickly damage
the straw where it comes in contact with it, but this objection
does not apply to copper, and copper bell-wire would be just the
material. Woodbury-hives made in this manner, with a wooden
frame an inch thick at the top and bottom, would be most
excellent. ]

WHINS, FURZE, OR GORSE FOR COWS.

I BAve received a letter on this subject, and gave the plainest
and the best directions I could; but both for their sake and my
own, I would much prefer that any who wish for information
on the subject would provide themselves with my little book,
which contains so much more information on furze culture and
management, and testimonials to its utility, than could be given
in msny letters. The price is but Sd. per single copy, or 6d.
éach where four are taken, besides book postage; to be had
at Hartland’s, Patrick Street,; M’Kensie’s, seedsman, Camden

Quay ; or at the printer’s, Messrs. Landon, Bridge Street, Cork. |

Every day I have more reason to be convinced and confirmed
in my opinion that where furze is cultivated as directed in the
book, it is the most valuable seed which can be sown, producing
in perpetuity a greater weight of better food than treble the
same extent of best meadow. My crop this year is 14 stone the
statute perch, equal to 14 tons per acre. One perch sufficient
for four largest cows per twenty-four hours. Sufficient seed
sown in good ground in spring 1861, and this from long ex-
perience certain to improve in quantity and quality, the prickles so
short snd soft that (cut very short) the cattle eat it, as readily
and easily as they do clover or such kinds, and those fed on it
are in best condition; the expense of preparing a trifle; with
pony power, that quantity is easily cut in a quarter of an hour
by the £7 cutter.—(Wizt1am R. Townsend, Rector of Aghadda,
Widdleton, in Irish Farmer's Gazette.)

[We recommend this to the attention of those who keep a
cow on a limited space. That furze is relished by cows, horses,
and other animals, and that they thrive upon it has long been
Known. The cavairy horses in Spain during the Wellington
campaigns were never in better condition than when their forage
was furze chopped small. This is no modern discovery, for
Evelyn, Duhamel, Hunter, Martyn, and others record how
team horses and other domestic animals thrive upon it. In
the Highland Society’s, and the Royal Agricultural Society’s
“Transactions” are many testimonials from practical men to
its bullock and sheep-fattening properties, as well as to its
nourishing powers as a horse food.—Eps. J. or H.]

THE POISON OF THE STINGS OF WASPS AND
BEES A “PERFECT CURE!”

HARKEN unto me all you who are the victims of divers
maladies ; for may it not be in my power to impart unto you
the knowledge that a “perfect cure” lies near at hand, to be
found no farther off than in your own or your neighbours’
gardens ?

Oh! ye horticulturists who are afflicted with rheumatism,
let us in future hear no more of your painful experiences ; and
all who are seized with bronchitis, or troubled with lachrymal
fistula, and some other diseases of the eye, send not for your

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COPTAGE GARDENER,

| to walk with ease.

63

usual doctor, but take the remedy in your own hands if you
have the courage to do so. y

It is simple. Let it be supposed that rheumatism attacks
your right arm. Sally out, capture the first bee or wasp you
can see, and straightway compel it to sting you in the afflicted
member. Should the disease fly to your leg, treat that in the
same manner. If bronchitis be your assailant, meet its attack,
not by applying a blister to the throat, but by substituting the
sting of a wasp; or, if disease of the eye be your painful por-
tion, fly to the same inexpensive remedial agent—the poison of
the stings of wasps or bees. The curative insect may well say in
the words of the ancient general, slightly altered, “I came, you
saw, I conquered.”

Oh! shade of Sydserff! may there not haye been some truth
in thy theory that the poison of a second sting counteracted
the effects of the first, and that fifty stings were better than one?

In “ Chambers’ Journal” for December 27th, in the article
on “The Month,” we find a notice of the foregoing discovery.
Dr. Desmartis and M, de Gasparin are the promulgators of the
theory. ‘‘Dr. Humboldt, nephew of the late illustrious German,
in his practice at Havana, has ascertained that the poison of
the scorpion tribe is a remedy for yellow fever. He inoculated
2478 men of the military and naval garrison; 676 afterwards
caught the fever, of whom not more than sixteen died.”

Then with regard to rheumatism. M. de Gasparin writes,

| “* He had long been afilicted with a rheumatism which kept him
| constantly infirm,

One day, in picking up a handful of weeds
in his garden, he was stung by a wasp on the wrist. The arm
swelled, but the rheumatic pain disappeared. Seeing this result,
he caused himself to be stung the next day, along the seat of
pain in his leg, and was again delivered from suffering and able
This happened three years ago, and every
subsequent reappearance of the malady has been cured by
similar means; and by a wasp-sting in his neck, an attack of
bronchitis was overcome.”

I do not express an opinion on the value of this so-called
discovery, but merely quote the assertions of these distinguished
foreigners as given in the veracious columns of “ Chambers’
Journal.”—-§. Bevan Fox, Exeter.

SALT FOR PIGS.

WHETHER right or wrong in my idea that salt is injurious to
pigs, I am glad the subject has been mentioned. Truth is likely
to-be elicited by the discussion, and truth alone is my object.
Feeling convinced my pigs were killed by salt, I do not feel
disposed to set the subject at rest by trying its effects again ;
as, to say the least, it is not necessary to the well-doing of these
animals that they should be fed on salted food. A friend of
mine living near Peterborough tells me his seryant once poured
down some brine in which pork had been salted in his farmyard.
There were a number of small bits of meat and fat in the brine.
These scraps were picked up by the fowls and pigs, and one
pig and several fowls died. I cannot think it possible these
bits of flesh were in a state of decay ; and if they were, would
not expect fatal results to fowls, remembering how I have: seen
poultry pecking at carrion in a game-keeper’s yard. In my
own case the potatoes were undoubtedly diseased, but as they
were boiled one would hardly expect them to be poisonous;
besides which, I have given large quantities of diseased potatoes
to pigs before and since with no ill effects. If salt was not the
cause of my loss, it is at least singular that my second loss
should have occurred the day after brine had been put in the
swill-tub. One of your correspondents says he has seen pigs
made very ill from eating salt. It would be interesting to know
how old these animals were. Mine were in each case rather
young store pigs. Supposing salt injurious, the power to with-
stand its effects may depend on-the age and strength of the
animal and the amount of the salt eaten. Has any one seen a
pig eat salt alone when placed in its way, as sheep, deer, and
oxen will do? If so, I shail believe salt beneficial. LI hope some
one who can afford the experiment will salt his» pig before its
death and report the result.—J. R. Prarson.

IS SALT INJURIOUS TO PIGS?

To this question I should say, No; and permit me to give

my reasons for making such reply.

In the first year of the potato disease (1845), I had a.rather

64

large piece of ground planted with the variety called Birming-
ham Blues. I prided myself on their appearance, and had
almost begun to calculate the money they would return when
consumed, and in the shape of bacon. Delusive grasp! Ina
few days afterwards their tops were black with disease, and
reeking in everybody’s nose. I had never heard of the disease,
and I believe they were the first in the neighbourhood to be
attacked, I being more forward with them than my neighbours.
The affair was so sudden, and the taking them up so sudden
as well, that before the disease was mooted in the papers the
Potatoes were boiled and salted to suit my own palate, and then
well rammed-down in the hog-tubs; the putrid ones buried in
a rippled grave by the side of the river, and the diseased haulm
burnt upon the ground.

I little thought to what an extent the disease was about to
spread. I knew, though, that the tubers could not increase in
health or bulk by remaining in the soil after the foliage hed
been destroyed by so sudden a check of nature.

T lived near Ludlow then; and on the 2nd of June—I am
not quite sure if it was a Knighton fair day—two of the most
Cruikshankish :gawkish-looking pigs imaginable were bought
there from the Welsh hills, for I knew it would never do to
buy sleek well-bred fellows from the lowlands to fatten on the
food that I should give them for some weeks to come. When
they were driven home over some fourteen miles of ground they
were as fresh as larks; and our neighbours’ jokes flew thick as
leayes in Vallambrosa on my deyoted head. Jones, our parish
clerk, declared he thought I had “bought a couple of grey-
hounds to fatten!” Well, they had their laugh, and I eaw no
earthly reason why they should not; and the result proved as
follows :—

Fune2. EXPENDITURE. £ 3s
Bought two store pigs ...... 3.8
Man driving home ditto ... 0 2
27% bush. damaged potatoes 1 7
13 bush. of grey peas, given

whole to the pigs a few

atatime ........... Bee é
8 cwt. of barleymeal at 10s.

Dec. 30. RETURN. £38. dad
Sold two bacon pigs, weight

732 lbs, at 53 perlb. ...... 16
To two pigs’ frys

Ano

1618 6

06 Deduct expenses............ 1L 10 4

4

400

BYSHEM iene yacennevsnerenseres == yr ee 0)
Grinding ditto at mill, 2s.

per sack 0
Lettuces, pot-liquor, straw
and labour balanced by

dung
Man killing two pigs......... 040
1110 4 5, 8 *2

It was now my turn to laugh and joke. I never had pigs
that came on. better than those did with the salted potatoes. I
adopted the practice for two years afterwards; and I salted
boiled carrots, parsnips, and yellow globe mangold wurtzel also,
but I always did it according to my own palate, and I do not
like too much galt with anything.

We came to this place in 1847, where, in consequence of
haying very near neighbours and being situated in the town, we
do not now keep pigs, though we have the credit of it, for the
gate-keeper next door does so; and I am often accosted by
people who say, “Oh, dear, Mr. Fenn! why don’t you advise
the rector not to keep pigs? They smell so really offensive
every time we turn the corer to go into the park?” —Upwakps
AND ONWAEDS.

06

Profit remaining........ weep

THA-MAKING.

Maxrye Tza.—The making of tea is a subject every one is so
well practised in, that it is scarcely necessary to give directions.
The essential requisites are—First, good tea; second, a good
teapot—that is, one of plain shape, free from ornaments, which
give a larger surface to throw off the heat, or from fintings and
mouldings, which preyent the inside being wiped clean and dry
after use; third, boiling soft water. When soft water cannot
be obtained, a small portion of carbonate of soda is often used to
correct the hardness of the water, but in general it is employed
in great excess, when it renders the tea soapy and mawkish ; for
a large teapot a quantity the size of a peais amply sufficient. As
the making of tea is a aubject in which every one is interested,
we add the directions of two men almost equally celebrated, the
one as a poet, the other as a euisinier (or cook).

Lriegu Hunt's Reorws.—Dear reader, male or female (very
dear, if the latter), do you know how to make good tea? because
if you do nof, and we have known many otherwise accomplished

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

{ January 20, 1863.

persons fail in that desideratum, here is a recipe for you. In
the first place the teapot must be thoroughly clean, and the
water thoroughly boiling. There should not be a leaf of stale
tea left from the last meal. The tests of boiling are various with
different people, but there can be no uncertainty if the steam —
comes out of the lid of the kettle; and it is best therefore to be
sure upon that evidence. No good tea can be depended upon ~
from an urn, because an urn cannot be kept boiling, and water
should never be put upon tea but in a thoroughly and imme-
diateiy boiling state. If it has done boiling it should be made to
boil again. Boiling, proportion, and attention are the three
magic words of tea-making. The water should be soft, hard
water being sure to spoil the best tea; and it is advisable to
prepare the teapot against a chill by letting a small quantity of
hot water stand in it before you begin, emptying it out, of course,
when you do so.. These premises being taken care of, excellent
tea can be made for one person by putting into the pot two or
three teaspoonfuls, and as much water as will cover the quantity ;
let this stand five minutes, and then add as much more as will
twice fill the cup you are going to use. Jieave this additional
water another five minutes, and then, first putting the sugar and
milk into the cup, pour out the tea; making sure to put in
another cup of boiling water directly. .

Tra—Soren’s Puan.—Soyer recommends the following plan,
and from repeated experience we can speak very decidedly in its
fayour:—Put the tea in a perfectly clean and dry teapot ten
minutes or a quarter of an hour before it is required; warm
both the pot and the tea by placing them before the fire; then fill
the teapot with boiling water ; allow it to stand for five minutes,
and it is ready. The method improves the fragrance of the tea
very considerably, slightly but pleasantly altering the flayour.—
(Prairie Farmer.)

OUR LETTER BOX.

Dorking PuLtets yor Layne (A Constant Subscriber).—We are dis-
posed to think these friends are right who say the birds are over-fat; but
we have done co badly ourselves with epgs, spite of every painstaking in ~
food, change, run, age, and selection, that we give an opinion with diffi-
dence. Nevertheless, we think we would diminish the food alittle. They
are fat at 7 lbs. each, and, when very fat they will not lay. In a park
there is choice of natural food; but when they are very fat they wili not.
seek it.

CoLovreD Dorxrxe Cock (An Old Sub).—A white feather in his tail
and a speckled breast would certainly not disqualify him for exhibition.
Colour is only essential for Dorkings in the silyer-Grey classes. One
white spot is enough to disqualify if shown as a Silver-Grey.

Hens ALONE (Ignoramus).—They will lay as well as if a cock were their
companion.

Breepinc BANTAMS WITH WinLow Lees (Cochin).—A white-legged
Game Bantam cock, and a blue-leg Bantam Game hen, probably would
breed chickens, some with white and some with blue legs. We see no
reason for thinking they would throw willow.

Farrentnc Fowss (Zdem).—Ground oats mixed with milk form the
best food for fattening fowls or Turkeys.

Brack Banrams.— WILTsHIRE RecTor” recommends ‘'C. G.’’ to ob~
tain a sitting of eggs in the spring from Mr. Baily, of Mount Street: they
would be from pure birds. Good Black Bantams are somewhat rare, and
consequently dear. Mr. Baily's cheapest are 10s. each.

Dorxine Putters at Mancuester (An Exhibitor).—We have made the
necessary inquiries, and find that you are totally wrong in your suspicions.
Under any circumstances, such suspicions could not haye been published
until you had communicated to us your name.

Ducks For TABLE (Alpha).—The Aylesbury is the quickest fattener.
It is not so hardy as the Rouen. The Buenos Ayrean is the handsomest ;
and, although not es large as the others, it is a prolific and profitable bird.
That we recommend.

Oat-BRUIsiInc MitL—SpanisH Fow.s (WV. ¥.).—We do not know of a
second-hand mill for sale. An advertisement in oureolumns would perhaps
find one. You will in all probability breed good pullets from the cock with
a falling comb, but they will produce you lop-combed cocks when you
breed from them again, In our opinion it is always a pity to breed from
faulty stock.

Spanish RunTs svrFERING FRoM Coup (H. B. P.).—If the birds are kept
fairly warm and well fed, they will soon recover. If the discharge from
the nose and eye continues, give a capsule containing a dose of mixed
balsam of copaiba and cubebs. ‘This acts as a specific ou the diseased
mucous membrane, and effects a cure sooner than any other remedy we are
acquainted with.

Disease 1X SHoRT-FAcED AtMonps (Almond).—The conditions under
which you keep your birds appear so perfectly satisfactory that we can
only attribute the tubercular disease of the liver to hereditary causes, or to
close interbreeding carried tom great extent, We should suggest a change
of your present matches, and, if possible, an infusion of new strains.

Ligurtan Bees (Z.).—Write to T. Woodbury, Esq., Mount Radford,
esa who will give you every information as to price, &c., of Ligurian
stocks.

BorrLK-FEEDER FoR Brgs.—There is an error in the reply to “ One Who
Has Bees.”” Thirteen lines from the bottom of col, 1, p. 42, the neck is
spoken of as ‘enveloped in the neck,” instead of in the net,

January 27, 1863. ]

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDMNER.

65
WEEKLY CALENDAR.
WEATHER NEAR Lonpon In 1862, } | | |
Day Day Bhs vA fea ERY gees Si Asi | | Moon Clock | |
of of JAN. 27—FEB, 2, 1863. | | Rane Sun | Sun | Rises |Moon’s before | Day of |
M'nth Week. Barometer. Dieeom| Wind. | atnan Rises, | Sets. |andSets! Age. | Sun. |. Year, |
/ | rie! | | |
degrees. {m. h./ m. h.| m. h, m. & |
Q7 Tu Hermann d. 1695, B. 30.185—380.927 49—31 Ss. — 49 af 7 | 3s7af4 | 39 1 8 13) 1 |
28 W Agardh d, 1859, 29.805 3 53—40 Ss. 06 El fai heats) 8 44.92 9 13 12 28°)
29 Tr T. Martyn d. 1768. B. 29.766 8 b4—45 S.W. “08 46 7) 41 4/43 38) 10 3 23 29
30 Fr W. Aiton d. 1793. G. & B. 29.650. 54—44 S.W. “32 EES EGY 2) 35. 4 11 3 33 20
31 s Sir Ashton Lever d. 1788. 29.748—29.683 55—48 S.W. “02 BO 7 4a) AN OI 5: 12 |13' 43 31
1 | Son SEPTUAGESIMA SUNDAY. 29.962—29.809 54—44 WwW. — ANE Th | SIE NG Bent 13 | 13 51
2 M PURIFIOATION, CANDLEMAS Day.| 30,076—30.008 d3—44 S.W. _ 40, 7 | 48 4/29 6 14 | 13 59 |

METEOROLOGY OF THE WEEK.—At Chiswi
temperatures of these days are 44.1° and 30.7°

s respectively.
on the 3ist, in 1857.

During the period 144 days were fine,

ck, from observations during the last thirty-six years,
The greatest heat, 57°, occurred on the Ist, in 1852; and the lowest celd, 8°,
and on 108 rain fell.

the average highest and lowest

|
|

THE IMPROVEMENT OF CLAYEY SOILS.

AVING observed that you
have recently had to reply
to several inquiries con-
cerning the improvement
of clayey soils, I have
thought that my experi-
ence in so important a
matter might be acceptable
to your pages, and, I hope,
} instructive to those of

your readers who may un-
fortunately have to supply fruits
and vegetables from a garden, the
soil of which is arank clay. Those
alone who have had that disheart-
ening work, and the almost insurmountable difficulties to
combat in producing from such a soil all that is generally
expected as the produce of a gentleman’s garden, can
fully realise how exceedingly desirable it must be to carry
out any process which will change a stiff, tenacious, damp
clay to a more friable and fertile staple.

When I entered on the care of the gardens at Dyrham
Park some fourteen years ago, the worthy proprietor had
previously decided to burn a very considerable extent of
the soil, which was of a more clayey description than any
that ever I had seen enclosed with garden walls. Capt.
Trotter took the idea from the Great Northern Railway
Company in their operation of burning in that neigh-
bourhood immense quantities of clay, turning it into
something like pounded bricks, for the purpose of putting

between the rails instead of gravel.

Accordingly when I went to Dyrham, the burning
process had been commenced, and a patch or two had
been burned and cropped. Butthe method pursued was
simply to bura a heap in the centre of a quarter, taking
the soil just as it came, top and bottom spit, round the
fire, and then to spread it generally over the surface, and
crop it. The summer being a very hot and dry one, vege-
tation simply existed among so dry and porous a material,
it being more like red brick-dust than. anything else.

After haying satisfied myself that this burning process,
if properly carried out, would prove a thorough renovator
of so terrible a soil to work, and haying been informed
that the garden was well drained, I set about the work
of burning to a large extent; and Icannot here do better
than describe the mode of burning in the words made use
of on a previous occasion.

As soon asa quarter became vacant, a fire or two was
started, according to the size of the quarter. When only
one fire was required, it was, of course, started in the
middle. The site for the fire was first trenched to the
depth of 2 feet 9 inches, turning the top spit (which had
through a long course of years been improved a little by
liming, the addition of ashes, road-scrapings, &c.), into the
hottom of the trench, taking out the two bottom spits for
burning. So thoroughly clayey was the greater part of

the soil moved, that the men had to dip their tools in a
No. 96.—Vot. IV., New Srnrzs,

pail of water at every lift, to make the next spadeful slip
off the metal. On this site the fire was commenced.
Wood which was only fit for charring or firewood, and
which is generally plentiful enough about most gentle-
men’s places, was used. In that locality coal was costly,
and not so effective in this case as wood; the latter also
affording in burning a desirable quantity of potash. The
site for the fire being ready, a little stack of wood was
formed 5 feet in diameter at the base, tapering cone-
like to the height of 5 feet, beginning with a few dry
faggots in the middle, and finishing with stronger junks
of wood round the outside. All round this stack of wood
a coating of the clay was laid on to the depth of about a
foot. It was found best to pack it on in lumps as it was
turned out of the trench. When this was done the wood
was set fire to at the centre, and long ere the wood was
all consumed the clay caught fire and burned freely. As
soon as the first layer was nearly burned through another
layer was added all round, which in its turn soon burned
through also. The fire was then broken down with a
strong iron-handled hoe, for the double purpose of adding
more wood to quicken the fire, and enlarging the basis of
operations. After the fire was thus set agoing the wood
was of necessity laid horizontally over the burning heap,
putting the strongest pieces of wood next the burning
mass, and finishing off the layer with the smallest, to
prevent the clay from lying too closely to the wood and
obstructing the draught necessary to combustion.

Inthe meantime trenches were opened at the extre-
mities of the quarter, and the clay taken out, as already
described in making the site for the fire, and forwarded
to the fire, there being the solid undisturbed surface to
wheel it over, and the distance lessened as the fire be-
came larger and required more feeding. But to return
to the fire. When it was again found necessary to break it
down for the purpose of extending the base, and increas-
ing its capacity for consuming the clay, another layer of
wood was added, and then a layer of clay over the
surface, and ali round the outside of the heap. After
this, as the layer of clay was burned through, another
was packed on all over and round without any wood, and
soon with two or three layers, till it became necessary
to enlarge the base of the fire, by drawing it down from
the top, then more wood was added; and from the great
power which the fire attains if is necessary to have
plenty of clay and men at hand to cover over the wood
quickly, or it would be consumed without doing much
good; and so this process was continued till the necessary
quantity was burned. I have frequently had three great
fires going at a time, on to the tops of which I have
wheeled layers of clay to the thickness of 3 feet and more
at a time. When the fire became powerful it formed a
solid pile of fire, which very soon worked its way through
thick and successive layers of clay, transforming what
was once an insoluble, wet, tenacious paste, into a heap
of material greatly altered in its mechanical properties,
and with a great capacity for the absorption of ammonia,
besides being mixed with charred wood and potash.

As soon as the heap was sufliciently cool to be moved

No. 748.—Vot. XXIX., Oxp Srrixs.

66 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

it was wheeled back over the surface of the quarter and regu-
larly spread, and the large lumps broken-up. On the surface of
all was wheeled a garden rubbish-heap, rotten leaves, road-scrap-
rogs, dung, and any other decayed vegetable matiter that could be
obtained. A trench was then opened at the end of the quarter,
and the whole was turned over and mixed the same as is done
with a compost-heap, to the depth of the original clay, which
was forked-up as well as it would allow at the bottom of each
trench. This formed a staple on which almost any crop that
could be put on it im the way of vegetables grew with such a
luxuriance as I have never seen equalled either before or since.
I have seen Brussels Sprouts over 4 feet in height, studded with
hard sprouts more like a rope of Onions than anything else.
Peas, Cauliflowera, &c., were amazingly fine crops. One quarter
which I burned in 1854 had the finest crop of Carrots that
could be desired, and to have attempted such a crop on it
previous to its bemg passed through the fiery ordeal, would
have-been in vain.

The expense attending such an operation as that just described,
will, of course, occur to the minds of those whom such a matter
may concern. J am sorry to say that I can give no accurate
estimate of the expense per acre, as no account was kept of the
cost. This, however, 1 know, that it is not so much as some
might imagine. In my case, with the exception of two extra
labourers the first autumn and part of the winter, the whole of
the work was done in the autumn and winter by the ordinary
allowance of men for the place, and the money value of the wood
consumed was not worth thinking of, as it was simply such as
was fit only for firewood. I feel convinced there is no other
way of overcoming so well the difficulties and unprofitable labour
connected with such a soil.—Daviy THomson, Archerfield
Gardens.

KEEPING ICE.

Axour this time last year this campaign concluded in articles
of peace, I believe, to the satisfaction of us all, and to the good
ef our readers. Much of prejudice and preconceived notions
was removed, and the practice and science of the question were
proved and vindicated the one by the other.

The subject being a very cold one, i take it the temperature of
the parties engaged in the strife is by this time sufficiently near
“temperate” to admit of the chronicles of the campaign being
written by one of the combatants. But that was not what
jnduced me to write about ice to-day, for I had not the smallest
intention to blunt a pen on it this season until the middle of
January; but having read the article on “‘ American Ice-houses”
at page 31, as extracted from the Canadian <Agriculturist, I
have swerved from my purpose; more especially because an
innocent gentleman, whose good opinion Lam very jealous about,
hhas been led into a mistake about my views on ice-keeping by
one of those common blunders which none of us can account for.

Mr. J. Anderson, of Meadow Bank, Uddingstone, in the west
of Scotland, is the gentleman I allude to. He was not a reader
of the first volumes of the old CorraGcz GARDENER, where is
recorded the reason why we drifted into that war. The “why”
is briefly this.

The old ice-house at Shrubland Park, in a steep bank of pure
white sand of very great depth, never did keep ice since it was
made, about the time the Duke of York reviewed tke volunteers
there, which the first baronet of Shrubland raised to resist the
threatened invasion of the first Napoleon. My predecessor, Mr.
Lindsay, then from Highclere, introduced the ice-stack system
about five or six and twenty years since, and was very success-
ful with it. He told me it would be of no use trusting to the
old ice-house, nor did I, and for the next fifteen years the ice-
stack never failed once; and we never reached the bottom of it
in any one year till the foundation had to he regulated for the
next start.

This ice-house, however, was filled and used as a game-
Jarder and kitchen-garden preserve, just as the Canadian farm
has it. I had not the least merit as regards the ice-stack ; I did
it exactly as Mr. Lindsay told me. The expense of forming it and

obtaining the ice daily from it for three or four months was not
one-half so much as that of putting the ice into and taking it
out of the ice-house, from which a bucket of ice was never drawn
im my time.

When my tether was nearly run at Shrubland, a great landed
gentleman, the owner of Helmingham Hall, in Suffolk, who had
jast finished a new castle in Cheshire, told me his architect made

[ January 27, 1863.

him an ice-house there all above-ground, and thoroughly venti-
lated from end to end, and that ice kept better in that way than
by the old plan. I ventilated the old house, which never would
keep ice, and for the next three years it kept the ice just as well
as the stack; so I had no merit in the question at all, unless it
was to battle with prejudice against scientific truth, as I always
did and will do,

The ice-house which Mr. Tollemache’s architect made—J. Tol-

lemache, Hsq., M.P. for Cheshire—is as near as possible like the-

American ice-house transferred to our columns the week before
last—so near, indeed, that the said architect must have had his
notions from Canada, or else the Canadians had a leaf out of
Tur Corragr GARDENER some dozen years since. But neither
Mr. Tollemache’s architect, nor the Canadian farmers, nor yet
your humble servant, ever said one word about ventilating ice
at all, and there was where all the cause of the war lay, and
through that lucky mistake the war had room and scope enough
to last for twelve years.

I saw how the tide was likely to flood the cellars and the
cobwebs, and I went quietly and put it on the record as early as
1851, that in all this ventilation no particle of air must reach the
ice. In Vol. V., page 148, for December the 5th, 1851, you will
find it written thus :—“ Currents of air to carry off the vapours
arising from the slow melting of the ice are the prime considera-
tion in ice-keeping; and confining the passages by any means
to prevent the escape of these vapours is a fertile source of
waste and extrayagance. Those who haye read the way in
which this was proyed and explained, may be curious to know
whether we have since made any alteration or improvement in
the plan. To which I may reply, None whatever. There has
been a strong current of air passing over the ice day and night,
summer and winter, ever since; but some have masunderstood
the plan so far as to suppose that the air-currents are allowed
to reach the ice itself?’ ‘Dhat was the lucky mistake which
brought so much and such good grist to my mill, and did I
not grind it as well as any ice was ever ground, or pounded by
pond or brook?

“lo suppose that air-currents were allowed toreach the ice itself.
That, indeed, would be worse than the whole mode of stifling, by
which so much ice was formerly wasted.” Of course it would.

Mr. Bailey, of Nuneham Park, gave a plan this time last year
(Vol. KXVII., page 379), of an ice-house, ventilated as 1 de-
scribed then, 1851, but not quite so efficient. Mr. Bailey calls it
an American plan that is in use at Lord Tilford’s,in Northamp-
tonshire, and Lord Jersey’s, in Oxfordshire, “for carrying off
the condensed moisture, which hourly would be exerting its
wasting influence on the ice.” ‘That is to say, the principle on
which Mr. Tollemache’s architect built the ice-house in Cheshire
was applied by these noble lords and their agents to the old ice-
house, just as was done at Shrubland fourteen or fifteen years
ago, and with the same result.

You will see by the plan that these noblemen did not adopt
the marrow of the American plan, by not letting off the air by
the highest part of the roof, the crown of the arch over the ice,
so they have to regulate the ventilation to the state of the
weather. But the Canadian of this, our current Volume, page
31, has it in the true American style ; but from that description
those who are not much acquainted with the forms and fashions
of ice-houses may find it very difficult to understand the whole
process. I recommended the architect’s plan very much at the
time; also, the conversion of the old ice-house to that principle ;
and there is another most useful feature attached to this present
Canadian ice-house which it would be treason on the part of a
captain not to recommend and bring more prominently before
us, if only to prevent another twelve-years war on a wrong
scent: therefore, 1 do hereby recommend with all my force, that
ice-houses should henceforth be builf in this country above-
ground, and on the plan and principle of that Canadian ice-
house at page 31 of this Volume of the Journal. It is far
more difficult to preserve ice in Canada than in Hngland, seeing
the summers there are so much warmer than with us.

The ice-house in Cheshire was built aboveground like a
cottage so much in length, breadth, and depth, with brick walls,
two end gables, and a span-roof. ‘he ice was filled-in to the
height of the side walls, and was covered with straw ; the whole
space in the roof was empty, and a ventilator in each gable, near
the ridge, secured a current of air through the empty space
from end to end without touching the ice at all, for warm air
will never sink an inch into a cooler stratum, if it has a free
course on the higher level, as in that instance.

January 27, 1863. ]

The present Canadian-house is on a slops; it is 18 feet long,
15 feet wide, and 14 feet deep, with the bottom 4 or 5 feet sunk
in the earth. The filling, or ice, is up to the height of the walls,
then a straw covering on the ice, and above the straw 6 feet of
empty space under the span-roof, to speak in garden language. A
yentilator is in the ridge of the roof at one end, and a door in
the bottom of the wall at the other end, and just within the
door a four-feet-square space is fenced-off from the ice, that space
being open as high as 14 feet, the top of the ice, and then com-
municating with the six-feet empty space over the ice.

Now, that empty space at the end of the ice-house is the
Canadian dairy and store-room for things requiring to be kept
cool, and the door into the dairy is opened on an uverage—say
so many times a-day. Hyery time that door is opened a
volume of hot air, sometimes at 96°, 4 feet square, rushes into
the ice-house, then up the “shaft” 14 feet, and along the top
over the ice to the ventilator in the ridge at the other end, yet
that large yolume of hot air so passing from the very bottom of
the ice at one end to the top, and along the top to the other end,
does not affect the ice in the least—that is to say, a column 4 feet
square and 20 feet in perpendicular height is only separated by
& covering of 6 inches in thickness of sawdust, and so much
straw from the ice, and yet the farmer tells his brother pro-
prietors from actual experience, and through their own organ,
the Canadien Agriculturist, that an ice-house constructed in
that manner “is one of the best investments for a farmer.”

But an entirely new turn has just taken place on the question
of ice-keeping. Many people have run away with the idea that
they could keep a few loads of ice ina stack, or in a shed, or in
some kind of underground contrivance. There are three such
attempts on my books from my own part of the county of
Surrey, and the same tale has been told at our office—all a dead
failure, of course, and all also arising from this driving of warm
air full against the heaps of ice. Now, I must say in earnest
that to attempt to preserve twenty, thirty, or forty loads of ice
is only throwing money under the ice. I said fifty loads ave
about the smallest quantity that should be tried; but I was
very wrong in the calculation—I forgot the difference between
a load of ice and a load of sand. an any one tell me the
quantity of ice that should be in a load of it ?

As far as I know, a load of ice is no given quantity at all.
A Scotch cart will carry as much in one load as two of many
English carts. When I said fifty loads of ice 1 meant the bulk
of fifty loads of sand or fifty solid yards. The probability is
that it would need seventy-five common cartloads of ice to make
the fifty loads, or fifty solid yards in my caleulation. But sup-
pose you start with sixty fair good loads of it fora trial. I
should not like to trust the packing of it, or the openings to
get to it and from it, to a person who was not a thoroughly
good hand at that branch by previous experience.

If you calculate the capacity of that Canadian ice-house—the
good-investment-house—it will make you open your eyes if your
notions are under a hundred loads in a lump. Just calculate
how many solid yards or loads are in 18 fect by 15 feet, and
14 feet, the dimensions of the said house, and then take from
it the quantity made by 4 feet square and 14 feet in depth, and
you. will find the quantity of ice is comparatively enormous.

After all, ten to one if that Canadian landholder is not a
Scotchman, and, if he is, he only followed the best practice of
my countrymen to a better issue; for, if you recollect, that
Scotch gentleman whose good opinion I am so particular about
—My. Anderson, of Meadow Bank, told us about this time
last year that the best contrivance he had seen in the west of
Scotland had four hundred loads of ice in it, and their carts
there and their Clydesdale horses are much better for the pur-
pose than we could find in England. That was, indeed, the
best contrivance we had in the whole campaign—a kind of
rustic shed on the north side of a wall; but recollect, the walls
in Scotland are of stone, and are so much thicker and so much
better for putting ice against than brick walls—that should be
allowed for in the calculation.

As far as I can make out, bricks are the very worst of materials
to put ice against ; they absorb moisture fast and keep it as long
afterwards as there is any damp or wet within the influence of
their sucking powers. But just think of the difference between
twenty English cartloads and four hundred loads out of a Scotch
eart! Ihave kept under a hundred good cartloads in a stack
till ice came again; and the expense of harvesting it could not
be much more per hundred than where the four hundred loads
were put, for the carts took it to the spot. D. BrEaron.

JOURNAL OF WORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

FLOWERS OF THE LAST SEASON.
GREENHOUSE PELARGONIUMS.

Iw these railroad days it is hard work to keep up with things
at the rate at which they go. Every one seems pushing on at
express speed. Competition is endless; and we have hardly
time to take our cup of coffee before the bell rings and we are
off again, protesting all the while that it is very hard lines to be
allowed no breathing time. It is so, I am sure, in gardening.
One set of new flowers is hardly grown, notes taken of them,
and determination to let all the world (because, of course, any
one who is somebody reads THE JourNAL oF HorticuLtuRE),
know about them, when lo! another little lot comes in to put
their noses out of joint; and I am sure if flowers were all
sensitive plants, they would feel quite as sulky as does Master
Knickerbocker when he finds the baby boy with which he was
so delighted at first has absorbed the attention which he alone
formerly received. It seems a long while ago since the Pelar-
goniums of which I now write were exhibited as seedlings ; and
I believe in the present instance this feeling is greatly increased,
owing to the superior excellence of the seedlings of last season.
We do not much care to know about anything, good though it
may be, when we know that there is something much better of
the same sort coming on; and the year 1861-62 was not par-
ticularly distinguished for the excellence of its seedling Pelar-
goniums, although there were some flowers of real merit amongst
them.

It is, of course, well known that Mr. Charles Turner, of the
Royal Nursery, Slough, stands Al as the letter-out of new
Pelargoniums, Messrs. Dobson & Sons being the only other
firm from whom they emanate, they only letting-out their own
seedlings; while Mr. Turner, in addition to those he raises
himself, has on his list the flowers of those well-known raisers
S. W. Hoyle, Esq., of Reading, E. Foster, Hsq., of Clewer
Manor, and W. Beck, Esq., of Worton Cottage, Isleworth. It
is of their flowers, then, that I now specially write, as Mr.
Turner has most kindly every year furnished me with plants, and
thus given me an opportunity of ascertaining their merits which
I should not have otherwise had.

The gradually-widening circle of Pelargoniums has now reached
four distinct sorts—the Large-flowering, Fancies, Spotted, and
French or Bizarre—odd-locking flowers, which, however, tend
much to the gaiety of the house from their profusion of bloom.
The first-named class being, however, I think, the more general
favourites, instead of naming all those which were sent out in
the autumn of 1861, I shall rather select those which seemed
to me to have any peculiar merit.

LARGE-FLOWERING PELARGONIUMS.

Arcturus (Beck), this is one of those brilliant scarlet flowers
which are always attractive. The petals were well held together,
and not inclined, as some are, to become loose and open.

Alba Regina (Beck), a pretty flower of Fairest-of-the-Fair
style of growth. With me the blooms were small, although the
colour was very pleasing.

Celeste (Hoyle), this was one of the most novel of the new
flowers, the colour being a brilliant orange maroon with clear
white centre. A fine plant of it was exhibited by Mr. Charles
Turner in one of his collections, and was greatly admired.
With me it had an inclination to crumple in the top petals. If
this defect should disappear it will be a great addition, owing to
the beauty of its colour.

Mrs. Hoyle (Hoyle), another very beautiful light flower ; the
colour a sort of light violet rose; small black spot on the top
petals. A large and free-flowering variety. f

Princetta (Hoyle), one of those painted flowers which are to
my mind so very attractive, and this was a fine variety of the
kind; very dark top petals, in fact, rich glossy black, with a
narrow crimson margin; lower petals richly painted with rose
and dark red. 3

Sylph (Beck), a nice, neat-looking flower ; white ground, with
purple on top petals.

Lord Chancellor (Foster), a nicely-shaped flower ; the lower
petals richly painted; the top ones dark maroon; centre of
flower white. ‘

Patroness (Turner), a large white flower, somewhat in the
style of Ariel; crimson spot on top petals. The habit of this
plant is excellent.

SPOTTED PELARGONIUMS.

Cyrax (Hoyle), lower petals rosy lilac, maroon spots; centre

of flower white.

68

Diophanius' (Turner), a large showy flower, bright red with
maroon spots, but apt to run we think.

Leo (Hoyle), bright orange rose. A. dark and showy-looking
variety.

Mira (Beck), rosé with white edges, black spots on the five
petals. A very free and pretty variety.

FANCY PELARGONIUMS.

Emperor of Morocco (Turner), rich mulberry, lilac throat and
edges; fine form and substance. A ‘very dark and striking
variety.

First Favourite (Turner), deep rich maroon, with white throat
and margin. Very pretty and somewhat new in colour,

Undine (Turner), a large rosy lake, with light throat and
edges. Very fine show flower.

These'are, I think, amongst the best'of last year’s flowers ; and

now,'as I look at the weeding process that has taken place in |

my little tumble-down greenhouse, and see how few of the large
batch of last year I have kept, and watch with some depree of
interest my thirty or forty new varieties which, through the
kindness of Mr, Turner and Messrs. Dobson, I see now pushing
their way on my shelves, I wonder what their fate will be—
whether the observations of cynical critics on the new ones were
true, that they were so dressed and handled, that it would be
no more possible to recognise them when under different hands
than it would be to recognise the old dowager' when, her false
hair, and teeth, and rouge laid aside, she appears rather fitted
for being a member of that “ugly club,” immortalised by the
“Spectator.” I do not believe in such saw Araut remarks, and
look forward with much pleasure to seeing each beauteous novelty
expanding its charms before my eyes. Still, if it be so, if shall
be duly chronicled, my simple object being to give reliable in-
formation, so far as my own judgment goes, on all these various
matters ; and lam sure the cause of foriculture, as, indeed, every
other cause, from the very highest of all, that of the truth itself,
38 better advanced’ by fair’and honest statements than by any
flattering or one-sided views.—D., Deal.

VENTILATION OF HORTICULTURAL
STRUCTURES.

Amonest the many topics to which public attention has
been directed of late years that of ventilation has attracted its
fall share, and treatise after treatise has been written on the
subject. Sometimesnew and startling theories are advanced but
to be refuted, and other theories in turn put forth until, L fear, it
may be said that the laws which govern the circulation of air
are ‘but imperfectly known. However, the spirit of inquiring
abroad has’ elicited much useful information, and although we
ave far from being’ perfect in the practice, an advance has been
made, and inquiry being again afloat it is likely not to rest until
some useful results are secured.

Taken in a comprehensive sense the term ‘* ventilation,” or
the’ due admission and distribution of wholesome air, is more
important than may at first be supposed. Itis also a subject of
much greater difficulty than many imagine. ‘Look, for instance,
at our’coal mines, and ‘see the lamentable accidents that take
place from time to time, and ‘this, too, in spite of all the precau-
tions that skill and science could adopt to avert such a calamity.
But yentilation below ground is not the subject for our con-
sideration, our province is fortunately on the surface; but even
as regards this much diversity of opinion exists, and now and
then extreme views are put forth.

Some years ago a great authority in such matters, to whom
the ventilation of the Houses of Parliament was entrusted,
startled the world by propounding’s new law on the’ subject of
eufrents of air, and some of the law courts in other’ parts of the
kingdom then building were submitted to his mode of treating
them. One of the peculiarities of this I remember, im one place
at least, was that the windows were closely fastened down, and
on the Judge complaining of the heat'in court’on a warm sum-
mer’s day, he'was told the windows were purposely so fastened
by the designer of this mode of ventilation, on which his lordship
very ‘properly exercised his own judgment in the matter by
directing his attendants with their long wands to’ break the glass.
This was done alike to the comfort and amusement of the court;
and the plan of the popular champion of ventilation of some
twenty or more years ago fell to the ground, and has been since
generally condemned, and the old and certainly far-from-improper

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ January 27, 1863:

notion that vitiated air finds its way to the top, and that it
ought af onco to escape there, has been revived.

Various and manifold have been the'means adopted to attain
that end; not the least useful are those simple contrivances we
so often seein the smoking-rooms of taverns’ and other places,
which very often assume an ornamental shape, and sometimes

‘| also are turned to account in'another way. By far the prettiest

feature of this kind T'ever'saw was inthe coffee-room of an inn
at Truro. The ceiling of the loig ‘robm was crossed in the
centre by a highly ornamental open-work cast-iron girder form-
ing an elliptic arch, and in substance about a foot thick. I
believe, but am nut certain, that this girder earried a wall and
stack of chimnies above; but suffice it here to say that its ap-
pearance was good, adding importance to rather than detracting
from the noble roomit was placed in, and I believe it answered ad-
mirably. Doubtless itsends communicated with the outward air.

Taking glass structures as ‘a whole, itis easy to conceive that
in the generality of these a certain influx and efflux of air must
at all times be going on; “and in some old-fashioned houses,
where the squares of glass are small and the interstices open,
the, quantities of ‘air admitted by ‘such means must be very
great, while, it is needléss to say, as much internal air must be
ejected. This influx and efflux will be the greater in’ proportion
to the difference in the temperatures in the intérnal‘and external
air; and assuming for argument that the occupants of the house
require a night temperature of 60°, it follows that a larger pro-
portion of outward air is sucked into this house’on a cold
frosty night than ona mild dullday. This, of course, is at the
expense of the mode of heating'adopted : ‘hence the more-recently-
built houses are’a nearer approach to being air-tight, the over-
laps being fewer and much closer, ‘and the framework made
to fit as well as it can be made. Buti serious as is the loss
of heat in one of the old-fashioned houses spoken of, if the
necessary warmth required by the’ plants inside can be main-
tained, there are many plants which do better in'such a position
than'when in a more fashionable'and more air-tight dwelling:
hence we often hear of gardeners lamenting how well certain
plants did in the ricketty old house compared with what they
do in the new one—and this isno illusion; for such plants as
require a continuous refreshing of pure air, its circulation cannot
be too great when accompanied with the genial warmth they
also stand in need of. All plants cultivated in our hothouses
are/nevéertheless not alike in this, some requiring the close con-
fined atmosphere of the stove, while others delight in the more
open breeze. .

Tt would be tedious in‘an article of this kind fo'go into the
history of ‘each plant. Let us, therefore, just take a rough
survey of the contents of an ordinary plant-stove—such, for
instance, as we often meet with in gardens'that may have two or
three houses devoted to the cultureof plants. Insuch a house it
is not: unusual to find some Herns, Orchids,'hard and soft wooded
plants, with bulbs and creepers, and probably some succulent
plants:as well. Now, though the amount of heat which each
of these plants requires differs but little in any case, that is
perhaps the only condition they agrée in, ‘The’ other features
of aivand moisture differ widely. Take, for instance, a Cactus
basking in‘the full blaze of a tropical sun, and compare: this
with a Begonia, a Cissus, or a Maranta occupying the plains
and densely shaded bythe trees of the tropical forest ; while
midway between these last-named plants and the open’ ‘air, as
the space above the trees may be called, ‘are nestled in ‘the
claws’and ‘forks of these monarchs’ of the forest some of the
most lovely of our Orchids, existing as they do in a great
measure on the humidity of the atmosphere which surrounds
them at'a certain season when they make their allotted growth
and progress, ‘while at another period ‘the dryness of the air
permits them to take their allotted rest so necessary to enable
them to'commence their duties again with'vigour‘at the proper
time. Compare these widely-conflicting conditions of the plants
we endeavour to cultivate, and the wonder will cease’ that’ some
of them do not answer so well as could be wished. A steady
uniform warmth is associated with an idea of comfort; but it is
at variance with all Nature’s works, and as’ such ought to be
received with caution. But periods ‘of steady treatment ‘are as
necessary here as elsewhere, selecting the proper time from the
known history of the plant to give this. That much is done
in this way cannot be denied; but the mixture‘of subjects in’an
ordinary plant-house prevents the treatment being carried out to
the full extent necessary to the individual’ welfare of each’ plant

‘ contained therein.

January 27, 1863. ]

Taking another class of plants occupying a glass structure, we
have also very wide dissimilarity of climates to reconcile in an
artificial abode. The gales, might we not call them hurricanes?
which move the plants almost to uprooting them, that occupy
the crests of a mountain region like the Cape of Good Hope and
elsewhere, differ so widely from the more calm abode of plants
Occupying the flat plains of Australia, and elsewhere, that we

need not wonder at a Cape Heath heing affected with mildew |

when subjected to the dull murky air of a closely-pent-up house ;
while in the latter, such plants as occupy the temperate region
exempt from storm, and, probably, like the Calceolaria and
Chinese Primrose growing under trees, are more at home here
than when subjected to strong currents of air. That there are
many intermediate classes of plants is superfluous to admit, and
it is from the numbers of them and from other sources that
our general treatment of the whole ought to be guided. Let us
see how this has been done, or rather let us see in what way the
best results are likely to ensue, having reference to the other
conditions necessary to be observed at the same time.

If we take an ordinary lean-to house in summer time, we shall
see that if it faces the south, the amount of heat it receives from
the bright glare of sunshine is immense; and if no outlet be
made for the escape of this heat, it will speedily increase beyond
the endurance of the plants inside.

An ordinary frame or pit, with the glass and woodwork fitting
closely, speedily becomes heated to an inordinate degree, and
many a batch of Cucumbers have fallen victims to not receiving
fresh air in time; large houses, where the yolume of air enclosed
is large in proportion to the heating surface, become heated less
quickly, and, consequently, the plants within them suffer less;
so that close attendance on the air necessary for frames is an
important part of the duties of the gardener in charge. Thus
the amateur must bear this in mind, and not be led to think
that a small object requires little attention, for in the matter of
frames or pits, and houses, the former suffer most if not attended
to in time. The practical man knows this full well, and he often
takes a sort of half-and-half precaution, by leaving at all times a
little opening, not sufficient to meet the wants of a bright sunny
day, but enough to provide against a little bright weather that
May occur in his temporary absence.

To reduce the proper time of giving and taking away air from
a number of glass structures devoted to different purposes, to
anything like a regular tabular form or scale, is to attempt to
revert to the practice of our grandfathers, whose adherence to
the figures of the thermometer has been long since set aside.
So many local and other conditions also militate against this,
that we cannot give even general instructions on the matter with-
out allowing for the many exceptions that are likely to arise, not
the least being the different aspects of the structure requiring air,
the plants cultivated therein, as well as the time of year, and,
in fact, many other considerations of a similar character. hus,
a lean-to house, or a frame, facing the south-east, will require
air to be admitted long before a similar structure that faces the
south-west will want it. So, also, the proper time for shutting-up
the one will be long before that of the other.

Some other conditions also must be considered, and some
classes of houses require less air to be given them than others.
A span-roofed house, with the gable facing the south heats much
less quickly than a lean-to; while amongst the latter a Grape-
house, with the roof well covered with foliage, is much slower
in becoming hot than one less covered. The condition of the
external air must, in a great measure, determine the time and
circumstance of giving air, and the character of the heating
apparatus has also its full share of influence; for, be it remem-
bered, that in general the greatest number of plants in a growing
condition benefit most by plentiful admissions of external air,
tempered, in some measure, before coming in contact with them,
but that such admissions are at the expense of the heating
apparatus. It is, therefore, with a view to save the latter, that
most houses requiring artificial heat are shut-up early in the
afternoon, in order to shut-in as large an amount of sun heat as
possible. The heat shut-in may often be from 20° to 30° more
than the minimum night temperature.

Many other considerations often have to be attended to, the
expense of fuel being a great inducement to shut-in as much sun
heat as the plants will bear; and, in the case of frame plants not
receiving heat from other than the fermenting material of the bed,
it is advisable to shut-up early in order to saye all the heat. Cover-
ing the glass over soon after with mats on an extremely frosty after-
noon will; in a measure, prevent the escape of much of the heat.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COLTAGE GARDENER. 69

Houses, where there is a scarcity of coal or other heating
material, may be treated in like menver; the character of the

| outward air and the appearance of the evening determining

what is best to be done. I may, however, say that in very
severe weather, there is no harm in almost all houses being
allowed to fall from 5° to 8° lower than what at other times is
regarded as their standard.

Greenhouse plants will take no particular harm at 36°, nor
those of the stove at 50°, while in milder weather they may
be 10° higher. ; .

I only point out these facts to the inexperienced, but they
must not take any further liberties until they haye learned by
experience how much plants will bear. a

I may say, in conclusion, that the garden structure requiring
the least amount of fresh air to be given, is the cutting-frame or
propagating-house; a close confined atmosphere favouring the
formation of new roots. A Fern-house also requires little air,
and so does one devoted to the growth of Orchids; while
Pines, Cucumbers, and Melons, being tropical fruits, require
much less than those from the temperate regions of the earth ;
but the time, and mode of giving air, the quantity, and many
other particulars are too much for the present communication,
so I must defer noticing them until another opportunity.

J. Rogson.

HORTICULTURAL SHOWS IN THE NORTH
OF IRELAND.

Av page 25 of Tur JouRNaL oF Horticunrure, “A Prac-
TICAL GARDENER” communicates some strictures on horticul-
tural shows in the north of Ireland. Lest some of your readers
should form a bad opinion of us here, I trouble you with the
following remarks.

He says he was desirous of advancing the interests of horti-
culture in his own immediate neighbourhood, but was dlis-
qualified from attending one show from the fact of his employer
not being an annual subscriber to the Society, and blames the
Committee, some of them gentlemen’s gardeners, for it.

In the north of Ireland, gardeners are not recognised at the
shows to the seme extent as in England. The plants are not
entered in their names, neither do their names appear promi-
nently in the award cards, The societies are kept up by annual
subscriptions, and, to insure an interest being taken in the
exhibitions, none but subscribers are qualified to compete.
Surely “A Practica GARDENER” can find no fault with this,
as it is calculated to promote the interests of local horticul-
ture, the only object local societies aim at.

Speaking of another Society, he objects because he was not
permitted to carry off more than one prize in each class. Hyery
one at all acquainted with horticultural societies is aware of the
universality of a rule to this effect. He is dissatisfied also,
because the second best dishes or collections were awarded
second prize, ““no matter how inferior.” This was not the
fault of the Committee but of the Judges, who, in all cases, are
authorised to withhold prizes should the subjects not be of
sufficient merit. But, it fortunately happened on this occasion,
the Judges were of a more liberal mind than “A Pracrrcan
GARDENER,” and did award the prizes, as an inducement te
further care and attention on the part of the gardeners.

With regard to the last part of his communication. On one
occasion, in the north of Ireland, a rule was enforced that all
prize fruit was to become the property of the Society, but money
prizes more than treble the value of the fruit were offered as
inducements to competitors. The fruit was retained for a
special purpose, which was publicly known, end surely there
was no compulsion in the matter. ‘A PracticaL GARDENER”
might or might not have competed just as he pleased. This
happened some time since, and was the only occasion on which
such a rule was carried out for the last twenty-five years.—
HIBERNICUS.

MISTLETOE ON THE Oax.—Having read in one of your late
Numbers an article on the Mistletoe, in which you speak of its
being rarely found on the Oak, and do not name any place
where it is still to be seen, I write to tell you that there is a fair-
sized plant of it growing on an Oak on the land of H. Howard,
Hsq., Thornbury Castle, near Bristol, and which has been there
for several years—maryellously eluding the ruthless hand of
Christmas decorators—Constant Rraper.

70 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

COCOA-NUT FIBRE DUST.AS A COVERING
FOR HOT-WATER PIPES.

I vamyx if your correspondent, “J. M.,” (page 32) were to
read Mr. Beaton’s remarks in the previous Number of your
Journal, page 3, he would discover that the cause of the cocoa-
nut refuse not becoming hot was its being allowed to become
too dry. I haye experienced a similar instance. Last spring 1
ecyered-up my hot-water pipes with this refuse, taking care to
keep it wet, particularly where in contact with the pipes, and it
answered admirably.

For the last six weeks I have not been able to attend to my
little propagating-house, and my man, who is no gardener,
suffered the refuse to become dry, and, consequently, he could
not make it hot. On removing it I found about 2 inches thick
yound the pipes completely caked, very dry, and lighter than
cork. I made the whole quite wet with warm water, and again
coyered-up the pipes about 10 inches thick, plunging pots in it
as before. I now find the surface very little warmer than the
temperature of the house, but on lifting the pots steam imme-
diately rises, and the stuff is very hot near the pipes. —-

In another part of my greenhouse I filled-up the space from
the ground to the bottom of the pipes to prevent the heat
escaping, and then filled-up with broken pieces of brick even with
the top of the pipes, making a flat surface, on which I placed a
thin sheet of iron. On this I spread cocoa-nut refuse about
3 incheg thick, sprinkling it with warm water occasionally to
keep if moist, and by so doing I obtain an eyen and regular heat
over the surface.

I have been informed by an engineer that if this refuse is
made quite dry, it is the best nonconductor of heat that could
be used for covering-up steam boilers. I have also heard it
recommended as a casing for cold frames or pits. About
3 inches thick will keep out the severest frost; but it must be
rande quite dry and kept so. Gardeners and agriculturists are
using this cocoa-nut refuse very freely; but we shall probably
hear of its being applied to other purposes soon.—H. FE,

CHEAP CROCUS-HOLDER.

I am unaware whether any of the readers of the Journal
have ever seen the following cheap Crocus-holder; if not, the
description may be of some service ; it is,
at all events, no very costly experiment
to try.

Take a large sound Turnip, and hollow
it out from the bottom, taking care not
to injure the base of the leaves, and allow-
ing the rind to be at least half an inch in
thickness all round; then bend a piece
of wire (zinc is best from not corroding)
into a circular form, and place the Turnip
upon it, leaves downwards, haying pre-
viously trimmed-off the large ones. ‘Lhe
hollow is then to be filled with silver
sand, a Crocus root planted therein, and
three wires or strings attached to the
ring to support the whole upon a hook
fixed in the upper part of the window-
frame. The sand being kept moist, the
Turnip will soon shoot-out leaves, which,
turning upwards, in a short time com-
pletely hide the root, and present a pretty
and novel appearance during the winter season.— A CoRRE-
SPONDENT.

GLOBE ARTICHOKES NOT QUITE HARDY.

T GAN testify that the Globe Artichoke is not able to stand a
very severe frost unless protection be used. J well recollect
having in my apprentice years—it must be at least twenty years
ago—seen all the plants in a large quarter of the garden destroyed
by the frost, which was very severe that winter. The plants
had no protection. The soil in which they were growing was
a very light, gravelly, dry, porous loam, upon a sandstone sub-
soil, with an angle of about 25° to the north, situated six miles
and a half west of Hdinburgh.

So far as I then could judge, those plants must have occupied
the same ground for several years, the stools beine very large
und producing a very large quantity of excellent heads.

[ January 27, 1868.

It had been formerly the practice there to haye the Globe
Artichokes protected, but this had been omitted that winter.—
JamEs Ry. 1

INFLUENCE OF POLLEN ON THE
APPEARANCE OF SEED.

Faw facts in vegetable physiology are more remarkable than
the well-ascertained influence of the pollen of one species or
variety on the seed and fruit of another species or variety
whilst still attached to the female plant. ‘There are several old
accounts, and the case has been well proved by Giirtner of the
colour of the pea in one yariety of the Garden Pea, being
changed by the direct action of the pollen of another differently-
coloured variety. So, again, the famous St. Valery Apple tree
produces many different kinds of fruit, according to the nature
of the pollen used ; for the singularly-constructed flowers yield
no pollen, and they are annually fertilised by a party of French
girls, who bring pollen from other trees, and mark with ribbons
the flowers thus fertilised. About a year ago Mr. Beaton gave
an analagous case, far more remarkable than any hitherto re-
corded, for he showed (if my memory does not deceive me) that
the pollen of one species acted on the footstalk of the seed-
capsule of another species, and caused it slowly to assume a
position which it would not otherwise have acquired. I forget
the name of the plant, and have vainly spent an hour in trying
to find the passage, though I am sure J marked if. Will Mr.
Beaton have the kindness to repeat the statement? and I am
sure it is worth repetition. If he grant this fayour, will he
inform us whether his observations were made on several
flowers, and during one or more years? I remember some diffi-
culty in finding the name of the plant in such catalogues as I
happened to have at hand, which led me to suppose that it had,
like too many plants, more names than one.—CHARLES DARWIN.

[Im answering Mr. Darwin’s question, allow me, first, to clear
myself of any participation in his opening remark, that “Few
facts in vegetable physiology are more remarkable than the well-
ascertained influence of the pollen of one species or variety on
the seed and fruit of another species or variety while still
attached to the female plant.” Gartner never proved that—he
only asserted it; and when he was pushed to the proof, he
lowered his sails, made a second edition of his great work, and
confessed many of his errors.

The most practical cross-breeder who has yet appeared has
stated ‘‘ Gartner's report of the cross-bred seed he has obtained,
to benothing but a mere enumeration of the crosses he has tried
to obtain.” And with regard to very many of the cases of
impregnation mentioned by Gartner, he, the said cross-breeder,
otherwise Dr. Herbert, “ utterly repudiates the probability of
such impregnation ;” and well he might.

It was not Gartner, but Dr. Wiegman, in 1823, who first said
he found the Pea changed colour from being planted along with
Vicia sativa, or common Vetch; and Girtner, two years sub-
sequently, said he caused the same change by means of the pollen ;
and our Mr, Knight was somewhat smitten with that doctrine.

I had a commission to work over, again and again, every ex-
periment mentioned by Giirtner, Wiegman, and Lageret, and I
found over and over again each experiment was without a base.
Others proved the same, but it remained for the late Professor
Henslow to prove by scientific investigation that the pollen has
no visible effect on the seed impregnated ; and no cross-breeder
of any practice in England at the present day would like to
have his name associated with that of Gartner, for or against
any exploit in crossing. Nevertheless, I am firmly of the opinion
that Gartner was right in his belief of the way impregnation is
effected.

I forget the plant I mentioned Jast year as haying the pe-
duncle, or stalk, of the flower affected by pollen. Of all the
plants I recollect haying mentioned, for the last twelve months,
there are only five genera that are affected that way—Cor-
bularia and Hermione among the WNarcissi, and Hrodium,
Pelargonium, and Geranium, in that class of plants. The best
generic distinction for upholding Corbularia and Hermione as
distinct from the true Narcissi, is that the peduncle rises slowly
from a horizontal to an upright posture as the seeds ripen in
the pod. The Erodiums and a section of. Pelargoniums, with,
T believe, all the true Geraniums, have the peduncle affected
differently from the great mass of Pelargoniums. :

It is probable, however, that Mr, Darwin bas been thinking of

January 27, 1863. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 71

what was said on the different stages of impregnation at page
330, of Vol. XXVII., the part for this time last year. And I
think Gartner's idea of how the pollen acts is proved both by
the Erodiums, including Pelargonium, which is not a natural
genus, and the true Geraniums, inasmuch as the footstalk of each
flower in all that mass of species, and in their endless varieties,
is the first part that is affected by the pollen. Indeed, I am
quite certain of that, for I had at least ten thousand proofs of it.
But let me explain.

Take any of the true species out of all the Geraniaces, cut off
the stigma before the pollen can intrude, and the peduncle of
that flower will retain its original or natural posture till it
decays. A Tom Thumb, or any of the bedders, will prove that
very shortly. Take another flower in the same truss, and cross
it with the pollen of another species which you know will not
<ross with it, and the peduncle will turn to the opposite of its
natural posture, and will never regain the true position, but die
ultimately, as the process of fertilisation went no farther than
to affect the footstalk. The next stage is the quickening of the
pod, the next that of the lobes of the seeds, and all this may be,
and yet no life be given to the embryo of the seeds.

Barly next May any one may influence a hundred flowers of
the Scarlet Defiance Geranium as far as the footstalk of its
flowers, but no farther. Every flower of that one kind which is
crossed by its own pollen, or by foreign pollen, will, in eight or
ten hours, reverse the posture of the footstalks ; but the seed-
pod is not reached by the contents of the pollen, and the con-
Sequence is no seed and no rising of the peduncle. There are
many seedlings which will prove the same as Defiance at the
end of October, and through November.

Notwithstanding these facts, one can conceive a state of
climate which would render the effect of that same pollen active
through the three or four stages of impregnation, and produce
tertile seed from Defiance. Indeed, the pollen of some kinds or
varieties, which will only affect the footstalk very early and very
late in the season, will effect a cross in the middle of July; and
Thave obtained, and I believe I am the only one who has done
80, a real cross from Scarlet Defiance, which is over fifteen years
old; but I may be mistaken. The case of Cybister, or “ The
Tumbler” Nosegay Geranium, is a different sport altogether,
the truss comes naturally in a reversed position, and takes from
three weeks fo a month to make a right round change of
position —D. Braton. |

THE GRAPE CONTEST.
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY'S FRUIT COMMITTEE.

A speciit Meeting of the Fruit Committee of the Royal
Horticultural Society was held on Wednesday last, to decide the
challenge offered by Mr. W. Thomson, of Dalkeith, through the
pages of the Florist and Pomologist, to Mr. Tillery, of Welbeck.
‘Some discussion had taken place between these two eminent
gardeners as to the relative merits of old and new Grapes, Mr.
Thomson having succeeded in producing new Black Hamburghs

-on New Year's-day, and he held that new Grapes were prefer-

able to old ones. Mr. Tillery advocated the merits of the old or
hung Grapes against the new, and for some time an interesting and

“exciting discussion was kept up, one or two other members of the

upper stratum joining in the discussion. As if to bring the sub-
ject to some tangible form, Mr. Thomson stated at page 70 of
the volume of the Florist and Pomologist just completed, “If
Mr. Tillery has no objection, and we are spared till the time, I
will send newly-ripened Black Hamburghs to any of the January
or February Meetings of the Fruit Committee of the Royal
Horticultural Society, and he can send his best Black Grapes,
for Hamburghs and Muscats could not well be compared in
point of flavour, and let the Committee decide which are the
est Grapes in point of flayour.”

Accordingly, there being no ‘regular “meeting of the Fruit
‘Committee in January, this special Meeting was appointed,
which was numerously attended both by members and visitors
to witness the result of the contest. Mr. Thomson sent three
beautiful bunches of new Black Hamburghs which were ripe on
Christmas-day. The bunches were of good size, well set, wide-

-sheuldered, and shortly ovate. The berries large, and some of

them quite hammered; but, though quite black, the colour as a
whole was not so intense and even as in the bunch sent to us
last year. ‘his, we are told, has arisen from the dark, dull, and
glcomy weather they had in Scotland during the whole of the

autumn, when the season was more unfavourable than any that
has been experienced for some years. Nevertheless, the Grapes
were so beautiful that the Committee decided firet of all that
in appearance they had the advantage over the bunches of Black
Hamburgh, of Black Tripoli, and of West’s St. Peter’s that were
exhibited by Mr. Tillery. These, too, were as good of their kind
as could be seen anywhere, but the shrivelled appearance which
had begun to set in contrasted unfavourably with the plump fresh-
looking new Hamburghs. Then came the question of all others,
the most important in the decision—flavour ; for it was on this
point that the issue hung. After a very patient and yery close
comparison the decision was in fayour of the o/d Black Ham-
burghs. Having begun to shrivel, and the juice being inspissated,
the sugar was more concentrated than in the new. ‘he question
then arose as to the general merits of old and new in regard of
appearance and general utility, and the decision was in favour of
new Grapes. We confess to a leaning in that direction ourselves,
for we think there cannot be a doubt but that fine, plump,
and fresh Black Hamburghs, with their fresh, crisp, green, stalks,
are more attractive, pleasing to the eye, and much more sightly
at table than Black Hamburghs that are shrivelled, and from
which the rigidity of the bunch and berry stalks has disappeared.
Even in point of flayour the difference is so slight that it has to
yield to the other qualifications. Altogether the discussion was
a very interesting one, and no doubt the public will duly appre-
ciate the opportunity that Mr. Thomson and Mr. Tillery have
given them of coming to a decision on the subject.

In addition to those exhibited by Mr. Thomson, there was a
small box containing several bunches of new Black Hamburghs
from Mr. McKenzie, of Kemp Town, Brighton. These, thougk
not so large either in bunch or berry as Mr. Thomson’s, were
as black as jet and covered with a dense bloom; a finer s blae’””
we never saw. But the climate of Brighton is a very different
one from that of Dalkeith, and the amount of light in the one
place during the winter months is very much greater than in
the other, and hence the difference in colour. The flavour of
the two was, however, very close; the very black berries of Mr.
Thomson’s being equally rich in flavour with Mr. McKenzie’s.

Three magnificent bunches of Muscat of Alexandria were
exhibited by Mr. Tillyard, gardener to John Kelk, Esq., of
Stanmore Priory. So large and so beautiful were they that the
Committee unanimously awarded Mr. Tillyard a certificate of
commendation for meritorious cultivation.

Mr. Tillery also sent a splendid bunch of Trebbiano and some
nice bunches of Museat of Alexandria shrivelled nearly to raisins,
which were very rich and sugary in flavour.

Mr. F. W. Pack, gardener to G. H. Vernon, Esq., Grove
Hall, East Retford, sent a fine bunch of Black Barbarossa; and
Mr. James Fowler, gardener to the Harl of Harewood, sent
some very nice specimens of the Charlesworth Tokay, from
which it is clear that this variety, if at all different from Muscat
of Alexandria, is only a slight variation from it. :

Mr. John Cox, of Redleaf, exhibited dishes of a seedling
Pear which he has found to be very useful, from its ripening in
succession from the beginning of December till now. :

Mr. Francis, of Hertford, exhibited a seedling Apple, which,
however, did not possess any merit to recommend it.

WALKS.
(Concluded from page 51.)

Marertats Occastonazty Usrp For WaALKS.—I have seen
many miles of excellent walks made of small coals, and nothing
forms a more compact one. It is also sufficiently porous to
allow the water to pass through, and it is infinitely superior to
chalk, which, however, ought not to be used alone. Mortar
rubbish has been already spoken of, and the waste of quarries of
different kinds, some excellent materials being often found on
the top of sandstone. Sand itself mixed witha harder material
is not unfrequently used; and where it is sharp and gritty, and
of a suitable colour, it makes a good walk for many private
places where there are no wheeled carriages and not very many
foot passengers. Burnt earths of various kinds are not so good,
they get dirty and cling to the feet; but the fact of a new walk
being dirty after the first rain is not enough to condemn it, for
the after rains will wash many of the earthy particles to the
bottom, leaving at top the sharp and gritty portions, which are
clean and do not cling to the feet. This remark, I may observe,
holds good with all walks, excepting those, perhaps, that are

72

coated with newly-washed material, as sea and river gravel, and
such like. :

FounDaTION FoR A WALK.—Whatever may be the surfacing
material, it often happens that it is not in sufficient abundance
to. allow the whole depth required to make a walk firm and dry
to be all made of one kind: consequently, a common article is
used in the bottom, and not unfrequently the bottom of a walk
hecomes a useful receptacle for many things that are unfit for
anywhere else—broken crockery, glass bottles, clinkers, brick-
bats, stone, and mortar rubbish, &c., that are useless elsewhere.
Clinkers and mortar rubbish, or brickbats with mortar adhering
to them, are about the best bottoming for a walk, being so dis-
tasteful to worms, while they allow the drainage to pass freely
through. I cannot say I admire chalk so much, although it is
oftenused. Mixed, however, with other things it will be useful ;
but the materials of the locality will, in general, determine this
matter.

Borrom or Founpation.—Unimportant as this may seem
to many, I am convinced there is no point in walk-making of so
much consequence in some places; I, therefore, make no apology
for placing the subject in its proper light, which is best done by
detailing the practice I have adopted.

Being entrusted with the formation of a carriage road and
large court entrance, which, as is often the case, was on the
dampest side of the house, and the subsoil as stiff and impene-
trable a clay as could well be supposed, I did not excavate and
remove so much of it as many might have done, but carefully re-
moved a part, leaving the bottom in a sort of ridge-and-furrow
plan. The furrows were about 6 feet apart, and the inclination
from the ridge 2 or 3 inches, the ridge itself not being more
than 4 inches from what was intended to be the surface of the road;
so that only 4 inches of metal were wanted on that part, while
on. the furrow it was 6 or 7 inches, and in the furrow itself
a clean-cut drain was made, in which ordinary two-inch drain-
pipes were placed. ‘These were not deep, excepting at one end,
to which it was necessary to convey the water. There the tops of
the pipes might bea foot deep, perhaps, while at the other end they
were close to the surface of the furrow. ‘The ridges were pared
smooth and true to shape, and all the material carted away,
including that from the drains; and the whole was covered over
with stones larger than ordinary road stones, the drains being
filled with the same. Care was taken not to disturb the incline
of ridge-and-furrow system into which the whole was cut; no
carting over it was allowed until it was covered with stone,
A finer, description of stone followed, and finally the top-dress-
ing, and the whole acted very satisfactorily. ‘he water which
fell on the top, or what might be conveyed thither, for the
place was low, passed quickly through the stratum of the road,
and the inclination of the smooth clayey foundation carried it
into the furrows, whence it was conveyed away by the drains,
which all united at their lower end. A walk may be formed on
the same principle, the foundation declining to the centre, along
which there might be a drain as described above; or, if the
walk be wide, there might be two drains, as I have on more
than one occasion made, ‘This precaution, howeyer, is only
necessary on those tenacious clays which retain all the water
that falls on them. When the ground is of a contrary deserip-
tion this plan of preparing the foundation eurface is not necessary,
and for walks a less depth of material will do. The only
difficulty to guard against in shallow work is worms finding
their way through and disfiguring the walk. As a preventive,
therefore, use mortar and lime rubbish, cinder or clinker rubbish
of any kinds noxious to worms, and, in default of all these use
stone or chalk more abundantly; bearing in mind at all times
that, although a smooth and level surface is wanted in walks at
all times, they ought nevertheless to be porous, and by no means
ought water to stand long on the surface of a walk, neither
ought it to remain below, or it will always be damp, and moss
and dirt will be engendered.

Conciupine Remanxs.—The ordinary routine of frequently
rolling walks is so often alluded to in the weekly instructions
given in this Journal as not to require any further notice here.
Walks, however, require to be broken-up betimes, in order to
destroy the moss or discoloration that comes on their surface;
this is best done in winter, the surface gravel only being broken-up
with a pickaxe, or, it may be, a strong fork. This brings some
fresh gravel to the top, and, being carefully levelled, it again
forms as good a walk as ever. A much more difficult matter
is to keep the weeds down. Handweeding is strongly advocated
by many in preference to salt, as the latter undoubtedly en-

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ January 27, 1863.

courages damp more or less; but where there are large breadths
to do, I confess not knowing anything so expeditious. On
this subject, however, I expect some one will give us an article
afi some early time, detailing the results of a chemical substance
cheap, efficacious, and not causing the damp complained of in
salt. In Devonshire and Cornwall I have seen a substance like
green sand that is found in the mines, spread over a payed
yard to kill the weeds, and it effectually did so. I think it par-
took largely of copperas, or some mineral poison of a like kind.
I have also seen a refuse of arsenic used in a similar way; the
latter however is, perhaps, as objectionable as salt. I would,
therefore, invite others to give us their experience in this matter .
and as the subject of walks has extended to greater length than
I intended, that on roads must be deferred till another time.
J. Rozson.

GRAPE-GROWING IN AMERICA.

I Finn, by a perusal of Tur Journan or HorticuztuRE, that
considerable attention has of late been paid in Britain to some
of the phases of Grape-growing, and some valuable opinions
have been elicited concerning the different points of merit to be
considered in judging a bunch or dish of Grapes produced at an
exhibition, from all which I trust some world-wide standard of
excellence will be erected, contributing to assist judges in im-
partial decisions and to the satisfaction of exhibitors.

As I haye derived much valuable information from these
pages, I make bold to submit to your readers two experiments L
have made lately with the Grape Vine, always bearing in mind
the difference of climate, soil, &c., between Britaiz and America.

In March of last year I renewed the outside border of an
established house of Grapes here, cutting-off all the roots right
up to within 2 feet of the Vines, which are planted inside, but
derive very little support from the inside border, I raised the-
bottom of the outside border 18 inches, and cut a fine crop ef
Grapes from the Vines in August and September last. The
leaves flagged a little during some of our scorching days in May;.
but by attending closely to ventilation and keeping up an abun-
dant supply of moisture in the house I escaped without &
scorched leaf.

This I had precedent for, haying seen Mr. Fleming do the
same when under him at Trentham, but with this difference—
Mr. Fleming renewed his border before the Vines were qnite-
rested in the autumn, thus giving the roots a hold during winter
ready for a start in spring; the better way no doubt, but as I
only took charge here in the preceding October I was prevented
from strictly adhering to precedent.

Being much encouraged by success in this instance, I deter-
mined to try if I could not also produce new Grapes on New
Year’s-day; so, having cleared one house of Grapes in the third
week of June, J pruned and started it in the first week of July,.
the temperature at the time often ranging up to 98° or 100° in
the shade. The Vines bled very little, and broke very regularly.
There were thirteen rods of Black Hamburgh and two rods of
Muscat of Alexandria in the house. I soon found there would
be no difficulty in ripening them by the time specified, a3 our
fine genial fall, or Indian summer, brought them along very
rapidly, and as the cold weather eet in I, of course, took care to,
place ample protection on the outside border ; for by the middle
of December we had the thermometer down nearly to zero.

The Hamburghs bore a very fair crop, and are now (New
Year’s-day) quite plump in the berry, and as black as sloes, the-
leaves being as green and fresh as they were three months ago.,
I have furnished both Hamburghs and Muscats for Mr. Hoyt’s
table to-day, this being the grand reception-day in New York.

Strange to say in this dry climate mildew is a great peat to-
Vines, and has to be very carefully guardedagainst. I find strew-
ing a little fresh guano occasionally in the house to be a good
preventive—Davip Fouts, Gardener to Edwin Hoyt, Hsq.,
Astoria, Long Island, New York.

A FEW DAYS IN IRELAND.
WOODSTOCK, 5
Tus charming, romantic, and richly picturesque demesne of
the Right Hon. W.F. Tighe and the Lady Louisa Tighe, is
situated about ninety miles from Dublin, seven miles from
Thomestown station on the Waterford and Kilkenny Railway,.
and close to the pretty village of Innistioge. In the days before-

January 27, 1863. ]

the union, Innistioge sent two members to parliament. It was
deemed of so much importance as to be besieged by the soldiers
of Cromwell, and it possesses now the Ivy-clothed massive ruins
of an old castle, or, rather, cathedral, which is said to have been
built nearly nine hundred years ago. Close to these ruins, re-
minding one so forcibly of ancient times, the Catholic and
Protestant places of worship stand lovingly side by side. It is
no part of our duty to refer to the religious differences which
have exerted such a boneful influence upon Ireland; it was a
much more pleasant thing to be delighted with proofs that the
largehearted kindliness of Christianity was undermining and
rooting-up the narrow-minded acerbities of sectarianism. Only
bring men, honestly holding different opinions, into friendly
eontact, and it is amazing how soon they will respectively find
much to admire in each other. We know little of the good
people of Innistioge; but in noticing their clean and tidy
homesteads, and their apparent friendliness with each other, we
could not help thinking that these appearances might be some-
what owing to Catholics and Protestants worshipping the same
Creator within such a short distance of each other. We can
hardly imagine that, in such circumstances, pastors and people
could do otherwise than exchange the courtesies of Christian
charity.

Such impressions, if existing, would be deepened by the mag-
nificent and beautiful surroundings. Nestled at the base of a
hill, the village is almost washed by what Spencer styled the
“srey waters of the stubborn Newre” (Nore), passing along
so languidly, unless when in flood, as somewhat to resemble
8 Tippled lake. The river here is crossed by a fine level stone
bridge of ten arches; and the whole of these arches and but-
tresses, &c., are so draped as at once to arrest attention,
fringed, as they are, with Polypodium vulgare and other Ferns,
wreathed with Ivy and Woodbine, and dressed-out with masses
of red Valerian. Above the bridge, on the opposite side of
the river, the land extends in rich pasture and arable fields;
below the bridge, the banks become more lofty and are clothed
with timber. On the village side the banks rise precipitously
from 100 to 200 feet in height, and are densely clothed with
trees, with long streamers and garlands of Ivy flaunting in
the richest luxuriance. Twoislands are here situated in the river,
also clothed with trees, the branches kissing the water, and, in
their dark richness of foliage, contrasting charmingly with a
row of white Poplars on the farther bank, whilst the Mowing
of the stream imparts a life-like reality to the whole. A turn
of the river takes it now out of our sight. A gate at the village,
however, admits to a fine carriage drive, between the margin
of the Nore and that picturesque bank going on to the Red
House, nearly two miles distant, the House and the drive being
alike open to visitors.

A very steep ascent leads from the village to the entrance-gates
—so steep, indeed, that Col. Tighe generally sends horses to meet
the carriages of his friends. A walk almost equally steep winds
to the top of the bank referred to, continuing as beautiful
shaded pathways along its crest; and, on looking back whilst
mounting the hill, the bridge, the river, its islands, and its
banks, present numberless points of interest fascinating to the
lover of beautiful combinations, and on which the eye of the
‘painter would delight to linger.

Inside the park gates, the approach, nicely kept, winds amid
lawn and park scenery, backed by lofty masses of diversified
sylvan beauty. As groups in the park here, what we remember
most vividly were numbers of fine-headed Hornbeam, &c., with
large, natural-swelling mounds of roots, forming massive pedi-
ments to the straight-columned boles, furnishing a fine lesson alike
of elegance and fitness to those who place a beautiful vase with
a handsome pedestal in their garden, and then consider it neces-
Sary to enhance the uniqueness of the colour by concealing its
base witha mound of flowers! Groups of Scotch Firs, becoming
bonnet-headed from age, lent their charms to the picture. The
approach declines considerably to the entrance front, and thus
lessens the architectural dignity of that side of the mansion;
but this disadvantage is greatly neutralised by a broad level plat-
form there, standing on which you think nothing of the descent
by the approach.

With the above drawback, if drawback there be, no sooner do
we arrive atthe garden front, which faces the south-east, than we
gee at once in what a favourable and commanding position the
mansion is placed. The lawn and park already referred to
,gradually merge into the beautifully wooded hill of Mount Alto,
which rises 1400 feet above the level of the sea, and thus secures

JOURNAL OF HORTIOULTURH AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 73

not only warmth and protection, but forms a splendid background
to one of the most beautiful and diversified of landscape pictures.
On the east side of the new balustraded gardens a large space
was being cleared for a new bowling-green, bounded by a minia-
ture winding lake, with Hydrangeas, pink and blue, and giant
Ferns drooping over its waters, and these backed again by trees
which join those on the erest of fhe bank, which here conceals all
traces of the river. Bringing the eye southwards, owing partly
to the falling nature of the ground it passes over a wide piece of
open lawn and a spacious glade, and taking in a long reach of
the river, rests on the old Castle of Cluen and the steep wooded
banks on the opposite side of the stream, until extending your
range it takes in a great extent of beautiful elevated country,
dotted with cottages and farms, terminating in the distant
mountains of Wexford. On going more westward, another glade,
but for its dying-out, would carry the eye to the point where
the water of the glen joins the river near the Red House, which
is a mile distant from the mansion. Between that glade and
a third is a lake of water in the foreground, which is so managed
that though of small size you might imagine it extended to great
dimensions in the masses of wood; whilst the diversified foliage
of the Pine, the Oak, and the Maple, &e., as reflected from its
silver waters was very striking and pleasing. A great advantage
of such glades besides opening-up the scenery is, that they present
much cf the charms of an avenue without any counterbalancing
stiffness. Further westward, and in a straight diagonal line from
the drawing-room windows, is the Araucaria-ayenue backed on
each side by masses of timber. Westward of this new front
garden and north-eastward of the Araucaria-avenue, are clustered
what are moat interesting in a gardening point of view at
Woodstock.

A very imperfect examination of what had been done and was
doing sufficed to convince us of two facts :—First, that the
worthy proprietors of the demesne have a refined taste for the
rare and the beautiful, and liberally supported the means of
gratifying that taste; and, secondly, that in the designing and
carrying-out the improvements that will make Woodstock every
year more interesting, they had been more than fortunate in
securing the services of a gardener who possesses the enthusiosm
of a poet, the eye of a painter, and the genius of the artist,
united to a practical acquaintance with the principles of archi-
tecture, as well as those haying relation to the different depart-
ments of horticulture and landscape-gardening. Seldom, indeed,
do we find such a variety of work accomplished by one man and
all done in first-rate style ; and that, too, almost wholly, if not
entirely, with the help of the working men in the neighbourhood.
Though we cannot reach, we may well honour such talents, and
more especially as Mr. McDonald is another striking instance of
what can be accomplished by earnest self-denial and unremitting
self-culture.

The mansion is a large, spacious, comfortable building ; but
until its exterior was improved it was plain rather than elegant.
A portion was still covered with lime harling, which is more
attractive at ‘a distance than close at hand, and would never have
done in juxtaposition with the fine balustraded garden in front.
The massiveness of the walls of that garden, and the light elegant
granite appearance of the mansion now, are greatly owing to the
various treasures found in Mount Alto. We have already alluded
to the beauty of that lofty wooded hill, planted about forty
years ago by Colonel Tighe. Beautiful as it is externally, it is
just as singular in its geological formations, which have been
turned te good account in the new works. From this come the
fine granite, and the remarkable gravels of which we shall have
more to say. Hrom the bed of the river to the top of the moun-
tain is chiefly the clay slate formation, along with schist and
quertz rock; and at the sky line is seen the argillaceous schist
in contact with the granite. At this line there are a hitch and
evidences of volcanic eruption, as may be readily observed by
the masses of granite at this elevation so isolated and thrown
out on the outside of the spur. The granite is of the finest
quality. We saw large steps of it in one slab, 15 feet long and
18 inches broad; a much larger piece still was polished as a
garden-seat. It is different from Wicklow granite, and some of
it contains hornblende. In one part is a peculiar kind, the
felspar of the deepest red colour, and in another part it is of a
pearly white. Both of these are used as gravels. The white
has also been largely used by Mr. McDonald for mixing with
Portland cement, fo imitate building with granite. It is thus
that he had nearly dinished giving to the mansion the appear-
ance of a noble structure of stone. The hit, or the discovery of

=

G4 JODRNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

mixing these materials so as to resemble blocks of granite, was a
happy one, and we have little doubt will be very satisfactory.
Mr. McDonald, who is well acquainted with the geology of
Ireland, was agreeably surprised to find such granite close at
hand, as it is chiefly confined to the coast line.

The new balustraded garden in front of the mansion is
330 feet in length and 250 feet in breadth. The boundary granite
wall, parallel with the mansion, shows a height of about 8% feet
outside, facing the open lawn already referred to; atthe lower end
4 feet is hidden, which would give 12 feet if allwereshown. The
lower courses consist of bold rock faces, and the upper courses of
dressed ashlar, showing joints of 1} inch. The height of this
wall, as secn inside, is 2 feet, and it is covered by an elegant
coping of original design 2 feet in width. On this, granite
pedestals with neat plinths are placed at 30 feet distance from
each other. These panelled blocks are 2 feet square and 3 feet in
height, with 2 neat cornice round, projecting 6 inches. On these
pedestals handsome tazzas will be placed suited to the size of
the pedestals. On the end pedestals are fine granite balls,
beautifully worked and of elegant design.

The wall supporting the lower side of the terrace—that next
the bowling-green on the east side—is 12 feet in height outside,
built also of granite, with handsome buttresses, panelled, and
showing three.water tables, and standing 35 feet apart. This
wall is dressed ashlar with plain joints, the base course 18 inches
deep; all above 12 inches. A moulded string course projects
4 inches, and on this rests a beautiful coping of original design
18 inches deep, in lengths of from 4 to 6 feet, which forms the
parapet inside, and projects 3 inches over the string course. The
whole of these walls testify to the best workmanship and the most
refined taste.

- We now step inside again. We know nothing of the previous
arrangements close to the house. A low wall now separates this
garden from the lower business and living rooms of the servants,
50 that they also may see its beauties. On this wall vases were
to be placed, and a border for flowers was to be made in front,
on each side of the grand iron staircase. This staircase, connect-
ing the drawing-room with the new garden, is in the centre
of the main building and the centre of the garden; it is 14 feet
wide, and composed of thirteen steps, tread of steps 18 inches.
These steps rest on four beams, which spring out from the house
and repose on massive granite blocks 23 feet from the wall. A
fine granite slab covers the ends of the blocks, and forms the first
step. To conceal the iron beams at each side, there is a hand-
some moulded iron skirting fully 2 feet in depth, which rests at

({ January 27, 1863.

the bottom on tables of granite finely dressed and moulded, on
which Warwick vases were to be placed. This stair is of the
most elegant and newest design, and was made by Mr. Turner,
of Dublin, whose refined taste is well known and appreciated.

We had the pleasure of seeing the main features of this
garden approaching completion, men being actively engaged in
levelling the sunk panels. Besides the walk all round, the space
is divided into four equal parts by a broad longitudinal walk,
crossed by a transverse one; the first being opposite the grand
staircase. These walks were beautifully made, verges of turf as
level as a table, sloping bank, and the rest leyel before coming to
the earth in the panel, all equally true and exact. These four
panels will be 2 feet below the level of the surrounding walks.
How these are to be laid out, if not already done, we cannot
tell. We do not think that Mr. McDonald and Lady Louisa
Tighe had then quite decided on the matter. We gathered this
much, that it was to be different from what generally obtains.
Besides the fiowers in the two borders near the house, and the
tazzas and vases, mere brilliancy of colour was not to be at-
tempted. Being directly in front of the principal rooms, it was
very desirable that the garden should be as attractive in winter
as in. summer, and, therefore, its interest would chiefly depend
on the artistic nature of the designs, and the use of dwarf
plants, permanent in their character, and more distinguished for
their foliage than their flowers. Such a plan would be especially
desirable at Woodstock; for, as we shall see presently, there is
plenty of room for floral display elsewhere. Mr. McDonald
jocosely told us we must see the panels of that garden when they
were finished; but if that second visit should not take place
shortly, we feel confident he will kindly satisfy our anxiety, and
that of others on this subject, as soon as he shall haye pleased
and satisfied himself. Such a system of parterres could never be
tried under better auspices, and a deliverance on the subject under
such circumstances would be especially interesting and important.

Not to speak of the massive walls of this garden, nearly
14,000 cubic yards of earth were brought to form the terraces,
chiefly from behind the Araucaria-avenue. The excayation thus
made will be devoted to a sunk drive, and recesses for ferneries
and aquatic plants. The whole was moved by the hardy pony-
looking horses. Owing to the suitability of the ground, this.
work could have been done, Mr. McDonald told us, for £200
less money by rails and waggons, but Lady Louisa decidediy
preferred giving the money to the small tenants for cart-work.
Need we wonder that such considerate proprietors should live in
the affections of their humbler neighbours?

After some consideration as to the best mode of finishing our| each side. At m is the boundary of shrubs and trees, and
meagre outline, we have come to the resolution to sacrifice | beyond, the line would be continued through the deer park,

succinctness to variety ; and will, therefore, take the accompany-

until it merged in the wooded hill of Mount Alto. From these

ing rough sectional surface line of Woodstock as the key-note | massive granite steps at D, placed in the middle of the new
of our observations. Beyoud « is the romantic and picturesque | garden longitudinally, a fine view is obtained of the Araucaria-
bank to which we have previously alluded. From a to B is the | avenue, extending diagonally as in the dotted linen. We shail
ground of the new bowling-green. At the wall at B a fine| leave the avenue at present, with stating that improvements
double staircase was being built, which is now finished. From | were'in progress for connecting it more efficiently with the new
B to 3 may be considered as a line in the centre of a gravel walk, | garden. Close to this place were two fine healthy specimens of
running from the 8.E. to the N.W., there being only a turn at ¥. | Cupressus macrocarpa 30 feet in height, and an Abies morinda
From B to p is the transverse line through the width of the new | 25 feet in height, that were transplanted in May 1860, and no
panelled balustraded garden. At D is a sloping bank, and | machinery used except the living machinery of Irish labourers.
eight granite steps 15 feet long, the same width as the walk | The cides of this main walk, from D to G, were chiefly open
here. At E is another slope, and a rise of three steps, and | lawn, with such turf as is seldom seen out of Ireland, studded
50 feet of a fine eloping Jawn on each side of the walk. From | chiefly with single specimens, backed by irregular masses of
= to F the broad walk is continued 450 feet. At F is a noble | evergreens and deciduous trees. The rain descended in torrents
Beech, and beneath its shade is placed a splendid block of | during the previous night; but though that walk was on such
granite as a seat. From this the walk turns to the right to | an incline, so well had it been made that there was not a wrinkle
bring it in a straight line with the centre of a walled garden | or a bit of surface gravel washed out of its place. As yet
at G. From F to G is 300 feet. The garden is a equare of | we have seen no glass, but in passing along from F to G we
330 feet. Beyond are three terraces, I, , L, with sloping banks, | observe a lean-to greenhouse in front of the shrubbery, far
and six steps in the walk between each of them. From the upper | off on the right hand, and looking somewhat lonely in its
rise-at L the walk goes on to M, with a line of Irish Yews on | solitude.

January 27, 1863. ]

We were rather surprised to find, amid such surroundings, a
walled-in garden 330 feet square. It had previously been used
for vegetables and fruit, but is now to be rightly and exclusively
devoted to the latter, with the exception of. flower-borders by
the sides of the walks. A new kitchen garden-is one of the
wants of Woodstock, as the old one between the house and the
river seems worn-out, and overstocked with large fruit trees.
But about this walled garden. We should not like it to be
remoyed, were it only for the position the walls afford for
creepers and half-hardy plants. These walls are 14 feet in height.
From the rising nature of the ground the south side rises in
ramps of 2 feet, with a vase and pedestal on each rise, which
give a good effect. It just steuck us that the somewhat heavy
effect would be much lessened if the south wall were lowered
some 5 or 6 feet, ramped as now, and the east and west walls
ramped to meet it, and also ornamented with vases on the rises.
That ramping might be confined to the half from this central
walk.

The lawn is open on the south side with a few beds of flowers
in which the Prince’s Feather and Love-lies-bleeding are not
forgotten. The walls, especially their best aspects, were densely
clothed with fine plants of Jasmines, Magnolias, Wistarias,
Solanums, Smilaxes, Passifloras, Myrtles, Spirzeas, Hscallonias,
Edwardsias, Ceanothus, &c., and many unnamed things, some
of good promise, sent home to Lady Louisa from friends in
India and Australia. The entrances to this garden at F and G,
and also in the centre of the south wall opposite a transverse
walk, are by rich iron gates of an azure blue and gold colour.
The sides of the walks are roughly ribboned with flowers, and
rows on the sides of the transverse walk of the Anemone japonica
were very striking, the masses of flowers being nearly a yard in
width.

Against the north wall of this garden, are five lean-to fruit-

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 75

houses devoted to Vines and Peaches. The wood of the latter
was in excellent order, and the same might be said of the Vines.
In one house were some excellent late Grapes in September, and
looking as if they would keep good for some time. The wood
was also firm, strong, and short-jointed. The treatment of these
Vines is one of the most singular of which we ever heard. Mr.
McDonald stated that three years before they were in a bad
state, all was done to coax them by surfacings, &c., and though
the leaves became better, no young wood of any size would come,
and from examining the roots he had little hopes of their being
easily improved. There was no opportunity for a large job being
done, so about the new year he set to work with a saw, and cut
clean over every Vine, about 6 inches below the surface. The
old roots were grubbed-up, and only a small bit of border made.
Of course, every attention was paid to these old Vine-stems, and
the movements of the sap watched most attentively, until the
white fat spongioles were running out by the foot. The result
in the autumn, as specified above, was not only good fruit, but
fine healthy wood. One great advantage from such a cutting-
down mode is, that like the roots from a bad cutting, the roots.
would all come from a common centre—a matter of more im-
portance than is generally imagined; Mr. McDonald haying
proved over and over again, that two or three sets of roots will
never produce fine, regular, well-coloured Grapes—a fact which
should be considered by those who think they increase strength
by laying the stems of their Vines in a house. We suppose we
must have looked a little incredulous about this sawing-over of
Vines, for we were desired to examine the cut stems, which we
did, and saw the strong fresh roots issuing from above the cus
part. This beats all our root-lifting hollow; but, then, we fear,
it would require the attendance of a McDonald to make it
answer 80 well and go early. R. Fisx.
(Lo be continued.)

RHODODENDRON JASMINIFLORUM (JssmMrne-FLOWERED RHODODENDRON).

Nat. ord., Wricacee. Linn., Decandria Monogynia. At the | 14 foot high, the branches bare of leaves below, and knotted
first exhibition of flowers at the Chiswick Gardens of the year | where they had been inserted. Leaves crowded towards the

1850, few plants ex-
cited greater attention
among the visitors
most distinguished
for taste and judg-
ment, than the one
here figured, from the
nursery of Messrs.
Veitch, of Exeter.
Many excelled it in
splendour; but the
delicacy of form and
colour of the flowers
(white with a deep
pink eye), and pro-
bably their resem-
blance to the favourite
Jasmine (some com-
pared them to the
equally fayourite Ste-
phanotis), attracted
general notice. <A re-
markable character of
its flowersis the great
length and straight-
ness of the tube. It
is a native of Mount.
Ophir, Malacca; ele-
vation 5000 feet;
having been there dis-
covered by Mr. Thos.
Lobb, and transmit-
ted to the nursery of
Messrs. Veitch. It
seems a ready flow-
erer. The specimen
here figured was
drawn in September of 1849, and still finer flowering piants were
shown at the May Exhibition at Chiswick, in 1850.
Description.—A small shrub, ag reared by Messrs. Veitch,

iM)
es" i

Rhododencron jasminiflorum.

form, downy. e ,
greenhouse shrub, and its flowers are fragrant.— (Botanical

Magazine.)

upper part of the
branches, lowermost
ones _ subverticillate,
on short petioles, obo-
yato-oblong, rather
acute, glabrous, nearly
coriaceous. | Umbel
terminal, many-flow-
ered. Peduncles one-
flowered, short, with
small reddish bracteas
at the base, and, as
well as the very small,
shallow, obscurely
five-lobed calyx, lepi-
dote. Corolla salver-
shaped, white, slightly
tinged with rose be-
low the limb; the
tube 2 inches long,
straight, scarcely gib-
bous at the base: the
limb spreading, of five
obovate wavy lobes,
almost exactly equal.
Stamens ten. Fila-
ments filiform,downy,
as long as the tube.
Anthers red (forming
a red eye, as seen at
the mouth of the white
corolla). Ovary oh-
long-cylindrical, lepi-
dote, 5-celled, gland-
ular at the base.
Style rather shorter
than the stamens, fili-
Stigma dilated, obtuse, green. It is.a warm

76 ' JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

THE GOOD-GRACIOUS PANSY.

I RECEIVED my share of the remonstrance againat this name
from Mr. P. H. Gosse in the spirit in which he gives it, and
thank him for it. Itis true I did not invent the name as he
admits; and I trust he will believe me when I say, it is equally
true that if I had thought it an “unseemly name,” I should
never have used it; but I never did think so, nor do I now.
Af there were no “essential difference ” between Good Gracious
and ‘Good God,” should we say “Most Gracious Majesty ? ”
or “(Her Majesty graciously condescended to ‘accept a nosepay
of the Good-Gracious Pansy from her Grace the Duchess of
Sutherland?”

The same objection was raised when the “ Good-Gracious
Polyanthus” came out, by the lady who owned the Hxperi-
mental Garden, and who was sister-in-law to the late Bishop
Blomfield. The question was referred to ‘his lordship, and his
very words were, “Cardinal Beaton is right :” therefore I would
not repudiate this name.—D. Braton.

HUYSHE’S VICTORIA PHAR.

_ THERE is, perhaps, no fruit so capricious in its periods of
tipening as the Pear. The above sort, for the most part, ripens
before Huyshe’s Bergamot ; but this season it is keeping longer
than it. My. Huyshe writes me, that he has two or three
hundred specimens that are likely to keep well for three weeks
to come. What is still more remarkable, it is far superior in
‘quality to the Bergamot, which has hitherto been considered
the better Pear of the two. It may, indeed, be considered one
‘of the most delicious Pears known.

I ate part of one to-day, January 15, and compared it with

" Joséphine de Malines (some of which have ripened prematurely),

4 standard of excellence, and was interested in the variation of
their flavour, yet both delicious. The Victoria, with the melting
flesh and abundant juice of the Marie Louise, has a delicious
perfume, recalling that of Gansel’s Bergamot. The Joséphine
de Malines, alike/melting and juicy, has a favour quite peculiar
tojitself and equally pratifying.

It would seem, from what I learn from the reverend gentle-
man ‘who raised the Victoria and the Bergamot, that the latter,
this season, has been fine only from a south wall, so that it
probably requires.a warm season to bring out its qualities,

The Victoria is hardier and “is always good,” so that it may
‘be planted asa pyramid in any of our counties favourable to
Pear-eulture. This very valuable Pear is likely to supersede
many of our winter varieties—such as Glou Morceau, Beurré
Diel, and others, not only because the tree is hardier, but from
its Havour being, like the Prince of Wales Pear (a néw kind
@aised by Mr. Huyshe, and recently reported on by him), quite
‘ exquisite.”

Many Pears have ripened here prematurely this season.
Winter Nelis, Glou Morceau, Beurré Diel, and some others
ripened early,in November, and were not up to their usual
quality.

Mr. Scott does not give a true description, page 29, of the
Waster Bergamot, or Bergamotte de Paques. This sort keeps
-4ill April, and is always crisp, poor, and worthless.

The Doyenné Goubault is also-a crisp Pear, seldom or never
becoming soft, and keeping till June. This is, by ‘some mistake,
wrongly described in the “ Manual,” and in one or'two French
eatalogues, The Pear is large and nearly round, like its con-
gener, Bezi Goubault, and, like that, it will keep plump and

sound till Pears come again, and may then be thrown away.| oval, golden colour, juicy, riclily-flavoured, parts ‘readily from

—T. R.

[A short time ago we were favoured with a small basket of
frnit of Huyshe’s Victoria by Messrs. Lucumbe, Pince & Co,, of

Exeter, to whom Mr. Huyshe presented the stock of this valu-.

able ‘variety. In regard of flayour, we never tasted anything
more rich or delicious in a Pear ; and we can quite confirm the
statement of “TD. R.” when he says, “It may be considered one
of the most delicious Pears known.”—Eps. J. oF Hi]

FORMING A ROOKERY.

Your correspondent of last month will find on taking an
‘old rook’s nest from an existing rookery, and tying it securely
and neatly to the top of one of his own trees, that, probably,
‘during the next building season, others will be added toiit,

[ January 27, 1863.

I have heard that an old broom tied securely in a similar
manner will attract rooks, A nest to each, or every other tree if
many, as convenient, would be advisable, as I take it the knowing
ones prefer an inhabited spot to solitude. It is necessary that
the trees should be high and otherwise to their taste—Hlm or
Beech are preferred._Hpwakp Norra.

PORTRAITS OF PLANTS, FLOWERS, AND
FRUITS.

SoONERILA GRANDIFLORA (Large-flowered Sonerila).—2Waé-
ord,, Melastomaces. ZLinn., Triandria Monogynia.—Native ‘of
the Nilgherry Mountains. Introduced by Messrs. Low &'Son,
Clapton Nursery. Flowers in October. Colour deep purplish-
crimson.— (Botanical Magazine, t. 5854.)

TRIcYRTIS HIETA (Hairy, or Thunberg’s Tricyrtis).—Wat.
ord., Uvularie. Zinn., Hexandria Trigynia.—It has also.been
called Uvularia hirta. Mr. Fortune found it im Japan. It
flowered in November at Mr. Standish’s, Bagshot Nursery.
Flowers pearly white dotted with purple.—(Zbid., ¢. 5355.)

PITCAIRNIA PUNGENS (Spinose Pitcairnia).—at. ord., Bro-
meliacee. Linn., Hexandria Monogynia.—Native of the Andes
in New Granada. Wlowers, or, rather, perianths, orange red.
“ A very handsome greenhouse plant.” —(Zbid., ¢. 5356.)

CoRYSANTHES LIMPATA (White-edged Corysanthes).—Wat.
ord., Orchidacese. ZLinn., Gynandria Monandria — his. per-
fect gem” was introduced from Java by Mr. W. Bull, Nursery,
King’s Road, Chelsea. Flowers in October. “Decidedly the
most exquisite little plant of its size, 4 inches high, that ever
came under our notice.’ Stem transparent, its solitary leaf

vividly green and white-veined ; petals rich purple edged ‘with.

white.—(Zdid., t. 5857.)

Smpum S1eBonpir (Siebold’s Sedum).—A Stonecrop from
Japan. Introduced by Messrs. Henderson, Pine Apple Place.
Leaves glaucous, tinged with purple. Flowers purplish-rose.
(Lbid., t. 5858.)

DAMMARA ORIENTALIS (Dammara, or Amboyna Pitch-Pine).
—VWNat. ord., Conifers. ZLinn., Dicwcia Polyandria.—Native of
Moluccas. “Perhaps the rarest of all the Conifers cultivated in
Hurope.”—(Zbid., t. 5359.) ;

Tropmotum Bat or FirE.—Raised by Mr. Harman, of Ux-
bridge. Profuse bloomer. Flowers intense ‘searlet.—(#Voratl
Magazine, pl. 129.)

Panstms.—Raised by Mr. W. Dean, Bradford Nursery, Shipley.
Impératrice Eugénie, white, margined with bluish-purple. ar-
lequin, yellow, singularly marked with purple. Admiration,
and King of Italy.—(Ibid., pl. 130.)

VaRirGarep Sonanum (Solanum capsicastrum).—Introduced
by Messrs. E. G. Henderson & Co., St. John’s Wood. Leaves
almost entirely pale yellow.—(Lbid., pl. 131.)

CHRYSANTHEMUMS, LARGE-FLOWESRED.—Dwo ‘beattiful in-
curved flowers. Her Majesty, outer petals pale pink, inner
petals silvery white. Lord Palmerston, dark rosy petals, silvery
tipped. Raised by Mr. Salter, Versailles Nursery, Hammer-
smith.—(Zbid., pl. 182.),

Rosr AnpRé Leroy p’ANGERS.—A seedling from Général
Jacqueminot. Raised by M. Victor Trouillard, of Angers. In-
troduced by Mr. Standish, Bagshot. Flowers large, cupped,
very rich deep velvety purple crimson.— (Florist and Pomologist,
No. 13. ;

ee Gorprn Esprrzy.—Called also Drap d’ Or d Hsperen.
Raised by Major Esperen, of Malines. First-rate dessort fruit ;

the stone. —(Jbid.)

METEOROLOGY OF 1862.
SOMERSET.

I wave no doubt you have many readers who feel much
pleasure in recurring to the thoughts and ‘feelings as ‘well as
the deeds of a year gone by, and who find it refreshing to be
able to fall back upon the daily remarks made in their journal
for the purpose of comparing notes with other individuals at
a distance, or to observe the changes made and their ‘results
on the scene of their labours. How easy to retrace our steps
through the thicket or the jungle after leaving substantial Jand-
marks on our journey through! And every one that'makes his
daily memoranda is fixing landmarks that’ will not ‘only point

January 27, 1863. |

out the way ho has travelled, but will materially assist him on
his journey onwards. i

The following remarks bearing upon the objects of THE
JOURNAL OF HorticuLTURE are a few of the-landmarks just as
they were made in each passing month for a local purpose, and
are an abbreviated copy of my journal.

JANUARY.—Tho new year came in dull, calm, and quiet, just
as the old year passed away. On the whole, the temperature
has been rather mild for the season, with a greater quantity of
rain and more rainy days than generally occur when the weather
in, this month is considered seasonable.

FEBRUARY came in mild, and continued so up to the 6th;
then frosty more or less to the 17th; to the 24th mild with
misty rain; afterwards slight frosts and fine weather for com-
meneing gardening operations. The land is healthier now than
it has been for some time. A very small amount of rain has
fallen during the month.

Marcu.—The first five days were cold and wintry, and rain
and snow have fallen to a considerable extent throughout, with
cold winds prevailing, and little or no sunshine in most places.
The grass land is tolerably healthy, and with a moderately fine
time in April grass will not be late; but the arable land is
sodden, and, except on licht lands nothing can be done towards
sowing or planting with any advantage. ‘The rain has been inan
excess here of 90 per cent.

Aprit.—The month of April, considered in its seasonable
character, may be said to have been favourable. Although the
temperature has not been so high as in previous years, yet the
nights have been warm; and the latter half of the month being
free from frost with a fair amount of sunshine, great progress
has been made in agriculture and gardening, and a rapid advance
made in vegetation, so that the trees and hedges are clothed as
if by magic, and all nature looks in a highly prosperous and
smiling condition.

May.—The natural scenery of May is perhaps gayer and more
lovely than that of any other month during the year. The botanist
or the mere lover of flowers or natural scenery can make it the
text-month of the year. Not a day dawns but it brings forth
changes delightful to the lover of a ramble through the woods
and lanes of the neighbourhood. Not a step can he take but
new music bursts forth upon his ear, so that a companion is
often distasteful.

Owing chiefly to the maturing character of the weather during
October of last year, every spray of that summer’s growth was
filled with blossom-buds, so that the arboriculturists of other
lands, that have been attracted through the International Exhi-
bition to this country for the first time, must have received a
fayourable impression from the masses of bloom so universal
during the month of May. Owing tothe vast amount of blossom
on the early fruits, and the favourable weather opening them
almost simultaneously, the demand on the trees was too great
for the supply, and blighted trees and a light crop of fruit will
be the result. In other respects it has been a growing time;
and the heayy torrents of rain that fell on the 29th and 30th,
to more than 2% inches in depth, have done much cleansing
service, particularly in the orchards and other fruit-growing
districts. The average temperature hes been a little below the
ayerage, the year 1861 excepted, which was a very cold season.
There have been no hot days and no frosts at night.

JUNE.— When spring has yielded to summer and the flowers
are more numerous, the leaves thicker, and the grass and foliage
of a deeper green, this is a most delightful month for a morning
or evening ramble. It is on such evenings as closed the month,
with the sun going down in all his gorgeousness and tinting
the trees with gold, that the lights and shades of our neighbour-
ing vales can be seen and felt in all their calm, silent, beauty and
splendour. There have been but few such evenings during the
month, and as a consequence they have been the more appreciated.
There has been an absence of hot sunshine usually enjoyed and
expected at this season of the year, and a preponderance of cold
blighting winds, which have kept a large portion of vegetation
at almost a standstill, and introduced the Potato-disease earlier
than usual; but the fine weather that set-in in the latter part
of the month has stayed its progress, it is to be hoped effectually,
for some weeks to come. ‘The last fortnight was good hay-
making weather, and doubtless taken advantage of. On soils
with a good porous subsoil the crop has been heavy, but on
cold undrained lands it is light and poor. The Turnip-fly has
been hitherto very destructive with all the Cabbage tribe. It
is to be hoped July will: prove more favourable in the Swede-

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER, 7

growing districts. This has been the coldest June for several
years—even colder than the June of 1860, when more than
7 inches of rain fell.

Juny.—Our Anglo-Saxon ancestors called July Med monath
(Mead month), from the meads being then in their bloom, but
the month of July, 1862, has been an exception to the general
rule, Wild flowers have been very scarce, and the few that
have been seen have not come in due season, and the green-lane
rambler feels disappointed as he wends his way in search of his
favourites; but doubtless the coldness of the season has been
the chief cause. The month of July is generally considered to
be the warmest month of the year; but we hope it will be an ex-
ception in this respect also, for it has hardly reached the average
temperature of May, and the temperature of May in the years
1858 and 1859 was considerably higher.

Avaust.—Lammas-day. The 1st of the month is also called
the Gule of August. ‘This day, called by our Anglo-Saxon
ancestors Hlaf Messe (Loaf Mass), was the feast of thanks-
giving for the firstfruits of the corn ; but owing to the coldness
of the season there was but very little ripe corn on the 1st of the
month. The weather proved more favourable than in the pre-
vious month, and, with the exception of being a little later than
is usually the case, the harvest so far has been tolerably satis-
factory. In this neighbourhood generally the garden fruits have
been deficient and haye disappeared as if by magic. Very little
to be seen in the market any part of this month.

SEPTEMBER.—The weather has been very favourable for the
ripening end the carrying-in of the late harvest, the average
temperature having been higher both night and day than in
recent years, though it has been no higher during the hottest
part of the day. The range of the thermometer has been but
very little, and the same temperature continuing almost from
morning till night caused many people to think the weather was
much warmer than it really was. ‘The flower gardens are gayer
now than they have been at any time during the summer.
Although the Potato disease has not been so destructive as was
expected earlier in the summer, the crop generally is small, yet
the price rules low.

OcropER is more fertile in fruits than in flowers, and the
wild nosegay gathered now is a small one, but the rambler is
fully compensated in the beautiful tints the foliage is receiving
during the early and middle portion of the month, but towards
the close the Horse Chestnut, the Lime, and the Poplar were
partially denuded of their autumnal beauties, and after a few
more frosts equal to the one on the 30th, the landscape will
bea barren one. The swallows and martens have left this year
earlier than usual, owing, no doubt, to the extreme wetness and
coldness of the season.

In an agricultural point of view, October has been unfavour--
able. The Swede and the Mangold have not made much progress:
in size, and are generally small. The land has been too wet in
most places for Potato-lifting and Wheat-planting to be carried
on advantageously; yet where the Wheat was planted early
and now up, it is generally looking healthy.

Novemerr, characteristically a dull, dreary, melancholy, foggy
period, came in and went out quite true to its character. It
is the connecting link between autumn and winter in a me-
teorological point of view, which is generally severed suddenly
and unexpectedly, as was the case on the 23rd, with 16° of frost
and freezing all day in the shade. After this we may well say
with the immortal Hood, ‘“‘ Where is the pride of summer?”
Such an early and impetuous rush into winter, clipping autumn
of its beauties, leaves him who “ finds tongues in trees” dull and
monotonous walks for a very long period, still during the month
the weather has been more favourable than it frequently is
in Noyember. ‘There have been no storms or hurricanes, and
although there has been more than the average amount of
frost, we haye had a fair compensating amount of sunshine and
very little rain.

DECEMBER, in contrast with the month of November has
been a month of most extraordinary mildness—so much so, that
its average has been considerably above that of the last thirty-five
orforty years. What would make it appear more so is, that the
range of the thermometer has been very small, there having been
no warm sunny days or sharp frosts af night. _In many places.
the grass has become quite fresh and green. That the weather
has been pleasant is very generally admitted, but to be pleasant
and beneficial are quite different matters. Undoubtedly the
weather has been unseasonable, and either directly or indirectly
| the consequences will be felt in both animal and vegetable life ;

78 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

for a mild growing time is by no means natural with short dull
days and long nights.

TEMPERATURE AND RAINFALL AT FROME.

So lhs | Ss lae)ea 1 oe is
Sa )35|/88 |a2) Peg | cee | so
1862. ae |os|8e| 98 |Se2 | ses | eed
o5 oa mi Do Saez else Sos
re eal ie Sune ee So] oad abs
= 2 e Of | GHA | faa | oka
a@]/>8]/62188) ea 3 o
He |}<8)48|<2)4 SNe
iD. Lo} oO o
JANUATY.......00000 0+ 50 bi 20 32 18 3.32 16
TVebruary ee) fay 40 15 34 19 0.31 14
54 43% 18 35 18 5.33 11
64 504 25 384 14 3,32 5
68 60 37 45 15 00 on
67 614 | 40 47 16 3.08 acd
68 63 37 47 18 2.35 dda
69 64 36 49 11 2.00 mee
67 62 32 47 14 2.77 1
64 55 25 44 24 4,40 2
63 45 16 30 Il 1.05 PAE
December... 54 46% | 28 37 18 2.08 8
MOtaliars.css ter iets m9 one 335 187 35.01 78

Negretti and Zambra’s patent maximum thermometer in the
shade, 4 feet from the ground.

Minimum thermometer tested by the above, 18 inches from
the ground, exposed.

Rain-gauge 3 inches above the ground._Tuz Docror’s Boy,
Hrome, Somerset.

EFFECTS OF CROSSING.

I NEVER saw anything of the kind mentioned by Mr. Ander-
son-Henry at page 46; but Girtner and Herbert both give
instances where more seeds are fertilised by a congener than by
the plant itself. Dr. Herbert says (“ Amaryllidaces,” 351) :—
“Thad a pod from Crinum capenee fertilised by revolutum, in
‘which every ovule produced a seedling plant, which I never saw
to occur in a case of its natural fecundation.” On the same
page it is said that Gartner “cites from Kolreuter, that Datura
Metel and levis have each about six hundred seeds in a capsule ;
he found that a capsule from one of them fertilised by the other
contained 640.”—D. Braton.

DISTRESSED LANCASHIRE WORKINGMEN
BOTANISTS.

I HAVE received, from the same lady who sent me the first
lot of clothing, 100 pairs of socks and stockings, 12 pairs of
cotton sheets, and 35} yards of tweed for petticoats. This gift
will enable me to give to each person 2 psirs of stockings, for
Ihave acted on the following plan :—Where I found two grown-
up females, I gave them 3 pairs of stockings between them, and
the same with males, in order to make the money go as far as
possible.

Next week, the botanists who have received aid in this hour
of trial from your many kindhearted readers, propose to thank
both you and them for such beneficial sympathy, and, with one
exception, timely aid. There is one family, who, I am sorry
to say, starved too long to preserve their health, and now three
of the family are ill, and one has gone. The doctor who attends
them assured me that their illness had been brought on by in-
sufficient food. The parents had done everything they could to
keep from the parish, and the father had only had parish relief
two weeks before I made my appeal in your paper, though he
had been out of work ten months, and had a wife with six
yeung children to keep. This family has been my heaviest
charge, and will be for some time, for there is no sign of the
mill starting at which the father worked.—Joan Haavz, 36,
Mount Street, Ashton-under-Lyne.

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY’S MEETING.
Tur January Meeting of the Entomological Society was held
on the Sth inst., the President Occupying the chair, and was

well attended, considering the season of the year and state of
the weather.

Among the donations received since the last Meeting, were

[ January 27, 1863,

the publications of the Royal Society, and continuations of
Kroyer’s new Natural History Journal published at Copenhagen
and Mr. Hewitson’s fine work on exotic Butterflies.

The energetic Treasurer of the Linnean and Horticultural
Societies, W. W. Saunders, Haq. exhibited some interesting
varieties of Galls: one of considerable size, a Root Gall, found
at the root of Oak trees near Reigate; another of the size of a
double fist, found also on the roois of a tree in the Zoolu country,
South Africa, by Mr. Cooper, together with a third kind, which
grows in clusters like grapes on the stems of a species of Cissus,
also in the Zoolu country. He also exhibited a species of
Bruchus, which lives in the beautiful seeds of Hrythrina Saunder-
sonii in Natal, each seed being infested by from one to four
specimens of these obnoxious insects.

Mr. 8. Stevens exhibited a monstrous specimen of Papilio
pammon, collected in the Sulu Islands by Mr. Wallace, one of
the hind wings of which was not more than half the normal
size. Also a fine species of the very rare genus of Beetles,
Psalidognathus.

Mr. Laing exhibited a beautiful green variety of Hllopia
prasinaria taken on palings at Charlton; and Mr. Bibbs, some
remarkable yarieties of Butterflies and Moths taken near
Worcester, including a suffused dark specimen of Vanessa
urtice, a nearly white variesy of Arctia caja, two varieties of
Clisiocampa lanestris with a large red spot on the wings.

Professor Westwood exhibited a pouch or bag of a strong
leathery texture, having the outside of floss silk, formed by a
colony of caterpillars (of some kind of Moth ?) on trees in
tropical Africa, communicated by Vernon Wollaston, Esq.
Numerous places of exit were formed in this bag, each having
the threads of which it is formed convergent, as in the cocoon of
the Emperor Moth. Also a number of preparations of mined
leaves fixed upon glass, showing the caterpillars within the
mines, when held against the light, and which had been prepared
by Mr. 8. Stone, of Brighthampton,

General Sir J. B. Hearsey exhibited a collection of the
Sphingide of India, containing thirty-two species, several of
which appeared to be undescribed; and Mr. Perey Wormold a
new British species of Trichoptera, being the Limnephilus
nobilis of Kolenati, taken at Ruislip, Middlesex.

The following memoirs were read :— )

1. Descriptions of a number of new species of the Coleo-
pterous genus Catascopus collected by Mr. Wallace, being a
supplement to a monograph on the genus recently communicated
to the Society by Mr. W. W. Saunders.

2. A memoir of considerable extent on the geographical distri-
bution and range of the Butterflies of Hurope, by Mr. Kirby.

3. A memoir on Omalium riparium, and two species of
Homalota, genera belonging to the family Staphylinide, by
Mr. G. R. Waterhouse.

4, On the descriptions of Ants of Equatorial Africa contained
in M. Du Chaillu’s book of travels by Mr. F. Smith. In this
work ten kinds of Ants are described, and accounts given of
their habits, the most remarkable being that of the Bastrykooyah
Ant, a most ferocious species which travels about in large armies,
devouring everything which falls in its way, fearing not even to
attack and kill the Python itself. From an examination of the
accounts piven of this family of insects by different authors, it
became evident that M. Du Chaillu’s account was concocted
from Mr. Savage’s history of an Ant inhabiting the same
country, Anomma rubellum ; whilst M. Du Chaillu’s illustration
of the species was a copy of a figure of some species of Termes,
and did not even represent an Ant.

5. Descriptions of a number of new species of Nocturnal
Lepidoptera, collected in South Africa by Mr. d’Urban, by Mr.
Francis Walker.

6. A memoir on Lucanus Lama, of Olivier, and its synonymy
by Major F. Parry.

SPARROW-KILLING NOT MURDER.

I HAVE often seen both letters and articles in the London
newspapers many times, and also quotations from French
journals, condemning and ridiculing Hnglish farmers for destroy-
ing their best friends, the sparrows. I am nota farmer, but I
do know the difference between a house sparrow and a hedoe
sparrow—the latter being really the farmers’ friend, but the
former his most destructive enemy. The male and female hedge
sparrow closely resemble the hen house sparrow, and few but

January 27,1863. ]

bird-fanciers know one from the other. The habits, however,
are totally different. Hedge sparrows ere sweet song-birds, and
are to be seen in almost every garden, but never in large flocks
like the common or house sparrow. ‘The latter lives entirely
upon seed; and I am sure that any bird-fancier will bear me
out in saying that no one ever saw a common sparrow eat a
grub, a slug, or any other insect, save and except in their
breeding season. ‘They will then sometimes eat a very few small
green insects, such as are to be found upon Rose trees (I think
then more as a medicine than for food); but the number they
take is so few that a thousand of them would scarcely clear a
small Rose tree if much blighted with these insects. If any
dispute what I say, let them try the experiment by putting up a
score of these birds in a room, give them plenty of grubs or any
other insects they please (if nothing else can be got, mealworms
can always be procured from the bird-fanciers), with plenty of
water of course, and they will not find one of them alive in three
days; but let them put up the same number of hedge sparrows
(which have been mistaken for the common hen sparrow), give
them the same food in abundance—for they are great devourers
of insects of almost every kind—and they will find these birds
will live, in a short time sing, and do well. If fresh-caught
birds, some few of them may die from confinement, as is the
case with all wild birds, but enough will survive to prove the
truth of what I have written; and it is surprising to me that
farmers, who haye been so condemned for a supposed folly,
should not have thought it worth while to disabuse the public
mind upon this (to them) important subject. I say important,
for I have seen fields of Wheat, particularly along the hedge-
rows, almost entirely destroyed for many feet in by these mis-
called ‘farmers’ friends.” So much for our British farmers.

Now with regard to colonists. You say that the Governor of
one of our colonies imported sparrows at a cost of £6 per dozen.
I hope they were not the common house sparrow. Should any
ore wish to introduce birds into colonies—and many of our
British birds would be very useful in destroying insects—they
may easily tell which would be most suitable for this purpose by
the beak; those that live upon insects have a much softer beak
than those that live upon seeds. The seed birds have a hard,
sharp-edged beak like that of the common sparrow, canary, or
any of the finches, linnets, &e., none of which ever eat insects.
lo Wo

(Your pages have for some time past contained many most
able letters, p70 and con., regarding the cruelty or expediency of
house-sparrow extirpation, in corn-growing districts especially ;
and, as truth alone is your object in all such practical dis-
cussions, I enclose this letter, which appeared in the Standard,
and which I fully endorse, after many years’ study of the
habits of both the hedge and house sparrow genus. I have
here scores of the former, and hundreds of the latter; the first
enlivening my garden hedges and shrubberies with their cheer-
ful notes, the last swarming in my evergreens and Ivy-matted
walls and outbuildings! Indeed I have encouraged these colonies
of merry chirpers, never allowing any to be killed, nor their
nests to be taken, in the fond belief that I was harbouring an
insectivorous bird in so doing! But alas! I must now record a
verdict of graminiyorous against my old pets, and, partial as I
am to birds of all kinds, must fain condemn the house sparrow
and tomtit as destructive to buds, grain, Peas, and bush-fruit.—
AupbrI ALTERAM Parrem, Aldwick, Sussex.

P.S.—I hope you will find room for “J.V’s.” letter, were it
only to plead the cause of that sweet songster, the hedge-
sparrow, which, with the robin, cheers our eight and ear alike in
this leafless season as they hop in our walks and flit in our
hedgerows, melodious all the while !]

WORK FOR THE WEEK.

KITCHEN GARDEN.

As market-gardeners very generally sow their early crops upon
sloping ground it would be advisable for others to adopt the
same practice, by which, among other advantages, more heat and
shelter are obtained. The slopes, of course, should run eas$ and
weet, and are most convenient when about 3 feet 6 inches wide.
They should, if possible, be close to the frame-ground, as many of
the articles—yviz., Radish, Early Horn Carrots, Lettuce, &c., will
require occasional covering with litter, and frequent attention.
Slopes of this kind, after carrying their spring and early summer
crops, will be equally eligible for autumn ones, more especially

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 79

for Endive, autumn Carrots, or for raising the stock of winter
Lettuces. Asparagus, the sooner the beds are manured and soiled
the better. Cauliflower, sow a little seed, if not already done, in
a box to be placed ina house at work. Cabbage, sow a small
quantity of any early dwarf sort—the Vanack or Nonpareil—on
a warm slope, also some white Spanish and Portugal Onions,
and a pinch of arly Dutch Turnip. Parsnips, prepare ground
by trenching or deep digging for sowing shortly. Potatoes,
follow-up planting, at least the early kinds, soil them over
8 inches deep, and draw-off with the rake or hoe 2 or 3 inches
in the early part of Aprilas a clearing process. Sea-/ale, plant ;
also Horseradish and Jerusalem Artichokes as soon as possible.

FLOWER GARDEN.

The season altogether has been most favourable for out-door
improvements and alterations; but tender plants are in a very
forward state, and, therefore, will require to be carefully pro-
tected from frosts. A small piece of ground would be useful as
a reserve-garden for rearing evergreen shrubs—such as Laurels,
Aucubas, Laurustinuses, Berberis, Rhododendrons, Box trees,
&e.—which may be propagated at home or bought in from the
nurserymen when a year or two old at a very trifling cost. They
will come in very useful for filling-up beds or borders in winter,
or for making improvements in the pleasure grounds. Many
collections of Tulips are now so forward that unless protected in
case of frost serious consequences would inevitably result to the
embryo blooms, which, though below the surface, would be in-
juriously affected by it. Ranunculus-beds may be thrown-up in
ridges of about 4 inches, taking care that the lower part of the bed
remain undisturbed. By this means advantage can be taken of the
first fine day for planting, should the weather prove fickle about
the 14th of February ; as when suffered to lie in that state the
surface soil becomes sooner dry, and by simply raking level is
immediately ready for putting in the roots. Polyanthus seeds
may be now sown in pans. Some florists start them in a slight
heat, and when up gradually harden them off. Look over and
correct the general outlines of ornamental plantations. Break
into all hedge-like lines, form bold recesses where space will
admit of it, and endeavour to create variety. Biennials may be
planted in flower-borders or beds. As there is no appearance of
frost, Moss, Provence, and other hardy Roses may now be pruned ;
cut-out as much of the old wood as can be conveniently spared,
and shorten-back young wood to the most prominent buds.
The sooner that all Roses are planted now the better, except
the more tender Chinese kinds. Roll gravel walks, sweep and
clean as often as practicable. Weed Box, Gentian, and other
edgings in mild weather.

FRUIT GARDEN.

Follow-up pruning and nailing. ‘hin orchard trees. Scrub off
American blight with a hard brush. Clean off moss, lichen, &e.
Make cuttings of choice Gooseberries, Currants, &c., taking care
to pick out the buds at the lowest end of the shoot, in order to
avoid suckers.

GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY.

Keep up a mild and sweet atmosphere in the conservatory.
If any plantis a prey to insects remove it immediately, to be
thoroughly cleaned. Slightly increase the supply of water to
the plants in the greenhouse. Keep down green fly. Give
plenty of air, but beware of draughts. Cut down, number, and
remove decayed Chrysanthemums ; let them go dry in a cold pit.
Cinerarias, if cramped in their pots, to be shifted into larger ;
likewise Chinese Primroses for spring work.

FORCING-PIT. :

Introduce bulbs, Roses, Pinks, American shrubs, Lilacs, &e.,
in steady succession. Keep up a bottom heat of 75°, and an
average surface teraperature of 60° at night and 70° by day, with
air occasionally.

PITS AND FRAMES. '

The whole of the Verbenas, Petunias, Ageratums, Heliotropes,
Salvias, and all the softwooded plants for planting-out in the
flower-beds, except the Scarlet Pelargoniums, are best from spring
propagation. Those in the store-pots may now be introduced
into heat for that purpose; but many of them this mild season
can be left till the first crop of cuttings is taken off, as they are
in active growth. If the sorts are not scarce it 18 rather soon yet
to begin with them, as they will require too much room before
they can be planted-out in May. Auriculas to be top-dressed
with two-year-old decayed hotbed manure and leaf soil. Polye

ret

80 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE
authuses prown in pots to be Kept moderately moist, and a
similar top-dressing, to that recommended for the Auricula, will
be of great service to them. W. Keane,

DOINGS, OF THE LAST WEEK.

GENERAL work much the same as the last week. Collecting
leaves, wheeling dung and soil on crispy mornings, and when wet
washing pots, cutting tallies, making stakes, and cutting-up one-
year-old cut branches of spruce into twigs of different lengths
for the flower-beds, thatching hurdles, making rough wooden
portable boxes, &c.

Inthe KitcHEn Garpnn, took the opportunity of a dry day
to stir the ground among Cabbages and Cauliflowers, and to put
the earth close to Broccoli-stems. Stirred the soil among Radishes,
Potatoes, &e. ; put more Potatoes in shallow boxes to start, and
will wait until the ground is more friable and. dry, before sowing
Peas and Beans. We haye had along row. of Parsley under
protection, but as yet it has been little wanted, as the weather
has been ao mild; though unsettled. Several nichts past, though
mild at night, it was frosty, before morning, and yet raining fast,
and the thermometer at 40° by daybreak. At this season, there-
fore, it is scarcely safe to leave pits and frames uncovered, how-
ever mild ithe evening.

FRUIT: GARDEN.

Sprinkled| Vines and Peaches in the middle of the day, ifiat all
warm or sunny, just to\soften the buds. A few of the latter may
be expected to drop, if much has been done to them in the wash-
ing and the dressing way; but that is often an advaptage,
rather than: otherwise, as it: saves thinning so muck, and this,
in general, we are too apt to neglect. Looked over Strawberries
just| moving. Keeping such plants extra damp now is very in-
jurious, being very apt to cause the bud to split or rot at the
centre. It is best, therefore, for the pots at: present in houses
to stand upon dry shelves, or on a little moss, and then thero is
less risk of over-watering. Plants that are forward and swelling
will not hurt much, except as regards flayour; but those just
moving, if/allowed to stand in saucers with an inch of water in
them, are almost sure to suffer from such treatment. It would
be safer under such circumstances to turn the saucer over, and
set the pot on the bottom of the saucer reversed. Pruned all
sorts of trees, when the weather would permit, and moved some
young Vines into an earth-pit, where there was a bed of leaves
just 2 little hot, which bed, by-and-by, will come in for Potatoes.

CONSERVATORY.

Picked all signs of damp from the plants, and put alittle fire
on, especially during the day, to help to dissipate the damp,
giving, more air in. proportion. As the weather.is so uncertain,
shut up pretty early in thevafternoon. All watering is done the
first thing after breakfast, and as little spilled on stage or path
as possible.

STOVE.

Removed Begonias and Poinsettias out of bloom. Set Cala-
diums at rest—that is, their pots on sand to be kept moist,
whilst no water is given to the pots, and| fresh-arranged house,
s0 as to make room for fine-leayed Begonias, Gloxinias, d&c.,
before long. As this house averages only from 50° to 55°, and
in cold nights is more near the former, a hand-light was placed
over the Caladiums to keep them a little warmer. A few
Gloxinias have also been placed in a vinery to start them slowly.
Beneath the stage or platform in the small stove, the Gesnera
zebrina and others have been collected, to rest until wanted.
Such,plants as, Cannas and Hedychiums, that did little good
out, of doors last year, are aleo packed in out-of-the-way places,
where they will, be safe from frost. ‘The Pelargoniums in
vinery were smoked twice, and the earliest are now seeking move
room. Potting young plants was proceeded with as time and
space could be obtained.

COLD PITS.

We hear that’ some were caught as well as ourselves by the
sudden sharp frost of last'week, but from the precautions used,
nothing has suffered. yen the Verbenas that had good
amount of air all night, exhibit no trace of the visitation, but: are
luxuriant and healthy, and show that they are now relishing the
repotting they had from 54’s to $278; the repotting, as you
will recollect, being merely the transferring of a mass of plants {
say three to the inch—from a small pot to a larger one. If
Verbenas are not potted separately in the autumn, we would not

AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ January 27, 1863.
do it until March, unless we could give the pot bottom heat, and
heat and air at top at will.

In a brick cold pit, we observe the Calceolarias, Salvias, &c.,
assuming a yellowish tinge, and we suppose we must let them
wear it a little longer. ‘This is entirely the result of dryness. Were
we sure of such weather, we would water them, and give plenty
of air, and they would soon be green enough, and too close to-
gether at too early a period; but if well watered now, and we
should have a severe frost, they would then be more apt to suffer
from being damp than they would be if dry. We do not expect
such a frost; but it is as well to make sure, and, therefore, such
plants will have little more water for a month to come than a
skiff from the syringe in a sunny day, just to keep them from
flagging.—R, EF. ,

TO CORRESPONDENTS.
«*, We request that no one will write privately to the depart-
mental writers of the “Journal of Horticulture, Cottage
Gardener, and Country Gentleman.” By so doing they
are subjected to unjustifiable trouble and expense. All
communications should therefore be addressed solely to The
Editors of the “ Journal of Horticulture, &c.,” 162, Fleet
Street, London, H.C.
also request that correspondents will not mix up on the
same sheet questions relating to Gardening and those on
Poultry and Bee subjects, if they expect to get them answered
promptly and conyeniently, but write them on separate
communications. Also never to send more than two or
three questions at once.
cannot reply privately to any communication unless under
very special circumstances.

Back Noumszrs (S. R. 7. B.).—We haye received several copies of
Nos. 50, 51, and 52, and'shall be glad of more; but you and several others
who have obligingly sent us copies have omitted'to give your names and
directions, We also want copies of No. 41.

Ganpen Drit.—G. H. wishes to know where he can purchase. one.
We think those who make such horticultural implements would find i¢
profitable to advertise them.

Icz-KERPING (An Hleven-years Subscriber).—At page 14 we stated our
own opinion upon your mode of ice-keeping, and at page 32 Mr. Beaton’s..
We shall be glad to know the result of your trial:wih no ventilation, and
also of the experience of any of our readers who haye tried ventilating
against not ventilating an ice-house.

French Crockwork Founrains (#1. B.).—Our correspondent wishes
to know, where these, to be placed in a greenhouse, can be purchased.

Merton-cunturn (A. Rosling).—We know of no separate work upon
this subject ; but if you refer to the indices of our last three yolumes, yow
will find almost every point in Melon-culture discussed. Also in the last
edition of our ‘Kitchen Gardening for the Many,” you will find a good
epitome of Melon-culture.

Primuta Leaves Droopine (Subscriber, Lee).—Bringing the plants
from the moist air of a greenhouse to the intensely dry air of a sitting
room, will usually produze such flagging of the leaves. We introduce
Primulas in a similar way, but we have either a glass shade over each pot,
or plant the Primulas in a Bijou Plant Case. In neither mode of treatment,
do, the leaves flag; andif you drop a single drop of gum water into the
centre opening of each flower, it lasts longer in beauty.

FIELD Micz Barxine Horires.— W. Hill will be glad of a hint as to.
the best way of getting rid of these pests. The woods and plantations are
swarming with them. Quantities of Hollies, planted-out last April, are
completely stripped of the bark from 2 to 8 feet high. Phosphorus poiton.
has been tried, but this seems to have no effect. Poisoned grain would be
dangerous on account of the Game.

Gruss at THE Roor or A Fern (C. G., Stafford).—The Fern is Asple-
nium viviparum. The grubs are the larve of Bibio Marci, a two-winged
fly, which appears in great numbers, in early spring. The grubs feed
chiefly on decaying vegetable matter; but they also devour roots of plants,
especially if not in good health. Lime water or gas tar water would
doubtless dislodge them.— W. W.

Scorcu Fir Fence (B. B.).—We' presume the line of trees you speak
of, 5 or 6 feet high, has been planted either for shelter or ornament, as.
the Scotch Fir will be useless as a fence against cattle. Assuming it to be
for one of the first-named purposes, and to consist of a single row of trees
which are becoming naked at the bottom, we fear they have already stood
too long untouched); but if they are still green at the bottom, thin them
by taking away one-half of the number. If this is likely to make the place
look naked, mark the trees yor intend to remain, and cut away the
lower branches of the others on the sides they touch and interfere with
the permanent trees. This precaution ought to be taken in time, in order
to retain the bottom branches as long as possible on the trees intended to,
make the future boundary; but this cannot haye a permanent effect, as the
natural habit of the tree to shed its lower branches will manifest itself in
time: therefore, for a screen or fence under 12 feet high, we should have
preferred Holly. or Laurel; but as it is we would net advise youto clip the
Scotch Firs, You may, however, top them if you do not want them here-
after for timber; but we would not advise more heing cut-off than Jast
year’s shoots, If space and other circumstances allow of it, it would be
better to plant a xow.of Laurel or Holly in front of the Firs, if the latter
have lost their green branches at, the bottom; for, alike a deciduous tree,
the Scotch Fir never regains its lower branches. and clipping only helps ta
destroy the green, ;

We

January 27, 1863. ]

JARGONELLE P#AR Tree 2 on 3 FRET VRow THE Wat (A. B. C.).—
If your tree is healthy and vigorous, it might be very safely cut-down, so
as to leave all the principal branches a foot long, or even less than that if
you can find asmooth place, whero we would advise the branch to be grafted.
Even if you thought of continuing the same kind, it would be as well to
put-in sonie grafts in the ordinary way of crown-grafting, as the shoots
from them could be made to point more in the direction they are wanted
to grow, than if produced from the trunk of the tree. Other kinds might
also be introduced at pleasure. April is soon enough for grafting in this
way, but your sciors onght to be in readiness before. Although few Pears
excel the Jargonelle, we would, nevertheless, try some later kind, as Glou
Moreeau, Beurré d’Aremberg, Marie Louise, Vicar of Winkfield, and
others. If the tree is very vigorous, it would be as well to root-prune it
4 little at the time it is cut-down; otherwise the superabundance of sap
may seek for itself some other outlet than the limited one left for it.
Your former letters, which you say were addressed to us on other subjects,
have either rot come to hand, or have been answered in a way in which
you may have overlooked them.

Youne Brancnes or PEAcu Trees Dytne (Z. G.).—The roots of the
trees against the back wall of your orchard-house have either been kept
too dry, or they have descended into an ungenial subsoil. If the latter
Supposition is the truth, you must cut away those roots, and by surface-
manuring slightly, and mulching, induce the roots to keep more upwards.
The tree which bore no fru‘t had sufficient sap to perfect its young wood;
the trees well laden with fruit had not such sufficiency.

Grass Lasers (W. 7’. S. A.).—Our correspondent wishes to know where
glass labels for Rose trees are to be had. We make them for ourselves by
making a glazier scratch with his diamond the names on strips of glass.
In notches filed on the ecges, wire may be fastened for attaching them to

che trees,

PHYCELLA HERBERT AND CyrELLA Herbert Curture (7.).—All the
Phycellas, and all other bulbs from the same country, Chili, ave very pre-
carious when grown in pots. They do much better in raised borders
under a south wall. Your dry bulb of Phycella Herberti ought now to be
just pushing the points of the roots ‘from the black bulb after having
been at rest since last August. None of the Phycellas should ever have peat
in pots, nor be watered after the end of August until February; and
as they cast the old roots like Hyacinths, they are more safe out of the
pots packed in sand in a box or drawer, and should be repotted carly in
February in good loam made light with sand, and the bulbs covered up to
the neck with the soil. ‘The greenhouse is too hot for them at the time of
‘lowering, or after the leaves have finished their growth early in June,

‘and itis in the excitement of overheat that causes them to go wrong, fail

of flowering, and keep green out of season. A cold-pit ‘reatment is best for
them. Cypella Herberti ought to grow and bloom freely enough in a
greenhouse in June and July if it had a winter’s rest, and was in halt peat
and half loam the previous season; but many greenhouses are more for
roasting plants in summer than helping them on. All such summer-
growing bulbs do better in damp cold pits than in most greenhouses from
April to October.

i GLADIOLUSES IN Pots (A Cottage Gardener).—All that you and your
friends have to do with your new purchases of Gladioluses, is to put them
in No. 48-pots, one root in each, during the middle of February. Place

the bulbs just within the soil, which should be as for Fuchsias, rather

damp but not wet or dry, and do not water them, but put them out of
sight somewhere, a cool cellar being the best place'till the leaf is half an
inch out of the ground; then acold frame to the second week in May.
Plant them then, where Cauliflowers would be likely to succeed well, in
the garden, orif they are to be kept in pots repot them, and keep to the
Same first-class Fuchsia compost.

AMARYLLIs ({dem).—There are several kinds, and every kind requires a
different treatment; but if we knew your sort we would aid you.

CLIMBER FOR A SHADED Moss-HovsE (j/7. H. B.).—As you did not men-
tion the part of the country or of the three kingdoms where the moss-
house is, all we can do is to answer as if it were on the shore of the Pent-
land Firth, to make sure of our selection being fit for the moss-house.
And the best climber we know for a moss-house on the Pentland Firth is the
Ruga Rose ; it will cover it all over very soon, but not so thickly as to spoil
the thatch. Gourds of all kinds are grown in the open air.

VaRIEGATED Mint as Evaine (Zdem).—It will certainly make edgings
mot more than 4 inches high in one season in the strongest and richest
land if it is treated properly, as we last season reported from the prac-
tice of Mr. Eyles at South Kensington, and also as we have often stated
in these pages.

_ Mosses (Afoss).—C is Hypnum proliferum of Linnwus, and Hypnum
recognitum of ‘ English Botany.” G is Hypnum cupressiforme of Linnus,
and nigroviride of ‘* English Botany.” he ‘class of Mosses to which these
Delong,” is that in which the theca is lateral—that is, the flower and
fruitstalk come from the sides of the Moss plants, not irom the top, or
terminal, as in the Bog Moss or sphagnum.

CHRYSANTHEMUMS Nov BLoomine (Jd@em).—The reason why your Chry-
santhemums do not, or did not, open their flower-buds in the greenhouse
is, that they were too late in forming the flower-buds. Jf you could intro-
‘duce the plants to stove heat, and give them as much as 60° at night, and
plenty of water, every one of them would open. We have seen such a
thing forty years ago.

YELLOW-BERRIED Hotty (Idem).—It is not very common, although
there is no reason why it should be scarce. There is only one way of
propagoting it; bud or graft it on stocks of the common Holly.

Guass Errrenes (Patelin).—We have had no experience of these, and
cannot advise.

Pourryine Lars mm A Greennousr (Jdem).—We would putty all laps,
-and give air otherwise.

MEton-Housse (A Real Greenhorn).—We approve of the whole of the
arrangements. We would only make one suggestion. In the bed, make a
layer of concrete, smooth on the surface, below the pipes; and then, by a
drain-tile, you can pass water among and through tke rubble, and thus
have moist bottom heat whenever you like. The same would be effected
ty having 6 inches of rubble above the pipes, 2 or 3 inches of concrete,
then 3 or 4 inches of rubble drainage, and then the soil The first mode
swould be the more simple.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 81

Fortacr Prants ror A Bep (A Young Sub., Herts).—You say that your
“lady employer is desirous of haying a bed entirely of foliage plants in
the flower garden next summer ;” and instead of, for your own improve-
ment, muking out a list of the best foliage-plants for beds which you have
read about for the last three years, or have seen or heard of otherwise,
you ask us todo so for you. You must also haye read in this Journal
that we do not supply lists to plant any particular bed; all that is proper
for us is to criticise the lists for planting which our subscribers send up
to us for that purpose. All young gardeners ought to hove known that
long ago, Make use of your own judgment, and we will criticise your
selection and plan 1f you send them to us.

CaMELLIA Leaves Srorrep (J. B.).—The spots are occasioned by the
roots being kept too wet or too dry. There is Geficient root-action from
some cause which we can only guess at, Probably the centre of the ball
of earth is hard and dry. The Fern you enclosed is Cyrtomium faleatum.

Use or A Vacant Pir (A. #. F.),—We cannot afford either time or
space to answer all your queries, ¥ine-foliaged Begonias may now be
moved to the forcing-pit, and kept rather dry even there until the fresh leaves
begin to come, when they should haye most of the old soil shaken from
them, be repotted, and kept close and warm until growth commences.
You may place there cuttings of any Fuchsias. The young plants in the
greenhouse, if wanted large, would stand more than greenhouse heat.
The large plants, now dry and leafless, should have a little water. The
same may be said of cuttings of all kinds of Geraniums, Petunias, Cobcas,
Plumbagos. They will stand from 55° to 65° at night, buf must have more
air as soon as struck. The Stephanotis we presume is in the forcing-pit,
as unless your greenhouse is kept warm it would not be healthy there;
and the cuttings of that will stand from 5° to 15° more heat after it is
struck than the Geraniums and Fuchsias. The coolest part of such a pit
would do to strike cuttings of Phloxes; but the cuttings will be best
obtained a couple of months or so after this, when the young shoots are
some 2 or 3 inches in length. You may sow any perennial greenhouse
seeds, whether herbaceous plants or shrubs, and by potting them off early,
they will make nice little plants before winter. Of seeds of annual plants
for the greenhouse we should scarcely sow any now, except the different
sorts of Cockscombs. All other annuals would be tender and drawn. For
planting out of doors, we would confine annual-sowing now chiefly to
Intermediate and Ten-week Stocks; and these, as soon us fairly up, would
need to be moved to a covler place. he same may be said of all sorts of
Pansies, and the new Chinese Pinks.

Cucumpur-Pit (A. H.).—The simplest plan against your south wall
would be a pit above the ground level—say 6 feet wide, front wall 2 feet
in height, plate for rafters on wail 4 feet in height; flue, single or return,
in centre; platform across, with means for letting the heat up; sashes
made to slide, and entrance obtained by moving sashes. The following
would be a little more expense but much superior, making a kouse instead
of a pit :—Front wall 2 feet high, with ventilators init ; width, 8 feet ; back
wall, $8 or 9 feet; roof fixed; sash-bar's 33 inches, to receive giass 18 inches
wide by 12; trellis, 15 inches from glass; wood ventilator hinged at top,
9 inches wide ; flue, 2 feet from front, and pots placed over flue.

WuitE AnD Brown ScALE on Ferns (Ignoramus).—Try dipping the

‘Ferns in size or gum water, just strong enough tobe a little sticky between

the thumb and finger. Keep the plants in a shaded place for a day or
two, and then dip them and gently move them about through clear water
at about 120°. If very bad, it will be best to let the fronds ripen by cur-
tailing water, and then cut-down freely and start afresh—that is, if the
kinds will admit of that treatment. Such plants could then be washed at
the base of the stems, and a fresh potting given them, s0 as to remove a
portion of the old soil, and fresh growth encouraged.

CucumbERs AND Metons In A Heatep GREENHOUSE (A Constant Sub-
scriber, Britonferry).—We would advise training the plants up the front
and top of the wall, and then 18 inches from the glass roof, putting the
pots of Melons in front and the Cucumbers at the back. We would have
entered more fully into your case, but cannot give you more definite
directions than you will find at page 24; only, when you have good strong
stems of Cucumbers, you must stop them often, as you want a continuous
supply, whilst the Melons will only ripen one crop.

German Ivy (J. H.).—You will find all we know about it at page 795
of our last volume. Any of the large nurserymen who advertise in our
columns could procure it, if they do not happen to have it. The cocoa-
nut-fibre dust was advertised in our last Number by Messrs. Barsham,
Iingston-on-Thames.

Marte Louise Pear Unrruirrun (Zyro).—If you cut if down as you
propose, you will only have, as its successor, a wild Pear or whatever
kind it was grafted on. You had better shorten the branches and graft on
the stumps, as recommended in the present Number to the owner of
another barren Pear tree.

Grapes Rier By Avoeust (¥. Z.).—To have Grapes ready for the 1st of
August, you willnot be too soon if you begin to break the Vines very
quietly at once, and the Grapes will be none the worse if ripe a few days
earlier, though a fortnight or even three weeks later would do.

PrunGine MATERIAL For A Pit (An Irish Subscriber).—The best me~
terial is just according to cireumstances. If your pots stand near the bricks
and tiles, cocoa-nut fibre will do well to pack among your pots, because it
will keep the heat about them, from its nonconducting property. If you
placed your cocoa-nut fibre a foot thick over your rubble, and then set or
plunged small pots on it, you would obtain little bottom heat from the same
cause, 80 long as the fibre next the rubble was dry. If damp all through,
and water placed in contact with the pipes, your fibre would then absorb
and conduct heat. Where nice growth is desired, we should prefer sweet
tan to any fibre, though we have not tried the latter for the purpose. For
neatness, we would as soon have sand as anything. It is easily moistened.
We recommend the “Fruit Manual” for descriptions, and the ‘‘ Florist
and Pomologist” for coloured representations of the best fruit. There is
no modern work on fruits with coloured drawings of them exclusively.

A Brit or Trens on Cray Sow (An Old Subseriber).—On a strip of
cold, heavy, damp land that has been in fallow for the last five years, after
a crop of Scotch Fir, Yew, and Elm, we would not plant any of the Fir
tribe now, but Elm would do quite as well as before. For country
work the wood of the Black Italian Poplar and that of the Huntingdon
Poplar come soonest to hand, and pay best; and they and the Elms are
just the right kind of timber for such a strip of land.

82 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGH GARDENER.

CLIMBER NOT Buroomine (J. C.).—It is Jasminum campanulatum—a
very old stove plant that will never thrive in a greenhouse.

Various (H. A, Doyné).—You will see about Gladioluses in pots in an
answer to-day to another correspondent. Plant your Ashleaved Kidney
Potatoes at the beginning of March in light rich soil in a sheltered situ-
ation. You may safely nip off the tops of the over-tall Verbena cuttings.

OrcHarp-HouseE (Vovice).—We see nothing against your system answer-
ing, except your ventilation. The 10 inches all the way along the front
will do; but if you have no more than the two end lights at top, of
36 by 20 inches, then we also judge that the Vines, and more especially the
Peaches and Apricots, will be eaten up by red spider. Have a ventilator
at the apex equal to 10 or J2 inches all the way, and you may do, or as
is represented in Pearson on “‘ Orchard-Houses,”’ page 43. ‘Che bush Vines
‘would be as well not to be more than from 6 to 6 feet.

POULTRY, BEE, and HOUSEHOLD CHRONICLE.

HYBRID BETWEEN PHEASANT AND FOWL.

As this subject has attracted notice in our columns of late, we
are anxious to give our own experiences in the matter. We had
seven hybrids that were the produce of one hen. A tame cock
Pheasant had been brought up in the yard with the fowls, and
chose as his mate a chicken of his own age, a rather small Brown
Dorking hen. They never, either of them, consorted with or
took any notice of the other fowls, but constantly wandered
away together. ‘They lived in a rick-yard principally. 1 was
bounded by that which is now becoming a scarce sight—a
hedgerow. The hen stole her nest there and brought out her
chickens.

It has often been said that spangled fowls, whether Malays,
Polands, or Hambureghs, derive their spangled breasts from some
mixture of Pheasant blood. Nothing can be more erroneous.
The produce of these birds was neither Pheasant nor fowl, yet
so plainly a mixture of both that no one could be deceived as to
its origin. It was decidedly a hybrid incapable of breeding, yet
there was sufficient difference of size and even of appearance to
cause every one to call the birds cocks and hens. They were so
only inname. ‘Not one had the comb of the fowl, nor the rich
red face of the Pheasant. ‘The so-called hens took interest in
nothing. The cocks would watch the fowls all over the place
for the pleasure of sitting on the eggs, and we have often re-
gretted since that we did not, as an experiment, allow one of thema
few eggs. We have since seen 80 many curious mothers (?) that
we haye no doubt these would have done very well. We will
attempt to describe them. The largest and finest bird was brown-
bodied, with black hackle and saddle, large pheasant-shaped body;
head, eye, and carriage belonged to the Pheasant; beak, five
claws, and tail, although long, made up of ten straight feathers,
belonged to the hen. Some of the smaller birds, caJled hens,
evidently threw back to the hen’s forefathers, as they had most
unmistakeable Dorking plumage. None had fowls’ tails. Most
of them had five claws ; several were speckled brown and white,
but there was not « pure Pheasant’s feather, a spangle, or
a lacing among them. Some had the dark head and neck of
the cock Pheasant, but no approach to the colour, gloss, or
brilliancy of these, nor were they composed of the same small
feathers. ‘They were tame spiritless things. After the novelty
had worn off they were hardly interesting, and we gave them
away.

Some time afterwards we were offered another, which our
friend said was bred between a cock Pheasant and a Spanish
hen. We had our doubts, but the first sight dispelled them.
It was the finest bird of the sort we have ever seen, thoroughly
black all over, with the glossy tint of the fowl; but having the head,
tail, shape, and carriage of the Pheasant. We should have liked
to haye kept this one, but it was so spiteful we were obliged to
killit ; no bird could live with it. This, again, had neither comb
nor red eye,

In every instance that we have known, and we believe in
all other cases, the cross has been between the cock Pheasant
and common hen; we have never known a fowl take to a
hen Pheasant. It is also absolutely necessary that the Phea-
gant should not only be a tame-bred bird, but that he should
be brought up with the hens he is intended to breed with.
With every help, knowledge, and contrivance crossing is sel-
dom accomplished. Crosses are almost unknown where birds
ave in a state of nature, and those that have occurred have gene-
rally been among escaped tame birds in the neighbourhood of
keepers’ houses.

We have never met with a cross between a Partridge and any
other bird.

[ January 27, 1863.

MAMCHESTER POULTRY SHOW.

From accidental causes I am only this day (January 17th) in
receipt of your Journal of the Gth inst., where I observe at
page 16, when commenting on the above Show, the Judges are
accused of making a mistake in Class 65. Of course all persons
must know the very difficult and unsatisfactory position a poultry
judge occupies at the present day, and a ‘‘ mistake” is very
possible, as it may arise from several causes; but with regard to
the pen of fowls in question (presuming it as implied that the
first and second prize pens should exchange place), writing from
memory, if a straw-coloured hackle, with brassy feathers in the
wings of a Silver-pencilled Hamburgh cock are points of excel-
lence I allow the Judges are wrong in their decision; but if
otherwise, maintain our award to be right.— Wu. Luovn,

POULTRY CLUB.

A Mrerrina, in connection with the Poultry Club, was hel&
at Liverpvol on Wednesday, 21st inst., Mr. Stretch in the chair,
the following gentlemen being present :—Messrs. Teebay, James
Munn, Tudznan, Eden, Douglas, T. H. Ashton, Kelleway,
EH. Smith, Glendinning, Ashcroft, Hyde, Wood, Walthew,
Capt. Heaton, &c.

It was proposed by Capt. Heaton, and seconded by Mr.
Wood, “That » Poultry Club be established.”

Proposed by Mr. Munn, and seconded by Mr. Kelleway,
“That the yearly subscription be 10s. 6d.”

Proposed by Mr. Wood, and seconded by Mr. Munn, “ That.
Mr. Tudman, Ash Grove, Whitchurch, Salop, and Mr. H. Ash-
ton, 4, The Terrace, Richmond Hill, London, 8. W., be the
‘Honorary Secretaries.”

Proposed by Mr. Kelleway, and seconded by Mr. S. H. Hyde,
“That the next General Meeting be held at Worcester, at the
time of the Agricultural and Poultry Shows.”

The following gentlemen were elected Stewards for 1863 :—
Mr. T. Stretch, Capt. Heaton, Mr. J. Hindson, Mr. T. H. D.
Bayley, Mr. James Munn, Mr. R. Tecbay, Mr. T.P. Wood, jun.,,
Mr. Kelleway, Mr. W. H. Berwick, Mr. Peter Hden, Mr. 8. H.
Hyde, Mr. James Douglas.

All persons desirous of becoming Members of the Club are
requested to communicate with Mr. Tudman, who will receive
their subscriptions.

LIVERPOOL POULTRY EXHIBITION.

Tuts was held on the 21st and 22nd inst. There were about
370 pens of Poultry and 100 of Pigeons.

Jupg@rs.—Kor Hamburghs, Game, and Game Bantams, Mr.
R. Teebay. For other varieties, Mr. G. Fell, of Warrington.
For Pigeons, Mr. Harrison Weir. he following were their
awards :—

SpanisH.—-Silver Cup, R. Teebay. Second, H. Lane. Third, J. K. Fowler.
Highly Commended, J. R. Rodbard; W. Brundrit.

Dorxines (Coloured).— Silver Cup, Viscountess Holmesdale. Second,
Capt. Hornby. Third, C. H. Wakefield. Highly Commended, A. Potts;
Viscountess Holmesdale ; Capt. Hornby; W. ‘I. Everard ; Rey. J. F, Newton
E. Tudman.

Dorxines (Silver-Grey).—First, E. Musgrove. Second and Third, G.
Cargey. Highly Commended, T. Statter.

Cocuin-Cuina (Buff and Cinnamon).—Silver Cup, C. Felton. Second,
Mrs. H. Fookes, Third, E. Musgrove. Highly Commended, ‘I. Stretch;
H. Bates; Mrs. H, Fookes; J. W. Kelleway; RK. E. Ashton.

Cocuin-Cuina (Partridge and Grouse).—First, Capt. Heaton. Second,
J. Shorthose. Third, T. Stretch. Highly Commended, C. Felton; C. H.
Wakefield ; E. Musgrove.

Brauma Poorra.—First and Second, R. Teebay. Highly Commended,
H. Lacy.

Game (Black-breasted Red),—Silver Cup, J. Hindson. Second, M. Billing,
jun. Third, Mrs. Hay. Highly Commended, J. Fletcher.

Game (Brown Red). —First, J. Fletcher. Second, Rey. F. Watscn. Third,
T. Statter, Highly Commended, J.P. Smith; T: West; J. Wood.

Game (Duckwing and other Greys).—First, J. Hindson. Second, FP.
Worrall. Third, J. Foden. Highly Commended, G, Hellewell.

Gamr (Other varieties),—First, T. West. Second, A. Guy. Highly Com-
mended, W, Dawson.

Hameurecus (Golden-pencilled).—Silver Cup, J. Munn. Second, J. E.
Powers. Third, Rey. T. L. Fellowes. Highly Commended, C. W. Brierly.
Commended, J. Munn; W. Kershaw.

HameEvreus (Silver-pencilled).—First, J. Robinson. Second, S, Shaw.
Third, D. Harding. Highly Commended, C. Moore; J. E. Powers; D.
Harding ; S. Shaw.

Hamorcus (Golden-spangled).—First, W. Cannan. Second, H. W. B.
Berwick. ‘third, 8. H. Hyde. Mighly Commended, N. Marlor, Com-
mended, H. Carter. i

Hamuureus (Silver-spangled).—First, W. Cannan. Second and Third,

January 27, 1863. ]

pgoeaing. Highly Commended, J. Robinson; R. Bell; Commended,
. Shaw.

Potanps (Any variety).—First, H. Carter.
Highly Commended, Miss E. Beldon. a

Bantams (Black and Brown Red Game).—Silver Cup, J. W. Kelleway.
Secona, J.Camm. Third, T. H. D. Bayly. Highly Commended, ‘T. H. D.
Bayly; E. Yardley; M. Turner; J. Camm; W.S. Forrest.

Banrams (Duckwings and other Game varieties). — First, W. Silvester.
Second, R. Horsefall, jun. Third W. Lawrenson. Highly Commended, T.
Davies; J. Camm.

Bantams (Other varieties).—First, T. H. D. Bayly. Second M. Leno,
jun. Highly Commended, J. Mangnall.

Ducxs (Rouen).—First, J. Munn. Second, R. E. Ashton. Third, S.
Shaw. Hghly Commended, KE. Longton; T. Robinson; R. E. Ashton.
‘Commended, J. Foden; T. Statter.

Ducks (Aylesbury).—First, T. E. Kell.
Mrs. T. W. Hill.

Ducks (Other yarieties).—First, T. H. D. Bayly. Second F. W. Earle-

Cocuin-Curna Cuickens.—(Buff and Cinnamon).—Cup, A. F. Watkin.
Second, J. W. Kelleway. Third, T. Stretch. Jighly Commended, T.
Stvetch; H. Tomlinson ; Rev. G. Gilbert; Mrs. H. Fookes; J. W.Kelleway.

Cocnin-Caina CHICKENS (Partridge and Grouse).—First, T. Stretch.
Second, E. Musgrove. Third, R. White. Highly Commended, E. Musgrove.
Commended, T. Stretch.

Second, R. P. Williams.

Second, J. K. Fowler. Third,

SINGLE COCKS.

Cocuin-Cartna (Buff and Cinnamon).—First, Mrs. H. Fookes. Second,
E. Smith. Third, H. Chavasse. Highly Commended, T. Stretch; E. Mus-
grove; H. Bates. Commended, J. T. Lawrence; T. Boucher.

Cocutn-Cuiva (Partridge and Grouse).—First, E. Musgrove.
ommended, Capt. Heaton.

Dorxine (Any yariety).—First and Second, Viscountess Holmesdale,
Highly Commended, T. Statter; J. D. Hewson.

SPANIsH.—First, J. Potter. Second, T. P. Wood, jun.
mended, R. Teebay; W, W. Brundrit.

Hampureu (Golden-pencilled).—Prize, J. Munn.

Hampureu (Silver-pencilled).—Prize, 0. Harding.

HamBounreu (Golden-spangled).—Prize, J. Mellor.
W. Kershaw; J. Davies; W. Worrall.

Hamoures (Silver-spangled).—Prize, J. Fielding.

Game Baneams (Black and Brown Reds).— First, J. W. Kelleway.
Second, E. Musgrove. Third, T. Moss. Fourth, T. H. D. Bayly. Highly
Commended, E, Yardley.

Game Bantams (Other varieties).—First, C. W. Brierly.
Kenyon. Highly commended, J. Munn; W. Lawrenson.

SWEEPSTAKES,

Game Cocks. — First, F. Fletcher. Second, J. Hindson. Third, T.
Statter. Fourth, J. Stubbs. Fifth, J. S. Butler. Highly Commended,
T. Robinson; R. Swift; T. P. Wood, jun.; G. Cargey. Cockerels.—First,
M. Billing, jun. Second, S. Mathew. Third, J. Hindson. Fourth and
Highly Commended, J. Fletcher. Fifth, J. S. Butler. Commended, M.
Billing, jun.; J. Wood; S. Mathew; N. Grimshaw ; C. Kellock.

PIGEONS,
Carnriens.—First and Second, P. Eden.

Highly

Highly Com-

Highly Commended,

Second, W. 0.

Commended, A. L. Silvester.

AtmonD TuMBLERS.—First and Highly Commended, F. Else. Second,
2. Eden.
SHORT-FACED TumMBLERS (Any other variety).—First, P. Eden. Second,

i. T. Archer. Commended, F. Esquilant.
Powters.—First, R. Fulton. Second, S. Robson.
©. Eden. Commended, T. H. Evans.
JACOBINS.—First, Highly Commended, and Commended, J. T. Lawrence.
Second, F. Esquilant.
ToureErts.—First, S. Shaw. Second, A. L. Silvester. Highly Commended,
J.T. Lawrence; S. Shaw.
Barss,—First, P. Eden.
S$. Shaw; J. T. Lawrence.
Owts.—First and Second, F. Else.
Commended, H. Morris.
Fantaits,—First, J. W. Edge.

Highly Commended,

Second, J. T. Lawrence. Highly Commended,
Commended, T. D. Walker.
Highly Commended, A. L. Silvester.

Second and Highly Commended, F. Else.
Highly Commended, D. Thwaite. Commended, J. R. Baily, jun.
TRUMPETERS.—First, S. Shaw. Second, W. Il. C. Oats. Highly Com-
mended, J. R. Baily, jun. Commended, S. Robson.
ANY OTHER BREED.—First and Third, S. Shaw. Second, A. L. Silvester.
Fourth, F. Esquilant. Highly Commended, A. P. Leite; A. S. Bretherton.
Commended, H. Yardley.

THE GREAT FRENCH POULTRY FARM.

WirH care and good management, no branch of domestic
industry is more profitable than rearing poultry. Many persons
have supposed that what is profitable on a small scale might be
made still more so when carried on to a larger extent, but
repeated experiments in this and other countries have proved
this to be a mistake. The secret of the matter is, that hens
cannot thrive and lay without a considerable quantity of animal
food. Where but a limited number of fowls are kept about the
farmyard, the natural supply of insects is sufficient to meet this
demand ; and hence, when attempts have been made to extend
the business beyond this source of supply, they have not pros-
pered. It will be seen from the following interesting account,
that M. de Sora, of France, has adopted a method that has
proved completely successful, by affording an artificial supply of
this essential portion of food.

The French practical philosophers certainly know how to make
the most of things. A M. de Sora has recently discovered the
secret of making hens lay every day in the year by feeding them
on horseflesh. The fact that hens do not lay eggs in winter as }

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 83

By

well as in summer is well known, and the simple reason appears
to be that they do not get the supply of meat which they obtain
in the warm season from worms and insects. M. de Sora was
aware of all these facts, and living at the time upon an old,
delapidated estate a few miles from Paris, the acres having been
bequeathed to him a few years previously, he set himself earnestly
at the task of constructing a henery which should be productive
twelye months in the year. He soon ascertained that a certain
quantity of raw mince-meat, given regularly with other food,
produced the desired result ; and commencing with only some
300 female fowls, he found that they averaged the first year,
some twenty-five dozen eggs in the 365 days. The past season
he has wintered, thus far, about 100,000 hens, and a fair pro-
portion of male birds, with a close approximation to the same
results. During the spring, summer, and autumn they have the
range of the estate, but always under surveillance. In winter
their apartments are kept at an agreeable temperature; and
although they have mince-meat rations the year round, yet the
quantity is much increased during the cold weather. They have
free access to pure water, gravel, and sand, and their combs are
always red. ~T’o supply this great consumption of meat, M. de
Sora has availed himself of the superannuated and damaged horses
which can always be gathered from the stables of Paris and the
suburbs. ‘The useless horses are taken to an abattoir owned
by M. de Sora himself, and there neatly and scientifically
slaughtered. ‘The blood is saved clean and unmixed with offal;
it is sold for purposes of the arts at a remunerative price. The
skin goes to the tanner; the head, hoofs, shanks, &e., to the
glue-maker and Prussian blue manufacturer; the large bones
make a cheap substitute for ivory with the button-maker, while
the remainder of the osseous structure is manufactured into
ivory black, or used in the shape of bone-dust for agricultural
purposes. Even the marrow is preserved; and much of the
fashionable and highly perfumed lip-salve and pomade was once
enclosed in the leg bones of old horses. Uses are also found for
the entrails, and, in fact, no portion of the beast is wasted.

The flesh is carefully dissected off the frame, of course, and
being cut into suitable proportions, it is run through a series
of revolving knives, the apparatus being similar to a sausage
machine of immense size, and is delivered in the shape of a
homogeneous mass of mince-meat, highly seasoned, into casks,
which are instantly headed-up, and conveyed per railroad to the
egg-plantation of M. de Sora.

The consumption of horses for this purpose by M. de Sora
has been at the average rate of twenty-two per day for the last
twelve months, and so perfectly economical and extensive are all
his arrangements, that he is enabled to make a profit on the cost
of the animals by the sale of the extraneous substances enumerated
above—thus furnishing to himself the mince-meat for much less
than nothing, delivered at his henery. It has been ascertained
that a slight addition of salt and ground pepper to the mass is
beneficial to the fowls; yet M. de Sora does not depend upon
these conditions alone to prevent putrefaction, but has his store-
rooms so contrived as to be kept at a temperature just removed
from the freezing-point through the year, so that the mince-meat
never becomes sour or offensive; the fowls eat it with avidity ;
they are ever in good condition, and they lay an egg almost
daily in all weathers and in all seasons. The sheds, offices, and
other buildings are built around a quadrangle, enclosing about
twenty acres, the general feeding-ground. This latter is sub-
divided by fences of open paling, so that only a limited number
of fowls are allowed to herd together, and these are ranged into
different apartments, according to their age, no bird being allowed
to exceed the duration of four years of life. At the end of the
fourth year they are placedin the fattening-coops for about three
weeks, fed entirely on crushed grain, and then sent alive to the
city of Paris. ;

‘As one item alone in this immense business, it may be men-
tioned that in the months of September, October, and November
last, M. de Sora sent nearly 1000 dozens of capons to the
metropolis. He never allows a hen tosit. The breeding-rooms
are warmed by steam, and the heat is kept up with remarkable
uniformity to that eyolved by the female fowl during the
process of incubation, which is known to mark higher on the
thermometer than at any other period. A series of shelves, one
above the other, form the nests, while blankets are spread over
the eggs to exclude any accidental light. The hatched chieks
are removed to the nursery every morning, and fresh eggs laid
in to supply the place of empty shells. A constant succession of
chickens is thus insured, and, moreover, the feathers are free from

gt JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

vermin—indeed 2 lousy fowl is unknown on the premises.
M. de Sora permits the males and female to mingle freely at all
seasons, and after @ fair trial of all the various breeds, has
cleared: his establishment of every Shanghai, Cochin-China, or
other outlandish fowl, breeding only from old-fashioned barn-
yard chanticleers, and the feminines of the same species. He
contends: that the extra size of the body and eggs pertaining to
these foreign breeds can only be produced and sustained by extra
food, while for capon-raising the flesh is neither so delicate nor
juicy as that of the native breed. The manure produced in this
French establishment is no small item, and since it forms the
very best fertiliser for many descriptions of plants, it is eagerly
sought for at very high prices by the market-gardeners in the
vicinity. The proprietor estimates the yield of this year at about
100 cords. He employs nearly 100 persons in different depart-
ments, three-fourths of whom, however, are females. Nhe sale
of eggs during the past winter has averaged about 40,000 dozen
per week, at the rate of six dozen for four francs, bringing the
actual sales up to 250,000 dols. per annum. The expenses of
M. de Sora’s henery, including wages, interest, and a fair margin
for repairs &c., ave nearly 75,000 dols., leaving a balance in his
favour of 175,000 dols. per year.—(Scottish Farmer.)

MULE BIRDS.

Wau the undernoted crosses give beautiful-plumaged birde >—
Goldfinch and Bullfinch, Chaflinch and Buff Canary, Chafiinch
and) Yellow Canary, Goldfinch and Yellow Canary, and Gold-
finch and Buff Canary. Should a Bullfinch cock and Goldfinch
hen be put together, or the reverse, and so of the others? What
is the best. way to proceed? Should they be wild or tame, and
kept m the house or outside?—T. §.

[Phe crosses mentioned will give beantiful-plumaged birds,
with the exception of the Chaffinch and Buff Canary, which
would throw ous dull colours. In each case the, Goldfinch and
Chaffinch should be the male bird, and should be tame; if
possible, brought up from the nest. The birds would do best in
the house; and, provided they are to be turned into an aviary,
they must be well pawred previously. But we would recommend
that they be putin separate breeding-cages. |

DESERTION OF HIVES, AND ITS CAUSES.

I wave perused with much pleasure Mr. Lowe's interesting
article on bees. deserting their hives, and can confirm his obser-
vation of the fact that when colonies of the Italians and the
common) species are in close proximity, a certain degree of
intermingling is the result. I am disposed to attribute this
circumstance to individual bees mistaking their hives, and either
by eluding or bribing the sentinels, obtaining a recognised status
in the colony to. which they have in the first place accidentally
introduced themselves. With regard, however, to the common
stock in. which 20 per cent. of the Italian race were discovered,
we must I think attribute the intermixture to a far different
cause. I shell indeed be surprised if desertion have anything to
do with it, and have little doubt that it is really a case of
bybridisation, the black queen having been impregnated by a
Ligurian drone, and a mixed progeny being the natural result.

Thad myself an amusing case of desertion this autumn. A.
second swarm with a few combs and about a couple of ounces of
honey having been presented to me, I transferred the bees from
their straw hive into a box pariially furnished with combs:
Although they appeaved at the time to acquiesce in the change,
they resented ‘the interference by quitting their new domicile a
few hours afterwards, and my garden accordingly presented the
unwonted spectacle of bees swarming late in October. he
queen having probably dropped from weakness in some obscure
corner, the bees refused to cluster, and it was not until I had
presented them with two other queens that they adopted one
and permitted me to hive them—a woefully diminished cluster—
in the box which they had quitted in dudgeon a couple of hours
previously. The loss of the queen was: otherwise of little
importance, since deposed sovereigns were at that time nearly as
plentiful with me as they were on the Continent in the memorable
year 1848,

The tendency to fraternise with strangers which is occasionally
manifested: by bees: relieved me from a difficulty last summer.
A‘yery strong stock’ sont from:a distance reached me in a most

[ January 27, 1863.

deplorable condition. Owing to want of ventilation, resulting
from bad packing, every comb was smashed, multitudes of the

bees were dead, and the remainder in a most lamentable state—

few, indeed, being able to use their wings. Utterly at a loss

what to do with the survivors, If opened the hive in my garden,

luckily in the immediate neighbourhood of a small box contain-

ing a queen and 2 few hundred bees. In one minute the difficulty

was solved. The few bees that could fly betook themselves at

once to this little community, and stood with vibrating wings on _
the alighting-board. This hint was enough. I propped the

chaotic hive in front of the small colony, and a living stream

forthwith resulted, which had the doubly beneficial effect. of
strengthening the community to which they migrated and pre-

serving themselves from destruction.

Tam glad to learn that Mr. Lowe is about to, investigate for
himself the wonderful phenomenon of parthenogenesis in the
honey bee, and shall be happy to assist him by every means in
my power. Although he declares that several might be urged,
I am not myself aware of 2 single loophole that has not already
been most thoroughly explored and effectually stopped. Having,
I believe, investigated this subject more thoroughly than any
other Englishman, I may be permitted to indorse the conclusion
of Dzierzon, who declared so recently as March last, “To me at
least is this proof a strictly mathematical one, and so convinced
am I of the truth of parthenogenesis in bees—namely, in drone-
production—that, to speak like Briiming, I would lay down my
life for this conyiction.’—A DxyonsHIRE Bre-KEEPER.

FEEDING IMPRISONED BEES.

I HAVE put rather a weak stock of bees into a chamber, and
am feeding them with the “inyerfed bottle” at the top. The
hive, which is one of Neighbour’s, is shut up close, so that the
bees are confined, except that they haye access to a glass bell on
the top. At times in warmer weather, when the glass in the
hive is at 60° or higher, they seem to grow very angry, and swarm
into the bell. Will this close. confinement hurt or smother the
bees, and when will be the best time to put the hive out of doors
again? I have known a hive of bees tied up im a sheet and
hung up ina room all the winter. Why are mine so restless?
—B. B.

[Wedo not wonder at your bees becoming “very angry ” under
such circumstances, Feeding bees whilst in confinement is most
injurious to them, and we should not ba surprised to learn, that
yours are dead ere this. If they still survive, by all means give
them their liberty withont delay, and if feeding be imperatively
necessary, keep a full bottle at the top of the hive. You wilk
find they will appropriate its contents during mild days, and
leaye them untouched in cold weather. ]

PROFITLESS BEES.

Ir is now many years since I began to keep bees, and FE
yemember a very respectable seedsman telling me I could keep
bees if L would feed them, but they would not keep themselves.
I have kept them on the old plan im skeps on the Podolian
plan, and these last four years on Payne’s plan as in your
*Bee-book for the Many.” My bees are always so light in
autumn, that I have to do as the seedsman said—feed them. I
never saw stronger colonies than I always have, nor can any be
healthier. They are not infested with insects or other enemies,
and I seriously tell you I haye spent upwards of £20 on bees,
and during the course of my bee-keeping never had one ounce of
honey from my bees, I neyer could induce any one hive to
adopt either a glass or wood super. I keep them in a roomy bee-
houss of wood, where they are always. quite dry, with a south-east
aspect ; they never fight or attack each other; the, house. will hold
two, rows of four one above another. Iam quite in the country
—all green fields and gardens around, with no manufactories of
any kind for a mile and half. Ifeed them in the autumn
with syrup, andin the spring with barleysugar. They are always
strong, numerous, courageous, and healthy.

Can you tell me a plan to manage themso that I can treat my
wife as the German Albert Braun, and how best to work them,so
as to keep always and only three hives through the winter? If
80, you will greatly oblige, as I am now becoming tired ofso profit-
legs\a)pursuit.—T..

{Many amusiug and edifying bee-stories have unquestionably:
appeared in our columns during the past four years, but none.

January 27, 1863. ]

appear to us so astounding as your own. Your ill-success must,
we should think, be attributable to an indifferent honey locality,
supplemented probably by some mistakes in management. Where
you may have erred we find it impossible to say, but as the main
object of bee-keeping is undoubtedly the procuring a return in
the shape of honey, we should recommend you to go back to
first principles, and, abandoning for the time all attempts at
supering, &c., try the old-fashioned swarming system. From
three strong stocka you may reasonably expect from four to six or
even more swarms during the summer. A little trouble in
weighing will tell you when these are at their heaviest (probably
in August), then expel their inhabitants by driving, and apportion
them amongst your three old stocks as recommended in pages 45
and 46 of “ Bee-keeping for the Many.” You will thus be able
to treat your wife to some beautiful honeycomb, and contemplate
with equanimity any trifling outlay for sugar (supposing it to be
vequired) to provision your old stocks during winter. Any
empty comb ‘should be carefully preserved, and if inserted in
your supers and glasses the following spring, will most probably
overcome the reluctance which your bees have hitherto evinced
to work in them. By thus going back, as it were, to rudimentary
bee-keeping, and feeling your way upwards and onwards step
by step, we have little doubt of your ultimately overcoming
all difficulties, and even rivalling those amongst our correspon-
dents who are able to exhibit their forty or fifty-pound supers of
pure honeycomb. ]

BEES IN BUILDINGS,
I wAveE had but little experience with regard to keeping bees
in buildings, but that little rather induces me to form an opinion
adverse to ths adoption of the plan of sheltering hives.

In the autumn of 1859, a large globe-hive was brought in |

from the country, and placed in an unused drawing-room, the
‘bees working out through aslit under the window-frame about
20 feet fromthe ground. Here the bees remained the winter,
no fire ever being lighted. In the spring they commenced
breeding and working carly, and showed symptoms of increasing
population, as soon as any of my other stocks out of doors. But
when the cold winds of March and April came, the ground and
areas in front of the whole row of houses were daily thickly
strewn with dying bees, so much so that my neighbours com-
plained of them asa nuisance. Partly owing to their remon-
strances, but chiefly to save the lives of the bees that were left, I
removed the hive to the country, where it quickly regained its
strength, and in June sent out a very fine swarm.

T have tried a hive in a greenhouse, but it never throve satis-
factorily. The house was elevated considerably above the
ground, and I am inclined to think that this is one cause of
failure. At the same time, I have known gentlemen, enthusiasts
on the subject of bees, who have built costly structures of brick
for their favourites, but they have not thriven in them. The
reason why is by no means apparent, as every care seemed taken
to insure success.

Bees will, however, sometimes thrive in holes in walls, or
under roofs and ceilings of their own seeking. Mr. George Fox,
of Kingsbridge, last season removed combs and bees of several
colonies under these circumstances. In some of them he found
a considerable quantity of honey, and in one the combs were
nearly 3 feet in length and of considerable depth, several of them
of this size being in juxtaposition, The bees had occupied these
situations for many years. When their habitations are situated
under slated roofs, and in other cold situations, I am inclined to
believe that the bees usually perish in the winter, and that an
early swarm repeoples the deserted combs. There was one such
establishment, which, the owner of the mansion assured me, he
believed to be so replenished every summer.

‘A gentleman in Ireland, a kind friend of mine, once asked me
to remove an immense swarm of bees which had taken possession
of @ square open hole outside his stable wall. He had caused a
front of wood to be fastened-up against the open space; but as
the roar of the bees was so plainly heard inside the stable, he was
afraid of his horses, and wished the bees to be removed. Having
properly protected myself with a bee-dress and thick gloves, I
removed the board, which exposed an aperture about 1 foot
square, by perhaps 9 inches in width. This was literally filled
with bees. They were quickly brushed into an empty hive and
tied-up, and I hoped that the queen and the entire swarm were
in my possession, the owner haying given them to me, if I could

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER, 85

carry them off. But great was my disappointment when infor-
mation came from the stable, that the roar of the bees was to
be heard louder than ever.

The true fact now dawned on my mind. ‘The bees so lately
secured did not constitute a swarm which had taken possession
of the recess, but those clustering out from a colony which had
its quarters in a narrow space between the ceiling and the floor
of the loft above. The noise almost exceeded belief, and extended
back for many feet, seeming to show that the combs occupied
nearly all the space between the joists, running across the floor.
Nothing more could then be effected, but it was agreed that
on a future day, the flooring should be ripped-up and the con-
tents appropriated. The bees confined in the ‘hive were taken
home, but, I need hardly say, perished, or deserted from the
want of a queen. At that date (1852) I was not so well
versed in the mode of supplying an artificial queen as at the
present time.

After the foregoing operation, my host informed me he had
something else to show, and we ascended to the leads of the flat
roof of his house. He asked me to look down one of the
chimnies, and a curious but beautiful spectacle met my view.
At about 15 inches from the top of the chimney, which in that
part was about 1 foot square, a swarm of bees had taken posses-
sion, building combs diagonally across the open space. The
upper edges of the combs were totally unattached to any sub-
stance, so that the bees must have commenced building on the
perpendicular brickwork of the chimney; yet were they most
singularly regular in form. The bees were very thickly clustered
level with the upper edges ofthe combs. The covering from rain
or air was very imperfect, being a piece of slate which but
partially closed the aperture, and which was put on after the bees
had constructed a large quantity of combs. This stray swarm I
was also asked to expel from its stronghold, and an early day
was named for the purpose, but before that day arrived my kind
friend died suddenly while walking over his grounds, and I never
knew what was done respecting these two colonies of runaway
bees.

Since writing the above the Journal has come to hand, and
the letter of “A RENFREWSHIRE BEE-KEEPER”’ is before me.
His experience in keeping bees under the circumstances, respect-
ing which information is required by “ A NortH-STarroRDSHIRE
BrE-KEEPER,” seems to have been much greater than my own,
and would warrant your correspondent in adopting a trial of the
plan; nevertheless, [am still inclined to believe that in a majority
of cases the results will not be found altogether satisfactory. If
kept in a garret at the top of a lofty house the bees suffer greatly
from the wind. These rooms are also often intensely hot in
summer. But the chief objection is one which is admitted by
the writer of the letter before me—viz., the great improbability
of saying the swarms which may issue. These almost invariably
getaway. It is very well to say the bees must be worked on the
depriving system, but notwithstanding all the care of the owner,
swarms will be thrown off occasionally from such hives. This
entails no small loss, as these swarms are usually much above
the average size. Where bees are kept at these elevated positions,
it may be very probable that a northern aspect is best suited to
them. The prevailing rough winds are south-east and north-
west, often attended with driving rain. Northerly winds are
seldom so boisterous (1 am speaking of Devonshire now), and
are drier; but the grand reason is that the bees are not so likely
to be tempted out in cold windy weather with a bright sun, by
which an immense mortality is caused among bees in hives facing
south, or points east and west of south. That large quantities
of honey are occasionally taken from runaway swarms which
have established themselves in holes in walls and under roofs I
have already admitted; but they form the exception, not the
rule, In the great majority of instances, where [ have known
an assault made in these colonies, the result has been found sadly
disappointing. Frequently the spoils have been calculated before-
hand as likely to amount to one or more hundredweights, whereas
the actual quantity obtained has been bus 2 or 3lbs., chiefly of
black miserable stuff, which has been devoured by the boys and
men gathered round to snatch what they could. ‘Lhat this does
not altogether affect the question as to the housing of hives in a
room muet be admitted. I am glad the question has been
opened. Doubtless our friend “B. & W.” can afford us some of
the results of his experience, which, if I mistake not, has not
been small, on this master.

It is to be hoped that your inquiring correspondent, will give
the plan a ¢rial this coming season, and let the apierian readers

86 : JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

of the Journal have the benefit of his experience. It is my
intention to do so, if I can fit up a suitable room for the purpose,
and whatever theresult may be, I shall be happy to communicate
it, and it will afford me very great pleasure to be compelled
to modify the opinion here expressed adverse to keeping bees in
dwelling-houses and analagous situations.—S. Bevan Fox.

BEES in CHURCHES anv oruzrr BUILDINGS—
THEIR DELIGHT IN RETIREMENT.

I wave long been convinced that bees are fond of quiet and
retirement, having for some years watched their movements in
secluded spots. The first colony I noticed was fixed in the
end of a building at Willoughbridge Wells, near Market Dray-
ton, Salop, the property of Mr. Meynell Ingram, of Temple New-
sham, then in the occupation of his agent, the late Mr. Samuel
Harding, and which building had in days of yore been occupied
as a cock-pit, but was subsequently converted into more pious ser-
vice and used as a chapel by Mr, Harding. I was informed the
bees (which were 7 or 8 yards from the ground), had been there
for years, and a more powerful colony I have seldom witnessed ;
but in the course of one severe winter they died, not without in
the following summer another generation laying claim to and
taking possession of the residence, there being no inmates to
dispute their title thereto.

I was told by those who had noticed their movements, that
they were several summers ere they became as formidable as the
original tenants, but that they swarmed, pillaged, and destroyed
as the decayed nation had done before them, and were in fact a
standing menace to all the smaller bee-states for some distance
round, as in the case of the bees at Hough Hall.

My attention was subsequently directed to several swarms
which took up their abode in smaller buildings, but from some
cause unknown they did not survive the winter, and having
recollected that when a boy at the Acton Grammar School my
attention had been drawn by the Rev. Mr. Wilson to some bees
working over the porch (he himself being a close observer and
ardent admirer of this interesting little insect), curiosity led
me two years since to visit the scene of my boyish exploits, and
there, to my astonishment, I found the bees in full work. Now,
whether there had been any interregnum or not I was unable
to learn, but the colony was of amazing strength. It is about
10 or 12 yards from the ground, the entrance being between the
cracks in the stones of the church wall.

Since then I was told there was a colony of bees at Shrew-
bridge Hall, near this town, the residence of W. H. Hornby,
Hsq., the member for Blackburn, where, I believe, they had been
for a dozen years; but I found some enemy had destroyed them,
although Mr, Hornby’s intelligent gardener seemed to think the
domicile would be in the forthcoming summer tenanted again ;
the distance would be 8 yards from the ground.

There were several colonies in the trees of Doddington Park,
the residence of H. Akroyd, Esq., which were carefully watched
during the swarming season by the workmen for the swarms,
but from inquiries made I was not able to discover a single
colony left. ‘They were generally fixed about 10 yards from the
ground,

In Cholmondeley Park, the residence of Lord Cholmondeley ;
and at Combermere Abbey, the abode of the venerable hero of
Bhurtpore and Salamanca, I hear of several colonies in the
oak trees there, but the last summer haying been 30 very un-
propitious I was not able to follow up my inquiries.

Generally bees in this state are not to be approached with im-
punity, but the most extraordinary circumstance which has
attracted my attention was at Sound Heath, near Nantwich.
In the thick part of a walnut tree there is a strong colony of
bees. This tree was originally growing at Wrenbury-cum-Frith,
and was cut down last winter (and the fall of the tree would not
be small), and its present owner obtained permission from the
timber merchant who bought if to sever the portion of the tree
wnich contained the bees and bring it home, a distance of three
miles, when he placed it in his garden, having stopped-up all
crevices. \

When I visited the garden where it stands, this summer, I
ascertained that the bees, which were then remarkably quiet and
strong, had experienced no ill effects from the rough usage, and
had every year previously sent out a swarm when the tree was
growing, and it was stated to me they had had undisturbed

[ January 27, 1863.

possession of their tenement for a dozen years at the least. Any- —
body acquainted with the particular odour emitted by very
old families of bees could soon perceive upon approaching .
that it was one of considerable standing, and I came to the
conclusion it was the age and toughness of the comb which
had preserved the family from complete destruction, as the —
repercussion of the falling tree was likely to smash the contents _
to atoms.

Now, it strikes me that were some of your numerous and able
correspondents to take up the inquiry in the several parts in
which they reside, we should soon hear of instances similar to
those I have before narrated, as I read that in the year 1834
a swarm of bees housed themselves on the top of Chichester
Cathedral, having taken up their quarters below the weather-
cock; and I remember in the year 1850 (July), during one
whole week the officers of Chester Castle were prevented from
locking the gate leading to the little Roo Dee, and they were
compelled to employ a whitesmith to remove the lock, when to
their great astonishment they discovered a swarm of bees had
taken possession of the lock, every ward of which was completely
filled with honey and wax.

The height and aspect of bee-hives has for some time engaged
my attention. My own are in a room well ventilated, 8. by
§.E., the entrances made of wood plugged in the wall 8 feet
from the ground, well protected from winds, and free from
noises of every description, but I am not in a situation to brag
they do one bit better than those which are placed on a common
bench uncared for. I, however, remember a friend who kept
two colonies in his bedroom, working them through the window-
frame, which did remarkably well for years, and he has been
known to take a couple of eight-pound glasses from each stock,
but the master and servants are now gone.

It is almost impossible to account for the singular places
where bees will fix themselves. I have myself tried nearly all
places, heights aud aspects, but IT am puzzled to find out a
remedy to guard against the damp; and I am afraid our friend
the “ NortH STAPFORDSHIRE BEE-KEEPER,” will learn, as many
have done before him, that no aspect or height will evade the
penalty imposed upon us by that dread enemy, humidity.—
Ep. WyNDHAM JONES.

OUR LETTER BOX.

Fowr anp Cow-xererine (#.M. D.).—You can have from our office,
free by post, ** The Poultry Book for the Many,” if you send seven stamps
with vour direction. For thirteen stamps, you can similarly huve ** How
to Farm Two Acres Profitably,” which contains fall directions for manag-
ing not only a cow but pigs,

SHELL-LESs Ecos { Vidus).—As the pullet has abundance of burut shells,
we think you feed her too highly, and there must be some inflammation or
excessive irritation of the egg-organs. Do not give her Indian corn or
animal food; but only barleymeal and boiled potatoes. It is very likely
that those pullets which do not lay are oyver-fat.

Game Fowt Paizes at Kenpat AnD Mancuester (Fair Play).—More
than one expression of reprehension of the decisions at Manchester have
reached us, and we shali keep our attention fixed en certain facts. We
would observe, however, that the classes at Manchester were generally
more strongly represented than at Kendal; and we would further observe
that no man should consent to be a Judge at a Show wherea near relative
is to exhibit. He may be honest, but his awards will be liable to bias, and
certainly will be suspected.

Promotine LAyine (Susan).—Warm food is not absolutely necessary to
make hens lay well, if by warm food is meant that mixed with hot water,
or boiled and given before it is cool. The warmth should be the result of
better and more nourishing food. Good ground oats mixed with milk,
scraps of cooked meat, and an occasional handful of hempseed, are all good
for the purpose. Any stimulating beyond this we hoid to be hurtful.

QuantiTY or Foop Requirep py Fowus (A. B. M.).—Your question is
difficult to answer. The quantity of food consumed will depend on the
condition of the birds, and the manner in which they are fed. It is utterly
impossible to say how much ninety-five head of poultry should eat. For
instance, birds in low condition and coming from a bad home or-run, will
eat twice as much for a time as those that have been well fed, and are pro-
portionably comfortable. We do not much approve your feeding. We
would advise for Turkeys and fowls ground oats givep by hand as long as
they will eat them, for the Ducks and Geese whole oats, Where food is
thrown down whether wanted or not, much will always be wasted; but
where only a certain quantity is given just so long as they will eat wit/
appetite, you will soon be better able to judge than we toinform yon. You
may vary the ground oats with some whole corn now and then.

Purasant Hysrivs (Lex).—See an article in this week’s paper treating
of the subject.

THE SINGING-BIRD Manvat (Bird).—It will be published this spring,
and the price will be very moderate.

Parrot Pickina our 17s Fearners (Gertrude).—Put a soup-plate fall of
tepid water daily, where the bird can use it as abath. If the birddoes |
not bathe in it, pour tepid water over it through the rose of a watering-pot.

February 3, 1863. |

WEEKLY CALENDAR.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 87

| | Wrarner near Lonpon 1 1862. | Whe y
| Day Day | nat EREES. st | Moon | Clock |
of | of FEBRUARY 3—9, 1863.: | 4 Rain an Sun | Sun Rises | Moon’s| before | Day of
M’nth Week. | Barometer. |Thermom.| Wind. | 77 03,,.,| Rises. Sets. jand Sets) Age. | Sun. | Year.
| | bots Bee | | |
| | ? degrees. ‘ jm. h.| m. h.| m. h. m, &
8 | Tu | Hare’s-tail Rush. $0.120—30.195 | 55—41 S.W. = 38 af7 | 50af4 | rises | O USGA al
4 | W | P. Amman died, 1699. B. 30.183—30.096 | 55-42 | S.W. = [870 7 | 524} Bw 6} 16>) te Wa p35
°o.| TH Cato died, 45 B.c. 30.010—29.945 56—39 5.W. aT 35 7 | 0% 4 ll 7 | 17 | lt 16 | 386
Sug ie as Dr. Priestley died, 1804. 29,941 29.921 | 50—29 | N.W. = PRES ANNE RC) BET EE Eth
7 s Alder flowers. | 30.294—30.061 39—20 N.E. — 827.) 57 4) 34 1195) 19 14 24 | 38
8 | Sun | Srexacesnia SUNDAY. | 30.548—80.516 | 35—18 N.E. i 307 | 59 94) 47 10) 20 | 1427 | 3b
9 | M Daffodil flowers. | 30.527—80.515 | 40—30 N.E. — 28 7 v morn. 21 | 14 29) | 40
= u —

METEOROLOGY oF THE WeEEK.—At Chiswick, from
temperatures of these days are 45,5° and 32,5° respectively.

on the 9th, in 1847. During the period 129 days were fine, and on 125 rain fell.

SHOULD NOT THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL
SOCIETY BE MORE NATIONAL ?

45 5 one of our most learned philoso-
phers very aptly remarked, “‘ Know-
Y ledge is power ;’ and yet, although
the most fertile brain digs deep into
the mine, analysing and scan-
ning its contents ina way which
astonishes and delights minds
of a more limited compass, its
length, breadth, and depth are
apparently as unlimited and in-
exhaustible as ever. ‘The progress of
knowledge is undoubtedly great, and
the benefits accruing therefrom no less
so; but look at the thousands working
all in different directions in the explo-
ration of that mine, each excellent, and excelling in the
sphere to which his talents are best suited, and then
form an estimate of how little really the most erudite
and painstaking individual efforts can achieve.

Co-operation, however, judiciously planned and ener-
getically proceeded with, has effected much in assisting
the development of science and art. It brings together
eminent men, who interchange ideas and promulgate
theories which are thoroughly agitated and discussed.
It brings together a host of practical men, such as agri-
eulturists and horticulturists, who often lend force to
their argument by the excellent condition of the subjects
upon which their skili has been brought to bear, and all
in a way contribute to the advancement of knowledge.

Horticultural societies have done their share, it may
be said, to provoke emulation in the art, for they are
neither few nor far between all over the country; but
their influence generally is comparatively circumscribed,
and the benefits resulting therefrom are purely local.
In fact, judging from the complaints that emanate even
from disinterested parties, the majority of the prizes are
monopolised by one or two individuals, who, by dint
of extra energy, and extra accommodation, and other
accessories, very often eclipse their less fortunate rivals.
With all this the public in general have very little to
do, because it scarcely resolves itself into a national
concern. Such a monopoly has a tendency to damp the
ardour of those who are anxious to win the way to fame,
and has a dragging tendency in the onward progress of
the art; although, let it be distinctly understood that
our remarks are not intended to strike at the root of any
of these societies, but rather to indicate the more palpable
defects, leaving amendment to time and the experience
of the district managers.

Again: There are societies centred in the midst of
large urban populations, which exercise a different sort
of influence upon the public generally and competitors
particularly, because from their resources they are enabled
to offer a much more tempting field to all and sundry,

whether near to or distant from the place of exhibition;
No. 97.—Vot. IV., New SERIES,

and the prizes to be gained and the honour to be won,
if there be numerous entries and all above mediocrity,
are prizes and honour indeed. There are Birmingham
and Brighton, Manchester and Liverpool. and the great
gatherings at Bishop Auckland, Edinburgh and Glasgow,
Dublin and Belfast, and some others of our large and
populous towns, which by their wealth and population
are enabled to frame schedules of a pretty satisfactory
character upon the whole, and all in their circles give
a considerable impetus to the progress of gardening ; but
nobody who knows the real state of matters will pretend
to say that the whole gardening strength of the district
is represented at these exhibitions. Even go to the great
metropolis, where three great rival Exhibitions exist and
prosper, and where remuneration and honour are at the
maximum ; and whether you are surprised or not, you
will find, especially among the heavier portion of the
articles exhibited, that the prizes go year after year to
nearly the sameindividuals. In fact any one, even living
at a distance, who has been in the habit of taking cogni-
sance of the names of successful competitors in the great
plant-classes, could almost foretel the awards.

In a word, then, the gardening strength of the country
is not represented at our great exhibitions as it might,
and as it would be if,we had a national Horticultural
Society correlative in character and operation to either
of the Royal Agricultural Societies ; because few, if any,
noblemen or gentlemen in the country, who keep up large
establishments and disburse considerable sums towards
plant-cultivation, we shall say in order to satisfy them-
selves and their families in the first place, will be induced,
year after year, to allow their gardeners to go to either
or all of the London shows, supposing the chances were
ever so good. It would be quite a different affair
if there were a Society of a migratory character, in-
fusing, as it would be sure to do, a spirit of emulation
in all districts, where its influence would be more imme-
diately felt ; for district would endeavour to rival district
in the aggregate amount and success of the undertaking,
and once such sympathy and ambition were fairly enlisted,
the success of the scheme would be placed beyond dis-
pute, and horticulture would be immensely the gainer.

There might be something said about the difficulty in
organising such a scheme—in securing sufiicient influence
to patronise it and take it by the hand, There might be
a great many thirgs said suggestive of failure both com-
mercially and horticulturally speaking. for there are
always a few croakers ready to preach the downfall of
any and every innovation, let it be ever so politic. We
have only to point to the amount of opposition and hostile
criticism that the organisers and promoters of these mi-
gratory Agricultural Societies had to meet with in the
first instance, and to call attention now to their triumph-
ant success, which cannot be altogether ignored as a
precedent, although a little different in kind. Of cours>,
we shall be told that no society of such pretensions could
thrive out of London—that there the wealth is, and there
the population—and that, in short, supposing it were set
a-working under the very best auspices with the view of

No. 749.—Vor. XXIX., Orp Seprss,

88

promoting the science and art, it would never be self-supporting
—that its patrons would never be off the road begging for its
maintenance, and, consequently, death would be the end of it.
‘Time will only solve that problem in a satisfactory manner; but
if such a rural spot as Bishop Auckland, with an active manag-
ing body can get up a horticultural show, which, we believe, is
now second to none in the kingdom, that will induce, as was
the case last season, upwards of 20,000 people to come and see
it, what will those great commercial cities which we have
named not do if called upon?

Let us quote one other example of a mighty kindred gathering.
When the Acricultural Society of England held its Show at

Leeds little more than twelve months ago, no less than 70,000,

people went through the turnstiles in one day to see that Exhi-
bition. And may we not argue that a Horticultural Society
properly organised, which should command all the influence of
the horticulture-loving community of England, would achieve
an amount of success proportionately great, and that such a
project most emphatically warrants, nay, even demands, the
earnest consideration more especially of those who have elected
gardening as their profession ?

There is plenty of room for the inauguration of such a
Society without disturbing the harmony and efficiency of any
that is already in existence, and it would go far, as has been
already hinted, to draw out those who have held aloof because
they have either distanced all competitors who have entered the
arena with them, or else they have considered the stake at issue
unworthy of their notice, and the honour to be gained only of a
local, and, therefore, of a limited kind. The press by this means
would be enabled to bring before the notice of their readers a
much greater variety of subjects. The number of prizetakers,
too, would be much more diverse, and the value and honour of
the prizes much more enhanced. It would imcite a community
of interests unknown even in metropolitan showing, and would
have a tendency to draw closer the bonds of brotherhood. I
have merely initiated the idea, and hope to hear your own and
your readers’ views thereupon.—J.as. ANDERSON.

[Our friends well know that we have long entertained the
opinion that there is open to the Royal Horticultural Society
that field of usefulness hitherto unoccupied, and now pointed
out by Mr. Anderson—holding an annual meeting in some
country district of England, similar in character to that held
yearly by the Royal Agricultural Society.

If such a meeting were held at the season of the year when
the gentry of England return to the provinces, and at places so
distant from London as to allow gardeners to compete who haye
hitherto been precluded from exhibiting in London, the Society
would confer a great boon; and at the same time a stimulus
would be applied to the gardening of remote districts, not only
by the intercourse thus secured, but by exhibiting produce which
the amateurs in those districts had scarcely deemed attainable.

We do not attempt to propose a plan by which the idea could
be brought into operation ; but a Committee would soon make
the necessary arrangements, and local subscriptions to sustain
the project, would, we think, flow in plentifully.— Hs. J. or H.]

CROSS-BREEDING GERANIUMS.

I wrote the answer to Mr. Darwin so hurriedly, that I made
a mistake or two, which might lead readers into greater errors.
Thus, “I had a commission to work over, again and again, every
experiment [for changing the colour of Peas] mentioned by
Gartner and Weigmann,” and the absurd assertion of “Sageret,”’
about crossing between the Cabbage and Horseradish.

I did not try over again all the experiments they put on
record ; at least, not under that commission, That was as far
back as 1833, 1834, and 1835, and the conclusion was, that
Dr. Weigmann was not even aware that the garden Pea could
not be crossed by any other Pea or plant whatever, without ar-
tificial means, and very likely there is no want of such opinions
at the present day.

From thirty to forty trials in each of those years, Girtner’s
assertion that he changed the colour of a Pea by pollen was
proved to be wrong, and yet he very probably had a different-
coloured Pea in the mother pod as he says; and if so, that was
caused by a natural sport, more than one-half, if not every one,
of our present race of Peas being natural sports induced by cul-
tivation probably. But, in some cases, the change would appear
to be induced by some chemical constituent of the soil in which

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

[February 3, 1863.

the plants are grown, for I know a soil which will change the
bean of the Scarlet Runner toa jet black three times out of five
sowings, and, no doubt, many gardehers have noticed the same
effect in this and in other seedlings of their own rearing.

Again, when I said Pelargonium “is not a natural genus,” I
meant not botanically, but for the purposes of the hybridiser, in
its strict meaning—that is to say, that all the species of Pelar-
gonium could not cross together without destroymg Hrodium,
because there is a section of Pelargoniums in which the species
are affected in the peduncle by the pollen, exactly as the species
of Hrodium, and the species of Hrodium are as differently
affected in the peduncle from those of Pelargonium as the
affection itself is different from the more usual course of nature.
In the “ usual course” impregnation would seem to be only one
single process, which it certainly is not in many plants.

To explain the affection to people who know little of such
subjects, let me say that a truss of such flowers is like the foot
of a Game cock; the claws are the peduncles, or stalks, which
support the individual flowers in a head, truss, or bunch of
flowers. When the pollen affects one of such claws, that claw is,
as it were, paralysed, and is drawn-in under the foot of the bird,
the nail on the claw being the flower, but it is then the seed part.
Now, if the effect of the pollen reached the young seed, or ovum,
and put life into it, the claw would, in time, be restored very
gradually from the seeming paralysis to its natural position,
which position would be gained just as the seed was fit to sow,
but not just quite ripe for harvest. It is a very pretty pheno-
menon; but being as common to gardeners as covering cold pits,
few of them care aught about it.

That way of drawing-in the claws under the foot one after
the other as soon as each is affected by the pollen is peculiar to
about two-thirds of the species of Pelargonium only. The
other third of the species are differently affected, and in the
same way as all the Hrodiums are. With these, the Hrodiums,
the joint of the leg above the claws, or what you might call the
ankle, would seem to be out of joint, and to pull up the claws,
one at a time, straight up against the leg; and by the time
the seed would be ripe each claw slackens from the rigid
strain, and finally turns up to take the original spread-out
form as the seeds become ripe. But without the pollen, the
claws or peduncles would never change out of the original and
natural direction. :

Now, would it not seem the oddest of the doings of Nature to
undo the joint of the footstalk of a flower as the first result from
the effect of the pollen, if that effect merely passed through the
style to the seed in a long tube, as it is said todo? But when
you have five hundred wild species, and a multitude of seedling
flowers, which go directly to prove the footstalk out of joint, or
affected by pollen, although the seeds of none of that vast
number of plants had been touched, or affected at all, the mind
of man could hardly conceive a greater error in natural history
than the way they say the pollen reaches the seed ; and yet nine-
tenths, if not all, the learned professors of botany of this gene-
ration believe that way firmly. ;

Lastly, when I said I obtained a real cross from “ Scarlet
Defiance, which is over fifteen years old ; but 1 may be mistaken,”
I ought to have said that I believed Defiance was fifteen years
old, though I might be mistaken about its age, not mistaken as
to the cross, as the sentence might be taken to imply.

I would ask, in return, Has any gardener obtained a real
cross from this Defiance during the last fifteen years, and if
so, what is the name of the seedling, and who let it out? It
may be of some use to cross-breeders to know the reason why
I ask this.

It took me eight years to obtain that cross, and yet they say
T ought to know all about such ways. Some years I touched
oyer a hundred of its flowers without a fertile result, and yet
I was quite sure the pollen took a certain degree of effect ; for
the footstalk of a great number of the flowers touched relapsed
to the perpendicular downward position, but some did not,
because the pollen I made use of was foreign to the kind.

Tf a plant is absolutely barren the footstalk cannot be thus
affected ; and when we say a plant is barren because we cannot
force a seedling from it, we may be saying what is not the fact.
Of one thing, I think, we may be sure in a seedling of Gera-
niaceze, if the peduncle yields to the effect of pollea—namely,
that that seedling is not naturally barren, though we may fail
to force it toseed. And that is what I wish that cross-breeders
should bear in mind, and therefore endeayour by a change of
treatment—such as a-warmer or a colder climate, a different

February 3, 1863. ]

soil, and a differently aged plant, with different degrees of
health and strength in the plants—to obtain the desired cross.

Even should all attempts fail us, we may rest assured the
cross is obtainable in some other locality or country differing
from our own.

Then, if that be true of Geraniaces, and I can see no cause
to doubtit, there can hardly be a question about its not being an
isolated fact in one order of plants only; although we cannot
discern it in those orders where the process of fecundation is
positive, or effected at one stage of the process.

I said, long since, that the surest way to effect a difficult
cross in Geraniacese was to subject the mother, previous to
attempting impregnation, to a sudden check, and that was
how I overcame the inertness of Scarlet Defiance, although I
failed for seven years even by that move; but another move
seems to have been equally necessary. The plant, for the
eighteen months preceding the period of that seeding, was kept
at, or as near, the starvation-point as could be without killing
it; the poorest sandy soil, and the smallest pot to cramp the
roots in, with no more water than to lift the leaves after they all
flagged, was the treatment repeated through two summers.

The fact is, that plant was a giant sport, and it was necessary
to reduce the giant to the level of its ordinary kindred before
it could seed by the pollen of any one of them; and I have
found it necessary to reduce it considerably in strength before
I could seed it by its own pollen, which makes me anxious to
learn if it has been found more easy to effect by any one else
whose soil and treatment might be very different from mine.

Tam supposed, by many, to know more about crossing than
many others, which obliges me to be so much the more parti-
cular about everything I have to say on the subject. But every
one of our readers who has a turn for crossing knows just 2s
much about it as I do, for I know nothing of it which is not
down in these volumes, and some may know much more of it;
for all the cross-breeders over the country have, each one, their
own peculiar breeds to work on, and, of course, every one knows
something, practically, which no one else can know so well for
the want of practice in that particular breed. One thing, how-
ever, we all know, and that is, how very little the best of us
really does know about it. Depend upon it, there are scores
who have never crossed twenty kinds of plants in all their prac-
tice, who can tell you twice as much about it as the most prac-
tical of us who have been at it all our gardening lifetime.
They can do every conceivable turn in it without going out of
doors ; we, very little indeed, even if we devote our whole time
toit. But the greatest difference between them and us is, that
they can account for every effect produced, which enables them
to foretel events in crossing ; while we cannot reach farther
than our experience places before our eyes. D. Braton.

FLOWERS OF THE PAST SHASON.

PANSIES.

Many are the conjectures and terribly magnified pictures
which are presented to us from time to time, of the condition
in which this “tight little island” would be if the Gulf Stream
through any disturbing cause, were to be diverted from our
shores. And, by-the-by, may we not say, in passing, that this
is one of those things so little dreamt of by many, for which
we ought to take shame to ourselves that we are not sufliciently
thankful for those daily and unnoticed mercies which a gracious
Father is ever bestowing? We have been enjoying a winter
mild beyond description—we, perhaps, think too mild. We
see our Roses pushing, buds of our Currants and Gooseberries
swelling ; and, as is our wont, we shake our heads, and only

wish we had a little sharp frost to keep things back,” little
considering what a boon this has been to those poor distressed
souls in Lancashire, or to the large mass of still more destitute
creatures who, in our great metropolis, are exposed to a depth
of misery that Lancashire knows nothing of.

Well, the Gulf Stream has not deserted us, and we are, I
hope, thankful. But what has that to do with Pansies ? Nothing,
except in the way of “a cireumbendibus.” That stream has
deserted us in the south, and we are fain to look northwards
now for the cultivation of this pretty spring flower; nor do
I think that the position in which it is placed, or the manner in
which it is disparaged, is either at all fair, or at all likely to
advance its cultivation.

Tam quite as sanguine aa to the future of the Fancy Pansy

JOURNAL OF WORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

89

ag any one can be. I believe that Mr. Dean, of Bradford, is
likely to do wonders with it; but I do not therefore see any
reason why the old love should be cast away. Then the Royal
Horticultural Society has thrown its weight into the adverse
scale by offering lower prizes for florists’ Pansies than for Fancy
ones—prizes, indeed, so small in amount, as, I fear, not to
make it worth the while of any grower to send them. ‘The
whole meaning of this is, that a few persons have taken if into
their wise heads that there is too great a sameness in Pansies ;
and that by the way of obtaining variety it is best to squelch them
altogether. It is a somewhat novel doctrine; but perhaps
people are becoming so very wise now-a-days that they must be
drawn out of the old trammels. I grant that there is a great
deal of sameness, but so there is in every florists’ flower. Look
at a collection of Tulips worth hundreds of pounds, or at one of
Fuchsias or Pelargoniums: it is surely just the same thing
there. The person who grows them can see variety. He will
pay his money for new flowers which he believes in some one
or more points to be better than others which he has, and his
opinion is scarcely worth more than that of a mere outsider.
Imagine the horror with which Sir Octavius Oldboy would
regard you if, after taking you through a room rich with the
plunder of Heyptian tombs, you were to say, “Dear me, Sir
Octavius! these are all very much alike!” And do you not
think, if you were merely a looker-on and knew nothing of the
real merit of these images of ‘‘Pasht” and other Egyptian
dealers, it would be rather more modest to hold your tongue ?
“ Alike, sir! As much alike as youare like 2 monkey! Look here.
Do you see this one is of bronze and that of earthenware?
Look at the size of this compared with that; mark the peculiar
expression in these eyes; and I can only tell you, sir, that if
you have any that you think like these, I can very soon show
you that there are differences which you cannot appreciate.”
“Well done,” says your companion, “I think you caught it
there ;” and probably the result is, you have learned a lesson
that may be of benefit to you through life. When any one,
then, runs down a box of flowers because of their sameness,
let him only have the owner standing by, and probably he will
learn a lesson that may in the same way teach him to be a little
more modest for the future. And, then, do the decisions of
Judges falsify this notion? There were, for instance, four or
five first-class certificates given to seedling Pinks this year. I
think they deserved it; but I will undertake to place these in
a box of twenty-four, and that not one of those who are not
growers of Pinks shall be able to see the difference between
them and other varieties in the same stand, while a practised
eye will at once pick them out. So long, then, as amateurs are
satisfied that the new varieties of any florists’ flowers are of sufli-
cient merit to warrant their purchasing them, and so long
as constituted courts of appeal, comprising the most compe-
tent persons to decide on such questions, continue to give
prizes and certificates to such new flowers, so long do I con-
sider it to be simply an absurdity for complaints to be made
of their sameness.

I have thus attempted to vindicate the Pansy from this
charge, or at least to put it on the same ground as other florists’
flowers, and indeed we might say greenhouse and stove plants
as well—for where they are grown in collections the same charge
may also apply, as, for instance, Ferns. Take any one division
of these you like, and then see the minute points from which
growers will determine that a difference exists, and the distinc-
tions of the florist will not seem to be a bit more minute.

One must now say word on the present position of the
flower. Its admirers, are, I fear, becoming fewer than ever, the
difficulty of keeping them through the summer having deterred
florists from growing them. The last two summers have, how-
ever been favourable, and may, perhaps encourage others to
try them again. Be that as it may, it is to Scotland we now
look for new varieties—a fact most certainly more complimentary
to the perseverance of the Scottish growers than to the pro-
pitiousness of their climate; for one almost wonders how they
can not only withstand but overcome the terrible foes of cold,
wet, and wind that they have to contend against. ‘lo one of
the several firms who are in the habit of raising and letting-out
new Pansies I am indebted for the opportunity of seeing a few
of the novelties of last year—I mean Measrs. Downie, Laird,
and Laing, of Edinburgh, and Stanstead Park Nursery, Forest
Hill; and the following are the notes that I have been enabled to
make. I see that they are again advertising a batch of new
ones, amongst which a self named Masterpiece seems to be pre-

90 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

eminently distinguished. They have besides Ajax, Alexander
Pait, Baroness, Leonard, Miss Hay Newton, Mrs. Wyllie, Thomas
Martin, William Austin, and Carlos.

Alice Downie.—Light, creamy white ground, the belting
rich dark purple; ‘blotch dense and clear; shape beautifully
round.

Charles Watson.—A very fine dark bronzy purple zelf, the
petals very smooth and the shape good. This flower was
awatded a certifizate by the Scottish Pansy Society in 1861—
a good proof of its value, as the Society is very chary of its
certificates.

Figaro. — Yellow ground, belting a bright bronzy purple.
Distinct in ‘its appearance.

Miss Berry.—Deep golden yellow, belted with bright brouzy
purple; blotch very distinct and clear.

Miss Williamson. — Pure white ground, belted with deep
purple; blotch dense and clear. A very nice flower.

Rev. Thomas Downie.—Deep golden yellow ground, deep
bronze purple belting. An excellent show flower.

Telegram.—Yellow ground, deep purple belting.
sized tlower of good properties.

Veste.—White ground, belt moderately broad; colour rich
purple; blotch and eye dense and good.

Wallace—Deep yellow ground, very rich in colour, belted
with broad deep purple. Of excellent quality.

William Merricks.— A very tandsome flower. Ground
colour pure golden yellow, belt rich purplish-crimson ; blotch
very dense.

These seemed to me the most striking of the flowers I had an
opportunity of seeing; and I think any one may fairly add
them to their'collection with a good expectation of being pleased
with them.—D., Deal.

A large-

: CALANTHE VESTITA CULTURE,

Tue principal object cultivators have in view in growing
plants is the production of flowers, always, of course, excepting
stch plants as are cultivated on account of their beautiful foliage.
Wowif any one were to tell 2 lover of flowers how to grow them
s0/as to double or quadruple the number of flowers any given
plant could be made to produce, such information, no doubt,
would be gladly and thankfully received. I thinkIam ina posi-
tion to give such useful information to the growers of at least
one species of plant—the above-named lovely Orchid, Calanthe
vestita.

“T had oceasion lately to visit my young friend Mr. Abel North,
gardener to T. Shorrock, Hsq., the Lodge, Ashton Mersey, near
Manchester, and whilst there I, of course, had a look at his
Orchid-house. Though an old grower of Orchids myself, and
Having visited at least nine-tenths of the collections of these
plants in Great Britain, I cannot but confess that I never saw
suéh a display of flowers on this Calanthe as Isaw there. He
had 12-pots, and each pot had on an average twelve spikes
of ‘blooms, most of them 3 feet long; I counted the flowers on
one’'selected at random, and it had thirty-five flowers on it.
Solager were the pseudo-bulbs to bloom, that many of them
had! two and some three spikes each, some even flowering from
the’side and top of the bulb.

*@hey were growing in eight-inch pots of the ordinary shape.
There were from six to eight bulbs in each pot. I inquired the
means he used to obtain such successful results; and Mr. North,
being no niggard, answered my queries very fally.

°He'pots during March, cutting-off all the roots, and uses the
{Mowing eompost :—One-third caky cowdung, two-thirds turfy
loam/and Jeaf mould, adding a moderate quantity of river sand,
passing the’ whole compost through a coarse riddle; he then
d¥difis‘the pots effectually, and places 2 layer of what remains
in the riddle over the drainage.

“In potting, the largest bulbs are chosen, and put inthe pots
at equal distances from each other. @he smaller bulbs are put
into’ large pots, and grown on till they attain the required
size.’ “No flowers are allowed on them till’ they are fully grown.
Bat little water is given a first; but as roots and leaves are
puslicd ‘forth more water is applicd, and a liberal allowance of
thatelement is given till the plants are in bloom, then the
quantity is gradually reduced; aud the plants allowed to go to
rest/for three months or thereabouts.

By following this method any one may be equally successful
in blooming this winter,’ or, at least, late-autumnal-flowering

[ February 3, 1863.

Orchid. Florists who grow flowers for sale would find it worth
their while to cultivate this free-flowering Orchid for the pur-
pose of making bouquets of its long-lasting fowers. It does not
require a very high temperature, nor any very nice attention.
Any ordinary stove would suit it weil. ss

Like all other terrestrial Orchids it requires a period of rest,

a period of growth, and a time to bloom. When at rest keep it
rather cool—say from 55° to 60°—and just dry, but not parched
80 as to shrivel the bulbs.

I noted also in bloom a fine specimen of a good variety of
Dendrobium nobile 3 feet high and as much through; also
Cypripedium insigne, a remarkably handsome plant with ten
flowers all expanded at once; Cologyne cristata, with many
spikes of beautiful pure white fowers; Bletia Tankerviller, syz.
grandiflora, very strong, with fifteen spikes; and lastly, the old,
yet handsome, Zygopetalum Mackayi, well bloomed.

The Hast Indian Orchids, I observed, were healthy, most of
them showing seyeral spikes of bloom, particularly A®rides,
Saccolabium, and Vanda. ;

The collection is not large, but very select, and in most Iuxu-
riant health—a fact very creditable to the manager, especially
when it is remembered thet he has only had the charge of them
for little more than two years, and never had the care of Orchids
before. Let this example be an encouragement fo all good,
zealous, plant-loving gardeners never to fear undertaking the
management of Orchids, if, like Mr. North, they are determined
to spare neither time, labour, nor patience in the cultivation of
this most interesting and singularly beautiful tribe of plants.

In the stove I observed many fine specimens of the better
kinds of Ferns, which at this time of the year are more re-
markable for their beauty than in summer, when there is more
floral display. ¢

The greenhouse contained some handsome specimens of New
Holland plants—such as Boronias, Pimeleas, Aphelexis, Epacris,
&e.

The whole place is neatly kept, showing industry and, that
test of good gardening—attention to minutie.—T. APPLEBY.

>

AN AMATEUR’S NOTES ON M. DU BREUIL'S
SCIENCE OF TRAINING FRUIT TREES.

On looking over, the other day, some Numbers of last year’s
Journan or HorticvLturz, an inquiry for a book on the
pruning of fruit trees caught my eye, and the answer it met
with, to the effect that there was no special work to be had on
the subject. .

This vacancy in horticultural literature has been supplied from
a foreign source. Our neighbours ecross the water, with the
logical severity that characterises them, take a pleasure in re~
ducing everything to rale—from the framing of a political system,
it appears, to the formation of a Fium tree. No Huglishman.
has the least wish to see our old Constitution, irregular as its
growth has been, submitted now to the pruning-shears and cut
to the approved continental fashion, whatever finish it may be
promised in the process. But there are many who will weleome
a logical treatise on gardening.

M. Du Breuil’s book by some persons may be thought dry.
Tt contains no rambling gossip, no friendly jokes, no superfluous
illustration; but it has the merit of always keeping to the
point, and the rave eharm of lucidity. How 3 it that an
amateur finds it so dificult to master the yarious tminute
directions with which treatises on gardening abound—a difficulty
sO great as to deter many of us from all her researches into
the matter? I believe it will be found mainly owing to the
want of this same logical precision in the writers. Hyen Mr.
Rivers—whose genial temper, evident freedom from professional
jealousy, and liberality in unlocking to us aniateurs some of the
arcana of his art, attach to him every one interested in gardening—
does not, it must be conféssed, write plainly. How many times
had we to refer to his book to ascertain the number of inches to
be pinched off this branch, or off that—in this month or that—on
this kind of tree or that—whether it were two, three, er four, we
never could remember until we had learnt elsewhere why they
were pinched at all. How much more intelligible the teaching
which first gives the principles and axioms of the science, the
habits of the tree, and the laws that govern them, and then on
this basis rears the superstructure of practieal directions. There
was a well-known tutor in a certain university, who used to say
that he eould never remember anything unless-he had a peg to-

|
;
:
.

February 3, 1863. ]

hang it on. In gardening we have hitherto been allowed no
pegs to carry our ‘memoranda, which, in consequence, are found
sadly mixed together in the pocket when needed for use.

M. Du Breuil’s treatise, therefore, appears to me to deserve a
hearty welcome, if only as a step in the right direction. Whether
his easy dictum will stand the test of experience remains to be
proved; but the calm and dignified composure of his tone, his
simplicity and brevity, seem to elevate horticulture into the rank
of the exact sciences.

An instance of this lucidity is his practice of invariably dis-
tinguishing the pruning necessary for the formation of the tree
from the pruning which is intended to insure the annual crop
of fruit. In most treatises we find one set of directions for
pruning the Apple, and another for the Plum ; but no division
of this kind, although the two kinds of pruning mentioned above
are most distinct in their aim and object.

M. Du Breuil’s favourite trees seem to be the Pear and the
Peach. Hor the Pear he describes at length six modes of training.
“The pyramid,’ which by the way, ia twice the height and size
of the tree with which Mr. Rivers has made us familiar 5 ; “the
goblet,” fitted for windy gardens; “the cone,’ or cypress-
shaped tree, which seems to he a pyramid with less strongly-
developed branches; “the Verrier palmette,” which may be
described as a horizontal espalier with the termination of the
branches carried up from a horizontal to a perpendicular
position, each lower branch being outside, and in its angle em-
bracing the branch above it—the shape one sometimes sees in
the arms of a candelabrum. ‘This is intended for the wall, and
takes fourteen years to complete.

Mhen comes “the cordon oblique,” which has been already
described in Mr. Bréhaut’s interesting drochwre, in which the
trees run up the wall at an angle of 4°, presenting in their
closely-spurred and rounded form some distant resemblance to a
eable. Lastly, we have the “double contra espalier in vertical
cordon,” which, if its name does not frighten them, will, we
think, win the favour of many a cottage gardener.

Imagine a double row of Pear trees, each a slender stem of
9 feet high, the rows close together, 6 inches only between them,
while the trees are planted zigzag, that one row may not shade
the other. ‘welve inches separate tree from tree in the row.
Thus each tree has a radius of 6 inches for the utmost limit of
its branches; a leafy cable 9 feet in length, thick set with spurs
and fruit-buds. The trees are secured from wind by strong
posts sunk imto the ground at every 20 feet, and connected to-
gether by fencing-wire. This wire steadies a nine-foot lath to
which each tree is fastened. Copper wire, it strikes us, would
be lighter than a lath, and shade less. What a picture in
autumn this lofty, leafy wall studded with yellow fruit! How
safe from wind! how easily protected in spring! It is twice as
fruitful as “the pyramid,” the author assures us, comes into
bearing in half the time, and attains its perfect form in six years.

But this wall of foliage will not be complete without the low
edging which M. Du Breuil wishes to see accompany it on either
side. About 1 yard from its foot he carries a dwarf hedge of
Apple, formed by a single rod running horizontally 18 inches
from the ground, and pruned as a cordon. The trees that
nourish this rod are planted 5 feet apart, and bent horizontally,
till the stem of one overtakes and touches its neighbour, into
whose steck its extremity is then inarched. In this way, when
the line is complete, the sap flows continuously through the
whole, and the closely-united brotherhood become an exact
emblem of the strong rmistering to the necessities of the weak.
These are also held in their place by low posts and fencing-wire.

The directions for Peach-tree training are quiteas minute. He
equally admits only two methods for this tree, ‘the cordon
oblique,” and the fan-shape reduced to the exactitude of a ma-
thematical system. The illustrations here, and, indeed, through-
out the book, are profuse, evidently copied from living specimens,
and in every way admissible; they add greatly to the value of
the work.

Standard Peachesin orchard-houses he does not contemplate.
But much of great service to the orchard-house cultivator may
be learnt. It ismot wacommon, for instance, to find the laterals
on a too-luxuriant Peach producing 3 inches of bare stem with-
out a bud either upon it or at the base. For this evil, which
will throw next year’s wood! too fur “from home,” M. Du
Breuil has a remedy. By suppressing all flower-buds at the
winter pruning, and halftsevering the lateral at its base, he
compels it toemit weed-buds there.

Here is another wrinkle. It is known that a fruit-bud may be

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

91

grafted in August on the Pear, and bear fruit the following year.
M. Da Breuil tells us that this graft has the extraordinary effect
of making all the fruit on the branch above it larger than they
would otherwise be. He compares it to the effect produced’on
fruit by an annular ring taken off the bark—a method applied,
i believe, by English gardeners to branches of the Vine.

At page 156 is a statement which will cause, some surprise.
“Tt may be thought that the blossoms upon these small
branches unaccompanied by a wood-bud, must prove sterile, and
ought to be cut off at pruning, as though of no value. ‘Quite
the contrary, however. Experience proves that these: blossoms
produce the finest fruit.” And he straightway: recommends the
shoot to be cut above a fruit-bud, although there are no oe,
buds upon it anywhere except at the base.

Those who send fruit to exhibitions will be glad to learn that
it is possible to administer a tonic to the objects of their anxiety,
and that they are very much the better for a ‘solution of/sul-
phate of iron.

The several plans for equalising the growth of the tree, ‘ras
ducing the gross, and imvigorating the feeble branches, will’ be
found interesting. Trees are capricious, and will) have their
enfans gdtés, favourite gluttons, and rude robber-shoots); but none
are allowed to remain in the well-disciplined gymnase of M. Du
Breuil. ‘“ Suaviter in modo, fortiter in re,” is his motto. With-
out the least harshness, but by the never-failing, almost) im-
perceptible pressure of a dominant will, the plethoric rebel is
brought into order, and made to abate his pride, His head is
bent on one side out of the way of the stimulating sap, or the
foliage which matures it for his uses is half clipped from him, or
his spirit is tamed by pinching, or his heart broken’ by doing
made to carry all the fruit, or he is hampered by imprisonment
and close nailing, while his poor brother wantons in the wind ;
or if the woret comes to the worst, a dark hole formed by/an
overhanging shutter brings him to his senses, and ull'the while
his sickly brother is made much of, petted with a tonic, en-
couraged by the best places, and allowed to run riotias ‘he pleases,
till he is strong enough to match his rival, and win his fair share
of the maternal juices.

he translation is tolerably executed; but in another edition,
which will certainly soon be called for, it will be well to avoid
such gallicisms, as “extension,” used throughout the book ‘for
last year’s growth, and “ anticipative” bud (page 69), which
seems to mean wood-bud. Some obscurity is caused by the
use of the word “branch,” which in common Hnglish isused
to denote a shoot of some size, but here is applied to small
shoots, spurs, and even embryo fruit-buds.

How are we to understand the following (page 175) ?—“ When
the shoots of the successive branch extensions have attained: a
length of about 3 inches, suppress only the buds behind) (then
the double or treble buds ;” which alter some study we take'to
mean, ‘‘ when the shoots from last year’s wood have attained
the length of 3 inches, suppress the shoots behind ‘the’ buen
and also the doable or treble shoots.”

At pages 72, 138, 160, 178, and 180, other errors haye eaught
oureye. Are we to suppose, too, that the cost of copper wire
is so great in France, as to make a wire trellis amount! toids:
square yard, which is half as much again as the cost of the wall
in an Hnglish stone country ?

We are left inthe dark as to what are Mr. Wardlets. ‘gon+
tributions to the present edition. His remarks are sometimes
imbedded im the text, and sometimes are found in footnotes. Lit
would have been better if they had been confined to ithe notes
altogether. We should then have had M. Du Breuil’s:directions
fitted for a southern climate, and the necessary qualifications
and adaptations to our own in notes. A's it is, we doinotiknow
at times whether we are listening to the opinions of Mi: Du
Breuil, or those of his translator; and, on the other hand; some
statements that need explanation in Hngland, as, for an,
that Apple trees suffer from heat, are left as they are.

But these are minor blemishes easily removed, and all eer
love the fruit garden are indebted to the writers who! have
brought to their notice this well-considered and sciehtifie
treatise.— W YESIDE, t

reer ay!
} {

Brurre Surerrin Prar.—This Pear has kept? with’ me
wonderfully well this season. I have still (Jan. 28rd); five fruit
left. Iam notisure I had any ripe in September, but I had tt
through October, November, December, and a few in the: ipresent
month. Can this be said of any other good Pear? Those that

92 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

have kept till the present month have been small and medium-
sized, Some of the fruit have been much richer in flavour than
others, and most delicious, and when at its best I believe this
fine Pear to be beaten by none, and equalled by very few.—H. B.

PLACES OF PUBLIC RESORT.

SUNDERLAND PARK AND WATERWORKS.

THE great facilities now offered for travelling by the many lines
of railway by which the country is intersected, and the oppor-
tunities thus afforded being in so many cases taken advantage
of, the necessary interchanges of ideas, customs, or habits in the
communications of one class with another, are tending fast to
remove Jocal peculiarities ; and the customs of remote districts
are certainly becoming modified through the instrumentality of
the young people, and probably through some of the older ones
too, who have travelled forinformation. True it is, nevertheless,
that local circumstances must ever maintain a difference. Corn-
wall and Cumberland, though both hilly, differ widely in their
vegetation, climate, and other features ; Norfolk and Derbyshire
cannot be compared together. ‘There is, however, one thing in
which all seem to agree, and that is improvement. Some of the
customs of bygone days may still be held up as golden rules, but
there’are great numbers of them open to improvement ; and one
of the best tokens that all the advances in the various depart-
ments of industry have not been made under the grovelling spirit
of tending to individual gratification, is that the public at large
have been thought of; for in most of our large towns public
libraries and reading-rooms have been thrown open to all classes,
while museums and other sources of intellectual cultivation have
been enriched by many and often well-directed endowments.

-Other and by no means the least useful of all the places
of public resort are parks or pleasure grounds of easy access to
all. Doubtless the immense advantage of the London parks
to,the densely populated districts by which they are surrounded
led, in the first instance, other large towns to attempt something
of the same kind; but some of the first. steps that way were
certainly much in advance of the times—such, for instance, as
the Arboretum at Derby, which, however worthy, as it doubtless
3a,,and evex will be, of the munificence of the donor, is nevertheless
bordering on a higher standard of arboriculture than the million
are yet preparedfor. Something equally pleasing to look at and
easier to comprehend is what is wanted by the generality of our
park-strolling company. But the gratification of the latter is
by no means so easily accomplished as it was twenty years ago.
So many gardens of the very highest class and best keeping
haying been thrown open to public inspection during that time,
the public taste has risen to a degree bordering on fastidious-
ness; and Criticism so rife on public gardens, parks, cemeteries,
and such like places, that unless a considerable amount of taste
and skill be exercised in the formation of anything fresh, woe be
fo the unfortunate individual on whom the public displeasure
will fall. . Nevertheless, with all the vaunted knowledge which
is to be attained by existing examples, now aud then serious
blunders are made.

The Great Exhibition of 1851, which had no precedent to guide
ifs managers, was nevertheless an acknowledged success in every
respect, while there are certainly some very grave errors in the
present one of 1862. The building and its fittings cost very little
short of three times what the Crystal Palace did, yet everybody
admires the cheap one, and condemns the dear one as supremely
ugly. The builder doubtless expected his large domes to attract
attention; but John Bull does not care for glass domes—their
inutility is transparent. In truth, it is the fact of being able
to' see completely through them from the outside that offends
the eye and diminishes their size; and yet from the cost of the
building it is only fair to suppose that these two huge glass
domes, about which the public do not seem to care a pin, cost
ag much as the whole building of 1851.

There are many opinions, too, on the Kensington Horticul-
tural Garden; but censure here has certainly in many cases been
unjust, for in so small a place, and surrounded as it is by
myriads of chimneys, it would have been utterly impossible to
have given it the sylvan scenery some writers pant after. Archi-
tectural, sculptural, aud other artificial ornaments were almost
all that could be adopted: therefore I can find but little fault
with it except in name. It is certainly a misnomer to call ita
horticultural gayden at all, when perhaps not more than fifty
or say a hundred species and varieties of plants are cultivated in

[ February 3, 1863.

it. Plenty of cottage gardens belonging to humble labourers
could furnish a more respectable array of names. Failures,
however, are as useful monitors as successes, and tend by com-
parison to enhance the value placed on the award of public
approbation.

The course of public opinion on matters of interest in
which it is concerned is, nevertheless, sometimes carried on to
a mischieyous length, and factious opinions instead of con-
scientious ones are often enough put forth; even great societies
are sometimes the means of deceiving the public. Fortunately
the freedom of opinion is accorded to all, and this in some
measure secures us against great mistakes. And, as the will of
the mighty public is more potent than that of most mighty men,
most of our public undertakings are the subject of more care
and anxiety on the part of those who execute them than private
undertakings are. Great taste is often shown in buildings and
other works that are far from costly, and some public parks or
gardens will vie with those of any nobleman or even Royalty
itself, Where is more variety collected into a moderate space
than is shown at Birkenhead? Other places are rising into fame,
while some, which from their natural dieadvantages can never
be expected to occupy a prominent place in cultural matters, are,
nevertheless, equally important for other reasons which render
them at all times pleasing and agreeable, if not also instructive
objects of interest. Such a place is Sunderland Park, of which
the following short description may, perhaps, suffice, since the
general bearings of such places haye been more extensively
treated of.

SUNDERLAND Parx, generally so called, occupies an elevated
position immediately adjoining the southern edge of the town.
Originally it was a quarry, and it was on the waste stone and
rubbish that the formation of it had to be carried out. The
southern side of the plot showed the face of the rock where the
workings had been left off, and this, being some 40 or 50 feet
high, forms an excellent feature in it. The high and bleak situa-
tion of the whole, and its being only about half a mile from the
seashore, precluded all chance of cultivating many of the
shrubs and plants often found in more genial situations; but the
formation of the ground, the excellent walks, and the annuals,
creepers, and such shrubs and trecs as will withstand the chilly
blasts of the German Ocean, gave to the whole an air of neatness
I was hardly prepared to find in such a place. ‘The ground
that had been excavated and been left in irregular heaps, had
been in some degree altered, not by levelling but by increasing
the size of these mounds and in all cases rounding their tops.
Curved walks of a beautifully grey-coloured stone-shatter, hard,
firm and smooth, wound along the valleys in various directions ;
and what appeared well worth copying in other public gardens
was, that in most if not in all cases the walk was in so deep a
cutting that the sloping turf edges could not be walked on,
while at the same time they were so nicely adjusted to the walk
as to leave the latter of a regular and uniform width and a
faultless outline. All who have had public walks to deal with,
well know the anxiety of so many to walk on the turf and its
consequent wearing away, but here I did not see a single gap
or blank—in fact, the steep character of the edgings made it
difficult to set foot on them.

Some of the mounds were capped with clumps of shrubs,
but the ungenial climate was fatal to most of these. In the
more sheltered recesses they were 4 shade better, and some at
the base of the rock promised to grow up; but it was evident
only a few of our general garden favourites were able to en-
dure the keen sea air. Of the most healthy were Cotoneaster
microphylla, some Ivy, Poplar, Vinca, and other things, but I
do not remember seeing the Tamarisk, which certainly ought to
doin such a place. But the great beauty in summer lies in the
annuals, of which there was an excellent assortment and all ina
thriving condition ; while in winter the beautiful dryness of the
walks, the rock with its perennials and creepers, and the ex-
cellent turf by which the whole of the space not occupied by
walks or beds is covered, will give it always a cheering aspect.
Amongst the annuals occupying the very highest part of the
ground, were excellent French and African Marigolds, Stocks,
Delphiniyms, Dianthus, Calliopsis, and other popular annuals ;
and hanging from the rock were Sedums, Saxifrages, Wall-
flowers, Ivy, Nasturtiums (which by-the-by I also saw in another
place not more than a stone’s throw from the ocean), Vincas,
and, what I believe would do very well, Cineraria maritima, In
the bottom and in a more sheltered position were some beds of
Scarlet and other Geraniums, Verbenas, Calceolarias and other

.
|
:

February 3, 1863. ]

‘bedding plants in tolerable order ; but annuals were the most
gay at the beginning of October. It ought also to be mentioned,
that a bronze statue, said to be of great merit, of General Have-
lock, whom Sunderland claimed as a townsman, occupies the
highest part of the ground; near this is also one of those
trophies so often met with in towns of less note—viz., a Russian
gun. The Havelock monument is, however, well placed, and is
said to be a good likeness of the hero, and the view from its base
is very fine. A forest of masts isseen over the tops of the houses
in the foreground—further off the glittering ocean, dotted here
and there with specks of human handicraft slowly making their
way to their destined port; and the town itself, though less
ornamented with church-spires and monuments than some of
more ancient date, is seen to possess few of the dirty narrow
lanes and slums which disgrace so many cities of more renown.
A peep at another public work will show that mere utility need
not necessarily banish the beautiful, for in this both are combined.
SUNDEREAND WATERWORKS.—It is not usual that this class
of undertakings is in any way connected with gardening matters,
‘but the managers in this case have given their works such an
ornamental character in the gardening way as to entitle them to
notice—in fact, the floral beauties and good-keeping of the place
make it a fashionable resort for those who do not object toa
walk of a mile and a half from the town, and that mostly up-hill,
for the waterworks are on very elevated ground, commanding the
highest buildings in it. The salubrity of the air is great as well
as the excellence of the water, to obtain which a steam-engine
is at work lifting one hundred gallons each’stroke, and that
twelve times a-minute, and yet the noiscis little, and of dirt there
seems none. Very large basins of the’crystal fluid, in which very
‘smell objects may be seen 12 feet deep, are surrounded with
terraced walks, and these are bordered with turf edging kept scru-
pulously neat, while the vacant ground is carved out into slopes,
flower-beds, and borders, with groups of trees near the entrance.
Near one of the boundary-walls, which was covered with
Roses and some Ivy, were groups of the most fashionable bed-
ding plants of the day. Petunias seemed to do better than
near London; Lobelia speciosa was flowering very well; while
Geraniums, Verbenas, Ageratums, and Calceolarias were pretty
good; and Gazanias remarkably so. Amongst annuals were
Saponaria, Asters, Stocks, Phlox Drummondi, Mignonette, and
French and African Marigolds, with some few patches of Gladio-
lus, all in good keeping; and in an out-of-the-way corner I
noticed some common Primroses bedded-in under trees, doubt-
Jess to be brought forth for winter decoration. Amongst shrubs
were some rather promising Yews and Ilexes, and the excellent
keeping of the whole reflected great credit on all concerned.
To my mind the raising of 1200 gallons of the purest water
per minute from the bowels of the earth was not the least
imposing feature, and the machinery seemed neither bulky nor
noisy. The Directors in making their grounds so ornamental
deserve the thanks of all, and it is to be hoped they will derive
‘other and more substantial advantages as well. J. Rogson.

VINDICATION OF GARTNER—EFFECT OF
CROSSING PEAS.

Iy my last communication I said that Girtner had proved
that the colour of the Pea in one variety of the garden Pea may
‘be changed by the direct action of the pollen of another dif-
ferently-coloured variety. Mr. Beaton authoritatively remarks
on this: “* Girtner never found that—he only asserted it; and
when he was pushed to the proof he lowered his sails, made a
second edition of his great work, and confessed many of his
errors.” He adds, “ No cross-breeder of any practice in England
at'the present day would like to have his name associated with:
that of Gartner for or against any exploit in crossing.”

i should have taken no notice of this, although I should be
sorry to lie under the imputation of haying made an entirely
incorrect statement, and although it is not pleasant to be flatly
contradicted ; but I wish much to be allowed to endeavour to
vindicate the memory of one of the most laborious lovers of
truth who ever lived. It is painful to see a long life of honest
labour repaid by contumely from a fellow-experimentalist, who,
I suppose—anyhow I hope—never read one page of the great
original work—namely, the “ Bastarderzeugung,” published in
4849, a mine of wealth to all who will explore it.

Gartner, when young, and at the very commencement of
his long work, committed a very foolish action; he crossed a

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COLTAGE GARDENGR.

93

number of plants belonging to distinct genera without having
taken due precaution to exclude insects, and when he found
their capsules full of seed, he thought that he had succeeded in
crossing them. With the enthusiasm of a beginner he most
unwisely published the result, and to this first paper Dr. Herbert
has alluded with proper blame. When Giirtner found his seed-
lings came up pure, he, like an honest and excellent man (as all
who knew anything of his life will admit that he was), publicly
confessed his error.

Gartner’s great and last work, entitled “ Versuche iiber die
Bastarderzeugung,” contains in 790 closely-printed pages the
detailed results of nine thousand distinct experiments in cross-
ing, together with admirable observations on the whole subject
of hybridisation. This is a greater number of experiments than,
as I believe, have ever been published by any other man, even
by Kélreuter, and a far greater number than those published by
Dr. Herbert, One great superiority in Giirtner’s work over
those of Kélreuter, Herbert, and others consists in his haying
actually taken the trouble to count the seeds in the capsules of
every cross and hybrid which he made. He kept an exact
record at the time of making each experiment ; and this I have
reason to believe was not done by Herbert, and certainly has
been very far from the case with other English experimentalists.

I cannot resist here mentioning—as some who honour, as I
do, the memory of Dr. Herbert, might like to hear the fact—that
I have reason to believe that the last words ever uttered by
Herbert were on his favourite subject of crossing. I called on
him in London, and saw that he was very feeble. I wished to
leave him, but he stopped me, and talked with much interest on
this subject. An hour or two afterwards, as far as E could judge
by the published account, he was found dead in the chair in
which I left him. "

Bui to return to the Pea-question. An account of the various
crosses made by Gartner (he selected the most constant varie-
ties) between differently coloured Peas, with the results given in
detail, will be found at page 81 to 85 in his “* Bastarderzeugung.”
Giivtner was led to try these experiments from doubting the
accuracy of Wiegmann’s statements, and he found many of them
incorrect ; but he was compelled to believe in the Pea case; not
that Peas can be crossed with Vetches, to which other state-
ment of Wiegmann Mr. Beatonalludes. I may add that Girtner
knew of the account, published in vol. v., pages 234, 237 of the
“ Transactions of the Horticultural Society of London,” on the
influence of pollen on Peas. In an old volume of the “ Philo-
sophical Transactions,” vol. xliii., page 525, there is a full ac:
count, with every appearance of truth, of Peas in adjoining
rows affecting each other. The Rev. M. J. Berkeley has, as I
have been informed, subsequently to the publication of Girt-
ner’s book, tried again the Pea-experiment with the same result.
—CuHartes Darwin, Down, Bromley, Kent.

GOOD-GRACIOUS PANSY.

We observed in your issue of 20th inst., a letter of protest
against the name given to the Double Pansy now offered for sale
by us, and we shall feel greatly obliged if you will insert the
following in reply.

The plant was submitted to the notice of Mr. Beaton, and
spoken of by him in No. 66 of your Journal, page 248, under
the name of “‘ Good-Gracious”’ as follows :— ;

“The ‘Good-Gracious’ Double Bedding Pansy was sent in
the name of Messrs, Carter & Co., and had a first-class certificate
from a flying quorum of the Floral Committee, for they all
seemed on the wing; but besides the Sub-Committee, who were
appointed to do the honours of the Summer Shows, there were
the Chairman, J. J. Blandy, Esq., and the Rev. J. Dix, who take
the Chair in turns; the Secretary, Mr. Moore, and a lot of us;
and we were unanimous in the award. Many ladies also seconded
our resolve ; and you may expect it next spring as cheap as it is
good. But Ihave not yet had its genealogy, further than that
it is a Devonian.—D. Braton.”

When we gave the plant the name of “Princess Alexandra,”
we had forgotten that Mr. Beaton had already introduced it to
the notice of the public in the pages of your Journal ander the
name “ Good-Gracious ;” and not wishing to confuse the public
by offering the same plant under different names, we of course
reverted to its originally-published cognomen. We do not,
however, wish it to be inferred from the foregoing observations
that we agree with your correspondent’s opinion, and desire to

94: JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

throw the presumed blame upon Mr. Beaton: far from it. The
name may be inelegant, and that is the only objection to it.
To say that “ Good Gracious” is a profane expression is simply
absurd; and who that was not morbidly sensitive would ever
dream of attributing blasphemy to it? We entertain the highest
veneration for sacred subjects, and for their professed’ exponents,
and we must say that in our humble opinion both have been, to
say the least, unnecessarily brought forward in this matter by
your correspondent.—JamEs Carter & Co., 237, 238, High
Holborn, London.

[Having now published the objection that some of our readers
take to the name of “ Good-Gracious” applied to a flower, and
haying also published what Mr. Beaton and Messrs. Carter have
to say in its defence, we will close the controversy, so far as our
columns are concerned by observing, that though we do not
consider the name profane, yet it approaches too near to the
vulgar to be a desirable name for a flower. There is but a shade
of superiority in “ Good Gracious” over “ Oh, my eye!” which
would not sound pleasantly though applied to a very wondrous
Rose.—Eps. J. or H.]

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, feeling “that he is
contributing towards carrying out the wishes of a beloved parent,
that the memorial of the Great Exhibition of 1851 should be
inaugurated with every circumstance of honour,” has consented
to inaugurate the memorial on the 5th of June next, being the
anniversary of the opening of the Royal Horticultural Society’s
Gardens in which it stands,

At the anniversary Meeting on February 10th we understand
that Sir Daniel Cooper, Bart., the Rev. Joshua Dix, and J. Kelk,
Esq., will be proposed as new members of the Council; William
Wilson Saunders, Esq., as Secretary in the place of Dr. Lindley,
resigned, and who, we believe, will be proposed as'a Vice-Presi-
dent in place of the Bishop of Winchester, who retires; and
John Clutton, Esq., as Treasurer.

ABUNDANCE FROM A SMALL SPACE—
BROCCOLI CULTURE.

If is a very popular notion, that one requires a consider-
able degree of insight into the mysteries of the art of cookery
to be able to boil a Potato well, and yet no vegetable is more
generally and extensively cooked than the Potato. It is profit-
able as a crop, easy to cultivate, and generally liked, so that
almost everybody makes use of it. Thousands cook and eat it,
and yet it is only a good cook who can boil a Potato well.

Again: Who being in possession of a plot of ground does not
try to cultivate one or more of the numerous tribe of Cabbage-
worts? Yet for all that, it requires a very skilful cultivator to
grow any of the Cabbage tribe well under the numerous diffi-
culties which many gardeners find in the way. Ido not mean
to imply those who have space, for then the principal difficulty
is removed. Provided there is sufficient labour and space, the
difficulty of keeping’ up a supply of vegetables is not great ;
the ground can lie fallow for a short’ time, provided one crop is
off before it is time to put another in, and all may go on com-
fortably. This is not the case with regard to small plots which
are sometimes devoted to kitchen crops, and which are often made
to produce as much as gardens of much larger dimensions.

Ido not intend to speak in any way disparagingly of those
who cultivate vegetables on four or five acres of ground, that
being the size of the kitchen garden; but I do mean to assert,
that more credit is due to him who manages to supply a family
with vegetables all the year round from a quarter of an acre of
ground. In fact, I have known this done when the same extent
of ground has been thickly planted with fruit trees and bushes.
How it is done it would be difficult to describe ; but it can only
be by careful watching and untiring industry, managing so that
one crop shall be half grown before another is done with; that
what is lost during the growth of one crop shall be replaced ;
and thatthe ground shall be kept exceedingly rich and fertile
while its resources are severely drawn upon: and, perhaps, here
is the main secret, for itis a fact’ that the handling of stimulants
is a very delicate matter.

When soil becomes thoroughly exhausted it appears to become
filled with minute organic forms, which seem injurious to the
growth of garden crops. THe endeavour to enrich it often

{ February 3, 1863.

increases the evil and sours it instead, Many swarm of grubs
may be traced to the manure applied, and plants may be easily

‘destroyed by manure given ina liquid state ; and it requires some

considerable practice to be able to know to a nicety just what
plants require, and to give no more.

It is in consequence of this knowledge that many gardeners,
who are otherwise unknown, are able to achieve much with very
limited means—a talext for making the most of everything so
that there is no waste.

It may appear like stretching the matter to say, that two or
three dishes of vegetables and salads every day in the year—all
kinds of fruits, as Apples, Pears, Plums, &c.—all kinds of wall
fruits, bush fruits, and Strawberries—can be supplied from a
kitchen garden of little more than a quarter of anacre. Itisnever--
theless a fact, and probably the details would be worth knowing
if they could be made intelligible. It is not, however, my in-
tention now to enter into details even if I could, but to make x
few remarks on the culture of Broccoli—one, of the most useful
classes of vegetables that can be grown, especially for winter and
early spring use. Yet Broccoli is a most exhausting crop, and
does more towards impoverishing the ground than any other,,
and where it is continually grown requires some management to.
make it sufficiently productive. The question is, therefore, not
so much how to grow it, as how to grow it profitably on the same-
spot year after year, and at the same time to obtain other crops
from the same ground every year also.

If ground is to produce so much more than the average it

will be necessary to make good the losg sustained; for this is-

not usually done in the ordinary method of wheeling manure on
to the ground and trenching it in as the crop comes of.

Everybody who writes about kitchen-gardening makes it a.
point to urge trenching as a matter of the greatest necessity.
The fact is, I think, this is too often overdone. It is not always-
good for plants to root deeply into the soil. if a tree forms a.
tap root and goes deep into the soil, it is generally an unfruitful
one; and if a Cabbage or Broccoli roots deeply, it runs to leaf
and stalk, but makes a very poor head.

‘What is wanted in a plant ora tree is a mass of close fibres near
the surface, and it isthen sure to be productive. Ihaye trenched
the ground preparatory to planting Broccoli on many occasions,.
sometimes deeply—as much as 4 feet—at other times not more
than a foot, adding plenty of manure at the same time, but
never did I find any satisfactory results proceed from it. A.
friend of mine, an ingenious and industrious gardener, once told
me that he used to trench the ground deeply for Broccoli, but
never found it do well. At last he left off trenching and it
answered better. He even planted it in hard ground where he had
to use a crowbar to make the holes, and then it grew much better-
than when planted on trenched ground, “TJ will never,” said
he, “plant Broccoli again on newly-trenched ground.’ Of
course, some allowance must be made for the quality and texture-
of the ground. I very much doubt if light ground is ever im-
proved by trenching.

However, to return to causes. The principal one is in making.
good the Joss of matter drawn from the ground by the previous
crop, and in supplying the succeeding one with a proper quantity
of suitable food. This, of course, is given in the form of manure..
The usual method is to have a load or two of rich-looking,
highly-coloured stuff drawn in at the moment it is required. I
doubt if half the good is ‘ever done in this way that is supposed..
There are colour and sometimes smell, but are these the neces-
sary qualities required by plants? Iventure tosaynot. Onthe
other hand I think a plant looks for something rather different
as its natural food, and takes manure only when it is in such a
condition that its constituents are ready to decompose or part
asunder without being under the influence of putrescent fer-
mentation, and that is when it is neither disagreeable to the
sense of smell, sight, or feeling—not that plants are supposed to.
be possessed of these senses, for it is not known that they are;
but'then they do absorb nutritive matter, and it must be in a
condition that is not unpalatable to them.

From this I deduce that manure ought to be perfectly rotten,
and, to make it still more sweet and natural, it should be mixed.
with a like quantity of soil (good turfy loam I prefer); that two

‘years is a yery good time for it to lie together, after being well

mixed, before applying it to the ground; and that every year
when a part of the heap is used a like quantity ought to be added

to lie together the same length of time.

Here is presented the chief difficulty. Very few people care to-
devote a portion of their ground to a store of manure, and still.

bt Ue Me See

February 3, 1863. ]

fewer to keeping it so long.
business is considered the most objectionable; but it must be
surmounted, or the plan I would recommend of growing good

crops on a limited space cannot be accomplished. However rich |

and fertile the ground may naturally be, such crops as Broccoli
soon alter the texture of it; and I, for one; put more faith in
good sound manure and fresh soil than in phosphates and other
salts, giyen, as they are and should be, in homeopathic doses.

But where there is a will there is a way ; and the means of con- |

cealing 2 heap of manure, or of turning it to account while it
is undergoing decomposition, will present themselves readily
enough if desired.

Of the three most important points to be attended to in the
cultivation of Broccoli in small gardens, keeping the ground firm
is the first—that is, as far as my own experience goes; for,
having had chiefly to deal with light ground, I can affirm that
I never knew Broccoli do well in it if planted soon after it had
been trenched, although the experience of others may give a con-
trary result. Next comes manure, which has already been spoken
of; and thirdly, the distance of planting them from each other.

‘We are sometimes told to clear Broccoli of dead leaves as the-

winter approaches. Now why should this be necessary? Ifa
plant receives plenty of reom at planting it makes a short thick
‘stem, and spreads out its broad vigorous leaves covering a yard
or 4 feet, or eyen more, no dead leaves being visible, and if you
happen to lift up the leaves in damp weather you will see the
surface of the ground so covered and shaded completely matted
with small active fibres. Now spread 3 inches of loam and
dung over those fibres, and the plant will continue to grow, and
no leayes will die; for, from its receiving a continued supply of
proper food, it does not require the constituents of old leaves to
build-up fresh, and then when frost comes the plant receives no
injury, for the leaves droop and cover the stem—a provision of
Nature which ought to be noted and allowed for.

So, then, in planting the Broccoli, first choose strong healthy
plants that haye been pricked-out from the seed-bed. Plant
them, if in rows, not less than 4 feet apart and not less than
3 feet apart in the row, and do not plant till the soil has been
run together by the rains of the last three months or so, at least

if the ground is light; but remember, no manure need be dug.
into the ground. When the plants have grown considerably |

Jay about 5 inches of it on the surface, without digging it in,
and there need be no fear that the plants will not find it, for

The most important part of the |

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 95

what the fibres do not reach up to the rains will wash down
to them. All this may be done between other crops, such as
| early Peas, Beans, &c.
| Itis one of the most common mistakes to suppose that the
| closer plants are packed together the more is obtained from the
ground. It may be so with regard to individual crops, but as
| respects a succession it is a great fallacy. In sowing Onions,
Parsnips, Carrots, and such dwarf crops, sow two rows about
a foot apart, and then go about 4 or 5 feet and sow two more.
Let the intermediate space remain till the time for planting
winter crops of Cabbageworts, and plant one row of these through
the centre of this bare five-feet space. They will cover the
ground after being treated with manure as described, not dug
in, but laid on the ground between and about the stems, cover-
ing the roots, and preventing evaporation. There will then be no
necessity for clearing away dead leaves, or laying down to pro-
tect from irost—a plan which I have often adopted to my cost, for
| the mice attackins them have eaten out the hearts, and spoiled
| the crop.
| With respect to sorts, no better authority can be given than
| late Numbers of Tur JourNab or Horticunrure. I have
| usually grown the Walcheren, because it yields for a length of
time. I grow Harly Cape on account of its not coming in all
at once ; Snow’s Winter as a winter crop; Purple Sprouting as.a
profitable crop; and Miller's Dwarf, from its hardiness and
lateness, yielding heads almost tillautamn-sown Walcheren comes
in again. I have occasionally grown other sorts, but find their
particular points of excellence are of more consequence to the
large than the small grower: therefore it is unnecessary for me to
enumerate them. ‘The same may be said of the time of sowing,
for able pens haye already done much on this point. I consider
March the best time for sowing early sorts, and April for late
ones.

But there is one practice I would recommend—that is, never
ito plant the first and strongest plants from the seed-bed. I
once had a fine crop of Purple Sprouting Broccoli. I chose
the very best plants I could find, and let them run to seed ;
there were no other plants of Broccoli or any other Cabbagewort
seeding within a long distaace of them that I knew of, and yet

they all came green and reedy; but the second planting was
perfection. Since then I usually throw away the leading plants
from a seed-bed.—F. Cn1try.

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS FOR
CO. DOWN, IRELAND.

WABINGSTOWN,
Latitude, 54° 26'30". Longitude, 6°

1862.

15' 30". Height above sea, 191 feet.

7
BAROMETER. | @ELF-REGISTERING THERMOMETER. FRosT,| RAIN-GAUGE.

when I sowed the seed and planted-out the strongest plants.

| crovp. | WIND.
packs SA } u
Correctedand| | | oie [PSs No. of Days it Blew trom
reduced to 32° | | | a, j4. By sey eS Uae l
Fahr. | | Sz 25] Sy Sis | ee eee | |
a = S@Eleec] Stain | Peak eae ser }
2 eee x |2] 2s | |
= - S A a& a S ne |
Sia | tee r= ‘Sead tet Pa tants) IS Beet | a
Se< S| = | | Slasulce Bilis | go 4
ro seo | = |e £ at § |sec\fa 3 is] sz | |
1862. Ses | Se le ails |= leo le. Wiberg) (mee athe! ke |
a = || ee eee ZSRBlIAS| . S & é | H |
ele lel eels keto ee ebean | io |
Be} S |} 3 | E 5 a |S jessica = =| We Nae 3 } ees ae
5o2| 8 |= é | 2 | S |Bicaslen| Ei) & VS josapeo) fa) fa) Je] dele
Sis Se S/S] Se sla 2 | = | Saleen alal/alalalalelzi|o
} | | | | — | — —— = ee ee —
| Tas. Ins. 5 A % <; iB | Ins. | Ins. | | | | | | |
January | 29.55 1.21 | 52 44.30 | 25.45 | 39.89 | 27 10 18 | 4.17 | 0.82 |1fth| 17 | 16 bee MO Filed L 2} 4) S$} 10 5. 0
Februa {| 29.81 | 1-380 | 54 4646 | 35.14 , 40.75 | 34 10 4} 1.03 | 0.4) 22d) 15}15} 1) 1 | 6 1d wen Hee gal tees cd 2) 2
March 9950 | 0.82 | 55 47.61) 35.39 | 41.50/32) 10 | 11] 281 | 0.78 jam | 20/17) 0] 5/11] 2] a) 5] 3} 2) a
April 29.73 | 0.90 | 65 | 56.47 | 39.03 | 47:75| 40 | 3 | 15 | 3.29 | 0.59 \20rh| 16/35 | $| 3) 2) 2| | 10) 4] 320
May 29.64 | 0.57 | 63 61.00 | 44.48 | 52.64) 36 1 | 12 | 4.15 | 1.05 |2nd} 12 Cj) Ae Sel) OYE ayy 8/7 6; 2
June 99.62 | 0.79 | 71 61.40 | 46, 0 } 17 | 257 | 0.82 ath} 6] 15| 2} 1] 0] 2] 2) 7) 6] 10) 0
July 29.60 | 0.70 | 68 ; 62. 7. 0 | 16 | 3.48 | 0.64 |7th | 14} 14| 1) 0 1 1 5 Oh PG) eG) 1
Augn 29.72 | 0.60 | 69 5 o | 8| 140 | 040 joth} a7] 18} 1| 1/ 1] 2] 4) 9) i449 | <0
Septemb | g9:77 | 0-75 | 70 0 | S195 | 0.62 Bra} a7} 10] 1/ 2] 2] 4] Sis) 41 6) 5
October 99.57 | 1.32 | 64 2 19 | 3.65 | 0.96 }20th} 11} 12; 1} 0} O} 2 1/13| 6 Ce es
Novem 9972 | LIL | 58 | 22 |-10.| 2:71.| 0191 jzamh} 72] 13] 1] 0| 0} 2) 2) %6) 6] 4} 9
December | 29.89 | 0.60 2 | $ | 15) 8.29 | 0.65 jI7th} 18 | 20; 21} 0; 0} S| 3) 8} 10) 6} 0
= } } i=sleal = =|
Total SIA totreosce| enced eee Mamma Reel Pea 66 {133 34.45 | S.11 185 )LE9 13 | 16 24 | 33 31 | 88 | 70 | 69 21
| | | | }
| -_— } | | i
Means 29.68 53.88 [41.13 [47.66 | lat We paren | |
{ |

Nore.—Highest barometer 30.34, February 9th, hard frost, wind S.B. Lowest 28.83, October 23rd, wind N.W., stormy.

Highest thermometer in shade, June 2nd, 71°, wind S.W.
417.

Lowest 20°, February Sth, Wind 8.H. Wettest month January,

Greatest fall in twenty-four hours, May 2nd, 1.05, wind N.E.—Tromas Wanine.

96

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

THE HORSE CHESTNUT.
In the reign of George III., there happened to be at the

[ February 3, 1863.

from the Levant, though a few years before, as Parkinson

same time two members of the House of Commons, one of | observes, “‘our Christian world first had the knowledge of it

whom was Monta-
gue Matthews, and
the other Matthew
Montague. They
similarly differed
in politics, for one
voted for the king’s
interests in pre-
ference to those of
the people, whilst
the other always
voted the other
way. On one oc-
casion the Royal-
ist’s opinions were
attributed to the
democrat, which
started the latter
from his seat to
assure the House
that though they
bore the same
names, yet they
as much differed
as did a chestnut
horse from a Horse
Chestnut.

Quite as mis-
taken was our con-
temporary, ‘‘ Notes
and Queries,” when
it gravely informed
one of its inquirers
that the Horse
Chestnut is so call-
ed because the fruit
is given to horses!
Its name so im-
plies; but if horses
could speak, they
would assure our
contemporary they
never eat anything
with a flavour so
disgusting. Gerarde
may have been
right, who wrote
about the period
when it was first

introduced here, |

when he said it
is called ‘“ Horse-
Chesnut, for that
the people of the
Hast countries do

with the fruit °

thereof cure their
horses of the cough,
shortnesse of breath
ana such-like dis-
eases;” but we

rather think that |

the prefix ‘‘horse,”
was merely em-
ployed to denote
harshness and pow-

erful flayour, as in —

the case of Horse-
radish.

Its native dwell-
ing place is among
the mountains of
Thibet, but it came
to England direct

ZEsculus hippocastanum flore pleno.

from Constantine-
le.”?
Here, we have
at present, only to

“make a note of

it,” as an orna-
mental tree. Gil-
pin thought it too
heavy and too
roundheaded, and
when planted alone
it is not libelled by
that description ;
but we have seen it
very effective when
grouped with coni--
cal-formed trees,.
which broke the-
monotony of the
outline formed by
the Horse Chest-
mi

uts.
The double-blos-
somed variety has

the additional merit

ofcontinuinglonger
in bloom than the
single-blossomed.

“* AUSCULUS HIP-
POCASTANUM,
var. FLORE-PLENO.
(Double - flowered
Horse Chestnut.)
— Nat. ord., Sa-
pindacee. Linn.,
Heptandria Mono-
gynia. It isa rather
uncommon, and a
very ornamental
tree, equalling in
vigour the common
sort, from which
it differs only in
its double flowers.
These are very
showy, having a
strong resemblance-
to those of a good
double Hyacinth ;.
they are pale blush,,
with deeper red at-
the base of the
petals. Our figure
was made from &
specimen -commu-
nicated by Mr,
Rivers, of Saw-
bridgeworth, who
informs us that he
received it from the
Continent’ about
eighteen yearssince.
The spike of flow-
ers we have repre-
sented was not so
long as is usual,
owing to the tip
having been killed:
by frost im May.
The trees flower
when quite young,’
—(Gardeners’ Ma-
gazine of Botany.)

February 3, 1863. ]
A FEW DAYS

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

(ta)
Lf

IN IRELAND.

WOODSTOCK.
(Continued from page 75.)

On the north side of this wall are the usual sheds for garden-
ing purposes, flanked with beds of flowers, and backed with
rich masses of Rhododendrons. Well back, so as to have
plenty of light, are three or four ranges of houses and pits,
with broad walks between them. A walk at the west end and
@ bank of Rhododendrons separate these from the conservatory,
which stands at the north end of the first raised terrace. These
houses were well supplied with plants for growing and forcing
in winter—as Cinerarias, Primulas, Oranges, Justicias, Ruellias,
Poinsettias, Huphorbia jacquinieflora, bulbs &c. Other houses
were filled with Fuchsias in bloom, Oranges, Camellias, &c., and
all in good condition. We noticed a number of fine healthy
plants of Cantua dependens, which is managed successfully, if we
recollect aright, by resting the plants in summer and growing
them in January. Most are more or less span-roofed houses ;
and a fine one, devoted to Pine-culture, is covered with Hartley’s
best rough plate-glass. The Pines, planted out and in pots,

with and without hot-water pipes beneath them, were in the
finest health, stems thick, leaves short and stubby. In this
and another house Vines in pots are forced early with great
success, the pots being placed beside and over an open gutter
through which a hot-water pipe passes. To enumerate all the
outs and ins of these houses would require an article. Mr.
McDonald traced something of the fine condition of the Pines
to the rough glass, which he considered allowed more of the
beneficial rays of light to pass through than even the clear
plate. He had evidently studied deeply the subject of light
in reference to glass houses, and we should be glad to have
a detail of the conclusions at which he may have arrived,
as in general we are rather in a maze on this important sub-
ject. These houses—those in the walled-in gardens and the
conservatory—are heated by one of Weeks’ tubular boilers, and
a tunnel takes away the smoke, the most of which, however,
is consumed.

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WALK

fe Se are are Se

= = WALL

From these houses we mount a granite stair and stand in
front of the circular conservatory with domed roof, the roof
being coloured delicately blue, and the bottom glass a light grey,
thus requiring no shading and giving rise again to questions
of suitable colours in glass. In order not to confuse our readers,
however, it will be better to step through the walled garden and
come out at the gate of blue and gold at Hu, where the three
flights of steps stand facing us, and such a combination of
bright colours presents itself to the right and the left, and on
three different levels as can rarely be witnessed. We first find
ourselves in the middle of aparterre next the wall, formed of
T-beds. We rise six steps and we are on terrace H, 36 feet
wide, formed of circles in chain pattern, extending to the right
to the conservatory, a distance of we should say more than

170 feet, and to the left even considerably further, and terminated
by a fine iron circular garden seat, of a bright blue and yellow
colour, which is backed by a group of evergreen Oaks. Hach circle
in these chains is 12 feet across. We mount to the next terrace,
which is of the same width and length, and which is formed
with a chain of diamonds, with blunted triangles in the openings.
These diamonds are 18 feet across.

The T-beds next the wall would have looked very well any-
where else except in the vicinity of the larger and more dazzling
masses on these two upper terraces. We made a number of
memoranda but from a drenching rain they became much oblite-
rated. We must, therefore, confine ourselves less to particular
than to general features. J irst, We were glad to find the beds
well raised in the centre, the circles not only being circular in

98 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

their cireumference, but circular across, forming more than the |

half of a globe. This is different from the practice of some
people, who must have their circles a dead level. Mr. McDonald
stated, with great truth, that “the elevating of the beds added
a third to their surface, and different colours were shown-off
with much better effect.” Second, The beds on each side of
these flights of steps were planted to match, as uniformity in
such cases is always pleasing. ‘he second and third beds, &c.,
generally follow suit. Each bed is intended to bea picture in
itself; whilst, at the same time, it either contrasts with, har-
monises with, or shades into, its next neighbour. In some beds
the colours are contrasted, in others they are shaded; many
Scarlet Geraniums are shaded-doywn, whilst the variegated sorts
are shaded-up, A splendid shaded diamond bed consisted of
Mrs. Maylor, Trentham Rose, and Princess Royal. Spitfire
Geranium set-off to great advantage the immense trusses of
Glendinning’s Scarlet Seedling; aud again, Spitfire formed a
fine ground for what Mr, McDonald styled the “dazzling Stella
of Beaton.” Hardly any Verbenas are used in these terraces,
except such a bright sort as Lord Raglan for lighting-up Lady
Plymouth Geranium. No Calceolaria is so much esteemed as
amplexicaulis; and even after the torrents of rain, its bright
lemon colour and its large loose trusses or panicles were very
charming. Variegated Geraniums are often mixed, not formally
but in little groups, so as to present a broken surface. We
have forgotten to state that the amplexicaulis Calceolaria is
planted in peat and sand, which seems to answer well in the
moist climate of Ireland. The best-coloured leaves we have
seen out of doors of Farfugium grande were on this terrace.
Third, Lhere was every evidence that not only great thought
had been exercised in the planting of the beds, but that they
had received unintermitting attention ever since in regulating,
thinning, and nipping, so that a shoot or flower should not be
out of place, The beds, therefore, though full were not crammed,
‘but the plants had room to grow; and such edging plants as
Golden Chain were close to without touching each other. A
high finish is given to the whole by the beds being covered
neatly with moss, which was as green as if grown in a shady
wood. We have tried moss several times; but in hot weather
‘we could not keep it green, even if the birds would have let it
alone. In a few hours they would scatter it over gravel or
lawn. These beds at Woodstock would seem to say that the
feathered tribe had not learned to scratch and tear there.

Now for an opinion, for we will not venture to criticise.
This terrace of circles is the most telling and massive affair of
the kind we have ever seen ; thanks, not only to the planting of
the beds, but to the treasures of our lofty friend Mount Alto. The
pearly white spar that surrounds the beds, and the bright red
gravel that forms the walks next the glass, render the whole a
picture of great beauty. If anything seemed to be wanting, it
would bea few elevated plants to break the uniform level of
that mass of diversified beauty; but even on that we should be
afraid to venture. In the upper terrace of diamonds, the beds
“are quite as beautiful and as well managed every way as the
terrace of circles, and yet it seemed to us much less satisfactory.
This was solely owing to the whole of the triangles on each side
‘being filled with white spar. We do not object to the colour,
but to the baldness and low level of the colour, though variety
even here would not be unpleasing. Coloured gravels have
a good effect round regular clumps, or even in dividing figures
in a group; but we have never been satisfied with them when
they formed the only garmshing of clumps themselves, when
‘these were connected with other beds planted with flowers of
tolerable height. Such composition-groups interfere with unity,
even as respects level and outline. The raising of certain
beds, or of particular plants in these beds, above the general
level, has a yery different effect from a whole series of beds
having patches of colour sunk so much below the general level.
To maintain this unity, even as respects the level outline of
the picture, the white of these triangles ought to be as clearly
seen from a distance as the flowers in the diamonds, which
-could only be done by either elevating the white gravel or sink-
ing the plants, so. that the masses of flowers should not be on
a much higher level than the gravel, which, of course, would
spoil the beauty of the picture. Convinced of the refined taste
-of the proprietors and their manager, it is not without diffi-
dence we express the above opinion; but, considering the almost-
‘overpowering ‘somewhat-level splendour of the circle terrace,
‘we would be inclined, for variety, to plant these triangles, and to

have the central plants.as high as, or, rather, considerably higher !

[ February 8, 1863.

than the central plants in the diamonds. ‘The fine gravels may
then be used between and for walks as now. Without such
planting, we think more unity would be secured by removing
the inner lines of the triangles, fillmg the whole of the
space with one kind of gravel, and haying the walk of another
colour. There can be no better opportunity for ventilating a
subject which is daily absorbing increased attention. ur
simple idea is, that a regular clump in a parterre should be
filled with plants ; or, if mere colouring material is used, there
should be unity as respects level. ae ,

We now pass on to tie circular conservatory that stands at’
the end of the terrace of circles. The outline of this elegant

house, built by Mr. Turner, of Dublin, is, therefore, peculiazly

appropriate. Elegance and lightness are its marked features;
the lofty dome has given the key-note to the imside arrange-
ment, the plants being grouped in blunt rounded pyramidal
form. In the centre was a fine plant of a dwarf variety of the
Date Palm, supported with Musas, Hedychiums Gardnerianum
and coronarium, the latter adding its sweet white flowers ta the
attractions of its fine foliage. Then there were fine plants of
Begonia fuchsioides, with huge clusters of depending blooms,
fronted with fine-foliaged plants of Begonias and other genera,
and relieved by noble plants of feathered Cockscombs, gold and

crimson, and huge masses of Vallota purpurea, many counting -

fourteen large flower-stems in a pot. rom the roof were sus-
pended baskets of creepers and climbers, allowed to hang over
the baskets, and also mount on wires. Instead of the common
round pot, ovals and other shapes were used; but even these
did not seem artistic enough for such a scene. A gentle shower
can be sent over these plants from the roof when desirable; and
we may mention here that the hose and the pipe can be freely
used in watering elsewhere, which is a great advantage. From
the conservatory, over the flower-beds, over the Oaks that back
the fine garden seat, a fine outline is obtained of the mountains
of Carrigburn. Some lovers of uniformity might wish that
another conservatory occupied the site of the elegant garden seat.

From the steps at L, the sloping lawn on the left side of the
Irish Yew-walk, from i to M, though open in places, is massed
with shrubs, which conceal all view of a rosery and bulb garden
beyond; these gardens being again blocked-out from each other
by masses of Rhododendrons, &e. On the right side of that
Yew-walk, and reaching to the boundary farther back than the
line of the conservatory, the sloping lawn is open, and on it
are clustered the finest specimens, with one exception, of the
Pine tribe at Woodstock.

The walk is terminated by a seat at M, and in the background
is a fine plant of the Cedar of Goa, with a diameter of head of
50 feet, and the trunk near the base 2} feet in diameter. On
the lawn such kinds as Pinus insignis were as green as if there
had been no severe frost in England in 1860 and1861. Among
Ayaucarias and Deodars was a fine plant of the latter 30 fect in
height, which had become diseased when young, and had fresh
strength given to it by being grafted on the Larch. The follow-
ing were fine plants from 30 to 40 feet in height :—Pinus
excelsa, Ayacahuite, ponderosa, pinaster, Hartwegi, &e., with
recurving branches, aud apulcensis, with fine graceful foliage ;
Abies cephalonica, Douglasii, morinda, é&e.; Picea pinsapo,
Webbiana, &c.; with smaller plants of nobilis, Wellingtonias,
and other choice kinds; also fine, thick, upright specimens of
Cryptomeria japonica, and one of the finest specimens we ever
saw without protection of the Cuoninghamia sinensis, from
30 to 40 feet in height. From the end of the walk at m fine
peeps are obtained, between these specimens, of the terrace
gardens and the ribbon-borders through the gates in the walled
garden. At this point we should think the height would be
fully 150 feet above the level of the bowling-green.

Turning now to the left side of the walk we soon enter into
a rosery, the beds being oval in form, surrounded with arches
for climbers, and a straight walk so arched leading to it and
from it from east to west. In an open space of lawn near it
stands the exception above alluded to, the unequalled specimen
of Araucaria imbricata, above 40 feet in height, aud the bole
21 inches in diameter near the base. The great beauty consists
not so much in the size of the plant as in the density and
luxuriance of the main branches, and the drooping character
of the branchlets—a beauty of which even a photograph gives
little idea unlers looked at through a proper glass. ‘Proceeding
north-westward we come to a beautiful summer-house close
to the boundary, from which fine views are obtained of Brandon
Hill, side views of Saddle Mountain, with cottages on the cul-

February 5, 1868. ]

tivated land, and fine spiral trees in the foreground. Jeturn-
ing eastward by a fine curved walk, backed .with masses of
Rhododendrons and specimen Cypresses, &c., along the sides,
leaving a Boxed bulb garden and asplendid fountain on our left,
we again cross the lawn and come near the steps at D and B to
obtain a good view of the Araucaria-ayenue.

Dhis avenue is af present 600 yards in length and 50 feet in
width from tree to tree, the trees standing 30 feet apart from
‘each other in the row. One charm of this avenue is the sloping
ising. ground on which it is placed—somewhat similar to what

wetKe shown in the pleasure ground. A second charm is its
being backed on each side with masses of flat-headed and spiral
trees ; a third consists in the present termination being some-
what closed by a John-O’Geunt arch, formed by a fine old
Scotch Wir on each side; and a fourth charm will be found in
the mode of planting for securing health and a natural appear-
ance to the trees. Note here that most if not all of those plants
had previously been planted in different places at Woodstock ;
but they had fallen into a very unhealthy state, the hard foliage
being crusted with green slime through deep planting and stag-
nant moisture. To remedy this, a deep track, more than 5 feet
deep, down to the rock or slaty bed, was cut 40 feet: behind and
parallel to cach row of Araucarias. On the site for each tree
two or three loads of rough stones were placed chielly below the
original level, and then on that a mound formed of twelve loads
of good mixed earth. Meanwhile the whole plant of every
specimen was carefully scrubbed with soap water and small
brushes, and well syringed with clean water, and im many cases
the roots were also washed, and the whole were planted in
December because there was most time then. So well was
that planting done, that plants some 6 feet in height without
stake or tie never swerved from the perpendicular, and were
fast becoming as distinguished for green luxuriance, as they
were previously marked by a sickly hue.

The surface of the avenue was a little rough when we saw it,
but a fine, wide, hard promenade of grass has been made along
the centre, higher than the ground at the sides. The bottom
was formed of schist and granite gravel, the finest at the surface,
mixed with peat and well pounded till solid; on’ this a thin
turf was laid, fine soil scattered over it, then sown with Hard
Fescue Grass seed, and thoroughly rolled so that a horse may
gallop over it almost without leaving marks cf hoofs. We
can believe the iatter fact thoroughly, as the finest grass walk
we eyer saw, was one that had been allowed to form itself
naturally over a disused well-drained gravel path.

Standing at the end next the mansion the Scotch Firs make
such a nice termination that we are perfectly satisfied ; but when
we reach where these Firs stand, a hankering desire comes over
us that the avenue should be continued a considerable distance
farther on to the boundary of the deer park, so that the eye
would rest on the sky outline and the fine masses of timber
beyond on Mount Alto. We see no objection to this, except
exposing the substantial wall of the deer park, but that could
be concealed either by a covering of ireland’s evergreen creeper
or a bank of turf. We can well imagine that this maiter of
fences is one of great importance; as, though there are some
thirty-five acres of dressed ground, and a range of ornamental
grounds averaging one mile in every direction from the mansion,
and these are all substantially fenced, you never by any chance
see a boundary until you come right up to it.

Turning eastward and southward from the top of this ayenue,
we traverse a fine open glade formed of dense masses of Oaks
and Pines, with newer things at the sides, and through the wood
that leads to the glen, passing in our way huge masses of the
lowering Fern, Osmunda regalis, until we reach the Swiss
cottage—a private picnic rendezvous for the proprietors and
their friends. Of the antique furniture, table service, library,
&e., it is not our province to speak. The position is beautifully
picturesque and romantic, close to 2 precipice overhanging a
dashing waterwall. Before reaching the glen fine views are
obtained of the distant Carlow mountains, and southward, near
New Rosa, of the meeting of the Nore and the Barrow—

«which long sundered do at last accord
_ To join in one, ere to the sea they come ;
So flowing all from one—all one at last become.”

The glen is a lovely place, especially on a fine summer's day.
There is now the sweet murmur and the rattling din of the
streamlet as it emerges from a quiet pool or battles with a huge
boulder rock, or rushes down a precipitous incline or fall. There
are the narrow paths, with nothing artificial about them except

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

v9

a few flints and stones in the softest places, winding round along
the almost precipitous at times and at others more shelving
banks; whilst these banks themselves are clothed with luxuriant
timber, and all suitable openings planted with Deodars, Arau-
carias, and othera of our best Conifers. In addition to the
other undergrowths, we ever and anon meet with the New
Zealand Plax in flower, great’ masses of different kinds of Ferns
—as Aspidiums, Aspleniums, Athyriums, Blechnum boreale,
and Ceterach in great abundance; Lastreas; Hymenophyllums
in large patches ; Woodsias rather scant’; Polypodium vulgare in
great beds, and lesser patches of bifurcatum, cambricum, dry-
opteris; plants of Trichomanes, and plenty of Scolopendriums
in different varieties ; and here again huge plants of Osmunda
regalis 10 feet in height and 30 fect in circumference of head.

We must confess, however, that grand as was the picture, we
were not in the best mood for particularising its distinctive
features; for, feeling some twinges of rheums the previous
night, when the thunder rolled and the rains poured, as they
can do in Ireland, we would have fled to the nearest shelter but
for something like a feeling of shame and cowardice; for there
walked Mr. McDonald as unconcerned as if clovhed with ducks’
wings, and there stood the ladies, who honoured us with their
company, admiring some romantic view, or stooping to gather
some extra beautiful Fern-frond, or so wrapt in the admiration
of the beautiful that they ‘

“‘skelpit on through dub and mire,
Despising wind, and rain, and fire ?—
not even holding their bonnets, and leaving ribbons and crino-
lines to look after themselves. Surely, surely the worthy old
sage who once gave us the advice as the essence of wisdom,
“ Never walk with a lady on a rainy day if you can help it,”
could never have had the opportunity of observing with what a.
calm philosophy our sisters could look upon such an occurrence
in Ireland.

We were, therefore, glad to reach the Red House, situated
close to the river, with fine views upwards and downwards,
and about a mile distant from the mansion. With the ex-
ception of the terraces, &e., near the mansion, which can only
be seen by application, the whole of the rest of this beautiful
demesne is open for the enjoyment of visitors. The Red House:
is, as ib were, set apart for their comfort; and the chief employ-
ment of the people who lived in it seemed to be to minister
to their happiness. A large upper room is set apart for picnics,
banqueting, fiddling, and dancing. A nice drive of nearly two
miles takes us to the village of Innistioge, by the side of the
river. After the glen this is somewhat tame, though furnishing
fine peeps of the mansion and grounds, and Mount Alto in the
background, until, passing the line of the mansion, we come
to the precipitous bank, which we have already mentioned.
As we come to a cottage on the side of the river, a waterfall
tumbles down from the opposite bank, only a little less lofty
than that on the side on which we stand. The whole road to
Innistioge from this spot is charming—the luxuriance of the
trees; the wreaths and long ropes of Ivy, Clematis, and Wood-
bine; the masses of creepers and Ferns — and the introduction
of such thorough mountaineers as Conifers, Deodars, and Arau-
carias would, as they grow, add still more grandeur and gro-
tesqueness to the scene.

Noticing the gates at Innistioge, a fact’ came out incidentally
well worth chronicling. These gates are locked at a certain
time in the evening, but are opened for egress on request. A
party had kept merry at the Red House until the short hours
of the morning, and on arriving at the gate, though belonging
to what are termed the upper classes too—the lower classes
would not have done it—because the people in bed could not
hear them quick enough for their fancy, they burst open the
gates and took them from their hinges. Many, indignant,
counselled inquiry and exposure; but Col. Tighe simply wished:
the gates to be put right, and no notice to be taken; no doubt
concluding that the reflections of the wrongdoers must, to a
certain degree, be a punishment.

Through the kindness of the estimable proprietors, we had a.
drive over the Hern-wreathed bridge of Innistioge along the
rising ground on the opposite side of the river, and through the
cultivated land between it and the hills; went through the-
buildings of a nice compact farm homestead ; partook of whiskey
and biscuits in the parlour of the nice substantial house, that
had handsome plants in the windows and a flower garden in
front; and noticed that the cottages in our route, built and
building, that came in so nicely in the views from Woodstock,

100 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTLAGE GARDENER.

were built with a greater regard to comfort than any mere
picturesque effect. Hrom that elevation the whole of Wood-
stock, the mansion, terraces, blue-domed conservatory, glades,
masses, and the splendid backgrounds of Mount Alto, come in
as a charming picture.

Farming is also carried on with great spirit under the super-
vision of Mr. King. We had only the opportunity of admiring
the neatness of the homestead; the cleanness of all carts,
ploughs, and utensils ; the fine appearance of cows and horses :
and the extra luxuriance ofia large field of Mangolds and Carrots
—the Mangolds being in rows about 33 inches apart, and the
Carrots in rows between the Mangolds. These Mangolds Mr.
King often keeps good till the following autumn.

And now we must say adieu to charming Woodstock, Much
of its beauty must be seen to be appreciated, much we have
left untold, much, no doubt, we haye forgotten ; but we shall
not easily forget the brotherly communicativeness of Mr.
McDonald, the kind attention of his fellow servants, and though
last, not least, the courtesy and genérous hospitality of the
proprietors, which we valued all the more because, looking
on them as a proof—adaitional, no doubt, to others of a more
tangible character—that they fully appreciated the services of
their talented superintendent, R, Fisz.

GRAPE-JUDGING.

I Maxx no doubt the readers of your valuable Journal will
think enough has already been said respecting the question of
Grape-judging at our future exhibitions. I am not about to
criticise the views of preyious correspondents on the subject,
neither do I support them; but must at once admit that I have
not yet seen the subject brought forward in a direct way, sup-
porting what, in my humble opinion, is the most important
feature in Grape-judging and Grape-growing—viz., the colour.

We shall, no doubt, soon be made aware of the alterations to
be effected in this all-important question: but for my part
I cannot perceive any reasonable grounds for any alteration
whatever. Many will ask, Why should Grapes not be tasted as
well as other dessert fruit? The question appears feasible enough,
but in my experience I have always found the best coloured
‘Grapes to be of the best flayour—far before those of more inferior
colour ; and so long has il been customary to judge Grapes by
their colour, &c., that I think it will be long ere exhibitors will
reconcile thenselves to the system of having their Grapes tasted.

‘We are all aware that by far the greatest number of exhibitors
‘bring their Grapes deficient in colour. This, I think, is owing
to the idea that when a Grape commences its colouring it
requires no farther care; and not only does a Grape look well
when thoroughly coloured, but.T think we cannot call it brought
¢o perfection unless it is s0.— HARRY.

RAISING BEGONIA-LEAF AND OTHER
CUTTINGS ON HOT-WATER PIPES.

Tate last autumn I had some of the choicest kinds of
Begonias sent to me. Not haying at the time a place I could
allot to them with a little bottom heat, I was rather at a loss
what to do with them.

Just at the time I was about to start my winter erop of Cu-
eumbers, and being desirous to raise some plants from these
fine leaves, I took some old half-inch slates and placed pieces
‘on the hot-water pipes in the Cucumber-house. I filled some
60-size pots half full of potsherds, filling up the remainder with
leaf mould, a little fibry loam, and about half an inch of silver
sand on the top.

I cut the leaves into wedge-shaped Pieces, about an inch
in length, and inserted them in the sand as thickly as I could,
and then placed the pots on the slate, where they obtained a
steady bottom heat. Some might think it was rather dry, and
so it would have been had I not sprinkled the slate over with
water two or three times daily. The cuttings wanted little or
no watering, the moisture of the house being ample,

In a very short time each piece of leaf had produced a young
plant. As they had done so well I put in some more store
‘euttings—such as of the Croton, Cissus discolor, Vincas, Clero-
dendrons, Hibiscus, and many others, besides a lot of Liycopo-
diums, &e., which struck in a comparatively short time.

I potted them off when struck into 60-sized pots, and placed

[ February 3, 1863,

them again on the slates, where they soon made a rapid move,
and so did all the other plants above mentioned.

I soon found they wanted a shift, when I gave them a 48-pot,
and placed them again on the slates, where they grew very
luxuriantly and soon made large plants. I then removed them
to a rather cooler house, where they stood until Christmas. ‘I'hen
some of them were placed in a silver vase and stood upon the
dining-table, and I think nothing at this season of the year
could look superior than a healthy, compact, and well-gr:
Lycopodium. 4

Well, the time came for Chrysanthemums. As collie
shoots were 2 inches long I had them put in. I had twenYyemive
sorts and I filled twenty-five pots, as above stated about Begonias
—sticking the cuttings in as thickly as I could, and placing them
in the same house; and in about fourteen days the pots were full
of roots. I potted them off, and placed them in another house
with a rather lower temperature. I then put in a batch of Ver-
benas, variegated Alyssum, Gazania spleadens, Lobelia speciosa,
Tropzolum elegans, &c. I have begun in time no doubt, but
there is nothing like being in time when you can see a chance
before you. ‘The Verbenas were put in on New Year’s-day,
now they are all well rooted, are growing like weeds, and ready
for hardening-off by degrees.—J. B. C. P.

PLANTING AND TRIMMING HOLLY AND
OTHER EVERGREEN HEDGES.

Lapy Guoreina OaxtEy would be glad if the Editors
would answer the following questions:—1, What is the best
time to plant a Holly hedge? 2, What is the best time to trim
a Holly hedge, old and overgrown? 3, What is the best time
to trim a Laurel hedge, old and overgrown? 4, Can old Laurus-
tinuses be moved with safety, which have been kept low, haying
formed a thick hedge ?—Lisburne House.

[The best time to plant a Holly hedge in most parts of Eng-
land is the last week in August and the firet week in September,
or as soon after as the first heavy rain occurs subsequently to
the heat of August. If the rain poured down in torrents any
time after the 20th of August, we would begin planting Hollies,
Laurustinuses, Portugal Laurels, and such difficult evergreens,
and we would wait for the rain till the 20th of September, but
no longer. The next best time to move Hollies under 10 feet in
height, and Laurustinuses under 5 feet high, is the last fortnight
of May, and the first fortnight of June. Any day, however,
from the 20th of May to the 20th of August is far better for re-
moving large evergreens than any day from the end of October
to the end of April.

The middle of April is the best time to trim a Holly hedge,
but the middle of May is better for trimming a hedge of Laurus-
tinus. All other evergreens are better trimmed between the
middle of April and the middle of May, and again to have “a
look-over” in July.

Old Laurustinuses are difficult to move, but you haye no
need to fear, as you have a certainty of success if you order the
old plants in the old hedge to have the roots cut down on both
sides of the hedge any time in April—say to open a trench on
each side of the hedge as if for lifting the plants, and after
cutting all the side shoots straight down to fill-in the trenches.
A mass of fibrous new roots will take possession of the new soil
during the summer, and in the autumn the plants will take up
the same, almost as if they were out of plant-tubs and almost as
safely. The same treatment is applicable to Hollies. Hedges
of common Laurel may be made any time from September to
June, but not Portugal Laurel hedges. Under the above treat-
ment you need not entertain She least fears about your Holly
and Laurustinus. |

PLANTING PAMPAS GRASS.

WaT is the best season for transplanting Pampas Grass, and
can the transplanting be done safely in the spring ?—M. B.
[April is the best month in the year for transplanting large
plants of the Pampas Grass, and the middle of May is the best
time to turn Pampas Grass out of pots. Large plants of it are
very easy to move—almoat as easy as rhubarb plants. They
carry very large balls, and the balls are full of roots, and almost
as dry in moat soils as a pot ball that has received no water for
along time. Removing the largest plant of Pampas Grass in

February 3, 1865. ]

April is only a question of atrength, on account of the weight of
the ball, and the difficulty of reducing it by reason of the number
aud tenacity of the roots. Nine out of ten Pampas Grass
plants in the three kingdoms which are over three years old from
the planting-out, stand now very much in need of transplanting,
in order to give free scope and fair pasturage to the roots. Every
large Pampas Grass plant that is to be removed in April—say
giser the middle of the month, ought to receive three thorough
ies during the three weeks preceding the operation, and
thorgachgvatering to a full-grown Pampas Grass means from
ens: gallons of clear soft pond water.

TheMHdle for a large Pampas Grass plant should be 1 foot
wider than the well-moistened ball to be inserted in it, and
should be filled-in with the richest and most permanent compost
that can be made.

The best Pampas Grass we have scen had forty gallons a-week
of strong liquid manure from the first appearance of the flower-
stems till all the flowers were at their full prime. rom that
plant, and from what passed under our own eyes, this notice is
written. |

JUNIPER HEDGE.

I aM courteously reminded by a correspondent from Ireland
that in the list of plants given, some time ago, as suitable for
hedges, the Juniper was omitted. I hope to hear of other cases
where plants not named in wy list are found to make either
useful or ornamental hedges, and I feel more obliged than other-
wise to those who can correct any imperfecvion in my com-
munication.

That the common upright Juniper, as our correspondent
says, makes both a pretty-looking and a useful hedge, I verily
believe. I have seen the Italian Juniper somewhere planted in
a row, and looking remarkably well; but I do not remember
seeing the common Juniper so treated.

I believe the kind alluded to by Mr. Beckett, the gardener
to Lord Lismore, Shanbally Castle, Ireland, to be one of the im-
proved varieties of the common kind growing wild on ary, hilly
places, where the Heath, Furze, and Savin are found; but it
is much less commonly met with than they are, and seems to
recede more quickly before cultivation than many plants I have
no doubt, however, but with the advantage of a better soil it
grows freely as a hedge plant.

Perhaps Mr. Beckett will be kind enough to inform us how
Pinuses do in general in the more humid climate of Ireland. I
should expect the Silver Fir section, as Picea Webbiana, and
others might, perhaps, do well there; with us they are less
satisfactory. The Taxodiums are also likely to grow well in
Treland. Communication from the sister island is at all times
acceptable, and I hope we may often be favoured with notices
of plants which are either in an unusual condition of luxuriance
or the contrary, for both are equally interesting and instructive,
as well as all other information on horticulture and its kindred
arts.—J. Rogson.

SUCCESSION OF PEAS.

Iz “D.” of Deal will sow his succession Peas throughout
the summer, of Sangster’s No. 1, he may enjoy that Pea both as
an early and late variety. He must be aware that Daniel
O'Rourke isthe same variety as Sangster’s No. 1—W. G., Lhe
Gardens, Cubyean Castle. y

{We think this is not the information “D.” of Deal needs, for
no one would like to have a continued repetition of Sangster’s
No.1. It is a very good early Pea, but its flavour will not bear
comparison with that of later varieties. “ D.” of Deal we think
would like to know when to sow the better-flayoured varieties,
such as Champion of England, Ne Plus Ultra, &c., so as to
have an uninterrupted succession.—Ebs. J. or H.]

INFLUENCE OF A LIMEKILN ON GROWING
POTATOKS.

Do you consider the vroximity of limekilns to a field of
Potatoes would be likely to have an injurious effect upon the
crop ?

_ Persons in the neighbourhood have observed that those grow-
ing near the kilns have been healthier and finer than others at g

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COLTTAGE GARDENER.

101

distance under precisely similar cultivation ; and feeling interested
in the question from the probability of some kilns being erected
near my ground, I should feel grateful for your opinion on the
subject.—A Krnrism SUBSCRIBER.

[Lhe observation you quote is really an answer to your
inquiry. The volumes of gas and yapour given out by chalk in
the process of converting it into lime by the limekiln are chiefly
steam and carbonic acid, both of which are more likely to prove
beneficial than injurious to Potatoes, and, indeed, to any other
crop. So far is carbonic acid gas from being injurious to plants,
that jt has been found to be beneficial though amounting to one-
twelfth of the air in which they were growing. In the calmest
day the air over a field surrounded by limekilns would not con-
tain one-hundredth part of carbonic acid gasps. J. or H.|

WORK FOR THE WEEK.
KITCHEN GARDEN.

Continue to prepare ground as directed last week. If any part
of the garden is not drained, drain it effectually. Make drains
3 feet deep and 18 feet apart. Use tiles and soles, and place
6 inches of brickbats, stones, or rubble over the tiles. Shake a
small quantity of litter over the stones or other material before
filling-in the soil, which will render the drainage more perfect.
Cauliflowers, give air freely to the plants in irames or under
hand-lights. Mustard and Cress, keep up a regular succession,
and sow Rape when such is required for salading. Peas, when
the weather will permit draw a little earth to the stems of the
early crop, and if cold bleak weather prevails, they will be bene-
fited by the shelter of a few spruce fir branches on the windy
side. Jadishes, those on banks or borders will require strict
attention, the coverings to be removed every fine day, and dry
soil, charred refuse, or dry wood ashes strewed amongst them
for the prevention of damp, mildew, or shanking. Sea-kale and
Rhubarb, keep up a succession either by covering with pots
and fermenting material, or by planting in pots and placing
them under stages in the greenhouse or stove, the latter being
the least trouble—a great consideration in the busy time which
is approaching. Continue surface-stirring, and watch oppor-
tunities for the destruction of slugs, which if not kept under
will soon destroy the labour of weeks. Look over previous
directions, and endeavour to bring up arrears. Basil and Mar-
joram, sow small quantities in heat where such are required
green.

FLOWER GARDEN.

Proceed as rapidly as the weather will permit with the removal
and planting of large shrubs. Layering may now be success-
fully performed where the plants have become bare and unsightly
at the bottom, Finish the planting of Box-edgings, and fill up
all gaps in the old ones. For the destruction of worms on lawns
the following receipt is recommended :—Take 1 ounce of cor-
rosive sublimate, pound it fine, dissolve it in sixteen gallons of
water, then with a watering-can and a fine rose water the turf
infected, when they will soon appear on the surface and can be
gathered-up and removed. Prepare beds for Pinks, Carnations,
and Pansies. Look over the Dablias, and remove all decayed
portions from the stems and roots,

FRUIT GARDEN.

Planting in every part both against walls and in the open
quarters should be completed without delay. Mulch the newly-
planted trees, and stake those requiring it at once. Where
Filbert trees are kept dwarf, which is the best method of cul-
tivating them, remove all suckers and fork-in some manure
about the roots. Shorten all the shoots of last year’s growth,
but do not interfere with the small shoots, which are the pro-
ductive ones. Thin out the wood if crowded.

GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY.

Bstablished plants in the conservatory should about this time
have the mould well stirred in the pots. very plant to be
kept free from decayed foliage and fading blossoms, with frequent
movings and removings from the forcing and other structures,
in order to manitain health and gaiety. Place suitable trellises
to the Tropsolums that are not already furnished, laying a good
foundation by furnishing the bottom of the trellis wall. ‘The
varieties of Kennedya, Zichya, Hardenbergia, Gompholobium,
&c., should all have suitable trellises and early training. Water
Heaths with care; air freely night and day if the weather
is at all favourable. Be cautious with fire heat; even when
frost occurs it must be moderate. Stop the strong shoots of

102

the free-growing varieties, and always keep the dead flowers
cleared-off. Any compact plants of Scarlet Geraniums, which
are intended as specimen plants for vases, baskets, or single
specimens on the lawn or terrace during the summer to be now
shaken out of their pots and repotted, using turfy soil with a
little leaf mould, old cowdung, and sand, Give them, if possible,
a gentle bottom heat for ten days or a fortnight, until they make
fresh roots, and keep a moderately moist atmospheric tempera-
ture of from 50° to 55°. When they have made fresh growth
remove to a light, airy part of the greenhouse. Repot them
into larger pots or tubs towards the end of March. The
Fuchsias should now be looked to without delay. Where fine
specimen plants are required, shake the old plants ont, reduce
the roots, and repot them. Introduce them to a forcing-house
at a temperature of about 60°, and as soon as you can obtain
cuttings an inch long, strike them in pans of sand kept damp.
When struck to be potted into small pots in a compost of turfy
sandy loam, turfy peat, and leaf mould, and some sand, and to
be shifted into larger pots, as they require to be grown in a warm
moist atmosphere, remembering that if you want large plants they
must be grown to a considerable size before they show bloom.

FORCING-PIT.

Syringe freely. Continue a kindly humidity, Apply air in
suitable weather, taking advantage of those occasions to apply
more fire heat. Be very cautious in the application of fire heat
at night, or many varieties of plants will prove abortive.

PITS AND FRAMES.

Give plenty of light and air to these structures in fine weather.
Look over the plants frequently, and pick-off all decayed leaves.
Pot-off the autumn-struck cuttings of Scarlet and Ivy-leaved
Geraniums, Fuchsias, Verbenas, shrubby Calceolarias, &c., that
are still in the cutting-pans or pots; to be then placed in a
gentle heat till they are weil rooted. Make a hotbed for cuttings
and seeds with fermented dung well-sweetened. W. KEANE,

DOINGS OF THE LAST WEEK.

Routine much the same as the previous week. Wheeling,
trenching, turning over ridges, é&c., in crispy mornings ; pruning,
nailing, tying, &c., in fine days; potting, turning soil in sheds,
making stakes, tallies, &c., when wet and sloppy.

KITCHEN GARDEN. :

Sowed Sangster’s No. 1, Dickson’s Favourite, and Jeyes’
Conqueror Pea, for second crops. Will sow for the first out-of-
doors crop three weeks or a month hence, in boxes, to be trans-
planted. Sowed Lom Thumb and Bishop’s Dwarf in boxes
under protection, to be traneplanted under fences, to succeed
those that will have a little glass protection. Stirred the surface
soil among those in rows and pots, and the same among Lettuces,
Radishes, Parsley, Cabbages, &c. Sowed Carrots, Radishes,
and a few Cauliflowers in a slight hotbed of leaves. If Lettuces
and Cabbages are likely to be scarce, apinch sown nowin such a
mild heat, and hardened-off by degrees, will come in only a very
little behind those sown in autumn, and they always seem to
eat rather crisper and sweeter. In sowing such 2 bed of Carrots,
we sometimes throw the seed broadcast, and at other times, and,
perhaps it is the best way, we sow such kinds as Barly Dutch
and Early Horn in rows about 5 inches apart, and the Radishes
and Cauliflower between. The thinning and drawing of the first
give room to the Cauliflowers, and when these are pricked: out
under cover of @ mat at night, there will be plenty of room for
the Carrots. Potted, also, in four and five-inch pots a number
of plants of Cauliflower, and set’ them where they could have
protection, and they will come in useful if we should have severe
frost in spring. Pot more Asparagus into a slight hotbed, and
placed more Rhubarb and Sea-kale in the Mushroom-house.

Swept over all the Mushroom-beds; and as a few woodlice
appeared notwithstanding our care, poured some water, nearly
boiling, down by the sides of the bed, where they would be sure
to lodge after the sweeping. If the water is thus poured from a
small spout it will penetrate the bed very little. In addition to
this, when the woodlice: become numerous, we place small pots
with a piece of carrot)orturnip in them, and filled lightly with
dry hay or moss, and turn the vermin into hot water in the
morning. Since we have taken to smoke the house with sulphur
in the autumn, we have been troubled very little with woodlice;
but a few are apt to come in: with the manure material. Potted
Dwarf Kidney Bears out’ of a box, sowed more, and moved

JOUBNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

'[ February 3, 1863.

Potatoes in pots into a colder place under glass.
Cucumbers in a small dung-frame, as we do not yet wish to use
fire heat for them, and for raising young plants nothing after
all beats a bed of sweet decomposing material. When the
necessary materia], and time and care can be commanded, no
sort of heat suits them and Melons better. We have cut better
frnit of the latter in the end of April from frames than ever we
did with hot water; but then the plants never had the chance
of suffering from a chill, and the banks of fermenting material
that came in afterwards as enriching composts would do ou
eyes good to look at now. We suspect the fine new improye-
ments that in some places are keeping everything but the
distant scent of manure from the gardens, will perforce secure
sweet vegetables, if they should be small. A good many: of us.
could not grow them rank if we tried.

FRUIT GARDEN.

Pruned and nailed common trees as opportunity offered, leav-
ing Apricots and Peaches alone, but loose-nailed to let the air
about them, and to prevent the trees becoming heated from con-
tact with the wall in such a sunny day as we had on the 28th ult.
Have not pruned any Gooseberries yet, as we did it too soon
last year. Heel almost disposed to let them alone until the fruit
shows, the birds getting at ours with all our care last year. ‘The
weather has as yet been too mild to temps birds much. Will
syringe the bushes with a mixture of lime, clay and soot, the
bitterness of which will tend to keep birds away as the buds
swell. Just inserted the points of a fork between the rows of
Strawberries to keep the dung, &c., on the surface loose, and let
the rains pass freely through them, pressing the rich soil to any
buds that seemed to stand naked or higher than the rest. We
have long found that Strawberry plants will stand much cold if
there is little or none of the stem exposed below the buds. Two
years ago we were asked to look at a plantation of Strawberry
plants, which though seemingly strong produced nothing but
leaves. We noticed that the plants if separated might have beer.
taken for little dwarf standards, so long and naked were their
stems; and to the effect on them of a severe frost, and watering,
late in autumn with very rich /iquid manure, we attributed the
ruin of the flower-buds, At any rate, another plantation in.
a neighbouring garden, of the same kind of Strawberry and
planted at the same time, which had received no such treatment,
presented no similar appearance, and wes a mass of bloom and
swelling fruit.

Forward Strawberries in-doors will need more water as the
fruitis swelling, but to be given moderately in such dull weather..
Those freshly placed in the house should be kept rather dry before
the bud is seen moving, and even then rather dry instead of wet
until the flowers are expanding. Those in bloom should have a
feather or a dry hand waved through them to disperso the pollen.
We are obliged for the thanks sent by several, as to not allow-
ing water to stand in saucers during the early stages of the
forcing of Strawberries, and some correspondents wish to know
if there is nothing else that would do as well as moss for setting the
plants on, as they have a difficulty in obtaining it, and it blows
so about. We have often used, because we could not help our-
selves, thin pieces. of turf—say 6 or 7 inches wide and 1 inch
thick—placed on the shelf with the grass side downwards. The
pots were set level on the earth side, and to secure that level a
little leaf mould was scattered along. This secured a moist
bottom, and the plants could not be overwatered except by the
grossest carelessness. We were rather pleased the other day in
a princely establishment, where they had splendid shelves on
purpose for Strawberries, with edgings an inch deep and lined
with lead and pitch to retain water, to find that the most of the
Strawberry-pots, except those fruiting, were either standing’ on
bare shelves, or on temporary shelves covered with thin turves.
One side of a long span-house had a stage thus formed; bricks
set on the bed supported the upper shelves and their line of
turf, and the plants looked extremely well and) promising. Our
friend in pointing to the shelves said nothing, but the look just
spoke thus—“ There! if we have such abundant means we don’t
despise the simplicities.” For a swelling fruif nothing can
be better than these edged shelves, but the danger is, w:th care-
less watering, that the plants at an early stage are apt to become
too wet, just as they are liable to do when set in saucers. Last
year an amateur asked us to look at his Strawberry plants in
pots, they should have just been coming into bloom, but scareely,
a bloom opened kindly or showed farina on: the stamens, and
there need haye been no wonder, for though there had been a.

Potted.

February 3, 1863.] |

week of dull weather the saucers were filled up to the brim every
morning, and thus the Strawberry was mude a marsh plant. In
such circumatances of the plants a good rain out of doors would
most likely have secured a fine crop; but then that rain passed
beyond the roots and did not stand stagnant around them.

Looked over Strawberry plants in orchard-house to see that
they did not become too dry. ‘The house being a lean-to, had
the Peach trees against the wall untied well washed with soap

« and water, and when dry painted with sulphur and clay, putting
about 3 ounces to the gallon of Gishurst in it. The wall was
then washed with fresh lime paint, darkened sufficiently to a
dull colour with lampblack, as in such a house the reflection of
light and heat from a yery white wall would have been too much,
especially when the trees were in bloom. In such lean-to houses
used as vineries, the Vines being taken up the rafters, a much
whiter or lighter colour may be used. When, however, in such
a house, we have used the back wall from top to bottom for
shelyes, we have frequently given such a wall two washings—
first a dull white as above for the early part of the season, that
the plants near the wall should not suffer; and then a lighter
colour in summer after the leaves of the Vines had fully ex-
panded, but keeping air on for several nights afterwards, in order
that all the light possible should be thrown back from such a
wall, so as to benefit the Vines in general, and any plants on
the floor, or on the stage, in particular. Amateurs with their
One lean-to may thus see the importance of not having their back
wall too bright in spring if they grow plants against it, and the
equal importance of not having that wall covered with dirt and
green slime as the autumn approaches. See late notice on “ ‘Phe
Science and Practice of Gardening.” We mention these little
matters more prominently because we are all apt to take to
gardening by fits and starts, and if this can be laid to the charge
of us professionals, we fear the fault would be found more
general amongst amateurs and cottagers. What a difference
often in the little houses of the former in spring and autumn,
not to speak of the lumber-room appearance in winter; and
what a change from the trim garden of the cottager in April and
May, and the weeds and decay aad wretchedness too often seen
in September and October. We recollect once that a company of
gardeners expressed an earnest hope that the late Mr. Loudon
would not take » tour among certain gardens in the autumn,
as they were sure the masses of rotting decayed pea-haulm, and
decaying and rotting vegetables, would furnish him with a whip
for satire, which would be all the more keen because it was felt
to be true and well-deserved.

Went on with forcing very gradually, as detailed last week,
keeping the Peach-house from 45° to 50° at night, and 50° or a
few degrees more in dull days, with a rise in sunshine to from 60°
to 70°, with plenty of air, shutting-wp early in the afternoon,
and if sun heat can be enclosed, giving little or no fire on mild
nights. arliest vinery averaging 50° at night, buds beginning
to swell. Vine-pit, a small place, buds breaking, from 55° to

60° at night. Some Vines in pots that had litile but a cool
orchard-house to grow in, are showing very fair, though I did
not think the wood quite hardy enough for early work. Small
Fig-house being full of plants is kept from 40° to 45° at night.
All fruit trees in pots out of doors and in-doors in open, cool
houses, such as orchard-houses, are plunged in stubble. ‘This
has not been necessary this season, as yet ; but it is of little use
protecting a pot when the soil ia as hard asa brick. Giving air
has required much nicety, not so much owing to cold, as to the
force of the gales, which necessitated the pinning and fixing of
sashes to make al! secure.

PHANT DEPARTMENT.

Gf this we have room to say so little that we must refer back
to previous weeks for details, merely stating that walks were
awept, and lawns rolled, a few more ashes put on Hollyhock
crowns to send the water past, Pansies and Pinks and Car-
nations firmed, &c. A little dry soil or leaf mould should be
ready, for putting as little cones over forward Tulips, if a severe
frost should come; ditto as respects Hyacinths; and the sur-
face of the ground intended for Ranunculuses and Anemones
should be aired. Plant-houses were watered, cleaned, and ar-
rangements made for having lots of cuttings put in—such as
Verbenas, Geraniums, kc. In the grand establishment referred
to above, the foreman took us to see a cold pit of Calceolarias,
which seemed to have been done exactly as we described our
own to have been done in the autumn. Although not a word
was said to that effect, we could sce at a glance that there was a

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

103

little rivalry about these Calceolarias among the young men, and
we must own that they were in most excellent condition, and
becoming fine strong ‘plants for Mrs. Bird to lift and pot, or
for our friend to transplant where he could give them good treat-
ment, a3 houses and pits seem to rise whenever Fortunatus
chooses to put the wishing-cap on. We would even say that
the plants are, perhaps, a little better than our own; but as we
do not wish ours to hurt themselves with crowding, for more than
a month to come, we are rather more satisfied with them than
if they had been stronger. We shall also, in three wecks or so,
take a few cuttings off the points, as last year we felt the want
of some small plants for outsides.—R. F.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.
4° We request that no one will write privately to the depart-
mental writers of the “ Journal of Horticulture, Cottage
Gardener, and Country Gentleman.” By so doing they
are subjested to unjustifiable trouble and expense. All
communications should therefore be addressed solely to The
Editors of the “ Journal of Horticulture, §c.,” 162, Fleet
Street, London, H.C.
also request that correspondents will not mix up on the
same skeet questions relating to Gardening and those on
Poultry and Bee subjects, if they expect to get them answered
promptly and conveniently, but write them on separate
communications. Also never to send more than two or
three questions at once,
cannot reply privately to any communication unless under
very special circumstances.

EVERGREEN Frowentngc Surups FoR Patina (G. XK, Sevenoaks).—
Properly speaking, there are no wall, or espalier, or fence evergreen
flowering plants. The Escallonia macrantha is only a conservative wall
plant—that is to say, not sufficiently hardy for a)l places and all winters in
Kent. For a garden paling 43 feet high, a row of bush plants is all
that is needed; and the two best evergreens with good flowers for tha
style of fence are Berberis Darwinii and ilicifolia. A hedge of Cotone-
aster microphylla, kept to the height of your paling, is one of the most
beautiful hedges we have ever seen when loaded with its coral berries.

Cocoa-nur Rerosr Dust (W. H. F.).—For all pot plants except Ferns»
and a few very rare plants and bulbs, use the same quantity of this refuse
dust as the usual quantity of peat, leaf mould, and sand. The dust aup-
plies the place of sand, leaf mould, and peat in general composts.

Guano (WW. S.).—From two to three hundredweight per acre is the
proper quantity, the larger quantity being for a soil more than usually
impoverished. It is most beneficial on retentive soils.

Warerine Roses (A Subseriber).—Mr. Rivers says the best manure for
Roses is three good substantial brown soakings of manure water during
the winter wonths, while the Roses are at rest, and he ought to know
what is best for Roses. Your gardener followed his advice.

FINE-FOLIAGED PLANTS FoR A GREENHOUSE (Zdem).—There is no such
thing as a greenhouse class of fine-foliaged plants. All such are now used
out of doors in beds and borders during the summer months; and most of
the stove fine-foliaged plants do better in the greenhouse, while the bedders
are out of the greenhouse, than by being kept more close than in a stove,
and not so much confined.

Brirish Warer Littes (Z. 7. V.).—From the middle of March to the
middle of April is the best time to plant the native Water Lilies; but
February, or any time during the winter would do. The best way to do
the work would be to procure large lumps of the roots with the soil
attached, then their own weight would keep them down. The next best
way would be merely to take so many of the fleshy roots and fix them in
the mud, or, if the mud were too loose, to put thick lumps of turf from a
clay ground over them, or, rather, to stick the roots in the turf first, anc
then place them in the pond. Eighteen inches of water would be deep
enough to grow them; but we have had them in water much deeper, and
in summer we have had them in a less depth for mpnths and doing well.

Grarrine Roses (J. J. Smyth).—It is teo soon yet to begin to graft
Roses on Manetti stocks, unless you have a hot propagating-house to put
them into. Mr. Beaton told us the other day he intended to graft Roses
in February; but for ourselves, we should think the tirst week in March
about the best time. In the nurseries, they have been grafting Roses
since October in their hothouses. The best ‘‘liquid that causes cuttings
dressed with it to throw-out roots,” is rain water collected in shallow
ponds at the lower corner of rich meadow land; and the best liquid to
cause Vines to root is the same pond water, with gallon for gallon from
a deep horsepond, into which the drainage of a farmyard is allowed to run.

ATRIPLEX HORTENSIS RUBRA AS AN Epcine (R. JV’.).—The Purple Orach
plant that is used for flower-beds is Atriplex hortensis rubra of the cata-
logues, and is now to be had true almost everywhere. Most people train
it down and nibble it to keep it to the proper height, but that is not the
best way. The true mode of proceeding is to plant two rows of it 4 inches
asunder, to make one row or line, and when it is 6inches high to pinch-
out the tops; after that to pinch-out at every second joint of new shoots,
also to pluck-off every leaf as soon as it becomes rusty, which makes con-
stant room for a succession of new leaves. We had it that way all last
summer as fresh in September as at the end of May, and quite as low,
without a single row being bent or trained.

ArcENTEA (Jdem):—Argentea is only a second name in plant nomen-
clature, and there are a hundred kinds of argentea, The plant you mean
is rather a nice plant, and the name of it is Centaurea ragusina : it is not
better than Cineraria maritima. The one called ‘candidissima is the
finest Centaurea, but is dearer.

We

104

Wereps on Lawn (€, B.).—There is no way of destroying ‘‘ Wild
Marjoram,” or creeping Buttercup, or Daisy, or Plantain, or any other
weed on a lawn except by hand-picking, or unturfing the parts and relay-
ing with better turf, although close and constant mowing does much
towards exterminating them.

Fucusra SEEpLrInes (Christine).—Your Fuchsia seedlings are not hybrids,
unless you had them between two wild kinds called species; they are
cross-bred varieties by crossing two seedling varieties in-and-in, as all
improvements in florists’ flowers are obtained. Of course they will be
such as you never saw before, just like our own seedlings, but better may
have been already in the field; but no one can believe that of a seedling
until the seedling itself proves it one way or the other. Your dwarf seed-
ling, with the developed red leaves, is the most fashionable of them all.
It intends to be a foliaged plant like Meteor, with which the Messrs. Carter
made half a fortune last year ; so yon must look to it in earnest, but do not
hurry it.

Book on Contrerx (7. Malcomson).—There is none better than Gordon’s,
“The Pinetum.” It is published by Bohn, and, with its Supplement,
includes information on the species known down to last year.

GARDENER’s EpvucaTion.—The first part of ‘‘A YounG GaRDENER’s”’
question Mr. Fish will attend to as soon as possible, but the question of
lodgings has two sides. Where many young men are kept in a bothy, it
tends to increase the number of gardeners, and the number is already too
great for the demand. You would see the whole philosophy of the pro-
ceeding treated by Mr. Fish some years ago. The same nurseryman
alluded to there has written the other day saying, ‘‘ Oh, for a weeding-
out!*? The matter most likely will be taken up with other collateral
subjects ere long. To those not answered privately, and who want good
men at very low wages, Mr. Fish would refer them to some remarks made
last year when describing the small garden of Dr. Neligan, at Blackrock,
near Dublin. To see the full drift of his argument thut article, and the
one above on ‘‘attention,” &c., should be read together. It was the least
of his intentions, when recommending ‘‘attention,”? &c., to further the
idea that a good gardener was to be nad for so many shillings per week.

WEIGHT OF GRAPE AND STRAWBERRY Crops (G.).—We once made a
wemorandum of such matters, but cannot now find it, and without it we
would rather not answer the query, and more especially as such questions
are seldom made except to serve a purpose. But for that, we would say
3 to 4 lbs. of Grapes in good-sized pots, and well done, and from 23 to 3 ozs.
of Strawberries. We have had much less, and in some fine pots much
more.

Manourine StrawsBernries (A Subscriber).—If your plantation is in rowS
23 feet apart, a coating of well-rotted dung might be laid on the space
between, and very slightly forked-in, not allowing the fork of the operator
to descend more than 3inches at the utmost. If this does net bury the
dung, spread a little fresh mould on the surface, and the result will be
satisfactory. Itis better not to cut the leayes much, as they shelter the
crowns. ‘The leaves will die down when they are no longer wanted.

Geranium HuLen Linpsay (Zewes).—We also want to know where
Helen Lindsay, the new Lobelias, and the other fine seedlings mentioned
in our pages are to be had. But we must wait the dealers’ time, and learn
from the advertisements. We do not know of any new Lobelia which we
have not described already, and until they are announced for sale we do
not know where co look for them.

Peat Cuarcoan (G. C.).—There was a manufactory near London, but
we suppose it no longer exists, as we never see its advertisements. Write
for information to ‘‘ The London Manure Company,” Bishopsgate Street.

Names or Prants (2. F.).—1, Asplenium trichomanes; 2, Pteris tre-
mula; 3, Asplenium marinum; 4, specimen insufficient; 5, Lastrea filix-
mas; 6, Cyrtomium faleatum; 7, Pteris bastata; 8, Doodia caudata, All
Adiantums are Maiden-hairs, and all Maiden-hairs are Adiantums.

POULTRY, BEE, and HOUSEHOLD CHRONICLE.

WHO WILL BE WINNERS IN 1863?

MuRrPHY made a hit when he predicted the hard weather. It
is said that the respected “Francis Moore, physician,” who
was supposed to preside over the compilation of a certain
“Vox Stellarum,” or “ Loyal Almanack,” published annually
by the Stationers’? Company, came into note, and was made by
the fact that in a fit of ill-temper he predicted snow for the 1st of
June, and there was snow. The almanac also gave an annual
hieroglyphic. It was generally made up of a crown, coffin, and
dragon. This sort of thing did for the dreamy times, when
people travelled in coaches, and paid 2s. for a letter; but it is
different now. Were it not that now and then a bad wife calls in
a“ cunning woman”’ to know how much longer the old man will
live; or the frightened and half-repentant housemaid goes to
the “clever man” to know when her “young man” will
return the plate she lent him, and also whether he will surely
marry her, we should say the days of predictions were passed.
But we forgot the turf prophets—Vates, Agrippa, Sphinx,
Oracle, Jones’s Boy, the Lucky Baker & Company, who for
the small “tip” of thirty postage stamps, will unveil the future
im re racing, and tell you all the winners of all the great stakes.
It was remarked of old, and we suppose it is true now, that he
who can make the fortunes of others is generally poor himself.

Undeterred by that fact we assume the character of the “ wise
man,” and we pierce the dark future, venturing to predict, even
at this early time, the principal winners in the poultry world for
1868. “ Ladies and gentlemen, make your game.”

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGH GARDENER.

[ February 3, 1863.

Some of our readers will recollect the days of lotteries. “ Five
of 30,000, six of 10,000, and all prizes and no blanks.” The
latter signifying that by investing £32 you were sure to etn (P)
a sum not less than £1! Nothing was beyond the capability of
a ticket in the lottery. Only dream of a lucky number, or come
in contact with it, and you were sureto win. We knew a man
in a frost who slipped, and broke his leg opposite 311, Oxford
Street. He bought a share of the number, and received guineas.
for pounds. You had only to buy a ticket, and then, if

“‘ You’d portion a daughter in marriage,
Or live independent and free,

If you'd set up in trade, keep your carriage,
Or a member of parliament be,”

why, the ticket would do it, The ticket must be bought before
the drawing. In lotteries, as in everything else, numbers of
people knew the winning number after it was made public; but
they kept their knowledge quiet till then.

Our prediction is, that poultry as an article of consumption
will be dear this year, and they will be the winners who set
about rearing and feeding their chickens now for April and May.
We promise prizes to all those who in those two months shali
provide and fatten chickens of the year to the weight of 3 lbs.,
or 8ilba. This is the neglected part of the poultry fancy, and
we are aware we are wont to harp upon it,

We shall return to it. Our motive for beginning thus early

is, that ow is the time when the chickens must be hatched, or, at-

any rate, the eggs put under the hens.

NO ONE SHOULD BE AN EXHIBITOR AND
JUDGE AT THE SAME SHOW.

Ty looking over your Journal of Tuesday last I find a list of
awards at the Liverpool Poultry Show, also the names of the
Judges. I find Mr. R. Teebay, of Fulwood, near Preston, as @
Judge for poultry; also a Mr. R. Teebay that has taken the
silver cup for Spanish fowls, also first and second for Brahme
Pootras. It is quite a new idea to see a person acting as Judge
and exhibiting at one time at the same Show. I consider Mr.
Teebay would have been in his proper place as a Judge or an
exhibitor, but not both atone time.

I am not accusing any one of unfairness or partiality, but I
think it looks very bad for any exhibitor to be in the same room
at the same time that the Judges are awarding the prizes.—
AN EXxnisiror.

[We noticed the fact mentioned by our correspondent, and
thought it a great error on the part of the Committee. No
charge is brought against Mr. Teebay, and he was Judge only of
classes in which he was not an exhibitor, yet he was in the room
while those classes were being judged in which he did exhibit,
which ought never to be permitted. It gives rise to suspicions
which are injurious to all parties.—Eps. J. or H.]

WORCESTERSHIRE POULTRY AND PIGEON
SHOW.

THE announcement of this Show, which is in our adver-
tising columns to-day, is very satisfactory. It is to be held in
grounds adjoining to and on the same days (July 20th—24th)
as the Royal Agricultural Society holds its Exhibition at
Worcester. The prizes are liberal, and we haye no doubt the
Show will be well supported.

SILVER-GREY DORKINGS.

ANOTHER breeder of Silver-Grey Dorkings, and one who has
been well known as one of the largest and most successful
exhibitors in that class, begs leave to indorse the Hditors’ opinion
as to the impossibility of Silver-Grey Dorkings keeping pure in
colour after the first moult. Take, for instance the statement of
“ ANOTHER BREEDER OF SILVER-G:REYS,” that the hens should
be pure Silver-Grey, as free from brown on the wings as may be ;
the breast salmon colour, not, as is too frequently the case even
in winning pens, with one hen, or sometimes both, with breasts
nearer approaching to a brownish-white. His own words prove
the difficulty there is in obtaining a pen of Silyer-Greys pure
in colour. I alao beg to say I have been to most of our poultry
exhibitions that have been held this past season, and yet have

:

February 3, 1863. ]

not seen one adult pure-coloured pen shown. This proves how
difficult it would be for judges to find pens suflicient to give
three prizes in one class if they were to judge to a defined
standard, such as “‘ ANOTHER BREEDER” specifies; and such points
we well know they ought to have to make a pure Silver colour.

My own experience is, that nine out of ten lose the nice
Silver-Grey colour in the body and wings, or the hackle acquires a
mealy smoky colour, and then all the beauty of the Silver is gone.

Another proof is, that one of our most successful yards could
not send one adult pen to any exhibition this last season.
I must say it would be a paying affair to poultry committees to
have the Silver-Greys judged by a defined standard, for how
few of the prizes would be awarded!—J. D.

ADVANTAGE OF WARNINGS.

I HAVE ‘not only derived much pleasure from the perusal of
your Journal, but important instruction in gardening, and in
the management of poultry it has considerably aided me in ob-
taining my present position as “first-prize winner in Ireland.”
But, above and beyond pleasure and profit, its oft-repeated
warnings haye saved me from a loss of nearly £8 very recently.

A very pressing order came from Bradford for some of my
prize birds, but without a post-office order. I replied civilly
that I adopted the English system of prepayment. The appli-
cation was repeated three times so urgently and so speciously
that had it not been for Tur Journan or Horricurrure, I
should have forwarded my birds.

I thank you very sincerely, and trust you may continue to
prosper and increase in favour with the public.—. D.C. D.

[Dhe Rey. H. Cadogan was not so wary. He informs us that
he sent four pullets and a cockerel to Mr. 8. Matthews, Beswick,
near Manchester, and cannot obtain the money for them, nor
any answer to his applications. We can only repeat our astonish-
ment that any reader of our pages can be induced to part with
birds to a stranger without prepayment. |

JEDBURGH POULTRY SHOW.

THE annual Show of Poultry, Pigeons, and Canaries was held
in the Corn Hxchange, Jedburgh, on the 22nd and 23rd January,
and was the most successful one ever held there. The entries
numbered nearly a hundred pens more than last: year, and its
promoters now flatter themselves that it is likely to be a
permanent Show. .

The following gentlemen officiated as Judges :—For Poultry:
Messrs. J. H. Smith, York, and A. Sutherland, Burnloy,
Pigeons: Mr. G. J. McLean, Edinburgh. Canaries: Mr. W.
Rell, Edinburgh. ~

The foll owing are their awards for Poultry and Pigeons:

Spanisu.—First, W. Ridpath, Edinburgh. Second, J. Shorthose, New-
castle. Third, W. Wilson, jun., Beith. Highly Commended, R. Teebay,
Fulwood, near Preston; T. Ogilvie, Jedburgh. Chickens.—First, W. Wil-
son, jun. Second, W. Ridpath. Third, Mrs. White, Perth. Highly Com-
mended, J. Williamson, Falkland. Commended, J. Shorthose; J. C. Wake-
field, Glasgow; W. Sime, Cambus.

Dorkrnes.—First, R. M. Stark, Hull. Second, Mrs. Grey, Grantham.
Third, J. Stocks, Kirkcaldy. Highly Commended, J. Christie, Preston-
kirk; J. Gileson, Dalkeith; Lord Binning, Mellerstain; J. Dixon, Brad-
ford. Commended, Mrs. Dickens, Kelso; Sir J. D. Wauchope, Bart.,
Dalkeith. Chickens.—First, J. Stocks. Second, R. C. Nisbet. Third,
Miss Milne, Otterburn. Highly Commended, J. Murray; Sir J. D. Wau-
chope, Bart.; J.C. Wakefield. Commended, Lord Binning. Pullets.—
First, J. Stocks. Second, J. Gibson. Third, L. Appleby, Darlington.
Highly Commended, Miss Milne; H. W. B. Berwick, Helmsley. Com-
mended, J. Jardine.

Cocuin-Cuina (Any variety).—First, J. ©. Wakefield. Second, J. Short-
hose. Third, Miss E. A. Aglionby, Wigton. Chickens.—First, Miss E. A.
Aglionby. Second, Miss Milne. Third, H. W. B. Berwick.

Branma Poorra.—First, R. Teebay. Second, H. W. Scott, Forfar.
‘Third, Miss Purves, Jedburgh.
st Game (Black or Brown Reds).—First, H. M. Julian, Beverley. Second,
H. Adams, Beverley. Third, J. Hodgson, Bradford. Highly Commended,
W, Easton, Jedburgh; Lord Binning. Commended, J. A. S. E. Fair ;
elie L. Anderson, (Duckwings).—First, H. Adams. Second, J. Hodgson.
Third, J. Smith, Grantham. Highly Commended, D. Brown, Glasgow.
Chickens.—¥irst, Miss J. A. Aykroyd, Bradford. Second, H. Adams.
Third, W. Boyes, Beverley. Highly Commended, T. Dodds, Halifax.
Commended, J. Gibson; J. Anderson; J. Fiddes; W. Easton.

Hamspureus (Silver-spangled).—First, W. Cannan, Bradford. Second,
J. C. Wakefield. Third, J. Dixon. (Silver-pencilled).—First, W. Cannan.
Second, J. Dixon. Third, J. Robinson, Garstang. (Golden-spangled).—
First, W. Cannan. Second, J. Dixon. Third, J. ©. Wakefield. Com-
mended, H. W. B. Berwick. (Golden-pencilled).—First, W. Cannan.

Second, §. Smith, Halifax. Third, C. W. Brierley. Commended, J. C.
Wakefield ; J. Ness.

Poranps.—First, H. Beldon, Bradford.

Paul, Glasgow.

Second, J. Dixon. Third, J.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 105

Bantams (Gold and Silvey-laced),—First, Lord Binning. Second, F. L.
Roy, Berwickshire. Third, J. Anderson. Highly Commended, J. H.
Frame, Overton. (Any other variety).—First, J. G. Park, Whitehaven
(Game). Second, E. Hutton, Pudsey (Black). Third, Miss Purves (Game).
Highly Commended, J. Anderson; J. Shorthose.

GrxEsE.—First, Lord Binning. Second, J. U. Somner, Jedburgh. Third,
Mrs. Bell. Highly Commended, 8. Swan, Bush.

Ducks (Aylesbury).—First, J. Smith. Second, S. Swan. Third, C.
Pease, Darlington. Highly Commended, J. C. Wakefield; A. Dunn; Lord
Binning; W. Sime. (Rouen).—First, J. Gibson. Second, Mrs. Elliott,
Hyndheope. Third, J. U. Somner. Highly Commended, J. M. Grainger.
Commended, Mrs. Elliott. (Black East Indian).—First, J. R. Jessop, Hull.
Second, R. M. Stark. Third, I, W. Earle, Prescot. Highly Commended,
J. Dixon. (Any other variety).—First, E. Hutton (Wild). Second, Miss
Purves (Mallards). Third, J. Patterson (Mallards).

TurKEyS.—First, Mrs. A. Guy. Second, J. Gibson. Third, J. James,
Samieston. Poults.—First, Mrs. A. Guy. Second, J. Smith. Third, J.
Christie, Hailes. Commended, Mrs. Rutherton, Melrose; J. Jardine,
Arkleton. ens.—First, J.Smith. Second, J. Jardine, Third, J. Christie,
Commended, Mrs. Guy; J. James.

ANY OTHER VARrreTy or Poutrry.—First, H. Adams (Black Hamburghs).
Second, J. A. S. E. Fair (White Dorkings). Third, E. Hutton (Black

Hamburghs).
SINGLE COCKS.

SranisH.—First, W. Wilson, Second, R. Somerville, Edinburgh. Third,
S. Corner, Monkswearmouth. Highly Commended, J. Shorthose.

Dorkine.—First, R. M. Stark. Second, R. C. Nisbet. Third, J. Stocks.

Cocarn-Cuma.—First, H. W. B. Berwick. Second, J. Shorthose. Third,
J. Macauley, Edinburgh.

Game.—First, H. Adams. Second, R. Payne, Marsden. Third, H. Bel-
don. Highly Commended, H. M. Julian; T. Dodds; J. Wilson. Com-
mended, W. Toppin; W. Boyes.

Turkery.—First, Mrs. A. Guy. Second, J. James. Third, Miss Bell,
Cressford. Highly Commended, J. James.

SWEEPSTAKES.

Bantam Cocxks.—First, T. J. Wood, Stockton-on-Tees (Game). Second,
S. H. Jeffrey, Jedburgh (Black). Third, C. W. Brierley. Highly Com-
mended, G. J. Harvey. Commended, R. Corbett; A. Henderson.

SreLtine Cuass.—First, W. Jeffrey (Game). Second, H. Beldon. Third,
D. Murdie, Jedburgh (Spanish). Highly Commended, J. Anderson (Dork-
ings) ; C. W. Brierley (Polands); H. M. Julian (Game) ; J. Scott (Dork-
ings); Miss Bell (Turkeys); R. Patterson (Dorkings). Commended, J. R.
Jessop (East Indian Ducks): R. Ri Tulip (Golden-pencilled Hamburghs) ;
J. James (Aylesbury Ducks); W. Scott (Dorkings) ; J. Smith (Aylesbury
Ducks).

CorracEers’ Prizes.—First, A. Scott (Dorkings). Second, T. Oliver,
Jedburgh (Spanish). Third, T. Climinson, Darlington (Duckwing). Highly
Commended, J. Fiddes (Game). Commended, G. Ritchies; J. Sword;
Rk. Sword.

Picrons.— Almond Tumblers.—First, A. L. Silvester, Birmingham.
Second, M. Sanderson, Edinburgh. Third, R. Pickering, Carlisle. Highly
Commended, H. Yardley, Birmingham. Z'wmblers (any other variety ).—
First, J. Bell, Newcastle (Kites). Second, J. H. Frame, Lanark (Red).
Third, E. Somner, Kelso (Reards). Highly Commended, Miss Purves.
Commended, J. W. Edge, Birmingham. fantails.—First, T. C. Taylor,
Middlesborough. Second, Lord Binning. Third, J. R. Jessop. Highly
Commended, W. Veitch, jun., Jedburgh. Commended, T. L. Jackson,
Dumfries. (Considered by the Judge a magnificent class). Powters.—
First and Second, M. Sanderson. Third, J. H. Frame. Highly Commended,
A. Scott. Commended, M. E. Jobling, Newcastle. Wuns.—First, W. Veitch,
jun. Second, J. Jones, Edinburgh. Third, Lord Binning. Highly Com-
mended, IH. Yardley. Commended, J. W. Edge. Owls.—First, H. Beldon.
Second, M. E. Jobling. Third, F. Key, Beverley. Highly Commended,
Lord Binning ; H. Yardley. Commended, Miss Purves; A. L. Silvester-
Turbits.—First, Miss Collier, Jedburgh. Second, J. U. Somner. Third
W. B. V. Haansbergen, Newcastle. Highly Commended, J. R. Jessop;
T. C. Taylor. Commended, R. Pickering; A. L. Silvester. Jacobins.—
First, T. Ellrington, Woodmansey. Second, F. Key. Third, W. Veitch.
Highly Commended, T, Ellrington. Commended, H. Yardley. Any other
Variety.—First, J. H. Frame (Barbs). Second, Lord Binning (Blue
Priest). Third, J. R. Jessop (Trumpeters). Highly Commended, J. W.
Edge. Commended, A. L. Silvester; IT. Rule, Durham; J. Crew, jun.,
Jedburgh.

SeLLInc CLAss ror Pigrons.—First, W. P. Gray, Kelso (Turbits).
Second, H. Beldon. Third, F. Key (Trumpeters). Highly Commended,
J. R. Jessop (Archangels); T. Rule (Nuns). Commended, W. P. Gray
(Jacobins and Almond Tumblers); M. Sanderson (Magpies).

In the Canary class there were about eighty entries, and the
frequent bursts of melody by this band of songsters added
materially to the other attractions of the Show.

NATIONAL COLUMBARIAN SOCIETY.

Tur Annual Show of this rapidly rising Society was held at
Anderton’s Hotel, Fleet Street, on the afternoon of Tuesday,
January the 27th. The room was so well attended as to be in-
conveniently crowded during the whole of the Hxhibition.

Many of the birds were of very superior quality. The pen of
Almond Tumblers exhibited by Mr. Jayne, was, in many re-
spects, one of the very best we have seen for some time. In
point of colour many were perfect standards, whilst in head and
beak they were very superior. Mr. Corker also showed a very
superior pen of Almonds. Mr. Smith’s show of Black Mottled,
Baldbeads, and other Short-faced Tumblers was exceedingly
creditable.

In Powters the Show was very strong. Mr. Corker exhibited
a pair of superior Whites ; Mr. Bacchus a large number of very
good birds, particularly remarkable for their length of limb and

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106

feather.. Mir, Hayne exhibited the same birds that he showed
afi the Philoperisteron Annual Meeting.

In Oarriers the Show was well represented, but we did not
think the birds, as a whole, as good as those comprising the
other classes. Mr. Betty, and also Mr, Feltham, showed some
very good specimens, but the majority wanted the grace and
style that is essential to elegance in stout birds.

In Barbs the Show was very strong, Mr. P. Jones and Mr.
Johnson exhibiting many very good specimens of all colours—
Blacks, Red, Yellow, and Duns, Mr. Morris’s pair of White
Owls were very good, being very good specimens of the small
petite African variety that have come into such general favour.

There were also a few good, Turbits and Jacobins. Nor
must we forget to mention the Short-faced birds of My. Per-
civall that fully maintained his reputation. Mr. Norman exhi-
bited a very singular Owl, evidently bred between an imported
White and an English Blue; the bird was somewhat irregularly
pied, but would be valuable as improving the form and lessening
the size of the ordinary Blues.

As a whole the Show may be described as being very first-rate
in’ Almonds and Powters, thoroughly good in Barbs, not so
strong in stout birds; and, as a whole, deficient in Toys. It
was unquestionably the best the Society has ever held. In
some classes it ran the Philoperisteron Show very close, and
the older Society must look to its laurels if it would not lose its
pride of place and the proud pre-eminence that it has held so
long. At the same time there is plenty of room for the two
Societies, each, in ifs own way tending to the advancement of
the fancy—the improvement of the breed of the different varieties.

BELGIAN SMERLES.

In the account of the Philoperisteron Society in your Journal
for December 2nd, we areinformed that “ Mz. Tegetmeier appears
to be devoting his attention to experiments on the homing faculty
of the Belgian Smerles.” As no Pigeons of the above name are
known in this neighbourhood, several of our “ gentlemen of the
fancy” would'take it asia favour if Mr. Tegetmeier would give us
a detailed description of the features by which these Pigeons
may be distinguished from others, and how they sre supposed to
be bred.—J. Parxrr, Burnley.

[Yn reply to the inquiry of Mr. Parker, I will, in preference
to giving my own description, translate some passages from a
letter received from Mions. A. Lejuene, the editor of Le Pigeon,
the weekly journal of the flying fanciers of Belgium.

Mons, Lejuene writes as follows:—“ Smerles, the Short-faced
Pigeons of the province of Liége, are remarkable for their sagacity,
for the size of their heads, and the beautiful structure of their
wings. At the age of two years they perform the distance from
Bordeaux to Verviers in twelve hours, provided the sky is clear
and the wind favourable, in bad weather returning the following
day or the day after.

“The journeys of 150) leagues, as from Tours, Poitiers, and
Chatellerault are performed in eight hours.” It may render this
account more readily appreciated if I state that the exact distance
from Tours to Verviers, in a straight line is 380 English miles,
Chatellerault being 365, and Poitiers 380‘ miles from the same
place. These statements, it should be remembered, are not made
at random, but express the rate of speed at which the great
flying matches of the Belgian fanciers are performed.

The value placed on good birds of this variety in Belgium is
shown by the continuation of Mons, Lejuene’s letter, he says :—
“A couple of young Smerles of choice quality and warranted
bred from birds that have been proved, sell for 100 francs. Old
birds fit for breeding, that have made long voyages, sell for 70
to 80 francs each; and a Pigeon that has carried off several
prizes will even sell for 500 francs.” In reply to the latter part
of the inquiry, I would state that these birds are smaller than
ordinary Dragons, of various colours, the most prevalent being
Blue Chequers and Mealies, he formation of the head in some
strains resembles that of the variety known as “Owls,” but the
beak is not so short, though in all) cases it is stouter than that
of acommon Blue Rock Pigeon. The great distinguishing pecu-
liarity of these birds is the extreme breadth of the flight-feathers
of the wings, the depth of the keel of the breast-bone, and size of
the muscles whick move the wings: consequently their rate of
speed is extreme, and their powers of flight remarkable.

I do not, know) any more beautiful sight than to seea dozen
of these birds dash off in the gales that have been so frequent,

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND CoTtraGH GARDENER.

[ February 3, 1863.

and, after permitting themselyes to be swept far away by the
Violence of the wind, retwm in the very teeth of the hurricane,.
with apparently as great a degree of quickness and ease, as
though the atmosphere were a perfect calm.—W. B, TugurM=rnr,
Muswell Hill.

BARLY POLLEN-GATHERING.

Tuts day (29th January) the temperature is quite as genial
and balmy as in a warm day in spring; as I write the sun is
shining brilliantly, and all my bee-hives are in full activity.
Pollen is being carried freely into most of them, and the scene
so vividly described by Herr Braun, a translation of whose
verses will appear next’ week, is being re-enacted with the utmost
vigour in the garden of—A Dzyonsuirn BEn-KEEPER,

BEE BOTTLE-FEEDER.

Ir your intelligent and amusing Oxfordshire correspondent
would only condescend to give the imyerted bottle a fair trial,
he would but act up to the spirit of the copnomen he has
assumed, by making an immense stride, both upwards and
onwards, in practical bee-keeping. ‘Let him but once do this,
and I feel certain that the very next Number of Taz JourNat oF
Horricurrux:E will contain, for the benefit of the million, full
particulars from his pen of how to make a bee-feeder entirely
without cost (for who but possesses an otherwise useless empty
bottle ?), and far superior to all others in every respect both for
autumn and spring feeding.

A graphic relation of the circumstances attending the consign-
ment of all his “drum-feeders” to the kitchen fire, and his
“zine-feeders” of every description to the melting-pot, might
probably and most fitly conclude an article which would’ prove
that in apiarian matters his nom de plume has some foundation
in—TRura.

Bur Morn Trap.—Take a wooden bucket or other large open
vessel, and fill it about two-thirds with water. ‘Then put in a
quantity of old honeycombs and set the vessel in the apiary, at
night, near the hives. The bee moths or millers will be attracted
by the strong odour arising from the vessel, and after hovering

' over it a while, will drop into the water and be unable to extri-

cate themselves.— (Bee Journal.)

OUR LETTER BOX.

Brack Hamsuncus (B.),—We should advise you to exhibit the bird
with good comb and ear-lobes, if, as you say, the difference in colour of
legs is only a shade. A bad comb, or a bad ear-lobe is a very serious:
fault; a slight difference in the tint of the legs is not so important as
either.

PutteT UNantr To WALK (9 X.),—Either your pullet has sustained an
injury in the back, or she is suffering from severe constipation; or she is
cramped from being kept in a honse with brick, stone, or wooden flooring.
if the first, her recovery is doubtful. If the second, repeated doses of
castor oil will cure ber. If the third, alter the flooring, or you will neyer
have healthy birds. In the last two cases, after action in the first of them,
bread and beer are essential, and if she will not eat she must be crammed.
If the cause be injury keep her quite by herself, and feed lightly, avoiding
stimulants,

Crive Caur Fowts, &c. (A Constant Reader).—They ave not mentioned
in the book you name.

Burr Cocuins (J.).—As you require first-class birds, we cannot do better
than recommend you to attend Mr. H. Tomlinson’s annual sale of pure
Buff Cochins, which will take place on Tuesday, February 10th. It is
advertised in our columns to-day, and we understand the selection will
include some rare specimens of the breed, birds that have taken cups and
prizes at most of our leading shows, some of the hens weighing nearly
11 lbs. each, and the two-year-old cocks and cockerels being particularly:
fine,

Brack Bantams’ Lecs at Darticron.—Mr. Hutton says they, were
not adults, but only fifteen weeks old; and he, therefore, considers the
legs may have become white in three months, not three weeks as we stated.

Hens Prcsinc A CocKEREL’s Come (Constant Reader).—We should
separate him from his assailants until his comb-is:quite healed.

OPENINGS WHICH ExcLuDE QurEns AND Drones.—‘ Will Mr, Bevan. Fox
kindly give the breadth of the slifs he mentions at page 709 for excluding
the queen and drones from ascending into the supers?”

(The breadth of the slits generally recommended for the exclusion of
drones from supers is three-sixteenths of an inch, Lam not quite suze that
a queen would not be able to force her way through;, but haye no doubt
than an aperture of this width would be effectual for the purpose intended.
—S. Bryan Fox,] :

Pic-KeEpine (A Wonice).—In ‘‘How to Farm Two Acres,” which you
can have free by post from our office for thirteen postage stamps, you wall
find full directions. ;

Buperieas (7. C.),—The Budgrigas are not Love; Birds; they are the
little Australian Grass Paroquet. With reference to breeding them, we
refer “E. C.” to.our Journal, New Series, No. 50. This is about the time
of year they breed, and they should be kept in a room moderately warm.

February 10, 1863.] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 107-
WEEKLY CALENDAR.
| WEATHER NEAR LONDON IN 1862. | |
Day Day | Moon | Clock
ef of FEBRUARY 10-16, 1863, | ; Rain in} _Sun Sun | Rises |Moon’s before Day of
M’nth Week Barometer. |Thermom.} Wind. Inches, | Rises. | Sets. and Sets| Age. | Sun, Year.
| | | degrees. m. h. m,h.| m. a m. 38. |
10. Tu | QveEEN Vicror1a Marriep, 1840. 30.479—30398 | 45—18 N. _ 2G6af7 | 3afS5 3 m0 22 14 30 41
eden |). Wi W. Shenstone died, 1763, 30.235—30.079 44—30 N. = 25 7 | 7d) SOT eG 1014) 980 42
12 Ta Henbit flowers. 30.018—29.973 48—31 N. “01 23 «7 Sy el pcbined: | 24 14 30 43
13 F Sir J. Banks born, 1743. B. & G. 30.044—30.001 39—33 N.E. — De O77 8 5 19388 3 | 25 14°29 44
1¢ $s Valentine’s Day. 30.052—30.033 44—34 N.E. — TIESTO 10 AGS | 85 4)) 026 14 27 45
15 Stn SHeoye Sunpay. 30.101—30.032 45—30 E. — 17 § Tp p02: 5, 9) OL 27 14 24 | 46
16 M A. Menzies died, 1842. B, 29,956—29.676 45-33 E. “06 Ow 0/4 14 95/56 95] .28 ,it 21 | 47
METEOROLOGY OF THE WEEK.—At Chiswick, from observations during the last thirty-six years, the average highest and lowest
temperatures of these days are 45.4° and 30.1° respectively. The greatest heat, 65°, occurred on the 10th, ia 1831 3 and the lowest cold, 0°,
| on the 13th, in 1855. During the period 160 days were fine, and on 92 rain fell.
DO OUR SOILS DECREASE IN FERTILITY? ancient, for they say manuring is needless. Such soils

UR opinion is,
that cultivated
soils not only
do not de-
crease in fer-
tility, but that
they increase
in productive-
ness.

The subject
is not now
agitated for
the first time,
but has been revived by a correspondent in the Times,
who argues that the humus in soils is gradually exhaust-
ing, and that as it is exhausted those soils will become
barren. Such, however, is an erroneous conclusion.

It was once believed, and is still believed by some men
of science, that the soluble portion of humus—that is, of
thoroughly decayed vegetables, which is called by them
apotheme, is an actual food of plants, entering at once
into their roots dissolved in the moisture of the soil. But
modern researches have rendered it certain that apotheme
is not thus absorbed by the roots of plants. Apotheme
gives out carbonic acid which is absorbed by the roots,
and they also absorb the salts and some other solids; but
all in a dissolved state.

So far is humus from being essential for fertility, that
some of the most fertile soils do not contain of it more
than two or three per cent., and plants will thrive and
be abundantly fruitful in soils where it is totally absent.
Do not let us be mistaken as saying that humus is not a
source of fertility, for it is so, undoubtedly ; but other
substances, such as animal substances, together with free
exposure to the air by fallowing, will impart to asoil even
a higher fertility than is imparted by humus.

Another section of scientific men—also entitled to re-
spectful attention, for their leader is Liebig—believe that
so far are plants from requiring humus in the soil, that
they derive all their carbonaceous or combustible con-
stituents from the-air, and only their mineral or incom-
bustible constituents from the soil. In consequence of
this Liebig concludes that our lands are gradually be-
coming exhausted, and, eventually, will become barren,
by being deprived of the mineral constituents Tequired
by plants. This dreaded mineral famine we believe to be
as yisionary as the dreaded humus famine.

A third section of authorities, having great antiquity
and modern practice to sustain them, maintain that
stirring the soil, and its long exposure to the air—in
other words, well-worked and protracted fallowing—is
the chief necessary to insure fertility. ‘“ What is cul-
tivating a soil well? Ploughing it thoroughly. What
is the second essential? To plough it. What is the
third? To manure it,” were the words of Cato, written
more than two thousand years since ; and Jethro Tull, and
Mr. Smith, of Lois Weedon, have even gone beyond that

No. 98.—Vot. IV., New Serres,

as those of Lois Weedon, a crop and a fallow alternately
would not exhaust of their phosphoric acid and potash,
probably, during the existence of more than one gene-
ration. But there are lishter soils which two or three
years of such culture would exhaust of those minerals,
and render them profitlessly unproductive.

We have no fear of our cultivated soils becoming
barren either from an exhaustion of their humus or their
mineral constituents ; but neither do we look for succour
to fallowing alone. We agree with Cato, for we think
that good tillage is two-thirds of a soil’s good cultivation A
but we also think, as he did, that the other third is good
manuring.

Above all, we know as a fact that our soils now pro-
duce far more per acre than they did five centuries ago,
and that year after year farms now yield crops quite as-
abundant as they did in the time of the tenant’s grand-
father. There are—or, at least, we knew them thirty
years since—fields in the Hundreds of Essex, which
had borne crops of Beans and Wheat alternately fora
time so long, that, as the lawyers say, “the memory of
man runneth not to the contrary ;” and we never met
with a farmer or gardener of any soil in the United
Kingdom, who, if he had labour and fertilisers at com-
mand, ever found the soil decline in productiveness. If
we needed an illustration, we would quote the market
gardens around London, where Potatoes and Cabbages
are grown alternately, and have been so grown for a
century.

We do not state without authority that our soils:
produce far more than they did five centuries since, for-
we have recorded in Fleta, who wrote about the year
1290, that the farmer could pay no rent, and must himself
be a loser unless he could obtain six bushels of Wheat
per acre.— (Feta, ii., cap. 8) So small a produce may be
accounted for partly by the best soils being devoted to
pasturage, flocks and herds being more required than
corn to supply the culinary demands of a household
whose chief food in those times was flesh meat.

As the vegetable portion of a household’s regimen
increased in proportion to that of the animal portion, so
were the better soils converted from pasture to arable,
which may in part account for our finding Harrison,
writing in 1587, in the eighteenth chapter of his intro-
duction to “ Holinshed’s Chroniele,’’ stating, “ Certainly
the scil is even now in these our days grown to be much -
more fruitful than it hath been in times past.” This he
goes on to state was the case not only in England, but
in Ireland, Scotland, and Wales; “so that each nation
manureth her own with triple commodity to that it was
beforetime.” “Throughout the land (if yon please to
make an estimate thereof by the acre) in mean (average)
and indifferent years, wherein each acre of Rye or Wheat
well tilled and dressed, will yield commonly sixteen or
twenty bushels, which proportion is notwithstanding oft..
abated towards the north, as it is oftentimes surmounted
in the south.” '

Supposing these quantities to be correct, though there

No. 760.—Vou. XXIX., Op Serntes.

108

is reason to believe them too large, yet there is evidence that the
fertility of the soil has gone on increasing since then, for the
lowest average produce of Wheat per acre is now stated to be
twenty-eight bushels.

Our opinion that our cultivated soils increase rather than
diminish in fertility, has not been lightly formed, but is founded
not'only upon the evidence of the oldest cultivators, but upon
facts which seem to us conclusive.

It is quite certain that whatever is taken away from the staple
of a soil by a crop grown upon it can be restored to that soil by
‘manures, and by the natural depositions from the atmosphere ;
and we believe that there is no more well-ascertained illustration
of the balancing which pervades all nature than that THE
SEWAGE OF EVERY HOUSEHOLD IS MANURE SUFFICIENT FOR
THE PRODUCTION OF ALL ITS VEGETABLE FOOD—a fact that
cannot be too generally and continually urged, and in support
of it we have this testimony of Dr. Lyon Playfair :—“‘ Human
excrements contain (with the exception of one ingredient—asili-
cate of potash) all the ingredients essential to fertility. Esti-
mating the amount of the efféte matter of one man at an amount
so low as 547 lbs. yearly (14 lbs. urine, 4b. feces daily), so
vich is this manure in phosphates, that the collected excrements
of ¢wo men would suffice to manure an acre of Wheat or of Peas;
or that of one a whole acre of Turnips, supposing the green
herbage were returned to the soil. In fact, when we recollect
that a pound of urine contains all the ingredients necessary for
the production of a pound of Wheat, it is incredible folly to
allow all the valuable refuse of our large towns to run to waste,
when at the same time we are sending fleets to Ichaboe and Peru
for what we are wasting at home.”

Dr. Playfair might have added with equal truth, that the ex-
crementitious matters we are thus fetching from other regions of
the world are far more expensive, yet not more powerful, as
manure, than the excrementitious matters of our own sewers.
On this point we will only quote the statement of one of our
best practical farmers, the late Mr. Smith, of Deanston, who
thus details his experiments made purposely on & meadow in
Hancashire, by applying fo separate acres at the rate of 15 tons
of farmyard manure per acre, 3 cwt. of guano, and 8 tons
of sewer water.

£8. d
Cost of manuring one acre with sewer water............0.... 012 9
Ditto with guano (23. cwt.) at &8..........0.... 100
Ditto with farmyard manure, 15 tons, at 4. 3.0 0
Ditto with sewer water .......... 016 6
Ditto with guano (5 ewt.) at 8 20 0

Ditto with farmyard manure (30'tons), at 4s.

he guano and farmyard manure “in their effects were found
%o be inferior to the sewage water.”

The same law, we believe, prevails with regard to all herbi-
yorous animals, and that their excreets, aided by the atmosphere’s
nitrogenous depositions and its carbonic acid, fully restore to
a, soil all that they withdraw from it in their food.

When we add to this, that annually fish, seaweed, guano, oil
cake, ashes, bones, coprolites, and other animal sources of phos-
phates, as well as bread stuffs, sugar, tea, and other foods, aro
continually being imported, or won from the sea, we discern
sources of increased fertility, but none of impoverishment.

It is true that in towns the human excreets are for the most
part wasted ; but this proves no more than that if they were all
husbanded ‘as they are in China, our soils might be made still
more fertile, and, as in China, capable of supporting » population
atill more numerous.—J.

-NEW PLANTS FOR THE COMING SEASON.

Tue first plants on my own list for trial next summer are
three kinds of Calceolarias ; the Calceolaria Aurea floribunda to
be used as a sample plant to compare the others with under the
same treatment, soil, and situation.

Before going farther, let me protest against a common error
in judging of new plants for bedding purposes. A very sensible
man, out of every degree of sensibleness from a florist to “the
man/’ in the garden, obtains a new plant or plants, and it
reaches him in the best condition and he does his best by it;
but the season is against himor is too much in his fayour, and
in either case he can only put out his new comer or comers in
some place by themselyes and watch them. No doubt the
worst place about the garden is not where people put out their
, $mial plants. But no doubt, also, unless there are as many

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ February 10, 1863.

plants of some old kind for which the new are rivals put out
on the same spot of ground as the new ones, and under precisely
similar conditions as to the size, age, and health of the plants,
the trial and the judgment on the issue are both wrong and of very
little value, and yet the person who conducted the trial may be
one of the most conscientious of men; he only went the wrong
way to work without knowing it, and he is not aware that his
decision, in consequence, is worse than useless, for it may be
most mischievous. Then, knowing all that, the first thing I do
when I have to trust to another’s choice of a new plant, is to
ascertain what means were within his reach by which to form his
judgment. Of his judgment I may not have the least doubt;
but I am very doubtful whether or not some of my friends’ judg-
ments ever had a fair chance of being in accordance with the
nature of the subjects under experiment,

If I took six plants of Tom Thumb when it first came out,
and gave them the best position on a trial border, and compared
the rise and progress of the new seedling with the advance of
Lady Alice Byng, or of the Crystal Palace Scarlet, or of the
three kinds of Frogmore Improved, which I had then out
in the beds, and which were the’ only sorts then against which
Tom Thumb could compete on fair terms, my judgment might do
for myself, but it could not be a fair judgment of an experiment
to come beforethe public, The least I ought to have done would
have been to have given an equal chance to as many of Tom’s
rivals as to himself on the same border, and all the conditions
to be exactly alike as to age, strength, and health of the plants
at the first start: therefore, whatever the season might be, all
the plants had their shara of it under the same circumstances,
and the judgment could not be far wrong in so far as this—
that if the season were very bad, one or two of the kinds might
stand it better than the rest; or if it were a most favourable
season, the rest, or one of them, might be the superior for that
season and seasons like it. ;

So you see there is more than meets the eye, at first sight, in
a faithful experiment to test the value of the simplest plant that
one chooses to deal with if in earnest about it.

Well, then, I have so many plants of Aurea floribunda Calceo-
laria, and last summer our Floral Committee gave their highest
award for such plants—their Certificate of Merit for Calceolaria
Cloth of Gold to Messrs. Downie, Laird, & Laing, as you would
haye seen in the last Number of this Journal; and tlie year
before last our Floral Committee gave the same award for
Calceolaria canariensis to Mr, Smith, the great Fuchsia florist
of Hornsey Road Nursery ; and these two Calceolarias I shall
engage to match against Aurea floribunda for a thousand guineas,
or a thousand to one that the three will have the same and the
best treatment that I can give them. But, perhaps, you are
not aware that I am equally interested in the three kinds. I
was the first person to prove to the public the use and value
of Aurea floribunda in the Experimental Garden, TI had it
direct from the raiser through Mr. Turner, of Slough, for that
purpose, and I had to thank Mr. Turner for giving me a lift in
the matter. The plants were hurt by a railway run, or crash,
or something, and Mr. Turner kept and nursed my Aureas for
me until they were fit for a prince to plant. I have been always
proud of Aurea eyer since, but it shall be on the same level
now.

Last summer was so bad for Calceolarias, that many made up
their minds to discard this, or that, or these old Calceolarias,
and take in some of tha new ones, I recollect looking over from
the galleries of the Crystal Palace with Mr. Gordon, when he
told me he would plant no more of his principal sort, the best of
the Rugosa breed. The only one which held the flowers on
there against the drenching rains was Gaines’ Yellow; and now
that I think of it, I must have so many of Gaities’ on the
opposite side to Aurea floribunda, with the canariensis, and the
Cloth of Gold in the centre.

The reason why I am so much interested about these two is,
of courae, from the fact of their having their character stamped.
by the Floral Committee. But speaking of the Crystal Palace
broke the strain of my thoughts on the matter, for there is
where we all had the opportunity of seeing and of believing in
the most beautiful and most distinct new Lobelias of the dwarf
blue race that ever yet appeared in one season. One is called
after Sir Joseph Paxton by permission, the other after Mr. -
Gordon at my request; and I have another one from down
the country, of which I thought very highly, from a chance
blooming, but not so much as to determine its degree in the scale
of merit. So I shall have three capital dwarf Lobelias to decide

February 10, 1863. ]

upon ; and I am quite certain myself each one of the three is at
least as good as the best variety of speciosa; but, what is more
fortunate, neither of the three will be a rival to speciosa. You
might make a bed of any of the three, and put speciosa round it
for a contrast, just as one could make a bed of one of the
Cerastiume, and put the other round it as an edging—which
plan, I believe, will be adopted next summer at Hampton
Court.

We may as well keep to the edging plants and finish them
first. The grand accident new edging plant of last summer will
most assuredly be a great favourite in a short time, I mean
Arctotis reptans. This I have proved myself, and I sent it to
some of the dons on my way to one of the exhibitions. I took
up a full yard of edging of it on my shoulder, to try and win a
prize with it ; but instead of that, 1 got well nigh the end of my
journey before I was half way up the colonnades at South Ken-
sington. Talk about garotting and night work, 1 had to share
my prize edging plant amongst so many smart men, that I had
no more left than what I had intended for Mr. Hyles. [ also
sent it to the Botanic Garden, Regent’s Park, to the Crystal
Palace, and they have it at Kew, so it will be out about London
in abundance; and all I need now say about it is, that'seedling
plants of it do not do well the firet year, but the bulk of the
people must have it from seeds, if itis in the market, in order to
obtain a stock of it. Of all my store plants, in the cold pit,
this is now the most promising to keep that way from autumn
suckers, or rooted shoots, for every inch of it roots as freely as
Strawberry runners in the edging. I have only one store-pot
of it, and if it bloom with me that way, I shall take the pot
to the Floral Committee, to let them see what a nice flower it is,
besides being the poor man’s best pot edging plant, one of the
easiest to manage, and good enough for a prince.

The next lot with which I mean to be smart this summer
is a lot of the best Fancy Pansies, beginning with the Duke of
Cambridge's fancy flower, the new belted Pansy called Aurea
marginata, for which the Floral Committee had given a prize to
the Messrs. Downie, Laird, & Laing, and which is a novelty
even amongst the novelties of the Fancy race—a race which is
much hardier and more easy to manage than the florists’ Pansies,
although I missed the right way of growing a collection of them
two yesrs back, and blamed the cocoa-nut refuse for it.

Mr. Dean, of the Bradford Nureery, the great authority for
this class of plants, has told me the right way to grow them,
and I saw in a moment where my way was wrong altogether.
I thought of staking them because they grew away so fast in
this stuff; but no, he told me the right way is to train them
down, and to put a little fresh compost from the potting-
bench refuse, twice during the summer, among the shoots into
which they would root, and continue on blooming to the end
of the season. That is just how I shall do them this season, for
I mean to go into them in earnest now that I have so many
of the best new ones—such as Harlequin, Impératrice Hugénie,
Princess Lovise, Mulatto, Leotard, Pacha, Prince Napoleon,
Adelina Patti, and such good sorts; and as soon as the double
“* Good-Gracious”” comes out, I must have it of course. Then
with my stock of the Magpie Pansy, my Yellow Perpetual,
which I had from Mr. Sims, Foot’s Cray, Kent, nine years back,
and which never yet failed from April to October, and the blue
Trentham-bedder Pansy, one of the best and most sure of them
all, I ought to be pretty well off in this class; and of course,
also, I shall push hard to find out rivale, and never cease until
there be a bed or two of the race in every flower garden where
there is room for another bed.

Then, I have just received by the last mail from New York a
splendid new strain of striped and fancy-marked Petunias,
which will Merrimac Mrs. Ferguson, and all Mr. Williams’ and
Mr. Holland’s new strains, if the seeds come true to the plate
of figures of them which has been sent me with the seeds by
Mr. Buchanan, who had the celebrated gale of Cacti at the
Baker Street Bazaar in 1840, and whoee acquaintance I then
made as a bird of a feather. He reads this Journal regularly in
New York, and likes it more than any of our London Pride for tales
about “ breeding-in-and-in and crosswise with long stamens and
with short, to say nothing of our backgrounds, middle masses, or
front rows in the ribbon system,” and all the rest of it. Whe
Petunia seed was accompanied with the request that “if there is
anything there I should like to have I had only tomention and 1
should haveit.” Very good, and I take Mr. Buchanan at his word.
Send over by the next steamer the two Presidents to me, and if
I can get them to shake hands and give up the darkies, I shall

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

109.

go over and settle about the stars and stripes on the ribbon

system of harmonising for effect, and thank him for the chance

as much as for sending me this new strain of striped Petunias.
D. Beaton, |

SUCCESSION OF PEAS—SMALL GREENHOUSE
—HYACINTHS.

I HAVE to thank many kind correspondents for their informa-
tion on the above subjects, and hope they will take this as a
reply to the notes they have been good enough to write. With
regard to Peas, I rejoice to find that 1am not singular in my
dislike to the large sweet Marrows, which, by-the-by, I think
are quite as good raw as boiled, and are fit food for such strong
stomachs as can digest them. Various suggestions have been
made as to keeping-up a succession, but the one which commends
itself most to my notions is to make Sangeter’s No, 1, alias Daniel
O’Rourke, alias, &e. (for it has many names), the first crop; to
sow for the second Bishop’s Dwarf Longpod, and, at the same
time, the old Blue Scimitar, and that then the Blue Peas will
come in about a fortnight after the Bishop’s; and then to sow,
for)a succession during the summer, the Blue Pea. My object
was not to know when to sow Victorias, Ne Plus Ultras, &c.,
but to get rid of them altogether, and to substitute some Peas
which, neither so large nor so sugary, might be gathered
throughout the season. Ido not think that I should care to
have Sangster’s No. 1 all through the season. It will do very
well at the beginning, and also for a late sowing to come in at
the very last; while my recollections of the Blue Peas induce
me to think that I should not require anything higher-flavoured
than they are. High cultivation, oftentimes for the sake of size,
symmetry, or some fancied quality, destroys flavour. I would
infinitely prefer a leg of Cheviot mutton to one off the finest
and most symmetrical Leicester that ever received a first
prize. So would I select a sirloin from a grass-fed ox, to one
off the fattest and ripest (what a term!) that Baker Street ever
saw; and sol am Goth enough to prefer the small, delicate-
flavoured Peas to the large and rich ones. It may be most
desperately bad taste—might put me into the “Index Expurga-
torius” of the “ Almanac des Gourmands;” but it is my mis-
fortune if it be so, and I can only rejoice that some others think
with me.

As regards the greenhouse and its ventilation, I should
have, perhaps, said that as my little garden is merely a piece
taken off a field, without any ornamentation, shrubs, trees, or
anything of the kind, my object is to have the very plainest
and cheapest one possible; anything else would be completely
thrown away. This must be my answer to Mr. Cranston, who
very kindly sent me both a sketch and estimate of one. Nothing
can be more beautiful than his designs, giving, as they do, an
ornamental appearance to what is generally speaking a very un-
ornamental object, and, so far as my limited knowledge of such
subjects goes, the ventilation seems excellently managed; but
then, on the score of expense and unsuitability to my location,
I must, however reluctantly, abandon all hope of erecting such
a house.

To a brother clergyman in Dorsetshire, I am indebted for a
communication which is more in my way. He, too, like myself
is exposed to the rude assaults of blustering Boreas; and has,
therefore, been led to contrive something which shall give him
an opportunity of ventilating without being blown away. His
roof is, I take it, although he does not mention it, a fixture,
such as I intend mine to be—that is, made simply of bars with-
out sashes, and glazed with large panes. This will prevent
much drip; for it is the force of the S.W. wind, driving the
rain literally into the house, that I have to avoid. Last night
it rained a downpour, but then the wind was from the N.W.,
and my house hardly leaked at all; while, with half the quan-
tity of rain from the S.W., it would be dripping all over. His
ventilation is managed at one end and the front, although
‘‘ DORSETSHIRE” prefers it at both ends when it can be had.
His front sashes at the opposite end to the door open likea
door on hinges—in fact, like a cottage window, and are kept
open at any angle by ordinary screw cottage fastenings. The
yentilation at the end is managed by having a sash or sashes to.
open by means of a simple contrivance with two pulleys, and
this can be done by any one standing on the floor of the
house. It is, I think, clear that his house is larger than what
I intend to put up, but this does not alter the principie; and it:
seems to me to combine simplicity and economy. As regards

110°

heating, I do not suppose*any plan is preferable for'so smallia
house to that of the old brick flue; and by altering’the furnace;
aud’ bringing it a little farther on, it’ will adapt itself to the
increased size of the house. I have thought at times of hot
water; but there seems to me to be so much power wasted
when even the smallest boiler’is applied to.a house of. this size,
that I have given up the, notion, especially as my only object is
to keep the frost out, and Ihave no ambitious designs of forcing
orextensively propagating.

I may take the opportunity while the pen is*im my hand of
answering “R.A. H.’s” questions as tothe Hyacinths he intends
exhibiting. I think he did wrong when’ potting’ not to: have
put'a langer proportion of manure. QOne-fourth is:not enough.
I’ generally put one-half; and have known’ some: growers:make
it’even three-fourths, However, he must now makeup for it by

liberal supplies of liquid manure. I should prefer this, I think, ,

to guano water, considering the circumstances under which they
‘were potted. I am myself using guano. They should when

taken out of the ashesbe gradually inured to light, and as*the
Exhibition at which he intends to exhibit them is not to be held |

until April, they will not ‘require any heat but rather retarding,
especially if this’ extraordinarily mild season continue. One
great’ object’ he should bearin mind, is'to have good foliags'as
well as good bloom,'and that, therefore, he should endeavour to
avoid drawing the plants; and thus prevent’ the: leaves: from
hanging down and falling over the sides of the pots, than: which
nothing can be more’ugly:—D.,, Deal.

WHAT DESTROYS: CROCUSES?

As our Crocuses have come/above ground this»year, they have
been attacked by some animal, butwe cannotascertain what, The
stems are cleared of earthvall round,.and then cut about half an
inch’from the root; the:roots not eaten, and nearly the whole cut
atem left on the ground; ‘the: mischief is: done atnight. We
attributed it at first’ to; mice, then rats); but no sign of these
could berdiscovered, andinone were caught in the traps set. These
generally eat the rootoas:well: ‘Che: mischief continues asthe

‘flowers advance, and of late the plants are attacked as if bya pig,

the holes are'so large about them; still only:the stems are cut as
before described ; all our Crocus-borders are destroyed. Can
you suggest the cause or’a remedy ?—W. W. Benner.

[The sparrow’ does the conjuring, and as it would seem through
sheer mischief, but in reality‘only to sip the nectar at the bottom
of the tube of the flower, while the flower is yet in»bud, the
instinct of the bird being thus exemplified.]

CULTURE OF BEGONTAS.

VaRiEty is the most ‘distinguishing feature in’ this “class of
plants—distinct variety in the colours of the flowers and a
pleasing variety in the markings of ‘the foliage, which are all
“displayed with a graceful habit of growth during the dull winter
and spring months, when flowers, like many other things when
rare, are most valued. The majority of Begonias being'natives
of ‘South America and the West Indies require stove tempera-
ture. Some new and good sorts have of late years been pro-
duced by cross-breeding, and it is probable that by that means
a more hardy race will be created. Mr. Frost, gardener to
E! L. Betts, Esq:, of Preston Hall; near Maidstone, raised a
cross called Begonia prestoniensis by impregnating B! cinna-
barina with B. nitida; the flowers are abundant, of a brilliant
scarlet, fragrant 2s a rose; and the plant has a shrubby habit,
and succeeds well in the greenhouse.

Tf collectors of plants were more particular in giving us an
account of the localities in’ which the species were generally
found we should not be compelled to grope our way in the dark
so often as we are, To say that many species are natives of
‘South America is’ giving us a very extensive range of country to
investigate. The variety of climate from the summit of the lofty
Andes covered with snow to the vallies luxuriating in a tropical
temperature, with’ the collateral infloences produced by pro-
pinquity to the sea or to rivers, to lakes’or to mountains, should
suggest to every collector'the necessity of giving such particulars
of situation, soil, &c., as would lead us ‘to the treatment most
suitable for each. It was, I'suppose, by some mere chance that
we have discovered, after many years of haphazard treatment,
‘that the Begonia nitida, introduced from Jamaica; will’ do well:

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE’ AND COTTAGE GARDENER...

[February 10) 1863%

in’ a greenhouse: temperature, ~The ‘By Hyansiang; syns discolor,
introduced: from China;.is)a \ species: very! frequently: found» in
ereat perfection in the:cottagers’ windows. ‘By cross-impregna-
tion with such parents of:a comparatively hardy:constitution-we
shall ultimately attain a:class of Begonias endowed: with all the
properties ‘of’ the best sorts, and amenable toygreenhouse: treat-
ment. ‘on {

The Begonias may be divided into three classes—the fibrous-
rooted, the herbaceous, whose stems diexdown annually, and the
bulbous-rooted: sorts. The) most: useful! particular; with which
we'have been favoured: byicollectors:is:to know that: they are
generally found to inhabit moist; shady, and secludedisituations
in their native countries, where they are-pantially;sheltered from
the direct rays: of the sun and from cuttimgwinds; In such
situations it is reasonable:to suppose: thatJeaf mould-is the:soil
in)which they flourish, With us they delight:in a:moist atmo-
sphere with a slight shade‘on hot:sunnyidays; good drainage,
an abundance: of water in their growimg:season; and half leaf
mould and loam. They grow luxuriantly: in. ajsoil! composed
entirely of decayed vegetable: matter, but/in*that: they are very
liable.to:rot-off at the'base ofthe stem; Being of’ most succu-
lent’ nature they would luxuriate inthe atmosphere of a vapour-
bath, asin their- native countries, without the necessity. of
requiring much: root-action: Stopping, or’ pruning they» will
not bear, and the:only;occasion ‘on'which the \knifescan: be used
with safety is tovcut! away the old) stems fromall'that throw up
strong, shoots from: the: rootsyevery years. Toocounteract! the
tendency to rot: it is: advisable: to) slightly elevate: thesstem-in
the :centre-of ‘the pot: The’ sorts: that :form tubers, such as
B. Hyansiana;, diversifolia;. and octopetala,. should: be dried-
off cautiously as the:season of growth declines, and stored away
in any cool dry place; for three) or four*months, when they may
be started ‘and repotted into fresh soil. About the» beginning
of October; when*the:leavesiof some begin to:fade and others
assume a. languid: appearance—indications of the»natural, rest
that they require—water should be gradually withheld, and
entirely discontinued by the first'week of November.

Although many species would remain, green’ and healthy
during: the winter it is notin accordance with the natural habits
ofthe plants to keep»them in a-continuous»state of growth.
Indeed, all plants: want a season of rest, more especially the
natives of tropical countries where sun and ‘light are more
intense: In’ our: dull and generally sunless:winter: months: the

-growth that is made by:the application of artificial heat is only

the-elongation of the parts without maturity-or vigour. A
continuous growth«is) an abortion. A mature and properly
elaborated vigour of growth. is essential to: the production
of ‘flowers, and a prematuresand excessive: development of
the ‘branches: and foliage: at‘ such’ a» season is) injurious and
often» destructive to the: desired effect——the production of
flowers.

The majority ofi the sorts are:easily propagated by cuttings;
but by many’growers seedlings are preferred asinot being so
liable)to: rot-off at the base of the-stem. Theseeds when ripe
are scattered upon: the: surface of! light sandy soil, covered with
avbell-glass, and shaded.

The'following.is‘a list of\good sorts::— ~

Begonia xanthina.—Conspicuous for\its yellowflowers.

B. prestoniensis.—Brilliant scarlet.

B. cinnabarina.—Citron-coloured flowers:

B. fuchsioides.—Scarlet:

B. rubrovenia.—W hite, streaked with red. {

B. Thwaitesii,—Foliage of green, deep red, purple, and violet
colours, {

B. Fischert:—Blush-coloured: flowers; foliage bright crimson
beneath: i

B. rupestris:—Pink flowers; leaves marked-on the surface with
white silvery-looking spots. ,

B. Martiana.—Pink flowers: generally in: pairsy but» in’ great
profusion, ! ,

B. zebrina:—Pink flowers’; leaves: bright green; smooth'\and
shining, marked with dark green shades:on the:under side,

B. argyrostigma.— Blowers flesh: colour:;: leaves: dark green,
singularly blotched on:the surface:with silvery spots.

B. odorata:—Pure whiteflowers: wctd tt 4

B. nitida:—Pink: flowers ; stragglingyhabit ‘of? growth; suit-

lable for trellis. :

B. sanguinea.—Dark ‘purple leaves';: white flowers?
B: cruentas—Bright: scarlet flowers';) stems of !a;dull crimson
colour.. otf , 19

February 10, 1863. ]

B. ulmifolia.—Blush-coloured flowers.

B. castaneafolia.—Blush-coloured flowers; neat habit of
growth.

B. semperflorens—White flowers.

B. cuculata.— White flowers; stems slightly tinged with
purple at the joints. :

B. papiliosa.—Pink flowers.

B. digitata —White.

B. rubra.—A beautiful red not only in the petals but also in
the capsules.

B. platanifolia.—Pink and white.

B. heracleifoliaz.—Pink blossoms, low habit, and dark green
ivy-like leaves.

B. Barkerit— Immense leaves, and a large head of odoriferous |

flowers. Increased by seed.

B. hernandiefolia.—Rosy-red flowers. W. KrEane.

HEATING HORTICULTURAL BUILDINGS.

MANIFOLD as are the modes by which glass structures and
other places devoted to horticulture are heated, the subject is
certainly far from being well understood. ‘True it is that those
who have had extensive practice in heating may be able to give

opinions of considerable weight on the matter; but there are |

many who may not have obtained such experience, and, conse-
quently, may be led into error—not, perhaps, always in neglect-

ing to provide sufficiently powerful heating apparatus, but by |

running into needless expense in providing it ina manner not

required. This is also a subject in which the most experienced |

sometimes make mistakes, therefore I offer no apology for
making some observations upon it; not that I have anything
to advance in contradiction to the able communications Mr. Fish
has from time to time put forth, but some additional facts bear-
ing on the case which, if not new to the practical men who
keep pace with the times, will at least be interesting to the
general reader.

T believe it will be admitted by all, that the best-constructed
heating apparatus yet erected falls far short of supplying the
heat that ought to be furnished by the fuel consumed; in
fact, so extensive is the waste, that the statements of the learned
men who have treated on the subject seem almost startling,
but it is questionable whether anything even like the results
they assume to be possible will ever be secured in practice.
Nevertheless, there is every reason to believe that very consider-
able improveznent may yet be made; and although the com-
bustion of a pound of coal may never effect the wonderful
changes that men of science assert it ought to do, it may yet be
so economically used as to impart a greater portion of heat to
the object wanting it than it now does; and if a mode of doing
this without entailing additional labour or cost can be found,
the discoverer will deserve well of his fellow men.

The present notes, however, will be devoted to the application
of heat to such purposes of horticulture as tend to impart heat
to the atmosphere of a structure adapted to the cultivation of
plants. In thus limiting its operations, we must also fetter it
in another way as well. The heat supplied must not contain
any gases hurtful to vegetation, but must simply be a good and
agreeable warmth, free from any impurity; neither must it be
too dry nor yet too moist ; in fact, it ought to be completely
under control in these last two respects, and at the same time
the simplicity of the apparatus must be such that any rustic
may be safely trusted with its management. It must, besides,
require no particular attention calling the operator very often
to it, for there may be times at which.the man or boy who
has the charge of such works may want to be somewhere else ;
and if an apparatus for heating requires attention every hour
or two, there is every probability of this duty being often
neglected.

In the cultivation of exotic plants, it is often necessary to
increase the temperature of the atmosphere they are placed in to
something like that of the country they came from ; or, at least,
we are obliged to prevent that atmosphere from being cooled
down so low as it would be in our climate. To prevent this
artificial heat has to be applied ; and whether this heat be in
the shape of fermenting material or fire heat, the object must
beaccomplished. Other modes of heating have been suggested,
as making use of the heat from the'sun’s rays ; but»we have not
yet found the way of concentrating the spare heat that might be
80 obtained, and giving it off at night, although this is far from

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

111

being so improbable as some may suppose. Neither has a much
more difficult problem—that of taking advantage of animal
heat, which was suggested by some one, been hitherto solved.
If I remember right he proposed to have a forcing-house, or
something of that kind, immediately in front of a row of cattle
tied-up and feeding. The warmth from their bodies and their
breath together, he thought might supply the heat required.
How such a system would suit the owners of stall-fed oxen, I
must leave them to say; and how the animals themselves
would enjoy the tantalising prospect of green herbage, rich,
tempting, and pretty, but out of their reach I cannot ayer. It
is almost superfluous to add that the plan has never yet worked
itself into practice, neither is it likely that it will be adopted
by any but by those anxiously bent on novelty; for it is pro-
bable the improved modes of using fire heat will drive all others
out of the field. I believe there haye been other modes of
applying heat suggested, but it is needless recording them. Let
us, therefore, see in what way the two most ayailable modes
of heating, which are fermenting materials and fire heat, can be

j used; the latter, of course, including hot water, &e.

To the fermenting materials supplying heat it is hardly
necessary to advert, as local circumstances generally point out
which must be used; and useful as such an assistant is to the
forcing-gardener, there are many plants which cannot be carried
through the dark days with them alone; for the steady warmth
given off by a bed of tan, dung, leaves, or similar substances is
not capable of being suddenly increased to meet the fluctuations
of temperature not unusual at Christmas or afterwards. A /
sudden depression of, perhaps, 30° in the external atmosphere,
tells also to a certain extent inside a glass structure; but fer-
menting material alone is incapable of any increased effort
likely to compete with this diminished temperature. In the
generality of cases, therefore, requiring a steady high temper-
ature in winter, it is necessary to call in the assistance of fire heat
as well; and the latter being completely under command, and
being used more or less as occasion requires, the best results
follow, the union of the two being certainly better than either
alone. Although there are plenty of cases in which fire heat
does the whole, and that very well too, still a body of fermenting:
material has advantages which no artificial combination in which
fire, water, and iron are alone employed can afford.

Fire Hrat.—Having adverted to the loss in all cases entailed
on the user of fire heat, I may here add that no one loses so
much as the forcing-gardener. With him combustion goes on
in one place, and the air required to be heated is separated from
the fire by large masses of brickwork. Possibly the fire is made
to do duty on some boiler, which sends its warmed fluid in
circulating currents through some long and intricate series of
piping, which in turn has also to be warmed, in order to afford
the tardy warmth given off to the atmosphere either abuye or
surrounding the pipes. Of course all their auxiliaries or appen-
dages have to be warmed by the fire before any heat is given
off, and, by the time the fire heat reaches the farthest object it
has to be applied to, it is divested of much of its warmth.
This is the evil, and how to remedy it has puzzled the learned
in such matters for many years; and although much improve-
ment has been and continues to be made, by the better con-
struction ef fireplaces, the advance in heating horticultural
buildings falls far short of what has been done to improve the
construction of sitting-room fire stoves, kitchen ranges, &c.;
while gas, Arnott, and other stoves to heat shops, halls, and
public buildings have likewise undergone many improvements.

Although the subject is, perhaps, not quite in order here, I
may say that one of the best heated churches I was ever in is
warmed on what is called Sylvester’s plan of heated air. The
apparatus was made, I believe, at Trowbridze—at least it bears
that name—and is unquestionably a great improvement on all
the modes of heating such edifices I have ever seen in use.
Of its economy I can say little; but should suppose, by its
warming such a large volume of air, that the fire heat must be
carefully employed. Of its applicability to horticultural build-
ings I can also say little ; perhaps, however, this mention may
draw forth more precise information on these points.

Heated air has often been held in dread by the gardener, as
likely to contain some noxious gas fatal to his plants; but, in
the mode of heating I allude to, it has none of the Arnott’s-
stove stifling smell so often complained of, and it is possible
that for forcing purposes it could be still further improved or
purified. Heated air is unquestionably the most economical
way that fire heat can act on an atmosphere which it is neces-

112 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

sary to warm; and as soon as such an application of fire heat
can be effected without injury to the plants, a great advance will
have been made. A talented, though somewhat versatile, writer
on horticultural matters suggested, many years ago, the pro-
priety of trying an open fire in a forcing-house, and reasoned
bard on the probability of its answering; but I have never
heard of its having been put in practice, neither is it likely
it could be made to act for all the purposes for which he advo-
cated its adoption. It would, however, be interesting to know
if any one has succeeded in keeping an ordinary greenhouse
‘sufficiently warm to exclude frost by means of an open fireplace
within it. J. Rosson.
(Zo be continned.)

SOMETHING MORE ABOUT POTATOES.

I pwett long over that extraordinary part of the display
designated “Garden Roots and Vegetables” at the great Inter-
national Show of the Royal Horticultural Society in October
last, till, from the number of questions put to me, I began to
consider myself as a standing dish; though I fear, if a balance
-could be made, I gained much more information than I was
enabled to give—such confidences struck up on the instant,
that many mere lookers-on may have imagined in their thoughts,
“ Hark at these old friends!”

I now send you the result of what I thought to be the cream
of the cream of the Potatoes there exhibited—sorts practically
unknown to me, though most of the kinds were there that I
have already tried and spoken of in these pages, and which on
the present occasion it will be superfluous to again touch upon,
except in a few instances. But for the varieties that I now
bring into notice, perhaps those friends who may be acquainted
with their qualities will let us know and correct my judgment
in cases where I may be wrong in having fallen over head and
ears in love at first sight.

In one instance at least, the Barbadoes Potato has been
inquired about by “A Constant Reape,” Dec. 23, page 759:
therefore my task will not be wholly in yain, and he will be
glad to be informed that his old friond “is still in existence.”

Alstone Kidney.—A good-looking, white, fluke-shaped Potato.

Barbadoes, exhibited by Mr. H. Bennett, gardener to G. 8S.
Foljambe, Esq., Worksop.—A roundish-oblong Potato. Very
fine, as large as one’s foot.

Bath, by Mr. Bullock.—A very promising-looking “early ”
Potato.

Jackson's Seedling, from Mr. Robinson, Shaw House, Mel-
bourne, I thought to bea fine pear-shaped Kidney variety. It
was also praised to me by a practical-looking man as being an
“incomparable early Potato.” I recognised it as being what
I called the “Lambton” in my ‘Comparative Merits.”

King’s New Seedling.—From the Fluke, a second early round.
This Potato attracted much attention.

Kirkton Harly.— This Potato I mention from hearsay, as
an Hon. Col. M.P. recommended it to me strongly in conver-
sation as being an excellent round variety. I cannot take the
liberty to mention his name, but he told me he reads this
Journal; so I merely take an opportunity to say how sorry I
was when a gentleman enticed him away from our Potato
palaver, for, as a matter of course, we should haye naturally
veered towards that part of the Show, and once there, doubtless
further valuable information would have been gained from him
for these pages.

Lemon Kidney, I observed, was showing its precociousness
already by “breaking” on Messrs, Sutton’s magnificent stand.

Murton’s Seedling, from Rey. T. Stevens, St. Andrew’s College,
Reading.—A Potato in appearance very like the Fluke, but
having a rougher skin. In Mr. Stevens’ fine collection I also
noticed Daintree’s Seedling showing its precocity by ‘ break-
ing ;” and I can very plainly assure you that it requires looking

. sharp after in this respect when kept in store for eating.

Wellington.—A magenta-stained-crowned roundish-flat-shaped
Potato, very taking as to looks, and a monopoliser as to names,
I faney I recognised if under seven or eight aliases—viz., Ma-
genta, Model, Malakoff, Warly Beauty, Early Stockton, Barly
Sydenham, Ward’s Seedling, and Painted Lady.

Oxford Red, from Mr. I’, Westbrook, Abingdon.—A mon-
strous pinkish-skinned Potato, all over eyes, in fashion of the
Negro, a sort I mentioned in a previous article—both of them
ealculated to astonish the natives.

Peach-blossom, from Andrew Arcedeckne, Hsq., Hall Farm,

[ February 10, 1863,

Wickham Market, Suffolk.—A sort ‘* grown from 826d imported
from New York,’’ and it may just possibly crumple-up some of
our old sorts.

Queen, by the Rey. Thos. Stevens.—Another seedling from
the Fluke, and a promising-iooking Potato. ;

Royal Sovereign, from Mrs. Sweetlove, Mote Road, Maid-
stone.—A moderate-sized, beautiful-looking, smooth-eyed, white
Potato—a perfect model in appearance in my mind as to what
a round Potato should be, and as charming as the lady’s name
who exhibits it. rs

“ Seedling,’ from the Kirke’s Asbleaf—Hxhibited by T.
Westbrook, Abingdon. “ Warranted to be the Earliest Kidney
in cultivation.” i ,

White-blossomed (Ashleaf?) Kidney, from William A. Page,
Godalming.—* Grown entirely in rotten tan;” and

Webb's Imperial Kidney.—These two varieties I mention, the
latter especially, as being congenial to those who would like
to see their Potatoes, as some people do their butter, fashioned
a yard long.

-I thought many of the kinds of Potatoes most worthy of note
in the Foreign department might be recognised as English kinds
under foreign names. All of them, moreover, were small in
comparison to their relatives over the way.

In the Swedish class I met with ‘‘ Roda Moss,” with which L
had a practical acquaintance this season, as the Salmon Kidney.
It was also in the English class, where its proprietor caught me
by the button and fairly enticed me a hundred yards to view it.
Poor man! how enthusiastic he was about it, and he had written
its name ‘‘sammon kidney!” I confess to have mentioned it
rather slightingly in my ‘‘ Comparative Merits,” and I really
owe it an apology, as well as the Fluke, if I have wronged them
by so doing. Potatis Maccaroni, as well as some other sorts,
were woefully diseased in the Swedish collection ; but, strange
to say, the Flukes were the only specimens that I observed to be
diseased in the English class, and the only sample with that un-
enviable feature in my own stores is the Fluke.

I will notice two other sorts of Potatoes in the extensive
display of “The Hamburgh and Altona Gardeners’ Society,”
founded in 1861.

Kartoffeln Pomatyeraus Ringam, rather an oblong-shaped
Potato; and Newe Kanarische, a round Potato, in shape and
looks exactly like a very good sort I introduced into this neigh-
bourhood some eight years ago, called Martins’ Seedling. ‘he
Judges set it down that the two Potatoes exhibited were the
same variety. I differed from them as a mere looker-on, but
I should like to know in the future who was right? I had not
an opportunity of learning who purchased those two sorts, but
the whole collection was to be sold for the relief of the Lanca-
shire distress. All honour be to their purchasers, and to the
gardeners of Hamburgh and Altona! ’

When judgment is wanted, who can we appeal to more im-
partial {han our Hditors? Most of us, I daresay, feel an ink-
ling of prejudice in favour of our own productions; and for
that very reason, and on account of the importance of the
subject as regards the cultivation of the Potato, I would feel
obliged by an opinion from head-quarters. , I

I was quite struck the other day at the difference in both the
looks and flavour of the same variety of Potato when grown on
the flat and on the ridge—Nos, 1 and 2, for instance, of which
I send you samples from both plans; and Nos. 3 and 4, ditto,
Please to test them, and allow me to advise you to have both of
the same sort cooked at the same time for observation at once,
Perhaps you may also think that the ridge-system has a knack
of producing them calculated to fill a measure, and weigh down
the scales as well as to, produce, quality, and flavour.

I should yery much like an opinion also, as. to what you
think of the flayour of the Knight’s Monarch Pear, as I haye
something to say about Pears some day. I have had a long
struggle with them to produce flavour; and although those 1
send I do not consider up to the mark, still, for some years,
both the Knight’s Monarch and other sorts were very little
better in flavour than turnips, and the rector gave me no hopes
of encouragement that I ever should produce them here present-
able for dessert. I know to within an inch where every root of
every tree lies, and I have presented them with three different
descriptions of soil in fourteen years, and the rector confessed.
that we had some yery good Hacon’s Incomparable, and some
first-rate Marie Louise last season; and if I can but produce,
them with flavour this year, I shall consider my experiments as
feats accomplished.

Febcuary 10, 1863. ]

The Blenheim Pippin is a sample from an old tree which
would scarcely produce Apples larger than crabs. I added fresh
life to its constitution by taking out a trench a yard wide and
deep around the circumference of its branches, refilling with
rotted turf compost, and I thinned out its head. I scrape off
the loose bark, and soot and lime wash its bole and larger
branches every spring, and give a thorough good soaking with
600 gallons of house-sewage, just as the fruit begins to swell
annually. That is the man—or rather the Apple—as Beau
Brummel formerly said of starch.

The specimens of Cox’s Orange are from the young pyramidal
tree which I mentioned in these pages a short time ago. As
regards condition both these Apples are a month after their
season, but I wanted you to see the Blenheim Pippin, just to
show to you what an old tree can be made to do, and to induce
others who may have old Apple trees inclining to wear-out, to
go and do likewise. How I should like to have the handling of
some of the hoary-headed moss-grown trees in the orchards
of Devonshire! What a wigging I would give them! Oh,
that our Devonshire apiarian friends would dip their facile pens
in a little gall and bitterness, and sting a great many of their
countrymen to action upon the spot! So many broad acres, and so
many comparatively young orchards that are there giving small
returns for want of a little exertion! And then, if some of them
were to retaliate on Mr. Woodbury—at least, if they are bachelors
—I should rejoice, on account of that poetry, a translation of
which he gave us at page 42, from the German.— Urwarps
AND ONWARDS.

[The Knight’s Monarch Pears are not large, but of more than
average flavour. The Blenheim Pippin as large and as good-
flavoured as any we ever saw. The Cox’s Orange small, but
well flavoured. The Potatoes aid bear testimony in favour of
the ridge system of growing, not onlv by their superior size, but
excellence of quality.— Eps. J. or H.]

TREATMENT OF APRICOT TREES IN BLOOM.

THERE is a common saying in this part of the country when a
person feels he has to contend against sophistry in place of
argument, “‘ Now don’t throw dust in my eyes.”’ I cannot help
feeling my friend Rivers has been dealing in dust. He is quite
aware I have insisted on the necessity of a dry atmosphere and
dry pollen to the proper fertilisation of the flowers of fruit trees,
and [have even thought I was at unnecessary pains to secure this
object. He will find if he refers to my article of December 30th,
I only threw out a suggestion that the sprinkling of Apricots
occasionally before and during blooming might be beneficial.

Now, I would ask, Supposing all the ventilators of your house
to be open, and you sprinkled a tree all over the first thing in
the morning, or say at breakfast time, how long would the tree
remain damp with a dry wind passing through the house? Could
it possibly prevent the pollen being dry by eleven or twelve
o'clock? I know my success in Apricot culture has been as
great as any one can boast of, but it has not been sufficient to
satisfy me, and I am anxiously feeling my way to comparative
certainty.

Cen any one acquainted with the slopes of the Atlas Mountains
ov the hills of the Caucassus, say if the soil in those localities is
dry as dust all winter, or the trees entirely unvisited by rain
during the blooming seasonP If so, then clearly the suggested
experiment will result in failure, but if confined to “ two trees”
it will not be a serious one.

Let me give my reasons for trying the experiment I suggested,
for, remember, it is only an experiment at present.

Some years ago I noticed three large Apricot trees full of
bloom in my farmyard. It rained with a strong west wind almost
every day; and the trees, being trained to a western aspect, were,
of course, exposed to the full force of the showers. When it
was not raining the sun often shone brightly, and I remarked
several times how strong and healthy the blossoms were. One
day the weather turned much colder; the trees were covered
with snow, and as there waa a slight frost, I thought it all over
with the Apricots; but they never set so thickly on those trees
before or since. :

On talking over the matter with a clever old gardener, still
alive, he said he had often remarked Apricots set best in change-
able weather. I have observed the bloom of trees which had
been kept dry all winter had a dull and weak appearance, and
have an idea that such extreme dryness is unnatural; but, of

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

113

course, this idea may prove incorrect, and if I prove it to be so
you shall soon hear the result.

I think the tree in a pot mentioned by Mr. Rivers as standing
in a narrow house with a Beech hedge at the back 8 feet
high, and another in front 4 feet high, proves very satisfactorily
that Apricot blossoms will stand a certain amount of frost, but
not, I think, that they require to be always dry. Such a very
imperfect protection would hardly insure the latter; nor do I
think he is quite justified in saying, if he had lighted a charcoal
fire in his orchard-house, almost every blossom would have set.
Had he tried the experiment, and such had been the result, it
would have been worth knowing. Iam sorry I have no more
positive information to convey on this interesting subject, but
trust this gentle sprinkle will “lay the dust.’—J. R. PEanrson,
Chilwell.

THE PEAR CROP OF 1862.

As you ask for information respecting the Pear crop of 1862,
I beg to offer you the following observations. There was an
abundance of very strong bloom, and the fruit set very thickly ;
but the cold and wet in June and July thinned it considerably
The Pears did not appear to grow till August and September ;
indeed, I never saw the Pears and Apples grow so fast as they
did in the latter part of August and all September. The soil, a
very retentive loam, is very cold and damp, and the situation is
low and damp.

The Pears are all grown against an east wall, except the
Easter Beurré, and that is on a west wali.i—E. SenDALL, Bur-
ningham, near Cromer, Norfolk.

Williams’ Bon Chrétien —Crop very heavy. Fruit medium
size, and yery good. Ripe middle of September. !

Louise Bonne of Jersey.—A good crop ; delicious fruit. Ripe
beginning of October.

Forelle.—Crop good, but all the fruit that hung exposed were
mildewed; the others were fine and delicious. Ripe end of
October.

Marie Louise.—Very heavy crop. Fruit small but delicious.
Ripe end of October.

Fondante @ Automne.—Crop middling.
good. Ripe beginning of October.

Passe Colmar.—Crop good. Fruit small, and the best I have
seen for ten years. They always mildew more or less. Ripe
end of November.

Winter Nelis—A heavy crop. Fruit medium size, and
delicious. Ripe very early, and all done by the second week in
December.

Beurré Diel.—A heavy crop. Fruit rather small, but very
good. Ripe middle of December.

Glow Morceau.—A good crop. Fruit small, and very much
mildewed ; kept badly. Ripe in January. 5

Beurré d’ Aremberg.—Crop good. Fruit delicious, medium
size. Ripe throughout December. !

Easter Beurré.—Crop good. Fruit very fine and beautiful.
Ripe in December and January.

Beurré Bosc.— Fruit medium size.
November. Not first-rate.

Ne Plus Meuris.—A very heavy crop.
but very good. Ripe now.

Fruit fine and very

Ripe beginning of

Fruit rather small,

NEW PEARS, THEIR VARYING MERIT ON
DIFFERENT SOILS.

Av page 76 of Tux JournaL or Hortrcunture, the well-
known pomologist, “ T.R.,” gives s3 some account of Huyshe’s
Victoria Pear, and says he tasted it on the 15th of January,
comparing it with Joséphine de Malines; and from the com-
parison he pronounces it one of our best sorts. It is curious
that the day before I read his notice I went purposely to taste
the Victoria grown by a gentleman near here. We took Winter
Nelis as our standard; but although the Victoria had the fine
flesh, abundant juice, and melting qualities of one of its parents—
Marie Louise, yet it was entirely wanting in the acidulous
piquant flavour that so much distinguishes the Marie Louise,
and it had not the slightest chance against the Winter Nelis.
You see “T. R.” and myself have chosen two Pears as our
standards of excellence not easily surpassed; and it is not much
to be wondered at that the Victoria did not rival the Winter
Nelis; but how it reached the superlative Joséphine in one

114

locality, and yet in another place should be little beyond second- |

rate in flayour is worthy of inquiry, as it will in some measure
account for the’ very different descriptions we meet with of the
same Pear by writers on pomology.

As the fruit-room where I tasted the Victoria had not the
light excluded, it would in a measure account for the flayour-
legs state of the fruit (which were all ripe January 30th). Yet,
locality, soil, and season have such wonderful influence on the
flayour and keeping properties of Pears, that I think it well to
state the fact of the Victoria being flavourless here this: season,
that purchasers of fruit may understand that it is quite out of
the power of nurserymen to prevent Pears sometimes turning
out the very reverse of what they describe them.

After tasting the Victoria, we tasted the Bergamotte Esperen,
which we also found watery and with little flayour. Now, in
nine places out of ten this, I think, would not happen with this
sort, as I find it one of the best and most constant in its fine
qualities, and one that bears profusely. No garden should be
without so valuable a, sort, more especially as it bears well as a
pyramid, and is one of the best on a quince I know of. How-
ever, I find that all the fine-fleshed late Pears will be melting,
juicy, and sweet upon light, warm soils, but will generally want
that high, rich, buttery, and honied flayour which distinguishes
some of them upon heavier soils inclining to clay. -

The converse sometimes holds good with, the coarser-fleshed
kinds—a light warm soil very often brings out all their best
qualities. A striking example of this I had here this season in
Rousse Lench, which surpassed all my other sorts in luscious,
honied sweetness, and rich, melting, buttery flavour. I should
say that this sort is invaluable for light warm soils, being a pro-
fase bearer and keeping until now (February). It is the latest
hanger on the tree of any sort with which I am acquainted.
Even when the leaves have all fallen, one will find the fruit still
adhering firmly to the tree—a valuable quality in exposed
places, as it is not easily blown off; and for walls I think it one
of the best sorts known. Of course, such a late Pear would not
do for the north of London, and, perhaps, not beyond Wilts,
Hants, Beds, and Bucks.

“T. R.” says he thinks that the Victoria will supersede the
Glou Morceau and Beurré Diel. I think with him as to the
first ; but the second will not be easily dethroned in some locali-
ties on strong soils, although on light soils it will not be able to
hold place with the Victoria. I do not know any Pear that
varies 0 much with soil as does the Beurré Diel, nor any Pear
that:;hassuch arange of the ripening period. With me thisiseason
it has extended from November to now (February) ; some fruit
having fallen from the trees ripe, whilst others are now in my
fruit-room and have no appearance of ripening, and possibly will
rot and be worthless. Ona pear soil about six miles from here
it' is one of the most magnificent Pears one would wish to
possess, and although I had my grafts of the trees that bear
these most:splendid fruit—in all senses splendid—yet mine are
not worth gathering.

Is “T. R.” right, or is it the P. D. has made the mistake in
saying that “the flavour of the Victoria is like the Prince of
Wales Pear?” Should it not be Princess? (a little prematurely
perhaps). I think the last was the name given by Mr. Huyshe
to his third seedling. Quite a stroke of luck to obtain three such
Pears from the same cross, and it shows how much may be done
by judicious selection of parents.

Yo-day I have again tasted Haster Bergamot, and find in two
specimens taken from the cold fruit-room that they are rich,
crisp, and juicy ; whilst a third taken from a warm cupboard is
rich and nearly melting. The specimen described by me, page 29,
was from a warm place, which generally much improves all late
Pears. In cold or clay soils this sort would, undoubtedly, be
as “1. R.”: says, “ worthless.”

As to Doyenné Goubault, the fruit from my specimen tree
corresponds exactly with the description in the “ Fruit Manual.”
I received my tree from Angers, where the sort was raised by
Goubault, and the deseription given with it was, ‘ First quality ;
medium size, HPlesh rich; buttery, and melting. Ripe in October
and December. Tree an abundant bearer.”

‘And now to finish my long dissertation,.allow me to recommend
to the notice of your readers a new Pear, called Vauquelin,.a

very large and beautiful sort, with a fine, delicious, melting,.
and perfumed flesh, which is.also nich and buttery, and just now.

Yipe (February 2nd). I have as yet only had two specimens,
but from their superlative qualities L think the sort will prove
one. of-our:best.kinds,—J..Scort, Merriott, Somerset.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ February 10,1863.

“THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST.” —
At the beginning of last year the pictorial journal so long

|known under the name of “'The Florist’ ‘assumed a new title,
‘| and became “The Florist and Pomologist.”

The increasing
taste throughout the country for the study and cultivation of
fruits called for some more prominent recognition of this subject
in a pictorial form than had previously been made; ‘and in the
new publication the same importance was given to fruits and
fruit-culture, as to floriculture.

The volume of “The Florist and Pomologist” for the past
year is now before us in its beautiful blue and gold binding, and
whether viewed externally or internally, we'cannot but congratu-

Jate the editors on having produced a yery handsome and very

useful book. The plates, of which there are twenty-three, are
quite masterpieces of art, and convey the most faithful repre-
sentations of flowers and fruits from the pencil ‘of Mr. Fitch.
As was to have been expected from the management under which
the new periodical was placed, the success of the undertaking
was complete from the commencement. "We find in the pages
of this-volume thoroughly excellent papers on practical gardening
by some of the most celebrated gardeners of the present day, and
on all these grounds with great pleasure we recommend this
excellent work to the notice of our readers. It is, indeed, a
marvel of cheapness, with its two beautifully: coloured plates,
and sixteen pages of good practical gardening.

COTTON-SEED CAKE AS A MANURE.

Attow me to ask if any of my co-subseribers have tried
cotton-seed cake as a manure? and if so, will they give the
result of such trial?

My gardener assures me that it is valuable; that from a line
of Potatoes on which he put 14lbs. of cotton-cake, he obtained
68 Ibs. of Potatoes, while farmyard manure produced only 33 lbs,
the length of row being the same in both instances, and only
8 feet apart. I was induced to have it tried through reading
a short paragraph in Mr. Johnson’s work on argricultural
chemistry. Naming the matter to a friend, he drew my atten-
tion to Mr, Alderman Mechi’s work, “How to Farm Profitably.”
This gentleman speaks well of it. and annexes,a table drawn out
by Mr. Lawes, who estimates the value of manure from animals
fed on cotton-seed cake, at. 20 per cent. higher than that from

‘rape or linseed-cake,—A Constant SUBSCRIBER, Wilmslow,

Cheshire.

WATER-BAROMETER.

PERFECTION is not claimed. No weather-glass is faultless.
But, it is believed, that the indications of this instrument are
more truthful than those given by barometers in general use.
Its cost. is within the means of working-people, This con-
sideration has induced one who has made experiments on what
is an old principle, to make public the results of his experience.

The water-barometer consists of two transparent vessels—e
flask and a hyacinth-glass. The flask is 10 inches high—5 in
the bulb and 5 in the neck. The neck is, through its \entire
length, of half-inch diameter; the bulb being at its greatest
breadth 3 inches through. The hyacinth-glass should be 7 inches
and a quarter in height, and of such width as will insure
stability. In the bottom of this lower glass there! should ‘be
water, coloured by some dye, forming no ‘sediment. ‘The neck
of the flask should be divided into 40 equal parts of one-eighth
of an inch each on its outside, with figures 5, 10,and.so on. up
to 40, 20 answering to “ change.” This scale may be-made-with
any dark paint or varnish, by a small camel’s-hair pencil, As
soon.as dry, the flask must be put upside down into the lower
glass, so as to be suspended on the rim with its end submerged
half-an-inch only in the coloured water. The instruments then
complete. ‘The water will rise up the neck of the flask for fine,
and sink for bad, weather. “

This barometer should be placed in some room where neither
sunshine, fire; gas, nor frost comes. It is but slightly sensitive
to natural, but very much affected by artificial heatior cold. (It
will always move with the quicksilver, but will often alter foria
coming change when the:common weather-glass is obstinate.

In giving notice of.a storm, ‘this water-barometer acts very
correctly. Fog does not, affectiit. Noxth,and east winds have
in degree, but not in.extent, the:same influence! on this\as ‘they
have:upon;the mercury glass—they elevate the,colamn. Bain

{
:
:
:
:

i a te he i

February 10) 1863.]

may also fall from high clouds, or from suddenly condensed
mist, without much depressing the fluid. The existence of
contrary currents of wind will often interfere with the working
of all barometers. But, with such exceptions, this water-baro-
meter may be depended on, as may be seen from a register of its
movements carefully kept during the last thirty-two days. In
this table the state of the mercurial barometer, the wind and the
temperature, are given in order that a fair estimate may be made
of the relative worth of the water weather-glass.

It should be added, that precision in the manufacture of the
glasses is very important. A rough but imperfect substitute for
the upper glass is a common Florentine oil-flask carefully cleaned
out with soda. This was found outlong ago. A more sensitive
glass may be made, and of larger range, by contracting the
diameter and increasing the length of the flask’s neck, and then
the lower glass must be higher in proportion.

The flask should be handled as little as possible, as the warmth
of the hand depresses the column.—F. CopLanD, Chelmsford.

REGISTER.
3 : £
63] 3 52 | S28
= So | sa52
Date a= | 3 |Wind| 22 | sso Remarks.
Ro | 8 ze] Sse
oz/s z/5 *3
1862 a = $
Morn- °
Dee. 12 | 30.30] 45 | W. | 26 | Fine....)| Bright day
13 | 30.10} 45 s. 5} Rain...) Wet day
14 } 30.30} 30|S.W.}| 27 | Fine....| Bright
15 | 30.35) 35 | S.W.| 25 Fine....} Light cloud
16 | 30.40} 38 Ss. 25 Fine....} A dull day
17 | 30.40] 48} S. 15. | Rain...) Four hours light rain
18 | 30.35] 36 | W. 2t Rain “t Light rain—High cloud
(In the evening a very
Evening }'30.00} 50 | S.W. Q | Storm.) } heavy gale set in and con-
Morn. 19. | 29.65} 46 | W. 2 | Storm tinued till the morning of
20 } 29.45) 38 | W. 5 Storm the 22nd, when the weather
moderated
21 | 29.55| 38 | N.W.| 24 | Finer..} Very squally
¥ = = uiet — Small shower at
22.) 30.10] 32} N. | 35 | Fine....| { auc
23 | 30.10) 88 | W. | 34 | Fine....| Foggy
24 | 30.20) 40|S.W.| 34 Fine Cloudy and dull
25 | 30.30) 43 | W. 32 Fine Bright
26 | 30.30} 44 |S.W.} 25 Fair ...{ Dull
27 | 30.40) 44 }S.W.} 28 Fair ...} Dull—Misty
28 | 30.29) 49 |S.W.} 17 Fair ...} Cloudy—Thick
29 | 29.60] 46] S. 5 | Rain...) Gale all day
30 | 29.60} 44 | S.W. 5 | Rain ..,| Fine at night—Little rain
31 | 30.00] 35} W. | 24 | Fine...) Bright day
1863.Jan.1} 29.05} 50 |S.W.| 21 | Fine....| Cloudy and damp
2 | 29.50} 50 | S.W. 5 Rain ...| Gale of wind
3 | 29.50} 38 |S.W.} 18 } Fine....| Sunny
4) 29.40} 44 /S.W.| 11 Fine....} Cloudy
5 429. 5} 44 Ss. 5 Rain ...| Heavy and wind
6 {28.90} 40] S. 10 | Rain...) Showery
7 | 29.00} 40 | S.W.) 15 Fair ...| Damp
$8 } 2920) 40 | S.E.| 25 Fine....| Bright
9 | 29.55} 36 | S.E.| 29 } Fine....| Damp
10 | 29.65; 38 E. 30 Fine....| Cloudy, but dry
Il | 29.65) 38 | N. 29 | Fine....) Scotch mist
12 | 30.10] 27] S. 35 | Fine....) Ram at night
FIELD MICE.

Your correspondent, W. Hill, wishes to know how to
destroy these troublesome little animals that are barking his
Hollies. I beg to offer him the following suggestions to trap
the mice :—Bore a number of holes all over the plantations about
20 inches deep, and wider at the bottom than at the top; these if
baited and properly tended will catch great numbers. By all
means preserve the barn owls and kestrel hawks, as they live on
Mice, and are in no way injurious to game.—B. P. BRENT.

CELERY CULTURE.

I NEVER missed haying a crop of Celery yet, and my plan of
cultivation is very nearly that of Mr. Hague’s, though instead of
plying the well-rotted leaves and refuse—the remains of a
*muck-pie” hotbed over the roots, I place it under them in
the trench, and I do not allow the plants to become thirsty for
lack of house-sewage.

I bring the plants up hardy from the first. The mischief, I
think, lies in too much coddling in the first going-off. Never let
them know what bottom heat is, unless a few curiosities are
wanted for the first shooting parties ; and thin and prick out in
time. Plant out with good balls of earth attached, and injure

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

good-sized ante-room, and a very

115

the foliage as little as possible. I mentioned some years ago in
these pages, that I save the Asparagus haulm to shade them on
those occasions.

I am never in haste to mould-up Celery, but allowit to take a
good growth, and then with a length of tar cord, and giving it a
twist around each plant from end to end of the trench, they are
placed bolt upright like a rank of soldiers, and the soil can be
expeditiously moulded to them without danger of its penetrating
to their hearts, which must be guarded against, and it is of very
little use applying more liquid to them afterwards.

The sort I send is Coles’ Red. It has never had but one
moulding, for what with the International Exhibition, writing
about that and other matters, the frost coming, and one thing
and the other, moulding was afterwards neglected. Neverthe-
less, I have not had one rotten or bolted stick.

Our Aytoun Castle Leeks are very good; both the former and
latter we use continually as stewed vegetables, and very whole-
some and pleasant provisions they are either with brown gravy
or white sauce. I cultivate the Leeks in trenches, constantly
plying them with plenty of sewage, and mould them accordingly
as they grow.— UPWARDS AND ONWAEDS,

PLANTS OVER HOT-WATER PIPES.

Can you inform me whether plants growing in long wooden
boxes or troughs would be injured if placed immediately over the
hot-water pipes which are carried round the inside of the con-
seryatory ? ‘The boxes would be raised about one foot from the
floor.—A.

[It will be safest to put the boxes at the distance of a brick in
thickness from the pipes, which will alike prevent over-heating
the boxes, and allow free radiation of the heat from the pipes.
Of course, blocks of wood would do as well, or even better than
a loose brick. ]

A FEW DAYS IN IRELAND.
CARTON.

Tus magnificent residence of the Duke of Leinster is about
sixteen miles from Dublin and two miles and a half from May-
nooth, so celebrated for its training college for the Catholic
priesthood, and so interesting to the antiquary from its ancient
castle, the ruins of which are so densely clothed with Ireland’s
evergreen—the Ivy. The splendid classic mansion of the premier
peer and only duke of Ireland, was designed by Richard
Cassels, and will long remain a monument, not only of the
purity of his taste, but of the ideas that must haye been enter-
tained by him of fitness, utility, and comfort. In passing many
a noble structure, the idea of magnificence is often lowered by
reflecting that within the walls so many human beings pass
the most of their working hours beneath the ground level, in
comparative darkness, and where scarcely one direct beam of
sunshine can ever penetrate. People will begin to think now
that the circumstances and conditions that may be the very best
for keeping wine and ale, may not be the most suitable for
securing the health and promoting the cheerful activity of the
industrious workman. It did seem to be in unison with the
benevolence of the noble peer, standing as he ever does in the
van as respects all means of improvement, to see at a glance
that from the uses to which the wings of the mansion were
chiefly applied, his servants could have access to sun and air
equally with himself.

The building consists of a centre and two projecting wings
on the garden front. With the exception of a beautiful portico
in the centre of the entrance front, and one bold break besides
on each side, the mansion extends in a straight line for some
400 feet. On the garden front the length of the centre of the
house is 220 feet, mean breadth 56 feet, width of wing on each
side of this centre 68 feet, length of each wing on each side
85 feet, continued to alcove 35 feet, making 120 feet for length
of each wing, and length of garden front 460 feet, breadth of
each wing across courts and main buildings 124 feet. In the
centre of the garden front is a noble portico, 30 feet by 18, with
a flight of some six steps also 30 feet in length. This opens on
the left side into the library 46 feet by 19}, and farther still to
the left are the reading-room and the Duke’s private room.
On the right-hand side are the drawing-room, 353 feet by 194, a
fine dining-room, 522% feet
in length, 24 in breadth, and 24 in height. The left wing is

|

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chiefly applied to the rooms necessary for attending to very
superior stabling. The right wing is chiefly devoted to rooms
for the house-steward, housekeeper, kitchens, &¢. Hach of these
wings has a suitable entrance at its end. These two wings are
connected with the centre by a colonnade or conservatory on each
side, each 43 feet by 10.

If flower-gardening were to be attempted at all in front of
such a magnificent building, it seemed to be required that its
characteristics should be simplicity, uniqueness, and elegaace.
So far as we could judge from our short visit, these have been
thoroughly secured, and by a mode not more simple than un-
common. Leaving lesser matters out of consideration there are
two grand features. First, four square or parallelogram gar-
dens bounded by low Yew hedges, in front of the centre of the
mansion. The first pair is next the portico. The second pair is
separated from the first by a breadth of grass of 60 feet. This
grass is extended, but wider, 300 feet on each side, making with
the centre of 220 feet, §20 feet in all. This forms the Irish Yew
avenue—the second grand feature—the trees standing 60 feet
apart across the avenue, and, therefore, on one side in a direct
line with the farther boundary of the first pair of gardens, and
on the other side in line with the nearer boundary of the second
pair of gardens.

Through Mr. James’s kindness we would have given a large
plan of these unique gardens, but have been obliged to give a
very condensed one to suit our page. With that plan, however,
and even without it, our youngest reader may easily make the
main outlines for himself by the following simple details. Take a
straight line across in front of the steps of the portico, which
will leave about 17 feet between it and the mansion for grass lawn,
and three clumps for flowers on each side. Then from this line
take another cloze to the wing, on each side and beyond it, mea-
suring altogether 262 feet. Cross that at the farther end, and
you have a parallelogram 262 feet by 220. Come back again to
the line of the portico, and measure from that line of grass 28 feet
for gravel. Take the same width along each side, and across
the farther end, and thus you have another parallelogram less by
28 feet at each end and the sides than the first one. Divide this
longitudinally again, just opposite the portico, by another walk
of 28 feet, and you have now two equal-sized parallelograms
bounded by gravel all round. Lay-off in the centre of this piece
of ground longitudinally, which we have seen at first was
262 feet, a space of 60 feet transversely for grass, unless where
the three walks pass through it, and then you will see that
that grass avenue and the different walks will leave two paral-
lelograms next the mansion, and two beyond the graes avenue,
each of which will be 68 feet in breadth and 73 feet in length.
As already stated, the Yews in the avenue are 60 feet apart
transversely, the same width of 60 feet extending for 300 feet on
each side.

As described, each of these parallelograms would have straight
sides but for good reasons. One of the four sides of each of these
gardens is curved in the middle where the entrance to each is,
which is about 5 feet in width. These entrances are from the
middle walk, and those of each pair opposite each other. Even
at the middle walk the straight square form is maintained at
each end for 16 feet, and is then curved towards the centre
opening, 80 that the width of gravel there, from one square to
its opposite neighbour, is 36 feet instead of 28 feet. In the
centre of this wide space next the mansion is placed a massive
stone table, and in the similar space farthest from the house
there is a sundial; and the propriety of the arrangement we shall
presently see. We may just state here that in the centre of the
same central walk, with the 60 feet of grass on each side, is
an elegant fountain with lofty statuary, and here the grass is
swept out on each side so as to give, across the fountain and
gravel, a width of 50 feet.

The external arrangements of these four parallelogram gardens
are the same. It will have been seen that one side of each of the
four will abut on the central avenue of grass of 60 feet wide, the
other three sides will come against these twenty-eight-feet walks
of gravel. To prevent this there is a verge on these three sides
of about a foot of grass. The outside of each garden is then
bounded with a beautiful Yew hedge 20 inches in height and
18 inches across. A grass lawn 8 feet in width separates this
hedge from a second hedge of the same size and equally well
kept, and then a grass walk of about 4 feot separates the second
hedge from the centre, devoted to flowers.

In the centre of each of these gardens is an architectural
pedestal 2 feet square, and 3 feet in height, and surmounted by

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

117

suitable statuary, aleo 8 feet in height. At each of the four
outside corners of these gardens, and in the centre of the three
sides—that is, on all sides, except where the entrance is situated,
is a pedestal 2 feet square, and 40 inches in height; the pedestal
being partly in and partly outside the Yew hedge, so as to show
clearly. On these pedestals are beautiful vessels in the basket
style, which when we saw them, in September, were filled with
Scarlet Geraniums and other plants, and in winter are chiefly
filled with Box trees about 18 inches in height. Whether for
summer or winter decoration the plants are placed in small.
suitable tubs, and these are slipped inside of the baskets, and
now we see there was more designed than mere variety of out-
line, in the widening of the central walk opposite the entrances
to these gardens. To balance each garden and render it uniform,
there should have been eight baskets instead of seven. The
eighth could not be placed on the inner side, on account of the
entrance-opening ; but the table in the centre of one pair of
gardens, and the dial in the other, come in very nicely as a com-
promise to the claims of balancing and uniformity.

These central statues, with the lofty one at the fountain, the
dial, table, and twenty-eight baskets, gave a very striking, rich.

= = SE WHIMPER.S¢|

appearance to the whole scene, increased as that was by the
uniqueness and the dark colour of the Yew boundaries. As far
as we recollect, each garden was arranged differently. The
pedestal in the centre of each was free, as it ought to be, and
surrounded with a ring either of grass or gravel, and narrow
walks of one or the other up to it. Some of the gardens were
balanced in either direction. In others, as the one engraved, this
had been disregarded, and the picture was to be looked at as a
whole, instead of in quarters or parts. Whatever the ground
plan, the carrying-out of the arrangements reflected the highest
credit on the skill, culture, and taste of our new friend, Mr.
James. It would be endless to describe the planting of the
larger and smaller beds, especially without plans; but three
features seemed to be prominent: First, the contrasting of the
larger beds with bright colours; secondly, the mixing of such
Geraniums as Lady Plymouth and the old Scarlet Variegated
with Verbena venosa, or the Flower of the Day with Purple
King, which were done to perfection ; and thirdly, the sur-
rounding the outsides of the group with dotted pearls—such as
having Verbenas Purple King, Pulchella, Manetti, &e., for
ground colour, and spots regularly dotted with Alma, Flower of
the Day, &c. ; or the ground colour would be white, as these Gera-
niums or Variegated Alyssum, and the spots purple or scarlet. _

Before noticing the avenue, we may mention that in front of
each wing of the house lengthwise is a piece of lawn similar to
that in front of the main centre, then a walk some 8 feet, and
lawn beyond, going on to the 60 feet between the trees. This
Yew avenue is a grand feature, extending 300 feet on cach side
of these central gardens, and the baskets in the Yew hedges
coming in a line with these specimen Irish Yews, making the:
avenue altogether 820 feet, and backed by a border of Hollyhocks

118

and Dahlias, and then a row of. Cedars, 40 feet apart. The.
Yews in this avenue are 10 feet from plant to plant, and average
from 10 to 12 feet in height, each plant being a straight, well-
rounded, massive, healthy specimen, which carries much. cultural.
care and constant attention in its appearance.

The grandeur of this avenue is, if anything, heightened by the
ground on the right-hand side of the mansion rising somewhat
abruptly by a large mound haying been made there, which
conceals a drive leading to the mansion and offices. Besides
the fountain and the statuary already referred to in the middle
walk of the Yew gardens, and which is thus in the centre of this
avenue, colossal figures in bronze either are or will be placed
near each end of the avenue. Besides shrubs at the mound
at’ the side farthest from the Yews, there was a ribbon-border in
front of the shrubs, beginning with Hollyhocks and Dablias,
arow of Crystal Palace Dahlia, then China Roses, then Kentish
Hero Calceolaria, followed by Scarlet Geranium, then Verbena
venosa, and fronted with ManglesiiGeranium. Here the row of
venoza was very nice, and told well, and the Kentish Hero, an
old favourite, was the best we haye seen for years. After haying
had it in grand perfection, it became so liable to the black spot
with us, that we were forced reluctantly to give it up.

The whole of the extensive lawn on this avenue, and far
beyond it, was in excellent keeping, looking as if it were rolled
every day. The wide walks were clean and firm, and the flower-
beds, notwithstanding the rains, were in fine order, testifying to
a very high style of management; and whatever may have been
the case‘at other times, not a workman was to be seen during
the forenoon of our visit. This last fact is often of more im-
portance than is generally imagined, as far as respects the
pleasure of the proprietor and his visitors, and the comfort of
the gardener. Much may-be done by having work near mansions
finished before breakfast, so that all may be cleared-ap before
visitors walk out. At the farthest end of these Yew gardens
is a small parterre> of baskets: and clumps on grass, next
the: park, and’ in» some: ofthese: were tall Hollyhocks, which
were‘all that: we: would have :wished altered under:the=present
arrangement; They» did look: staringyand: solitary "against the
sky-outline, or the distant background of groups: insthe park,
and 'sondifferent* from: what theyyappeared in: other places, with
a green background behind them:.

The arrangements-of these: Yewrgardens, besides their uncom-
monness, seemed: tovsecure: threevadvantages: Tirst, little of
the flowers: inthe beds:could’ be- seen: unless-from the higher
windows~ until you came pretty close up to the beds, and this
will always enhance interest-and pleasure; second, the double
low wide- hedges; and the amount of grass, and the plants in
the basket would give a finished appearance in winter, even if
the beds inside were unplanted ; and in this respect there would
bean advantage: over sunk panelsin. sucha place unless these
were carefully planted in winter; and.third, no flowers, except
those in the raised baskets, coming. in prominently before the
eye, there would_be:little but.these to divert attention-from the
park scenery, beyond when it was desirable to concentrate atten-
tion. uponiit..

That, scenery is very pleasing and attractive, the park being yery:
large, the trees beautifully grouped, and the woodlands massive
and well managed.. Though the surface when examined is undu-
lated and varied, yet for a great extent, of country the prevailing.
features from a distance. are levelness, richness, luxuriance, and
abundance, with but little of the bold romantic picturesque.
which abounds. in many parts.of Ireland. Amid scenery. so
beautiful, but somewhat.level in its beauty, the mind. seems to)
long for some elevated points on which the eye.could repose;
and just as if'to meet such a craving desire, there is a high
tower at one place, and « lofty pillar at another, which, for many
miles, form well-defined landmarks. R. Fis.

(Zo be continued.)

Ernata.—-Page 73, first col., fourteenth line from bottom, ‘‘ colour’?
should be\‘‘column.”’ Page 75, second col., thirteenth line from end of
paragraph, ‘‘bad cutting” should be ‘“‘bud cutting.” Page 97, first col.,
third line from bottom, ‘‘u should be ‘‘x.”” Page 98, first col., sixth

line.of second paragraph, ‘*glass?"should be “grass.” Page 99, first col.,
twenty-first line from top, ‘*track”’ should/be“ trench.”

GRANT THORBURN.
We regret toannounce the death of Grant Thorburn, of New
York, at: the advanced age, of 90... Mr. Thorburn was: the
founder: of the, extensive seed establishment; now. known: as:!

JOURNAL OF, HORTICULTURE: AND COTTAGE, GARDENER.

[ Februaryr10, 186357

J. M. Thorburn & Co; He left Scotland in the year 1794, and,
after a successful career of. honourable industry, and. a-life
devoted.to the welfare of his fellow citizens, with whom he was)
held in high estimation,.he retired from, public life some years

ago. In our next we shall give a sketch of this, extraordinary,
man. }

SOWING POLYANTHUS SEED:

Brine an ardent lover and successful grower for more than
forty years, of that early spring flower, the Polyanthus, I
thought a word or two on its cultivation at this season of the
year might be acceptable to many amateurs who have been un-
fortunate in its culture, having heard many persons say, “I
admire the flower, but cannot get the seed to grow. I have
taken great pains with it, placed the pans in a greenhouse, and
waited a month or five weeks, and yet no plants have made their
appearance, and then have thrown them on the dung-heap.”
Now, if they had waited a few dayslonger they would have been
rewarded for their trouble, as the seedlings seldom make their
appearance under six weeks.

Others have set their boxes in the sun, where in two or three
hours, ifthe seeds had begun to germinate, their labour is all
lost, for once dried in that state they never recover; but if the
amateur will attend to the directions I am about to give, he will
find a one-shilling packet of seed will give him two hundred
plants, and from that quantity he may calculate to get from
twelve to twenty first and second-rate flowers that will not dis-
grace a florist’s stage; and the remainder be good border
flowers:

T generally sow my first seed early in February, in the front
of a cold pit, where little or no sun comes on them. These.
produce, generally, my best and.strongest plants. In March,
or earlier, [ make my next sowing in the open air, in a shady.
border, making the soil as fine as I possibly can with a rake,
and sow my seed, taking great care to put no more fine mould
on the seed than will cover the face of writing paper, and put
on a few small bushes or brakes to keep the wind from drying
the earth, and ‘ease the water given from the pot, as in no instance
must the seed be allowed to get dry. Thousands of plants are
lost for want of that precaution. When large enough to handle,
plant the seedlings 3 inches apart in a, shady border.—JAMES
Woods, Harwich.

VENTILATION.

T.Nortor in your paper of the 20th ult., a‘letter from your
well-informed correspondent, ““D., Deal,” in which inquiry is
made as) to ventilation in a hothouse he purposes: building,
without having sashes on the roof to open. Soe

T haye just completed. two vineries with a like object in:view ;
describing one will answer pretty.nearly for both. i

The. house. faces.a little to, the east of south. It is 75 feet
long, 16 feet wide within, the front/from 7 to 8 feethigh, and
the: back-wall from 12.t0 13 feet high. The roof and front are:
glazed with large-sized squares in.iron bars on»rafters. It is:
well drained, and has a-flooring of concrete covered with 20 or
24 inches: of soil. &c., for the Vines. to be-planted in.. The bed.
of soil extends from the: back wall to 20 feet in the,front, and
small arches under: the front wall allow the Vine-roots to spread
in ail directions. The house.is-heated by 10-inch drain-pipes:
serving as. flues; the first 12 feet.from the fire, being walled:
with firebricks. The house is divided by a glass partition into
two. unequal parts— that) nearest. the fireplace: intended for
Vines, and the smaller, 30 feet) long, for an. orchard-house; a.
flue continued through the latter: can. be used or, not, as: re~
quired. A pit, with an eight-inch flue-passing under it, laid,
in: broken. bricks, &c., used for a Melon or Cucumber-bed, fills
up much of the, centre: of the vinery.. The brick wall in) front
shows about 4.to 6.inches above the soil... On this, wall I have:
wooden ventilators of 8 inches depth, the whole-length of, the
house. There is: no opening whatever'in the roof, but imme--
diately under the top part of) the roof is»a»row/of) ventilators;
opening into the wall and, out again in front under the project
ing flags on the top of the wall. a. don

Generally, in hothouses: manure: is, laid om thesborders, but
this cannot be: forked-in more: than: from:3ito»4:inches»deep;)
lest the roots be injured. Ii was» desirous: of: supplying mine:
much deeper, and -had:round_ drain+tilea: made 20:toy 24:inches
long, and 4 inches,in. diameter; perforated withithreexows of holes:

February 10, 1863. ]

running parallel and on one side only. These I have placed with
the holes downwards, lest they might become filled with earth.
The drains are laid in rows 4 feet apart, from the back wall to
the extremity of the border in front, each drain thus being
from 36 to 40 feet long. Each junction of the 20-inch pipes
is supported by a brick 12 inches long, placed on its end, not to
occupy too much room in the border. These rows of drain-
tiles have openings to the surface by junction tile-pipes placed
perpendicularly at the extremities, and at one or two places in
the middle.

I had two objects in view in constructing these drain-tiles, or,
rather, I should call them supply-tiles. I can supply the roots
of my Vines with any quantity of liquid manure, and can also
admit or, stopping the drain ends, exclude the outward air.

If “D., Deal’s”? only object is additional supply of air, T
would recommend drain-pipes of 10 inches in diameter, as the air
will circulate in greater quantities and more freely than in
smaller pipes. As his hothouse has glass only at one end, a
good-sized triangular window at its upper corner would cause
much air to circulate from the openings at the bottom venti-
lators and drain-tiles. I have these windows in both ends of
mine.—HpwarD Swaine, Crescent, York.

[The arrangement of the flues we must approve of, as they
are just what has been so often recommended in these pages.
Your mode of ventilating at top is much the same as that
described by Mr. Fish as existing at Rockfield, near Kells;
whether it will be sufficient or not will depend on the size of
the ventilators. Even with the windows at the end, a foot
opening would be necessary, unless a large amount of air is
admitted through the drain-tiles that pass beneath the border.
This plan was also adopted at Rockfield. Though we approve
of this mode of ventilating at top, chiefly because the air is
much mollified before entering the house, we cannot recom-
mend it on the score of economy, asa simple hinged yentilator
at the apex would be much cheaper than these openings in the
back wall, coming out beneath a top coping. You would also
find that the mode of taking air through the border was prac-
tised at the gardens of the Vice-Secretary, Phoenix Park, Dublin.
On the whole we generally approve of your arrangements ; with
enough of top air you will be all right. ]

HORSE CHESTNUT.

T am induced to write this letter from the observations made
in your last week’s Journal relative to the name of the Horse
Chestnut.

The prefix “Horse” is not, I think, as Gerarde imagines,

because horses may have been fed or physicked on the nut, or to
denote its powerful flavour; but from the simple fact that at
every joint in the branches is an exact resemblance of a horse’s
foot, and not only the foot but the fetlock-joint, the pastern,
hoof, shoe, and even the nails.
+ ‘All persons whose attention I may have called to this fact
have expressed themselves equally surprised at the correct like-
ness to the horse’s leg and foot, and that it should not be
more generally known.

I have enclosed one that is lying at hand, and although it has
been cut off some time and is not a good specimen, yet it will
show you at once what I mean.—B. B.

[This illustration is a very good one,,and we haye others in
our possession with a very close pourtrayal of the knee and fet-
lock-joints, pastern, hoof with nails of the shoe, and frog; but
we do not think such resemblance originated the name. We
believe, as we said last week, that the term ‘‘ Horse” was pre-
fixed by our ancestors to anything that was a coarse resemblance
of something else, as “‘ Horse-radish,” ‘‘ Horse-laugh,” “ Horse-
cucumber,” “‘ Horse-mint,” “‘ Horse-play,” &c.—Ebs. |

IMITATION OF GRANITE.

Havine read an.account of the result produced at Woodstock
by mixing granite with Portland cement, I should be obliged
by your informing me how it was used, and what gives the
appearance of stone to such buildings in London as the Great
Western Hotel, which is, i believe, only Portland cement. Is
ita wash of sand applied to the last coat ?—A SUBSCRIBER.

[The result obtained is very-different from any mere covering
With:cement, and-then drawing the\surface into the resemblanes

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

‘when it was all done in the honse.
‘five years with the-same-results, until the wood of the house

119

of blocks of stone. This, of course, is done by Mr, McDonald,
but the granite appearance is given by the mixing. There is,
however, a feeling of delicacy and a sense of regret as to giving
the minutie of details. Our correspondent is quite right in
asking, and in the legitimate way, through our Editors. Other
inquiries have come in a private way desiring answers to be
given in our serial, as to the expense of granite polishing,
and the very minutix of the treatment of those Vines so sum-
marily dealt with; one gentleman saying he cannot see how
such seyered Vine-stems with merely a few inches stuck in the
ground, could be made to grow and fruit under any ordinary
treatment. Of course they had more than ordinary treatment.
I can pretty well see every move that was taken, but then I did
not actually see the moves. No class of men have ever so freely
communicated their experience for the general benefit as gar=
deners, and too often with but spare thanks for their liberality.
A friend told me the other day, “ We are used like an orange
—get well sucked, and then are treated as the rind is.” We have
little of the morbid, and do not believe we could keep any-
thing like a secret of our own, if we triedever so much. We
think, however, that the owner of the crange should have the
privilege of squeezing out the juice; and as Mr.McDonald is
sure to see this, we must leaye the minutie to be dealt with as
he judges best.—R. F.]

VERBENA CUTTINGS.

Is it generally known that Verbena cuttings will strike in sand
equally well and quickly with or without a second joint below
the surface? If not, it should be made known, as the number
of cuttings made available by this means is very much increased.
Also, I may state, that early in October I put a pan of cuttings in
in this way, and although the frost had previously nipped them,
they were all well rooted at the base of the cut (not from the
joint, though that was below the surface of the sand), early in
December. They stood in the greenhouse, a cool one, without
any glass, &c., over them, and the only attention given was
keeping the sand moist.—H. OC. K., —— Rectory, Hereford.

[The above fact is well known, also that every Verbena joint
will make two cuttings by splitting the shoot through the joint ;
but it is useful to remind people of such things at this season.
We thank you for the hint, and we shall enlarge on it soon.]

ICE-HOUSES AND ICE-KEEPING.

Havine had some experience in ice-houses and ice-keeping,
perhaps that experience may be of use.to some of your readers,

I have assisted in filling several large ice-houses—those built
in the usual way in the form of an egg with brick and stone,
which must have at least from 400 to 600 lbs.; and it was
only in certain seasons that the ice kept longer than August,
even when none was taken out for use—partly, I think, because
they were not large enough. It was certainly the case with
the one here, and which was done away with owing to alterations
which were made on the ground near it.

Seeing the failure of the expensive brick and stone one, my
employer was determined to try one of the form that the Cana-
dians used, made of wood. It was put up exactly according to
plan and specification, and cost somewhere about £40 or £50,
It held about seventy-five or eighty Scotch cartloads. It certainly
kept ice better than the old one, but not sufficient for a full
supply. h

Within a few yards of this house was a long hole 26 feet in
diameter and 5 feet deep—in fact it was the first hole made for
the Canadian ice-house; but the sides slipped in before the
framework could be put in, and it was thought the best and
easiest way to make another, where only two sides of the hole
had to be dug. Previous to its falling-in a drain had been
made to take away the water, and three feet of sandstones had
been put in the bottom for drainage.

After filling the ice-house, and haying plenty of ice, we
smoothed down the sides of this hole, and filled it with ice, think-
ing it would supply the demand throughout the summer and
reserve thatin the ice-house ; but it turned out that the stack
supplied all the demands of the family, and we had ice there
We kept filling both for

was completely rotten, and which would have required to be

120

renewed again in that short time. But for these ten years past
we have had abundance for the cook, butler, and dairymaid all
the summer. We have now at least thirty cartloads, and last
year the same.

The hole when empty holds 170 or 180 cartloads, but 80 or
100 cartloads, in addition to what was remaining in it, have
filled it for some years past.

The carts are not large, or rather they are not loaded with more
than what lies easily on, as we have only 40 yards to cart it
from the pond to the stack. Two carts are used, and fourteen
or fifteen men fill the hole in aday. The carts, when the ico
comes up to the level of the ground, are driven over the top of it,
and eight or ten men are kept breaking it with wooden mallets.
When the ice is so high that the horse cannot get up, it is
thrown up with shovels as high as it can be raised, and then
covered over with straw laid on about 2 feet thick, in bunches
and made a little smooth; a few straw ropes are thrown over
this, and these ropes are tied to a piece of stick at each side to
prevent the wind from blowing away the straw. Both the
ice-house and stack are in a plantation shaded from the sun
with large trees. ‘The soil is a wet, cold, clayey gravel. When-
ever I see frost set in I remove all the straw from the old ice,
and clean all the ground about it, that the soil may be all
hardened by the frost. This enables us to keep the ice clean.

Had I been disposed to enter into the theoretical principles
of ice-keeping and to spin a long roundabout article on the
construction of ice-houses, ventilation, &c., I had here a good
opportunity, but I think it of more use to keep to a plain state-
ment of facts; and from what I have observed here, if ever
I were asked the best way to keep ice, I should reply, Let it
be kept in any such hole as I have described where there is
drainage to take away the water, shaded with trees if possible;
or add more straw, for drainage could not be had then on the
surface; but in that case it would be more expensive to get in,
as it has nearly all to be thrown up with shovels, whereas in
the hole a comparatively small quantity is required to be thrown
up with the shovel.

The pond from which we procure the ice contains a superficial
surface of 1000 yards. When the ice is 4 inches thick that on
the pond fills the stack, which gives us the above number of cart-
loads—170 or 180. On one occasion we had a fall of snow of
about 3 inches, which was partly wetted and then slightly frozen
again on the top of the thick ice, when 130 cartloads were only
required; as more could be laid on each cart, the half-melted
snow causing it to lie better on the cart. Thus, in order to
give a correct idea of the quantity of ice put into a stack, much
depends on the size of the cart and the state of the ice. A
thousand yards 4 inches deep give us 111 cubic yards of solid
ice to put into our stack, and this supplies all demands made
upon it, and no less quantity need be attempted with any-
thing like success. I would say that in England, where the
temperature during the year is higher than here, it would take
20 or 30 cubic yards more to be secure against all contingencies.
—Atex. Sursrer, Vester.

NEW BOOK.

English Botany ; or Coloured Figures of British Plants. Third
Edition. Edited by John T. Boswell Syme, F.L.S., &c., with
Popular Descriptions, by Mrs. Lankester. Gondon: Hard-
wicke.

THIS i8 a re-issue of the work long known as “Sowerby’s
Hnglish Botany,” with additional plates of the species, or forms
of species, which have been discovered since the last edition was
published. In addition to the figures of the plaats themselves,
some of the plates are furnished with new dissections of the
floral organs, and the fructification ; and in this respect we should
have expected fo seo illustrations of a more modern character
than those that are adopted. Botanical illustration has in these
latter days made as great, progress as the science itself; and, we
certainly expected to have seen these dissections treated somewhat
after the style of Fitch in the “Botanical Magazine,” and by
many of the continental artists, instead of the old-fashioned and
contracted manner of those of the last century. Let us take, for
instance, Plates ii. and iii, in which, with the exception of a
fruit and a stamen, all the other figures are of the natural size;
a single flower no larger than those better represented on the
panicle, a calyx of the same dimensions, and a figure which
even a pocket Jens is no assistance to enable the uninitiated to

JOURNAL, OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [February 10, 1868:

determine what it is intended to represent. If single organs
are worth figuring at all they should be done on a scale which
enables every detail to be shown—as, for instance, the section of
a flower three or four times the natural size, showing the pistils,
the insertion of the stamens, and the apicular anthers. Then
there might be a section of an achene exhibiting the situation of
the small embryo in the large mass of albumen: these would be
illustrations at once instructive and valuable; but those that
are given on the plates might just as well not be there. The
figures of the plants themselves are, however, unexceptionable.

The botanical part of the letterpress has been undertaken by
Mr. J. T. Boswell Syme, lecturer on botany at the Charing
Cross and Westminster Hospitals. Mr. Syme is well known in
botanical circles as an accomplished British botanist, and the
way in which he has performed his task in the first Number of
this re-issue will not detract from his reputation. He has evi-
dently entered on the work with all his might, and he has per-
formed it most ably. Mrs. Lankester takes the popular and
historical portion, and she furnishes some agreeable information.

The work is arranged on the Natural System, and will, when
completed, be a valuable addition to British botanical literature.
The Number before us contains twenty-four plates of plants be-
longing to the order Ranunculacez.

WORK FOR THE WEEK.

EITOHEN GARDEN.

Bzror: the general routine of cropping commences mark out
all the divisions, so that two crops of the same sort may not
follow each other. It is a good plan to label every crop when
gown or planted, so as to refer to afterwards. Cabbage, fill
up any vacancies in the autumn-plantation ; also, make fresh
plantations of the autumn-sowing if necessary. Old Cabbage-
ground which has been under sprouts since last August will now
become available for other purposes. Where plenty of Cole-
worts-have been provided, some of the latest of the July sowings
will supply their place and stand over for early Cabbage. Old
Cabbage-ground should be trenched and pretty well manured,
as the Cabbage is a scourging crop. The general system is to
follow with a second sowing of Peas, the Peas in their turn being
succeeded by Celery-beds, and this course prepares again for any
of the Brassica family. Caudijlowers, those under hand-glasses
and in frames must be fully exposed during the present mild
weather, or they will button-off in the spring. Sow seed on a
south border to succeed the autumn-sowing. If any have been’
potted they may now be turned out of their pots, putting five
strong plants under each hand-light. See that the spring-sown
do not “draw;” if raised on heat, lef them be pricked out
betimes. Celery, sow seed in boxes, and place them in heat to
produce plants for an early crop. A portion of the old may be
taken up to check running to seed, and laid-in by the heels very
deep. Garlic and Shallots, where the soil is not wet and stiff,
they should now be planted, if not done in the autumn. Plant
in rows at 6 inches apart. Lettuce, those in frames must haye
the glasses off them day and night while the weather continues
so mild as it is at present. Make a sowing on 2 south border to
succeed the autumn-sowing. Peas and also the Beans sown in
pots or boxes to be hardened by degrees in the cold frames, pre-
paratory to transplanting to the open ground. 2hubarb, pots
may now be placed over the roots and covered with dung or
leaves. Spinach, a small sowing of the round sort may be made
between the rows of early Peas. :

FLOWER GARDEN, iat E

The plans for the coming season of gaiety should now be fully
settled. All alterations should now be carried out without
delay. Now is a fine time for the formation of beds for Bour-
bon, China, and Tea-scented Roses. These classes of Roses will
bloom throughout the summer and autumn months. To have
them in perfection it is necessary to take the soil out-of the bed
1 foot deep, and to fill-up with rotten dung. Tread it firm as
the bed is filled-up; place 3 or 4 inches of soil on the rotten
dung, and plant in the usual manner. Prepare the Kanun-
culus bulbs for planting by removing all small roots. “These
should be immediately planted by themselves, and as but few
will bloom the coming season, they will gather strength and size
for the next. In arrangement diversify the colours as much as,
possible, and as there is such a great diversity, the character of
which is mow described in most catalogues, it renders the
amateur’s task comparatively easy. See to even small plants

|

1
1

February 10, 1863. ]

being secured against wind, for these are often injured by being
blown about, especially if recently transplanted, and a smail
stake and a few minutes’ work would prevent the mischief.

FRUIT GARDEN.

If any root-pruning of fruit trees has yet to be done, let this
ee attended to without further loss of time, and see that trees
exposed to wind are securely staked. Take every opportunity
of pushing forward pruning and nailing. The extreme mildness
of the present season will induce an early bloom on fruit trees.
Hasten the spray of evergreens, beech branches, or spruce fir, or
suspend straw ropes, &c., in front, as in all probability we shall
have winter in March or April, and, the more retarded wall
trees are, the greater chance will there be of a crop. Watch the
smaller kinds of fruit trees—as Gooseberries, &c., and if liable to
have their buds eaten by birds, dust them trequently with soot
and lime,

GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY.

Select young plants of Boronias and other New Holland
plants, and give them a good shift. They delight in good
fibrous heath soil in a rough state with a good portion of sharp
sand and rubble or stones, with charcoal placed over the drain-
age and some good-sized pieces placed among the soil as the
potting proceeds. ‘The plants now potted to have the bloom
picked off as it appears, and the shoots duly stopped as they
make their future growth. Select the Heaths that require fresh
potting and treat them as advised for the New Holland plants.

STOVE.

Commence the application of more heat in moderation. Make
use of the syringe every fine morning pretty freely, except on
those plants that are in bloom. Select some of the best young
plants of Euphorbia, Brunsfelsia, Jatropha, Rondeletia, &c.,
and place them in bottom heat. Cut back Poinsettia pulcher-
rima, Eranthemums of sorts, Justicia coccinea, &c. Shake out
and pot in good, open, fibrous loam half decayed, with some sand
and charcoal, the tubers of Gloriosa superba, and place them in
bottom heat. No water to be supplied to the tubers until they
have commenced their growth. This is a beautiful and very
curious plant when well cultivated. Keep a watchful eye on the
‘Orchids now commencing their growth, and see that there is no
water from drip lodging for any length of time between the
partly-unfolded foliage and partly-formed pseudo-bulbs. Syringe
with tepid water the sides of the baskets, blocks of wood, &e.,
that have Vandas, Saccolabiums, Aurides, Sarcanthus, Stan-
hopeas, &c., suspended or growing on them.

PITS AND FRAMES.

Shift those Petunias and Verbenas into larger pots from
which cuttings are to be taken for the next two months. Make
a sowing of Phlox Drummondi, and place it in a hotbed. Sow
also, in a mild hotbed some Ten-week Stocks, Asters, and other
half-hardy annuals. Give abundance of air at all favourable
times, and endeavour to keep the air of the pits and frames:as
dry as possible. Water sparingly here at present, not using
any if the plants keep healthy without it. W. Keane.

DOINGS OF THE LAST WEEK.

KITCHEN GARDEN.

For general matters see last week. Took occasion of a dry
morning to wheel a little, as it is very undesirable to make work
whilst doing work. We have often seen a wheelbarrow taken
over a nice walk, and with a dirty wheel too, and the necessary
cleaning-up wasted more time ten times over than the carrying
the material in a basket would have required. Trenched-up
ground where there had been two wide beds of Celery ; the space
haying been previously occupied as temporary beds for bedding
plants. renched or, rather, ridged it across that the dung at
bottom might be spread equally all over; but to our mortifica-
tion found that the bedding plants and the Celery plants had
pretty well eaten-up every particle we had given them. Io do
this, a large part of one bed had to be taken up with good
roots, set closely together, and earth trundled on to the necessary
height. We sometimes set in earth, water a little, and then pack
to the top with litter. If taken up late, and not watered well,
the heads will be apt to bolt. We are sorry that so many were
disappointed with Celery this season. We do not think we have
had five bad heads since September, and almost the whole was the
Dwarf White Incomparable, which, if it is 15 inches in height,
will give you 12 inches fit for table, and is just the sort for the

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

121

amateur and cottager, as it needs so little room. We had four
and five rows across in beds about 4 feet wide. No Celery can
be crisper or sweeter, though of course you do not make your
friends astonished by looking at huge mounds and plants
4 feet or more in height, and as thick in diameter a3 a man’s
thigh, and with no such wondrous hearts after all. There
were a few grubs on the leayes which were picked off, and soot
and a little resinous sawdust thrown over the plants to prevent
the fly depositing more of its eggs. Have sown for the first
crop; have sown other years before Christmas, and had no run
heads. The mere time of sowing has little to do with it; that
is solely the result of checking the plant before planting-out,
and giving it anything but natural treatment afterwards. Sowed
more Dwarf Kidney Beans in heat, a few Broad Beans under
cover, and some tender herbs for flavouring, as Basil &c., reserv-
ing the general sowing until March and April. Stirred the soil
among young plants, and gave plenty of air to Cauliflowers, &c.,
to keep them hardy.
FRUIT GARDEN.

Gave a little water to Figs, so that the roots may be thoroughly
moistened gradually ; and the general work, outside and inside,
the same as last week, taking every chance to syringe the walls
with soapsuds, with the addition of a little lime and a handful
of salt to the score of gallons, which helps to keep the trees free
of green moss and lichens. Potted-off a few Melon plants.

ORNAMENTAL DEPARTMENT.

Outside and inside much the same as last week. Brought a
few small Fuchsias from a cool shed, where they can be for-
warded in a little heat ; will introduce some larger ones as soon
as room can be found. At present the plants are dry rather
than damp, but not dust-dry; syringed them overhead; will
finish pruning, so that they shall break near home. When it is
desirable to make large plants of last season’s cuttings they
should have a bottom heat of 70°, and a top heat of from 55° to
60°. The great work of the week, besides attending to necessary
watering and cleanliness, has been potting-off Variegated Gera-
niums that were standing too thickly in boxes, examining the
old plants which had been treated on the faggot system, put-
ting in cuttings of new and fine kinds, and going right-ahead
with Verbena-cuttings, putting them chiefly in half-circle-
drain-tiles, with a thin piece of clay at each end, and setting
them on a bed of leaves, with 2 or 3 inches of dry ashes over
them, and the help of a water-pipe in front. At this season, with
just a skiff from the syringe on a sunny day, they will need no
shading. This is one of the best modes we have tried, except
planting the cuttings out at once into beds, and for this we have
no bed at present at liberty, and besides we would prefer doing
it in the beginning of March, instead of the beginning of February.
Those put in tiles now—say three plants to 10 inches—will afford
cuttings by that time. Some may like to try the bed-system, and
this is how we used to do it: Make-up a bed of leaves, or dung,
or whatever can be had, that will raise a bottom heat of from 80°
to 85°. Firm the surface, place on it a couple of inches of rotten
dung or leaf mould; then riddle some rough sandy loam through
a half-inch sieve. Keep the rough riddlings, mix that with an
equal quantity of rough decayed leaf mould; make level, and
then sieve 14 or 2inches more. Cover this with the fine soil—if
not sandy, add enough to make it gritty and opes—and make this
also 2 inches in thickness; beat down with a quarter of an inch
of sand thrown over, and gently pressed. Then stick in the cut-
tings with a bodkin-dibber, or, as Mrs. Bird does her Calceo-
larias, putting the cuttings 1 inch apart in the row, and 2 inches
from row to row; water; keep close; give a little air at back at
night, if only an eighth or a quarter of an inch; shade a little
in bright sunshine, when a skiff from the syringe would not
prevent the cuttings perspiring too much; give air by degrees
as the roots are formed; and by May you will have fine strong
plants with roots hanging in the leaf mould, and which may be
taken to the beds, and scarcely feel the moving.—R. F.

TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED.
Smith & Simons, Glasgow.— Cultural Guide and Deseviptive

Seed Catalogue. ‘
Robert Parker, Tooting, S.—Catalogue of Agricultural,
Flower, and Vegetable Seeds, Fruit Trees, New and Rare

Plants, Se.
W. Wood & Son, Maresfield, Uckfield.—Catalogue of Seeds

with an Appendix, comprising Roses, Fruit Trees, Sc.

122

Downie, Laird & Laing, 17, South Frederick Street,
and Stanstead Park, Forest Hill. —
Florists’ Flowers, and List
1863.

Hooper & (o,, Central Avenue, Covent Garden Market,
London, W. C.—Spring Catalogue of Flower, Shrub, Tree, and
Kitchen Garden Seeds.

A. Stansfield & Sons, Todmorden.— Catalogue of Stove, Green-
house, Hardy Exotic, and British Ferns.

Charles Turner’s Catalogue of Seeds Sor the Kitchen Garden,
the Flower Garden, and the Farm. Slough, 1863.

W. Thompson, Tavern Street, Ipswich.— Descriptive Catalogue
of Flower Seeds, 1863.

F. & A. Dickson & Sons, Upton Nurseries,
Street, Chester.— Catalogue of Vegetable,
1863.

Descriptive Calalogue of
of Vegetable and Flower Seeds, sc.

and 106, Eastgate
and Flower Seeds, &c.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Buieut (H. G. M.).—It is no fungus which has attacked your Orange
trees, &c., but the common aphides or green fly. Fumigation and syringing
will destroy them, and they will be kept away by more moisture and a
freer admission of air. Some injury to the roots of your Uyclamens
causes the abortive flowers.

Soarsups (TZ. C. B.).—Filtering the suds through earth may be effected
either by ascent or descent, as is fully explained in the pamphlet published
at our office, entitled ‘“ Muck for the Many.” Some of the fertilising parts
of the suds would be detained by the earth. We use soapsuds unfiltered
asa manure. You can have the Journal direct from our office, free by
post, by prepaying 17s, 4d. for one year, or 8s. 8d. for six months.

Rose Currines| (G. £., St. Ives).—The only practical direction that can
be given about cuttings ‘‘of the old wood of the previous season ”’ is, that
it will not come from cuttings ‘now in the open air in spring out of doors.”
‘But there is an easy way of rooting now all the young wood of all the
prunings of all kinds of Roses, and that is to graft on six-inch lengths
of Rose-shoots ; and the roots of any sort of Rose are just as good for this
mode of propagation as the roots of Dog or Manetti Stocks, as the graft
must be planted so deep as to bury the grafted parts just 2inches below the
Surface, so as to have the top bua of the graft just within the soil and no
More. Then roots come from the grafts themselves before the summer is
Over, and the rootstocks may then be cut off for fear of making suckers.
All this grafting can be done at home by the fireside, and such grafts if
put into a box or basket in damp sand, will keep three weeks without
being planted out, if the weather be bad. Every three-inch bit of Rose
growth of last summer will thus graft if ripe and having an eye at the very
bottom of the graft, an eye within half an inch of the top of the graft,
and one or more eyes between the two. So there is no reason to waste
an inch of the pruning of a good Rose, if it is pruned from the middle of
February to the middle of April.

Waxice Woop 1s Mosr Vatuszie? (J. 7. P.),—This is a question which
cannot be answered without knowing the locality where it is to be grown,
and the purposes for which it is required. In some places the wood of the
‘Poplar would be as valuable as that of the Oak. Your question reminds us
of the following extract from an American volume published at New York
in 1775, and entitled “‘Legend of the Tree of Life :—*Trees and woods
have twice saved the world—first by the ark, then by the cross; making
full amends for the evil fruit of the tree of Paradise, by that which was
borne on the tree in Golgotha.”

Sprin@ Currinas or VARIEGATED GERANIUMS (Country Curate).—You
are wrong on two very essential points, You water the spring cuttings of
the whitest and more soft‘kinds of Variegated Geraniums ‘+ every three or
four days according to the weather ; ’’ but one watering in three weeks in
February and! March is often all they can bear in a moist propagating-bed.
We have struck those you name by the hundred without ever giving the
soil in the pots a drop of water, but only a little damping with the syringe
in the afternoons of very sunny daysin March. The Next error is setting
‘the cutting-pans ‘‘ for a week or ten days on a shelf in a propagating-
house,”” where, by the way, they would root without watering later in
the spring. Try them thus;—Cut very close below the joint after break-
fast time, and put the cuttings in a dry place till the afternoon for the cut
ends to dry:a little; then put them in, and plunge them in bottom heat of
from 70° to 80° the same evening, and do not give a drop of water the first
week, and only to the leaves afterwards ; but the outside of the pots must
be moist all the time from the dampness of the bed.

Bust Puanzs vor Exmipition (A Young Exhibitor).—You are six
months too late now, and you will not win a prize this season. All the
“*best kinds” are now three-parts grown and settled for next summer.
Look to the lists of prize-taking plants at the last year’s exhibitions.

Destroying WrEDs on WALKs (Jardinier).— We certainly think there
are many things more likely to be destructive to weeds than a mixture of
lime and sulphur boiled together. This might, perhaps, be recommendable
in giving colour to the payed walk you speak of; but a sprinkling of salt
or a strong solution of it would be more destructive, and there are many
other substances as-well as salt for this purpose. We have known a cheap
Preparation of arsenic very effectual, and one in which copperas was
used also good, but we believe the last-named article left a stain behind it.
For safety, simplicity, and cheapness salt is the best of all. The only fault
it has is that it causes the walk to have a damp appearance at times.
Small quantities often repeated after the first dose generally keep all vege-
tation down ; and never put as much on as is likely to penetrate to the roots
of trees below the walk’s surface.

‘RIDPELL's Borer (G@.).— Unless great care is exercised, all fires and
stoves inside of houses are apt to produce dust anda little smoke at times,
In your circumstances, if it could be done easily, we would keep the boiler
inside, but so placed as to have the feeding-door outside. Whatever may
be stated in advertisements,-we have no faith in any boiler or’ furnace
heated by fuel: or gas that has. nota, pipe to carry. off the smoke and other
Products of combustion,

Edinburgh, }

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

| good commion hardy shrubs,

ie acess

[ February 10, 1863,

GENETYLLIS TULIPIFERA (Ignoramus).—This is the Hedaroma tulipiferum.
The culture of it is very casy, being the same in eyery respect’ as that of
Epacrises all the year round.

CENTAUREA OANDIDISSIMA (C. JV7.).—Centaurea candidissima is the best
ribbon-border white-leaved plant yet known, and it has no other name in
the plant lists. No seeds of ithaye ‘been offered yet for sale as far as we
can learn,

ContrErs (P. B.).—You mistake the question. All the hardy Conifers
would feather down to the ground with their branches if they were treated
for that way of growth from the seedling state.—D. B.

FURNACE FOR GREENHOUSES.—I have built a furnace as recommended by
“J. §.’' iu your issue of November 11th, but find that the flue does not draw
Well in thick muggy weather. ‘J. 5.?? will, therefore, oblige if he will
state what sized flue should be used, as it is just possible mine may be too
large, being 12 inches by 8. My house is 17 feet by 12, and the flue is
covered with two-inch flags and plastered inside. Furnace 16 inches deep
ana. 12 inches) square. Should the fire always be lighted at the top ?—

MELON SzEps (J. Dunn).—Thanks for the Melon seeds, We shall have
them tried,

PROPAGATING PIMELEA SPECTABRILIS (B, P.).—If there are a few short
stubby shoots on your plant, from 2 to 3 inches long, you may slip them
off as cuttings now ; if ot, wait until the plant has done flowering. Prune
it back, and when started afresh, from being kept a few degrees higher
and in a closer atmosphere, you may then cut the young shoots. When
about 24 inches long take off close to the older wood, trim the bottom half,
and insert in silver sand over sandy peat, and cover with a bell-glass. The
cuttings may be placed where they will have an.advance of 5° or so for a
fortnight, and then be plunged in a mild bottom heat of from 70° to 80°.
Pot off first in sandy peat, and as the plants grow larger and shifts are
required, add a little fibry loam,

Mrs. Poriock GERANIUM Brcome Green (TZ. D.).— The dull winter
and rich feeding would have a tendency to produce the result complained
about; but we know so little of the means of bringing back the variegated
form that we could advise you to do nothing but to cut the plants pretty
well down, and keep them rather dry until they break afresh. This we
have sometimes found effectual, but not always. There ig a little hitch in
the management of these variegated Geraniums. When we plant them out
in poor soil we are more apt to keep the variegated form; but then the leaves.
come small, and therefore are Wanting in massiveness. When treated
with rich feeding a shoot will come green at times, and that had better be
cut off. Besides these green shoots, they will sometimes throw shoots of a
transparent white ; but these we never succeeded in doing anything with.
The best of the variegated—Brilliant, came as a) sport on'Tom Lhumb, and
it not unfrequently reverts to the original form.

Wooven Patine (A. 7.).—For a wooden fence 6 feet 6 inches high in
the mountains of Lancashire, and’ to be covered with climbers, tarring the
fence would be better than painting ; or, if you paint it, the stone-coloured
anti-corrosion puint is what we would use ourselves in that region of clouds
and storms. Use no climber, for you can train up 6 feet only, but some
with here and there a running Rose, u Jasmine
and Honeysuckle, or a Clematis, but not nearer than 15 feet apart, Laurus-
tinus, Berberis, Spirzeas, or what are kuown already to grow well and
answer in that part of the country,

FLOWER-GARDEv Pian (Subscriber, Abendeen).—Were it not that; you
had sent for our advice we should have thought Sir Joseph Paxton had
made your flower-garden plan. Itisa perfect beauty. To piant Roses or
any plant higher than 18 inches in the sunk oval, in the centre of the
garden, would defeat the aim of sunk panels. Raise them up as it were to
the original level, or higher still by the height of tall plants placed in the
sunk parts. All your best and lowest of the bedders must be planted in
that sunk oval, and not Roses. ‘The two 7-beds, the two 16-beds, and the
two 10-beds are your beds for Roses; the two 5-beds and two 19-beds
for pillar Roses, and the two 18-beds ought to haye some permanent ever-

green; but this garden would look exceedingly well if.only the twa No. 7
beds were in Roses.

Puantine Roses (Anzious Inquirer).—The calendar says truly, the
sooner Roses are planted, at the end of January, ihe better, although
“‘that does not exactly fit your case.” The how much later Roses ean be
planted with ‘‘safety”’ is this: They can be planted to the yery middle of
May and be as safe from dying outright as if they were planted at the end
of October ; but then they will do you little credit for the first two or three
years. But the worst part of the story from a young gardener is the “you
intend ordering the Rose plants as soon as you can ascertain how man
will be wanted ”—that is, perhaps you will be able to order the Roses at
the end of February—just two months after the best plants, the second
best plants, and the third best of all the best Roses, except the best old
kinds, have been picked over and over again by gardeners who do their
work at the proper time. When you are ‘all right,” tell us the kinds and
the distances you mean to plant them, and weishall give our opinion onthe
merits of your plan.

GARDENER’S ADVERTISEMENT (2.);—Half-a-crown for each insertion.

Mowing Macuine (Single-handed). — As you intend to impel it your-
self, buy the narrowest, for that will be certain to rc quire the least power,
if kept oiled and free from rust.

Camecuias (J. B. D.).—A basket has been received, the carriage of which
was not paid.

Witp Frowers or Great Briratn (7 Bell).—The work will contain all
the flowering plants. We havenot a prospectus left, but you will find it
printed on the cover of each monthly Numher.

BruoMansias' (Brugmansia).—We have published the treatment of
these plants often. For summer and autumn flowering we would prefer
those plants now that have fewest leaves on them. If the shoots of the
head are large we would prune them back, and when the shoots were
1 inch long we would shake the most of the soil from the roots, and repot
in strong rich loam, packed as firmly as the hands would permit; water,
and keep shaded for a week, and as they grow give manure wiuter, If
the’ wood “was ripened ‘last. autumn, ‘then every strong shoot thus) made
will produce abundance of flowers. If the head of the plant:is small, then
merely removing the points may be enough of pruning. If the plants are
kept in-doors use the'syringe freely, or you will have red spider.

February 10, 1863. ]

Nuwser or Frow anp Return Prees (A. F. B.).—One, flow and one
return pipe in connection with your saddle boiler will be sufficient, what-
ever the number of houses to heat left and right; but, according to the
number of houses, you must have socket-pipes or T-junctions. The
higiest placed of these will generally heat the most powerfully, and regu-
lation of yalves will therefore be necessary. In such a case, the simplest
plan wonld be to take the flow-pipe into an open cistern, some 2 feet above
the highest pipe in the houses, and from that cistern take a flow-pipe to
each part to be heated, to be controlled by plug or valve. All the returns
ofthese must join'the main return before it enters the boiler. We do not
quite understand whether the boiler will not heat the several houses, or
whether you merely wish some to be heated at one time and the rest at
another time. The above is the simpiest ; if there iso cistern, then the
different flow-pipes must be regulated by valves.

Gas Live (A Three-years Subscriber).—The more clayey the soil the
imore gas lime you may put upon the soil {o destroy the vermin in it. Two
inches depth of the gas lime, thoroughly mixed with the soil, will not
be too much. You must not plant anything on soil so treated until at
least a week has elapsed.

Fruits For an East Watt (A Subscriber).—You will find the Royal
Apricot do well on an east wall. You may also have Marie Louise, Winter
Nelis, and Beurré Rance-Pears; and Purple Gage, Green Gage, and
Jefferson Plums.

Cissus piscotor (A Subscriber)—It is one of the very easiest plants to
grow of all stove plants. Give it the moist heat of a stove, and the com-
post usual for a Fuchsia, or Geranium, or Chrysanthemum, and the diffi-
culty would be to know how to prevent it doing better than any other stove
plant; and as to rooting cuttings of it, none root more easily. Your plants
are No. 1, Begonia hydrocotylifolia ; 2, #schynanthus pulcher.

_CAapiums Srartine (Jdem).—The question of starting Caladinms is
like the question of starting Grape Vines, only'a matter of convenience
and cost. You may start Caladiums» any day from:the first of the new
year, till they would start of their own accord at the end. of the spring.
The starting of cuttings, and the sowing of all flower seeds in the spring,
are just on the same principle as the starting of Caladium “roots.” We
saw many thousands of seedling Lobelia speciosa just sprout the firstweek
of last January, and Lobelia speciosa will be in quite time enough for ordinary
work if it is up by the 30th of March. Just so with Caladiums. When
you can’ give them 75° of bottom heat, and you are sure they will have
sufficient room, and from 60° to 75° of close moist heat; without check
or hindrance, you may start. But first examine every root, and see, if
there be a speck of decay on it; that is looked to before potting; give very
small pots to begin with, and no water at all. Amateurs destroy their
Gsladiums, Cape bulbs, and Gladioluses by acting: as ifia ‘*root” which
will keep for months in a dry state, must have water. the moment it
is put intoa pot. Wenever water a ‘‘root,’? even a water ‘‘root,’’ until
the leaf is well up above the pot, if it were for three months after potting.
But the soil st potting time should be moist, and be kept so, in the dark
and with some covering, till the leaf comes.

_ PROPAGATING SIKEIM RuopODENDEONS (A Subscriber since 1856),.—Graft-
ing will suit your purpose best. Next month place the stocks of ponticum
into a pit or frame; if there is just a little bottom heat allthe better. When
growing cut the stock over, and take a piece off the side, and place two or
three buds on of the sort desired ; tie, and keep the place close and witha
moist atmosphere. Sometimes, when you. merely tie-on a bud or two, it
is desirable merely to nip-out the point of the stock, and only cut-back
when the bud is growing. When you can graft ona piece of shoot with
its point, we would prefer cutting the stock over.

Wrreweorms (Idem).—A little ammoniacal water from ‘the gasworks, or
a bucket of tar scattered thinly, will cause the wireworms to decamp. For
catching them, nothing is better than slices of carrots inserted in the soil
and examined every morning.

Names or Prants (4 Reader).—1, Adiantum cuneatum; 2, Asplenium
flabellifolium; 8, Some young Diplazium; 4, Miserable Pteris hastata ;
5, Selaginella denticulata; 6, Tacsonia pinnatistipula;.7, Aloe variegata;
8, Asplenium trichomanes; 9, Pteris tremula; 10, Isolepis gracilis; ll,a
leaf we do not recognise. No one should send more than half a dozen
specimens at atime. (W. 0.).—1. Nerium Oleander; 2, Rhododendron
dauricum atrovirens. You must send the others in flower. (IV. S.).—
Benthamia fragifera. (A. Appleton).—Your plant is Hexacentris mysor-
ensis. Each volume you require, and which we can supply, will cost you
8s. 6d. (A Siz-years Subsertber).—Your morsel from a window plant in
Suffolk is the smallest-leayed kind of all the Horehounds, and is called Mar-
Tubium pseudo-dictamnus. Itis too too slender for the flower garden.

POULTRY, BEE, and HOUSEHOLD CHRONICLE.

POULTRY FOR THE LONDON MARKET.

PovrmRyY may come to London from all parts. A poultry
show would be impossible without railways; and that which
makes a show possible makes it easy to send surplus poultry to
London. Peas and asparagus come from Algiers and France ;
new potatoes from Cornwall. They not only find a sale—they
are looked for. It is just possible they were not at first. Of
the early ventures, some were failures, perhaps, but senders were
not discouraged, and they are now known, and they know
their trade. Those who provide early delicacies are seldom
among the rich. The seasons.do not yield. without a struggle ;
heat’ must fight against frost, and a dry and even temperature
Must promote and equalise growth. In chickens, little attentions
by candlelight: must shorten nights, and well-chosen and
varied food must provide the internal heat that will radiate and
form its.own atmosphere. Such attentions are troubles, and
are) seldom undertaken by those. who are: well off: Neverthe-

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

123

less, a clergyman, his wife or daughter, has often contributed
material help to a club or a poor family. Or one of those
humble invaluebles—the single lady of the village, the sister of
a former vicar, the-widow of the popular surgeon who was cut
off by fever while attending the poor, orthe unmarried daughter
of the lawyer who died some time before—these blessed visitors
often get a little help from poultry (none know so well as these,
that empty-handed sympathy is poor work.) These will rear
their chickens and think they are well paid for’their trouble,
when the few shillings alleviate some poor person’s pressing
want, or help them out of trouble.

Poultry-keeping by cottagers in England is out:of the question,
They have not space, and the abominable system of field work
for women renders it: impossible. While:in Germany, princes,
and in France, gentlemen, make it a calling, it seems infra dig.
in England. More fowls are kept than were kept a century ago,
yet fewer come to market. There are sometimes- spasmodic
attempts in certain districts, but they die out. The small farmer
and the small landowner disappear. The stream overtakes them,
and swallows them up. With them goes the poultry, South-
downs, Short-horns, and Berkshires take its place.

Fashion has-done one thing:—it has made it correct te breed
poultry, and to exhibit it. very one is anxioua.to sell it alive;
but regular fattening is not to be thought of. Why should this
be? By a-strange perversion, you may take a delicately-brought-
up lady who has. been the ornament of a town circle, move her
into the country and she will undertake poultry or anything of
the kind, while her counterpart reared and living in the country
will not look at anything of the sort. When we have sought
forthe cause, we have been told “it'doesnot‘pay.’ We differ.
All want the highest price; but all do not provide the best
quality. Large prices only belong to those who send their goods
at the most propitious time. In poultry; that.means inthe early
season. The real demand for expensive’ poultry is from the
latter end of April to the beginning of July.. The chickens
must be chickens of the year, and: must not weigh less. than
22 or 3 lbs. each. They must be moderately fat, well killed
and picked, and fasted: These will always sell at. remunerating
prices—from 7s. to 9s. the couple—often more. It is, however,
useless to undertake this unless with a determination to’succeed.
Little chickens in June are spring chickens, and may be rare in
the country they come from, but they are-unsaleable in London
because it is their natural season, and there is a glut of them.
Very often the chickens that are sacrificed in May by being
killed before they have attained proper: growth would, if they
were allowed to live till June, make a large price. We: call
the attention of those of our readers who have inclination
and leisure to the subject, and we shall always be glad to give
instruction or answer queries.

NANTWICH POULTRY EXHIBITION.

FesrvaRy 6TH aND 7TH.

SPantsH.—First and Second, W. Woolley, Bunbury. Third, J. B. Bruce,
Keele. Highly Commended, J. Grocott, Haughton. Commended, J. Gibson,
Over. Chickens. — First, W. Woolley. Second; J. Hulse, Winsford.
Third, J. Sheen, Tilston. Highly Commended, J. B. Bruce.

Ducks (Aylesbury).— Plate Prize, A. Heath, Winsford. Second, J.
Grocott, Haughton. Third, H. Akroyd, Doddington: _

Ducks (Rouen),—First, J. B. Bruce, Keele. Second, R. Cooke, jun.,
Darnhall. Third, T. Burgess, Burleydam.

Ducks (Any other yariety).—First, R. Cooke, jun., Darnhall. Second
and Third, E. Bowers, Broad Lane. ?

Gxrse.—First, W. Furnival, Norton. Second, J. Sheen, Tilston. Highly
Commended, T. Walker, Betley. Commended, E. Bowers, Broad Lane.

Turkeys. — First, Mrs. Akroyd, Doddington Hall. Second, W. HH.
Hornby, Shrewbridge Hall.

Dorxines (White).— First, Mrs. Tollemache, Dorfold Hall. Second,
R. Cooke, jun., Darnhall.

Dorxines (Any other colour).—First and Plated Teapot, Mrs. E: D.
Broughton, Wistaston. Second and Third, E. Tudman, Whitchurch.
Chickens.—First and Second, E. Tudman. Third, Mrs. Tollemache,
Dorfold Hall. Commended, Mrs. Tollemache ; T. Burgess, Burleydam.

Cocutn-Cuina (Cinnamon, Buff, and Partridge). — First, Second, and
Silyer Cup for best pen in the Exhibition of any kind of poultry, E. Tudman,
Whitchurch. Commended, T. Rigby. Ohickens.—First and Second, E.
Tudman.

Cocut-Cxmva- (Any other colour).—First, J. Dodd, Minshull Vernon:
Second, G. Williamson, Nantwich. Ohickens.—First and Second, J. Dodd.

Coonin-Cuiya Cocks (Sweepstakes).—Prize, W. H. Hornby, Shrewbridge.

A Silver Cup, presented by the Licensed Victuallers of Nantwich and
neighbourhood, forthe best Game Cockerel of any colour, exhibited ‘spe
cially for this prize. Victuallers’ Cup, W- Galley, Nantwich. Second,
E.D. Broughton, Wistaston. Third, R. Ashley, West End. Fourth, T.
Burgess, Burleydam. Highly Commended, J. Platt, Darnhall; T. Burgess;
J. Heath, Nantwich: Commended; T. Burgess; J. Heath.

Game’ Cocxs (Sweepstakes).—Prize, T. Burgess, Burleydam.

124

; SINGLE COCKS.

Game (Black-breasted Reds).—First, J. Wilkinson, Norbury. Second,
T. Moore, Nantwich. Third, J. Heath, Nantwich.

Game (Brown-breasted Reds). — First, T. Whittingham, Batherton.
Second, J. Pedley, Nantwich. Third, J. Heath, Nantwich. Highly Com-
mended, T. Burgess, Burleydam. _Commended, T. Burgess; R. Ashley,
West End; J. Heath; E. Bowers, Broad Lane. j 2

Game (Any other colour).—First, T. Burgess, Burleydam (Black). Second,
A. Heath, Winsford. Third, Miss Sadler, Heath Cottage, Whitchurch.
Commended, T, Burgess (Black).

Gamer (Black Reds).—First, J. Grocott, Haughton. Second, J. Pedley,
Nantwich. Third, J. Heath, Nantwich. Highly Commended, J. Heath.
Commended, T. Moore, Nantwich; A. Heath, Winsford. Chickens.—First,
W. Ruecoe, Nantwich. Secona, T. Burgess, Burleydam. Third, T. Whit-
tingham, Batherton. Commended, T. Burgess ; J. Grocott.

Game (Brown Reds).—First and Plate, E. Bowers, Broad Lane. Second,
§. Edwards, Nantwich. Third, Dr. E. Bellyse. Highly Commended, T.
Burgess, Burleydam ; J. Heath, Nantwich. Commended, J. Pedley, Nant-
wich. Chickens.—First, W. Galley, Nantwich. Second and Third, T.
Burgess. Commended, R. Latham, Woore; J. Grocott; J. Heath; H.
Holland, Nantwich. j

Game (Any other than Black or Brown Reds).—First, Miss Sadler, Heath
Cottage, Whitchurch (Grey). Second, 71. Burgess, Burleydam (Black)
Chickens.—Prize, Master E. W. D. Broughton, Wistaston (White) .

Gamez Hrns (Any colour).—First, A. Mountford, Keele (Brown Reds)
Second, W. Hope, Newtown (Brown Red). Highly Commended, T.
Burgess, Burleydam (Black-breasted Red). Commended, T. Whittmgaam,
Batherton (Black Rec). : : r. -

Hamevureu (Goiden-pencilled).—First, W. H. Hornby, M.P. Second and
Third, G. Williamson, Nantwich.

Hampurex (Silver-pencilled),—First and Second, D, Harding, Middle-
wich. Third, Rey. A. Silver, Norton.

Hampuren (Golden-spangled).— First and Hamburgh Silver Cup, T.
Burgess, Burleydam. Second, R. Foster, Marsh Lane. Third, J. Dutton,
Bunbury.

HamBureu (Silver-spangled).—First and Third, T. Dale, Middlewich.
Second, J. B. Bruce, Keele. Commended, T. Dale; R. Foster, Marsh Lane.

Poranps (Any variety).—First and Second, J. Heath, Nantwich. Third,
G. Williamson, Nantwich. Chickens.— First and Second, G. Williamson,
Nantwich. Third, Mrs. Sproston, Middlewich,

Banrams (Game).—First, W. Griffiths, Nantwich, Second, J. G. Pearson,
Whitchurch. Third, J. Grocott, Haughton. Y

Bantams (Any other variety).— First, T. Butler, Middlewich (White).
Second, 8. Boffey, Willaston (Spangled). Third, withheld,

Game Bantam Cocks.—Plate, W. Griffiths, Nantwich. First, T. Stanyer,
Nantwich. Second,J.G. Pearson, Whitchurch.

Picrons.— Carriers. — First and Second, W. Woolley, Dunbury (Black
and Dun). Very Highly Commended, J. Hockenhull, Nantwich, Dragoons.
—Kirst, D. Harding, Middlewich (Blue). Second, F. Davies, Eardswick
(Black). Highly Commended, J. Hockenhull. Powters.—First and Second,
W. Woolley (Red and Blue). Highly Commended, W. Crawford, Nantwich.
Barbs.—¥irst and Second, J. Hockenhuil. Very Highly Commended, W.
Crawford. Nuns.—First, J. Dutton, Bunbury. Second, J. Hockenhull.
Highly Commended, T. Horton, Leighton. Beards.—First, S. Cawley,
Priestland (Blue). Second, J. Hockenhull (Blue). Commended, J. Hock-
enhull. Balds.— First, J. Withinshaw, jun., Nantwich (Black). Second,
T. B. Davies, Eardswick (Black). Highly Commended, T. B. Davies
(Black). Any other variety of Tumblers.—¥irat, F. Cawley (Red Mottles).
Second, W. Crawford. Commended, H. Prince. Fantails.—F rst, H.
Prince (Black). Second, €. B. Davies. Very Highly Commended, Miss A.
Tollemache (Blue). Commended, J. Hockenhull (Black and White) ; Miss
A. Tollemache (Black). Jacobins.—First, J. Hockenhull (Yellow). Second,
C. B. Davies (Black Balds). Commended, J. Hockenhull (Red). Highly
Commended, T. B. Davies (Black). Trumpeters.—First, T. Horton (Black).
Second, F. Davies (White). Highly Commended, T. Horton (Black
Mottles). Owls.—First, J. Hulse, Winsford. Second, W. Betley, Nantwich.
Turbits.—First, S. Newbrook, Nantwich (Red). Second, J. Withinshaw,
jun. (Blue). Highly Commended, J. Withinshaw, jun. (Blue). Com-
mended, J. Dutton (Blue). Any other variety.—First, J. Dutton (Lahores).
Second, J. Hockenhull (Archaugels). Highly Commended, J. Dutton
(Magpies). Doves.—First, J. Cooper, Nantwich (White). Second, J.
Hockenhull (Ring). Commended, J. Hockenhull (Ring and White) ;
G. Green (Ring).

Sincinc Birps.—Canaries (Yellow). — First, H. Sumner. Nantwich.
Second, S. Williamson, Nantwich. Highly Commended, R. Wood, Nant-
wich. Commended, H. Sumner. (Buff).—First and Second, H. Sumner.
Highly Commended, R. Wood. (Any other variety).—First, C. Indley,
Crewe. Second, S- Williamson, Nantwich. Commended, S. Williamson.
Brown Linnets.—First, T. Moulton. Second, R. Williamson, Nantwich,
Highly, Commended, H. Timmis, Walgherton. Commended, W. Basford.
Goldfinches or Red Linnets.—First, H. Sumner. Second, R. Williamson,
Nantwich. Highly Commended, H. Sumner. Commended, D. Robinson,
Nantwich. Skylarks.—First, J. Willett, Nantwich. Second, T. Williamson,
Nantwich. Highly Commended, J. Willett; T. Williamson. Bullfinches.
—First, W. Williamson. Second, D. Robinson. Highly Commended, J.
Willett, Nantwich; W. Williamson. J¥oodlarks (not for competition).—
Prize, S. Williamson, Nantwich.

Raszits.—For Long Ears.—First, W. J. Sheen, Tilston. Second, C. Lees,
Sancheehs For Weight.—First, E. Woolley, Bunbury. Second, S. Bullock,
Nantwich.

APOPLEXY IN FOWLS.

A, B. would feel obliged if any light could be thrown on
the complaint of which her Dorking fowls died. One, a fine hen
she lost a few monthe since, did nothing but sleep for about ten
days, did not, appear to suffer, and its comb retained its beau-
tiful colour. It ate when food was offered. Medicine did
no good, and it died, bringing-up at the last a quantity of
coagulated blood. A Dorking cock lately was similarly affected ;
but in his case his head was continually going round. Medicine
and bleeding in the foot were tried, but without effect, and at

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ February 10, 1863,

last he was put out of his misery. Was it apoplexy? The
cock’s comb turned black; not the hen’s. There was no over-
feeding. ;

[There is no doubt that the fowls died from apoplexy, and if
their heads had been opened a clot of blood would have been
found on some portion ofthe brain. Ifour correspondent knows,
from having the body opened, that the birds were not fat, the
usual cause of such attacks, then either great frights or other
excessive excitement was the probable cause. If no such cause
can be discovered, then we fear there must be an hereditary
tendency to an excessive flow of blood to the head. | !

CRYSTAL PALACE BIRD SHOW.

Amone the many exhibitions of the country there is not one
more interesting than that of Canaries and British and Foreign
Birds at the Crystal Palace. We have now the pleasure of
discussing the merits of the fifth annual Show. Itis again our
most pleasant duty to congratulate the management upon the
great success ofthe undertaking from its, commencement,

“It has now successfully passed the trying ordeal of five
seasons, and we venture to state that for the future it may be
looked upon as an established annual Exhibition, and as taking
first class with ifs contemporaries. We were pleased to notice
the considerable preponderance of the) fair sex in the number
of visitors on Saturday. It shows that they are much in-
terested in the welfare of Nature’s smallest pets. Wedo not
know an exhibition of zoology more suited to the tastes of
ladies than this, and we are glad to notice that there are a great
many lady competitors on the list. One might almost fancy
that it is the middle of summer instead of winter, in such a
delightful place as the tropical department of the Crystal
Palace, with its beautiful and luxuriant plants, and the sweet
notes of the little feathered prisoners, which seem to endea-
vour to surpass each other in sending forth their carols.

The collection is on the whole an extremely fine one; and it
is evident that the admirers of this class of ornithology, both
dealers and amateurs, have not failed to exert themselves to
bring the specimens to perfection.

The Judges, we fear, must have had a very. difficult and not
altogether an agreeable task to perform in awarding the prizes
to so many birds, the defects of which none but those who have
made them a study can detect, as a feather missing here or a.
toe there can alone sometimes decide which is deserving the
honour of a prize. ;

We could not, were we compelled to do so, commend any
one class specially; it is dlmost next to an impossibility.
However, we will notice one or two of the most interesting
specimens. The British birds form quite a collection of them-
selves, and are in beautiful condition and splendid plumage:
Among the curious specimens were a white Thrush exhibited by
Mr. E. Hawkins, and a spotted Blackbird, the former of which,
although tailless, was awarded a prize. We observed also some.
very curious varieties, consisting of a Goldfinch, a Grey Linnet,
a Robin, and a common Sparrow, of which the two first men-
tioned obtained a prize. A singular and rare hybrid between a
Norwich Canary and a Citril Finch from the Cape was shown,
and also two beautiful Mules between a Goldfinch and Bullfinch,
which were much admired, and one of which took a prize.
There was also a Swallow reared from the nest, which is a very
curious and unusual occurrence. Among the Foreign birds
were some very beautiful and finely-coloured specimens. One of
the most interesting subjects was a pair of Budgrigars, with
nest, and eggs, and young.

The show of Canaries far surpassed any previous collection,
both in numbers and quality. The specimens were magnificent
in the extreme. The Norwich, the Belgians, London Fancy, and
Lizards were most beautiful, and especially the Mule birds, in
praise of which we cannot speak in sufficiently high terms. —_

Too much praise cannot be given to the Secretary, Mr.
Houghton, for his exertions in promoting the interests of the

undertaking. Bae Aare

Norwicz, Clear Yellow.—First, T. Banfather. Second and Third, R.
Mackley. Equal Third, J. Pullen. Very Highly Commended, — Collinson ;
R. Mackley. Highly Commended, S. Dunthorne; E. Hawkins; W. Laws;
J. Pullen; Mrs. Lowth; R. Mackley. Commended, E. Hawkins; W.
Walter; — Collinson. (The whole of the class very superior.) 4

Norwicx, Clear Buff.—First, F. Willis. Second, W. Walter. Very
Highly Commended, J. Pullen; W. Walter; F. Willis. Highly Com-
mended, R. Mackley. Commended, J. Pullen ; R. Mackley. (A good class.)

Norwicu, Variegated or Marked.—First, J, Judd. Second, W. Walter.

2

February 10, 1863. ]

Very Highly Commended, W. Walter, R. Mackiey. Highly Commended,
E. Hawkins; J. Morse ; Commended, J. Judd. (A good class.)

Norwics, Crested or sny other variety.—First, R. Mackley. Second,
J. Judd. Very Highly Commended, R. Mackley. Highly Commended,
R. Mackley.

Betcran, Clear Yellow.— First and Third, E. Hawkins Second, J.
Webb. Very Highly Commended, E, Bemrose ; J. Lingard; QO. Nichol-
son; W. Triggs. Highly Commended, S. H. Goodwin; H. Marshall (Good
bird, but two toes defective.) (A very superior class.)

Betoran, Clear Buff.—First, H. Marshall. Second. G. Harding. Very
Highly Commended, E. Bemrose; O. Nicholson; W. Philips; J. Webb.
Highly Commended, E. Hawkins; H. Marshall. Commended. C. Stockdale.

Bstctan, Variegated, or Marked Yellow.—First, H. Marshall. Second,
E. Hawkins. Third, E. Bemrose. Very Highly Commended, S. H. Good-
win; O. Nicholson; E. Hawkins.

Beneran, Variecated or Marked Buff—First, E. Hawkins. Second, FE.
Bemrose. Very Highly Commended, E. Hawkins; J. Judd. Commended,
S. H. Goodwin; J. T. Wilson.

Betcian, Crested or any other variety.—First, J. James. Second, G.
Harding. Very Highly Commended, E. Hawkins. Commended, W.
‘Walker.

Joxque Lenpos Fancy.—First, J. Waller. Second and Third, 0. Green.
Very Highly Commended, J. Waller. Highly Commended, O. Green.

Meaty Loxpon Fancy.—First and Second, J. Waller. Very Highly
Commended, O. Green. Highly Commended, O. Green.

Canantes, German or any other variety, except Norwich or Belgian.—
Kinet and Second, J. Juda. Highly Commended, J. Judd. Commended,
- Judd.

Lizarp, Golden-spangled.— First and Second, E. Hawkins. Third, J.
Waller. Very Highly Commended, S. H. Goodwin ; E. Hawkins; J. Lin-
gard; J. Waller. Highly Commended, E. Hawkins; F. W. Fairbrass; J.
Lingard. Commended, H. Marshall. (Remarkably good.)

Lrzarp, Silver-spangled.—First, W. Smith. Second, J. Lingard. Third,
E. Hawkins. Very Highly Commended, F. W. Fairbrass. Highly Com-
mended, E. Hawkins; J. Webb. (Class very good.)

GorprixcH Muts, Jonque.—First, W. H. Morzan. Second, G. Barnesby.
Third, H. Marshall. Very Highly Commended, G. J. Barnesby; W. Walter.
Highly Commended, C. C. Stockdale. (Most admirable.)

GoLprincu Murr, Mealy.—First, F. Hook. Second, C. C. Stockdale.
Third, Mrs. La Touche. Very Highly Commended, FE. Hawkins; T.
rown; J. Judd. Highly Commended, S. H. Goodwin. (A good class.}
Cayary MULE. any other variety.—First, H. Marshall. Second, Master

C.H. Verner, Third, J. Judd. Very Highly Commended, J. Judd.

BRITISH BIRDS.

BurtrincueEs.—Prize, Miss La Touche. Very Highly Commended, E.
Hawkins; P. Nicholson. Highly Commended, W. Walter; R. Mackley.

CuArriIncH.—Prize, F. P.Cuddon. Highly Commended, F. Hook.

Gorprincn.—Prize, J. Crew. Very Highly Commended, J. Lingard;
R.Mackley. Highly Commended, F. P. Cuddon; W. H. Woodcock.

Liynets.—First, E. Hawkins. Equal First, J. Judd. Very Highly Com-
mended, H. Hanley. Highly Commended, H. V. Reid; E. de la S.
Simmonds.

SEYLARES.— Prize, W. Walter. Very Highly Commended, J. Judd.
Highly Commended, J. Judd; R. Mackley.

Wooptark.—Prize, W. Walter. Very Highly Commended, J. Judd.

Ropixs.—Prize, C. C. Stockdale. Very Highly Commended, J. Crew.
Highly Commended, C. C. Stockdale; J. Waller.

Buacksirps.—Prize, R. Simpson. Very Highly Commended, Mrs. Dodd.

Senc TurusHEs.—Prize, Mrs. Dodd. Very Highly Commended, Mrs.
Dodd; G. Page; R. Mackley. Highly Commended, J: La Touche.

TARUSHES OF ANY OTHER VARIETY.—Prize, E. Hawkins.

Sraxuines,—Prize. T. Gerlach. |

Macrres.—Prize, W. Walter.

JackDAws.—Prize, W. Walter.

ANY OTHER VARIETY OF British Breps.—Prize, E. Hawkins (White-
breasted Goldfinch). Very Highly Commended, E. Hawkins (Black Bull-
finch). Highly Commended, T. P. Cuddon; H. Hanly; J. Pullen.

. _Hysrrp or MuLe Brrps, Any variety except Canaries. — First and
Third, H. Hanly. Second, C. C. Stockdale.

BIRDS OF PASSAGE AND MIGRATORY BIRDS.

Bracecars.—Prize, W. Bicknell.

NicHTINGALEs.—Prize, C. C. Stockdale. Highly Commended, J. Crew.

SISKIN OR ABERDFVINE.—Prize, J. Judd. Very Highly Commended,
G. J. Barnesby; T. Gerlach. Highly Commended, W. Bicknell; E. Haw-
kins ; T. Gerlach.
= TENE ARES or Tree Prrits.—Prize, E. Hawkins. Highly Commended,

- Judd.

ANY OTHER VARIETY —Prize, W. Bicknell (Cirl Bunting).
mended, E. Hawkixs (Redpole).

FOREIGN BIRDS.
Cockatoos, Any variety.—First, Mrs. Emm. Second, J. Judd (Rose-
breasted). Highly Commended, Capt. Payne (Rose Cockatoo).
Grey Parrots. — First, Mrs. Statham. Second, E. Hawkins. Very
Highly Commended, J. Decaisne; J. Rose; J. Lingard.
GREEN Parnors, or any other large variety except Grey.—Fizst, W. W.
Westbrook. Second, C. W. Wass. Third, J. Rose.
Love Breps, in pairs.—Prize, E. Hawkins.
AUSTRALIAN Grass PARAKEETS, in pairs. — Prize, W. Barnes.
Highly Commended, E. Hawkins; J. Rose; J. Waller.
PARAKEFTS, Ring-necked or Bengal.—Prize, E. Hawkins.
PaRROTS OR PARAKEETS, any other small variety.—Prize, E. Hawkins.
PakakeExtTs, Rose Hill.—Prize, Capt. W. R. Payne, R.N. Very Highly
Commended, E. Hawkins. Highly Commended, J. Judd.
§ ee Pennant’s.— Prize, E. Hawkins. Highly Commended, J.
udd.
PaRAKEETS, Blood-wing.—Prize, E. Hawkins. Highly Commended, J.
Waller.
PasakEETs, Yellow-winged.—Prize, E. Hawkins.
PARAKEETs, Red-rump (in pairs).—Prize, J. Judd.
CocksTEALS, in pairs.— Prize, J. Judd. Highly Commended, EF. Hawkins.
DramonpD Sparrow, Single.—Prize, A. Johnson.
CoRAL-NECKED SpakRows, in pairs.—Prize, J. Judd. Very Highly Com-
mended, E. Hawkins.
Java Sparrows, in pairs.—Prize, E. Hawkins. Very Highly Com-
mended, E. Hawkins. Highiy Commended, Miss Solomon.

Highly Com-

Very

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

125

Iypra0 Btve Brrps.—Prize, J. Judd.
- aoe Wax-sitts, in pairs.—Prize, A. John3on. Highly Commended,
. Judd.
WaAx-BILis, any other variety, in pairs.—Prize, A. Johnson.
Highly Commended, E, Hawkins. Highly Commended, A. Johnson.
Viroinra NicHTincaLes —Prize, ©. C, Stockdale.
CarpinaLs.—Prize, W. Walter. Very Highly Commended, E. Hawkins,
Warpad Binps.—Prize, E. Hawkins.
FIREFINCHES.—Prize, E. Hawkins.
Foreign Brrps, any other variety.—First, A. Johnson.
J. Armeson. Highly Commended. E. Hawkins.
Tue Best Group or ForEiGN Braps IN ONE CAGE OR AvIARY.—Prize,

E. Hawkins.
JUDGES.—Canaries: Mr. T. Moore, Mr. A. Willmore.

British and Foreign Birds: My. W. Goodwin.

Very

Highly Commended, J. Judd.
Equal First,

ON THE FIRST FLIGHT OF BEES IN SPRING.
[From the German of ADALBERT Braun. |
By “A DEVONSHIRE BEE-KEEPER.”
Hark! what is so gaily humming
In the little garden there ?

Hark! what is so briskly whizzing
Through the still and silent air?

Friend, it is our bees—the darlings—
Now enliven’d by the spring ;

Yes, the winter is departed,
And once more they’re on the wing.

Happy he, who winter's perils
All his stocks brings safely through ;
Thank Him, of all good the Giver—
Faithful Watchman He, and true.

Of my own are none departed,
All as yet unhurt remain ;
Though no longer rich in honey,
Yet is spring returned again!
Come, and let us view them nearer—
Enter by the garden gate ;—
So—stand-still and watch their doings—
Light your pipe, and patient wait.
See how busily they traverse
To their pasturage and back,
That they may by toil unwearied
Save the commonwealth from wreck.

Look, O look, what loads of pollen,
Bring they in with heedful care.

Nurslings, fear not ; for your cravings
Here’s sufficient and to spare.

How they dart and how they hurtle
Through the genial balmy air!

To the mountains—to the meadows—
Tis the scent attracts them there!

There they dexterously rifle
Nectar from each flow’r in bloom.
Toil they for our honey harvest,
For us fill the honey-room.

Yes, our bees, our darling darlings,
We salute you all to-day ;

For your life is our enjoyment—
Winter’s sleep has pass’d away,

Grant prosperity, O Heaven !
‘lo the new-born honey-year—
Give thy favyour—give thy blessing—
Yo these objects of our care.
Now let each attentive guardian
In devoted service strive
For the proud, the matron-monarch—
Soy’reign of the honey-hive.

So that we may learn by watching
Who that in the noon-tide glance,

Or in midnight’s darkest moments,
Summon her to Hymen’s dance.*

Ev’ry bee-hive calls for patience,
Whilst great Hatrrn’s lessons teach
Without patience Nature’s secrets
None successfully can reach.
—T. W. Woopzury, Mount Radford, Exeter.

* This point cannot now be considered doubtful, butit must be remembered
that Herr Braun’s verses were writte2 seventeen years ago,

126

PROFITLESS BEES.

My Journals of this week and last have greatly interested
me—Mr. Lowe last week, Mr. Woodbury this; also “*T.’s” ex-
perience is such a parallel with mine and that of hundreds of
others, that additional remarks on these subjects:must be greatly
valued by all classes of apiarians.

Now, as to my former complaint of the gradual decrease of
bees from their hives. From all I can gather this does arise from
the want of fertility in the queen, either from age or otherwise.
Now, it is a well-known fact that the kind of food taken by the
female of all animals greatly influences her productive powers ;
this is seen conspicuously in the common fowl.

Ihave always administered to my bees in autumn a liberal
supply of syrup made of loaf sugar and water. Think you this
artificial food is in-any way injurious to the queen’s productive
powers? Fearing this might be the case I have fed with honey,
dearly purchased, this autumn; but I determined to have one
more good trial.

As to their unprofitableness. It appears to me there are three
requisites absolutely necessary to insure success—First, fertility in
the queen ; second, suitable pasturage ; third, favourable weather.
The absence of either of these, in whatever hive the bees may be
located, will be sure to cause a failure ; for although the queen
may be very fertile, with good pasturage combined, yet if the
weather be bad there will beno collection ; neither if the weather
be ever so fine and the queen very fertile, if there be no pasturage
within reach there can be no collection; or if the pasturage be
good, joined with good weather, yet if the queen be not fertile
then there will benocollection. Of course it/is out of the power
of any apiarian to affect either pasturage or weather; but to
keep a succession of fertile queens is, I certainly think, as pos-
sible to an intelligent bee-keeper as it is to a farmer to keep
good stock of any of our domestic animals; but the way to do
this is the difficulty. The recent remarks in the Journal of
Dzierzon and “A DeYONSHIRE BEE-KEEPER,” on this subject,
have I think been conflicting ; I, therefore, beg the particular
attention of our intelligent correspondents to thisone point, and
their early remarks will oblige and gratify your readers. ,

Before I conclude my note Jet me remark as to pasturage.
Very much must depend uponits distance from the apiary; and
the question, so often put and never answered, constantly recurs,
How far does the bee fly in:search of honey? Many have re-
marked upon it, the indefatigable Huber, Huish, and others,
but their observations do not agree. . I sincerely hope if any of
your correspondents have any facts on this subject they will give
them to the world through your Journal. For these two ques-
tions—First, How to secure a fertile queen; second, the probable
distance of the flight of the bees—concern every bee-keeper on
the face of the earth; for the latter will inform us if our situa-
tion is suitable, and the former in that case will teach us how to
insure success.—E. FATRBROTHER, Woolwich,

[Feeding bees in autumn on sugar and water alone in no way
affects the reproductive powers of the queen. We shall be glad
of the opinions of our correspondents on the other questions
mooted in the foregoing communication. ]

“TRUTH” AND THE BOTTLE.

I am so glad to find that Truth is still on the earth, for,
from the legend reported atout her a short time ago, I very
much feared she had become entirely disgusted with mankind.
The Times gave the history, but as I have not the original
printed words by me, I will merely write my own impressions
of them, in order to reveal my joy at learning that Truth is
still bravely amongst us above ground. :

Well, poor Truth feeling herself very cold and uncom-
fortable at the bottom of her well, resolved one fine day to
resort for an airing amongst the green budding bushes, and
enjoy the warblings of the robins and hedge sparrows, the
warm banks where the violets and the primroses bloom; and
went sauntering about the beautiful: meadows, where the sun-
beams and the young lambs played, which so invigorated and
emboldened her, that she determined to try the villages and
swall country towns. Poor Trath fared bunt badly there,
she was laughed at, flouted, and insulted, and found it such
hard lines to exist amongst the grandest bipeds of Nature’s
workmanship, that she determined to return to her well again.
When lo! sitting upon the brink of the subaqueous habitation,
she encountered a fine lady dressed all in the extreme of the

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ February 10,1863.

fashion, who exclaimed, ““‘Dear Truth, don’t run “away or
feel alarmed, my name is Fiction. But, darling, wherever
haye you been? How-could-you think of going about in that
state? There, now, cool your eyes and temples with some of
this eau de cologne, and let us commune 4 little together. “But,
first, tell me what has happened?” .. . . . ‘Well, I can
go about freely enough,” replied Fiction. ‘In fact, I have
been, and gone, and rather overdone it, and feel quite’ blasé /
Look here, darling, this is crinoline. There, come now,.do not
run away again, nor seem:so frightened, for there is no fire here,
and I have a great mind to discard it; and then the immense width
of the skirts of my dress will make two nice garments for us, dar-
ling, and enable us both to go into society more comfortably.”

At this consummation so devoutly to be wished, your dis-
tinguished neighbour and contemporary took up the other thread
of his article, and left THz JouRNAL or HonticuLTuRE: of
the 3rd inst. to inform us, that Truth, as I must reasonably
suppose, agreed to the compact, and remains on ¢erra jirma.
When “ Trurn”’ comes this: way L invite'a call, for I have some
very good home-made of last year’s vintage, the discussion of a
bottle of which I feel almost sure would cause an exclamation,
“Truth is in the bottom of a bottle !”

As to the “Bottle Bee-feeder,” I would not tap'the tops of
my hives to apply it at this time of year on any account. My
practice is to retain the temperature, and the tops of the hives
quite undisturbed at this early breeding season. Besides, the
“ bottle-feeder” has been so well pushed and recommended by
far superior authorities in the matter than I can hope to become.
I never said one wilful word in disparagement of the article,
and I do not doubt its capabilities. I would use it after what
has been said in its favour with pleasure and confidence ; but I
like to see my bees partaking of their autumn banquet when it
is necessary to feed them.

“Trurn’s’” “zine feeders of every description,’ as far as I
am concerned, resolve themselyes into one simple contrivance,
by which I am now supplying my bees with food through the
entrances of the hives, and they partake of it, I am happy to
say, with infinite gusto.

Ah! I am sorry to inform your estimable “ DzvonsHIRE
BEE-KEEPER,” that we have no flowers open here yet for early
pollen-gathering ; but my bees are every day out and abroad.
They are in excellent health, and »shine like French-polished
mahogany.—UPWakDSs AND ONWARDS.

EaRLY POLLEN-GATHERING.—For the last few days the bees
in this neighbourhood have been: as active as they frequently are
two months later in the season.
perceived pollen-gathering to be general, there being abundance
of flowers, and especially crocuses, now: in: bloom ‘here. This
is earlier than i: sny season of my experience. I perceive that
“A DEVONSHIRE BEE-KEEPER” has. made similar obseryations,
but Lincolnshire is at least a fortnight behind Devon in point of
climate.—G. F. B., Spalding.

OUR LETTER BOX.

IscuBator (W. B. J.).—In our No. 321 is a drawing and notes on’ the
management of an incubator. The temperature to besmaintained is 104° or
105°. We know of no work now on the subject that can be had»except
occasionally at second-hand booksellers, Minessi and Cantello printed
pamphlets relative to their incubators.

Game Banram’s Lecs (Bantam).—A white-legged Bantam cock must
not be shown with willow-legged hens. If they were the best birds in the
world non-matching legs would disqualify them. _ Hel '

Sora’s Povttry EstarLisHmEnt (W.).—We do not know the distance
of Mr. De Sora’s establishment from Paris, The system has neyer been
triedin England. It has been successfully carried on in Germany by the
Prince of Tours and Taxis.

SILVER-PENCILLED Hampurcu's Fearuers (A. Walker).—The brown
feathers in a Silver-pencilied Hamburgh are not desirable for exhibition.
They are generally found on birds that-are excellent for stock; as they are
proved to be associated with bright, dark, and sharp pencillings, This and
the creamy tinge are disadvantages in competition, but not disqualifications.

Waite Crests oF Potanps (Constant Subscriber),—Much of the dirt of
which you complain on your Polands? crests is the result of the long-con-
tinued wet, which has made every place muddy, The only plan to avoid
this annoyance is to put an india-rubber band round them about half an
inch from the head; but we think-when the weather clears up you will
have no cause to do so.

Mue Cace Brirps (J. W.).—We do not think <hat.you will be successful
in breeding mule birds by turning Goldfinches and Canaries into a spare
room as you propose. We would recommend that they be kept in pairs in
separate cages. The Goldfinch should be the male bird; and to make
success more probable the Goldfinch should be brought up from the nest.in
company with Canaries, or be kept in a cage about twelve months, so as to
be somewhat tame. They should be treated in the same manner as Canaries
when breeding.

As early as January 27th, I .

) Cail nie Bains

February 17, 1853. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COLLAGE GARDENER. 127
WEEKLY CALENDAR.
ae ea “Weatner XEAR LONDON IN 1862. |
Day | Day WEATHER NEAR LONDON IN 186 Pee | Clock
of | of FEBRUARY 17—23, 1863. s Rawan Sun | Sun Rises | Moon’s | before Day of
M'nth Week, Barometer. |Thermom.| Wind. Inches, | Bises- | Sets. jandSets| Age. Sun. Year
a degrees. m. | m...h.|, m. h.| m, &
17 Tu SHRovE TuRsDAY. 29.475—29 879 | 48—88 E. 14 Wiaf7 |W af5 |) 26m6) 29 1417 48
18 Ww Lenr BreGiss. Asi WEDNESDAY.| 29.364—29.270 | 53—39 S.W. ET ale) sets | @ 14 12 49
19 | TH Yew flowers. | 29.543—29.419 | 55—44 S.E. “09 9 7)19 5 | 386a7 1 lt. 43 50 |
20 ¥ Coltsfoot flowers. 29,645—29.467 | 58—29 8. 06 1 A WO Bie GRA Gell Bs 14 1 51 |
21 Ss Sun’s declin. 10° 37's. | 29.914—29.782 58—39 S.E. = O, We 23 5 8 10 3 15 54 52
22. | Son | 1 Sunpay i Lent. 29.819—29.659 | 56—40 S.E. “01 3%) | 255) 20) Ie 4 13 47 53
1. (23 f Cwsalpinus died 1603. B. | 80.098 —30,030 51—34 E. = 1 7) 26 5 | mom 5 1339 | ot
Merroronocy of THE WrEK.—At Chiswick, from observations during jhe last thirty-six years, the average highest and lowest
temperatures of these days are 45.8? and 32.5° respectively. ‘Phe ereatest heat, 58°, occurred on the 2lst, in 1846; and the lowest cold, 2°,

on the 17th, in 1855. During the period 148 days were ine, and on 104 rain’ fell. |

MEMOIR OF THE REAL “LAWRIE TODD-”

T was somewhereabout

the year 1833 or 1834,
that we met in the
quadrangle of Edin-
burgh University a
wee wee man, about
4 feet 10 inches high,
clothed in very very
long garments, the
skirts of which reached to his
ankles, and with a very low-
zie crowned and very broad-brim-
ae eat med hat upon his head. His feet,
like the brim of his hat, were out of all proportion to his
body, for they were very large and very long ; but beneath
that broad brim there shone a beaming countenance, full
of intelligence, benignity, and playful humour. It needed
not to have his name announced, for the world had been
made familiar with his portrait through ‘‘ Fraser’s Maga-
zine,” and we had no difficulty in at once recognising the
living image of Granr THorBurn.

Our woodeut is a faithful portrait of that original, and
we learned that he was the model from whom Galt
sketched his ‘‘ Lawrie Todd.” That sketch by no means
pleased the model; it contained, he says, ‘‘scraps and
mutilated extracts” of his history, and, as he proceeds,
“T have always found that whatever business was laid to
my hand, was best done when I attended to it myself:”
therefore, “I think i owe it to myself to state the simple
truth ;’ and we owe Grant Thorburn no merely cus-
tomary thanks for having paid that which he considered
a debt due to himself, for he has jeft more than one most
amusing and most instructive record how he, an emigrant
nailer, ‘‘ landed on Governeur’s Wharf, New York, with
only three cents in his pocket, and his nail-hammer in
his hand, and rose to have a seedsman’s establishment
the most extensive in America.” This “suggests the
inquiry, How wasit brought about ?” We-will endeavour
to show in his own words.

“JT was born in Dalkeith on the 18th of February,
1773. My father was poor (some are cursed with rich
fathers), honest, and industrious, and by trade a nail-
maker. He was a very strict Scotch Presbyterian, a
Covyenanter, and, like his neighbour and prototype.
Davie the father of Jeannie Deans, an honest man. Our
cottage stood within two miles of Davie Deans’s farm,
within three of the Laird of Dumbiedike’s mansion,”
immortalised in the “ Heart of Mid-Lothian.”

Passing over the incidents of his youth, and as he
verged upon manhood, he relates—“‘In the year 1792,
when the French Revolution had fairly commenced, and
the pulpit and press ‘were teeming with Reform, I joined
the Societies of what were then called ‘The Friends of
the Peopie,’ and in London were termed ‘The Corre-
sponding Sccieties,’ whose ostensible motive was to ob-
tain the reform of parliament by a more equal repre-
sentation ; and in the winter of 1793, with seventeen more

No. 99.—Vou. IV., New SEnres,

of the members of the said Society in Dalkeith, I was
marched a prisoner into Hdinburgh. We entered the
town marshalled two and two through a concourse of
people, one woman among whom, when she saw me
bringing up the rear rank, exclaimed in her broad
Scottish dialect, ‘The Losh presarve us! if the king be
afraid of sie a little fellow as that, I dinna ken what will
become o’ him!’ ”

« The little fellow’? was examined and discharged by
the magistrates; but either he feared he might be led
into overt acts for reform, or he was resolved to live
where there was no king to fear or make afraid—at all
events he sailed for New York with his brother in 1794.
When they arrived they could not land on account of the
expense of living on shore, for they had but six anda
half cents between them. So says our hero, “‘ My brother
and I sat down on the deck, his feet against my feet, and
a wooden-bowl of potatoes between our legs, and began
to scrape the skins off from the potatoes. Whilst thus
employed a hardware merchant came on board, and asked
if there were any nail-makers? I caught the word, and
answered I was one. He was a tall man, and looking
down on me, inquired, with a tone of surprise, ‘ Can you
make nails?’ { answered quickly, ‘I would wager
sixpence (all I had) I would make more nails in a day
than any man in the country.” ‘Thorburn knew he
could make 3320 nails between 6 a.m. and9PM., so he
was tolerably sure of a triumph.

Thorburn and his brother were hired; they were in-
dustrious, obliging, God-fearing young men, so they
were respected and prospered; but we must pass on to
1802, when he thus proceeds—‘ About this time the
ladies of New York were beginning to show their taste
for flowers; and in the fall of the year, when the plants
wanted shifting, preparatory to being placed in the
parlour, I was often asked (for he then kept a grocer’s
shop) for pots of a handsomer quality than the usual red
earthenware. It came into my mind to paint some of
my common flower-pots with green varnish paint. They
sold fast, and to.good advantage. In the April following
I observed a man for the first time selling flower plants
in the Fly Market. As I passed along 7 took a leaf, and
rubbing it between my finger and thumb, asked him for
its name. He answered, ‘a Geranium. This, as far as
I recollect, was the first time I ever heard that there was
a Geranium in the world.”

Thorburn bought two of those Geraniums, sold them
speedily in his “ green-varnished pots,’ and soon found
that it was a ready, profitable trade, and that the pur-
chasers asked for seeds. This set him ‘ thinking thatif
I could get seeds I would be able to sell them; but here
lay the difficulty, as no one sold seeds in New York!”
He soon arranged with the man “inthe Fly Market”
to stay at home and grow plants and seeds, whilst he,
Thorburn, opened a shop and sold them. But war broke
out; he attempted to grow seeds, failed, and in 1815 was
released a whitewashed bankrupt, with a family to
support, and but twelve dollars with which to begin hfe
again.

No. 751.—Von. XXIX., Op SERIES.

128

“Lawrie Todd” was not the man to be cast down, for he |

through life strove to do what he ought to do, and one passage
‘in his morning of life is a fair illustration of the whole until
the shades of its night closed, so we will quote but one—

“One Sabbath morning some young men of our passengers
called at my lodgings.

*«¢ Where are you going to-day ?’ said they.

«6 © Mo church,’ said I.

¢QOh!’ said they, ‘let
us go to Long Island, and
take a stroll in the fields.
Our health requires exer-
cise after being so long on
-ship-board.’

“You may go where you
please,’ said I, “but I go to
ehurch. The last words
my father spoke, as we
parted on the shore of
Scotland, were, ‘‘ Remem-
ber the Sabbath day!” I
shave not so soon forgotten
‘his words.’

“«They went to the
fields, I went to church ;
they spent a few shillings,
Lputa penny in the plate.*
Some of them earned nine
or ten dollars a-week ; I
only received five and a
half. They would get a
light waggon, drive off with
some young ladies, spend
five or six dollars, get
eaughtina thunder-shower
—fine clothes and hats all
spoiled—come home halt-
drunk, rise at eight o’clock
on Monday morning with
aching bones, sore heads,
downcast looks, and guilty
conscience. I went to
church, rose at five o’clock
on Monday morning with
@ sound head, bones and
‘body refreshed and rested,
-entered the labours of the
week with a clear head and
‘quiet conscience. At the
end of the year they had
fine clothes, fine hats, and
‘powdered heads, but I had
@ hundred hard dollars in
the corner of my trunk.
Dhey, having lived fast, all
died young; while I, in
wonsequence of my regular
living, have not been con-
fined a day by sickness in
fifty years.”

In 1815, a friend
having lent him 500
dollars, Thorburn
again commenced
Dusiness as a seeds-
man, and from that
time his life was a
flong succession of
prosperous and hap-
py years

The following example of his “ Advertisement?’
papers, is both characteristic and historic.

Tn 1799 the subscriber commenced business with three pots
of Geraniums, a monthly Rose, and 15 dollars’ worth of seed.

The seede grew till they filled the whole continent—the Rose
Dlossomed till it spread into a tree, and the little birds formed
their nests under its branches, Presently there came forth a

* In accordance with a custom in the Scotch churches, where a plate is

‘always placed at the door on th Fy i ree-wi i
Gf the congresatort e Sabbuth to receive the free-will offerings |

in the public

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ February 17, 1863.

host_of pretenders, boasting of what they could do; they did
nothing. In 1818 appeared William Cobbett. This same

Cobbett, in 1793-4-5, published the ‘ Porcupine’s Gazette’ in
Philadelphia; its object was to prove toa demonstration that
all republics were humbugs—that kings only had a divine right
to reign—and that the Americans were a set of consummate
rebels.

The mob tore down his office, made “ pie” of his types,
and scattered his porcu-
pine quills in their native
air. He fied to England,
returned to New York a
full-blocded radical De-
mocrat, and opened a seed-
shop at 62, Fulton Street,
where he sold ruta baga at
one dollar per pound, and
black pigs for ten dollars
each. For a long space
of time you could hear
nothing in Wall or Ex-
change Streets, but Cob-
bett and his black pigs—
Cobbett and his ruta baga.
The consternation was
similar to that at Frank-
fort, when the man rode
through the streets with
the long nose, and still
the wonder grew whether
the nose was a paper or
a timmer (wooden) nose.
He vowed he would drive
Thorburn from. the boards
with his black pigs and
ruta baga, in less than eix
months. Before twelve he
closed the concern, and
again sailed for England.
Naked he came into Ame-
rica, and naked he re-
turned from thence; his
whole goods and chattels
(a few minor articles ex-
cepted) consisting only of
ruta baga and smoked
hams from the hind quar-
ters of his black pigs; he
shipped one case, however,
which by some estimation
was beyond all price—viz.,
a rough Albany deal board,
formed into a square box,
and in this box was de-
posited the profound skull
and dry boues of the ven-
erated Thomas Paine, au-
thor of “ Common Sense,”
&c. Out of these bones
Cobbett meant to have
made political capital, but
they were seized by the
custom -house at
London for duty,
and eunk (if report
speaks true) in the
deep green sea.

* From this sub-
ject it may be pro-
fitable to observe
how similar are the
i movements of poli-
tical quacks in all countries and at all periods. It is but a few
years since that our political jugglers turned the world upside
down about Morgan, his dry bones and split skull; Lonis
Philippe, too, and his French radicals, must ueeds parade the
hones of Buonaparte wherewith to make a bank political.

_“ But enough of this long preamble. It is only meant to let
his friends know that Grant yet liyes—hie eye as clear, his head
as sound, and his health as good as in 1801—and this being the
first day of spring he is provided with the usual supply of goods

February 17, 1863. ]

(as they say in Prarl Street) to accommodate his friends; and
his being only a branch from the tree at 15, John Street, the
seeds, on trial, will prove good. American and Huropean
flower-seeds just received. Bouquets prepared for the Jadies in
the neatest order. Catalogues gratis. Gentlemen supplied with
pardeners, &¢.—GRantT THORBURN.”

In 1833, on which occasion we saw him, he revisited his
native land, and one of the most touching chapters in his
journal, entitled ‘Men and Manners in Britain,” is that in
which he narrates a gathering at his native town of a select
twenty-five, “ the majority of them my school-fellows fifty years
ago,” and from whom he parted to meet no more, with “ Auld
Lang Syne.” That volume was published in 1835, but the year
previously had appeared his ‘Forty Years in America,” which
met with a very rapid sale, and lured him to repeat himself more
than once; for his “ Fifty Years’ Reminiscences,” published in
1845, and his “Life,” in 1852, are only versions of his first
literary production.

As we recorded last week, this exemplary man died in
America last month, and within a few weeks of completing his
Dinetieth year.

THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

THE annual Meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society was
held at the reoms at South Kensington this day week. A report
of the proceedings will be found in another portion of our
present Number ; but as our space is too limited to introduce
the whole of the report of the Council, including the statement
of accounts, we shall refer to them in the few observations we
now intend to make. It has always been a great disadvantage
that the Reports of the Council could not be procured till the
Fellows entered the room on the morning of the Meeting, and
only a few minutes before the chair was taken. It was utterly
impossible for any one during that brief space to make himeelf
sufficiently master of the financial statements so as to qualify
him for making any observations on the upward or downward
progress of the Society; and several of the Fellows at this
Meeting feeling this, it was very properly resolved that in future
the Reports be prepared a week before the day of meeting, and
that any of the Fellows may be furnished with them on appli-
cation.

Before the day of meeting vague rumours were afloat that the
finances of the Society were again in a precarious condition,
that notwithstanding the large amount which had been received
during a season which for length and splendour few may live to
see the like again, all was spent, and that the Society would
have to raise money on loan to enable it to carry on even for the
present year. We were, however, pleased to hear from the
Chairman that although “the Council would be glad if any-
body would advance them some money, for he had no doubt
they could spend it; still, so far from requiring to borrow,
they had £6000 or £7000 in hand.” This, doubtless, was a
more cheering statement than the one which we had heard;
but, cheering as it might have appeared to the Meeting, the
impression it made on our mind was one of blank disappoint-
ment. It appeared by the statement that the receipts on
Hevenue Account had been £31,059 6s. 1d., and on Capital
Account £17,021 14s. 3d., making in all £48,081 Os. 4d.; and
we certainiy expected to have heard that the Society had at
their credit a sum beyond comparison greater than that stated
by the Chairman. ‘Twelve months ago we were told that the
Society had nearly £16,000 of invested capital, and we had been
living in the fond delusion that this was still safe in India deben-
tures or other equally safe security; but when we are told that
not only this and the whole of the £31,000 Revenue have vanished
with the exception of £6000 or £7000, we naturally feel a strong
measure of disappointment.

Lhe statement, however, seemed satisfactory to the Meeting,
for then the subject dropped, and the business was mainly con-
fined to the complimentary expressions towards the Council
from Colonel Challoner and Mr. Bateman, and to those less
complimentary from Mr. Carter Wood. These, however, are
small matters in comparison to the more vital question of
finance, which ought to form one of the leading subjects at such
a@meeting. It is one which has always been uppermost in the
affairs of the Society; and as the Fellows have an opportunity
only once a-year of meeting to discuss them, every facility ought
to have been provided to enable them to do so.

The accounts appear to us to be very complicated. ast

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 129

year they were arranged under four heads; this year they form
nine. Last year we had a statement of “ Assets and Liabilities,”
this year we haye none; but are obliged to wade through a
maze of facts, figures, and cross entries to our great confusion
and bewilderment.

After devoting a considerable amount of time, and no small
application, we have endeavoured to do for cur readers what the
Council have failed to do for the Society ; and have presented in
the following statement what we conceive to be the actual con-
dition of the finances. We have in fact prepared an account,
showing the available assets and liabilities, with the view of.
finding out where the £6000 or £7000 are, which the Chairman

stated were still at the disposal of the Society.

ASSETS. LIABILITIES.
£ s.d
On capital account ........ 7200 0 0 | On capital account.........
Balance on private ac- Balance against ditto 7 5
COUN Gece eee pe eaece sees 485 110 | On private account ....... 7 6
Ditto on composition ac- Balance on rent account. 295 5 &
COUNL...........seereeeeraee 0469 6 8 | Balance.......,..00108 3lil 9 ©
Dittoin hands of account-
ERT eebered cdosietde onto 519 3
Ditto in hands of the |
Superintendent.......... 146 8 0
£13,396 15 9
—__
Balance in favour of the
SUE ecrcccticccesceecec 3141 9 0

Such, then, is what we conceive, after all the investigation we
can give to the subject, to be the real state of the Society’s
finances; and that instead of between £6000 and £7000, there
is but a trifle over £3000, out of an income of £48,000 !

The next question that naturally follows is, Where has all the
money gone? This we have not time nor space to enter upon
at present, but next week we shall endeavour, if possible, to
clear up this point also.

COUNTRY MEETINGS OF THE ROYAL
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

I am quite pleased with the article in your impression, February
3rd, from the pen of Mr. Anderson with regard to the esta-
blishing of a horticultural society of a migratory character.
His remarks are to the pomt; and I, for one, have no doubt
such a society would be found to work well, either in connection
with present local societies or by itself. Like all others it only
wants a beginning.

Could not the present Royal Horticultural Society hold a
meeting—say at York, in connection with the preseut year’s féte-
held there, which your correspondent does not mention in his list,
although I believe second only to the great shows in London, as
the advertisement says, and very superior to many held under
Royal auspices there? As a proof of this I may say that one of
tbe London exhibitors, who invariably takes the lead in the
open class for Pelargoniums, was signally defeated as York.—
EBoRACUM.

CULTIVATION OF GLOXINIAS.

We admire some plants for their handsome foliage, others
for the beauty and size of their flowers, and some ior their
graceful habits of growth; but when we find these three good
properties combined in a great measure in the Gloxinia, we are
rather surprised that it is not more generally appreciated and
cuitivated. Its fine, rich, trumpet-like flowers—either of distinc
colours, white, crimson, blue, purple, or pink, striped, mottled,
edged, or blotched with carmine, blue, bright rose, and blush—
either rising boldly above or resting on its fine, rich, velvety
large, and beautifully-yeined foliage—give to the whole plant
when properly managed, a fine, massive, and graceful appearance,
like a bouquet handsomely and artistically arranged.

Although Gloxinias generally receive the same treatment as
other tropical plants, and at Kew they succeed admirably in a
stove temperature, nevertheless, amateurs and others who have
a warm greenhouse and a frame heated by dung can grow them
to as great perfection as where they are allowed a higher
temperature,

Sow the seeds in pots of light sandy peat in February; fill
the pots half full of crocks, over which place a layer of moss and

130"

peat, after which sift a little peat and’sand very fine, distributing |
‘the seed evenly thereon. It requires’ no covermg with soil:
Water with a very fine rose, cover with’a bell-glass, and plunge
the potsin bottom heat. In'ten days or a fortnight the plants will
appear. Give air by degrees. When they have formed three or
four leaves transplant them into 60-sized' pots ; and if properly
supplied with heat and moisture’ the’ plants will bloom in the
autumn of the same year. They should not be dried-off until

- the second year, as the small fibres are’not sufficiently strong to
cause them to start vigorously in spring. This’ remark is also
applicable to young plants raised from cuttings.

The stock can be readily inereased, as almost every part of the
Jeaves will form plants if a portion of the midrib be retained in
each cutting. Divide the leaves transversely, place them in pots of
fine sand, cover with a bell-glass, arid plunge in a strong heat ;
in a short time callosities will form at the base of the cuttings.
Repot in good sandy peat; replunging'and covering with a hand-
glass, giving air occasionally. If the plants to be propagated
are very choice, remove them into a large pot, making incisions
on the midrib of the lower leaves, placing a few pebbles on the
leaves to keep them to the soil: this is the safest method. They
will soon root if a good heat is maintained, and may be repotted
immediately, :

February or the beginning of March is the best time for start-
ing the old plants after their winter rest. In potting, the old
soil should be carefully removed from the roots. In planting,
press the roots gently on the surface of the soil, and give them
no, water for some time: The soil should consist.of half peat, one-
‘fourth loam, and one-fourth leaf mould, mixed well together, and

“used in a moderately rough state. A thorough-good drainage of
potsherds is imdispensably necessary. As they progress in growth
and) fill their pots with roots they are to be liberally shifted, not
exactly on the one-shift system, but approximating to it—that
is, from a 48-sized, pot to.a 24, and ultimately to a 16, where
they will attain a size, luxuriance of growth, and profusion of
flowers suitable for exhibition at our horticultural shows or for
-adorning the conservatory. The-soil should be gradually enriched
with some well-rotted dung until they receive their last shift in
which they are to bloom, when more loam with less peat and a
liberal addition of rotten dung may be given, the soil being
used. in a rough state.

After they are all potted remove them to. a. frame where the:
temperature is about 60°, and when they have commenced grow-
ing give them a little water, increasing, the quantity as they
advance in growth. A little air must be given in fine weather.
During their season of blooming a watering. with weak liquid
manure (sheeps’, pigeons’, fowls’ dung, or guano) may be given
occasionally, which will increase the luxuriance of the foliage
and the brilliancy of the flowers.. When done blooming water-
ing to be gradually discontinued, and at last entirely dispensed
with, when they should be removed to any out-of-the-way shelf
in a warm greenhouse for two or three months until Hebruary,
when theseason for a fresh growth arrives. Gloxinia caulescens,
which is unlike any of the others in habit and manner of growth,
with a few other species continue in a growing state all the winter.

The following are good sorts :—

Alba grandiflora.—Pure white.

Argyrostigma splendens.—Deep purple, with white throat, and
foliage beautifully striped.

Anonyma.—Blue lobes, margined with lavender; white mouth
and throat, spotted at the: base.

Aecme.—Blue lobes, edged and prettily markedy with white);
violet throat.

Baronne de Vriere—Mottled lilac.

Beauty.—Pink lobes; pure white mouth and throat.

Brilliant,—Bright' crimson, the lobes margined with rose;
rich violet throat:

Carminata splendens.—¥Wine vich crimson, Jarge flower.

Celestial.—Rose lobes; throat: encircled with deep) violet;
base of the tube white spotted with brown.

Cupid.—Light blue lobes with white markimgs; pure’ white
throat.

Daphne.—Pink, edged with white,

Fairy. —White tube and lobes; the mouth peculiarly en-
circled with violet crimson.

_ Favourite —Bright rose, shaded with crimson; throat en-
circled with violet ; white tube.
Godfrey de Bouillon.—Fine blue. :
Grandis.—Blush, with carmine throat,
Maria Van Houtte,—White and carmine.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ Fébruany 17, 1863,

Lauwretta.— Blue, marbled with: white:

Model.— White, tube pink’ shaded with violet.

Madame Malhbran.—Bright rose.

Napoleon.—Carmine red ‘and white.

Princess Alexandra.— White lobes, marzined with blue.

Princess Beatrice.—Blue, each lobe'spotted with violet; pure’

white throat.

Petoniana.—W hite, with erimson throat.

Spectabilis.—Purple: \

Victoria Regina.—Lilac biush, with intense purple throat.

Pirgimie.—Blush, under lobes bright crimson’; violet’ throat.
W. Krawne.

A FEW DAYS IN IRELAND,

CARTON.
(Concluded from page 118.)

Bur though the scenery in front of the mansion is richly
picturesque rather than bold and striking, there is no want of
the wild and romantic ati Carton, and especially at the glen
through which winds the river Vye. Through the natural and
art-enhanced attractions of that glen, Mr, Hamilton, of Ham
Wood, drove us to Carton. Now the noise of the little river is
heard trattling with some huge boulders, and then its quiet
murmur as it passes over a pebbled bed; now it is lost amid
overhanging masses of foliage, or dimly discernible amid long’
reaches of bullrushes ; and’ anon it comes before us as\a quiet
pool, reflecting like a: mirror the surrounding scenery. The
banks, and especially the right-side one, along which we pass
are’ equally diversified: Here are steep craggy rocks: with the
clefts ot their faces relieved with lichens, mosses; Ceterach offici-
narom, and Asplenium Ruta-muraria and frichomanes—there
are lofty mounds, with loxuviant timber, and trailing: Ivy, and
Ferns disputing for the undergrowth, with some favoured young»
Conifers standing in a conspicuous position. Anon we come to
mounds composed, seemingly, of decayed rocks and wasting
wood, covered with large breadths: of the common’ Polypod, or
relieved with masses of the Blechnum boreale, or fields of Sco~
lopendriums; and then again and again, and varying with these,
on steep banks and mantiling over precipices,:no end of Cistus,
Hypericums, and Helianthemums, &c., all testifying that here the
earnest enthusiasm and the correct judgment of the late Duchess
are as manifest as in the other parts of the demesne, Before
we have' time to: weary we come in front of a deep cascade, and
on its other sidevare delighted with one of the most bemutiful of
artificial lakes,

Crossing above: the cascade to the opposite bank, we pass
through embowering: trees to the cottage’ and cottage garden.
Here we found fine specimens on the. lawn of deciduous and
evergreen trees, but something of the idea:of rusticity was main-
tained throughout. We cannot be eure of the:size of the large
flower garden, but its striking characteristics were twofold.,
First, cireular arches for climbers, with rich wreathed festoons
going to a good height at the centre. Then secondly, though
there were plenty of Calceolarias, Geraniuras, and such Crystal
Palace Dahlias as for height and fulness: of bloom we have:
scarcely ever seen equalled, the grand features: were beds of
Pentstemons, Fuchsias, Phloxes, Asters, Antirrhinums, &c., in
the good\old flower-garden style. Amother very attractive though
somewhat sad subject was the fine old man, the»gardener, Mr.
Abercrombie, packed im a large easy chair on wheels, basking
in the sun and taking cognisance of the work, as: from rheuma~
tism and paralysis. he had long been’ unable to walk. Long
may he veign in his little province under suchkind and generous
sovereignty: f ;

Several pits and frames out of sight sapply the plants for this
garden, and five men are regularly employed to keep'it and the:
lawn, &c., round it in order. The cottage, chiefly im the Swiss
style, is for the residence of the gardener, and a portion is set
apart for the family and’ their friends. The dry rot had attacked
the wood, and the whole was undergoing repair, the:roof/bemg:
renewed by an outside covering of small rounded tiles of a dull
colour so asinot to interfere with the general outline. On entering?
the large reception-room’ one felt as if carried by an enchanter
to revel amid the gorgeous beauties of fairyland. The whole
of the arched and ribbed roof and walls: (unless where there was:
a mirror to reflect the beauties and enhance the dimensions),
was) covered by shells of every imaginable size, form, and colour.
The beautiful arrangements, the exquisite/designs, and the con-'
trasts, the blending’ and shading of’ colours, must’ be’ seen to be

February 17, 1863. ]

appreciated. We forgot how very long a time was required to
finish this work. It remains 2 monument of the artistic and
refined taste of the late Duchess, who, we were informed, planued
all the arrangements and had every arch and panel fitted on
the table, or the floor, before the shells were fixed into their
places. Delightful as were the effects under a shaded light
during’ the day, it must be still more dazzling under a strong
light at night. In our boyish days we have experienced ecstatic
delight, lolling on a hedgebank and reading the poems of Ossian ;
but no such hall as this could eyer have been imagined by the
warrior poet in which to hold tho foast of shells.

We can well understand the interest that the noble Duke
takes in this lovely spot, even from the force of past associations.
Here we met and were introduced to him as he was superintend-
ing these repairs, and carrying an axe and a saw over his shoulder
in regular woodman carpenter-fushion, and no doubt owing
much of the hale vigour he possesses to such exercise and em-
ployment in the open air. Like other Irish gentlemen he play-
fully quizzed us about the barbarism of Ireland; and most
‘kindly alluded to signs of improvement, and his hopes of still
preater advancement when ignorance and prejudice should be
more removed. If we have helped at all to give a better idea of
what is doing in Ireland, these papers will not have been written
in yain. Much of the success of the Duke in effecting improve-
ments and inducing others to imitate his example we should be
inclined to ascribe to his large-hearted kindness and courtesy.
In conyerse you are so apt to forget the dignity, and to esteem

GARDENER'S ,

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

131

the man, that ever and anon the rough doric but expressive lines
of Burns respecting Lord Daer come tilting over tho memory—
*‘The fient a pride, nae pride had he,
Nor sauce, nor state, that I could see,
Mair than an honest ploughman,”?

Tn returning, and crossing the bridge at the cascade, we must
notice two things. First, the strong, almost violent, contrast be-
tween the river below and the noble lake above, the first in its
natural state and well supplied with weeds and rushes, but in
unison with the character of the glen; the second, in its bright
silver sheen without a weed or a rush on ifs bosom to mar the
rich picturesque effect of its lawn and wooded banks and islands.
Again: We have rather an imperfect recollection of the bridge,
but the impression left on our mind is, that it is more in cheruc-
ter with the glen than the massive splendour of the lake. The
lovers of strong contrasts would prefer matters as they are. The
lovers of the harmonious would prefer a dash of uniformity
between the river immediately below and the lake above the
cascade which dams back the water. There are five islands on
the lake, one of which is called the Prince of Wales’s Island,
from being finished on the day on which he was born, and a
Wellingtonia was planted on it by His Royal Highness on his
visit to Carton in the summer of 1861. We should roughly
estimate the size of the lake to be about sixty acres. he last
improvements cost above £2000. ‘The purity of the water and
freedom from weeds are secured by firmly macadamising and
grouting the bottom of the lake, and, in addition, forming an

WI) 2h EN ; APRICOTS

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PLAN OF KITCHEN GARDEN AT CARTON.

open culvert deeper along its centre, by means of which any
mud, &e., that may accumulate can be removed.

Leaving this fine lake, we cross the park as a near cut to the
kitehen garden, which contains nine acres within tho walls.
Instead of a description we will merely mention a few prominent
points. Hirst, there is a large commodious gardener’s house
close to the main entrance, looking very picturesque with its
walls covered with Jasmines, Roses, and Honeysuckles. As a
general rule, gardeners’ houses are much more comfortable and
suitable in Ireland and Scotland than they are in England.
There have, of late, been many wortky exceptious, but it is too
true that many gardeners’ residences are still little better than
sheds. In other cases, in addition to inconvenience and want
of room, the house is often a mile or more from the garden, and
very likely no young man kept on the premises, and yet forcing
must be attended to. Can we really have any sympathy with
gentlemen when ‘they complain of their coal bill in such cir-
cumstances? ‘Could any reasonable man find fault with us if

we adopted means which would prevent the necessity of watching
the changes in the sky, and after the labours of the day trotting
between house and garden and garden and house for the best
part of the evening? ‘The true remedy is to enable a gardener
to take his lantern and examine the condition of his houses in
a few minutes,

Secondly, fine massive gates admit to the main entrance,
with a walk to the right, and a walk to the left, and a walk
in a diagonal line right before you. “hese diagonal walks,
as in the case of Lough Crew, take away the sameness of
square quarters, though, perhaps, lessening simplicity in the
modes of cultivation. These walks, like those in the pleasure
ground, were examples of cleanness; and by the sides of the
main ones low rows of flowers were grown. We noticed the best
rows of Nemophila insignis we ever saw in the autumm, by itself,
and also mixed with Mignonette.

Thirdly, vegetables for the coming winter seemed to be abun-
dant, and fruit trees looked healthy and well stored with buds.

132 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

Fourthly, the walls were of great extent—3974 feet in length,
and 14 feet in height. The trees, and especially the younger
ones, were in excellent condition; and each kind of tree, as
Peach, Apricot, Cherry, Plum, Pear, &c., was kept to its appro-
priate wall—thus, in addition to other advantages, securing more
variety than any mere mixture could accomplish.

Fifthly, most of the walls were in excellent order, but others
were showing signs of rottenness and decay. These were all
being thoroughly repaired; and to enable the work to be
properly done men were taking up large Pear trees, pruning
the roots, and covering them over until the wall was ready
to receive them. Lengths of wall so managed in 1860 were
looking beautiful in 1861, after being replanted in fresh soil.
Several more borders and walls have since been done in the
same way, and younger trees becoming too rampant have also
been lifted and replanted.

Sixthly, besides a large house, &c., in the Melon-ground, the
main range of houses is 320 feet in length, 14 feet in width,
and 14 feet in height at the back. Neatness and order were
everywhere apparent, with neat paths near the back of the
vineries. ‘The range is divided into four vineries each 26 feet
long, four Peach-houses ditto, and a Fig-house and conservatory
in the centre. The wood in all the earlier houses was ripening
well, and in the late vineries there was just too heavy a crop.
The Vines had been given to shanking, but were cured, though
old plants, by lifting and replanting in fresh soil. The vineries,
Fig-house, and conservatory, and houses in Melon ground, were
most efficiently heated a few years ago from oue boiler by Mr.
Meredith, Garston, Liverpool. The Peach-houses are still chiefly
‘managed by flues.

Lastly, though in the vineries and in the regular plant-house
‘there were many of the more common and fashionable plants
nicely grown, there seemed to be a want of that rarity and great
variety in the way of collections which we would naturally
associate with such a magnificent place. We also forget noticing
much in the way of pits—those useful auxiliaries for forwarding
early iruits, flowers, and vegetables, and which must be necessary
to Mr. James even for securing plants for the flower garden,
unless, like people in our small way, he turns his fruit-houses
to such purposes in winter. We regret very much that, owing to
@ previous arrangement, we had so little of Mr. James’s good
<ompany; as, had we laid him under contribution for a day,
we might have told a more definite story about Carton instead
-of confining ourselves to its more salient points.

Lhe home demesne consists of more than a thousand acres
of rich fertile land, 50 of that being in meadow, 50 under
crops, 520 in pasture, 314 in woods, and about 80 in water and
roads. The whole is devoted to the keep of a large stud of
horses, a splendid lot of milch cows, and a large stock of bullocks
and sheep, to meet the supply needed for such a large establish-
ment. A good number of horses and a large staff of men are
constantly employed in carrying on improvements. On leaving
Carton we could not help wishing that the noble owner might
jong remain to stimulate such industry and improvement, and
that when, in the course of nature, he should be called home,
there should be son, and sons, and sons to come, to inberit not
-ouly his honours and his dignities, but also that warm-hearted
‘kindness, that strong faith, and firm hope which prevented him,
-even in the darkest times, from ever despairing of the future
greatness and prosperity of the Emerald Isle. R. Fisx.

THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY’S
ANNUAL MEETING.

Tne Annual Meeting of this Society was held on Tuesday
Jast, the 10th inst. ; and in consequence of some unsatisfactory
rumours which had been afloat for some days previously with
regard to the Society’s financial condition, it was looked forward
to with some degree of uneasiness by those interested in the
Society’s welfare. The chair haying been taken by Sir C. Went-
worth Dilke, Bart., the first proceeding was to read the Report
of the Council, upon which the Chairman invited discussion.

Colonel Cuattonzr then rose and ssid—That as the present
was, he believed, the only moment when the Fellows could
address the Council he would make a few observations. He
expressed great satisfaction at the way in which affairs had been
carried on, and congratulated the Council on the success attend-
ing their exertions ; at the same time it was impossibie to bring
forth arrangements to which exception might not be taken by

[ February 17, 1863.

some. He, for one, objected to the day fixed for the inaugura-
tion of the Memorial of the Exhibition of 1851 (the 5th of
June), that being in Ascot week, and, consequently, many
would be unable to attend the ceremony who would desire to be
present.

Then, he had been asked by a number of the oldest members
of the Society, to make a request to the Council. These mem-
bers felt that the character of the Society had not been raised
but lowered by the adoption of 6d. admissions to the public, and,
paying four guineas a-year, they had imagined they had some
guarantee for the character of the company. They, therefore,
wished for a more restricted admission of the public.

The next point was the gardens. Nothing could be better
than the flat geometrical parterres, but those on the side of the
sloping banks were contrary to all rules of landscape-gardening,
and he would wish to see them removed. He concluded by
observing that a vote of thanks to the Council would not be
misplaced on account of their great attention to the interests of
the Society.

Mr. J. Carter Woop then severely adverted to the bare and
desolate appearance of the garden in winter, and the state of the
arcades, which looked like brick sheds ; and he thought that the
members were entitled to expect the Council to give them a quiet
and comfortable walk in winter, otherwise he considered the
Society would not go on increasing. -

In connection with this subject a letter from Dr, Cooper,
containing suggestions for the improvement of the garden was
read. It stated that the arcades were generally admitted to be
in their present state unsightly, neither affording shelter in
winter, nor shade in summer. It was, therefore, suggested that
they be covered with glass, heated, and plants introduced, so as
to form a winter promenade. This might be effected at a cost
of £10,000. With regard to the conservatory, a marble fountain
should be erected in the centre and two aviaries in the gailery,
and tessellated pavement should be laid down. As tothe garden,
planting should be carried out, but that would be best left to
Mr. Eyles.

Colonel Witson said he did not agree with Colonel Challoner
about visitors not being admitted for 6d., such admission
enabling a vast number of persons to see the gardens who would
not otherwise be able to do so; and he thought that the public
might be admitted one day a-week on these terms with advan-
tage to themselves and the Society. He congratulated the
Council on the prosperous state of the Society.

Mr. H. G. Boxy, was glad to find the gardens prosperous,
and hoped that in future the Reports would be sent out a week
or ten days before the Anniversary, as it was impossible to form
an exact opinion of the balance-sheet when only received a
quarter of an hour before the Meeting. He had heard that they
had spent all their money, and that they would require to
borrow to enable them to go on; he hoped the Chairman would
inform the Meeting of the exact: state of the finances.

Alderman Copetanp thought that, had it not been for the
exhibitions which took up so much of the time and attention of
the officers, the gardens would have been better; but even as
it was everything was well done, and evinced aetivity and good
management. With regard to converting the arcades into a
winter garden, he did not see how the money was to be raised
except by doubling the subscriptions.

The Cuarrman in replying to the various observations and
suggestions which had been made said, that with reference to the
day fixed for the uncovering of the Memorial (the 5th of June),
there was a difficulty. That day was fixed upon as being the
anniversary of the opening of the garden by the Prince Consort,
the Exhibition of the Botanic Society was on the 3rd, the
Society’s own Shows were a week before and a week after, and
he did not see how it could be bettered. If it had been wished,
the highest personage in these realms would have uncovered it
herself; but he felt—they all felt—that such a mournful task
would be demanding too much of her fortitude of mind. He
had to acertain extent been consulted in the matter, but he
would endeavour to get the opinion of the Prince of Wales,
still he had very little hope of a change in the day; neverthe-
less, he would consult those connected with His Royal High-
ness. He thought that the uncovering of the Memorial would
be the first public occasion on which the future Princess of
Wales would appear after her marriage.

Colonel Challoner had taken exception to the admission at 6d.
In the present year there would be no 6d. or 1s, admission, the
public would only be admitted on payment of 2s. 6d. He

ee

ee

st BP tn

Sele

February 17,1863. ]

thought it would take much time before the taste of the general

public would be sufficiently advanced to require the admission

to be reduced to 6d., especially when there were such attractions

as Richmond Hill. But when all things were settled he thought

one day a-week might be devoted to their. admission at this
rice.

Then with reference tothe parterres on the slopes, they have
the advantage of looking bright in winter, but there are many
points in Mr. Nesfield’s plan which may be modified. He ad-
vocated the introduction of Lilacs, Laburnums, &c., into the
gardens. A great mistake was made last year in the grounds
being rendered beautiful at a time when the public could not
enjoy them. With respect to the conservatory, of course a good
deal could be done, but the cost was a consideration. He thought
that a portion only of the parterres should be retained, as they
required an enormous quantity of bedding plants to fill them.

With respect to the arcades, he thought not much could be
done at present. Government proposed last year to take a con-
siderable portion of the arcades, but for some reason the pro-
position fell to the ground. Negociations, however, were going
on, and he believed that some portion of the ground would be
covered with public buildings; and, if so, something would be
done with the remainder. He was inclined to vote for glazing
the arcades, but not for heating them on account of the expense,
and without heat many plants could be grown. Besides, the
arcades were not the Society’s under agreement, and though
they could use them they could not pull them down or alter
them without the consent of the Commissioners of 1851. He
quite agreed as to the desirability of a fountain in the con-
servatory, but thought the latter was too small for one. He
also acquiesced in the suggestion of tessellated pavement if the
expense could be incurred, but that was the obstacle.

With regard to the finances, it was not true that the Society
would require to borrow more money to carry on. If anybody
would advance them a little money he had no doubt they could
spend it, but they were not quite come to that pass yet; they
had still £6000 or £7000 at command.

Two points still remained to be alluded to. The first was,
that it was always contemplated to have a reading-rcom with
books and periodicals, and it is proposed to fill the recesses in
the Council-room with such and convert it into a reading-room,
which shall be open every day except Sundays and féfe days.
The next was—that they could not separate without taking
notice of the retirement of Dr. Lindley. He had worked for
forty-one years in the interests of the Society in a way that few
have strength to support, and the Council had come to the
decision that a portrait of him should be taken at their own
charge, as it was they who had been most in contact with him,
and they alone knew the enormous amount of work he had had
to go through.

Colonel CHALONER here called attention to “that tent—that
horrible tent,” which had been remarked upon by many, and he
asked if an alteration could not be made.

The CwarrMan in reply said—That half of those whose
opinions were taken were in favour of the colonnades, and the
other half in favour of tents. The one party alleged the superior
dryness of the arcades, the other that plants never look so well
as under tents. The tents last year were on too large a scale,
and though erected in a sheltered spot one came down. Prac-
tical men were quite unanimous in fayour of tents as being the
most suitable, but if Government should take a portion of the
arcades there would then, doubtless, be a permanent building.

Alderman CopELAND suggested on the part of the members
that Dr. Lindley should be presented with a piece of plate.

Mr. Barrman bore willing testimony to the constant urbanity
and assiduity with which Dr. Lindley discharged his duties, and
thought something more should be done than the portrait.

Colonel Witson moved that the Council be requested to
adhere to the day fixed upon for uncovering the Memorial, and
the motion was seconded by Mr. Bohn and carried.

The thanks of the Meeting were next unanimously voted to
Dr. Lindley.

It was then moved by Mr. Bonn, and seconded by Colonel
Witson, that the annual report and ballot papers be circulated
among the members a week previous to the Anniversary, and
this motion was agreed to be carried out, as far as practicable,
without a division.

The ballot for new members of the Council and officers for
the ensuing year was then proceeded with, when Sir Daniel
Cooper, Bart., the Rev. Joshua Dix, and J. Kelk, Hsq., were

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

133

elected new members of Council in the room of Earl Somers,
the Bishop of Winchester, and H. Pownall, Esq., who retire ;
William Wilson Saunders, Esq., Secretary, in room of Dr.
Lindley ; and J. Clutton Hsq., Treasurer.

WEEDS ON GRAVEL WALKS.

Your correspondent “JarpiniER”’ should, if he has not
already done so, try sulphuric acid solution upon these great
disfigurements. I was very much troubled with weeds, and
particularly that exceedingly annoying one, Couch, on my
paths about two years ago, and tried both powdered salt and
solutions of corrosive sublimate without much success. Hither
of these would certainly destroy Groundsel, and the small
annual grasses, but against Couch, Dandelion, and Dock, they
were powerless. My ground being a strong clay, mere hand-
weeding was uearly useless, the longer roots breaking in the soil,
and reappearing fresh and lively in a few weeks. I at last tried
a solution of about a pint of acid in four gallons of water, and
I had a complete victory over my enemies, the mixture appearing
not only to destroy the tops of the weeds, but also to corrode
the roots themselves. The common vitriol can be procured.
at any oilman’s for 3d. a-pound, and probably for less, for
a large quantity. I apply it (mixing it in a well-painted pail)
with a small watering-pot, a slight sprinkling being quite suffi-
cient for ordinary weeds. A weaker mixture than the above
would kill Groundsel, &c. If the path hisses softly, the solution
has sufficient acid. his mixture does not make the path
“‘sodden”’ like salt. It should be put on in dry weather, or
the rain will weaken its effect, besides washing it down to the
edgings, where it may exercise its virtues undesirably. If this
hint is of any use to your correspondent he is quite welcome to
it from—Lex.

(Does not the acid injure boots and shoes that touch it?—
Eps. |

MILDNESS OF THE SEASON.

Tr is generally acknowledged that the present winter has
hitherto been an unusually mild one. In some localities, how-
ever, it appears to have been less so than in others. Cornwall
has experienced sharper frosts than Kent; while, in the opposite
corner of our triangular-shaped kingdom, Northumberland, I
am told ice was 4 or 5 inches thick in November; and in some
of the central counties frost, more or less severe, was also ex-
perienced at that time. Since then the two months we generally
experience the greatest amount of cold in (December and January)
have passed away with fewer frosty days, and those less intense,
than we have often known in April; and up to the time I write
(the 10th of February) it still continues mild. I speak of this
district, Kent, where the sharpest frost we have had since the
23rd of November has only been 5°, the thermometer sinking
to 27°.

It is almost needless to say that such an unusual period of
mildness is of rare occurrence, and it is equally singular that
vegetation should have made so little progress during that time.
The buds of Gooseberries are but little in advance of what they
usually are in ordinary winters, and the same is the case with
other trees.

Herbaceous vegetation has, however, kept growing; fields of
Turnips as well as grass fields showing the rich tender green of
spring, and in gardens the Borecole and Cabbage tribe have
had no check. Unfortunately, the latter may not have had
sufficient to prevent its running to flower, which evil is likely to
befall Celery a month before the usual time, and autumn-sown
Peas are likely to be too vigorous to stand the cold that may
possibly come yet.

In the flower garden the frost we had in November so far
injured or killed most things that they were then removed ; but
I find some variegated Geraniums that were left in some rustic
vases, in no way protected excepting by their own leaves, are
alive and sprouting out afresh in their stems ; and Calceolarias
have grown considerably, both old plants left in the ground and
the cuttings put into a cold frame in the latter end of October ;
the latter had grown so much that I was obliged a few days ago
to thin them out, and put in another batch of cuttings in the
same place, which I have no doubt will do pretty well. :

I may add that some cuttings of Geraniums were put into
a cold pit early in September to strike in order to be taken up

134

and kept in boxes and pans elsewhere during the winter, but
they were not all wanted, and consequently were left {o their fate
in this cold pit, with nothing over them but a single light, and
they alzoost touching the glass; yet the frost we had at that
time, and the damp and neglect which followed, have not entirely
killed them, as several are still alive and pushing out fresh
leaves amongst the mass of dead and decaying ones by which
they are surrounded. The pit is quite exposed, but their having
abundance of air sideways, is, perhaps, the reason of their
escaping the evil effects of 30 much damp weather ; for, although
. we have not had many heavy rains in the last two months, my
register records twenty rainy days in December and twenty-six
in January, with little sun either month. In fact, the absence
of sunshine these two months has been anything but) favourable
to the preservation of bedding Geraniums in the places they are
usually kept; for, if bemg too mild to require fire heat, there
was an unwillingness to burn fuel to no purpose, while at the
same time there was not that dryness of atmosphere necessary
to protect.a tender half-rooted cutting from succumbing to the
decaying influences by which if was surrounded. Other plants
more able to withstand damp than fire heat have, of course,
suffered less; and many Verbenas and such like that were left
out of doors will doubtless produce cuttings that may be turned
te account; but all ours were destroyed when they were no longer
ornamental.

It would be easy to point out other instances of the milduess of
the season, as Primroses having been in flower since September,
and Huchsias budding up to the tip ends of the last year’s shoots ;
but anxieties are more directed towards the future. And ifany
confidence can be placed im predictions it is easy to find out
what is said about the weather to come. Unfortunately the
mistakes of the weather-prophetsas to the past give us little
confidence in their foretellings of the future.—J. RoBson.

SELECTION OF SEEDS FOR A KITCHEN
GARDEN.

In a late Number of Tur JouRNaL oF HORTICULTURE was
given a list of vegetable seeds suitable for an ordinary kitchen
garden. As regards quantity, this list gave just such a pro-
portion of each kind of seed as I should choose for a kitchen
garden of, say, an acre; but as regards the quality and selection
something more is required, and on these points it is no easy
matter to give any definite statement suitable for all localities
and all kinds of soils. I have chiefly had to deal with small
kitchen gardens, considerably less than an acre in extent, and
of various kinds of soil, from a light loam to.a stiff marl, and yet
I have found that the quality or selection of seeds is of far less
importance than the management of them, and the cultivation of
the soil.

It will be seen from my former remarks, that I regard plenty
of room as one of the most essential pots in good culture.
However small the space may be, let the quantity sown be smail
in proportion, so that when the plants grow the air may cir-
culate about them, and the light shine on them from all parts,
and they will not be drawn-up into making a superfluity of leaf
and stalk, which wastes the energies of the plant in making
grosth which is not required by the cultivator.

T also regard moisture as most essential to vegetation during
the period of growth, and where the soil is of such a nature that
moisture quickly evaporates, endeavour either to preyent its
doing so by mulching, or supply the loss abundantly from the
water-pot. Beyond this, plants require sustenance, to be given
in the form of manure, which should be in such a state that
they can appropriate at at once. Again: The surface of the
soil should be pulverised, and subjected to the action of the air
as Nature intended it should be. I do not find in Nature any
such thing as throwing up the ground to the surface from a
depth of 3 or 4 feet, in order that plants may luxuriate in the
soil thus thrown up. In this I think we are apt to steer too
wide of what Nature teaches, and this applies more particularly
to small gardens, where a larger amount of labour is given in
proportion to what gardens of greater size receive. I think if
these points were fully considered.and acted upon, there would be
little difference found in the result of the management of different
kinds of soil; at least, I have found the difference not so great

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COLLAGE GARDENER.

apparent toany observer.

as many would have us believe.
With regard to the selection of seeds, I can confidently |
affirm, that report appears to me to exaggerate the qualities of |

[ February 17, 1863.

various sorts, and that what are spoken of as distinct varieties
have turned out'so nearly alike, that the difference has been im-
perceptible to the ordinary observer, and that more difference
is found to result from different management, difference im the
season, and like causes, than from any difference in the sorts.
I have grown a dozen varieties assumed to be distinct, of late
Broccoli, and found no more difference in them than if they
all had come from the same packet; and every reader of THE
JOURNAL OF HoRTICULTURE must be aware of the number of
names given to what have proved to be one and thejsame sort.
But, then, we know there are sorts that really have a distinction,
and this sometimes of a very wide nature; for instance, in the
various gorts of Peas, where none would mistake the. Himperor
for the Scimetar, cither in, the seed, or in any stage of growth.
The Potato and the Lettuce also offer similar distinctions. It
is a gardener’s duty to make himself properly acquainted with
these distinctions and other points im the selection of seeds, so
that he may be enabled to lay before his employer a list in every
way suitable for a proper succession, adapted to the space, and
also to. some extent, if possible, to the nature of the ground.

T have seen much relative to the making of seed lists, and
a3 arule, I haye observed that quantity is given the precedence,
and that the selection is either a yearly repetition, or that such
sorts are inserted as are most highly recommended im the cata-
logues; but the employers find no perceptible difference. Some
particular crop may, it is true, come extra fine, and this more by
chance than management, for it is tried again the next season
with a very different vesult. I haye been in the habit for years
past of making out a fresh lish every season, and haye tried
such sort of Peas, &c.; as are reported of superior quality ; but
T have also found that suitable treatment is necessary to bring
out those superior qualities, and what that treatment is will be
It is no use trying to evade the fact,
that to bring out the good qualities of any plant, it must be in
the hands of one who understands how to do so, and is willing
to apply the means.

A seed list such as I should make out for half an acre of
kitchen garden would contain about 5 quarts of Peas, 1 each of
Sangster’s No. 1, or Emperor, Auvergne, Champion of England,
Imperial, and some tall sort, as Ne Plus Ultra or British Queen,
for if properly treated these bear largely and continuously ;
from 2 to 6 quarts of Broad Beans, according as they are liked
or not; 1 pint of Scarlet Ruunmers; 1 of Dwarf Kidney Beans);
Carrot, 2 ozs. of Harly Horn ;.3 ozs. of a large keeping kind,
as Long Surrey or Altrincham; 2 ozs. Parsnip; 2 ozs. Beet ;
Onion, White Globe, 2 ozs., Lisbon, 2 028.; Spinach, 2 quarts,
1 of Round-leaved and 1 of Prickly-seeded; Early Dutch Turnip,
2 ozs., White Stone Turnip, 2 ozs.; Savoy, and Brussels Sprouts,
half an ounceeach. Of Hnfield Market Cabbage, Green Coleworts,
Walcheren, Early Cape, Purple Late Sprouting, and Miller's
Dwarf Broccoli—Mammoth Celery, Incomparable Dwarf White
Celery—White Cos, Brown Cos, White or Victoria Cabbage,
and Hardy Hammersmith Lettuce—and of Endive, there should
be half an ounce each. Other salads and herbs in proportion.

This I merely give asa sample of what I should consider as
a fair proportion of what seeds would be required forthe space

‘and how I should select them; but I do not.say that the list

should be exactly the same every year, or that I should select
more than once in that manner. Ear would I be from recom-
mending it as a guide to others; such matters are best left to
those who alone have to deal with local circumstances, and who
can, or at least should, be the best judges in the matter.

I simply write this in answer to “AN Oxp SUBSCRIBER,”
who expresses interest in my former remarks, and so far I am
glad to learn that they have been weceiyed with any interest
at all; but Iam also sorry if they have caused any unpleasant-
ness between the employer and employed. ‘There is such a
thing in the world as trying to please all parties and pleasing
no one, and when one is pleased another is displeased ; but it
is very difficult indeed to please all alike. If any dispute should
have arisen between this employer and his gardener through what
T have said, it is inadvertently on my part when trying to point
out what I have found successful. But on the part of gardeners
I must say that, although they do not always make the most
of the means at their command, those means are more often
too limited than otherwise, and that; many of them haye to work
against adverse circumstances until they become tixed of it and
careless/of the results. ; :

There is one part of “AN Oxp SupscRIBEe’s”’ letter which
rather surprises me. .1 haye always found that ‘both Sea-kale

February 17, 1863. ]

and Rhubarb can be grown if not forced as cheaply as, if not
cheaper than, they can be bought. In fact, [have found that they
will both grow luxuriantly almost anywhere and with little
trouble; and if they can be bought cheaper than they can be
grown it says very little either for the ground or the manage-
ment. But stony loam is not the best soil in the world,
although, as I said before, any soil may be made productive
under proper management.—F. CuIrry.

HEATING HORTICULTURAL BUILDINGS.
(Concluded from page 112.)

Heatine By Fruzs.—I mentioned some few weeks ago that
an extensive range of forcing and other houses at Rayensworth
Castle, in the county of Durham, was heated by flues which had
been in use more than half a century. Doubtless they have been
repaired, and, perhaps, altered during that time; still they do
their work well, and I do not know whether I should like a
change to hot water in such a place, although, as I believe,
within a circuit of five miles of the Castle, scores of miles of cast-
iron pipes are made every year, and there is rarely a day passes
but the sound of boiler-building is heard.

Flues haye their advantages, and I am no enemy to flues
when well constructed, and when used in such a place as the
one I speak of where coals are cheap. The flue is also less liable
to accident than hot water, and when a misfortune does happen
it is much more easily rectified. Most men could find some-
thing to stop a leaky flue, but it requires days and the assistance
of practical hands to repair a cracked boiler. I know of no
way of renovating a cast-iron boiler but by replacing it with a
new one, and this, perhaps, may have to be done at a time when
the external thermometer may be 15° or more below the freezing-
point. I by no means wish to detract from the merits of hot
water—I only desire to give the flue its due; and if both modes
of heating had had an equal amount of attention bestowed on
their improvement, it is probable that that by means of flues
would haye arrived at a higher degree of perfection than it has yet
attained. Still some advance has been made, and a plan my
worthy employer allowed me to adopt here some five or six
years ago haying answered so well, I will at once describe it.

Having built two half-span-roofed houses, each 36. feet long
by about 14 feet wide, and of a proportionate height for green-
house plants of various kinds not requiring a high temperature,
I thought it was needless to incur the expense of a hot-water
apparatus, for the houses, being at some distance from the others,
could not be heated by the existing means. It was, there-
fore, determined to try the old flue. The houses in question
contained a broad front shelf or platform of about 3 feet wide,
and then a path, the remainder being shelves to the back wall,
and the doors entering at the ends opposite the path, which went
straight through. The mode of heating has nothing unusual
about it, for behind the back wall and in the centre where the
partition was the fireplaces were dug, and a flue goes round each
house. The two fireplaces are low enough to allow the smoke
in the first instance to ascend a little. The flue at its com-
mencement is of brickwork with stone covers, and so low that
the covers are on a level with the pathway. It gradually rises
as it turns under the front shelf, and about 2% feet of this portion
is afso brick. The remainder of that under the shelf is cement
pipe 12 inches in diameter, until near the farther end where a
short length of brick flue descends to the level of the pathway,
and the fiue of cement pipe returns along the back wall again,
finally passing upwards in a chimney over the fireplaces.

Now, there is nothing new in this, excepting the use of
cement pipes, and I may safely say they do their duty well.
Like eyery one who has occasion to put a fire into a flue that
has long been out of use and is damp, I find a little escape
of smoke is sure to ensue; yet, strange to say, such escape has
always been from the brick flues and not from the cement pipes.
T have not had occasion to clean the flues out yet; but the
arrangement of having the slanting covers at the ends to take
off readily will render the cleaning-out of the pipe an easy
matter.

A less-sized pipe might have been advised by some, but it
must be observed the houses are far from being small, and a
less pipe would require cleaning-cnt much more frequently ;
besides the expense is not a serious matter, and the pipes being
about an inch thick or a little more, they heat quickly. They
will, it is true, also cool quickly, but this is of much less con-

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

135

sequence ; for assuming the atmosphere of the house to be at 45°
at four in the morning and the fire then to go out, the heated
flue and warm atmosphere in the house would hardly suffer a
diminution of temperature likely to be hurtful before morning,
unless the frost were very severe indeed, or the house in-
differently glazed. I may add, that I have never found any
such inconvenience.

The pipes are 30 inches long and fit into each other, requiring
but very little cement to set them. I believe the best kind of
pipes for standing fire to be those made of Portland cement ;
but we have some made of Roman cement that stand very well.
I have been told by the maker that he has had a Portland
cement pipe heated by charcoal and over a blast almost to a
white heat without any injury being done to it, and such heats
are never wanted in flues. As the readers of THE JOURNAL OF
HorticULTuRE may wish to know all particulars, I will at once
state that the cost of Roman cement pipe of the kind used was,
at Maidstone where it is made, 1s. 1d. per foot run. The Port-
land cement one was, I believe, 1s. 6d. per foot. Both inside
and outside they are round, only a flattened surface is added to
the bottom for them to rest on. Ours rest on slender brick pillars
at the ends, the other part being all above ground, and the
appearance being far from unsightly.

Hearine By Hor Water.—Although I have had something
to do with hot-water heating for about thirty years, I am far
from certain which is the best plan yet. Some systems are
certainly bad, and have, consequently, fallen into disuse; while
others, as, for instance, Perkins’, are hardly adapted for horti-
cultural buildings, besides being very expensive; and again,
Kewley’s plan has so many disadvantages that if cannot be
recommended. There is, however, one old plan which I think
rather hastily fell to the ground, without that fair trial which
might have given it popularity. Unfortunately, the inventor
patented his contrivance, which was an open gutter pipe with
a moveable covering, which could be taken off either wholly or
in part. I think this was Corbett’s plan; but the fear of in-
fringing the patent-right prevented, at the time, further im-
provement, and I think the plan has fallen into oblivion. The
principal object of after-inventors has been to contrive a boiler
capable of doing more work than any hitherto in use, and boilers
ef all shapes and forms have been brought before the public.
Not the least useful among these was Sampson’s spiral boiler,
which was over the furnace, but continued in a spiral form
round the chimney. ‘he setting was an easy affair. I only
mention this boiler as one not generally known.

The other classes of tubular, conical, retort, and saddle boilers
have been so often before the reader as to require no explana-
tion here; neither will I undertake to say which is the best, as
so much depends on circumstances. I cannot, however, but
observe that the old saddle boiler is by no means bad, and of our
six boilers two of them are of that kind. The conical form may
certainly economise fuel a little more; but it necessitates that fuel
being of a particular kind, and is on that account objectionable,
but they may be set so as to be heated by a wood fire; or any
kind of rubbish that comes to hand may be burnt underneath.
They may also often be left without attendance for a very long
time with safety, not but that other boilers have equal advantages
in this respect. I have known a coil of pipes to form the boiler,
and it was said to do its work well; in fact, Perkins’ heating
apparatus is of this kind; but the one I allude to was much
larger than Perkins’.

I am also told the retort isa good boiler, but I have neither
seen that nor Messenger’s at work: therefore, I can only speak
by report. There is little doubt but those tubular boilers of
Messrs. Weeks and of Mr. Ormson will heat the quickest; the
only fear is, with so much complication of parts some place
may give way at some unfortunate time. I would certainly
never depend on one boiler alone to work a large space; for it
is certain that some day an accident will take place, which
may be attended with serious consequences. Two boilers, each
contrived so as to connect itself with the series of pipes, would
obviate much of the danger there is no doubt; but it might
even happen that an accident might occur to a connecting-pipe,
and derange the whole. “This is certainly not so likely as an
accident to the boiler, but it has been known to occur; it is,
therefore, better not to have everything depending on one frail
connection. One misfortune would do more harm than would
pay many times over for the extra fuel used in heating by
another apparatus.

Hot water, however, is so very accommodating that I would

186

by 00 means disparage it. It is clean, convenient, not likely
to get out of order, and so very accommodating that the pipes
will mount any reasonable height and descend also, and it is
difficult to say how far the hot water will travel. It will circu-
late through pipes of any kind or size; for I have seen them
round, half-round ; flat, like a three-inch plank; and edgeways-
up, like an inch deal. The last was, perhaps, the most foolish
way of any. Generally speaking, four-inch pipes are the most
convenient ; I have seen some double that size and more, and
‘we have one house here heated by tanks, through which the
water circulates freely, and it works well. In fact, it is co diffi-
cult to put any limits to what may be done in hot water, that
T leave the further followivg-out of the subject to other hands.

PoLMAISE AND OTHER Moprs or Supriyine Hxrat.—Pol-
maise was certainly at’ one time as strongly advocated by its
patrons as orchard-houses are now by those similarly disposed
to ride a hobby, and doubtless, to a certain extent, both are
right. Polmaise has fallen into disuse or nearly so, to be now
and then revived, perhaps under another name and with some
supposed improvement ; nevertheless, when it works well, I do
not know of any mode of heating that will beat it for the welfare
of the plants. Unfortunately, it is extravagant of fuel, and
now and then such awkward misfortunes happen with it that it
cannot be called safe. Many years ago Mr. Ogle, at Bridge
Castle, tried it and reported upon it, but he has since abandoned
it, The only place I have seen it in use of late years is at
Sir E. Filmer’s, Bart., East Sutton, where a Pine-pit is heated
very well with it, and the piants do remarkably well; but Mr.
Skinner, the gardener, says it is expensive in firing. There
have been many variations of this mode of heating, some of
them differing but little from the old-fashioned flue; it is, how-
ever, not in general repute at the present day, neither is it likely
to be restored to popular favour.

Of the temporary modes of heating pits and small houses
with Arnott or brick stoves, I cannot say much. The care
required to attend to them is more than can at all times be
calculated on from an unwilling servant, but that the enthusiastic
cultivator will make them answer I have no doubt; indeed,
there is very little but what the really industrious and persever-
ing man can accomplish, and this he will be sure to do. Guard-
ing against unpleasant vapour, and supplying moisture, not to
the plants but to the atmosphere, will do much to prevent the
evil effects of a mode of heating that ought only to be adopted
in cases of emergency.

Retative Merits or Hor Water anp a SMoxE Frvr.—
I expect the conclusion that many would come to would be
favourable to hot water, but I am far from certain that its
adoption is prudent in all cases. Certainly there are none in
which it will not answer as well as the flue, but then it is much
more expensive; and when the heat wanted does not, perhaps,
exceed 40°, an expensive heating contrivance ought to be avoided.
For such structures I would, therefore, advise a flue; but
where anything like forcing is wanted, with a fire every day,
perhaps, for six months or more, then have hot water. It will
pay to have it in the latter case, although not in the former,
for reasons that will be obvious to every one. ‘There are also
some other reasons which, in some cases, may operate one way
or the other: thus the expense of firing is an item that may
determine the kind of heating, for where fuel is expensive the
most economical mode of using it, even if such apparatus be
costly, will be the most prudent to adopt. Where firing is
cheap another view of the matter may be taken. ‘To illustrate
this, I will mention the two extreme prices I have paid for
coals. The lowest was 1s. per ton, and the highest 42s.! Now,
it required very little reasoning to show that an expensive
apparatus to lessen the quautity of coals wanted in the one case
might be advantageously entered into; while in the other, where
the coals were cheap, it would be an unnecessary expenditure
unless accompanied by other advantages. More than this need
hardly be said, nevertheless I may again return to the subject.

J, Ropson.

ORCHIDACEOUS PLANTS.

Tue third Part of “Select Orchidaceous Plants” by Messrs.
Warner & Williams is fully worthy of its two predecessors,
which is praise sufficient. It contains Epidendrum prismato-
carpum, rare, pretty, and fragrant; Iycaste Skinneri, the most
useful winter Orchid we possess; Aérides nobile, “‘ one of the

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ February 17, 1863.~

most beautiful of its family ;” and Lelia Turneri, ** one of the
finest plants known among Orchids.’’ The coloured portraits
of these are exquisite, and combined with the botanical descrip-
tions and abundant practical notes, will render it eventually one,
of the most complete works upon Orchids hitherto published.

GASTROLOBIUM CALYCINUM (lanex-catyxep
GaASTROLOBIUM.)

Nat. ord., Papilionacer. Linn., Decandria Monogynia.—
A showy greenhouse shrub, of considerable value as an orna-
mental plant. The branches are smooth; the leaves are opposite
(or ternate), elliptic, somewhat keeled, glaucous, and terminated
by a long pungent awn; at their base is a pair of spreading de~'
curved spiny stipules. The flowers grow oppositely in terminal
or axillary racemes, and are very large; the standard deep orange:
with a yellow spot at the base margined with crimson; the wings
and standard deep crimson ; they grow from the axil of a large,
obovate, membranous, inflated, strongly-nerved bract, the nerve.
being extended into a recurved mucro; the calyx is very large,
the upper lip much largest, bifid with very obtuse segments,
the segments of the lower lip ovate acute. The ovary is villose-
and distinctly stalked.

This interesting plant was raised by Messrs. Henderson, from
j Mr. Drummond’s Swan-River seeds.—(Gard. Mag. of Botany.)

February 17, 1863. ]
NEW VEGETABLES.

A YEAR or more ago seeds of one or two Chinese vegetables
were disseminated through the medium of the Horticultural
Society, or some other public body, one of the packages reaching
the writer; but through some accident or mismanagement, I did
not get any to grow. Perhaps some other of your readers may
have been more fortunate, and if so, it would confer a favour on
the community if the result were recorded.

he names given to me were so indistinctly written, and seemed
intended for a word so uncouth and unpronounceable, that I
cannot repeat them. The seeds were about the size of those of
Cucumbers.

That the Celestial Empire contains vegetables that might be
turned to useful account amongst us there is no doubt; and
though our palates may have become too much habituated to
the use of those we now have to easily accommodate themselves
tothe production of another country, the younger members of the
community could easily accustom themselves to the new article,
if if came before them in an agrecable and acceptable form. I
therefore thus publicly ask, through the medium of your Journal,
if any one has reered the new vegetables, and what is their
opinion on their merits >—An Oxp SuBSCRIBER.

TO THE EDITORS OF THE JOURNAL OF
HORTICULTURE,

AND THE MANY KIND FRIENDS, WHO, HAVING SYM-
PATHISING HEARTS, HAVE CONTRIBUTED SO LIBERALLY
TOWARDS RELIEVING US IN OUR GREAT DISTRESS.

Kinp Lapres anp GENTLEMEN,— We, the undersigned
Lancashire botanists, haying received much through your
kindness and sympathy in this our hour of suffering, now
return our heartfelt thanks. Many of us were suffering
most acutely both for food and clothing, when our kind
friend, Mr. John Hague, appealed to your Christian
sympathies on our behalf—an appeal which has scarcely
ever been made in vain on behalf of wretchedness and
distress. In our case we feel more deeply the kindness of
those friends at a distance who, though entire strangers,
yet could feel for us more than the common sympathy
of humanity, shown by a response that has both sur-
prised and gladdened the hearts of the recipients, and
filled them with thankfulness and gratitude, not only to
the generous donors but to that kind Providence who
has raised up such kind friends in this our time of need.
Some of us were reduced almost to the last stage of des-
titution, because we could not become the recipients of
parish allowance to be treated like common paupers, no
distinction being made by the parish officials; neither
could we stoop to beg, our only desire being to earn our
bread by honest daily toil, whichis the greatest sweetener
to our cup through life. This was the reason why some
of us were suffering, when our kind friend, Mr. Hegue,
made his appeal, and for your noble response we beg to
tender our sincere thanks and heartfelt gratitude.

Also, to you gentlemen, the Editors of Tor JournaL
or HorticuLtture anp Corrace GARDENER.

And may the Giver of all good return you an hundred-
fold for what you have lent Him; and may He add His
blessing free from sorrow, and preserve you all in the
enjoyment of health and happiness to a ripened age, is
the sincere prayer of your most obedient humble
servants,

HKodger Schofield, John Whitehead, Titus Broadly, Henry
Collins, Joseph Harrop, Thon as Horrocks, John Dingham,
Wiliam Kelsall, Joseph Longsden, Mark Dean, Henry New-
ton, Joseph Beech, John Newton, John Oldham, James Pick-
ering, James Smith, Robert Gordon, Charles Whitehead,
John Roberts, John Tait, Edwin Chough, James Kirk Smith,
Richard Bird, Edward Richardson, Uriah Kay, Lee Foden,
Mes, Howard, Frederic Schofield, William Parkinson, Samuel
Moss, John Hulme, Nancy Smith, Jethro Ferns, James
North, Henry Cropper, George Hokhonse, Luke Wild, Jethro
Tinker, Ann Lees. thomas Andrew, Mrs. James Parkinson,
Daniel Hayden, Thomas Cheetham, Edward Lees, Thomas

JOURNAL OF HORTIOULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

137

Broadbent, William Middleton, John Kinder, Michael Ward,
John Moss, James Smith, John Johnson, Thomas Birchall,
James Stafford, William Scott, Benjamin Platt, Ebenezer Platt,
John Middleton, Samuel Beard, James Platt, Daniel Platt,
Charles Haigh.

Suvce I last wrote I have sold plants, &c., sent for the purpose
of giving aid to the distressed botanists, to the amount of £3 16s.,
and have received from Mr. P. M‘Culloch, gardener to Sir
A. A. Hood, Bart., M.P., Audries, Bridgewater, Somerset, 16s.,
collected from the men under him. I have been able to help
eight botanists and their families in the neighbourhood of
Broadbottom and Mottram, sbout six miles from here, whose
destitution I only heard of three weeks ago. I wrote to the
relieving officer of the district, and he gave me some valuablo
information about their distress. The principal mill in that
district had been stopped thirteen months, and most of the
persons I gave help to worked at it, and they were wretchedly
off. There are eight more persons than the above who have
received assistance.—JOHN HaGue, 36, Mount Street, Ashton-
under-Lyne.

PORTRAITS OF PLANTS, FLOWERS, AND
FRUITS.

CEREUS PTEROGONUS (Wing-angled Cereus).—WNat. ord.,
Cactacer. Linn., Icosandria Monogynia.— Native of Carthagena,
South America. Flowers white, blooming in August.— (Botanical
Magazine, t. 5360.)

PHEDRANASSA OBTUSA (Blunt Phiedranassa).—Wat. ord.,
Amaryllidacee. LZinn., Hexandria Monogynia.—Called also
Phycelia obtusa. Native of Pichinca Mountain, near Quito,
more than 10,000 feet high. Flowers scarlet, tipped with greenish-
yellow. Blooming in winter.— (JZéid., ¢. 5361.)

CyprirepIuM HooKkEerR® (Lady Hooker’s Cypripedium).—
Nat. ord., Orchidacee. Linn., Gynandria Diandria.—Imported
by Messrs. Low & Sons, Clapton Nursery, from Borneo. Leaves
variegated, dark green, with pale mottling. Flowers variously
marked with yellow and purple on a pale green ground.—(Zéid.,
t, 5362.)

PLUMBAGO ROSEA var. COCCINFA (Scarlet Rose Leadwort).—
Wat. ord., Plumbaginacee. Linn., Pentandria Monogynia.—It
has alsc been called Thalia coccinea.. Messrs. Veitch & Sons,
Exeter and Chelsea Nurseries, received seeds of it from the
Neilgherry Hills. Flowers brick red, in panicles.—(Jvid.,
t. 5363.)

CINCHONA OFFICINALIS (La Condamine’s Peruvian Bark).—
Nat. ord., Rubiacee. Linn., Pentandria Monogynia.—Native
of Ecuador Mountains. Flowers pink.—(Ztid., t. 5364.)

Fucustas.—Senspareil, crimson tube and sepais, corolla
white. Heicules, tube and sepals crimson, corolla double and
deep purple-coloured. Raised by Mr. G. Smith, Tollington
Nursery, Hornsey Road. Very beautiful.—(2loral Magazine,
pi. 133.)

PreLarconiuMs.—Monitor, a large dark flower, deep shaded
rose, with large black spot on each petal. Had first-class
certificate. Queen of Whites, lower petals silvery white, upper
petals carmine, with narrow white border. Had a_ first-class
certificate. Both raised by Mr. Dobson.—(Zbid., pl. 134.)

Pompon CHRYSANTHEMUMS.—Faijest of the Fair, florets lilee
blush with silvery tips. Raised by Mr. Salter. Mary Lind,
upper side of florets lilac blush, under side purplish. Julia
Engelbach, golden, with brown points. These two were raised
by Mr. Smith.—(Zbid., pl. 135.)

Hysrm AcHIMENES.—Carminata elegans, spikes very large ;
flowers deep crimson. Raised by Mr. Parsons, of Danesbury,
near Welwyn.—(Zéid., pl. 136.)

PELARGONIUMS.—Regina formosa (Beck), rose-coloured.
Confiagration (Foster), crimson red. Royal Albert (Hoyle),
carmine rose. Belle of the Ball (Foster), sub-spotted rose.
Royalty (Foster), very distinct rosy carmine.—(Florisé and
Pomologist.)

Grosse CaLEBASsE Prar.—Seedling of Van Mons. Flesh
crisp, juicy, sweet, but without much aroma. It is a very large
yariety.— (bid.)

138
METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS IN 1862. |

HORTON HALL, BRADFORD, YORKSHIRE. i

Latitude 53° 47'36"' N. Longitude 1° 44' 47" W. Height
above sea level, 496 feet.

Te9L
*suvoyy
“G98T

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE! AND COTTAGH GARDENER.

Wire the exception of the first three; months the year was
cold and wet, and: decidedly ungenial to many, flowers, fruits,

and vegetables,under the gardener’s:care. Although the harvest. -

,of. the country at, large was equal or. nearly. so to the ayerage,

) and housed in. fair condition, yet in this locality cereals: were

late.in ripening, and. when ripe the difficulty was to know when
to cut the crops; for none being ready for cutting before October,
and some not even then,, a. period of heavy rains, set. in—not
showers, but days. of deluging heavy rain,, which not only
hindered harvest. operations, but. prevented late crops on wet
lands from. ripening. are

On the 11th of October 0.61 of rain fell, 0.34 on the 12th,
0.65 on the 15th,, 0.32 on the 16th, 0.38.0n 18th, 0:32,ou 19th,
0.61 on 20th, with hail and high wind, 0.71 on 21st, 0.36 on
22nd, accompanied by, thunder, 1.06 on 23rd,, followed. by showers

on the next two days; then 0.64 of rainvand hail on 26th, 1.14.
on 27th,.and showers on the following day, succeeded by fog,,

which, cleared away in the first frost on the 80th (27°). October

| was the wettest of any corresponding month during ‘the last
| thirteen years, judging according to recorded observations; but
, according to those whose opinions were derived from experience

it was the wettest October ever known. Though doleful be the
tidings the worst is not yet told. Fields of Oats were standing
in shock on the 10th and 11th of November, when the ground
was covered with snow 3 inches thick, There was corn out on
the ist of December. :

I have to note Turnips were small, Mangolds no crop, but
Potatoes were good and freefrom disease. Herbage was abundant.
Rye-grass, of which no: inconsiderable: quantityismeeded, was

' good, and furnished three cuttings; Pacey’s Perennial affording
the best supply, and itis not so coarse as some varieties. Cut-
ting grass on meadows was general in the beginning of July, but
up to the 12th little was made into hay; when, finer weather
pa in, the greater quantity was stacked in moderate con-

ition.

A backward andwet spring hindered garden operations, but
it was not worse than in the two preceding years. Owing to
wetness of the soil seeds vegetated badly, and in many cases’
there was a total failure, entailing » second sowing.

The bloom on fruit trees was abundant and set well. There

| was an abundant crop of Gooseberries, but caterpillarsithreatened
to. annihilate them completely; so: numerous were they that
they infested the» Ribes species in plantations, Of Ourrants,
Red and White, the crop was,good; of Black moderate. Rasp=
berries were abundant and large, but insipid owing to the
wet. Strawberries were a good crop, but maggot and canker
made large gaps in the plantations.. Apples were plentiful but
small, and did not ripen properly : consequently they shrivelled
more than usual, and proyed flavourless; Pears a moderate
crop; and the same may be said of Plums. Cherries proved to
be a very fair crop, but nothing according to the promise of
bloom. Peaches did not ripen on walls, and the crop was small.

To the above it may perhaps be added that Grapes were much ~

given to shank, poor in flavour, and very deficient’ in colour;
notwithstanding’ this someadmirable specimens'were exhibited at’
the Bradford Show, and did great credit to the exhibitors.
Melons were worthless in unlined pits and frames, and deficient
inflayour under the mosti favourable cireumetances.

Orchard-houses were a dead failure, and: have beem in: this,
locality eyer since their introduction; but I have to note that
three beautiful specimens of Peach trees, ind1-inch pots, were
exhibited by Mr. Comfort, gardener to J..Priestman, Hsq., of
Wheatley Hill, each tree averaging, two. dozen fruit, some of
them measuring 8 inches in circumference. Also by their side,
| was a Sweetwater Vine in a 12-inch pot, carrying, eight bunches

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(if memory be a safe guide) of medium size and with good-sized
berries ; and a Fig tree, in an 11-inch pot, full of fruit of the best
of all Figs—the Brown Turkey. Thus it would appear some
succeed while others fail, and we have to confess: we are one. of
the latter. : bo ;

Carrots were a bad crop, and maggot-eaten: | Onions no:crop.,
Beet small—too'small, but morethan usual of top: Salsafy and
Scorzonera medium-sized and good in quality: Shallots much
grown by’ cottagers, fair crop. Potatoes, earlies, poor crops
| main crops’ good. Had a packet of the substitute for the.
Potato, Cherophyllum bulbosum, from the Royal Horticultural
| Society; but it produced nothing like'so good a substitute asia:
Carrot. The Ground-nut' (Bunium denudatum) would be as
good a substitute for the Potato as it.

Peas: were-afair crop, running to haulm. The: best we had’

[ February 17) 1868%

teats

February 17, 1863. ]

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENHR.

139

were Noble's Harly Green Marrow, Dickson’s Favourite, Veitch’s | numerous young roots, which, passing through the sand, seize
Perfection, British Queen, and Sangster’s No. 1—the fayourite | with avidity on the more nutritious compost prepared for them.

of your respected correspondent, “ D., Deal.”
with him in taste, I would advise his sowing his favourite
Sangster’s No. 1 and the Warwick race at intervals of ten days
or a fortnight, according to the supply needed, giving the sowings

after April a manured trench as for Celery, and a good soaking |
of water once or twice a-week according to the state of the |

weather. arly Peas cannot stand dronght; and unless the
land is heavy or copious watering resorted to, they are only
like so many pea-bullets.

Of Dwarf Kidney Beans and Scarlet Runners I never hada dish.
Cauliflowers were late buf good. Broccoli doing well. Borecole
and the whole tribe of Coleworts haye done pretty well, but the
wet has made them very seedy-looking. Cabbages have been
fearfully maggot-eaten at the root, in consequence of which
many 2 healthy-looking plant withered when sun appeared,
though that was seldom ; others have clubbed instead of hearting.
Celery was bad with us, but good in some places. The best I
saw was growing in cley nearly as pure as brickmakers have it.
Maggot attacked some (dry soot sprinkled on wet leaves will
drive it away), but as to the maggot being the cause of failure I
beg to demur. Celery, like the potato, is rendered so liable to
disease by high cultivation, as to be little more than gorged and
swelled out of health into disease.

Spinach leayes were a receptacle for the eggs of the white
Butterfly, and the Winter one was there as well.

Lettuce and snails had a terrible struggle for life, but young
Ducks scooped the slugs up; yet web-footed bipeds cannot be
tolerated in gardens long, for no thunder-storm soddens the soil
like them; and as for bantams and the whole tribe of hens,
they are too much given to scratch, and they eat too much
green food for my fancy.

Bedding plants cutasorry figure; and, taking them altogether,
for me there is nothing like the good old herbaceous border full
of bloom in spring, delicious with Pinks and Carnations, and
fragrant with Roses. Sure of a nosegay all the year round are
those who tolerate flowering shrubs, bog plants, alpines, and
aquatics; besides, in geometrical gardens, handsome and bril-
Mant as they may be in summer, interesting in winter with ever-
greens, and pretty in spring with bulbs, those mixtures are more
frequently failures than successes.

Notwithstanding the adverse season we had a good exhibition
here (Bradford). Plants were good. Mr. May, Bedale, had
first-class Hollyhocks and Dahlias, the last somewhat hollow in
centre ; and Mr. Hdwards, York, was a close competitor. The
Carnations and Picotees at the National were superb. Messrs.
Steward & Wood, of York, and Holland & Bayley, of Man-
chester, were the lions. However, horticultural exhibitions are
not places to judge the seasons at, for there we have the choice-
selected, but away from them we have generalities.

Three indifferent years succeeding each other must tell their
tale on our trees from warmer climes, which I fear is too mani-
fest ; for Peach trees threaten to become evergreens, and many
others have a like tendency.

We have a doleful beginning for a new year; rain and wind
daily, and the ground like a sponge, do not augur well of 1863.
—GEORGE ABBEY.

WORK FOR THE WEEK.

EITCHEN GARDEN.

WHI our climate maintains its variable characier the neces-
sity of conforming to its dictates in all gardening operations will
exist. The continuance of fair weather will permit the opera-
tions that peculiarly belong to this month to be proceeded with.
Asparagus, ia mild weather that in frames or pits should have
abundance of air after the shoots haye made their appearance.
Prepare ground for permanent beds; if the soil works well, to
be trenched 2 feet deep at least, and plenty of good rotten
stable manure incorporated with if during the operation. Mark
off the beds 4 feet wide, and 2 feet for the alley, then mark the
rows on the bed one in the centre and one at each side; lay a
ridge of maiden loam, leaf mould, and sand, of equal parts,
along where each row is to be planted, and on these ridges
place the plants. They may be either one or two years old, but
not more than two, the plants to be taken up with great care.
When placed on the ridges, with an equal portion of roots on
each side, cover them to the depth of 2 inches with pure sand
if it can be procured, which will induce the plants to throw out

| with sand every season.

Though differing | Above the sand add 3 or 4 inches of loamy soil over the crowns ;

and should the season prove dry, mulch between the rows, and
give occasionally waterings of liquid manure. Onions, plant
the bulbs of last year which begin to grow, they will be found
useful where there is a scarcity of sound ones. They may also
be planted for seed. Plant the underground sort, if not done
in the autumn. Weed and clean the autumn-sown. Parsley,
a sowing to be made where the ground is in a fit state to receive
the seed. Peas, make a sowing of Knight's Dwarf Marrow ;
at the same time some other approved sorts should be sown to
keep up a succession. Sow also two or three sorts which come
in for use quickly, as they will be fit to gather before the
Marrows. All vacant ground to be dug as quickly as possible,
so that it may be ready for cropping.
FLOWER GARDEN,

The weather calls upon us to expedite all retarded operations,
particularly pruning. ‘Turf may be cut and laid, and wood
ashes spread on lawns where the grass is injured by moss.
When the natural soil is not favourable for Rhododendrons,
Belgian Azaleas, &c., an artificial mould may be gradually formed
by sweeping the fallen leaves over the roots and covering them
Prune and tie climbing plants. Prune
Roses, unless they are wanted to flower late. Herbaceous per-
ennials should be planted as early as convenient. Sweep and
roll the lawn and walks. Where it may be necessary to increase
the steck of any of the varieties of Dahlias, these should be
placed in heat at once in order to secure cuttings. Look to
Crocus bulbs, &c., planted in beds, and protect them from the
depredations of sparrows and mice.

FRUIT GARDEN.

Prune Raspberries. Any Gooseberries or Currants not pre-
viously pruned should forthwith be attended to. Collect fir
boughs to protect the blossom of Peach and Apricot trees.
Gooseberry and Currant bushes occupy much less space In a
garden trained to stakes, and afford an equal if not greater
amount of fruit. Proceed with planting fruit trees where cir-
cumstances prevented its being done in the autumn.

STOVE.

Any specimen plants in this house which require shifting
must be attended to in the course of the month, Stanhopeas
and Oncidiums with other Orchids may be potted. Temperature
55° to 65° with a moist heat, and increase a degree or two every
week for the next month. Shut up early.

GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY.

The admission of air on all favourable occasions will conduce
to the health and keep the various flowering-plants in unim-
paired beauty for some weeks. Hyacinths, Lilacs, Roses, Kalmias,
and Azaleas introduced will lend beauty and fragrance to the
various groups. The rich yellow flowers of Cytisus racemosus
will add in no slight degree to the general effect. The early-
flowering plants of Camellias now returned from the conservatory
or mixed greenhouse, should be placed in heat in order to be
encouraged to make a vigorous and kindly growth, and to set
their flower-buds in due season. Look carefully over the early-
blooming plants—such as Heaths, Azaleas, and Boronias, and
see that they are not getting too forward. There is less difficulty
in keeping them back at the present time than when we have
bright sunny days. Sow exotic and other seeds generally during
the present and following month. As the principle of hybridi-
sation is beginning to be understood and generally practised,
doubtless additional interest will be discovered, and attention
bestowed on the propagation of plants by seeds. Shift and tie-
out Pelargoniums as may be required, and allow them plenty of
space after this time, with all the light possible, and a free
circulation of air whenever the weather will permit. Do not
allow Calceolarias to suffer for want of pot-room, as any check
at the present season might throw them prematurely into bloom.
Cinerarias and other plants will require frequent shifting and
placing at greater distances from each other, in order that air
may be permitted to circulate freely among them.

FORCING-PIT.

Here a good stock of Roses, Azaleas, Lilacs, &c., should be
coming into bloom. ‘Take care to keep up a regular succession,
and fumigate occasionally to keep all clean.

PITS AND FRAMES.
Give air freely to plants such as Verbenas and Calceolarias, and

140

carefully remove all decaying leaves. A batch of Amaryllis
bulbs should. now be shaken out and repotted in half-decayed
turfy loam, mixed with a’ small portion of sand and a pretty
liberal supply of charcoal. Remove to a warmer place any of
the plants from which cuttings are required. Alpines and other
rare plants in pots should now be looked over, remove all
decayed matter, and stir up the surface of the soil. Those which
it may be desirable to propagate should be divided into pieces,
repotted, and placed again in the frame. W. Keane.

DOINGS OF THE LAST WEEK.

Ty the kitchen garden the routine was much the same as last
week, with the exception of choosing a dry day to plant some
Potatoes of the Marly Ashleaf in the open air on a ridged bank,
planting only the south side. This had been ridged-up about
24 inches apart, and the sets, just sprung, were sct in the furrows,
and the nice, dry, aired earth of the ridge was trundled over
them, after a slight sprinkling of lime. ‘The sets were sprung
an inch or so before plantmg. Turned out also into a bed
over heated tree leaves, the same kind, plants 3 or 4 inches in
height, in rows, 6 inches apart in the rows, and about 18 inches
from row to row. The soil put over the leayes was about
6 inches deep, then the Potatoes were set on the level, the small
roots carefully covered, and then covered with about 5 inches on
the flat. These will have the earth raised to the stems 2 or 3 inches
as they grow, which admits of the sun’s rays passing up between
the rows, and we think that from this mode the produce is
rather better than when the soil is left on the level. For such
work we have met with nothing to beat the true Ashleaf. The
Handsworth and some others may come a few days earlier, but
we do not find they are prized at table like an Ashleaf, This,
however, may be a mere matter of taste, or even of prejudice,
just as im the case of the watery white Turnip, because white-
ness will be insisted on. For flavour, several of the yellows are,
in our opinion, far superior; and for flavour and nourishment
combined, commend us to a good Globe Swede that has lain in
an open shed a week before cooking. If that is cut up, boiled
thoroughly—and an hour at least will be required—if in liquor
in which pork or other meat was boiled first all the belter, and
if a slice of the meat can be had with it, then there is at once a
feast for a hungry prince as well as a hungry ploughman.

A gentleman lately told us that he quite envied the zest and
relish with which the ploughboy standing by his horses, pitched
in wedge after wedge of half-boiled pork and dry bread, stating
his belief, and we are certain with much truth, that that boy had
more gratification in thus eating to satisfy the demands of his
appetite than he himself had in partaking of the finest made
dishes, because he did so more as a matter of form than from
any natural desire or want. It has been wisely ordered that there
should be pleasure in eating ; but that pleasure will be greatly
dependant upon our working for it and the natural eraving for
ib. Here, as in many other cases, the rich man and the hard-
working man are placed more equally as to the means of happi-
ness and true enjoyment than is generally imagined. ‘The
farmer, then, who wishes to kindly help his labourers, may,
without any misgiving, allow them a few of his best Swede
Durnips, and tell them how to cook them, which when well
prepared will be almost as solid as cheese. ;

he Potatoes in the bed alluded to above will be our second
crop, as those grown in pots, as previously mentioned, are tuber-
ing nicely. Some time ago we mentioned having some litter to
throw over Radishes out of doors, sown in autumn, except there
should be a sudden frost. These will naturally, and especially
in such a winter as this, become hard, and we suppose must
have sent them in once or twice too often, for a week ago we
were mortified to see a fine plate of early Radishes from &
frame, as crisp as possible, come out untasted. If a fortniht
or three weeks had intervened between the old and the new,
somebody would have found out the difference.

This simple matter of the Radishes may well furnish a lesson
of sound policy. Some people will say, “I had such abundance
of such and such good things, as thoroughly to sicken and tire
me of them.” Now, the great point is, to have sufficient with-
out euperfluity. Whenever superfluity is presented, the feeling
of satiety displaces that of pleasure. Of course, in large places,
where fine things must be had constantly, our duty is to produce
them, and not think of the enjoyment. There can be no question
that the yery frequency, the uninterrupted supply of a, certain

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

[ February 17, 1863.

dish, will lessen the pleasure of partaking of it. The gentleman
who tastes the first Cucumber of the season in April, and the
same as respects Kidney Beans and Potatoes, will relish them
more than the other gentleman who has them at his table every
day all the winter. The satisfaction of the latter will spring less
from eelfish gratification than from the pleasure of presenting
rarities for the enjoyment of his guests. ’

FRUIT GARDEN.

In addition to pruning, nailing, &c., unnailing Peaches against
walls, &c., damping vineries in hot days, and giving plenty of
air to Peach trees opening their buds, the chief work has just
been moving Strawberry-pots from vineries into a Peach-house,
not because’ they will have more heat, but because in this dull
weather they will have more light; and secondly, examining the
buds and washing-off any black beetles or fly that made their
appearance on the Peach trees cominginto bloom. We never met
with this ugly gentleman until last season, as fully described in
a previous volume, and here he is again making his appearance
here and there, notwithstanding all our care. We will, for the
sake of others, repeat what was done. In November this house
was smoked with sulphur and sawdust, killing, of course, every
leaf that remained green, and, as we thought, every yestige of
insect. Then, to make surer, in a few days the house was tho-
roughly syringed—trees, walls, and woodwork—with water at
about 180°. After that the whole house, trees, walls, &c., were
scrubbed with soap water; 2 inches of the surface soil of the
house was then removed, and afterwards the walls were fresh
washed with lime, and the frees painted with clay, sulphur, and
Gishurst; and now the gentlemen are coming to tell us that
they are not quite done for yet. It is true the house has been
filled with bedding plants, which are now being taken out, but
nothing whatever appears on them. We much fear they burrow,
and lay their eggs pretty deep in the soil. Green fly is bad
enough, but a mere trifle in comparison to this dark negro
devastation. We see no remedy except hunting-up and destroy-
ing every one that appears. For many years one smoking for a
Peach-house used to be about sufficient, or if repeated it was more
for Strawberries, &e., than for Peaches. We are keeping the
trees in orchard-house as cool as possible. We suspect that,
from some young tree there, we imported this black fly.

ORNAMENTAL DEPARTMENT.

Those who grow Gardenias, Rondeletias, Ixoras, &c., should
now put them into bottom heat. Cuttings should be put in of
Poinsettias and Euphorbia jacquinieflora, and in a week or two
some of the old plants, if helped with bottom heat, will bloom
earlier in the autumn, because they will have the end of summer
to rest in. Orchids beginning to push should now be watered,
and those in baskets dipped in water at about 75°. A higher
temperature during the day may be maintained if the sun is at
all bright, letting such stove-houses descend to from 60° to 65°
at nignt. Small greenhouse plants may be shifted as wanted
into pots a size larger; but larger shifts for specimens should
not be given until the sun has gained more power—say the
beginning and the middle of March—as such natural excitement
is much better than that from any artificial heat. Proceeded
with cuttings and potting as last week. We are sorry that the
paragraph about Verbena-cuttings reads so confused; very
likely more the result of careless writing than the fault of the
printer. We would like to correct two things: first, the cuttings
of Verbenas, alluded to at page 121, were not put in tiles three
to 10 inches, but three in 2 inches. Then, a little farther down,
beginning at the word “ Keep,” read as follows: “Keep the
rough riddlings, mix them with an equal quantity of rough
decayed leaf mould, and place that mixture on the t»p of the
rotten dung, to the depth of 14 or 2 inches.’ Make that level,
and beat it slightly, and then coyer this with the fine soil, &e. ;.
and continue the same as given page 121. This will make all
clear to “OnE WHO Is PuzzuEp,” at least we think so. The
appearance of the cuttings just says we had better haye delayed
a little longer, as if we have a cold spring we shall have to try _
all methods to find room for them and other things.—R. F.

TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED.

Barr & Sugden, King Street, ‘Covent Garden.—Tllustrated
Guide to the Flower Garden, and Descriptive Seed List. 1863.

H. G. Henderson & Son, Wellington Road, St. John’s Wood.
N.W.— Catalogue of Flower Seeds, and Select List tof Agricul<
tural and Vegetable Seeds. 1863. ; 2 Pn

February 17, 1863.]

TO CORRESPONDENTS.
*,* We request that no one will write privately to the depart-
mental writers of the “Journal of Horticulture, Cottage
Gardener, and Country Gentleman.” By so doing they
are subjected to unjustifiable trouble and expense. All!
communications should therefore be addressed solely to The
Editors of the “Journal of Horticulture, §c.,” 162, Fleet
Street, London, E.C. :
also request that correspondents will not mix up on the
same sheet questions relating to Gardening and those on
Poultry and Bee subjects, if they expect to get them answered
promptly and conveniently, but write them on separate
communications. Also never to send more than two or

three questions at once.
cannot reply privately to any communication unless under

very special circumstances.

Do ovr Sors DECREASE IN Fertitity? (IV. W. S.)—We have shown
your letter to “J.,” and the following is an extract from his reply :—
** Though I wrote anonymously my statements are no more justly charged
with irreverence (!) and great presumption than the statements in the
Times to which they are a reply, and which were also anonymous. If
*W. W. S.’ will refer to ‘Thomson’s Vegetable Chemistry,’ he will find
that the saps of many plants haye been analysed, but apotheme was never
found in any one.”

Cupping Watt-Fruir TREES (J. Smith).—You cannot be serious. No
sane gardener would order his subordinates to ‘‘ prune wall trees, such as
Peaches and Cherries, with the garden shears.”

PREVENTING GOOSRBERRY CATERPILLARS (A Wew Subscriber). — Try
covering the entire surface of the soil with spent tanner’s bark 2 inches
<ieep. Do any of our readers know the effect of this or any other mode of
prevention ?

East Watt (rs, C.).—Situated at Sidmouth, and the wallonly 6 feet high,
‘you might grow against it Apricots, Peaches, and Nectarines; but, as profit
is an object with you, we should prefer Morello Cherries. They rarely fail
in producing a good crop, and realise a fair price and ready sale. Against
the east end of your cottage you may have a Marie Louise Pear,

Live Water (R. G. S.).—For killing worms, a peck of lime to forty
gallons of water are the proper proportions.

Corourine 4 GaRDEN Watt Buack (Emicus). — We once coloured a
wall a sort of slate colour, or rather a lead colour, by a mixture of ordinary
whitewash and lamp black, to which a little yellow ochre was added to give
it a more cheerful tint. We have also given some wooden and iron work
a tolerably good chocolate colour by an admixture of yellow ochre and coal
tar. The latter, we know, makes a good black alone; but unless black be
especially wanted there are many objections to‘its use. for it fades fast
on being exposed to hot sun, and if some dark grey or slate colour would
do, the above mixture might answer your purpose. Of course an oil paint
‘would be better, but will be much more expensive.

PreacH-HOUSE TREES IN Biossom (A Young Gardener).— We fear, if
you have been giving your trees ‘‘tive or six waterpots full of water each
twice a-day,” that the roots must be completely socdened. If so, for the
future merely damp the paths and all the other parts of the house
frequently while the trees are in bloom; and when they begin to grow,
and the ground is a little drier, another good watering may be given,
using rain water at all times. If your heating apparatus is a flue, occa-
sionally wetting it will be of service; but too much moisture at this time
is hurtful.

Vines in A GreEenHOouSE (Z. 7. B.).—As your house is a span-roofed
one, and the Vines planted at one end, it would be easier to stretch the
wires crossways to the lights, and if about a toot apart and somewhat less
than that from the glass (not so far from the rafter, of course), by this
means the rod might be pruned spur fashion, and, itself occupying one wire,
its sice shoots which bear the fruit might occupy the wires acjoining on each
side. You must not, however, occupy the whole roof with the Grape
Vines or your plants underneath will suffer. We have trained Grape
Vines in all directions, and have had them planted inside against the back
wall and trained down the rafter. If the root be right, the top will bear
almost any amount of distortion without injury.

PLANTS FoR CONSERVATORY Pitiars (G. H.).—Somewhat herbaceous in
character—Cobcea scandens, Ececremocarpus scaber, Lophospermum scan-
dens, Rhodochiton volubile, Maurandya Barclayana, Maurandya antirrhini-
flora. More shrubby, but strong—Passitiora ceerulea, Passiflora racemosa,
Bignonia Chirere, Bignonia jasminoides, Kennedya Marryatte, Jasminum
volubile. Grapes—Lady Downe’s, West’s St. Peters; the first best where
there is little heat.

PatntT For GLAss AS A SHADE (Idem).—Milk and whiting will make a
ood shade; perhaps a better is the following :—Heat a quart of jelly size
near to boiling, add half a quartern or gill of turpentine, and the same of
oil, and the size of a walnut of whiting reduced to powder; mix well.
uboose a sunny day, and put on with a brush while the material is hot,
as thinly as possible; follow with a dry brush and daub, and it will resemble
ground glass.

Covent GarpEN Stocks (£: B.).—The market-gardeners’ variety of
scarlet Intermediate Stock, if sown now, will bloom in July; if sown in
autumn they bloom early in the summer following. The drawing and
description you obligingly offer will be very acceptable it both are of the
Tequisite standard.

GLosiniaAs 1N THuns-pors (Wora).—We suspect these little pots are
now full of roots. Shift the plants into 60's, and in five weeks shift again
into 4S’s or 32’s, giving the plants rich light soil, and a temperature of
from 60° to 65°.

Cocoa-NuT Fisre Dust (Charlotte Faulkner).—¥or Ferns and other
potted plants, by measure one-third of the dust to two-thirds of loam is a
good proportion. To mix with the soil of your flower-borders put it one
inch thick on the surface, and fork it in, If the soil is clayey twice that
quantity will not be too much.

We

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

141

JASMINUM GRANDIFLORUM (Silvia).—This Jasminum would do for the
rafter of your greenhouse if the roots and stems out of doors were pro-
tected. The best plan would be to have a small three-sided box with a top
against the wall, and the stem surrounded with sawdust. Seeds would
need to be protected from bantams until they were up, and after thut, 30
far as we have seen, the bantams would do little harm.

Orcutps In A Conservatory (J. E. S.),—Every Orchid except hardy
ones and those from the very warmest tropical positions may be grow!) \1
a heat of 65°. The tradesmen who advertise in our columns will give y.u
the price in their priced lists, keeping in mind that the cheapest plants 1cuy
be the dearest, as almost everything will depend on size. Fora small houce
the following would be likely to suit you:—Jn Pots.—Airides odoratuin,
roseum; Angrcum caudatum; Catasetum cristatum ; Cattleya crispa,
Lodigesli, Mossi, labiata; Cymbid:um aloifolium ; Dendrobium nobile ;
calceolaria, moniliforme, Farmeri; Epidendrum macrochilum ; Miltonta
spectabilis; Odontoglossum grande; Oncidium flexuosum, papilio; Sacco-
Jabium Blumei; Zygopetalon crinitum, Mackayi. Baskets.—Cymbidium
Devonianum; Dendrobium Pierardi, macranthum, pulchellum; Gongora
atropurpurea ; Stanhopea insignis, Devoniensis, tigrina, oculata. On Blocks.
—Lelia acuminata; Cattleya citrina; Oucidium pulchellum; Sophronitis
grandiflora; Oncidium ciliatum, &c.

HEATING By A Fuve (Inguisitor).— Having flues, in one case round the
house, and in the other round the front and ends, we cannot see what you
want with stoves in the house besides, if the flues are sound and draw weli,
as with them any necessary heat could be obtained, and the dryness coun-
teracted by evaporating-pans. However, if you wish a brick stove in the
house the matter is simple enough, and auy bricklayer would put one up
from the description given at the page you allude to in ‘‘ Greenhouses for
the Many.” Sections are also given in Rivers’ ‘‘ Orchard-House.”” If you
wanted a great deal of heat we would make it 30 inches square outside
measure, and 34 feet in height, and cover with an iron plate, and a course
of tiles above, with an evaporating-trough on the top. The stove may
stand against the back wall, or a little distance from it; but one secret of
success is the shortness of the horizontal pipe that takes the smoke, &c.,
to an upright pipe outside. It should not be more than 2 or 3 feet, though
we have had them longer; butit is best to err on the side of shortness.
The other secret is to have a block in front of the smoke-opening, and
several inches—say 2 or 3 inches—from it, so that the heat shall be thrown
back on the sides and the fire, instead of passing too easily out; or you may
have a small damper, either inside or outside, to regulate draught, and to
give only a small egress for smoke and heated air after the fire is esta-
blished. It would be the easiest plan for you to make the back wall of the
house the back of the stove, and the ashpit and fuel doors inside; and
then you would need to make only one hoie for the smoke-pipe, which
should be from 5 to 6 inches in diameter. Without a little care you may
have dust and a little smoke at times, but very little if due care is takeu,
and nice dry fuel used for lighting. If these, however, are objectionable
you could have these necessary openings behind the wall, but at the ex-
pense of more trouble and labour. We look upon the Arnott brick stove as
the most economical of all modes for heating single houses, especially
where no extraordinary heat is required trom them. They are just so
much better than iron that they heat and cool more slowly, and there is
little danger of the air being burned.

Smart Brrps anp GoosEBERRY Buns (* *).—You have conferred a boon
on the amateur class of gardeners, in discovering that small birds wiil not
penetrate througn a series of black cotton threads stretched over the tops
and amongst the boughs of the trees. We know for a certainty that white
thread does not frighten them more than one or two days; neither does
red coloured worsted; and we much suspect they will in time become
acquainted with your black strings. We are, however, obliged to you for
reporting it; and hope some other correspondert will try it and report the
result. Ycu will perceive that however useful your plan may be ona smail
scale, itean hardly be carried into effect where, perhaps, 2 plantation of
ten acres has to be attended to.

CurysanTHEMuM (H. H.).—The north of India ond China is the natural
home of this flower, but it is only found wild on the mountain regions of
the former country. In the latter it has long been cultivated, and the
double varieties we now admire so much were originated in that country,
and there cultivated toa higher degree of perfecton than we can hope to
attain. It is purely an autunn-flowering plant, and the earliest period we
have seen it in bloom was in the middle of August. It is, however, possible
that earlier varieties may be obtained hereafter, and also later-tlowering
ones, for both are sought after, and no doubt time and perseverance will

accomplish both objects.

SoLFATERRE Ross (B. O. B.).—Your Rose, which you say was budded.
last year and is now 10 feet long, has made excellent use ofits time. It
would hardly, therefore, be proper to cut it much back, as it must have a
well-established stock. Ifit be planted against a wall it would be best to
hand it down and train it herizontally backwards and forwards at the
bottom of the wall, not even cutting off theend. By this means you will
have your wall well furnished, for shoots will rise abundantly from all
parts of the horizontal stem, while they are far from certain to do so on
the upright one. Solfsterre is far from being a free-blooming Rose, but
the above is likely to induce it to flower better than seyere knife work. —

ManaGeMENT OF Care Buxss (* *).—You are quite right in potting
your recently-received bulbs in sandy loam, and do not give much water
until they begin to grow, after which increase both water and heat; and
itis possible a yery robust one may want a shift into a larger pot, but this
isnot likely. After flowering, gradually withhold water, so as to ripen.
and give the bulbs a rest, but while they are in a growing state heat and.
moisture are requisite. We have seen bulbs of the kind we imagine yours
must be weighing 1lb. each. If they start to grow at once there is a good
chance of their flowering; but when later, autumn sets in before they do so,
and then only bloom imperfectly. i

Camrxitas (J. B. D.).—You must send fresh specimens, for the others,
under the circumstances, were passed aside.

Names oF Prants (C. Z.).—It is Asplenium marinum in a Jusuriant
condition. There isno such thing as Asplenium letitia, but a plant like
yours has been miscalled A. letum. (C. S. V.).—The Gymnogramma is
one of the sulphurescent sports occasionally met with in hothouses- It
hasno particular interest, nor anything striking in its appearance. Gym-
nogrammas are well known to be sportive. (M. B.).—Your shrub is
Garrya elliptica. (Hersham).—The leaf is like that of Agnostus, but we

cannot be sure without seeing a flower.

142

POULTRY, BEE, and HOUSEHOLD CHRONICLE.

FEEDING POULTRY PROFITABLY.

R. F. asks us to give some instruction as to feeding poultry
in the most profitable manner, and at the same time he com-
plains of the quantity of food his birds consume. We are not
surprised. "We have often seen poultry yards inches deep in
wasted food. We have seen two birds supplied with food
enough to feed twenty... Fowls, like human beings, should leave
off with an appetite. If they overfeed they lay the foundation
of disease. First, then, no trough, no pan, no’ vessel of any
kind to hold the fowl’s food. The reason will et once be obvious.
Fowls have no teeth, they have no means of mastication, and,
therefore, their habit is to peck grain by grain, one ata time. In
a trough a fowl takes a mouthful, which it has to bolt somehow
or other to its great discomfort. Mouthful after mouthful
follows, and then the bird becomes crop-bound, or squats about
till it is ‘seriously ill; this is the result of improper feeding, and,
we unhesitatingly say, the inevitableresult. Itis a plain deviation
from the laws of Nature. Howls and all the tribe of Gallinaces
are intended to pick up their food grain by grain, and scrap by
scrap. Itis the condition of their health. While in search of
food they find pieces of grass, herbs, small stones, and many
little things that are essential to their health, although they
escape our notice. It is also an incentive to exercise.

Whenever we want to succeed in having our pets in as good
condition as wild birds, we must so far as possible confine them
to the same habits of life, and we must make our arrangements a
close imitation of the Pheasant, Partridge, and Grouse. These
thrive and fatten on the stubble, and the apparently barren
moor, while too often the petted fowl looks with ‘careless eye on
the barleymeal, and bread that lie about in all direction. ‘he
difference is, as between the appetite of a man who runs break-
fast into luncheon, and with the help of a stimulating glass of
wine lasts till dinner, which he can only peck at; and that of
the man who runs home from the baker’s after church on Sun-
day with a baked shoulder of mutton and potatoes under it, and
who eats it in imagination all the way home.

The nearest approach to natural feeding is to give food by
hand, and in small quantities, and scattered about. The most
profitable food is ground oats. Let such a quantity as will be
eaten be mixed and thrown by hand to the fowls so long as they
will run after it—no longer. As soon as they appear indifferent
about it, leave off feeding. Zfany appear on the ground you
have overfed. In the midday give a little whole corn, bud scatter
it broadcast. Let the fowls have to look for it as Pheasants and
Partridges search a stubble. Feed in the evening with meal
after the same manner we have described for the morning.

Do not be led away by tender-hearted poultry-women, or by
‘occasionally sulky poultry-men, when they say the birds are
being starved and you can expect neither eges nor chickens. If
the fowls do not run after the bucket and the person who carries
it they are not hungry; and if they arenot hungry, they do not
require feeding.

DEVIZES EXHIBITION OF POULTRY.
Frpruary 10TH anp 11TH.

‘Taoven the numbers of entries at the Devizes Show last-week
fell somewhat short of those in preceding years, we can with-
out restriction congratulate the Committee on their Rxhibition
of this year being quite the best collection of poultry ever yet
brought together at this meeting. Two circumstances, most pro-
bably, tended equally to decrease the number of competitors—
viz., first, it is now getting quite time to close poultry ex-
hibitions for this season, as the breeding-time of most varieties
has actually begun: consequently many fanciers are reluctant
to exhibit on account of its obvious tendency to throw back
many valuable birds in their early broods. The other reason is
this: perhaps it would be well in future to lessen the entrance-
money from 6s. to 5s. each pen, as that sum, combined with the
incidental expenses of carriage, as it will be seen, from very long
distances amounts in the ageregate to an outlay somewhat con-
siderable when taken in’ ratio to the premiums offered, and this
naturally deters the more distant competitors from subscribing.

We have on former occasions spoken highly of the Devizes
Corn Exchange as a room for-an exhibition of this kind, and

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ February MW, 1863.

shall, therefore, simply now say that it is by no means an easy

task to refer to any building better suited for a show of five”

or six hundred pens.

The Black Spanish were excellent as a class, but were scarcely |

in the perfect condition we anticipated, Mr, Brown, of Sheffield,

took the principal prize with his well-known excellent pen, |

closely pressed by Mr. Lane, of Bristol, whose misfortune it
was to have a really first-rate hen and cock both sadly injured
about the combs and heads during their transit to Devizes. The
third-prize birds of Mr. Rodbard, also of Bristol, comprised a
loyely pair of hens; but mated with a cock so massive about
the face as to be nearly blinded. ‘His. day as an exhibition bird
is mostly bygone, and he appeared altogether listless and in-
active. The Grey Dorkings were a grand collection, Viscountess
Holmesdale standing, in spite of so capital an entry, far a-head
of the general competition. Her Jadyship’s first-prize birds.
are too well known to be now specially described; but cer-
tainly they were not shown so well as heretofore. The second-
prize birds were rosy-combed ones, and were in much better
condition than the others, though from the same exhibitor.
They were a most unusually laige pen of birds, but lacked
much of the neatness and attractiveness of the first-prize spe-
cimens. ‘The White Dorkings deserve especial mention, so
much so, indeed, that in the single Dorking cock class of “‘ Any
colour,” a White one became master of the sweepstakes. It
is of very rare occurrence in such open competition. A pecu-
liarly large fine old bird was exhibited im this last-named class,
a Grey one, but so diseased about the comb as to render’ his
chances of prizetaking hopeless. The class for either Black or
Brown-breasted Game fowls was one of the best im the room,
Mr. Fletcher, of Manchester, taking the lead with some first-
rate Brown Reds shown in the most unexceptionable condition.
We muet here note, too, the success of this gentleman’s yard in
some of the other Game classes. His first-prize Red Piles, in the
‘¢ Any other variety of Game” class, are, it is supposed, the best
pen of Piles ever shown, and, somewhat strangely too, the cock
is now fast approaching six years old, yet retains a marvellous
condition, and still moults as true to colour a3 when a youngster.
Mr. Pletcher’s Black Red Game cock, the winner of the Society’s
silver cup for the “ Best Single Game’ Cock,” is a two-year-old ;
and should his condition prove maintainable up to his present
standard he will be hard to beat anywhere. Mr, Whitwell’s
second-prize Brown Red was not in nearly the trim for exhibit-
ing as when shown at Kendal a few weeks back. Mr. Dyas’s
Black Red, the third prize, is an exceedingly well-built, neat
bird, but' certainly “a small one.” The Cochins were best in
the Partridge-coloured and White varieties, which were really
a show in themselves, even after the winners had travelled so far
as from Oswestry and Kendal. Mr. Sykes’s Malays were excel-
lent. The Golden-pencilled Hamburghs were remarkable for
the general imperfection of their combs ; and if would be wis-
dom for exhibitors to bestow every care in their selections on
this all-important point. Among the Golden-spangled were
many of the best hens we ever yet saw. The Polands mustered
strongly, and proved the best class ever yet seen of Polands at
Devizes. The Sebright Bantams were so. good that every pen
save one obtains mention in the prize list; the cock in this one
had a complete sickle-tail, though the two hens ‘were of the
highest character.

As it is always found at Devizes, the Buenos Ayrean Duck
class was good and well-filled; the principal honour, however,
travelled so far as Mr. Jessop, of Hull.

The Turkeys were few but capital; and when we mention
the well-known names of Seamons and Howler as competitors,
none of our readers can doubt for a moment that the Ducks
and Geese were as well represented as possible.

The management of the poultry on the part of the Committee
admits of no improvement, and thus the order and regularity
were unexceptionable. As we before hinted, however, if this
Show were in future held a little earlier m the season, no doubt
the number of entries would be considerably advanced, and
therefore its pecuniary success greater.

SpanisH.—First, E. Brown, Sheffield. Second, H. Lane, Bristol, Third,
J. R. Rodbard, Wrington, Bristol. Commended, Rey, G. Hodson, North
Petherton, Bridgwater; J. K. Fowler, Aylesbury.

Dorxrn@s, Coloured.—First and Second, Viscountess Holmesdale, Linton
Park, Staplehurst. Third, Mrs. A. Guy, Eaton Grantham. Highly Com-
mended, Major Ward, Castle House, Calne; Mrs. M.\Seamons, Hartwell,
Aylesbury ; Rey. M. Stark, Hull; J.'/B.: Coleman, ‘Beyersbrook; T. R.
Hulbert, Bradgendon, ‘Cirencester. F

Dorxrncs, White. — First, Mrs. H. Fookes, ‘Whitchurch, Blandford.
Second, Rey. G. Hodgson, North Petherton.. u i ‘

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February 17, 1863. ]

GAmr, Black-breasted and other Reds.—First, J. Fletcher, Stoneclough,
Manchester. Second, S, Matthews, Stowmarket. Third, A. H. Philpott
and J. B. Weeks, Bromyard. Highly Commended, A. B. Dyas, Madeley,,
Salop ; A. Heath, Calne; H. Adams, Beverley; C. W. Brierley, Rochdale,
Lancaster ; G. Layard, Bimingham. Commended, A. B. Dyas ; J. Fletcher,
Manchester; M. Billing, jun., Gravelly Hill, Birmingham.

Game, Duckwings and other Greys and Blues.—First, J. Hindson, Ever-
ton, Liverpool. Second, J. Fletcher, Stoneclough, Manchester. Third,
G. W. Langdale, Beverley, Yorkshire. Highly Commended, H. Adams,
Beyerley ; S. Dupe, Evercreech. Commended, J. Wilders, jun., Croxton
Kyrie], Grantham.

Game, Any other variety.—First, J. Fletcher, Stoneclough, Manchester.
Second, A. H. Philpott, and J. B. Weeks, Bromyard. Third, A. Guy,
Eaton, Grantham. Commended, J. Fletcher; G. S. Cruwys, Cruwys
Morchard Court, Tiverton.

Cocutn-Cuina, Cinnamon and Buff.—First, Mrs. H. Fookes, Whitchurch.
Second, J. W. Kellaway, Merston.

Cocrin-Catva, Brown and Partridge-feathered,—First, P. Cartwright,
Oswestry: Second, H. Chayesee; King’s Heath, Birmingham.
ee as Seals Any other variety.—First and Second, G. C. Whitwell,
Cendal.

Maxavs.—First, N. Sykes, jun., Mile End, London. Second, W. Watson,
Kelly Farm, Calstoeck. ighly Commended, Master C. A. Ballance, Taun-
ton; J. Choyce, jun., Harris Bridge, Atherstone.

Hamsurew, Gold-pencilled.—First, J. E. Powers, Biggleswade, Beds.
Rely E. Payne, Wharf, Cardiff. Commended, Major Ward, Castle Honse,

‘alne,

Hampurcw, Silver-pencilled.—First, T. W. Walsh, Worcester. Second,
J.E, Powers, Biggleswade.

Hampuren, Gold-spangled.— First, N. Mailor, Douton, Manchester.
Second, M. Billing, jun., Gravelly Hill, Birmingham. Highly Commended,
I. Davies, Harborne, Birmingham; W. Cutt, St. Fagan’s, Cardiff.

HAMBuRGH, Silver-spangled.—First, T. Duyies, Stow Hill, Newport.
Second, Viscountess Holmesdale, Linton Park, Staplehurst. Highly Com-
mended, Mis. Pettat, Ashe Rectory, Basingstoke.

Ponanp, Black with White Crest.—First. and Seconda, T. B. Edwards,
Lyndhurst, Hants. Commended, Mrs. Blay, the Poplars, Worcester.

Potann, Any other variety.—First, Mrs. Blay, the Poplars, Worcester.
Second, Mrs. Pettat, Ashe Rectory, Basingstoke.

BrauMma Poorra.—First, J. Hinton, Hinton, Bath, Second, Mrs. Sea-
mons, Hartwell, Aylesbury. Highly Commended, J. K. Fowler, Aylesbury.

Bantams, Game.—First, T. H. D. Bayly, Ickwell House, Biggleswade.
Second, J. Camm, Farnfield, Southwell, Highly Commended, T. Davies,
Stow Hill, Newport. Commended, J. W. Kellaway, Merston; E. Payne,
Wharf, Cardiff.

Bantams, Gold and Silver-laced.—¥irst, T. H. D. Bayly, Biggleswade.
Second. E. Jones, Bristol. Highly Commended, E. Jones; Rev. G. Hodson,
North Petherton; H. Yeardley, Sheffield. Commended, Mrs. Pettut.

BanTams, Any other yariety,—First, E. Mutton, Leeds. Second, Mrs.
H. Fookes, Whitchurch. Highly Commended, R. Brotherhood, jun. Com-
mended, ’. H. D. Bayly, Ickwell House; Rev..G. S, Cruwys.

Any Orme Distincr or Cross Bresps.—First, S. Dupe, Evercreech.
Secone, J. Lamb, Highworth. Highly Commended, W. Manfield, jun.
Commended, P. P. Cother, Salisbury; R. H. Nicholas, Newport.

Gersn —Dirst, J. K. Fowler, Aylesbury. Second, W. Manfleld, jun.,
Highly Commended, Mrs. D: Smith, Basingstoke; Mrs. Seamons, Ayles-
bury. Commended, J. P. Coleman, Beversbrook.

TourKeEys:—First. Miss\Milward, Bath.
mended, J. P. Coleman, Beyersbrook.

Ducks, Aylesbury.—First and Second, Mrs. Seamons, Aylesbury. Highly
Commended, J. P. Coleman,

Ducks, Rouen.—First, J. R. Hulbert, Cirencester. Second, G. Hanks,
Malmesbury. Highly Commended, D. H. W. Horlock, Corsham.

Ducks, Black Bast Indian.—First, J. R. Jessop, Hull. Second, F. W.
Earle, Prescot. Highly Commended, £. ©. Phillips, Chippenham. Com-
mended, Master C: A. Ballance, Taunton.

Ducks, Any other variety.—First, T. H. D. Bayly. Second, E. Hutton.
Commended, P. W. Brunmell.

Game Cocks.—First, J. Fletcher, Stoneclough. Second, G. C. Whitwell,
Kendal. Third, A. B. Dyas, Madeley. Highly Commended, H. Adams:
Rey. F, Watson, Suffolk; W. Long, Devizes. Commended, J. Fletcher;
M. Billing, jun., Birmingham.

Game Bana Cocxs.—First, J. W. Kellaway. Second, ©. W. Brierley,
Rochdale. Third, f, H. D. Bayly. Highly Commended, J. Camm; W.
Silvester, Sheffield. Commended, R. B, Postans, Essex; J. Camm.

SWEEPSTAKES.

é Soe coe Lewes J. R. Rodbard, Bristol. Highly Commended, H. Lane,,

ristol.

Dorxtnes.— Prize, Mrs. D. Smith, Browning Hill House. Highly Com-
mended, Vicountess Holmesdale, Linton Park.

Cocuty-Caina.—Prize, J. W. Kellaway, Merston, 1.W. Highly Com-
mended, Major Hassard, Portsmouth.

Hamevurous (Pencilled.)—Prize, J, Munn.

Poranps.—Prize, J. Hinton, Hinton, Bath.

Matays.—Prize, W. Mansfield, jun., Portesham. Highly Commended,
Master, C. A. Ballance, Taunton.

Any BrepD not MenrTIoneEp, except Game and Game Bantams.—Prize,
J. Hinton, Hinton, Bath. Highly Commended, J. Pares, Chertsey.

Mx. Edward Hewitt, of Eden Cottage, Sparkbrook,. officiated
as Judge.

BirMinewam Preropican Poutrry anp Praron Sares.—At
the sale on Tuesday last there was a very large attendance of
buyers, some from very long distances, attracted, no doubt by
the disposal of Mr. Tomlinson’s surplus: stock. Several birds
sold at prices averacing from 30s. to £5 5s., and were distributed
in the counties of Nottingham, Derby, Lancaster, York, &c. ;
but many found purchasers in the town and neighbourhood of
Birmingham. Altogether 220 lota were sold, and the competition
for Cochins of all colours, Spanish, Game, Dorkings, Bantams,

Second, D. Smith. Highly Com- |

JOURNAL OF ‘HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

143

and Pigeons, was good, the amount realised being nearly £200.
Mr. Lythall the Secretary of the Birmingham Cattle and Poultry
Show Society, officiated as Auctioneer.

NANTWICH POULTRY EXHIBITION.

Tur fourth annual Exhibition of poultry has just taken
place at Nantwich, and we are happy to say it has proved by
far the best of any held by the Society. Confined expressly to a
radius of thirteen miles from the Town Hall, most persons
would naturally anticipate not only a very limited amount of
entries, but would probably expect to find the generality of the
birds shown of comparatively inferior character to those we meet
with in shows open to the whole kingdom. In the particular
case of Nantwich, the results are quite the reverse, the entries
bsing upwards of 350 pens, whilst the specimens generally have
nothing to fear from comparison with those of our most popular
meetings. At the first meeting, four years back, some mistakes
in properly selecting the various pens of necessity occurred,
a poultry show then being quite a new feature in the locality ;
but, as time wore on, this difficulty disappeared, and now the
judgment displayed in the penning of all varieties shows at a
glance not onily that many of our best poultry-yards exist in
this neighbourhood, but that the exhibition of poultry is perfectly
understood, and combined with the closest emulation: hence
only is it that the exhibitors of Nantwich are so perfectly com-
petent not only to well fill their own Town Hall at their local
meetings, but also to take no meagre share of the premiums at any
other shows where they dare the competition. The Committee
evidently entertain as good the importance of the old motto,
all hands to the wheel ;”’ none of them are idle spectators,
every one seems on the best and most friendly terms with his
fellows, and therefore all arrangements progress in the most
perfect order and unbroken regularity. It would be well for
some other committees to become copyists on this point, and
so prevent the unpleasantness that must inevitably arise, and that
too frequently, where each shifts to his utmost all responsibility

| on to the shoulders of his colleagues, so that at length the duties

of committeemen are either absolutely neglected or grudgingly
performed. We must not digress further, but proceed to give
some of the leading characteristics of the Show.

The Black Spanish were the first objects that met the eye of
visitors, and both young and old were in far better condition
than might have been expected. Some of the pullets were of
very first-rate character.

By the catalogue arrangement Aylesbury Ducks came next in
order, and rarely has so close a competition been recorded. Both
first and second prizes were faultless in colour and bill, and,
still more strangely, were of precisely the same weight. There
was one feature, however, that decided the preference: the first-
prize pen were shown in fair breeding order; the second had
evidently been more highly fed. The Rouens generally were
very good, but had to submit to the Aylesburys when competing
for the plate for the best pen of Ducks of either breed. In the
“Any other variety of Ducks” were some well-shown wild
Ducks, so thoroughly domesticated as to eat freely from the
hand, besides some really good Buenos Ayrean Ducks.

All the Geese were good, and comprised the HEmbden, Toulouse,
and Moitled varieties.

In Turkeys, except the first-prize, which were of the Cambridge
breed, there was not anything of superior quality.

Both White and also Grey Dorkings were capitally shown;
indeed, it is certain they were far superior to those of most of
our exhibitions. The Partridge Cochins were as good as could
be desired, and this variety succeeded in obtaining the Society’s
plate for the best pen of poultry of any variety exhibited. The
Buff Cochins were not nearly equal to them, but the White ones
were a very goodlot. A very strong entry next competed for the
Licensed Victuallers’ Cup, given to the best Game cockerel (any
colour) exhibited. A Nantwich victualler won it, but was closely
pressed by several others; and, falling into his hands, the cup
will, it was foreboded, rather prove a honorary than a profitable
achievement, if the demands of the disappointed as to filling and
refilling it are to be complied with. Of the Game fowls as a
whole we cannot express ourselves too highly. As always
appears to be the case at Nantwich, the Brown Reds took pre-
cedence of all other colours, though many first-rate Black Reds
were present, Two old cocks were disqualified, being entered
as cockerels. The Golden-spangled were the best of the Ham-

144;

burghs, and the Silver-spanzled of the Poland fowls, Some very
good Bantams were shown in their respective classes.

The Pigeons were quite a favoured portion of the Exhibition,
and the collection of small singing birds was scarcely less
attractive.

Great credit is due to Mr. Rhodes, the Hon. Sec., for his
courteous and prompt attention to everything connected with
the Show.

The Judge of the poultry was Mr, Edward Hewitt, of Spark-
brook, Birmingham; for the Pigeons, Mr. €. Cotten, of Crewe,
and Mr. C. Bowles, of Chester ;.and for the Canaries and other
song birds, Mr. John Ankers, assisted by the Pigeon Judges.

As the weather proved most propitious a very great attendance
ensued, and the Society has even still further increased its hold
on the good wishes of the neighbourhood. ‘This, combined
with the promise of a larger subscription list for future years,
betokens that the perseverance of the Nantwich Committee has
obtained the reward it so well merited.

We published the list of awards last week.

WARNING.

AFTER my advertisement in the Journal some few weeks agos
amongst other applications was one from a “Mr. Ridgway
Beswick Lodge, near Manchester.” His second letter ran as
follows :—“I am in want of some good Carrier Pigeons, and
knowing you to keep some first-class birds, you will oblige by
sending me a pair each of Duns, Blues and Blacks. Send them
first-rate birds, as price is no object. Send me word when you
haye sent them, also your charge for the lot, and I will remit
payment on receiving the birds.” Then, he says, “ Direct for
Mr. Ridgway, Beswick Lodge, near Manchester, to be left at the
Ashton Station until called for, as that is the nearesf station to
my house, and I will send my inan down for them.” Now, I
did not like this style at all, and civilly requested prepayment ;
but I have never heard from him since. I suspected it was a
hoax, and asked a gentleman who lives in Manchester to inquire
if there was such a name and place near. He took much trouble,
looking in the “ Directory,” and inquiring of everybody likely to
Know, but all to no purpose, until this week, when he heard
from some manufacturers in Beswick, that “‘ Beswick Lodge”
is a beerhouse at the bottom of Beswick Street, and several
inquiries have been made for “ Ridgway,’ who is not known
there, but suspected to be a member of the “ Long firm.”—
T. Coney.

BHE-KEEPING IN STAFFORDSHIRE.

“Tue last two seasons with me have been very bad. The
spring of 1861 found me with only one stock, which sent out a
swarm on July Ist, which on September 1st did not weigh 1 1b.
heavier than when hiyed; so I determined to try superposing.
Having had a queenless hive presented to me, I gorged them
with food for several days, and at evening, about dusk, put the
queenless stock on the top of the swarm, thinking they would
fraternise with and descend to those below. Little fighting
ensued, not more than a score being killed; but what was my
surprise in a few days to find, that instead of the queenless stock
descending according to my wishes, the others had gone up to them,
leaying tenantless the handful of comb they had made. ‘Think-
ing it best to let them remain undisturbed as the queenless stock,
which was a swarm of 1860, had most comb, I fed them liberally,
leaying the part-filled hive below. ‘They came through the
winter of 1861-2 in good order, and, after being provided with
a fresh domicile by cutting-out the top-board of the lower hives
with the combs adhering, and fitting it in a cap-hive, are now my
strongest stock; but they are two storeys high, the top-board
forming the division having two side apertures each about
2 square inchesarea. Will the division affect their future welfare ?
and will it prevent. swarming? As neither stock swarmed last
season, which was as bad as 1861, I shall be obliged by learning
the opinion of “ A RENFREWSHIRE BRE-KEEPER,’ and hope to
hear a better account of his apiary than I am able to give of
mjne.—A Nortu-STaFFORDSHIRE BEE-KEEPER.

Brrs.—The Apiculteur, a French apiarian journal, contains
the following remarks :—Bees do not pass the winter in a state
of stupefaction, nor do they sleep much longer during that

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ February 17, 1863:

season than in any other—all that depends upon the work they
have todo. There are at all seasons some working bees alive -
and active in a hive, and at the time when provisions are being
got in there are many at work day and night without taking
any sleep at all. Their slumber is very light at all times, for
they sleep with their eyes open; the slightest noise, a vivid
light, or a current of air, is enough to awaken them; but the:
warmer the hive is the easier it 1s for them to sleep: hence
they consume much less honey in a hive situated in a quiet place,
little exposed to light and air, than in one more exposed. But
if the outer temperature rises very high, this favours the laying
of their eggs, and then a larger quantity of honey is consumed.
It is, therefore, easy to explain why in bee-hives placed close to
each other the consumption of honey is different during winter ;
and this is a circumstance not to be neglected, because colonies.
which before winter seemed to have provisions enough to last
them all through the month of March, may be reduced to ex-
tremities before the end of January, in which case the apiculturist
must come to their assistance. If the bees have been able to
enjoy an excursion or two since Christmas they will easily partake
of the liquid food which may be offered them in a cup placed
inside the hive; but if not, the food so administered may cause
dysentery. To avoid this, honeycombs full of honey should be
cut out of other hives where the supply is plentiful, and trane-
planted into needy ones. This delicate operation is performed
in a cellar by the light of a Jantern and with the aid of smoke.
The colonies thus assisted must be left in the cellar, if it be not
too damp, until a fine day comes to allow of their flying out a
little. Lhe hives from which the honeycombs have been taken
must also be left in the cellar for twenty-four hours at least,
during which the bees feed on the honey that has exuded during
the operation.

OUR LETTER BOX.

DeatTH or CurcKens (Alpha).—All parasites become fatal to chickens,
but it is seldom we find them among the dung. The only worm we know
is the tape-worm, and this is only common to Game. Parasites in chickens
are two—the lice in the feathers, and the red-worms in the throat. The
first are dislodged by dust and ashes, especially wood ashes mixed with
a little sulphur. There is litule doubt the second are caused by impure
water. We fancy that living in a greenhouse and pinery they have, in
scratching or searching for food, found some parasitical insect chat would
attach itself to anything that had life. It is unquestionable these would
cause death by constant worrying. We doubt, however, whether they
are dies; even small chickens are great enemies to everything that has
wings.

Burine Stock (An Old Subscriber).—If you apply to Mr. Baily, 113,
Mount street, Grosvenor Square, you will obtain what you require.

Earty-CHICKEN MANAGEMENT (Constant Reader).—Is your crate covered
at night? Cochins are yery hardy. Your feeding is judicious. We do
not see why they should die, unless they geta chill, The nights are still
long and cold, and the hen cannot cover them as well af a mouth old as she
can when they are very young. We do not think a large crate necessary.
The ordinary rip that we have described so often, closed at the back and
both sides, but open in front, to allow the chickens to run in and out
between the bars is all that is required; and has the advantage that the
back can always be turned to the wind, and that the front is easily covered
up at night. They do not want hay. We have given bruised hempseed
witk success to young chickens, and in cold and damp weather we vive
stale bread soaked in strong ale night and morning. We also give them
beer to drink. Chickens sometimes die at that age from vermin. If this
iz found to be the case on examination, a little oil put under the wings and
a little on the crown of the head will be the cure. The prevention will be
a heap of dust in their haunts. If they are exposed to cold at night they
perish from it. The rip should not be large. It should be open only in
front, and it should be carefully covered at night.

Hens Nor Lavine (C. Zllis).—Hens will not lay in the winter, it is.
contrary to their nature. Pullets will lay at that season, but only on the
concition they shall reach the laying agein the winter. In providing for
this itis also necessary to bear in mind that progress is yery slow in the winter
months, and that unpropitious weather will hinder or retard laying. Eggs
have been more plentiful during the last. fortnight, but up to that time
they were unusually scarce. Cochins and Brahmas are the best winter
layers. Ifyou had had either of those in your pure-bred and eight months
old, you would have had eggs.

Hen Layine Sorr Eces (James Retd).—As she has,a free run, and,
therefore, probably finds a supply of limy substances, the eyil is occasioned
by an over-irritated state of the ovary and ezg-passage. This, we have
little doubt, arises from her being over-fed. Give her a dessert-spoonful
of castor oil; feed her moderately upon boiled potatoes mixed with very
little barleymeal, and throw some limy bricklayers’ rubbish where she can
readily have uccess to it. In a week or two the soft eggs will be succeeded
by hard-shelled eggs.

Aviary (.4 Constant Subscriber).—The back, a brick wall covered with
ivy, will not be injurious to Canaries, Goldfinches, and other small birds.
Try, and we will hope that you may be able to keep the ivy flourishing.

Incupator (Zex).—You are quite right, the rearing of the chickens is
much more difficult than hatching them. We will not trouble you for
the extract you obligingly offer. Hybridising requires too much care,
and the treatmens varies too much to answer under oue general query.

February 24, 1863. ]

WEEKLY CALENDAR.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 145

i | WEATHER NEAR LONDON IN 1862. |
Day Day | Moon Clock
of. | of FEB. 24—MARCH 2, 1863, | Rain in| .Su2 Sun | Rises |Moon’s| before | Day of
M'nth Week. | Barometer. |Thermom.|} Wind. Teenen Rises. Sets. |andSets| Age. | Sun. | Year,
= | | |
] degrees. |m. h.| m h.| m h.| m. 8. |
24 Tu Sr. MATTHIAS. | 89.124—29.956 41—35 N.E. - 59af6 | 28af5 | 28m0 | 6 13 30 | 55
25 WwW EmBER WEEK. | 30.164—30.030 41—32 E. — 57 6), 800 5) | SO Lo} 13 21 56
26 | Ta Clusius born 1526. B. | 30.510—30.288 36—34 N.E. = 55 6/82 5|27 2) 8 13° 11 57
27°) F Evelyn died 1706. G. 30.205—30.041 37—82 N.E. = 53 6 | 34 5/15 38 9 13° 0 58
98 | S Frogs spawn. | 30.027—29.997 | 4434 | N.E. — | 51 6/85 5)|55 3) 10 |12 49 59
1 | Stn 2 Sunpay In LENT. | 29.955—29.777 43—29 N.E. — 48 6/387 5/28 4 il 12 38 60
2; M Hor. Walpole died 1797. } 29.591—29.500 | 37—15 E. — 240 6) | oo On ose | 12 12 26 \ 61
METEOROLOGY OF THE WEEK.—At Chiswick, from observations during the last thirty-six years, the average highest and lowest
temperatures of these days are 47.8° and 33.8° respectively. The greatest heat, 62°, occurred on the 27th, in 1846; and the lowest cold, 18°,
on the 24th, in 1860, During the period 136 days were fine, and on 116 rain fell.

THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

BLES H% showed in our last
s : notice of the report of
ZA the Council of the
d V7 Royal Horticultural Society what
i was the real condition of the finances.
We showed that after all liabilities
were paid the Society had only £3141 9s. at their
= eredit wherewith to begin the world on the 10th
of February in this presentyear. Wealso stated
that the receipts during the year had been, on revenue
and capital account together, £48,081 0s. 4d. We shall
now glance at the way in which this and upwards of
£7000 in addition has been spent. In fact, the whole
expenditure on the year has been £54,016 3s. 9d., without
any part of the debentures being paid off.

And first in the account comes Chiswick. Chiswick
last year cost £2400 18s. 3d., rent, taxes, labour, imple-
ments, seeds, plants, and everything included; but to
the credit of this must go £435 12s. 10d. received for
garden produce and charges, which, in fact, reduces the
expenditure of Chiswick to £1965 ds. 5d., besides the
enormous quantity of bedding-out and decorative plants
which it has contributed towards the garden at Kensing-
ton. Chiswick, therefore, in round figures, costs the
Society £1965.

We come now to the “Expenses of Management”
account. his includes salaries, printing, advertising,
Journal, the two Committees, foreign importations, fur-
niture, wages, &c.—in short, everything connected with
what may be called the offices, and amounts to £5990 1s. 2d.
The first item is for salaries and collectors’ poundage—
£1439 3s. 2d. How much there may be set down for the
latter we do not know; but suppose the whole amount
were applied to salaries, which includes, we presume, the
plant-collectors, there is nothing to complain of out of
such an expenditure. The work to be done in the offices
of such a Society, where there is so much book-keeping,
management, and correspondence required, cannot be
little; and where men of education and of competent
ability are necessary, the remuneration must be in ac-
cordance with the status of the Society and the ability
of the individuals. ‘‘ Printing, Advertising, and Sta-
tionery,’ £787 Qs. 9d. seems a very large amount, seeing
that it does not include either the Journal or the same
items for the expense of the exhibitions. Taking the
whole of the printing, including Journal, advertisements,
and stationery together, it amounts to £3344 9s. 5d.; of
which £1105 15s. 3d. is for the Journal, and £1458 ds. 5d.
is for the exhibitions. Now a question naturally arises,
Is the Journal worth such an expenditure? The main
object for which this was established was as a means of
communication between the Council and the Fellows.
At the meeting held at the rooms of the Society of Arts
in the Adelphi in 1859, Fellows of the Society complained

that they never knew what was going on, the announce-
ments of the Council being confined exclusively to one
No. 100.—Vot. LY., New Sznrss.

gardening publication, and, as only some of the Fellows
saw that paper, the rest were kept in ignorance of what
was going on. It was upon this suggestion that the
Journal was begun. The number of Fellows then was,
perhaps, not half the number it is now, and consequently
the cost of the Journal was proportionately less; but
now that the Council advertise so liberally in the garden-
ing and daily papers, we certainly do not see any neces-
sity for amonthly Journal, and especially as not one tithe
of the Fellows ever open it. For all purposes as regards
the information to be communicated, a quarterly publica-
tion of modest pretensions would suffice, while all an-
nouncements of current events can be made through the
ordinary advertising mediums as is done by all other
public bodies.

The whole expense of the Fruit Committee during the
year was £172 4s. 4d., and of the Floral £157 3s.5d. These
amounts speak for themselves,

The ‘Foreign Importations,’ £418 12s. 6d., we take
to mean Mr. Weir’s plants sent home, of which but little
is as yet known. People are asking why it is Mr. Weir
lingered so long about Rio, and did not penetrate at once
to the district where greater success might have crowned
his labours. It is nearly two years since Mr. Weir left
England; and contrasting his labours with those of Mr.
Fortune and Mr. J. G. Veitch in Japan, both of whom
went and returned laden with treasures within two years,
they certainly do not contrast very favourably. ‘“‘ Wages,”
which is exclusive of labour at Chiswick and at the Ken-
sington Garden, is put down at £746 2s. 7d., and amounts
to nearly one-half of the whole labour of the garden and
conservatory. The miscellaneous—£431 14s. 9d, and law,
£242 9s. 4d. complete the principal items in this account.

The next statement is ‘‘ Expenses of Exhibitions,”
£9908 3s. 1d. This includes printing, advertising, and
posting, £1458 5s.5d. ; prizes and medals, £2101 17s. 6d. ;
the ‘“bands”’ played to the tune of £3022 7s. ld.; and
the tents cost £1672 9s. 6d. Police, making a new road,
commission on tickets, &c., make up the remainder.

The “‘ Kensington Garden Expenses *’ amount in all to
£7261 Os. 5d., the principal items of which are labour
£1823 3s. 2d.; rates, taxes, and insurance, put down by
mistake as “rent, rates, taxes, and insurance,” the rent.
being a distinct item, £1329 6s. 8d.; sculpture and orna-
ments, £1161 10s. 7d.; implements, manure, coals, and
coke, £558 15s. 11d.; trees, plants, and seeds, £603 3s. 3d.
Repairs sounds a strange item in the expenditure of an
establishment where everything is supposed to be only a
year old, but repairs have already been done during the
year to the amount of £313 12s., or nearly the cost of
the Fruit and Floral Committees together.

The interest on debentures amounts to £1817 14s. 7d.,
and the rent to the Royal Commissioners of 1851 is
£2289 10s. annually. Upwards of a year being due on
the 1st of January last, the amount stated in the account
as being paid for rent to that date is £3318 12s.

We have thus gone over the leading heads of expendi-
ture in the revenue account, which amounts altogether to
£30,368 2s. 3d., and which, being deducted from the

No. 752.—Von. XXTX., Oxp SERIES.

146

income £31,381 13s. 10d., leaves a profit on the year of
£1013 11s. ‘7d. This being the joint property of the Society
and the Royal Commissioners, each takes their share of profit,
which amounts to £506 15s. 93d.

A correspondent, signing himself “ Common SENSE,” sends a
letter to ‘‘ one of our contemporaries,” the whole gist of which
is, that he regards it as “a ground for satisfaction” that the
Society has spent so much money; and that haying only £3100
in hand, the nature of the works is such it will require so
atch more to be spent before the whole can be completed.
That’s all. He does not gainsay a single statement we put
forward in our last article, the sole intention of which was to
show our readers what was the exact condition of the Society,
and which really could not be gathered from the statements
made at the meeting, and with difficulty from the published
accounts.

ASTERS.

THERE is a danger in all reforms that they may become revo-
lutions, when people, not contented with a fair modicum of
change, are for overturning existing institutions altogether; and
as such seems to be the character of a paper on “German
Flower Seeds” which appeared in a weekly contemporary, I
venture, ere it quite passes away, to saya few words on the
‘other side of the question. I do this with less hesitation, because
I have myself strongly condemned this system of “collections,”
especially in the matter of genuine florists’ flowers, where pro-
mises are held out that varieties shall come true ia their re-
spective classes and preserve the character of their parents—

about as likely a thing as that the chameleon will never change |
its colour, and therefore, as far as the general bearing of

the paper is concerned, 1 am “in accord” with the writer.
What I object to is the length to which he has carried it, and
the manner in which he has laid the whip on the broad shoulders
of the German seedsmen, when the fault is on our own side of
the water quite as much.

The objections made are—1, The excessive number of varieties
advertised; and 2, the equally excessive number of colours,
and, having enumerated from one of the seed catalogues (and
one is a fair specimen of all), 183 varieties, he recommends us
to discard all but twelve, and that eventually all parties will be
benefited.

With regard to the number of varieties. That there are these

different—dvwarfs, talls, bouquets, hedgehogs, &e., is evident
enough; and if may be that some people admire flowers like |
# hedgehog; (can’t say I do any more than I admire the beast |

himself), but to say that there are only two kinds worth growing
is rather too far a shunt in the other direction.

The following I believe to be well worth having : —1, Truffaut’s
Pzony-flowered ; 2, Perfection Pzony-flowered, or Perfection

simply in come catalogues; 3, Dwarf Chrysanthemum-flowered ; |

4, Cocardeau or Crown Asters; 5, Betteridge’s Quilled. Where
exhibitions are in view some would also add the Giant Emperor.
The first two sorts differ rather in shape than in anything else,
tke Perfection being more imbricated, called by the raisers in
France “‘imbriqué,” while the others are “pivoine.” There is,
I know, sometimes confusion in these classes; but all I wish
to imply is, that there are two classes of the Prony-flowered
Asters differing mainly as to their form. With regard to the
third cla:s, it is one of the greatest acquisitions possible for us
small gardeners; its dwarf habit, the freedom with which the
flowers are produced, and the size of the blooms, making it
quite an autumn gem. Entirely distinct from any of these
are the Cocardeau, Cockade, or Crown Asters, haying either
scarlet or blue guard petals, and the centre filled-up with white.
I know of no Asters more distinct than these are, or more
pleasing. Then as to Betteridge’s. I mention them because
they are, as far as I have seen, the very finest of the Quilled
varieties. Some of the German Quilled are very good, but I
have never seen any that on the whole equalled these, and they
invariably take first prize at the great metropolitan exhibitions.
Here there are five, or at any rate four, sorts of Asters well
worth growing—an opinion in which I think I shall be borne
out by the majority of those who haye grown them. And then
with regard to the colours. Indubitably there is need of reform
here. The difference between tweedledum and tweedledee was
not more imperceptible than the difference of tints that these
Asters, Stocks, Zinnias, &c., are made to assume. A rosy car-

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ Februaty 24, 1863.

mine and carmine rose, a pale flesh and a light pink, do cer-
tainly sound very much alike, and, what is more, are very much
alike ; but I think the saddle has been hardly put upon the
right horse.

On referring to the schedule of the Royal Horticultural Society,
I find that exhibitors are required to show 24 distinct varieties
in both, what-are called by them, Tasselled and Quilled Asters.
Here, then, according to the estimate of what ought to be the
highest tribunal in the land for floricultural purposes, there are,
instead of 12, 48 varieties worth cultivating! But I believe this
to be a great mistake. It is possible in the Tasselled varieties,
by selecting from the Giants, Emperors, Chrysanthemum-flow-
ered, &c., to find 24 which may be distinct; but to do so in the
Quilled ones is utterly impossible. I have over and over again
gone over the stands as exhibited at Kensington and the Crystal
Palace, and never have been able to make out more than a
dozen, and even that with some difficulty. It is of no use, then,
calling it a “ German humbug,” while we are ourselves encou-
raging them to carry it out and to fleece us. If we are really
sincere in our endeavours we must begin at home. Charity is
said to begin there, and certainly reformation ought. When
exhibitors are expected to do less, then seedsmen will not urge
their foreign correspondents to send them over distinct colours
when no such distinctness exists. Nor doI see in what other
way the difficulty is likely to be abated. It is perfectly true
that no advantage is gained by purchasing the smaller-sized
packets, as then one only obtains a larger proportion of the indis-
tinct varieties ; but if societies would say that they do not look
for such a large number of colours, we should in that case be
likely to see a change.

I may, perhaps, seem to be laying too great a stress on exhi-
bitions as affecting these things, but those who know the progress
of horticulture are aware how much they have to do with them.
When a flower is thrown imto the shade in schedules it very
s00n ceases to be so extensively grown; and who does not know
that the amazing increase in the popularity of the Rose is due,
in no slight degree, to those national exhibitions at which eager
competition brings together people from all parts to show their
| flowers and to take a leaf—a Rose leaf—out of their neighbours’
| books? ‘To regard them a show, as only a means of making
money, is taking a very low estimate. It does more—it acts/as
an eneouragement on all concerned when properly managed.
And when a man £nds that his neighbour Tomkins, with only
| half as much ground 4s he has, has walked off with a first prize
for Roses, he begins to think, ‘‘ Why shouldn’t Ido as well as
Tomkins ?” And then the desire of doing likewise comes in, and
next season sees Smith very close on Tomkins’ heels, and the
following season perhaps ahead of him: therefore, I say, these
reformations raust begin here. Do not let them be too sweeping
—nothing will be gained by that; but the good sense of the
public will, I should think, prevent that.

We have to thank the foreign seed-growers for most of the
really good additions to our novelties, and especially in Asters.
Do not let us now deal too harshly with those who have so
largely benefited our autumn-gardening.—D., Dead.

OLD ROSES versus NEW ROSES.

Tue crafty magician in the “ Arabian Nights,” cried “new
lamps for old;” and “new Roses for old ones” appears the
annual cry of our neighbours across the channel. For one, I
must confess myself heretic enough to doubt the value or wisdom
of the exchange, particularly in the face of many of the im-
portations we have received during the past few years; not that
I hold novelty objectionable per se, but only when it is made the
cover of unfounded pretension, or the medium for passing off
mediocrity as sterling merit. And this holds good with respect
to Roses as well as to graver matters. I could point out fifty
or sixty floral impostors at least, whose only pretence to a
in the catalogues is their novelty, by virtue of which they exclude
older and better kinds, which, consequently drop out of cul-
tivation and are lost. It is quite certain that our nurserymen
must, of course, repay themselves for their risk and expense in
importing novelties. ‘I'wenty or twenty-fivefrancsis the usual
price for each new kind, without the expense of carriage; so that
two or three plants of forty or fifty varieties, amount to a con-
siderable outlay, which takes some getting-back, without reckon-
ing any profit upon the enterprise.

Febcuary 24, 1863.1]

On critically examining the lists since 1859, by the test of
observation and experience, I find about six is the annual
average of fresh varieties really deserving to be considered as
acquisitions, and even many of these might be dispensed with,
being equalled, if not excelled, by kinds already im cultivation.
This has been particularly the case among the introductions of
the last seven or eight years, during which, with the exception
of Comtesse de Chabrillant and the Senateur (perhaps Santhe-
nay, though it is shy), no Rose of paramount distinctness and
excellence has come out, though there have been several undeni-
ably good.

What we want among the Perpetuals is such Roses as
Brennus, Blairii No. 2, Coupe d’Hébé, Paul Ricaut, &c., among
the summer Roses; or, let us take a bloom of the common Cab-
bage, and stain it with various shades, from the deepest crimson
to the palest blush, to represent the type desirable to be attained
in the autumnal bloomers. The foreign raisers appear to have
descended into a bad and defective strain. he full, firm,
globular, deép-petalled form, with plenty of “stuff” in it, has
given way to large, it may be, but loose, “flopperty ” blooms.
In many cases, where size has been obtained it has been of a
pxony-like character, with irregular, jagged, and pointed petals,
subversive of symmetry and offensive to taste. Madame
Furtado, so much puffed-up two seasons ago, has been, perhaps,
the nearest approach to the old and desirable style of flower ;
but it is a bad doer and grower, and the blooms of it shown at
exhibitions are no “criterion” of its worth as a garden de-
coration.

Now that our own rosarians appear to have taken up in
earnest the task of raismg seedlings, we shall, no doubt, obtain
some real advance in Hngland’s national emblem. They not
only know the character of flower required, but’ are not likely,
for the sake of their own reputation, to foist tinsel and paste on
the floral world for true gems.

T shall just make a few remarks upon what, in my humble
opinion, are the most noteworthy varieties which have appeared
since 1859, and follow them with a list for comparison of older
favourites, none of them, I believe, of later date than seven or
eight years ago.

Among the new kinds of 1859, I am disposed to belisve the
following are the best—imdeed, the only ones for that year
necessary to retain as additions to our stock. H.P.’s, Anna
Alexieff, a really good Rose, of the style of Baronne Prevost;
Anna de Diesbach, large and showy, but loose-centered ; Belle
de Bourg-la-Reine, good; Comtesse Cécile de Chabrillant, or,
in short, “Chabrillant,” the light Rose of the past seven
years; Eugéne Appert, fine colour and habit, but of defective
form, one of the “ Moutan-petalled” class; Armide, fair ;
Empéreur de Maroc, small but dark, and well-shaped. ., Dr.
Berthet, dark, good. eas, Homére, Madame Damaizin, and
Madame J. Halphin, free-growing and good. Noiseties, Celine
Rorestier and America. I am not sure whether Triomphe de
Rennes belongs to this year.

From the list for 1860, 1 have taken the following :—H. P.’s,
Gloire de Santhenay ; Louis XVI.; Madame Boll, not free in
autumn; Madame C. Crapelet; Senateur Vaisse, the best high-
coloured Rose since Général Jacqueminot, and superior to that
as a florists’ flower, the Rose of 1860; Vainqueur de Solferino,
a free bloomer; Victor Verdier, another ‘ Moutan-petalled”
flower, but bright and fee, and late-blooming. Teas, Duc de
Magenta, Madame Blachet, and President (Paul’s).

For 1861, I have noted Duc de Cazes, very dark; General
Washington, large; Madame Furtado, over-rated; Madame
Pierson, tolerably good; Princesse Mathilde, very dark but
small, late bloomer, as is also Jean Bart, another small dark
flower; Reine des Violettes, inferior, but peculiar; Triomphe
d’Amiens, useful as a dashed or striped variety, of which there
are few. B., Catherine Guillot and Modéle de Perfection,
both of which are improvements on Louise Odier. Tea, Boule
d’Or.

I think that the past season, 1862, will afford us more good
Roses than any of those I have previously remarked upon. ‘Nhe
following have been shown well, and from personal acquaint-
ance with their behaviour'in the ground, corroborated by what
I have observed and gleaned at the nurseries, I should say
several promise to be first-rate, and many more to be good.
H.P;’s, Alphonse Damaizin, Charles Lefebvre, Francois La-
charme, Louise Darzins, white. How badly we want @ really
good white Perpetual! I doubt if this will supply it, Maréchal
Vaillant; Madame Boutin, Madame J. Daran, Madame C. Woed,

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

14G

Maurice Bernardin, Monte Christo (query, Iuéon des Combats
|over again?), Notre Dame de Fouryitres, Professor Koch,
| Robert Fortune (large incurved), Souvenir de Comte Cayour;
| Vicomte Vigier, Wm. Pfitzer. Madame C. Wood, Professor
| Koch, Maréchal Vaillant, Vicomte Vigier, and Wm. Pfitzer, are
| good late bloomers, and La Brillante is very free. ‘Lhe Teas I
| cannot speak upon from actual knowledge.

I shall now proceed to give a list of the older favourites.
| H.P.s’, Alexandrine Bachmetetf, type of the flat double flowers ;
Alphonse de Lamartine, nearly as regular as Chabrillant ;
Auguste Mid, a truly royal flower; Baronne Prevost; Baronne
Hallez; Caroline de Sansal; Comte de Wanteuil, a ‘ Coupe
@Hébé”’- formed flower; Comte de Paris; Cornet, a Perpetual
Cabbage ; Duchease VOrleans, Duchess of Sutherland, gems of
size and symmetry; Générals Brea and Bedeau; Gloire de
Parthenay, and Gloire de Vitry, two splendid varieties, large,
full; and free-blooming; Lady Stuart; Louis Buonaparte; Jacques
Lafitte; Jules Margottin, the Perpetual Brennus, and still
monarch of the carmine class; Ta Ville de St. Denis, superior
to Madame Furtado, and a better grower; La Reine, really »
queen of queens; Léon des Combats, as good as Santhenay
when well done and in trim; Madame de Cambacéres, for all
purposes the soundest Rose, perhaps, grown; Madame Vidot
and Mrs. Rivers, exquisitely beautiful in form; Prince Léon
(what: Rose surpasses this?) perfect in shape and colour, free in
bloom, though of only moderate growth; Reine des Fleurs;
Sydonie, a real globular flower; Lriomphe de Paris; Wm.
Griffith ; and Wm. Jesse. Bourbons, Madame Angelina, Queen,
La Quintinie, Paul Joseph, Pierre de St. Cyr, Reveil, Souvenir
de la Malmaison, the best light Rose still, show that there has
been less advance in this section than in any other. Zeas,
Devoniensis, old but unsurpassed; Bougére; Goubeult ; Moiret ;
Souvenir dun Ami; Gloire de Dijon, scarcely a Tea except in
seeut, for its leathery camellia-like foliage and vigorous habit
assimilate it to the strong-growing Bourbons. Woisettes, La-
marque, Solfaterre, and Narcisse (query, a Tea?)

Now. whether the Rose has undergone that improvement so:
frequently boasted of may well be doubted after comparing such:
varieties as enumerated above with their more modern rivals.
Some advance may have been made, perhaps, in colour, especially
in the darker kinds ; but even that will disappear if the clouded,
shaded, and uncertain nondescripts now so prevalent are allowed
to become an established taste. Want of space prevents me
from making this paper so exhaustive of the sabject aa I could °
wish ; nevertheless, it may serve to suggest matter for consider-
ation to fellow rosarians. Meanwhile, whether new or old,
Floreat Rosa !—W. D. Prior, Homerton.

DIVISION OF VINE-BORDERS.

Tue utility of this may be questioned, and the idea may seem
novel, and, perhaps, interesting to some; but improvement after
improvement comes looming in the distance, and in the process
of time they become immediate realities. The plan I advance
is, that the roots of every individuel Vine be separated from
those of. its fellows bya four-inch brick wall runving transversely
through the border, both outside and in.

By the above means more command is gained over every plant.
First, im withholding or giving moisture according to the indi-
vidual necessities and constitutions of the plants, for, in general,
vineries. are planted with different varieties: hence the ap-
plication. Second, it facilitates the lifting or transplanting of
any individual Vine, and completely obviates the necessity of
crippling the roots of that particular Vine, or those of its fellows.
Third, in renewing the soil, a compost may be given suitable to
the appetite of any variety of Vine. Again, when a limited!
number of Vines/are grown, and a continuous supply demanded,
when the Vines wear out from constant hard! forcing, the replant-
ing of the house would be easily effected by taking out every
alternate Vine, or every third Vine, so that in three years the
house might be renewed, both in plants and soil, and never
missa crop. ‘These brick walls would also assist in airing and
keeping the border sweet.—P. M., Combe Abbey.

{We think all your reasons good ones, except the airing of
the border. ‘Wedo not see that solid brick walls would help,
that much. Many years ago Mr. Mearns planted his Vines in
separate pits or boxes, so to speak; and at one of our beat,

laces, we recollect some fiften years ago seeing early Vines ‘so
planted im separate brick boxes, anda fiue below them, which

148

answered well, and permitted of changing and renewing as you
suggest. In fact, no doubt the plan would be more general
but for the expense, gardeners finding enough of trouble to get
a border done, let alone dividing it with walls. |

PLANTING POTATOES ON THE RIDGE
SYSTEM.

OnE correspondent, “D.,” says, “I intend to plant sixty
acres of Potatoes on the ridge system, as I am certain it will
prove the right plan. The question is, How ? Your garden method
is, of course, out of the question. We find manure a necessary
adjunct for a good crop, and the width of the ridges must
necessarily be determined by the width between cart wheels, which
in most cases is 5 feet ; hence 24 feet must be the width of each
ridge. This I contend is not: a fair trial, as there is not a sufficient
width of earth on the top to secure room for a large quantity of
good tubers. Supposing, however, that it is so, or is made so by
deep cultivation between the ridges, and moulding-up twice, then
how would you plant the sets? On the manure would not be
safe. Besides, it would be too deep if ridged-up with the plough
(8 to 12 inches). Would dibbling by hand on the top of the
ridge, after the plough, do? Again, supposing 5 cwt. of guano
per acre were sown broadcast and the ridges closed-up at once
from the winter “till,” the guano would be all there, and the
ridges might be made any width. How would the dibble do
then? Is 3 feet too wide for fieid cultivation ?”

It is, according to my judgment radically wrong to apply raw
manure in the drills when planting the Potato. It must be bad
practice to place a pulpy tuber in a mass of sweltering cor-
ruption! ‘The microscope shows the Potato to be one of the
most delicately-constructed yegetables in creation, and even
should the sets escape the festering evil, when in a poor soil
dung is used after this manner under the idea of making the
most of if, the young plants may grow away very freely at first ;
but as the roots lengthen, they do so into a barren soil—an
abundant machinery with a scarcity of raw material—just
when the formation of young tubers and the advancing state of
the growth of the plants require an extra supply of nourish-
ment. The start they had at first secured a vigorous foliage, to
become stunted, starved, and unfruitful for lack of nourishment.
But “D.” finds “manure necessary,” whereby I presume his
land is light. I would, therefore, advise eighteen or twenty
loads per acre to be spread and ploughed and well worked into
the body of the land immediately, for properly the dung should
have been administered last November; and if 3 cwt. or so of
superphosphate of lime were sown broadcast just before the
land is ridged-up, it would do no harm, If the land is well
drained and has been pulverised with the eubsoil plough to the
depth of 18 inches or 2 feet, and so made permeable to the
warmth and moisture of the atmosphere, I should consider that
to be far before the most bountiful application of raw dung for
the Potato now, if it were coupled with a top-dressing of lime
or guano at planting time.

Lime is especially favourable to the growth of the Potato,
and in some form or other is generally present in plants. Light
lands require it in aless proportion than heavy soils, though even
lighé soils are rendered more compact in consequence of the lime
attracting moisture powerfully from the air. It cannot prove
but beneficial to a clay, for it not only destroys the myriads of
insect life to which moisture is congenial, but speedily converts
to vegetable mould the stubborn fragments of previous crops,
besides acting on the inorganic ingredients brought forward by
the subsoiler and rendering soluble the salts of the earth along
with the acids, and adapting them for the nutriment of vegetable
life. Talk of tke “earth being in its dotage” on account of the
“exhaustion of vegetable mould,” is nonsense, so long as there
remains a subsoil to be brought up every few years to the
action of a winter's frost and then a dressing of quicklime to
tackle it. On a stiff clay I would use from seventy to eighty
bushels of quicklime, procured fresh from the kiln, and spread
it, not over-slacked, on the surface of the land just before
ridging-up. Ifa light soil and guano should be decided upon, I
would sow it broadcast just before ridging at the rate of from
10 to 15 cwé. per acre.

The manner in which I haye said I would apply the dung,
&c., does away with the necessity of trundling cart wheels be-
tween the ridges, and of the plough to split the ridges again
for the purpose of covering over the dung. I should not like to

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ February 24, 1863.

trust to a thirty-inch-wide ridge on good ground—3 feet in that
case for the field culture of medium-topping sorts of Potatoes,
would do very well. For the very large-tubered and branching
sorts I should prefer a forty-two-inch base for my ridge to rest
upon, and for it to be formed 1 foot broad at its apex, which
could be eventually achieved by passing a light roller over the
tops of the ridges. In Shropshire, where they manage these things
better—at least, in so far as regards the cultivation of the Swede
Turnip—I think, than in any other county, barring, perhaps,
some parts of the county of Angus and thereaway, they would
put a horse to a double mould-board plough and finish off tidily
between the ridges almost as fast as a man could walk.

Unless “ D.” is satisfied with his ploaghman’s accomplishments
in this matter, and on so large a scale, if I were he I really
should feel greatly inclined to advertise in the Hereford Journal
for a man, who is an adept in ridging with the plough, to
come from the neighbourhood of Ludlow, or the radius from
thence to Shrewsbury, for the occasion. I have enjoyed the
sight of whole fields in ridges about there struck out to the
nicest admeasurement, and as straight as ramrods.

Yes, the dibble would be the instrument for the field; the
sets should be placed 7 or 8 inches deep, and I would set my
face entirely against after-moulding. By hoe and by hand I
would keep down the weeds and pick off the blossoms, for from
thezn we may anticipate seed, the formation of which compels
nature’s exertion to the uttermost, and, of course, at the expense
of the tubers, of which in due time, and the Fates being pro-
pitious, I would guarantee a crop on our ridge system to far
surpass that on the old pottering, moulding-up plan so long the
vogue,

The way I have dovetailed a compromise between the garden
and the field for “ D.’s”’ consideration is one which I hope may
suit his views. What I have written I have not written without
regard to diffidence. I should be sorry to mislead by advising
a system which I have not proved by trial ; still I have confidence
sufficient in my recommendation to say, had I the opportunity
I would work it out. Another correspondent, “C. 8.,” who
inquires “ whether Potatoes can be planted efficiently with the
plough on the ridge system?” is answered by the above. To
“D.” of Newcastle, I answer, what I mean by the “flat” is the
old system of burying the sets in the ground and moulding them
up afterwards as they grow, in contradistinction to laying the
sets on the surface of the soil, and then casting over them with
a spade the mould from the centre between the rows, which thus
constitute the ridge and trench system, and the Potatoes do not
require to be moulded afterwards.—UPWARDS AND ONWAEDS.

TEMPORARY DECORATION S OF ROOMS FOR
FESTIVE OCCASIONS.

A CORRESPONDENT has very properly called the attention of
the Editors of Taz Journat or Horricunrure to the im-
portant subject of decorating public halls and other places of
resort on special occasions, like the auspicious one to which the
British public are looking forward with so much interest at the
present time—the marriage of the Prince of Wales.

Although the art of applying material so as to produce a
pleasing and beautiful effect, has been studied by a class who
have dignified their calling by the high-sounding term of
Decorators, there are many who are obliged to undertake the
practice of the art themselves in times like that which is now
approaching: therefore, a few hints may be useful to them.

When we see the manner in which some of our churches are
decorated at Christmas as compared with what they were twenty
years ago, it is apparent that one of the most important items
for temporary decoration, evergreens, has not hitherto entered
so freely into the general display of public rooms as they might
be made to do. It is, therefore, chiefly with a view to urge
their claims to notice, that I am induced to repeat much of the
substance of an article I formerly contributed, adding such
other matter as may seem necessary to make the subject fully
understood. At the same time I hope, after the event now ap-
proaching is over, some readers of this J ournal will report the
features of any particular place that was tastefully and yet
economically decorated, for when a good display has to be made
ata trifling or reasonable cost, the items that compose it must
be cheap and plentiful. Mechanical men generally look on
manufactured goods as the most proper for every purpose, useful
or ornamental; hence the decorative features of public rooms

February 24, 1863. ]

in large towns generally consist of drapery with some fanciful
disposition of the lights used, evergreens being but sparingly
employed. Porhaps the inability to obtain these in sufficient
quantity may have been one preventive to their general use,
or a sort of dogged adherence to pre-existing custom may have
kept them away. Certain if is, that foliage has latterly become
more fashionable as a copy for ornamentation, whether in em-
broidery, carving, or sculpture; and since such is the case,
assuredly the original itself ought to be introduced wherever
this can be done with advantage.

Of late years most large rooms intended for public assemblies
have been more or less embellished by the architect. I mean
those that have been built during the last twenty years, and
more especially those that have been erected during the last ten
years. Such rooms necessarily require another kind of temporary
ornamentation when they are to be temporarily used for a purpose
other than that they are daily wanted for. Rich cornices,
mouldings, fluted columns, and elaborately carved capitals,
friezes, and the like ought, of course, to stand out in bold
relief, and what additional decoration is done ought to be of
a kind not to interfere with them. The colour of the walls has
also a considerable bearing on the kind of decoration to be used ;
and if the general hue bo dark, as, for instance, oak panelling or
such like, evergreens cannot well be introduced, excepting with
drapery of a light colour. If, on the other hand, the ground
and principal colouring of the walls be light, evergreens may
then be used with advantage in considerable quantity, and in
various ways, especially if the room be without much architec-
tural ornament, but large and lofty.

Assuming, therefore, that a room of this kind is the one to be
dealt with, the firat thing to do is, to ascertain where nails
can be put in without injury to the work, and so work the
materials accordingly; for, as the object aimed at is simply to
give a decorative appearance to the place for a very limited time,
as little damage to permanent works ought to be inflicted as
possible. Let us now take a view of the kinds of evergreens best
suited to such a purpose, and in the first place it is right to say,
that however much we may try to imitate the natural features
of vegetation, when we mutilate or amputate its parts we cannot
under any circumstances put the same together in any form to
resemble them in their natural condition. A certain amount of
artificial workmanship must, therefore, at all times be evident ;
but the more carefully such work is concealed the better. All
clumsy work especially ought to be kept out of sight. As Nature
im general presents to our view only one side of a leaf, and
that, of course, the best side, a similar arrangement ought to
guide artificial work as well, but as this cannot always be done,
it is better to use only such foliage as presents a tolerably good
appearance on both sides, as well as possesses the good property
of a stiff leafstalk, the leaves thickly set on the bough, and of a
substance strong enough to endure, without withering, as long
atime as possible. It is, of course, difficult to find all these
qualities united in one plant, but the nearer it approaches being
so the better it is adapted for the purpose here intended.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

149

Sometimes a thick-set branchis not so much wanted as a loose
feathery one, and very often a flat branch of the latter kind is
very convenient to place against a wall. or this purpose
nothing is better than the common Laurel, which may be worked
into a very nice cornice-piece by selecting branches of about
18 inches wide, more or less, as the size of the room requires,
and nailing them to a narrow slip of wood of the same colour as
the walls, the tips of one shoot overlying the base end of the other
in such a way as to form a nice flat surface. These prepared
cornice-pieces as they may be called, can be easily attached to
the angles of the room where the cornice usually is made, and
the leafy figures will sit close to both ceiling and wall, spreading
out in an open spray-like form a foot or more each way. Some
other shrubs may do as well as the common Laurel, but I do not
know of any thing that will do better, the regularly set and stiff
foliage showing to great advantage against a white or pale-
coloured wall or ceiling.

Similar wreaths might be made to hang down any naked
corners, or where some projection seemed to require relief, taking
care of course not to overload the room with too much; but if
there be very large spaces of naked wall, it would be better, in
addition to the cornice-work noted above, to prepare a few flat
pieces of evergreens to fasten upon such spaces. These may
be made easily enough by having a small piece of board not
more than 6 or 8 inches square, upon which nice flat pieces of
evergreen may be nailed with their points all outwards. Ifa little
care be taken in assorting their thick ends so as to hide the
board and also their cut parts, the whole will appear a flat tni-
form surface of evergreens, the outside of all being to the front.
These prepared evergreen pictures, as they may be called, may
be of any size, but few rooms will require them more than from
3 to 4 feet in diameter. If there be no nails in the walls to
which they can be suspended, a string to the cornice where a
nail can be put in will do. Observe, these masses of dressed
evergreens as well as those forming the cornice-work of the room
ought not to be too thick and dense, as feathery open pieces

‘ showing their foliage in front of the wall and ceiling are all that

is wanted. Rosettes of white and pink with a small piece of
fine wire will do to fasten them to the evergreens, and they may
be used rather liberally. In those masses occupying the plain
wall which, as above, we have called evergreen pictures, these
rosettes may be arranged in some fanciful form, as a circle, star,
shield, or any device that may be most appropriate. The event
the decoration is owing to may suggest either a monogram or
any other feature that could be carried out easily, clearly, and
yet simply, for the most homely plainness is better than any
badly executed device of greater intricacy.

The above remarks refer more especially to large rooms having
no architectural ornament of their own; but as many possess
beauties which it would be improper to hide, another description
of ornamental work must be adopted. Assuming a rich cornice
to surround the room, the side walls below this may be rendered
gay with evergreens tied-up in long continuous festoonwork.
somewhat thus :—

CEILING.

IK ‘

uN IN i \N

ie VN Ys

NS IN LAN WIN

I Za VAaliN io,

Y ZB ~ IW IZ
tN | ZF
RS sz = A i - Ny

R Ree Ee Vl Ex =
A KEE <p ce SS
i}

K
H

The diameter of each semicircle should not be less than 6 feet,
unless in small rooms; but if we take 6 feet as a standard the
radius or dip of the festoon ought to be 3 feet at least. The
character of the room and its fittings will, however, determine
the size of the festoons, and at all places where they finish, a
drop or pendant of the same character may hang down by the
wall. In making the festoon, I have found short twiggy pieces
of Ivy, as the spur piece from some old tree or wall that had
not been cut for many years, short leafy twigs of about a foot
long with not too much old wood about them, answer best, and
are easily fastened to a length of small string of a dark colour so
as not to show. The operation of making these festoons is quick

after a beginning is made. A quantity of small twiggy pieces of
Ivy are prepared, and one end of the string is fastened to a nail or
hook anywhere, while the person gives the string a hitch round
the thick ends of one or two pieces of Ivy, and a sort of knot is
formed by such hitch. One or two more pieces of Ivy are
fastened in like manner to the string a few inches farther on so
that their tops hide the base of the former piece, and this is
continued to any required length. The end at starting being
temporarily fastened to something is a great advantage. We
have, however, generally found that pieces of 6 or 8 feet long
were quite long enough to carry, as they can easily be united on
the spot where they are wanted.

150

A little care in selecting suitable pieces of Ivy and in tying
them, on will insure a uniform and nice-looking wreath suffi-
ciently thick to hide the thick ends of their stems, and not so
thick as to appear bundled.

Other evergreens—as Box, Laurustinus, Phillyrea and the like
will do as well as lyy, but not better; while common Laurel,
having its leaves all arranged flatways, does not answer so well.
Portugal Laurel does better, and any evergreen haying leaves of
sufficient firmness to remain without flagging for the length of
time required will do, if they are not too obstinate in showing
too obviously a reversed position when accidentally placed that
way. Ihave never been able to do much with Hollies on this
account. Their weight, rigidity, and prickliness render them
intractable objects to deal with, and unless they have their own
way they look badly. Generally speaking small-leayed shrubby
plants look best, and after trying a great many things we have
found Ivy the most useful. The tufts of berries are an improye-
ment rather than the reverse, and we have sometimes taken the
trouble to dip them in a sort of batter of plaster of Paris, thus
giving them the character of a bunch of white berries ; but as the
process is troublesome it has rarely been done on an extensive
scale.

I may observe that, besides the upper part of the walls of
these rooms being hung in the way described with this festoon-
work, the ceiling may also be crossed in various directions in
like manner, taking advantage of anything by which the festoons
can be suspended from the ceiling. A lamp-hook is very useful
for this. purpose, care being taken that the evergreens are out
of the reach of the lights: The downward curves of these fes-
toons should be sufficiently graceful without appearing to crowd
the roof or lower it. Sometimes festoons from the central lamp-
hook may be made to radiate to the ceiling in all directions ; but
it is better not to crowd too much, and the appearance of fes-
toons is not so good when viewed in any other direction but
that of facing the observer or diagonally to him; endways they.
are bad, and so also when they are crowded. ‘These festoons,
whether against the side walls’ or suspended from the ceiling,
may all be more or less ornamented with rosettes—pink and white
alternately being the best, and not the two colours blended in
one. If the room seems to require more evergreen decorations,
small star-looking objects may be made by sewing about a dozen
common Laurel leaves to a card, arranging them in a whorl-
like form about a foot or more in diameter. These may be
fastened against any part of a blank wall (a rosette ornamenting
the centre of each), and they will produce a good effect; for,
although evergreens add life to a scene of this kind, too much
of them becomes heavy and cumbersome.

Besides the aboye method of using evergreens, they may also
be tied in like manner to any object that may be turned to
account. I have sometimes used strong wire or small iron
rods bent into scrollwork and other fanciful forms, which may
be stretched in various ways across a room, and fastened-up
against the walls in the character of brackets or cantalevers, taking
care that all the parts of the framework are distinctly seen
through. Sometimes from the brackets or scrollwork pendants
may be hung; and there are many other ways of increasing the
general effect, only do not by any means crowd any parts, Any
lettering or fancy device rendered necessary by the character of
the festivity may be worked in evergreen as above, and many other
devices suitable to particular places may be adopted. Shrubs
with berries on may now and then be worked-in with good
effect. Privet would have been very useful this way, only its
berries being black do not show so well; and, as before stated,
Holly is obstinate, and not adapted for small work.

These observations are intended for rooms having light-
coloured walls and ceilings; but for oak-panelled or dark-coloured
ones drapery must be used. If the wall be good, and to a
certain extent ornamented by breaks or panels, I would not cover
the whole with stripes of white and pink calico, as\is'often done,
but: drape’ the upper portion of the room with festoonwork of a
liberal quantity of such calico, and if need! be a slight string of
evergreen festoonwork might be placed upon the drapery with
pendant strings of both at suitable places. The lower part of
the'walls might be entirely covered’ with cloth if necessary—say
for 6 feet up, which gives. a warm and comfortable appearance ;
while'the ceiling might be festooned over, or fanciful devices in

ironwork covered with evergreen might be introduced there, as:

I suppose the ceiling to be white.

Flags may be worked-in with advantage, but they oughtinet:

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND. COTTAGE GARDENER,

[ February 24, 1863...

flags be used, do not let them be too large so as to conceal
, everything else. A. number of flags arranged as a fan look well
over a doorway, or at the end of aroom; and aseries.of uniform-
_sized ones arranged on flagstaffs pointing from the sides inwards
,at an elevation of not less than 35° also look very well; but do
not by any means cover the whole of the roof with them, as the
eye likes to rest on some empty space, and musiciars complain
of the presence of flags marring their performances. ise

It is needless here entering into the subject of lighting public
rooms of the description given above; but if temporary lights
have to be adopted the objects that hold them will require
covering in some way or other; and often an admixture of
drapery and evergreens comes in good stead here. Any slender
work done in evergreens may be performed with iwigs of Irish
‘Yew or some other small-leaved plant, Box being the next best.
The dressing of the tin cups and sockets to a candlestand may
be very well done with these two evergreens; but if only a
board be used slung from the wall, it must be entirely concealed
by drapery in the first instance, and that more or less orna-:
mented with foliage or flowers. Makeshifts of many kinds are
often enough used, and they answer the purpose very well,

The above refers entirely to such ornamental work as is done
in-doors, as triumphal arches, &c. Similar decorations outside
are more especially mechanical features, requiring a framework
more or less substantial. These need not be gone into here..
The nicety of workmanship necessary in the fastening of the
evergreens in the interior is not wanted for them, large and bold
lines being more required, accompanied with the stability neces-
sary to withstand high winds and other casualties.

I hope that any one who discovers any new mode of using
evergreens or other cheap material for giving a cheerful and
pleasing effect to a room or suite of rooms will give the readers
of Tux Jovrnat or Horricuntuxe the benefit of his rere:
Suggestions on this subject are often welcomed by those who, for
the first time perhaps in their lifetime, are called on to ommament
an assembly-room. Perhaps, too, some happy effect may be pro-
duced at a cheap rate by some mode of using the ntaterials
different from what is described above. The subject is certainly
not of less importance than dinner-table decoration, which has
received its meed of attentionJ. Ronson.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIBSTY.

REPORT OF THE COUNCIL TO THE ANNIVERSARY MEETING,
FEBRUARY 10, 1863.

Tue first duty of the Council on meeting the Fellows on the
present occasion is to congratulate them on the success which
has attended the Society during the past season.

A reference to the balance sheet appended to this report will -
show that the receipts have largely exceeded those of the previous.

ear.

While thankfully acknowledging this measure of success, the
Council cannot but feel that had H.R.H. the deeply lamented
Prince Consort, who laid the foundation of it, and to whom it
is mainly due, been spared to the Society, results even much
beyoud this would have been achieved. A very large portion of
the prosperity. which the Society has enjoyed beyond its ordinary
receipts is referable to the Great Exhibition. The interests of
the two undertakings during the past year were closely linked
together, the same causes which injured or benefited the one
equally affecting the other. Had, therefore, the influence of
His Royal Highness been spared to it, it cannot be doubted that
the Council would now have had to present a report even more
fayourable than the present.

Out of the receipts during the year, amounting to £29,800, a
sum of £8676 was received as the Society's share of the joint
season tickets, a sum of £1125 from the various refreshment
contractors for portions: of the Society’s premises) let to them,
and £5029 from the promenades, chiefiy drawn on those days
when the charge for admission from the Exhibition to: the
| gavden was sixpence:

The flower shows produced upwards of £5000; which is the
largest: amount that has ever been drawn by the Society from
that source in any one year. Had it not been for the large
number’ of joint-tieket-holders, this amount would of course:
| have been still greater. The shows themselves were also of
‘unparalleled. exeellence, the Council having determined that

to occupy too prominent a positiom; and if only ornamental | nothing should be spared: to make them: worthy of the Society,

February 24, 1863. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE

and such as would leave a favourable impression on the numerous |

visitors from abroad. A statement is given in the appendix, |

showing the amounts received and the expenses disbursed at |

these shows, so far as the latter can be separated from the
eral expenses of the establishment.

The Council have also to report favourably on a more im-
portant portion of the financial resources of the Society—viz.,
that drawn from the subscriptions. The following comparative |
statement of the number of Fellows, and their rates of payment,
as at 31st December, 1861, and 31st December, 1862, shows the
increase during the course of the year—viz.,

{
As at 31st Dec., | As at 31st Dec.,
1861. 1862.
= = =I 5 4
38 ge vas Etc
Ba £5 Bg eee
ss os SS os
eared mo es Mo
| as a yo a
Fellows paying 1 guinea 10 7 3
” 4 , : i 25 16 eer |
” 3 ” 716 6 912 6 |
o> ” ” . 915 215 1307 80
Fellows who haye compounded
paying 20 guineas 334 386
” ” Se ScQses: porecnondeg|p 0! OBE) 587
2520 256 3215 98
256 98
2776 3313
2776
Increase 537

The above table shows the actual state of matters each year, |
at 31st December. But on taking deaths and resignations into
account, it appears that 633 new Fellows have joined the Society
since 31st December, 1861, and that there have been 55 deaths,
and 41 resignations.

It will be seen from the above table that the recommendation
of the Council in last year’s report, that Fellows who paid
retrospectively should change their retrospective payment into
one in advance, has been well responded to—the number of
retrospective subscribers having been reduced from 256 to 98.
Many of those who are still in this position have no doubt
continued so from inadvertence, and it is hoped that in another
year the number may be still further reduced.

Through the consideration of the Fellows too, the transference
of the period of payment from the 1st of May to Ist of January
has been all but unanimously carried into effect.

As regards the expenditure, the unfinished state of the garden,
together with the exceptional nature of the year, added to the |
fact that the previous season was equally exceptional from its |
being the opening year of the reconstituted Society, and from
its only extending over eight instead of twelve months, prevent |
the receipts and expenditure of the two years being contrasted |
with each other, and the Council must confine themselves to
treating the expenditure of each by itself.

The expenses of the publications of the Society are large, |
owing to the considerable number of Fellows; but the informa-
tion contained in them is (the Council have every reason to’
believe) considered valuable by the Fellows at large. The’
Council, however, with the view of making it contribute to
its own support, have resolved to allow advertisements to be,
received on horticultural and scientific subjects.

Mix. Weir, the plant-collector in South Brazil, has examined
and reported on a district not much known, and when last heard
from was on his way to explore new ground in the interior. |
Mr. Cooper, the plant-collector in South Africa, was sent out as |
an explorer at the private charges of Mr. Wilson Saunders, the |
Dreasurer of the Society, who admitted it to a share of Mr.
Cooper’s collections on termsso liberal as to be almost gratuitous. |
Mr. Cooper explored the district of the Drachenberg Mountains, |
lying to the south-west of Natal, and found it, although in many |
parts barren, to contain a considerable number of plants of|
interest to the botanist, and some of much beauty, well worthy
the attention of the horticulturist. The product of the labours
of both these collectors have either already been distributed, or |
are about to be distributed among the Fellows by ballot.

he expenses of Chiswick have this year amounted to £2354, |
from which a sum of £435 may be deducted, which has been |
received for fruit sold and reimbursement of garden charges. |

AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 151
Upwards of 50,000 bedding-out plants have been reared at
Chiswick last year for use at South Kensington. Further, it is
to be noted that the Fellows have received large quantities
(upwards of 3000 packages) of cuttings of Vines and other fruit-

| trees from this garden; that an unrivalled collection of fruit-

trees is there maintained for the comparison and testing of all
kinds of fruits; that the experiments and trials of the Fruit and
Floral Committees are conducted there, and a large portion
of the flower-seeds grown which are distributed amongst the
Fellows. 2610 packets of yaluable seeds, 11,000 plants, and
166 lots of bulbs have been distributed from these or other
sources during the past year. In addition there haye been
distributed 1500 packages of seeds of vegetables, and a like
number of packages of flower seeds.

The expenses of the garden at South Kensington have amounted
to £6063. The details of which this is composed will be found
in the appendix.

The expenses for promenades and exhibitions have largely
repaid themselves, besides affording much gratification to the

| Feliows, and the Council have resolved to continue the pro-

menades during the present season, twice a-week from 16th May
to 1st August.
The Council have the satisfaction of informing the Fellows

| that the Commissioners of 1851, through the Hxpenses Committee,
| with whom rests on their behalf the control and regulation of

the expenses of the Society, in the most liberal manner authorised
the expenditure of a considerable amount of the receipts in the
execution of works which strictly speaking belong to capital—a
liberality which in the present year, when there is a surplus to

| the half of which the Commissioners are entitled as their share of

profit, is equivalent to themselves paying the half of these expenses.

The Commissioners of 1851 have throughout shown the
utmost desire to promote in every way within their power the
completion of the garden. It is to them that the Society owes
the beautiful facade of the refreshmeut-room. They have payed
the upper arcades during the season, and lent, as above men-
tioned, valuable assistance towards the completion of the garden,
its clothing and deeoratioa—works which the Council have felt
to be of pressing importance. As regards the decoration of the
garden, the Council haye been much assisted by the liberality of
the Fellows, who have allowed their subscriptions, originally
intended for the French fountains, to be applied in the purchase
of works of art for the garden.

As regards the planting of the garden, the Council have, they
trust, effected considerable improvements in it by the introduc-
tion of clumps of trees and shrubs. They have also provided a
large supply of bulbs for its spring decoration, and they have
to acknowledge the assistance received by presents from Her
Majesty, and some of the Fellows.

A great deal, no doubt, still remains to be done, but so far as
these objects are concerned, the work already executed justifies
the Council in looking at their progress with satisfaction. It is
otherwise, however, with a part of the garden less under their
control; a portion of the arcades still remains unfinished, and in
a measure neutralises the beneficial effects of other improvements.
The completion of the arcades belongs to the Commissioners
of 1851, and notwithstanding the reluctance which the Council
have naturally felt to press a body who had dealt with them so
liberally, they have considered themselves called upon to make a
most urgent appea! to the Commissioners on this subject.

There still remain structural works pressing for completion
which beleng to the Society to execute; such as the council-
room portico, steps in the middle walk, a western entrance, &c.

The Council regret to haye to announce the retirement of
Dr. Lindley from the Secretaryship, which he has heid so long
with honour to himself and benefit to the Society. Last year he
tendered his resignation, but was induced to withdraw it at the
solicitation of fhe Council, on the ground that as he had
supported the Society during its period of depression, so he
should remain as one of its officials until the next summer
(1862) should haye crowned his labours with success. He
has now repeated his resignation, and the Council have most
reluctantly felt bound to comply with his wish, and accept it.
He has been for forty-one years an officer of the Society, and
during that period, to use his own words, he “has endeavoured
to the best of his ability to promote its true interests as a great
English association for the advancement of horticultural know-
ledge, until, through many changes and some adversity, it has
at length gained a position of high eminence, and may be
regarded as standing on a secure foundation.” ,

152 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ February 24, 1863.
The Council need not repeat the arrangements for the coming
season which have been already made public. The chief altera-
tion on those of last year is the non-admiesion of the public to
the garden except on féte days and promenades, a restriction by
which they trust that the comfort and quiet enjoyment of
their garden by the Fellows and their friends will be materially
increased. :

The Council cannot conclude this report without congratula-
lating the Fellows on the continued interest the Queen takes in
the Society and its proceedings. Constant reports of its progress
have been furnished to Her Majesty throughout the season, and
she has in various ways marked the interest she has taken in

them.

been recorded.

The Calceolaria is, as is known, a scropbulariaceous ‘plant,
having normally an equally divided four-parted calyx, and a
hypogynous corolla formed of a very short tube, and a limb of
two lips, the superior one short, truncated and rounded, entire ;
the inferior very large, prolonged in the form of a slipper, and
concave. The flower is furnished with two stamens, inserted
on the tube of the corolla, scarcely exserted; the anthers bilo-
cular, the cells separate, divaricate, one often sterile, The ovary
is bilocular; the placentas multi-ovuled; the style simple, the
stigmate pointed. Such is the type of the genuine ower. The
following is a description of the peloria of Van Oyen :—T'wo
flowers alike normal grew to the right and left of the summit of
the floral branch. ‘This summit was itself terminated by a
pelorised flower, which measured, not half an inch long, like
that of Guillemin, but nearly 4 inches, It was not, as may
be seen from the figure, a dwarf monster. The calyx was con-
formable to the normal flower. ‘The corolla had the form of a

DOES APOTHEME ENTER PLANTS?

Yous correspondent says he is no worse than the writer in
the Times, who wrote anonymously, and to whom his paper
was a reply; but, after all, there are few, if any, who consider
the Zimes immaculate in any way, and “can twa blacks mak a
white?” Thomson’s ‘Vegetable Chemistry,” nor any other

and form’: it forms the third example of the kind which has”

book, cannot prove to me or any other man, that apotheme
never entered into the roots of plants, because it is a mere con-
jecture based upon a few imperfect experiments. A million
analyses would give very uncertain data after all, in such a very
intricate matter. How can we ever know that apotheme does
not enter the roots and get instantly resolved into its elements,
which as rapidly form new combinations of fluids? How can we
ever hope to detect with accuracy such minute and instantaneous
movements ? and is it not presumption in any one to assert that
2 fact has been established on such crude evidence? I do not
think it is far out of the way to say, that there is an irreverent
way of searching into the mysteries of Nature, and that science
Prosecuted in such a fashion “is falsely so called.”—Wwm.
Baxter Sire.

[I return Mr. Smith’s letter ; and not feeling that either the
writer in the Zimes or myself are necessarily ‘black’ because
we write anonymously on’ a scientific subject, nor that I am
guilty of ‘irreverence’ in believing that analytical chemistry
detects truths, I retain my incognito, and believe inthe accuracy
of the published experiments of Prout, Robiquet, and others,
rather than in an opinion founded upon no evidence at all. No
one can object to Mr. Smith entertaining his own opinion, and I
certainly shall not charge him with ‘irreverence,’ nor even with
deficient logic, in preferring no experiments to afew. I regret,
however, that Mr. Smith would not be convinced even by ‘a
million experiments,’ because conviction in natural philosophy,
contrary to a foregone conclusion, must with him be impossible,
and Lord Bacon and others must have pointed out a wrong road
to knowledge when they told us to try experiments, or, as he
termed it, “asking questions of Nature.’— J.”]

VEGETABLE TERATOLOGY — ABNORMAL
CALCEOLARIAS.

BY DR. MORREN, PROFESSOR OF BOTANY IN THE UNIVERSITY
OF LIEGE.

THE Abbé Van Oyen, professor of physical and natural sciences
of St. Trond, sent me a collection of yery remarkable Calceo-
larias, amongst which two forms of the greatest interest were
carefully preserved. The Abbé truly observed that it was
desirable not to forget those extremely rare cases in which
Nature sometimes works, not in violation of her laws, but in
deviation, so to speak, of her most common habits, These
remarkable structures are indeed revelations, the interpretation
of which ought not to be neglected.

M. Moquin-Tandon, in his classification of vegetable monsto-
sities, forms a class in which the deviation of the specific type
is connected with the form. These deviations are of two kinds:
they are either changed from one organ into another, and then
they constitute mctamorphoses, or they are alterations which,
_ being irregular, become deformations; or, being regular, con-
stitute Pelorias.

M. Van Oyen’s pelorias of the Calceolaria were produced by
some garden varieties of corymbosa, crossed first by pendula, the
resulting varieties subsequently intermingled. An analogous
form of peloria was seen in 1833 by M. de Chamisso, in the
Calceolaria rugosa, and later by Guillemin. The specimen of
M, Van Oyen differs from these, chiefly by its great size, colour,

J

Rhenish wine-fiask, much elongated, straight at both extremities,
inflated at the middle, the part towards the summit being con-
tracted like the neck of a bottle; the summit of the corolla
itself was still further contracted, and tapered in the form of the
mouthpiece of a flute, where it split in two oval openings. The
corolla, when opened, presented no trace of stamens, only the
pietil of regular form was placed at its base, and had its style
curved to one side. The colour is not less remarkable: on the
ordinary flowers of this variety of Calceolaria, the base is straw-
colour, and there is a red tinge visible at the inside, the internal
cuticle being coloured red; the inferior lip is coloured with
light red, but here it is the outer skin that is coloured. Now,
in this monstrosity the base of the corolla presented at first a
yellow zone; then a broad red band in the interior, proceeding
from the coloured part of the internal skin; then‘came a zone
of pure yellow, and at the contracted part the outer skin was
coloured with red; and at last the small narrow terminal beak
was of a rich yellow.

The base of the bottle-shaped corolla, it therefore appears,
represented the throat of the two-lipped normal corolla, and
the conical end represented the inferior lip. The hypertrophy
of the bottle-shaped corolla is evidently explained by the re-
sorption of all the male organs. In the peloria of Guillemin,
which only measured about half an inch, there was, however,
also a complete absence of stamens, Is this absence the con-
dition of the regularity of arrangement of the bilabiate flower of

February 24, 1863. ]

Calceolarias? The three cases noticed would seem to establish
this view. According to this state of things, this pelorisation
would seem to be a disposition of parts in a regular form; for
the Calceolaria, having the flower bilabiate and slippered, is
irregular, and the bottle-shaped peloria is a regular form, with
the exception of its extreme beak. Yet, if properly considered,
the pelorisation is not a regular disposition of parts. Such an
arrangement of a Calceolaria would consist of ‘a central! pistil,
five stamens, a rotate corolla, with five lobes alternating with the
stamens, and a calyx with five teeth alternating with the corolla.
Then the Calceolaria would pass from the family of Scrophu-
lariacex into that of Solanacez, and the flower would realise its
regular type, its native beauty; for it cannot be denied that
beauty results from symmetry, and symmetry is a disposition
founded on regularity, or a harmonious relation of numbers,
parts, and form. It is a remarkable law of Nature that families
that are irregular may return by these monstrous forms to their
regular families; while we never see a regular flower realise the
structure of an irregular one.

The peloria of Van Oyen does not show the Calceolaria to
return to the type of the Solanacez, but descends still lower,
and realises a still stranger form and one which is opposed to
nature—an anandrous form : consequently unfitted to perpetuate
itself. In this respect it is a monster in the fullest sense of the
term, but one full of instruction.

Another monstrosity, alzo sent me by M. Van Oyen, consisted
in a growing-together of two corollas; this occurred along with
normal regularity of the calyx. The corolla was bicalceiferous,
haying three stamens all fertile, one of which was placed at the
janction of the two inferior lips: the ovary is normally con-
formable, and the calceiform lip was furnished with a lobe turn-
ing inwards. This form of abnormal development has not yet
been recorded in morphological works. It is, I believe, a true
junction of flowers, complicated by the resorption of the totality
of the superior lip, by the non-development of the double calyx,
and the resorption of one of the four stamens which should haye
been developed. This morphological form may, perhaps, some
day lead to the determination of the real cause of synanthous
developments.

DATURA WRIGHTII.

I BEG to say a few words upon the treatment of this plant, as
Tam sure it will fully repay any one for the little trouble its
cultivation requires.

First of all let me observe that it is generally, in faet in all
cases, except by Messrs. E. G. Henderson & Son, described as an
annual, and as requiring out-door culture. This is quite a mis-
take, as it is a shrub requiring a cool greenhouse or conservatory
to bring it to perfection.

Two years ago I obtained a packet of seed from Messrs. BE. G.
Henderson, St. John’s Wood, and sowed in March in a gentle
heat. As soon as the seedlings were large enough to handle I
put them into thumb-pots, and potted them on as they required
if in a rich loamy soil. By August I had them established in
eight-inch pots with a very nice show of bloom. After bloom-
ing, about the first week in October, I left off watering, and
allowed them to go to rest, placing them on dry shelves during
the winter. Early in the year, about the latter part of February,
I shook the mould off the tubers, trimmed them, and put them
into pots smaller than those in which they bloomed, so as to
allow of repotting if required. By May they required repotting,
and I gaye them their last shift, some in eight-inch pots and some
in larger (those in the eight-inch pots bloomed most profusely) ;
and, as soon as they began to grow again, watered well and fre-

quently with liquid manure, of which they will imbibe a large |

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

153

quantity, not forgetting a frequent syringing, not on the blooms,
to keep down red spider.

During July, August, and September I had a magnificent
show of bloom, some of them 7 inches long and 5} inches across,
trumpet-shaped, and of a clear white shaded off to the edges,
which were of a delicate mauye. I am quite certain I had from
eighty to a hundred blooms ona plant during the season, generally
three or four open at one time, and giving-off a strong magnolia-
like perfume.

Datura chlorantha recurvis has special mention in most cata-
logues, but i really must say I would not give it houseroom, for
the blooms cannot compare with those of Wrightii—Gxro. M.
Burton, Southtown, Great Yarmouth.

HARMONY OF COLOURS.

Tue harmonies of colours are as follows :—The three primary
colours—yellow, red, blue; the three secondary colours—orange,
purple, green, formed of combinations of the primaries, thus—
yellow and red, or orange; red and blue, or purple; blue and
yellow, or green. Each primary requires its complementary
secondary—that is, the eye when it sees a primary, as, for
instance, yellow, requires the secondary colour which contains
the other two primaries, red and blue—namely, purple.

Hence, it follows, that in decoration it is absolutely necessary
that yellow should be balanced by purple, red by green, and blue
by orange. The accompanying figure shows the circle of colours,
the lines connecting the proper contrasting or complementary

colours.
Yellow

Orange _ | _ Green
SS Ye

yA SN Blue

Purple

It is also to be noted that cold colours, or those containing
blue, should be used in larger quantities than warm colours, or
those containing no blue.—(/rish Farmer's Gazette.)

Red

WHAT DESTROYS CROCUSES?

I sre in the “Journal” of the 10th instant, W. W.
Bennett complaining of his Crocus-borders being destroyed.
I am sorry to say he is not alone in that misfortune. I havea
walk upwards of a hundred yards long, with border on each side
planted with Crocuses, Snowdrops, and other bulbs. The former
haye been destroyed toa great extent. Qn first noticing the evil I
attributed it to field mice, and had one side-walk thickly covered
with cuttings from Gooseberry bushes. The depredators soon
evacuated that side, but attacked the other side with double
force, which confirmed my opinion as to their being mice. I have
caught some in traps. I hardly think sparrows could make
such holes, as the ground is a very adhesive clay.

But permit me to state what I have often found to be the
quickest remedy —that is, if Mr. Bennett is not, like myselt,
troubled with too many predatory animals. I take a smell
piece of butter, or any other greasy substance, mix it with a
little arsenic, spread thinly over a piece of bread, and lay it at
certain distances. I shall be glad to hear from any of your
correspondents any other remedy.—R. Honimay, Gardener to
J. Allison, Esq.

‘WEEDS ON WALKS.

I FULLY expected this query of yours as to the effects of the
acid solution upon boots and shoes, as it was the one that im-
mediately suggested itself to my mind on my first experiment.
By taking the following precautions, however, I have never
found any of the bad effects suggested.

I fix upon a fine evening after a dry day, and, beginning at
one end of the path, water away, stepping backwards slowly,
and avoiding splashing. The weeds being thirsty soon absorb
the solution, and what little remains on the stones and gravel
the night-dew washes off, so that next morning all danger to
boots and shoes is over. I have now tried it many times (as I

154

had formerly prazs‘edgings, which from constantly sowing fresh
seeds necessitated fresh applications), and have every reason to
be satisfied with it.

Should the operator spill a little on his clothes little ammonia,
such as a pinch of smelling-salts in water, will make all right

ain.

Tt also exterminates worms. The watering-pot and pail must,
of course, be well washed afterwards, and be kept well painted.
—Lex.

THE SEASON IN CORNWALL.

We have had so far an exceedingly mijd winter in this county
(Cornwall), and it may interest you, perhaps, to know how far
our spring is advanced. Yellow Crocuses are in full flower, and
have been for two or three weeks; Hyacimths are in very for-
ward bud—too forward a great deal for security from frost ;
the blue Squill covers the ground with its starry blossoms. In
fact, our borders. are gay with the snow white Iberis semper-
florens (at least, I believe that is the correct name of the pretty
little perennial which the people call ‘ Mountain of Light”),
scarlet double Daisy, and yellow and purple Crocuses, arranged
alternately, and all in full flower at this time. By the way, I
have omitted the Snowdrop from the above list, which con-
tributes in no small degree to the general gaiety of the border ;
and last, though. far from being least in beauty, the bright blue
Squill. Some Humeas, which have been out all the winter, look
pretty well, though rather “leggy, and Scarlet Geraniums,
Calceolaria floribunda, and all sorts of Verbenas, are looking
strong and healthy, some against a south wall, others in the
beds.—S. L. J., Cornwall.

PREVENTING THE GOOSEBERRY
CATERPILLAR.

A NEIGHBOUR told me the other day, when talking about
these pests, that in the month of March, on some damp morning
he dusts the bushes all over, and beneath them, with soot. The
bushes being damp the soot adheres to the wood, leaving a sooty
smell, which the moths and caterpillars do not like. By these
means he says he is never troubled with them. As it is so simple
and within the reach of everybody, I, for one shall test the
truth of the plan, leaving some bushes unsooted in the same
bed. I hope others will try it. It would bea great boon to us
if we could obtain some sure preventive.—G. Hommes.

TREATMENT OF APRICOT TREES IN BLOOM,

TI VENTURE to suggest that our veterans, Messrs. Rivers and
Pearson, are both right, but have overlooked the very important
faet/of the influence of the atmosphere. Please to observe, that
in showery weather, such as Mr. Pearson named as 2 fine time
for setting the fruit, the barometer would be at 29.20, or there-
abouts, and’ the air consequently light, so that the pollen would
disperse easily; m fact, giving us the dry atmosphere required
by Mr. Rivers. Should this solve the difficulty, I should hardly
think you will consider your space wasted.—GnorGE BURTON.

CONIFERS IN TRELAND.

I ¥ext great pleasure in giving my experience with regard to
the Pinuses inquired about by Mr. Robson.

In so doing, perhaps, I cannot be more clear than by stating
the dimensions of a few Silver Firs now standing quile adjacent
to the Castle, and which, according to most reliable information,
were planted about the year 1803, and at that time were very
small, having been brought from Scotland by a Mr. Webb,
landscape-gardener, in his travelling-bag. ‘The height is taken
from the ground to the top of the leaders; the girth, at 3 feet
from the ground level.

GIRTH.
feet 3 inches. 45 ae uy ove

HEIGHT.
66 feet 2 inches.

” ry oa ova ry a MO im AB;

es
2 8
a)
UB fhvd
5 8

Be esp pte) eae 5 73 4, 9
” i » 25 » 4 on
” ot | OEE, ou 3
B.19 4s 8 a . oe %5 id 6 u

These are fair specimens from among a considerable number
growing smpgly,-or in groups of not-more than six in'a group.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ February: 24,3863.

Chiefly surrounded by Oak and Sweet Chestnut, and under-
cover for game, Larch, Spruce, and Scotch Hirs have grown
equally -well.

With respect to the newer kinds, those here are of veryrecent
planting. In looking over the growth of 1862, I find the
leaders of several as follows.
Pinus excelsa ... 20 inches, ... 12 inches,

—_ Sich Bie 3 x wie 22
Abies Douglasi 7) 1 24 7? | Cupressus aera ip

Cedrus, Libocedrus, Thuja, and Taxus, all do well in sheltered
situations. Among all the Conifers, here and around here, I
find that the south-west wind at this season of the year browns
the leaves, causing a great check to the plants im spring, uuless
they are partially sheltered by other trees, or something, es-
pecially while young; while a breeze from the north appears to
have very little effect upon them.

Perhaps I should state that the locality lies between two chains
of mountains leading east and west, so that the wind comes
very strong from the south-west.—GrorcEe Becxerr, Shanbally
Clogheen, Ireland.

m
Abies'canadensis ...

GRAFTING DEODARS ON THE LARCH.

THERE was a mistake in the description of Woodstock, con-
cerning a Deodar grafted on the Larch, which it is necessary to
rectify. It was planted some thirty-seven years ago, and five
years ago was nearly 34 feet in height. Ib grew somewhat
spindly, was deficient in robustness, and shed its leaves partially
in the autumn. On examining the roots they were found to be
unhealthy, and a closer examination proved that the tree was
grafted on the Larch. No improvement taking place, Col. Tighe
at length ordered the tree to be cut down, and when the roots
were grubbed-up they were found to be affected with a bad case
of the larch rot. We say nothing on the theory of grafting, but
the above case was misapprehended, and, therefore, we give this
statement of the facts.—R. F.

PRUNING VINES.

I HAVE a vinery about 60 feet long by 14 feet wide containing
at the warmest end Muscats, and at the cool end Black Ham-
burghs. ‘The Vines are about six years old. For the last four
years I have had fair average crops. Being desirons of keeping
them back as long as possible, I have deferred pruning them,
and the question now arises, How am Ito prune them? ‘The
wood is well ripened and the thickness of one’s little finger, but
the eyes close at home are by no means bold. The fourth and
fifth are very plump and evidently fruit-buds. By pruning
down to the fifth eye the spurs soon become too long; but
should I prune down to two eyes? Iam afraid there would be
little or no fruit, at least, if 1 am to believe that the small eyes
are generally unfruitful, The Muscat eyes are bold throughout,
and I prune short accordingly.—D. W.

[If your wood is well ripened you may safely prune back to
the small buds. Everything depends on the ripening of the
wood. A crop, however, is a better thing than any adherence
to a system, and if there were any doubts we would leave a
portion of the wood in the short-rod style. The prominent
pods will be best ripened; but the small buds at the base, if
fully ripened, will be equally fruitful and come strong if those
before them are removed. Were we in your case and in any
doubt, we would prune for a crop and leave plenty of wood;
by stopping the shoots you can make the back buds break, and
the shoots from these you can keep for next year’s spurs. Your |
delaying the pruning will not at all serve your purpose in
securing late Grapes—that must depend on keeping the Vines
cool. If you have forced previously, the pruning should not be
delayed, or you may haye bleeding. When once a Vine is in
leaf you may prune as you like, provided you do not take too
much away at a time so as to weaken the energies of the plant.]

FEATHERED HELPS IN A GARDEN.

For want of a better phrase I thus designate'a subject upon
which some practical enlightenment will obligeme. Lam led
to it by the references to bantams)im a garden, andvespecially by
your own remark, that.a particularsort docs verpilittle:harm in
@ garden, which somewhat surprises me. bg

| ‘February 24, 1863. ]

I presume that if poultry did not scratch and tear everything,
they would do very much good by destroying insects of various
sorts, and, I presume, that much good may be done by birds,
judiciously chosen, in that way. Nothing like hand-picking in
the main; but how many small insects are there that cannot
beso dealt with—ants, for instance, which abound occasionally.
Tf bantams could be kept without injuring growing crops they
would be very handy. It is said that. guinea fowls do not scratch,
and are, therefore, good helps,as they swallow everything living.
Then, again, some fancy a domesticated sea gull for the purpose,
the hawk and the owl, too, are useful so far as mice, and, probably
snails are concerned; and an observer of the habits of the birds,
who has sat by the hour and watched starlings bring to their nest
a slug or/snail every three minutes for hours together, may well
think it possible that a pair of those birds domesticated, and with
a wing cut, might be very useful. But practical gardeners must
have some experience upon such a matter, for it is) difficult to
believe that the references to birds’ habits scattered through
books of natural history, have not been somehow gathered up for
practical purposes by practical men. I have been greatly amused
by seeing a pair of ducks hunt a piece of Box-border for snails or
slugs, and‘wasvery much amused once'by seeing a house sparrow
chase, and with much difficulty catch, a butterfly, in Chancery
Tane—a cireumstance brought to my recollection by a sug-
gestion in your pages that the house sparrow will not take
insects. If the subject has not been already treated on in your
paper, I fancy it is one upon which an article might be: very
usefully written —H.

[We refrain from making any reply to this inquiry, because
we should like to have all the information upon the subject
which our readers will be kind enough to send us. Any one
who has kept successfully a feathered help of any species in a
garden, will oblige us much by sending particulars of the
yermin it destroyed, what damage it did, whether it required a
constant supply of water, and any other particulars necessary
for its suecessful management.—Ebs. J. or H.]

APPLE OF AMASSIA.

Amonest the fruits exhibited at the Society’s Great Inter-
national Show in October, was an Apple bearing the name of
the “ Apple of Amassia,” sent by Mr. Edward b. B. Barker,
H.M. Consul at Samsoun.

Tt is fully medium size. Its general form is roundish, without
angles; eye partially open in an evenly rounded depression; the
stalk, of medium length and thickness, is deeply inserted in a
regularly formed, rather narrow cavity. The skin is glossy,
pale yellow on the shaded side, with a. delicate blush next the
sun. Flesh white, juicy, very sweet; but the specimens tried
did not possess that rich brisk flavour which is considered
requisite: i what would be considered a good dessert Apple in
this:country. It is fit for use in October. In appearance iti
resembles the Mela Oarla Apple, described and figured m “ Hor-
ticultural ‘Transactions,’ vol. vii., page 259, but the Apple of
Amassia seems to ripen earlier.

In auswer to inquiries addressed to him on the subject of this
Apple, Ma. Barker has replied :—

“This variety has long been known at Amaasia, but in no
other town or district of Asia Minor, or anywhere else that I
cam learn.

“here are fourteen other varieties of Apples at Amassia, all
inferior im every respect; proving that it does not owe its
superiority to the climate or soil, although these last may be
predisposing causes to its perfection.

“Tt is propagated by grafting; the fruit invariably the same.
Young trees produce, however, finer fruit than the very old ones.

“Tt is always a standard at Amassia, and grows to the height
of 15: feet.

“Tt isa great bearer, and a vigorous healthy tree.

“Phere is every reason to believe that this variety isindigenous
to the town and gardens of Amassia; no one of the present
generation remembers ifs having been introduced ; andi this is
not a likely thing to have occurred in this part of the Hast. I
have seen Apples-from all the towns in Asia Minor and Syria,
all very inferior. The moment I tasted it, I wrote and procured
scions for grafts, and sent them at two different: times to my
gardener at, Suedia, in Syria, and the more I know of this Apple
the more £ appreciate-its qualities, which are these:—

“1, High colour; 2,. Sweetness, with quite suficient: acidity:

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGH GARDENER.

155

to be agreeable ; 3, Plenty of juice when not over-ripe; 4, Fra-
grant perfume, in which most Apples are deficient ; 5, Crispness
without hardness, which enables it to travel to great distances
without injury.

“Tt flowers and ripens atthe same time as other Apples at
Amaassia, flowering in April and ripening in September and
October ; and would probably do the same in England.

“Tn regard to the name of this variety, it is called at Amassia
Muskett or Musk Apple. Four years ago a Swiss merchant
established at Amassia, sent a box of these Apples to Bale in
Switzerland, to his brother. At a meeting of the Pomological
Society in that city, some were exhibited, and they were called
Rose Apples of Asia (Asiatischer Rosenapfel.) It has been
yemarked that the flesh of some of these Apples, when ripe, is of
a slight rose colour. I have not learnt of its having before or
since been sent to Europe farther than to Constantinople, to
which city about a hundred boxes are sent: yearly, principally as
presents. Its travelling so well is a remarkable feature. IfI
could have gathered the Apples here (Samsoun) at this port,
they would have reached you in fine condition ; but they had to
travel on horseback (three days journey, about ninety miles)
before they reached my hands, over very bad roads.

“ Amassia is on land much elevated above the level of the sea,
and consequently very cold in winter, and very hot in summer.
The soil is calcareous, mixed with fine sand ; exceedingly dry in
summer, and the trees are watered by hydraulic wheels. The
trees are never pruned nor manured ; indeed no care whatever
is taken of them, except watering them—an absolute necessity in
the great heats of summer; but they would not require that in
England.

‘T will send you scions for grafting, so as to be in England
in February or March next, by two expeditions—by steamer
from Constantinople vid Liverpool, by sea, and by the overland
route, vid Vienna, through the Foreign Office, by the messenger.
They will be cut in January, during the coldest weather, so as to
insure their freshness till May.

“JT shall be very happy at all times to be able to give you any
other information, if required, having inherited from my late
father, John Barker, Hsq., a great taste for horticulture, and
haying had some little experience in these eastern climates.”

So far as beauty is concerned, the Apples exhibited at the
Show in October bore out all Ma. Barker’s encomiums, but: the
taste had been deteriorated by keeping and carriage. It had
become too sweet, and the Apple had lost the crispness of which
he speaks. But if the grafts which he promises prosper, we
shall by-and-by have an opportunity of testing its value more
fairly. —(Proceedings of the Royal Horticultwral Society.)

WORK FOR THE WEEK.

: KITCHEN GARDEN.

Take advantage of dry days to stir the surface of the ground
among growing crops, and to keep down weeds. Cabbage, sow
early sorts and a few Red on a warm border. Carrots, make a
sowing of Early Horn. Cauliflower, make a fresh sowing in a
frame, and prick out those already up. Celery, another sowing
may now be made in heat. Dwarf’ Kidney Beans, sow a few
Early White, Negro, or Dun-coloured in boxes for planting-out.
Tettuce, sow Cos, when required, in warm situations. The beds
to be looked over and blanks made good, after which they should.
receive a careful hoeing, not too deep, and have ashes, sharp
sand, or sawdust strewn thickly among their stems. A similar
application to the stems of Peas and Beans will be some pro-
tection from the attacks of slugs. Onions, take advantage of the
first fine day with the ground in working-order to put in the
main crop. Select a piece of land in good condition; and if the
surface is not naturally firm, render it 20 before sowing by tread-
ing or rolling. Parsnips, prepare the ground by trenching or
deep digging, and sow.

FLOWER GARDEN.

Proceed with Rose-pruning. The late mild weather has already
advanced the buds of many sorts; an exception, however, may
be made of Roses recently moved. Plant and lay Rhododen-~
drons. Edgings required for flower-borders, such as, Box, Thrift,
&e., should at once be planted, and Box-edgings cut. Plant.
Pinks, Pansies, Wallflowers, Canterbury Bells, Foxgloves, Car-
nations, &c.

FRUIT GARDEN.

Proceed with pruning and nailing’ in favourable weather. If

any planting still remain to be done, let it be performed'as soon

156

as the ground is in a fit state for that purpose. Look to the
Fig trees ; prune and train those that require it, tying or bending
the strong shoots down, which will induce them to push out a
number of very short-jointed bearing shoots. Protect the
blossom of wall-fruié trees. Fir boughs or straw ropes where
Haythorn’s hexagon netting or canvas cannot ‘be obtained,
should be employed to ward off the effects of frost. Clear away
dead leaves from Strawberry planta.

STOVE.

Orchids will require an advance of heat, and unfailing at-
tention in regard to atmospheric humidity. Look sharp after
insects, the snails and slugs are very fond of the young tender
buds at this period. Some Achimenes, Gloxinias, &c., to be
set to work. Some of the Ipomeas, Kchites, Percularia, Ste-
phanotis, &c., may be trimmed-in, disrooted if necessary, and
plunged in a moderate bottom heat, using but little water until
an active root-action takes place. Some of the Hchites are easily
rooted, and will endure a vast amount of drought.

GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY.

Orange trees in tubs or pots to be carefully examined in order
to ascertain whether or not their roots are in a healthy state,
and those requiring more room should be shifted at once,
When a shift cannot be conveniently given to large specimens,
it is advisable to remove as much of the surface soil as can be
done without injuring the roots, and replace it with a mixture of
good turfy loam, ground bones, rotten cowdung, and sand, If
they are infested with the scale or coccus family, apply with
the engine clear soot water in a careful manner. Some of the
hardwooded plants may now be propagated by cuttings where a
gentle bottom heat can be kept up. Sow annuals for pot-bloom-
ing. Shift herbaceous Calceolarias when they ‘fill their pots
with roots, and keep them near the glass and well fumigated.
Place Camellias past bloom in heat to make their growth. Shift
Cinerarias freely, and fumigate often. Prune, pot, and start
Fuchsias in a nice bottom heat if possible. Heaths to have
plenty of air when not frosty, and shift any that have filled their
pots with roots. Similar treatment is recommended for New
Holland plants. Pelargoniums wanted to bloom early to be
kept rather warm, and to be shifted into the pots in which they
are to bloom. Keep those intended for late bloom closely
stopped. Train the young shoots of climbers before they be-
come entangled.

PITS AND FRAMES.

The plants in these structures will require to be carefully
watched, as the warmth caused by the increased power of the
sun in the daytime will most probably induce a too rapid
progress at the expense of constitutional strength and vigour.
It is, therefore, desirable to keep them as cool as may be found
to be practicable, by allowing the free ingress of the external
air. Anything like close confinement when the sun is shining on
the pits and frames will certainly be injurious; at the same
time, if the air is very keen and cutting, the lights must be opened
on the side least exposed, and in such a manner as to prevent
the cold draught from acting on the excited juices of the plants.
Attend carefully to the stock of bedding plants, and get rooted
Cuttings potted-off as soon a3 they are in a fit state for that
purpose, and encourage them with a gentle bottom heat and
careful management to make quick growth, for after this there
is no time to be lost with young stock. Sow Mignonette, Ten-
week Stocks, Cockscomba, Balsams, and all tender and half-
hardy annuals in heat. W. Keann.

DOINGS OF THE LAST WEEK.

FINE crispy mornings and bright days having come at length,
regulated work accordingly, as far as possible, though necessity
compelled us to do some work we would have preferred leaving
to a rainy uncomfortable day. Wheeling in the hard morn-
ings, turning soil during the day—that is, turning ridged-up
ground topsy-turvy, to give more of it the sweetening influence
of the frost ; charring heaps, and heating parings, scrapings,
and other material, as Covering, sufficiently hot to kill all the
weeds, and burning as little even of Hollyhock-stalks as possible,
as the charred, half-burned stema are much more valuable. The
dry weather has been very useful for such work, and, therefore,
mueh could be done with little labour.

: EITOHEN GARDEN.
Put a little loose litter over Cauliflower hand-lights in the

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ February 24, 1863.

coldest nights, turned broad leaves over Broccoli coming in, and
had a little rough hay ready to place a handful over, if the frost °
got severe enough; sowed Carrots, Lettuce, and Cauliflower in.
a two-light box, to obtain just a little heat for them, the two
latter to be pricked-out ultimately, to give room to the Carrots,
Placed a foot of leaves over some Sea-kale in the open air, and that
was pushing without more help than a cone of ashes. A good
cone of ashes with these few leaves, will give an early cutting,
without the bother of pots or boxes. The ‘first are expensive
affairs when there is not a handy man to wield the fork in.
looking for the heads. When there is little beside the ashes, it
can all be done with the hand; or if a fork is used, the points
will not have the chance of shivering the pots.” The great point
is to place no rank manure about such plants, or it will be no
great credit at table to gardener or cook. Another matter is to
cut it when from 4 to 6 inches in length, the elongated stems half
a yard in length are little better than insipid juice. Took the
first crops from the Mushroom-house, and put the plants in a
cool shed, that they may be quite hardened before planting them
again. ‘his may be done at any time as respects the crowns
with 3 or 4 inches attached, but the lesser roots cut up into
pieces are aa well stored in sand or dry earth until they begin
to push. Placed some rotten rubbish-heap material over
ground intended for Asparagus, as we could command nothing
better; and when manure is scarce, after so far loosening the
ground, it is well to keep the manurial matter near the surface,
and add by top-dressing. Though Asparagus seed may be sown,
and plantations made, we prefer planting Asparagus when it
has sprung 2 inches, and keeping the roots moist, covered with
moss or mat, so that no small fibres can be dried. Planted in
that state of growth, and with that care, it is rarely that a single
plant will fail.

Potted-off some more Dwarf Kidney Beans that were sown
thickly in a box, putting five plants intoa seven or eight-inch
pot, using soil previously aired and warmed, and warm water
for watering, the two last simple matters being more necessary
to success than many people imagine. We have nothing to say
against sowing the Beans in pots at once, where there is plenty
of room, but that we are scarce of; and, therefore, by sowing in
a box, we have two or three lights at liberty for several weeks,
and, besides, the transplanting tends to make the plants more
robust and fruitful. Potted Cucumbers and Melons in dung-
and-leaf bed, prepared bed for Cucumbers, swept over Mush-
room-beds, and cleared out as manure for flower-beds the Mush-
room-beds that did such good service in the shed in the summer
and autumn. We find that the droppings of horses are now so
muck wanted for giving a little extra heat to tree leaves, that our
next bed for Mushrooma must consist chiefly of these tree leaves,
with a few inches of dung on the surface.

FRUIT GARDEN.

The tomtita haye commenced their visits since the frosty
mornings ; and we should like those who benevolently consider
that killing one of the pretty little fellows occasionally is nothing
but a horrid murder, to notice how soon, if unmolested, two
or three of them will clear a Gooseberry-quarter for you, or
leave a row of Pears little else than bare poles. However, wero
it not for such wholesale work we should be sorry to meddle with’
them, for we are well aware they do good as well as mischief.

Tf preserves for game are maintained as they are in some places,
we prophesy that kitchen gardens close to them will have to be
netted all over, if anything is to be expected from them, unless
there are some battues every now and then for small birds, as
well as for hares and pheasants. A slight net of wire stretched
from wall to wall in an enclosed garden would not only be a
new idea, but we are sure that, under such circumstances of high
preserving, it would also be the most economical in the end. In
many places already it would be perfect folly to get a row of
Peas up without protecting them with ridges of wire-netting -
and what small birds do for Peas, partridgea and pheasants will
soon do for Broccoli, Cauliflowers, &c. We know that frequently
in the early summer we might wish, and wish long enough, for
nice dishes of young Peas to please visiting company, if we did
not set, a boy with tongue clappers and. wodden clappers to keep
the winged tribe at a little distance, as these sounds, discordant
though they be, are not so shocking to neryous people as the re-
port of a gun in a garden—in fact, the latter is quite out of place
In a garden if it could be avoided. It is very trying to the patience
when you expect to gather a superb dish of Peas or some firat- .
rate Strawberries, to’ find that the birds have shelled the first

February 24, 1863. ]

without your leave, and carried off or dug their bills into the beat
of the latter. Who will invent the most suitable cover-all
for a garden, that will let plenty of heat and light through and
keep out the smallest birds and the larger insects, just as we
find it necessary to do so?

We may as well here allude to another matter growing out of
this high-preserving question. In many gardens there is a difli-
culty in finding pea-stakes, and when found they seldom last
good for more than a year, and then come in as fuel for fire-
lighting. Many for want of them are obliged to grow low Peas,
or allow them fo run over the ground without stakes at all; but
in such circumstances we believe there is a loss aa respects
quantity and quality. We have several inquiries on the subject,
and see nothing better than iron supports with holes for wires
to run through; but though these are used in some places, we
feel certain that the person who manufactures an article that
will be somewhat economical in price, and which will be easily
moveable so as to be taken from and to a shed as desired, or, in
other words, put up and taken down with little trouble, will
command a large sale for the article. Strained wire fences are
now getting common for espalier trees, Raspberries, and even
Gooseberries and Currants, as when the two latter are trained
flat fine fruit is not only obtained but the ground between can
be cropped with other things.

We seem, however, to have lost sight of the birds. Well,
a3 yet we have not done more than rough-prune Currants and
Gooseberries, thinking it better to leave the final looking-over
until we see how the birds and we agree as to the right quantity
that shall be left to us. Meanwhile, to prevent their taking a
delicious morsel, we mix-up a tub of rather thick wash, formed of
soapsuds and about equal parts of lime and soot, and double
parts of clay and cowdung, which, when thoroughly blended and
mixed, will pass easily through the nozzle of an old syringe.
This, with a handful of salt to every eight gallons or ao, is squirted
over the bushes and the forwardest Pears, and sticks on pretty
well by the help of the clay and the cowdung ; and should
continued rains come before the buds are safe we must just re-
peat the operation, and try thread, looking-glass, pieces of tin
suspended, and all the rest of it. But so long as the buds are
thus crusted they will hardly be touched by any bird that has
any pretension to epicurism.

Strawberries in pots that are standing in beds and intended for

forcing will need looking after, as, if they get too dry, the flower-
buds will be apt to perish. We think a few of ours have done
go, as the air has been very drying of late. If the frost should
come much more severe, however, it will be advisable to cover
them up at night after such watering.
_ Gave a little air early in the morning to Peach-house in bloom,
increasing it gradually to mid-day, and waived a broad board
quickly near the blossoms to disperse the fertilising pollen.
Shut-up pretty early in the afternoon, so as to do with as little
fire heat as possible. ‘Temperature at night ranging from 45° to
50°; during the day with sun from 70° to 85°. Temperature of
the first vinery breaking, 60° at night, air early, and heat allowed
to rise with sun to 80° or 85°.

The most of the bedding plants are now moved from the
Peach-house and from other places where heat is more required
for other purposes. To find room for them we were forced to
cut the remainder of the Grapes in the late vinery, keeping a
good bit of the shoot with them, and sticking the shoots into
moist soil in a moveable box, and covering the box with dry
moss and clean paper. This suited our purpose best on the
present occasion, though we would give the preference to the
plan mentioned by Mr. Thomson of sticking the shoots into a
beetroot, and allowing the bunch to hang over a shelf in a dry
cool place.

Now, as to the Vines, it is right that mischances should be noted
as well as successes. In cutting a young Vine we found that the
stem came to us. Unfortunately, against our own wish on such
a subject, the Vines are planted outside the house and brought
in through a hole in the front wall, a little moss being placed
round the stem inthe hole. Now, just where the stem entered
the hole it seemed to have been gnawed through—in fact, but
for examining it carefully, it might have been supposed to be
cut through. But the most curious thing ia that not a vestige
of the stem could be found from the cut or nibbled part, and
no remains of nibbled wood, and though we searched carefully
not a bit of the stem could be found, or even the larger
roots, though we found the smaller ones in the border. A
young Vine in an earlier house was found exactly in the same

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND OOTTAGE GARDENER.

157

way, not a vestige of stem from the cut part, but all gone, and
no signs of nibbling, such as sawdust-like pieces of wood. left.
The whole of the stem seemed to be gone, and yet Grapes, which
one would have thought more tempting, were left untouched.
What made me conclude that mice were the destroyers was
the following fact: A rather old Vine had not swelled its
berries to the usual size in the autumn, and on examining the
stem in the hole in the wall it bore traces of biting and injury
for fully halfway round. Mr. Mouse must now be looked after ;
but, seeing the Grapes untouched, and seeds drying in the house
quite safe, we never thought of looking after the stems that went
through the wall. Do any of your readers know of a case of
such wholesale destruction of young stems? Not a bit could
we find, nor even a root of any size. Out of doors we found
some young Apple trees that were fast going the same way.
The nibbling had commenced at the surface of the ground, and
when discovered the stems and most of the larger roots proceed-
ing from the collar were nearly gone. In these cases, too, the
stems farther up were not touched.

PLANTS, PROPAGATING, &C.

Much the same as last week. As soon as the late vinery is
all thoroughly cleaned, we will fill every available spot with
plants and keep them and Vines as cool as possible. For this
purpose we will bring all the Vines near the front of the house
that we may not only give plenty of air, but shade the Vines too

if necessary.—R. F.

TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED.

Ambroise Verschaffelt, 50, Rue du Chaume, Ghent. Spring
Catalogue of Stove, Greenhouse, and Hardy Plants, &c. 1868.

C. B. Saunders, Cesarean Nurseries, St. Saviour’s, Jersey.
General Catalogue of Fruit Trees. Catalogue of Trees and
Shrubs. Select List of Cape Bulbs, Tuberous Roots, §c. List
of Azaleas, Camellias, Dahlias, Fuchsias, Geraniums, &c.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

*,* Wo request that no one will write privately to the depart-
mental writers of the “Journal of Horticulture, Cottage
Gardener, and Country Gentleman.” By so doing they
are subjected to unjustifiable trouble and expense. All
communications should therefore be addressed solely to The
Editors of the “Journal of Horticulture, §e.,” 162, Fleet
Street, London, E.C.

also request that correspondents will not mix up on the
game sheet questions relating to Gardening and those on
Poultry and Bee subjects, if they expect to get them answered
promptly and conveniently, but write them on separate
communications. Also never to send more than two or
three questions at once.

cannot reply privately to any communication unless under

very special circumstances.
PLANTING FLOWER-BEDS (Cruciferus).—If we could make an exception
in favour of any one, it should be in the case of so staunch a supporter ;
but/we cannot make any exception. If you will arrange the plants in the
beds, and send us an outline of the beds and how you propose to plant
them, we will point out what we consider mistakes, if there are any. No
one can plant beds the situation of which he has not seen.
FoR QUEENSLAND (C. C.).—We should send Crested
Wood Meadow Grass, Evergreen Meadow
Calico soaked in linseed oil
the voyage. The enly
and soldered-down

We

PasTurE GRASSES
Dog’s-Tail, Hardish Fescue,
Grass, White Clover, and Suckling Clover.
would be liable to spontaneous combustion on
remedy would be to have it packed in tin-lined boxes,
to exclude the air.

Buppinc Piums on Stores (G. Carpenter).—For five postage stamps you
can have free by post from our office, ‘* ¥ruit-Gardening for the Many.” It
contains directions for both grafting and budding. Plums grafted on sloe-
stocks do not do well. Wither sulphuric acid or caustic potash will render
your refuse bones available as manure. The potash mode is preferable,
being not so liable to cause injuries during the crumbling-down process.

Zinc-LiInED Boxes, &c. (A Subscriber).—We have cused zinc as a lining
both for plant-boxes and water-tanks, without observing that it injured the
plants.

Tramzan Gourp Srxp (A. Subscriber,
reason why the plants should not do as well as 0
bers, if ridged-out at the usual season.

Rose Annuat (W. H. M.).—We have no information upon the subject.

Dare Pars Parasite (Date Palm).—The little ‘tseeds " you mentiom
are the convex hardened bodies of the females of a small species of
Coceus, covered with a thin pellicle of white waxy secretion, giving them
a fungus-like appearance. Some of the females were shrivelled-up, having
already deposited their eggs, but others were still filled with eggs, so that
the tree must be cleared of them at once or it will be destroyed.—W.

Blackheath).— We know of n0
ther Gourds and Cucum-

158:

Pruning Reszs (MW. H.),—If the, weather continue mild it would be
advisable to prune at once, but if frost set in, delaying vegetation, you
had better wait) until the frost be past. It is possible we may have mere.
winter yet than ‘we have had, and it would be as well to wait and see the
Tesult. The progress of vegetation will be stopped if it continue cold,
and the pruning could be done just before growth commences again.

Veronica (S, Z. J.).—Your specimen seems a variety of V. Andersonii,
but they differ so much that we eannot positively say; and as they seed
freely and. sow themselves, and in mild autumn flower admirably, only
varicties\of unusual merit have of late years been distinguished by name.
We expect it will do remarkably well in Cornwall. We know it to be
quite at home in Jeisey.

TRopzonum TuBEROSUM (Jdem).—By all means occupy your hotbed with
something better than these, which do pretty well against any dry wall.
The moze poor the soil the more likely they are to bloom, and we haye some-
times planted them in fower-pots to check their growth. But it is generalty
Yate when they bloom, so that they have fallen into disrepute. In het. dry
seasons they bloom better; but suekinds as Tropeolumpentaphyllum and
T. brachyceras. have been more popular of late years.

Taitoma SxEpLanes (Idem).—Yon. cannot do better than plant your seed-
lings amongst your American plants in bog earth, especially if the soil is
not already fully occupied by the roots of Rhododendyons, &e, If the latter
be'the ease, plant them elsewhere, as they ought to havea good depth of
earth to themselves, and the bulbs will advance apace. Do not plant them
too thickly.

Ivy anp Roses AGainst A Fencz; (A, R. H.).—Plant the Ivy out of
pots.2feet apart. You can buy it so growing 6 or7 feet high. In front
grow the Roses in large pots or butter-firkins buried in the border close
tothe fence, Felicité perpetuelle, Myrianthes, Princess Maria, and Princess:
Lonisa will do-well for the purpose. ‘Train the Ivy againat the fence, and
the Roses in front of the Ivy.. Both the Lvy and the Roses will be bene-
fited in summer by heavy waterings overhead from the garden engine,
and by manure-waterings to the roots,

Dzcoratme Pusric Rooms (J. O. G.).—You will find ‘your inquiries
answered in our paper of to-day by an article from Mr. Robson, which we
think will meet your case, and that of others:

Grarrinc Pzars on As Stocks (J. W. P.).—Your friend has con-
founded the common. Ash with the Mountain Ash. Pear scions unite
freely, with stocks of the latter, but they will not unite to the common Ash.

PLaNTs FoR THE SHasmDE. (A. A.).—We fear fhe starving character of
the soil on your north-west coast will not suit many of our ordimary ever-
greens, but we ave seen the Laurustinus and Amcuba japonica do well in
the: neighbourkood of Plymouth within reach of the spray. Lf, however,
these will not do, try the Tamarisk as you are advised, and Pinus maritima,
and the various herbaceous plants which will endure the sea air, as Thrift.
Fennel, Evergreen Tberis, Alyssum, and the like; but avoid the conifers,
excepting the above. In deciduous trees the Sycamore stands as well as
any. Perhaps some of our correspondents will give us their experience
on coast vegetation.

DISTINGUISHING THE Stocks) or Fruit TkeES (J. I. C.).—A man well
versed in such matters might, perhaps, be able to tell you if he saw the,
trees; but he could not explain on paper the mode for you to doit, especially
with young trees. Generally speaking, Free Stocks grow and thicken faster
than the graft, while Quince:and Paradise Stocks are the reverse ;, but this
is not discernible in the young tree. so well as in the more adult one.
Cutting the bark of old trees of the kinds of stocks named, and comparing
that with the young, will enable you to judge better than anything that
can be written onthe subject.

CoroNEASTER MICROPHYLLA Losine its LeAyzxs (P. D,).—It is difficuit
to, account for your plant losing its leayes, as we have it in almost all
situations, moist and dry, in sunsline and shade, yet it thrives in each.
We find, however, that the leaves of U. Simonsii, a much stronzer growing
species, have fallen very much this) winter, whereas €. microphylla is as
densely clothed as ever and loaded with fruit of a rich rose colour. It
would be well to ascertain if there be nothing pernicious in the soil it is
growing in, as an escape of gasora mixture of some poisonous chemical
ingredients. Your plant, of which you enclosed a specimen fruit, is Ceratonia
siliqua.

Heatime A Meton-pir (W. D.).—If you meant to keep your present
lining and a bed of tan inside, then you might heat your house sufficiently
with two four-inch pipes. We should prefer the wall at the front to be
elose instead of. pigeon-holed, and then you would have the heat without
damp andsteam. If you preferred having no tan, except perhaps a: sur-
facing, and not to depend mueh or at all on the liming, then the best plan
would be'to havea small furnace and boiler at the west end, low enough
for the top of the boiler to be below the lowest pipe im the honse, and then
take'a flow and return for bottem heat and the same for top heat.
can be done and regulated: by valves; or, as described the other week, take
the flow'to a:cistern:aboye the boiler, and from that regulate the flow for
top and bottom as wanted.

Pranring Tusprovs-Rootep Tropmotums (Jf. A.).—We presume your
Tropzolums are the small-flowering tuberous kinds.
comes from the smaller end, but not.always.. If you just. cover the bulbs
with light soil, and give no water until they shoot, there can be no, harm.
Itis quite as well to keep the tubers covered with soil in a shallow tray
until they do:shoot, and then pot them into their flowering-pots at once.
Training is a matter of taste. Some like wire trellises flat or balloon
shaped. We. think: nothing is more graceful than the top of a Larch tree,,
and the shoots. entwined among its branches. Much care is necessary in
training—in fact, when growing freely the shoots will want looking to
every day, so that they be not permitted to grow in big wreathsand bundles,
We have forgotten to say that sometimes the tubers will take a freak and
rest for a year or two, and then comeall right.

Heatine Prr ror Cameitias (A Learner near Bradford).—If your
Camellias and Azalcas are healthy they will not need your hotbed of
leaves and dung, but the heat from the pipes would be enough. However,
if youthink a little moist heat below would be advisable, be sure that the
dung is sweet; and when you cover with ashes do not. plunge the pots so
much ashalt theirdepth. A sweet hotbed in such a place would be the
thing: for: Melons, Cucumbers, and seeds of very tender plants, &¢.,, but not
epee Azaleas, Their small roots are easily injured with much

ottom heat.)

JOURNAL OF HOBTIQULTURE,AND COTTAGE GARDENER, —_[ February, 24, 1863,

This |!

The shoot generally |)

| Sowine Groxinra ruBirtorA (Subscriber).—Sow in hotbed. Sprinkle
| the seed onthe surface, and then the leastiof white. sand over iti: Go)
the pot with a piece of glass, and shade until.the small dots of seedlings |
| appears Giye them rich light soil, ‘ se ha
Sowine Anacatiis (Idem),—Sow at any time before March in gentle |
heat. They'should have sweet fresh loam andaliftleleafmould, =
Sowine Bausams (Jdem).—If you have plenty of room and a cool place |
to take them to after their second potting you may osow Dow; butif not, —
you will obtain better plants by deferring, until/April, and then, after the —
first potting, keeping them in a window-sill, or a cool greenhouse, or plant-
ing them out of doors. After the first potting the soil for Baisams can
scarcely be too rich.

Curysatts (Wesci Brown),—It is the chrysalis of Pieris rape, the small
cabbage butterfly. {

Cocoa-Nur Fisre Dusr (Golden Hleece).—Mix it with light loam in the
proportion of one part by measure to two parts:of loam,

Srormap Gzraniums (P.).— You have a bad case of the spot. It is
very difficult to eradicate. Your only chance is to ent off every affected
leaf, and keep the plants drier with abundance of air and) a’ little more
heat. The chief causes ofithis disease are a close muggy atmosphere, roots
too,damp in winter, pots standing on a.nioist close bottom, as sand or ashes,
and allowing the sun to strike on the foliage before it is dried by heat and
air. By giving the plants the advaritage of the opposite treatment you may
succeed immaking your plants’all right, but some, plants: most: lizely will
beat you.

Ck0s8-BREEDING PELARGONIUMS (——).—Mr. Beaton is, too, unwell, to
reply to your queries at present. If you refer to the indices of our three
last volumes you will find a mass of information on the subject, and the
whole: see nee in “ The Science and Practice of Gardening,” published
at our office.

Prorar-Rose Pruning (A Four-ysars Subscriber).—You may cut out
some of the very gross shoots to the bottom, and lewve the Others as they
are, as some Roses tower but at the tips. Yours planted only last year may
be encouraged to grow until they oceupy the allotted ‘space, while by
outting out some of the gross shoots the bottom, will be furnished.

Buvpine Roses (Idem). — Use worsted string, or yarn very loosely
twisted, to tie on the buds, and tie them gently, but at the same time suffi-
ciently firm to close the opening. Matting or any Haxen tie bands expand’
and open in dry weather and become inconveniently tight when-wet, and
are consequently not so good. Articles in our previous, Numbers haye
explained this.

Pracu Trres Crackine av THE CoLtar (Jdem).—Some varieties are
prone to this, but it does not seem to be attended with any bad conse-
quences, as we have seen excellent fruit from a tree whose collar was’
entirely decayed, except a sort of spival band that united the top with the
root. Ifithetop be heulthy the stem is of less consequence, especially inan
old tree. Attend to the instructions given by Mr. Fish and others from
time to time, and success will crown your efforts. ;

SLucs Eatinc Worms (]Vorcester).— Slugs will resort to and eat any dea®
animal matters. The live worm you: saw them teeding upon must have:
been weakened by disease or accident, or it would have easily writhed,
away.

Names of Prants (W. O.).—1, Chorozema varium ; 3, Berberis Darwinii.,

It is impossible to name plants from such scraps as the others are. (4. A.).
—I, Asplenium rutefolium ; 2,A.splendens. j ’ {

POULTRY, BEE, and HOUSEHOLD CHRONICLE.

DOTTINGS. AT DEVIZES.

Isprnt a few hours af the Poultry Show lately held im this
town. Few towns boas6 so convenient a spot for a Show—
light, airy, and hitherto sufficiently large for the purpose.

There was a capital collection of poultry, but Game was pre-
eminently at the head. A splendid lot of birds must have given
the Judge some little trouble. Even with the arrangement of
cock and one hen, it appears difficult to satisfy these pugnacious
birds, I noticed especially that Mr.. Fletcher’s beautilul first-
prize Brown Red bird treated his temporary partner in a shame-

|fulmanner. In these classes it is absolutely necessary to make
some greater provision against battles than was made at Devizes.
A piece of wood 5 or 6 inches in width would prevent many
squabbles if nailed on the outside of the divisions. It was a
constant source of anxiety to the indefatigable Secretary.
| _ Twas delighted to see large Kose-combed Dorkings prizetakers.
| Though I no longer breed them, I am very pleased to see that
| you are urging breeders not to make them birds of feather. In’
| Spanish an accident shifted the prizes. The third-prize cock of
| Mx. Kodbard was very nearly blind from the size of the white
|face. I do not think he could see with his right eye ! In some
unnoticed pens the trimmer seemed to haye been at work!
Cochins were few but good. There was a je lg pen of
| Whites, and the Buff single cock was a. magnificent bird. —
| Some of the Brahmas were good; butit is quite useless for
| breeders to show # pen with pea and single combs. Yeara ago’
| they might haye passed muster, now they must be uniform. Tf
|think I should have reversed the judgment in the single cock
| class. ep age ;
Some Malays were there, most conspicuous

vy their ugliness.

Bantams were: first-rate, and mustered ia. large numbers’; 80,

- Webruary 24, 1863. ]

also, were the Hast Indian Ducks, the entries of which wera

| greater, if I mistake not, than any others!

” The sweepstakes for single cocks brought some good birds,

put is to my fancy a great mistake, and gives birds a value they
have not really earned. Three classes contained only two birds
each, whilst one, the Polish, had only a single representative.
Tt appears to me a far better plan to let the cocks entered in the
other classes he entered in a sweepstakes or not, according to the
fancy of the owners. This would save expeuse to the owners
in carriage, and I feel certain would add to the income of the
Show, by bringing a greater number of birds into competition.
Whilst at the single cocks, I may mention that some of the
pens in which they weve shown were much too small. T allude
especially to the Brahmas and Malays, which could barely turn
round. This not only injures the bird in constitution, but
often so damages the plumage as to prevent any further prize-
taking till the moult is over. The Committee would do well to
alter this; and if they could make some of the pens for the
larger-framed birds more commodious, it would be a move in
the right direction.

Constant attention was paid to the wants of the occupants of
pens. It struck me that the food was almost too plentiful ;
there certainly was no lack of it. Whe prizes were paid to any
winners on their visiting the Show, or directly after by post.
Here Devizes sets a very good example, which more experienced
shows migit imitate —Y. B. A. Z.

DO ACORNS DISCOLOUR EGGS?

I wave a Silver-spangled Hamburgh pullet which laid in De-
cember last. The yolk of her eggs was black. I have two other
Silver-spangled Hamburgh pullets and a half-bred pullet, a
ross between Spanish and Dorking, which began to lay last
month. Whe two Hamburghs also lay black eggs. ‘The half-
bred lays eggs of their natural colour.

T have other half-bred hens which laid eggs last summer and
this winter of their natural colour. I am perplexed to find that
now the half-bred pullet (Spanish and Dorking) is laying black-
yolked eggs ; and 1 am afraid that when the other half-bred hens
lay again, their eggs will also be black-yolked.

The eggs are unsaleable, and we do not relish them ourselves.
Tf you can give me any information as to cause, or if it is
common for fowls to lay black-yolked eggs, I shall be very
thankful.

I began to keep fowls last summer. They all run together
with a half-bred young cock; they have a large park and wood
#o run over, where they have found, and do now, plenty of
acorns. Whey have eaten a few holly berries, and are very fond
of the ash-leap, and raw potato parings. Besides oaks and
hollies there are a great many Scotch fir trees. The soil is sandy
peat, sandy loam, sand rock, and gravel walks. I feed the fowls
once a-day with whole barley, and occasionally with boiled
potatoes. ‘hey arein good condition, and have what clear water
they choose, sleepmg im a hen-house at night—H. H. D.,
Kent.

[We cannot answer your question. We have fowls that run
where there are plenty of acorns, but we never see them pick

cneup. There is strong colouring matter in an acorn, and it is

not unlikely they may have to do with it. Many birds lay eggs
that have 2 dark shade on the surface of the yolk. ]

BLACK BANTAMS AT DARLINGTON.

HaAvine been a Bantam-breeder in my time, I have observed
with some interest the controversy in your paper relative to the

pen shown at Darlington, which I observed had the cock’s legs,
‘washed, and, I was mformed, on the spot ‘“‘by order of the Judge,

Mr. Hewitt.”
Pure black legs are, amongst other things, characteristic

points in Black Bantams—at least, so I have always under- |

Stood; but so far as the controversy goes (upon which I do
mot say a word, but have my opinion), nothing to my mind
elucidates Mr. Enoch Hutton’s share in the blame, so much
as his advertisement in your Jourmal of Hebruary 3rd, taken
im conjunction with his famous letter of the 30th December
Jest, in which he says the legs “‘were naturally a good dark
colour.’ “Phe awful mystery seems explained. ‘The advertise-
ment of the 3rd inst., says, not alone that he has “Black Bantams ”

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

'| the produce ofa Bantam hen and Red Grouse,

159

and “ White,” but that the eggs of the Blacks can be “ warranted
from pure black-legged birds only if required!” It is more than
rumoured that he has a cross-breed, and it would be very ex-
traordinary if he had not,—OnsERVER.

INSECT-FED HENS.

TrpRE is a person near Preston who keeps a great number of
hens, and every day feeds them on some kind of insect that
males them lay—besides meal. 1 believe he breeds them from
some old cheese, &. All I know is that his hens lay regularly
in the winter. Can you give me any information what these
insects are, and how they are to be obtained p—W.

[We fancy the insect on which the fowls are fed is the gentle,
or flesh-magzot. They are bred in immense quantities in Ger-
many for this purpose; they are bred in pits, under glass, and
are regularly fed and attended to. They will make your fowls
lay ; but coupling the objectionable nature of the food with the
fact that forced laying spoils hens, and induces premature
Gecrepitude, we think you will agree with us that “Le jew ne
vaut pas la chandelle.” |

YOUNG PIGEONS WITH OVERGROWN
MANDIBLE.

I wAver had lately a number of my young Pigeons with their
upper mandible overgrown and hooked at the point. I cut one,
but whether too much or too little [ cannot say, it seemed rather
to encourage its growth.—J. M. C.

[If you are breeding many birds with this deformity the fault
lies with your breeding-stock; you had better introduce some
fresh blood, mating your old Pigeons to the new comers. If the
deformity is slight, a lump of old mortar made salt by soaking
in salt and water will keep the beaks worn down at the points,
as they will constantly be used in pecking it. ]

PHEASANT AND SILVER PHEASANT HYBRID.

Onz of your correspondents doubts my assertion respecting
the cross between the common Pheasant and the Silver Pheasant.
Let the following be a reply to his doubt.

A gentleman having more Silver Pheasants than he could keep
in confinement, turned a few out into his game-preserves. In
the course of a year or two, several pied or mottled birds were
seen in the woods. The next year the gamekeepers often met
with more than a dozen of such birds at a time. I saw some
of them, and they had a strange appearance compared with the
old birds. cin

Nine years since at Bretton Poultry Show, there was exhibited,
in a pen of Guinea Fowls, a hybrid between a Black Red Game
cock and a Guinea hen. The head and shoulders and hackle
were those of a Game pullet, the remainder of the bird was likea
common Guinea hen. I had intended making some further
inquiries after the fowl, but a death took place in our family the
day after the Show. The bird was forgotten, and what became
of it afterwards Ido not know. About the same time at another
| of our local poultry shows, there was exhibited a pen of chickens
these I did not

see.—S.

INTERNAL MOISTURE IN WOODEN HIVES.

I suounp be glad to know of some plan for keeping wooden
hives dry from internal condensation, as in cold weather T find
the moisture runs from their mouths —B. W.

[Lhe following communication from “A DEVONSHIRE BEr-
KEEPER” describes a new mode of combating this difficulty.
‘As, however, his plan appears to be applicable only to bar-hives
and frame-hives, we would suggest, that in ordmary wooden
boxes with fixed crown-boards nearly the same result might be
obtained by boring a row of holes in the top, with, say, @ three-
quarter-inch bit, as near the back of the hive as possible, and
covering them with a strip of perforated zinc. Hn te

“ Having been greatly annoyed in former years by the injurious
| effects of internal moisture in wooden hives, and objecting to the
} usual plan of ventilating through a.central aperture as likely to

160

be detrimental to the well-doing of the young brood, I have this
winter tried a mode of ventilation which appears to have
answered admirably, by keeping perfectly dry the interior of
those hives to which it has been applied, whilst breeding seems
in no way to have been affected by it.

“My apparatus consists of a square wooden frame an inch
deep and of the same internal dimensions as the hive to which it
is to be applied. A half-inch slit extending, nearly its full length,
is made in one of the sides and covered with perforated zinc.
This frame is inserted between the hive and its crown-board
with the perforated slit at the back, and ventilates the whole
hive when thus applied in the most complete manner without
producing any current of cold air which is likely to prove
injurious to the prosperity of the brood. As far as my ex-
perience extends at present, it has been completely successful
in preventing the accumulation of moisture in the interior of
wooden hives.—A DEVONSHIRE BEE-KEEPER.” |

FERTILE WORKERS—WOODBURY UNICOMB
HIVE.

I LOOKED at my two artificial Ligurians on the 2nd of Feb-
ruary. In No. 1, which I think has had no queen, and which
had drones when I last looked, I again saw the drones, but
no queen and no young brood. I then examined No. 2, and
found the queen had begun to lay eggs; a piece about 2 inches
square was sealed-up, others were in the grub state, and there
were some new-laid eggs.

I did not look at the old hive; in fact, they terrify me, as
they make an attack whenever I go near them. They are very
strong. I will let No. 1 go on asit is. Do you think the bees
Gf it really is the workers that have been laying the eggs pre-
viously) will begin to do so again?

What is the best kind of glass hive for enabling one to see all
their operations, and where could I obtain one? Where could
I procure perforated zinc, which would allow the bees to pass
through, and prevent drones and queens from doing 80 ?

In taking off supers, or, in fact, doing anything to bees, I find
that if I take them into a dark room with only a candle burning
anything can be done to them, and they never offer to fly, if first
given a few puffs of smoke from a lighted piece of cotton rag. It
ig a good plan, especially in winter, as it can be done any day.
I did mine that way on the 2nd. I donot think mine have
any chance of being able to get at any flowers this month. It
has been a very stormy winter all through. Last night (February
4th) we had a perfect hurricane of wind and rain, with loud
peals of thunder.—AtEx. SHEARER, Vester Gardens.

[It would really appear that the drone eggs in No. 1 must
have been laid by fertile workers. If this be so, we can see no
yeason why they should not resume egg-laying as the season
advances. We are glad to learn that you intend continuing the
experiment, which is a very interesting one, and one which we
hope will not escape the attention of our able correspondent
Mr. J. Lowe.

The hive which will best meet your requirements is the

Woopsury UNicoMs-HIvE,

(ile

hi =I
i

IME

a

in which you can readily place either No. 1 or any of your stocks

which are in Woodbury-hives. tis fitted for the reception of

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ February 24, 1863.

comb attached to bars; and, having outside venetians, or sun-
blinds, instead of the usual opaque shutters, the bees work in the
full light of day, and therefore continue their operations un-
disturbed when subjected to examination by the apiarian. It
was 2 hive of this description tenanted by Ligurians, which
excited so much admiration in Messrs, Neighbour’s stall at the
International Exhibition. These gentlemen manufacture and
supply them at various prices, according to the kind of wood
employed, and the degree of elaboration required in their work-
manship,

We do not know if perforated zinc is manufactured of the
description you require. Any ironmonger would probably make
the inquiry for you. The perforations should be three-sixteenths
of an inch in diameter.

We have often operated within doors when compelled to do
8o during winter, and consider it the best mode to adopt in very
cold weather. ] :

THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE BEE SEASON.

Iv is recorded by Bonner the celebrated Scottish apiarian,
that when the opening spring showed the first farina-laden bee
enter his hives, he was so overwhelmed with joy that he made
the day on which this occurred a regular holiday, and was in the
habit of calling his family around him to celebrate over a glass
of his home-brewed “ metheglin,” the happy event; and to
‘rejoice with him and his faithful servants at the return of the
salutiferous season.” Some of our modern apiarians, perhaps,
will smile at old Bonner’s practice, but the enthusiastic can
easily appreciate the feelings which prompted these manifestations
of pleasure on such an occasion. There are many circumstances
which combine to produce such kindred emotions in all of us.
The opening spring is a cheerful season. It is emblematic of
youth, of promise, of hope. The long night of winter with its
gloom and its darkness, is coming to a close; and spring, full of
returning life, wakes up and resuscitates from their temporary
slumbers ten thousand forms of animal and vegetable existences.
Already the sweet little snowdrop, impatient of delay, has un-
folded its pure white charms, and the crocus in some localities
begins to expand its gaudy petals; and here and there along
our garden-borders may be seen life pushing upwards to the
light of heaven, while by the southern wall, and throughout the
more sheltered grounds, the peeping buds of green proclaim that
youthful nature is again reanimating each but-recently-withered-
looking form, with signs of returning life. Beast, bird, insect
and plant, all seem to rejoice in the first faint forecasts in the
season’s future; and the apiarian is not the last to hail with
joyous welcome the evidences of all this, by seeing his little
favourites shaking-off the dull lethargy of a long repose, and,
bristling with renewed life, again commence the busy labours of
another season. :

I have often thought that it would be very interesting to
know the exact periods when the variously-situated apiaries
throughout the country commenced and closed the operations
of the year. Ihave no doubt that the differences in point of
time are considerable, arising principally from varieties of
climate in the respective localities, and partly, no doubt, from
the nature of the pesturage afforded. I imagine there may be a
difference of some weeks in regard to the advancement, of bees in
spring, between the northern and southern parts of the United
Kingdom. I observe from Mr. Woodbury’s notice in No. 97
of this Journal, that so early as the 29th of January his hives
were described as being in full activity, and that pollen was
being freely carried into most of them. Such an announce-
ment as this strikes us northerners with astonishment, and shows
the advantageous start the apiarians in the southern parts of
England have compared even with those situated like myself in
the central division of Scotland, where we have at this season so
much cold, wet, and wind as to preclude the bees altogether
from showing themselves, even at the entrances to their hives.
It is true that the present winter has been unusually mild;
the thermometer averaging higher than ordinary. Notwith-
standing, such has been the extraordinary character of this
extraordinary winter—so unusually mild, yet withal wet and
windy, that I have seldom or never seen a season so unpropitious
in this respect—that in my apiary at least the bees have scarcely
ever been permitted to venture abroad, but have been kept close
prisoners for the most part, I should say, from October onwards
to the present time; and there is not yet any apparent prospect
of a change to the better.

February 24,1863. }

Tt was but yesterday (the 4th February) that a storm,
the nature and severity of which, is I believe unexampled at
this season, passed over Hdinburgh like a desolating scourge.
Fortunately its duration was short—only half an hour; but
during its continuance, the raging elements, thunder, lightning,
rain and hail, waged a terrific war, inflicting considerable damage
on property throughout the city, though fortunately unattended
with any personal injury or loss of life. The thunder pealed
forth with awful voice; the lightning flashed luridly athwart the
opening sky with its broad bright streams of vivid blue ; while
the rain and hail fell in torrents, and the wind, blowing a perfect
hurricane from the west, bellowed and roared with appalling
fury. The scene was imposing and sublime in the extreme.
Such an electric conflict seldom occurs at this season of the year ;
and though we might with reason have expected that the ex-
traordinary weather which has ruled for some time back had at
last reached its culminating-point, yet there is no apparent
prospect of a speedy change in its peculiar character.

In ordinary seasons, if the weather is mild, we expect to see
our bees begin pollen-gathering about the second week of
February ; but even then they are like angels’ visits “‘ few and far
between,” a solitary bee being seen now and then in this hive or
that, entering at long intervals. Indeed it is only in March that
we can say that our hives in this locality can be said to be in
full activity, and carrying pollen freely, and to have really
commenced the labours of the year. Accordingly, young bees
do not generally appear till the beginning of that month.

I may mention that the earliest date I ever witnessed pollen-
laden bees enter my hives was on the 28th of January, 1861, and
the latest date on December 18th, 1857 ; but I again repeat that
pollen-gathering is not actively commenced with us, even in
early seasons, till about the beginning of March.—J. Lowe.

NEED THERE BE PROFITLESS BEES?

s.” page 84, may be assured that with a little more circum-
spection his bees may be turned to a far better account. His
wooden house should be closed in front, with the exception of
some outlets for his bees. They ought to have 4 inches space
in width, and 1 inch, or rather less, in height. On the outer
side and beneath these there should be a ledge about 6 or 8 inches
in length, and 3 inches in breadth for the bees to alight on.
This landing-place should slope a little in front, in order that
rain may freely run off. The inner side of this outlet for the
bees should be perfectly even and square with the standing-
board, so that a bee-box or any kind of hive, indeed, may, with
a little contrivance, be exactly adapted to it, and made to fit so
closely that not a single bee can escape at the junction into the
house. The sides of the house should be well closed, and the
back ought to have folding-doors that may open and close
easily, and, at theeame time, fit so perfectly that neither sun nor
rain can penetrate.

Supposing that this house has been formed with four posts
placed at the corners of the building, and that the legs of the
game stand a foot or two above the ground; these legs ought
to be kept constantly immersed in pans of water, formed either
of lead, iron, or zine, allowing a space of an inch or 2 inches
between the latter and the legs, in order that the building may
be kept constantly insulated. The great object: of this insulation
is to free the bees entirely from the approach of various enemies,
which consume the honey almost as fast as the bees can collect
it. These enemies are chiefly ants, millipedes, earwigs, and
snails.

Ihave adopted this plan of insulation for several years, and
have very seldom been troubled with the presence either of
ants, millipedes, or snails, as they never can pass the watery
moat if properly attended to. ‘The latter acts as a complete
barrier to them, and so it does, generally speaking, to earwigs ;
but these latter, bearing the motto ‘* We fly by night,” now and
then will be found to trespass, and a single one may occasionally
make good its landing in the fort, and, of course, require speedy
punishment. I wish I could speak as effectually of means o}
expelling spiders. These adepts in cunning, as well as stratagem,
overreach all my endeavours to bar them out. They will perse-
vere in gaining a footing within the citadel, and, like military
sappers and miners, carry on their art under the shade of night.
Their webs, so beautiful to look on, and their ingenuity so truly
perfect and mathematical, have been the admiration of natu-
ralists of all ages, and their adaption of means to the end s0

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COITTAGE GARDENER.

161

astonishing, that one cannot ayoid exclaiming, How great is
God in all things!

These spiders are seldom seen during the day—they hide
themselves in some small crevice, and at nightfall spread their
nets in front or near the mouth of the hives. I generally visit
my hives early in the morning, and frequently find two or three
of my dear little friends prisoners in the meshes of the nets.
Then I resolve to visit them again at nightfall, and perchance
I catch the delinquent flagrante delicto, and do not spare
him ; but frequently he is too quick for me, and either slips
back into his corner or crevice, or as suddenly drops to the
ground where, under the shade of darkness, he contrives to
escape.

There is another enemy I would guard “7.” against—namely,
the large Tomtit or Ox-eye. He is a great devourer of bees in
the winter and spring, but he is easily entrapped with a piece
of fat; he generally has a companion, and both are readily thus
caught.

I have said enough for the present of the enemies of bees.
T will now turn to the friendly means whereby great encourage-
ment may be given to the bees in spring. Whenever there is a
garden at hand, let all the turnips not required for domestic
use remain and run to seed; their blossoms will afford an
abundance of farina—the chief pabulum or food of the larve in
the cells. Even a small piece of ground might be appropriated
to the purpose of planting a few dozen turnips purchased at
aome greengrocer’s stall, with a portion of the green top remain-
ing on them; these will readily shoot into large stalks, and
every head will bear a blossom for the million of bees. Crocuses
and snowdrops, the blossoms of gooseberry and currant trees,
and the catkins of willows and nut trees, will likewise be
available.

And lastly, having arranged the apiary and discussed the
various foes and friends of bees, Jet me advise “T.” to send to
Messrs. Dean & Co., booksellers, London, and procure a little
book on the entire subject, called the ‘‘ English Bee-keeper,” by
“A Country CuRATE,” one of the most expert and intelligent
apiarians of the present day. Let ‘“T.” read it twice over, and
Tam sure he will reap greater pleasure from his bees; and if
he profit by the advice therein given, he will be able to treat
his wife frequently with a present of most delicious honeycomb
—the sweetest of all sweet things.—Apianius, Hast Kent.

NEW BOOK.

Popular Science Review. Edited by J. Samuelson. RB. Hard-
wicke, 192, Piccadilly. Published quarterly.

WE are not of the number who think it desirable to make all
men philosophers; and fortunately, if all the world thought it
desirable, the world would fail in realising its desire, for there
are very few minds capable of deep research or profound reason-
ing, so there is no danger of our grooms poisoning our horses in
experiments upon a universal food, nor of our coachmen up-
setting us whilst designing practical tests of a carriage’s centre
of gravity. But we are of the number of those who would place
a sixth sense within the reach of every one who chooses to acquire
it, by popular explanations of everyday phenomena, and popular
details of every modern discovery as it occurs.

Dr. Paris’s little volume ‘Philosophy in Sport made Science
in Farnest,” is just the book we would put into a boy’s hand,
for he ought to know “why” his kite rises from the ground,
and “ why” his top spins; and every one is all the more respect-
able and respected for being able to explain “‘ why’’ a dew appears
upon the glass in a room and upon nothing else; “why” he
prefers putting his foot upon a carpet rather than on a stone
floor when he gets out of a bed during a cold morning ; and
“why ” his razor mows off his beard more freely when it is hot
than when it is cold.

So is every one more respectable and self-respected, and cer-
tainly has another source of pleasure opened to him, who wzder-

| stands the discoveries Science is every day revealing, without the

labour, not to say the impossibility, of making himiself a master
of those sciences. Now, “The Popular Science Review ” ia just
the publication to impart the desired information, saving the
reader from the labour or impossibility. It is published quarterly,
and in an amusing, readable, easily-understood form, keeps one
“yead-up” in the discoveries of the day. It embraces all the
sciences, and as its best recommendation we will give a few

162

extracts beginning with one from “The Zoology of the Exhibi-
tion : ”—

“*In the South Austrahan court was exhibited the Talegalla (with a
representation of its nest), another of those characteristic birds with which
these regions abound. Mr. Gould, who visited Australia with the ardent
enthusiasm of a true ornithologist, has given us the best account of this
bird, and places it among the Rasores (or domestic fowl tribe), and con-
siders it as the Australian representative of the Turkey, which it equals
in size.

“The Talegallas are gregarious and shy, rapidly running through the
tangled brushwood. They utter a loud clucking noise as they stalk about
the wood; and, like the ruffed Grouse of Amenica, when perched on the
branch ofa tree, they will sit composedly to be shot at repeatedly till they
are all brought down. The most wonderful part, however, of the history
of this bird is its nest. It collects together a great heap of decaying vege-
tables as the place of deposit of its eggs; thus making a hotbed, arising
from the decomposition of the collected matter, by the heat of which the
young are hatched. Mr. Gould describes this heap as the result of several
weeks’ collection by the birds previously to their laying, and as varying in
quantity from two or four cartloads, and of a perfectly pyramidal form.
It appears to be the united work of many pairs of birds, and the same site
is used by tiem for several successive years. The Talegalla uses its foot
for this work, and when sufficient is accumulated, the eggs are deposited
about a foot apart from each other, and buried about 2 feet deep, perfeetly
upright, with the large end upwards; and there they are left, as in an
artificial incubator, til’ they are hatched, when, it appears, that the chicks
force their way out without assistance. The natives collect as many as a
bushel of eggs from a single mound, and they are much sought after on
aecount of their delicious flavour and large size (8% by 24 ims.). These
remarkable statements of Mr. Gould have all been verified by the behaviour
of some of these birds kept in confinement at the Zoological Gardens,
Regent’s Park, where this strange method of incubation has been observed
in every particular.”

‘The Bower-birds (Ptilonorhynchus holosericeus) also keep up the
eharacter of Australia for its anomalous productions. These birds, with a
plumage resembling black satin, are allied to the Crow, and are most
singularly interesting on account of the bowers from which they take their
name, and which they construct as follows :—With great skill and (lexterity
they weave a sort of arbour of twigs, fixing them below in a bed of various
materials, and decorating their promenade, which is of various lengths,
with shells, feathers, and other ornamental materials, which they collect
from the country round. This bower has no connection with their nest,
which is built later, but serves apparently as a playground, in which they
sport, and play at hide-and-seek, bo-peep, and a variety of similar amuse-
ments, which we should hardly expect to have found their way into bird
life. Their bower constantly occupies their attention. They arrange and
ye-atrange the materials every day, placing about it everything within
their reach which may by any means serve as an ornament to it. The
habits of these birds have also been observed in the Zoological Gardens.”

From the botanical portion we will also give this extract: —

“ Hybrid Planis returning to their original species. —M. Nanudin,
having fertilised plants of Datura stramonium with others of D. tatula,
afterwards sowed the seeds produced by this union, and obtained hybrids
of the first generation. These hybrids were isolated; and a few seeds
coming to maturity, they were sown in April, 1862, and produced twenty-
two plants of the second generation—viz., five of Datura stramonium in all
its purity, whose fruits ripened and came to-maturity; and nine typical
plants of Datura tatula. ‘The remainder were more or less of a hybrid
character. M.-Naudin ‘believes that this third generation of the hybrids
will turn completely to D. tatula. These remarkable facts, which demon-
strate the fact of the spontaneous disappearance of fertile hybrids, without
the intervention, of a crossing with one or other of the parent species,
appear to M. Naudin at present inexplicable.

§ Aeclimatisation of Japanese Plants.—M. Simon, writing from Japan,

continues’ to recommend valuable plants for introduction into the Jardin
d’Acclimatisation. The Hemp Palm (Chamerops excelsa) bears a tempe-
rature of 10° Fahrenteit, requiring no particular care. The sta‘k of each
Jeaf is: covered with filaments of various fineness, of which the coarsest
are ueed for ropes, and the finer for nets. Another plant he speaks of is
the Soja, a kind of Bean used by the Japanese for a condiment, and a yery
savoury adjunct to almost every Japanese dish.
‘ “The Sago Palm.—Mr. Wallace, who has returned laden with valuable
information from his Eastern trayels, speaks of the Sago Palm as the staff
of life to the inhabitants of New Guinea and the adjacent islands. He
described it as a truly extraordinary sight to behold a whole tree trunk
converted into human food; with as little Jabour as is required to convert
corn into bread. A single good tree will produce six hundred pounds of
sago cakes; and, with an expenditure of ten days’ labour, a man may
produce food sufficient for a year’s consumption. The natural result is
improvidenee, laziness, degradation, and misery.”?

The following is a specimen of the “ Microscopical”? news ;—

** New methadof preparing Alge, §c.—Professor Reinicke recommends
the following, mixture as 2 dense, non-drying fluid, which prevents the
shrinking of soft tissues—viz., alcohol (90°), 3 parts; water, 2 parts;
glycerine, 1 part. The spirit being lighter and more limpid than water,
compensates for the greater.density of the glycerine. The preparation
being placed on the glass slide in a drop of water, another drop of the
above mixture is added to it, and it is placed aside, secure from dust, to
evaporate till nearly all the fluidis gone, A second drop is then added,
and so on, untila sufficientquantity of the ron-drying material is left to
cover the object. The glass coyer should not be put on until all the
evaporable part is gone. In this way M. Reinicke has succeeded in retaining
the natural form, colour, and structure of delicate filamentous Alge, Fungi,
and animaleujes; and objects taken in the act of fission, conjugation, &c.,
Temain unchanged, and as useful as living subjects.”’

We have many more extracts marked in Mechanics, Anatomy,
Astronomy, Geology, Photography, &c., but we must close by
stating that the pages of this Quarterly contain contributions
from Dr. Fairbairn, Capt. Donnelly, Cuthbert Collingwood, Har-

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

place, and there has been a beginning of life, and from some cause or other ~
it is then neglected, the foetus perishes and becomes putrid. The egg is

provide one.

way. All you can do is to shut her up in some place where there is nothing
but the bare earth, no semblance of nest, no hay, straw, or anything of the
sort; if on hard grayel so mach the better,
broody hens.

overcoming the difficulty you complain of. One is, to let the birds fight it

will leave off fighting. If, however, the youngest cock has so little stomach

pursues him. If you have two yards, try to make them separate walks for

bread steeped in strong beer.

to be considered in such awards; and, even if we differed from the Judges
in opinion, yet, as there is no suspicion of unfairness, no benefit could result
from adyerse criticism,

we recommend you to buy Mrs. Lee’s little volume, entitled ‘* Taxidermy,”
published by Messrs. Longman & Co.

keepers in your own neighbourhood.

20s. to 30s. a reasonable price for a good stock at this season.

Tseertson.

in hives, &c,, and keep the balance for the possible purchase of sugar for

land Coultas, Jabez Hogg, B. B, Truman, J. Breen, Mrs. Lan.
kester and other fayourably-known writers, t

OUR LETTER BOX.

CauTion.—Mr. Ridgway, Beswick Lodge, has obtained some Pigeons of a
Cornish lady, and she cannot obtain the money for them. Another eon~—
signment of birds was detained by the station-master of the Great Northern
Railway. Any one sending birds to a stranger, especially at Manchester,
without prepayment, seems to us as if the senders were willing to run the
risk of being cheated. We are weary of giving such cautions.

Ducxs’ Eces Unrertite (J. M.).—Your eggs are what are called clear
eggs—i.e., they have no germ of life in them. The reason why they do not
spoil is, that there is no development. The egg is not susceptible of
change. When anegg is sat upon for a time, until a change has taken

either addled or it bursts under the hen. If your Ducks have no pond,
If they have a pond, change the drake.

Broopy Hen (Nesci Brown).—We are afraid a wilful hen must have her

Many are sadly in want of |

Dorxine Cockerris Fientine (A. 2. H.).—There are two methods of

out. Some object to that. Another and a more humane plan is to provide
a linen bag, or an old pillow-case, tie it on a long rod, and when the birds
are sparring at each other, buffet them both with it, Neither the first nor
the second trial will be effectual ; but if you will persevere for a time they

for the fight that he runs instead of sparring, buffet the older one as he

atime. One cock would answer your purpose in June, but you must have
twonow. If every other plan fail, you must let the birds tun on alternate
days, or morning and afternoon; but it is bad to shut up a bird.

SELLING PHEASANTS AND Parrripces (A Young Beginner).—You can-
not sell game of any kind, either dead or alive, without a license, and then,
only during the seasons determined by law. Gold and Silver Pheasants
are not considered game, and may be sold by any one and at any time.

WuitE Spanish Fowis (R. €.)—We have never believed the White
Spanish were a pure and distinct breed. We belieye them to be a sport.
Wel haye a hen this year has moulted nearly white. The faces should be
white. }

CaTaRRH IN FoWwLs (Constant Subscriber).—Give your fowls plenty of
They are suffering from cold, and the effect
of long-continued wet.

Swo.Len Rump Guanp (Kenton).—It is common in old birds for the oil-
gland to become hard and ossified, as it were. There is no eure for this in
an old bird. In a youngone it is often only a temporary malady, and is
cured by opening the top of the conduit. Cochin-China hens lay as well
after as during the first year. ‘They donot lay soearly. Hens never lay
80 early as pullets.

‘Binp Prizes at THE CrysTau Patace (W. R.)—There are many points

Brirp Sturrine (J. Hodson).—We cannot,spare space for the details, and

Porcuasixe Bres (C. J, T.).—There appears no reason to doubt the
superiority of the Ligurian species of honey bee, which you may obtain by
applying to T. Woodbury, Esq-, Mount Radford, Exeter. The common
species you may probably be abie to buy from some of the cottage bee-
The present is the best time to pur-

chase. Prices vary much in different localities, but we should consider

Dzrerzon (X.).—The name of this distinguished apiarian is pronounced

Brg-KEEPING (A Subseriber).—You cannot do better than purchase
“‘ Bee-keeping for the Many” (free by post from this office for Sd.), and
adopt Payne’s improyed cottage-hive as therein described, with the ex-
ception of haying it made a little deeper (say 8 or 9 inches mstead of 7)
than recommended by the author. Weshould advise you to lay out 20s,
or 30s. in the purchase of a couple of prime swarms in May, a similar sum

feeding or other’ contingencies. You may also derive much information
from the perusal of a series of articles, ‘‘How I became an Oxfordshire
Bee-keeper,” from the pen of onr esteemed correspondent ‘‘ Upwarps
AND Onwanrps,”’ which appeared in the first volume of our new series, and
may safely adopt his modification of Mr. Payne's hive if you prefer it.

CarcHinG Fretp Mice (An Old Subscriber).—The holes mentioned by
Mr. Brent may be baited with peas, wheat, acorns, or any seeds: which such
mice feed upon.

Wuicur or Hay ry a Cunic Yarp (A. 3).—It varies according to the
age and size of the stack so much that in some stacks 12 cubic yards are
required to be cut fora ton of hay, and in other larger and older stacks
only 8 cubic yards. From what you state we conclude yours is of the
latter description, for if 8 cubic yards yield a ton, then 1 cubic yard would
yield 20 stones of 141b, to the stone, the quantity your men obtained.

TerRien Purs (A Constant Reader.)—The progeny resulting from breed-
ing in-and-in are always weakly and hable to disease and deformity. It is
certainly possible so to breed as you are doing, for the toy terriers are all —
so raised. Ifthe loss of hair can be repaired by medicine, it willbe by the
following ointment yubbed-in until dry, left on for three or four days, then
to be washed off with soap and water, and a fresh dressing given. Tram
oil, half a pint; blaek sulphur, 1 oz.; white hellebore powder, halfan
ounce; oil of tar, halfan ounce, Mix.

March 3, 1863-] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 163
WEEKLY CALENDAR.
ee Weratner NEAR Lonpon In 1862. Ne u | Cloak |
ay ay | Moon ock
| of of MARCH 3—9, 1863. [eu | Rain in|) 522 Sun | Rises |Moon’s| before | Day of
Mnth Week Barometer. |Thermom.} Wind. /77 0), | Rises. | Sets. |andSets) Age. | Sun. | Year,
i | 2 | |
degrees. | | ™- h.| m. h.| m. 4b. | jm. # |
| 38 | Tu | Ash flowers. 49-14 | N.W.- = dtafé | 4tafs | 20m5 13 12), 13 jn \62
4 Ww Sea Buckthorn flowers. | 29.7 47-14 N.W. =) 142 "6 } 42, 5/42 5 1 pe Pe | 63
5 | TH Boy’s Violet flowers. tie k 46—33 | S.W. 10 40" 6" aes | rises Q ll 46 6t
} 6 | F | Hairy Violet fowers. 505—29.448 |. 58—45 | S.W. 09. 132 61/465) Qa7| “16 "| 1° 324] M65
aha Royal Hort. Soc. founded 1804. | 29.557—29.391 60—45 S.W. OL | 39 6 48 5) 385 8 7 ll 184 66
; 8 | Scw 3 Sunpay 1n Lent. 29.631—29.541 | 61—41 S.E. | 02133 6) 49° 4) 51 9 IS iA, Willy. 73 67
| Cy leg Smuller Periwinkle flowers. | 29.547—29.394 5£—36 s. | 15 | 3l 66 | Ole Salted eke 19 10 48 | 68
| | | }
| METEOROLOGY OF THE WEEK.—At Chiswick, from observations during the last thirty-six years, the average highest and lowest
The greatest heat, 68°, occurred on the 9th, in 1825; and the lowest cold, 15°,

temperatures of these days are 49.1° and 31.9° respectively.

on the 4th, in 1852. During the period 169 days were fine, and on $3 rain fell.

APRICOT ‘MANAGEMENT.
NOWING that,

with the ex-
ception of the
Fig, there is
none of our or-
dinarily - culti-
vated fruits so
little under the
command
the gardener as
the Apricot, I
z confess to some
misgivings in commencing an article on its management.

True, we often see Apricots do well, and sometimes
remarkably so; but their success is often more to be
ascribed to the peculiarities of the situation than to any
particular manipulation to which they haye been subject,
and it may be very gravely asked (as will be done here-
after), if their fruitfulness in some places is not rather in
spite of the treatment they receive, than in consequence
of it. This is, perhaps, assuming more than many will
admit; but, let us first consider the natural habits of the
tree, its likings and dislikings, and other features about
it, the study of which will, perhaps, bring more converts
to my opinion than any reasoning.

I believe the native country of the Apricot to be the
southern shores of the Black Sea, and, most likely, many
of the countries bordering on the Mediterranean, so that
it may be said to be naturalised in a latitude several
degrees farther south than any part of the United
Kingdom; but we are also told that travellers rarely
find a good Apricot in Italy. This is very likely the case,
although that country may be in the same parallel with
the one where the Apricot is found in such perfection
and profusion. Other circumstances besides latitude,
determine the growth of plants. The Sugar Cane is on
the same degree of latitude with that of perpetual snow
in India, and something of the same kind may be the

AS

cause of the Apricot not thriving so well on the warm |

plains of Italy, as it does on the elevated regions of Asia
Minor, and the mountain chains that stretch eastward
from them. Thus, also, the Grapes of southern Europe,
and of the upper Rhine, do not flourish in the hot plains
of Western Africa or of India.

The Apricot flourishes and attains the proportions of a
fair-sized timber tree in Armenia. From the snow-capt
summits of that country’s mountains cold streams are
constantly descending, cooling in their descent the earth
and its vegetation, the Apricot meeting the cold current
about half way down the mountains’ sides ; and that there

is something in the air of those elevated regions which |

is essential to the well-being of the Apricot there is no
doubt, and that we have no mode of imitating this highly
- Tarified air is equally clear.

One cause of our want of success in Apricot culture is
thus revealed; and if we want an analogy for it, let us
look to many of the Sikkim and Bhotan Rhododendrons,

No. 101.—Vot. 1V., New Series.

of |

which seem unwilling to thrive under the ordinary
taanagement they have received in our glass structures ;
and what else can account for their failure but the dif-
ference between our heavy, dull atmosphere, and the
light, highly rarified air which surrounds them in their
native habitats ?

That strong currents of air are continually traversing
the hilly defiles of the Apricot country, is testified by
the travellers that have experienced them; and. the
gradual transitions from extreme cold to extreme heat are

also what they are often strangers to against a wall in

England, and have, perhaps, a little to do with faiiure.
Soil has no little influence over success; but we have
greater facilities for adapting this than we have for con-
| trolling the atmosphere, so that to the latter want of
control I attribute our general want of success.

I would here inquire, Is the Apricot ever found in
good condition near the seacoast? Ihave on more than
one occasion given my opinion that the Peach and Nec-
tarine are particularly at home in such places, more so,
perhaps, than many hardy fruit trees and shrubs; but E
cannot say I ever saw the Apricot in geod condition
there, and if it be so, there is another reason why atmo-
spheric influences have much to do with success. The
keen mountain air is widely different from that on the
beach. If this be allowed, we will take another reason
why Apricot trees are so often either unfruitful or so
unsatisfactory.

The experienced plantsman of the present day knows
full well that no amount of skill on his part can make all
his plants have the nice bushy appearance that some
have. No amount of cutting, however well done, can
make the Poinsettia or the Euphorbia jacquinizflora such
nice bushy plants as Heaths, Azaleas, and many others.
The knife may be used until the plant perishes under the
punishment, and yet without becoming what the pruner
makes the others. So, in like manner, the Apricot is, in
many cases, ruined by the knife, for, like the Cherry,
Portugal Laurel, and some other things, it will live and
endure such mutilations as go by the name of prunings ;
yet its doing so is due to other favourable circumstances
| that prevent its dying rather than to the pruning. (so
called) suiting it. I admit that, planted against a wall,
this cutting to shape cannot be done without: but it is
owing to this cutting that I attribute ina great measure
so many branches dying off, as well as the summing,
cankering, and other diseases which follow, or rather
precede the sudden throwing-off of branches so com-
monly met with. Observe that I do not attribute those
sudden paralytic affections entirely to the knife, but
to that cause in conjunction with others. .

I am far from certain that I am right in supposing
that the age and worn-out constitution of many of the
varieties now in cultivation may be a cause of failure.
But as old yarieties of Apples have ceased to be any
| longer healthy, why should not Apricots be hableto the
same fatality ? To those intending to plant, I would say,
By all means try thehew kinds, if they are recommended
with confidence by those who have grown them; but some

No. 753.—Voz. XXIX., OL SERIEs.

164

old favourite names are so tempting that we are liable to prefer
_ them rather than risk accepting a stranger whose antecedents
re unknown.

Let us now turn to the causes most likely to produce good
results amongst us, and examine into the conditions in which
Apricot trees are really found to do well.

In the first place, let us consider the soil as one of the main ad-
juncts to success. Naturally, the tree grows in the stiff, moist
earth of mountain regions; in confirmation of this, I may mention
that the best wall of Apricots I know of is at Lord Verulam’s,
in Herts, Mr. Bogue, the intelligent gardener there, telling me
that although they did remarkably well, he has never been so
successful with Peaches—in fact, Peach trees had done very
badly. The soil there is a stiff loam retentive of water, and the
situation an elevated one for the district. The trees were trained
in the ordinary fan-shape, and did well, producing fruit in all
seasons, excepting those adverse ones, when other causes of
failure might be traced. The aspect, I believe, was an eastern
one, but some on an opposite aspect did well also, while no
aspect seemed to coax the Peach into a like healthy, good-
bearing condition.

In contrast with this we now and then find the Apricot do
very well against the end of a cottage, but certainly more gene-
rally so when the ground is not too light.

I once met with an Apricot tree planted against the sunny
side of a low miserable-looking cottage on a common, and from
the appearance of the tree some attempt had been,made when it
‘was young to confine it to the wall, and possibly some perse-
yering knifeman would have kept it there as long as it lived ;
but whether from neglect, change of occupants, or other cause,
the tree had been allowed to take its own course, and quickly
was not only above the eaves, but reached above the chimney-top.
The growth was not without fruit either, for I was told it pro-
duced good crops in most years, but that the fruit was smaller
than the same kind against walls. The situation was anything
but an inviting one. A bleak waste was to the north of it, and
no shelter of any kind near; and as excellent bricks were made
a very short distance off, the character of the soil may be thence
understood.

I firmly believe that in a situation like that, with shelter from
cold biting winds at some little distance, the Apricot might be
grown to tolerable perfection as an open standard, without
any of the pruning or treatment which has advanced into
the character of a science with other trees. I believe there are
some orchards so planted with Apricots; but they are far from
numerous, and none have come under my notice.

As to the position for the Apricot in the gardens of those oc-
cupying favourable positions in the south of England, I believe
a north wall is not at allan unsuitable situation. This is more
especially advisable in dry situations, and where the soil differs
widely from that recommended as the favourite one for the
Apricot. That a south aspect is not required by this fruit in
‘places south of the Thames I firmly believe.

Other considerations as well as aspect operate on the result ;
but so long as pruning must be done we must expect the un-
certainty now so common, and against walls trees must be
‘pruned, Whether doing this operation entirely in summer, as
‘with the Fig, may produce the best result is more than [ can
say; but I should like to hear the opinions of others who
‘may have had more experience in summer-pruning only. My
own practice, like that of many others, has united ‘summer and
‘winter pruning.

Of the Apricot as a house) fruit I have but little hopes. The
first time I ever saw it tried was in 1829, and that was a failure.
Now and then attempts to work it on the Peach under glass
have been tried at various times at places where I have been,
but with no better result; and the recent failure to grow it in
an orchard-house, recorded in this Journal, is a confirmation of
my views—that a tree occupying so elevated a position, and
exposed to the never-ceasing currents of air passing through
its branches, can hardly submit to the cramped-up condition
os both top and root it is subjected to while in an orchard-

ouse.

_I may conclude by saying that I believe the Apricot tree dis-
likes'‘a confined air, a light soil, anda knife ; and that its blossoms
are amongst the hardiest we have; but that the young fruit,
‘long after being set, and, in fact, swelling, is liable not only to
injury but destruction from frost is also certain. Shelters, there-
fore, that will take off and put on are better than stationary
shelters for protecting this tree in spring; and these shelters

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

| May.
,

[ March 3, 1868.

ought not to be too early removed, as our late frosts must be
very hurtful to a tree so forward as the Apricot is by the Ist of
J. Rogson.

THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY’S
FIRST SPRING SHOW.

THIs was held on the 25th ult., and, the weather having
proved extremely fine, there was a tolerably good attendance of
visitons, notwithstanding the unfayourable concurrence of a
levee on the same day.

The place selected for the Hxhibition was, on this occasion,
the portion of the ground floor of the International Wxhibition
building formerly occupied as M. Veillard’s refreshment-room,
along each side of which were arranged masses of Hyacinths,
Tulips, Crocuses, and forced flowers, making a very effective
display considering the early period of the year.

Class 1 was for 12 distinct kinds of Hyacinths and for nur-
serymen only. Here there were but two competitors—Messrs.
Cutbush & Son, of Highgate, and Mr. W. Paul, of Waltham
Gross; and the collections of both, as well in this as in other
classes, were worthy of the reputation which these gentlemen
enjoy. Messrs. Cutbush took the first prize, the sorts being
Double Blue, Garrick; Single Reds, Macaulay, Princesse
Clothilde, pink striped, and Von. Schiller; Single Whites,
Grandeur 4 Merveille, Mirandoline, and Snowball, with very
large finely-formed bells; Single Blues, Baron yon Tuyll and
Grand Lilas; Single Black, General Havelock; and Single
Yellow, Ida.

Mr. W. Paul, who was second, had Single Reds, Howard,
Princesse Clothilde, and Solfaterre, the latter very fine; Single
Whites, Grandeur 4 Merveille and Queen of the Netherlands ;
Single Blues, Baron von Tuyll, Oharles Dickens, Grand Lilas,
Marie, and Mimosa; Single Black, |General Havelock; and
Double Red, Lord Wellington.

In the next class, 12 Hyacinths of six ‘kinds, the prizes
were offered by Mr. James Cutbush ;, and Mr. Carr, gardener to
W. B. Noakes, Wsq., Highgate, was first with Single Blues,
Baron yon Vuyll, Charles Dickens, and Grand Lilas; Single
Reds, Madame Hodgson, Von Schiller, Princesse Clothilde, La
Dame du Lac, and Howard; Single Whites, Mont Blanc, Alba |
Maxima, and Grandeur 4 Merveille ; and'Double Blue, Garrick.
This collection included several very fine spikes, and the bells
were large without being too loosely arranged on the stem.

The second prize was taken by Mz. Layloy, gardener to C. A.
Hanbury, Hsq., East Barset, who had also some large and well-
grown flowers. “his collection consisted of Single Reds, Cosmos,
La Dame du Lac, and Macaulay; Single Blues, Couronne de
Celle, Orondates, and Mimosa; Single Whites, Mont Blanc/and
Grandeur 3 Merveille; Double Blues, Garrick, Laurens Koster,
and Van Speyk ; and Double Red, Duke of Wellington.

The Tulips formed a most brilliant display, especially the ©
collection of 50 shown by Mr. Cutbush in the Miscellaneous
Class, and for which he received a first prize. He likewise
obtaimed a similar award in Class 3, which was for 12 pots
of six kinds, Those which he exhibited here were Vermilion
Brilliant, Rouge Luisante, Conleur Cardinsl, Keizerkroon,
yellow and red; Proserpine, a rich rose; and Fabiola, rosy
violet and white. The only other exhibitor was Mr. W. Paul,
who had likewise a'very fine display, which well’ deserved the
second prize which was awarded for it. Among the kinds which
he exhibited were Keizerkroon, Coligny, Le Matelas (a fine deep
rose), Bakhuizen, and Picter d’Hooge.

Inthe Amateurs’ Class, for 12 pots of four kinds, Mr. Young,
gardener to W. R. Barclay, Hsq., Highgate, was first with some
fine pots of Tournesol, Standard Royal, Scarlet Duc Van Thol,
and White Pottebakker. Mr. Carr, who was second, had the
same kinds, with the exception of Couleur Cardinal instead of
Standard Royal; and Mr, Blogg, gardener to J. P. Gasiot, Hsq,,
Clapham Common, was third with Gloria Solis, White Potte-
bakker, Royal Standard, and Tournesol. ~

Collections of Grocuses were shown in Class 5 by Mesars.
Cutbush & Son and Mr. W. Paul. The former received the first,
the latter the second prize; and in each case the competitor
made an extensive and very attractive display. Among Messrs.
Cutbush’s flowers were Jeanne d’ Arc, Lina, and Calypso, white ;
New Giant, yellow; Sulphureus; and a great variety of blue,
lilac, ‘purple, and striped kinda, such as Sir Walter Scott, David
Rizzio, Prince Albert, Ne Plus Ultra, La Majesteuse, Lilaceus

7

March 3, 1863. ]

Superbus, Albion, Versicolor, &e. Mr. Paul had David Rizzio,
Sir Walter Scott, Sir John Franklin, Argus, Prince Albert,
Marie d’Ecosse, Cloth of Gold, Large Yellow, Albion, Amazon,
and Arabella.

The only other collection of Crocuses was in the Amateurs’
Class, which was limited to 12 pots, and this came from Mr,
Blogg, who had fine examples of David Rizzio, Prince Albert,
Sir W. Scott, Lord Palmerston, Ne Plus Ultra, Albion, and
Mammoth.

Of Forced Flowers a fine collection came from Messrs. Veitch,
comprising Indian Azaleas covered with bloom, Andromeda
floribunda, Wistaria sinensis, double-fowering Peach, Persian
Lilac, Dielytra spectabilis, Lily of the Valley, Amaryllis, a small
Orange tree, a white Ribes, Rhododendron .tragrans, and some
Hyacinths.

Messrs. Cuibush’s collection, which won the second prize,
contained several very nice Azateas and Epacrises—Rhododen-
dron catawbiense, Kalmia latifolia, Persian Lilac, Polygonatum
multiforum, Dielytra, Amaryllis, Tournesol and Rex Rubrorum
Tulips.

No collections of Forced Flowers were exhibited by amateurs ;
and im the classes for Amaryllis, Epacrisez, Acacias, and Gera-
ninms, there was likewise no competition.

Tilies of the Valley were exbibited by Messrs. Veitch, and
Mr. Salter, of Hammersmith, who stood respectively first and
second ; and of Chinese Primulas there were several collections,
the prizes going to Mr. Vaylor, Mr. Godman, gardener to R.
Hudson, Hsq., Clapham Common, Mr. Blogg, and Mr. Cutbush,
who also received a second for double Primroses.

In the Miscellaneous Class, first prizes were awarded to Mr.
W. Paul, and Messrs. Cutbush, for collections of 50 Hyacinths.
These occupied a stage by themselves at the end of the room,
and as specimens of culture were well worthy of the distinction
which they received. Messrs. Cutbushalso received a similar
award for a collection of 50 Tulips, which afforded a most
brilliané display, red and yellow being the predominant colours.
The following are the names of the principal yarieties:—Alba

regalis, Belle Alliance, Berangaria, Bizard Pronkert, Cardinal, |

Cardinal’s Gold, Cesise Primo, Comte de Vergennes, Couronne
Pourpre, Cramoisie, Duchesse de Parma, Duc d’Aremberg,
Due da’Holstein, Epaminondas, Grootmeester, Marquis de Wes-
senrode, Monument, Rouge Luisante, Superintendent, Standard
Royal, and Yellow Prince.

From Messrs. Veitch came a miscellaneous collection of

flowering plants, which consisted of Azaleas of various kinds, |

handsome bushes of Hriostemon neriifolium and densifolium, a
fine Cypripediam villosum, Imantophyllum miniatum, Ama-
ryllises, Boronia pinnata, Chorozema ilicifolia, a beautiful little
Rhododendron jayanicum, and some other plants. To this a

first prize was also given; and Mr. Bull, of Chelsea, was awarded |

a second for a collection of new and rare plants, among which
were Hippomane longifolia, Cordsline indivisa, Araucaria Cun-
ninghami glauca, Dracena gracilis, a fine plant of Cibotium
princeps, the curious Agave filifera, Anthurium leuconeryum,
and other interesting plants.

Equal third prizes were given to Mr. W. Paul and Messrs.
FE. & A. Smith, of Dulwich : to the former for a box of beauti-
fal cut blooms of Camellias, and to the latter for six stove plants,
consisting of Croton yariegatum, Ananas3a sativa variegata, Cya-
nophyllum speciosum, Cyperus alternifolius variegatus, Sphe-
rostema marmorata, and Platycerium grande. The same firm
also contributed greenzouse plants, a miscellaneous collection
of flowering and foliage plants, the pretty Eriocnema marmorea,
Hemerocallis elegans foliis variegatis, the half-green half-white
leayes of which showed to great advantage ; also, several varieties
of Cyclamens; and Mr. ‘Todman had an extra prize for three
fine pots of Roses—Madame Willermoz, Géant des Batailles,
and Jules Margottin.

A box of the lovely rosy purple bracts of Bougainvillea
speciosa came from Mr. Wainwright, gardener to W. C. Thorn-
hill, Esq., Kettering, and excited much admiration on the part
of the ladies. Some beautifully executed artificial flowers were
also exhibited by Mrs. James Stoddart, of Victoria Station,
Pimlico. These are formed of the delicate Chinese rice-paper,
and represented with wonderful accuracy the flowers from which
they are copied. On the present occasion they were arranged
On opaque glass stands as dinner-table decorations, the upper
portion of the stand being filled with Roses, Camellias, &c.,
whilst Conyolvulus or Ferns twined round the base and stem,
the whole having a light and elegant appearance.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

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165

Frorat Commirrer.—A Meeting of the Floral Committee was
held in the morning, and the plants brought forward for their
consideration formed a part of the Exhibition.

Mr. Bull, of Chelsea, had Trichomanes anceps, a very hand-
some species, for which he received a first-class certificate ;
and a similar award was given for Yucca lineata lutea, the foliage
of which was dark green, with a broad yellow band running
down the centre of each leaf. Yucca Stokesii had leaves with
yellowish-white variegations, but its appearance was not hund-
some. In Yucca quadricolor was another variegated kind; the
leaves were striped with red at the base, becoming yellow to-
wards the point, and white in the old leaves.

Mr. Bull had also Ancectochilus argyrzeus, the lanceolate leaves
of which are of a deep green, with a silvery band of a similar
shape to that of the leaves running from the base to the apex.
It received a second-class certificate, as did also Limatodes alba,
from Messrs. Low, of Clapton. This has pretty pure white
flowers in abundance, and comes from Moulmein.

Cypripedium Dayi, exhibited by J. Day, Esq., of Tottecham,
received a first-class certificate. Its light green foliage was
handsomely variegated with irregular markings of a darker green,
and the flowers were also very ornamental.

Messrs. Veitch, of Bxeter and Chelsea, had Barkeria Skinneri
superba, with a profusion of rosy crimson flowers, and on
account of its superior merit it gained a first-class certificate;

| 2 like distinction being also awarded for Azelea President

Claeys, which was covered with a profusion of salmon and
white flowers. Twelve varieties of Lycaste Skinneri, some of
which were very beautiful, were exhibited by the same firm, and
were considered so interesting as to deserve a special certificate.
A variegated Hibsseus, from New Caledonia, and having the
leaves prettily variegated with white and red, received 2 com-
mendation. Messrs. Veitch had also Epacris densa, with small
white flowers, from Western Australia.

From Mr. W. Paul there came a coilection of seventy-two
varieties of English Hollies, exhibiting many curious and orna-
mental forms, and which were in illustration of a paper by that
gentleman, which was read before the Committee. They re-
ceived a special certificate.

Of other objects, Parochetus communis came from Mr. Pottle,
gardener to B. D. Colvin, Hsg:, Little Bealings; a yellow va-
riegated form of Araucaria imbricata, from Mr. Fowler, gardener
to the Earl of Stair; Helleborus olympicus, came from Mr.
Harrington, gardener to Dr. Lindley, Acton Green; and a
species of Begonia, from South Africa, from the Society’s gar-
den, the flowers were orange yellow, and not remarkable for
their beauty. Mr. Parker extibited Khododendron Countess of
Haddington, with very large white flowers, delicately tinged with
red; and several seedling Cinerarias came from Mr. Wiggins,
of Isleworth, of which Formosum, with very large flowers, white
with a broad purplish-crimson edge, appeared well suited for
conservatory decoration; Dark Beauty, Princess Alexandra,
end Beauty of Denmark, were also pretty varieties.

The large conservatory was extremely gay with Hyacinths,
Tulips, Dielytra, and other forced flowers, beautifully ar-
ranged, and looked even more attractive than the fiower show
itself.

Fruit Commirrsr. —C. W. Strickland, Esq., in the chair.
The challenge repeated by Mr. Vhomson, of Dalkeith, to Mr.
Tillery, of Welbeck, to show old Black Grapes against new
Black Hamburghs was expected to come off at this Meeting;
but Mr, Tillery wrote to say that on account of the weather,
which has been unfavourable to the keeping of old Grapes, his
were in such a condition that he did not think it worth-while to
send them. Mr. Thomson, however, sent excellent bunches of
new Black Hamburghs, which were everything that could be
desired both in colour and flavour, and which were considered
superior in flavour to the very fine Barbarossa exhibited by Mr.
Park, gardener to G. Vernon, Hsq., of Retford, and those of Mr.
Crawshay, of Cyfarthfa Castle. ‘the Barbarossa of Mr. Park
were splendid bunches, and the flavour so much superior to what
is usually found in Barbarossa that the Committee awarded them
a certificate of merit; yet they were nevertheless inferior to
Mr. Thomson’s Black Hamburghs. The Barbarossa of Mr,
Crawshay were yery fine also; but they were not so rich in
flavour as the former. Mr. Tillery sent some good bunches of
Trebbiano richly flayoured, but thick in the skin, as that variety
generally is.

Mr. John Pottle, of Little Bealings, near Woodbridge, Suffolk,
sent a handsome fruit of Prickly Cayenne Pine, which, however,

166 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

was not allowed to be cut, and, therefore, it could not be ascer-
tained whether it was good or good for nothing.
Mr. Park, of East Ketford, also sent dishes of d’Auch Pear,

Beurré de Rance, aud Glou Morceau, all of which were inferior :

in flavour.

OC. W. Strickland, Haq., of Hildenley, exhibited a Yorkshire
kitchen Apple of good merits.

Mr. B. R. Cant, of Colchester, sent a dish of Twining Pippin.
It is:a small, round, dessert Apple, with tender and juicy flesh,
sweet, and with somewhat of the flavour of the old Golden
Pippin. In good condition for the season.

A seedling culinary Apple was received from Messrs. Wood
and Ingram, of Huntingdon, which was remitted to the Secre-
tary to be cooked and reported upon.

Mr. Rivers, of Sawbridgeworth, sent some of the Karly Ten- |

week Potatoes, and Messrs. Ivery & Son, of Dorking, exhibited
fruit of an excellent Cucumber, which they called Ivery’s
Winter Champion, but which was not considered different from
some other first-rate sorts already in cultivation.

Tux Royal Horticultural Society has done many bold things
in its day, but it never did a bolder one than when it essayed a
flower show in February ; and we should think the experiment is
not likely to be repeated, the result being just what one would
have anticipated. One was sure that the skill of our horticul-
turists would be put forth to produce something worth seeing,
while the earliness of the date would prevent much from being

[ March 3, 1863.

| In Reds there were Von Schiller, a deep salmon pink, large
| bells, very close, and an immense spike; Princesse Clothilde,
| delicate pink, striped with carmine; Macaulay, a noble spike,

crimson, large bells, and closely arranged. In Blues there were
Baron yon Tuyll, a useful and well-known flower; General
Havelock, very dark purple, one of the finest of Hyacinths—the
bells are large and closely arranged; Garrick (double), dark
blue, with large bells. In Yellows, Ida, a deep-coloured flower
and very attractive. ‘

In Mr. Paul’s 12 there were, besides some of those already
named, Howard, a salmon crimson, with stripes of deeper
colour, bells close and spike good; Grand Lilas, a fine and
useful azure blue flower; Queen of the Netherlands, a good
pure white ; Solfaterre, a brilliant orange scarlet, large bells and
spike; Charles Dickens, a good greyish-blue with an excellent
spike; Lord Wellington, Marie, and Mimosa.

Of the prizes offered by Mr. James Cutbush, about which the
Society behaved so oddly, altering the conditions on which they
were offered, the first was taken by Mr. A. Carr, gardener to
|G. W. B. Noakes, Esq., Highgate, with a dozen distinct
varieties of good growth, and very similar to those with which
Mr. Cutbush obtained his first prize, having amongst them
also well-grown plants of La Dame du Lac, a useful rosy pink ;
and Alba Maxima, a fine white, with large bells closely arranged.

The Tulips exhibited by Mr. Cutbush were excellent. Amongst
them were Fabiola, rosy violet and white; Rouge Inisante, fine
rose; Keizerkroon, golden yellow and red; Couleur Cardinal,
scarlet; Vermilion Brilliaut, glowing scarlet; and Proserpine, rich

sent, that the company would be sparse, and that shivering | silky rose. In the large collections of Hyacinths, I noticed in Mr.

would be the order of the day. Unfortunately, too, for the
Society, the Prince of Wales's levee was fixed for the same day ;
but, fortunately for it, the wind had shifted from its cold quarter,
and, under the influence of a south-west wind, warmth was to be
obtained by moving briskly about. What it could have been in

Cutbush’s collection, in Whites, fine spikes of Paix de Europe,
Grandeur 4 Merveille, Mont Blanc, Miss Burdett Coutts, a
splendid flower. In Reds, Solfaterre, very fine; Howard; La
Dame du Lac; Reine des Jacinthes, bright crimson, good bells ;
Madame Hodgson, very fine pale pink; Princess Charlotte,

that cold corridor with a north-easter we were happily only left to
conjecture: Bat even the brilliancy of the Hyacinths and the
fragrance of the Lilies of the Valley could not beguile one into
the notion that February and a flower show are a well-matched
pair. March is even early enough, but three weeks make a
serious difference both to flowers and visitors at this season of |
the year.

One side of the corridor (which formed a part of M. Veillard’s
unfortunate share of the refreshment department of the Great |
Exhibition) was filled with plants contributed by Messrs. Veitch,
Cutbush, Smith, and Bull, besides a not-very-interesting-looking
—though doubtless they were so—collection of Ilex by Mr. W.
Paul;‘the other half by Hyacinths, Crocuses, Primulas, and
Tulips, of which the finest collections were sent by Messrs.
Cutbush & Son, of Highgate, and Mr. Paul, of Waltham Cross, |
the contributions sent to the Floral Committee being at one end
and a yery handsome collection of Hyacinths at the other,
forming two groups, sent by Messrs. Cutbush & Paul.

Many of the plants were old and well-known ones, grown with
a considerable amount of care, but bearing, many of them, clear
evidence of being strongly forced to meet the requirements of
the’ early date named for the Show. In Mr. Bull’s collection
were some fine plants of novelties, the grand Fern Cibotium
princeps being conspicuous for its fine fronds, I!e had also |
good plants of Cordyline indivisa and Agave filifera. Why this )
collection was awarded a second prize I could not quite under- |
stand, for it seemed for this time of the year to have merited a
first, and there was no other in competition with it.

In Mr, ‘Veiteh’s collection therc were some nicely-bloomed |
plants, and the same may be said of Mr. Cutbush’s; but leaving
these to be dealt with by other and abler hands—though I
regretted much to observe the absence, from illness, of Mr. D.
Beaton; to whose graphic’ pen we have all been indebted for
reports of these shows—TI pass on to those flowers about which |
I profess to know 4 little. Hyacinths were, considering the
early date, most wonderful, and were fine for any season, Mr. Cut-
bush maintaining the position which he has ably held for many
years, though evidently great exertions had been made by Mr.
Paul to outstriphim; but there was @ refinement and evenness
about ‘his flowers very dear to the eyes of a florist, which the
others lacked, and which doubtless gained the day for him.
Their growth and vigour were something surprising. Of Whites
he had Mont Blanc, a fine spike, with large bells closely arranged ;
Grandeur 4 Merveille, blush white, with very large spike ; Miran-

delicate rosy pink, excellent ; Mrs. Beecher Stowe, deep rosy
pink; Victoria Alexandrina, intense crimson. In Blues, Oron-
dates, an old but very fine flower; Regulus, pale blue; Argus, a
bright blue with very distinct white eye; La Nuit, very dark,
nearly black; Mimosa, deep purple, very nearly black.

In Mr. Paul’s, which were placed equal first, there were some
fine trusses. Peineman, an extraordinarily large flower with
immense bells, but somewhat loose, of a light greyish-blue

| colour; Madame Hodgson, Tubifiora, a fine blash white; Argus,

very good, &e.

Several interesting subjects were brought before the Floral

Committee. Of Orchids, Cypripedium Dayi, a very beautiful

variety of Ladies’ Slipper, received a first-class award; as did
also Barkeria Skinneri superba, exhibited by Messrs. Veitch and
Son. Limatodes rosea alba, exhibited by Messrs. Low & Son, of
Clapton, was awarded a first-class certificate. Mr. Bull sent a
very beautiful Yucca lineata lutea, with rich golden stripes, to
which a first-class certificate was awarded. Trichomanes Prieuri,
avery beautiful Fern from the West Indies, also first-class ; and
Aneectochilus argyreus, which was also given a first-class. Mr.
Veitch exhibited a good plant of Azalea President Claeys, of
the style of Etoile de Gand; and Duc d’Aremberg, in good
bloom, although bearing evident marks of having been strongly
pinched to get it into flower. It promises to be a useful and
handsome variety.

Several Cinerarias were exhibited. The one that struck me as
the best there was Sunbeam, exhibited by the Messrs. Smith, cf
Dulwich—a very brilliant crimson-edged variety, unlike, so far
as L remember, anything we have, moreover well shaped, with
the white and scarlet about evenly balanced. They had also
a charming little greenhouse plant, Monochetum sericeum mul-
tiflorum, with beautiful crimson mauve fiowers, making a lovely
object for a basket or pan at this season of the year. :

Some branches of the beautiful Bougainvilles speciosa, with
its brilliant mauve-coloured bracts, were exhibited by W. C-
Thornhill, Esq., Kettering near Northampton, and were as usual
the admired of all admirers. .

Might one ask whether nothing can be done at these spring
shows to give-a little warmth to the place where the exhibitions
take place? It is possible with great coats, and the ample ap-
plisnces that the fairer part of creation can make use of to keep
oneself from being chilled, though I confess to having gone into
the Exhibition building in order to get a good long stretch of a
walk. But the poor plants have nothing of the kind, and

doline, moderate-sized bells; Snowball, one of the finest of ! brought, as many of them are, out of a temperature so high, to
Hyacinths, the bells are beautifully circular and closely arranged. j one at this season of the year some 40° less, perhaps, I should

March 3, 1863. ]

think their poor nerves get a shock from which it is very difli-
cult to recover them. They ought, one would think, to be pro-
vided with some better place of sojourn than a cold draughty
corridor at the sunless side of the gardens.—D., Deal.

DO OUR SOILS DECREASE IN FERTILITY?

Your correspondent “ J.” says, in his essay entitled as above,
that Fleta records in the year 1290, or thereabouts, that six
bushels of Wheat were the produce per acre (vide Ileta, iL,
cap. 8); but he ought also to state on sure authority what
was the capacity of a bushel in Fleta’s time, or is the word
properly translated bushel ?—N.

[Pleta says, that the English penny shall weigh 32 grains of
Wheat taken from the middle of the ear; that 20 pennies shall
make an ounce; that 12 ounces shall make a pound; that
8 pounds of Wheat shall make a gallon, and 8 gallons shall
make a London bushel (Bussellum), which is the eighth part of
a quarter.— (Zeta, lib. ti., c. 12, §. 1). In fact, the above quan-
tities were enacted in 1267 by statute 51 Henry III. ]

A FEW DAYS IN IRELAND.
STRAFFAN HOUSE.

Own leaving the princely magnificence of Carton, a beautiful
drive brought us to Maynooth, and right opposite the gates of
the celebrated College. Years ago we had seen the plans of the
building, and had so read of the internal arrangements, and the
systems and rules carried out in the instruction and manage-
ment of such a number of students, that we seemed to look on
a place with which we were somewhat familiar, and, therefore,
regretted the less our inability to stroll through its more public
premises. On the left of the entrance is situated the picturesque
church, and on the right the romantic ruins of the castle of the
Fitzgeralds, which was built by John, sixth Harl of Kildare, in
1426. The castle was besieged in’ the time of Henry VIII. by
Sir William Brereton, and so great was its strength and the
bravery of its defenders, that the besiegers might have besieged
in yain, but for the treachery of an adherent within, more in-
fluenced by Saxon gold than Celtic honour, Abhorring, as we
do, the wildness and extravagance of Lynch law, yet we could
not but feel that the betrayer met with a fitting retribution.
He had cautiously stipulated for a money recompense, but not
for personal safety; and the General, though profiting by the
treachery, showed his sense of the wrong by tirst paying the
man the sum agreed upon, and then ordering him to be hung.

he massive keep and ruins are now densely clothed with
Ivy, as if for the purpose, as Irishmen will tell you, of conceal-
ing the ugly holes made by Cromwell. Almost every nation has
its hero and its demon—the man for whom no praise or adula-
tion can be too great, and the man whose memory is looked
upon as the incarnation of all that is bad and mischievous.
Cromwell, no doubt, is the great demon of the past in Ireland,
so far as devastations and ruins are concerned. There seemed
to be no clear idea of the definite Cromwell. He might be the
Cromwell of the Commonwealth, or the Thomas Cromwell, Harl
of Hssex, Secretary of State to Henry VIII., and under whose
instructions General Brereton, no doubt, acted in the case of
the above siege, and who, whatever his faults, stood nobly by
Cardinal Wolsey when every other friend forsook him, when
he lost favour and influence with the fickle and ungrateful king.
Both Cromwells had so much to do with carnage, pillage, and
devastation, that we mzy well excuse the country people making
one Cromwell of the two, and hissing out the name as they
passed an old battered ruin in terms far from complimentary.

Convinced that we have given more than enough of our
attention in the times that are past to something akin to worship
of warrior heroes, and paid too much veneration to concentrated
energy and mere physical power, it is delightful to find, prompted
by whatever cause, great numbers of our brethren turning away
from such idolatry, and giving more of the homage of their
hearts to the beneficent powers of goodness, intelligence, and
useful industry. It was, therefore, with a sense of relief that we
passed these ruins and the remains of another castle on the hill
of Rathcoffey in such a fine imposing position; crossed the
grand canal and the railway for Galway, looked from the hill of
Windergates to the rich pastures of Meath in the distance, and

JOURNAL OF DORTICULTURE AND OOTTAGH GARDENER,

167

here join those of the Duke of Leinster, and anon reach the
village of Straffan, with its neat cottages, handsome places of
worship for Catholics and Protestants, and its flourishing national
schools for boys and girls, all speaking of intellectual advance-
ment, social progress, agricultural improvement, and national
prosperity—themes far more interesting for discussion and con-
verse, and a thousand times more instructive, than any arousing
of the feelings of prejudice end clanship by the keeping alive the
memory of the dark and wild deeds of the olden times.

Straffan House, the noble residence of Nathaniel Barton, Hsq.,
and the Hon. Mrs. Barton, is about seventeen miles from Dublin
and two miles from the Straffan Station of the Great South-
Western Railway. The estate is a very large and compact one,
and, with the addition of what is let to over a hundred tenants,
Mr. Barton holds 1600 acres in his own hand, under the very
able management of his land steward, Mr. Littleboy. This is
again divided into four farms, one of which, the home farm,
with grassland, woed, kitchen garden, and pleasure grounds, con-
tains about 300 acres, is bounded on one side by the river Liffey,
and on the other sides by a high substantial stone wall. We
heard Mr. Barton spoken of as fond of flowers, and the Hon.
Mrs. Barton as an enthusiastic gardener, who had the pleasure
and the privilege of having her ideas comprehended, discussed,
and reduced to practical development by Mr. Kelly, one of the
best, most indefatigable, industrious, and happiest of gardeners
we ever had the pleasure to meet with. Add to this, love of the
beautiful, the desire of the proprietors not merely to foster every
agricultural improvement, but to elevate the condition of the
working people socially and morally by bettering their home-
steads and giving abundance of employment; and two things
will at once be seen: First, that these proprietors are anxious to
act up to the responsibilities of property ; and second, that the
results obtained demand a fuller and larger inspection, and more
ample details than we could possibly give from our short visit.

On passing the village we came to the neat lodge, with anoble
arch of Ivy over the gateway, and entered the well-kept approach,
18 feet in width. Passing at first through an old wood, then
through an open lawn, with specimen trees and Thorns studded
upon it, and fine views of a hill planted in the dissance, we
reach what seemed massive plantations of evergreens on the
left side, but which, on examination, proved to be temporary
shelter for groups of the finer and most-prized Conifers ; and
this, with other planting, conceals the kitchen garden and the
stables, until you reach the front lawn of the mansion on the’
right, backed by masses of timber. Note that from the entrance
gate to the entrance hall no obstruction of gate or hurdle was
met with, that even the mansion could scarcely be seen until
you came right up to it; and thus none of the views from the
garden front could be observed unless from that side of the
building. Our first entrance was to the stable and ceoach-yard,-
close to the mansion, a large square, substantially built with
stone, and justly considered one oi the best and most convenient
in Ireland. :

The mansion itself is finely situated on a shelving platform,
the ground rising behind the entrance front, and sloping from
the garden front to the river Liffey, which is about 400 yards
distant. The rich balustrading round the mansion gives it a
very elegant finished appearance, and the same may be said of
its continuation round the new terraced and panel gardens.
From the windows in the garden front and from the upper
terraces fine views are obtained of the Wicklow mountains, and
near at hand of the hill of Lyons, and the woods and plantations
that adorn the residence of Lord Cloncurry. Bringing the eye
back for a near view there is spread out before it the series of
terraces, sunk panels, and Box gardens, until, passing on to the
Liffey and its bright waters, it goes beyond, and rests on a large
extent of rich meadow land, on which numbers of sheep were
feeding, and cattle up to their knees almost in herbage. Both
above and below there are fine picturesque views on the Liffey.
Here, to permit of the view, all is comparatively open; but near
at hand is a nice island, which has been made the most of by _
winding walks, a neat cottage in the centre, and a nice suspension
bridge for keeping up the communication with it and the main
land. L

The plan of the main features of these new gardens was given,
we understood, by Mr. Howe, and reflect great eredit on his
judgment and artistic taste. Whe carrying-out of those plans,
and finishing all in the best style, devolved upon our friend
Mr. Kelly. Mr. Kelly’s own account of it would be sure to be

now come to the well-cultivated lands of Mr. Barton, which | that the Hon. Mrs. Barton did all the work, and he helped hor.

168
Well, it has been well managed between them.

dolorous strains that their merits, their genius, their abilities,

have never been yet discovered or appreciated. It was, there- | honour due to the superior intelligence and the more cultivated
fore, very pleasing to find a man of undoubted talents almost | and refined taste of his much-esteemed employers.

The accompanying cross surface line is supposed to pass from
the centre of the fine portico on the garden front along the
centre of the steps and the main walk, through terraces and
panel gardens, right up to the boundary balustrade, and then
over lawn and meadow on to and beyond the river. From the
eentre of this walk the grounds extend on each side, at the panel
gardens, 110 feet, making the space here enclosed 220 feet in
width. A Will represent the ground floor of the mansion;
B, porch across area; C, balustrade, after a wide landing in the
porch, part of the staircase of eight steps is formed there, which
thus reduces the sloping bank of turf p from the balustrade; Eis
a level terrace 220 feet long, with a gravel walk of 12 feet in
width in the centre, and level grass verges of 74 feet in width
on each side. This walk on the west side is continued, and
winds southwards amid mazes of shrubberies, and on the east
side, after passing the terrace and small garden close to the
site of the conservatory it extends with graceful curves eastwards
to the kitchen garden. F is a flight of six steps, with sloping
bank on each side; @ is a level terrace of grass; H, a grass
slope, with twelve steps of Wicklow granite the same width as
the walk, 12 feet; 1 is the line continued up to the balustrade
—a length of 87 feet; & is a broken line of 900 feet to the
Tiver ; and M, the rich pasture on the opposite bank. On each
side of the line 1, set off 110 feet in another straight line, connect
these at the ends and sides with lines at right angles, and you
have a parallelogram 87 by 220feet. Divide that parallelogram
from east to west into four, and you have the rough features
of these panel gardens, and Box gardens on grass.

The panel on each side of this main walk is sunk a little more
than a foot below the level. With the addition of a level verge
of turf at the base of the bank H, and the same at the other end
next the balustrade, this panel is bounded on the opposite side
from the middle walk and at both ends by a gravel walk about
7 feet in width. Beyond this walk on each side the other spaces
are devoted to lawn, on which is laid out a Box garden with
beautiful artistic tracings; and the spaces are filled with different
gravels, as in similar side gardens at Kensington. The panels
on each side of the wide middle walk, after these necessary
deductions of walks round, levels, and slopes, are 36 feet in width
by 57 feet in length, each haying a noble granite vase in the
centre. The tracings and artistic beauty of these panels are
also very interesting, and part of the colouring is obtained from
flowers, and part from coloured gravels, not merely between
groups and clumps but as groups. There being no walks neces-
sary on the lawn on each side of these panels it is 60 feet in
width, and of course 87 feet in length; and on the panels re-
spectively are the beautiful box-coloured gardens already referred
to, which, so far as we recollect, appear to all the better advantage
from the panels being sunk, and the Box gardens placed on a
slope rising to the side balustrade. The design of the plans
and the carrying them out give great credit to all concerned.
We have, however, that sense of right which would lead us to
ayoid giving any new plans of gardens to the public without the
fall sanction and approbation of the artist.

These Box gardens being all of a piece presented to the eye a
harmonious unity, as all the colouring of earth and gravels was
onone level, whilst the growing Box gaye something like life to
the whole. So long as ladies are contented day after day to
look upon the same appearances in part of a garden, let it be
winter or summer, just as they would look down on a fine-
patterned carpet on the floor of a room, or the rich artistic
papering on its walls, so long will this style of gardening remain
popular. Inthe planting of the panels, we could see. nothing

with which to find fault ; in the surrounding groups with suitable:

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

It is no uncom- | refusing the simplest compliments, to his handiwork, the results
mon thing to meet with gardeners who are ever harping on the | of no little planning and head-work, and seemingly quite jealous

[ March:3,.1863,

that any such commendation would. be apt to interfere with the

coloured gravel, there is just as little to offend the eye; but the
filling part of the figures with flowers and other parts as con-
spicuous with a mere level-colouring of gravel and of earth,
seemed to be incongruous, even on the question of unity of out-
line alone. Suppose we look upon a carpet which is doubly
pleasing from the brilliancy of its colouring and the artistic
beauty of its tracery, should we, whilst sitting at the parlour
fire, consider that carpet was enhanced in beauty by some parts
of its colouring being raised about 18 inches, or some other
parts depressed as much below the general level, and yet the
beauty greatly consist in the whole surface being seen at once ?
We need not, however, dwell upon this subject, having already
treated the matter somewhat largely, and even somewhat inci-
dentally the other week. It is just probable that we may be
quite wrong, but at present we are inclined to look on such
mixtures as failures, unless where the colour of the flowers and
the colour of the gravels as clumps are on a similar level.

In a conservatory in the stove part we noticed a splendid
plant of the Brazilian Fern, Didymochlena truncatula, also of
Gleichenia -dicarpa, pubescens, microphylla; large plants of
Gymnogramma Massoni, chrysophylla, variabilis, pulchella,
&e., and fine plants of the better sorts of Adiantums, and other
Ferns; and under a glass protection a nice collection of Ancec-
tochilus, with beautiful plants of fine-leayed Begonias, and noble
plants of the Hedychium coronarium, scenting the air with the
rich fragrance of their milk-white flowers. In the greenhouze:
part the column and roofs were richly wreathed with masses of
the singular flowers of Rhodochiton volubile; and the most con~
spicuous flowers were fine Fuchsias, Balsams, Cockscombs, &ec.
Huge masses of Asplenium marinum were set on the borders,
chiefly for future transplanting; and plenty of Camellias,
Azaleas, &c., were receiving their suitable treatment elsewhere.
The flower-beds near the conservatory were very neat and com-
pact. Dahlias were grown in fine style.

Passing along the walk from the terrace already referred to,
we soon come to, and pass along the boundary wall of the.
kitchen garden, the outside of which near the walk is: covered
with creepers and other plants needing a little protection, as
Jasmines, Tea and climbing Roses, Ceanothus, Lonicera, &c.
Between the walk and the wall is a narrow ribbon-border of
three rows, ranging thus from the wall—yellow, Calceolaria, Tom
Thumb Geranium, and Variegated Alyssum next the grass verges
This border from the density of the plants and the abundance
of the bloom looked very nice, and was 300 feet in length. We
are not quite sure of the position at this distance of time, but
we have a vivid recollection of another ribbon-border that looked
very nice, and which was thus planted, beginning at the back—
Scarlet. Geranium, yellow Calceolaria, Purple King Verbena,
Saponaria calabrica, Variegated. Alyssum, and Nemophila in-
signis and blue Lobelia mixed. Here the Nemophila seemed
to do as well in the autumn as at Carton.

On entering the garden gate the eye was even more dazzled
with beauty than.on the new terraces, as two massive parterres
presented themselves, one on each side of a central walk, the
parterres being backed at the farther end witha range of vineries:,
and a greenhouse in the middle. We will revert to this garden
presently ; meanwhile we may state that the kitchen garden.
seemed large and well cropped, the treesin fine order, the Apricots.
against the wall being, especially, nobleepecimens. Here, as well,
as at the terraces, the walks and edgings were in excellent keep=:
ing; and a glance at the frames would ¢ell you at once that.
neither there nor elsewhere would. a foot of glass ever be idle at;
Straffan, The wood of the Vines, in the earliest house in the
range seemed.to be in fineorder, and good Grapes were hanging:

March 3, 1863. ]

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

169

in the late house, which might have pleased Mr. Kelly better | and die. Everything, however, in the greens or Colewort way

with a shade of darker colour could he have dispensed with
cropping the border in front with flowers, to bring it into
character with the parterres referred to, from which it is also
separated by a walk of 9 feet in width. It is not the robbery
of the border in such circumstances by the flowering plants
that does so much damage as the shading of the ground from
the sun’s rays; and then from a low temperature and frequent
dryness the roots are inclined to go too deep; though we do not
think Mr. Kelly’s good Grapes were showing signs of that.
Immediately behind such parterres, and in front of houses, bare
earth-borders would hardly be in character; butas these borders
are not very wide, acompromise might be effected by making the
whole into a sort of terrace walk by covering thinly with gravel.
Manure water could be given at any time, other manures in
winter; and as then the gardens would not be so attractive, a
covering of dung and leaves might be applied to entice the roots
to the surface. A line of small baskets or vases would break
the monotony, and yet do little to prevent the sun beating on
the border, or, what would be the same thing, the gravel or
sand on ifs surface. A slight dressing of fine gravel every spring
would make it all look in good order.

One of the most useful helps that Mr. Kelly has, and which
he devotes to many purposes, is a house for Melons and Cu-
cumbers, 50 feet in length, 13 feet in width, and § feet from
floor to ridge. The house is not quite a span, the sash on one
side being about 9 feet and on the other side about 6 feet. The
door, therefore, of 2 feet 10 inches is not in the centre, but
6% feet from one side, and 3 feet 10 inches from the other. The
path goes down opposite the door, leaving a bed on one side of
5 feet in width, and on the other of 23 feet; the first intended
for Melons, and the second for Cucumbers. These beds or pits
on each side of the pathway are rather more than 3 feet from
the floor. Under the vaide pit are two four-inch pipes for bottom
heat and the same for top heat, and under and above the narrow
pit the same quantity of two-inch piping. Like many more,
Mr. Kelly found it was difficult to give the Melons and Cucum-
bers in the same division the exact treatment they required in
different circumstances, and intended in future to grow them
separately back and front in the different compartments.

On our visit about the middle of September were five Excelsior
Melons in one division, and a fine crop of Lynch’s Star of the
West Cucumber in another, which Cucumber seemed to have a
good deal of the breed of the Syon House. During winter and
spring one or more of these compartments is used for forcing
and forwarding what is wanted for use and ornament; and what
is not so used is stored with cuttings and bedding plants from
floor to ceiling or ridge. R. Fise.

(Zo be continued.)

THH MILD WINTER.

THaT the present winter has been exceedingly mild will be
generally admitted, but instances like it have occurred before,

The autumn of 1848, if I remember rightly, was very mild, so
much so that Mushrooms were reported to be growing in many
places up to Christmas, and yet after that we had a winter of
more than average severity. Whe autumn of 1853 was also mild,
as I remember gathering some variegated Geranium cuttings in
the first week ot February, that had stood out of doors unpro-
tected and they grew, and yet we had a tolerably sharp frost
immediately after that.

The present winter, therefore, is not without a precedent so
far. The frosts we had in November destroyed most tender
plants, or, at least, it so far injured them that they were removed ;
but i find a rustic vase in front of my cottage, containing
variegated Geraniums, has escaped, the plants being yet alive
and shooting-out fresh leaves, although in no way protected
excepting from the west and north winds. Other Geraniums
that were left partly with the shelter of shrubs are still green ;
and Calceolaria cuttings put into a cold pit have grown and
many of them are knotted for flower, while the old ones in
the open border are quite green and as fresh as in September.
hat they and other plants will receive a check there is every
probability, but the sooner the better, as the buds of fruit trees
and other plants are advancing too fast; and in the kitchen
garden line a mild winter invariably forwards Cabbage plants to
the point of running to seed, which would not be the case in a
hardone. Peas, too, advance too far to withstand the cold of
the late spring, and become what is termed “ black in the leg,”’

is in more abundance in mild winters, as, likewise, is Broccoli,
Spinach, and other winter crops.

I wonder if the West-Cornwall gardeners, whose doings were
so ably reported to us some time ago, are not apprehensive of a
late spring frost proving fatal to their Potatoes, since there has
been little or none during the winter? However, let us hope
for the best, and ere this reach the reader there may be an
important change, and our next complaint may be of cold.

My register, as recorded in this Journal for January 6th,
shows a greater proportion of west and south-west winds
than in former years, and whether this be the cause or effect of
the continued mildness is for others to determine. I find, how-
ever, that the subject has attracted notice elsewhere. That the
present season has been a moist one is admitted, and yet the
rainfall of the autumn and up to the present time has not ex-
ceeded an average ; only falling, asit has, in almost daily dribblets
it has kept the roads and every other place dirty. Of the
kind of weather in store for us there is no lack of predictions ;
but, whether after all, any of these prophesies are based on any-
thing better than a mere guess is more than I can tell, and
judging from the number of times they are wrong, it would
seem that they are nothing more than that.—J. Rozson.

TRITOMA RCOPZERI.

TriToMAs are allowed by all to be amongst the most showy of
all our hardy border plants. Tritoma uyaria makes a most tell-
ing display, either as single specimens, or in back rows to ribbon
and other borders. It is grand throughout August and Sep-
tember. I had a row of this, this autumn, 40 yards in length,
with 700 heads of bloom at one time. ‘T’. Rooperi is also a
magnificent plant, coming into bloom in September, and throwing
up a succession of spikes all through the winter if the weather be
at all mild. Notwithstanding our sharp weather in November,
it has been in flower here all winter, and continues in flower at
this date (January 16). In October it throws up its flower-stems
to the height of 5 and 6 feet, and the individual heads of bloom
last in flower twice as long as does any other of the Tritomas that
IT know of. Like uvaria, 1 believe there are inferior varieties of
Rooper.

It has been said that these Tritomas come true from seed, but
I have proved that the best variety of uvaria does not; and that
from one packet of seed you may get a great many varieties—
few, if any, that I have raised being at all equal to the original.
A cross between Rooperi and uvaria would be likely to throw
some fine yarieties.—D. THomson.—(Scottish Gardener.)

CRASSULA COCCINEA AND IPOMAA LEARII
NOT BLOOMING.

You will oblige me much by advice how I am to manage six
plants of Crassula coccinea, which did not flower last summer,
Thave kept them in a cool greenhouse all winter close to the
glass, and I have given them very little water. I wish to keep
them in pots, and I should like to bloom them this next summer
if I can.

T have a plant of Ipomea Learii in a pot, that did not flower
last year. Had I better shake it out and repot it in some good
soil? J am obliged to grow it in a pot.—L. C.

[Keep your Crassulas as they are, and give a little water as
soon as you see signs of flagging, or the tops knotting for bloom.
You must not think of cutting now, as you will cut all the
flower-buds.

Shake out the Ipomea, and give it some rich, rather stiff loam
firmly packed. Then cut the head considerably of all the
smaller shoots ; from every well-ripened bud you may expect a
shoot bearing flowers. If you kept the plant in a shady place
in summer and autumn, there will be few flowers, if otherwise,
in the sun, you will have plenty of bloom on young shoots.]

PLANTING WELLINGTONIA GIGANTEA.—A gentleman whose
information is of a very sound and practical nature, respecting
the many new and ornamental Conifers, informs me of a case
where a Wellingtonia has been planted upon an artificial mound
made 7 feet high, and which the Wellingtonia has now covered
with its branches, growing in a sweeping, drooping manner.
Seven feet in height thus obtained is a desideratum in many
cases when this handsome tree is planted.— W.

170

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

| March 3, 1863.

PLANT-JUDGING. waft

Tux object of our present remarks is to offer a few observations
upon plant-showing generally, and to point out what we consider
ought to be the guiding principles in awarding prizes. In judging
plants, various things must be taken into cousideration—not only
the health and general appearance of a specimen, but also the
excellence of individual perfections—qualities which appear in-
significant when considered separately, but which when viewed
collectively, constitute perfection. Thus, supposing a plant had
been beautifully grown, was of fine form, had short-jointed wood
and clean and. healthy foliage, but had flowers in insufficient
quantity, ill-formed or badly-coloured, or flowers insufficiently
above the foliage, or with unusually long footstalks—these
would be great defects, inasmuch as flowers being the aim and
end of the cultivator, and the main object of attraction, it is
indispensable that they be of the finest and most perfect form
and colour. However fine a plant may be, if it is deficient in
flower, or the bloom is of bad quality, it is a defect, and in like
proportion if a plant is ill-formed or has bad foliage, that also is
a defect; but if plant is unhealthy, that is a decided disqualifi-
cation, for as prizes are oftered to reward skilful cultivation, if

NS A
ews.
a RAN
De GO Baan ASO”
y oa Ss

\ Nin ul

Faney Pelargonium.

As, however, example is generally better than precept, we here
pourtray two examples of good management—oue a Chorozema
cordata grown in the Royal Botanic Garden, Kew, and the other
a Fancy Pelargonium, as shown by Mr. Robinson of Pimlico.
These may be regarded as perfect specimens of their kinds, are
symmetrical in form without being formal, and graceful in out-
line without being encumbered with numerous sticks, It must,
however, be remembered, that a plant may be large and finely
formed, and yet not meritorious in point of management, for
it may be a plant of very easy cultivation; for instance, the
Chorozema, though admirable in its way, would not bear com-
parison with a plant of C. triangularis, angustifolia, or Hench-
manni, of the same or even smaller size, while a plant of Burtonia
conferta or violacea, Boronia serrulata or pinnata, or Gompho-
lobium splendens, not half the size, would be infinitely superior
and more meritorious. Hence it is necessary that censors should
be persons of experience, and practically acquainted with the
management of the plants they undertake to adjudicate upon.

Plants also should harmonise in point of size, so that when
grouped together they may look as if they came from the same
place, and not as if they had fallen together by chance. We
once saw a collection of aplendid Heaths, averaging from 2 to 4:feet
in size, lose the first prize through the gardener putting in
a small but admirable plant of Hrica Sprengelii; and only last
year we saw Cytisus racemosus, 5 feet high, and Hoya bella,

the exhibition shows the want of skill, that is a disqualifying
point. A plant to be perfect must be of symmetrical form, be
short-jointed, and furnished with robust and healthy foliage
from the base upwards. The form should not be formal, neither
should the plants bear a rough and uncultivated appearance,
but it must be graceful and easy in character, and while it bears
the impress of art, must be sufficiently removed from formality
to have some of the easy grace of nature about it. The bloom
must be large and profusely produced, brilliant in colour, finely
formed, and if scented, rich in odour. At the time the
plant is shown, sufficient bloom to present a uniform head
should be expanded, and it should have a rich, crisp, and glossy
appearance. Cleanliness is a great point; consequently every
leaf must be free from dirt of any kind, and not an insect must
be seen. Plants thus appointed, whether they be hard or soft
wooded, come from the tropics or be denizens of a milder
climate, will always please; and it matters not whether they be
large or small, they all alike show the skill of the gardener—so
long as they are suficiently large to show some mark of cultiya-
tion since they left the nurseryman’s stores.

=

Chorozema cordata.

about as many inches, shown in the same group. Such arrange-
ments show bad taste, and ought to be publicly reprobated. It
may, perhaps, so happen, that several collections of plants may
be so nearly equal in point of merit as to render it difficult to
say which is the best. In such a case it is the duty of the
censors to examine the plants in each collection separately, both
as to form and inflorescence, and then if they were equal, the
difficulty of cultivation would decide the point, for if one
collection contained plants of more difficult management, that of
course must have the first prize.

Size, more especially when it arises from age, is not a leading
quality, except in plants of very difficult management, and then
the mere fact of keeping them alive and in exhibitable condition
is very meritorious, for of course, plants which are very difficult
to grow in a young state must require equal skill to keep them
healthy when full grown, but plants which haye grown large,
and have afterwards been twisted and twined about to make
them shapely, should not be exhibited at all; for though we
cannot join in the cuckoo song which has been raised about
growing plants without stakes, knowing it to be impossible, yet
it must never be forgotten that they are a necessary nuisance,
and never can be used too sparingly or too slight in character.
In a few words the leading principles to be observed in plant-
judging are—First, that the plants be clean, healthy, and finely
formed; second, that they be profusely covered with bloom, the

March 8, 1863. ]

individual flowers being finely formed, large, and finely coloured ;
third, that the plants be choice—novelty and tolerable size being
always superior to age and large size. Thus, if ten plants were
competing, one introduced ten years back and the other only
two; and if each required the same skill in management, the
new plant, if it had been well cultivated, would be the most
meritorious, and should have the first prize. Thus far we have
indicated our opinion of some of the rules which ought to be
observed by plant-censors, and those who judge individual
flowers cannot do better than take ‘“‘ Glenny’s Properties” as
their guide, for though some of his rules may appear arbitrary,
they are in the main correct, and the best that have been
published.—(A., in Gardener's Magazine of Botany.)

GARRYA ELLIPTICA.

Few plants, even under glass, are more beautiful than this
hardy shrub has been the whole of the present winter. Planted
against a wall, and only very slightly trained, its beautiful droop-
ing trusses have been elongating since October, and at the pre-
sent time many of them are upwards of a foot long, the individual
florets composing them being fully expanded, and the whole in
such abundance as in a great measure to cover the plant, which
is at all times a beautiful evergreen. It blossoms and looks well
every year, but I have never known it co fine as it is the present
season; and to all haying a low wall to cover I would by all
means recommend this shrub as one of the most suitable ; while
even as an open standard, or, rather, low bush, it is equally at

home.—J. R.

CONSTRUCTION OF CONSERVATORIES.

Amonést the manifold subjects treated of in your Journal
there is one which seems not to have received its meed of atten-
tion—‘‘ The construction of conservatories.”

True, it frequently happens that this important matter is
entrusted to some architect whose taste induces him to con-
sider certain conventional architectural forms more than the
welfare of plants : consequently an unsatisfactory state of growth
follows.

In other cases where the well-being of plants has been con-
sidered, external and internal ornament has so swelled the cost
that the building of the conservatory has been the cause of
checking further improvement.

_ A few guiding principles as to what really constitutes elegance
in glass structures would be of much service to many of the readers
of this Journal, and I hope some one well versed in the subject
will detail his views.

_ It would be wrong in me to endeavour to limit these remarks
in any way; but one or two simple yet very important questions
T should like to see discussed.

First, The relative merits of iron or wooden houses ; and if the
former are adopted, of what construction ?

Secondly, What is the best kind of glass,and what sized sheets
are most economical, taking appearance, economy, and efficiency
into consideration ?

Thirdly, Are domes hurtful or otherwise to plants, and what
is the general feeling on their appearance ?

Fourthly, What is the best substitute for shading ?

Fifthly, Is top ventilation required in a conservatory; and if
so, how is it best managed ?

Some other useful desirable information may be added to the
above, which the nature of the subject will easily point out, and
I hope that some of your numerous correspondents will give us
their opinion on the matter in allits bearings.—W. H. T.

[We join in this wish, and shall be obliged by the communica-
tion of drawings and descriptions of conservatories, whether
small or large, that are proved to be handsome and successful as
a dwelling for plants. If the cost of construction is added, such
commpnications will be still more useful.—Eps. J. or H.]

PRUNING ROSES IN POTS.

_ “8,” Hampton Court, has three pot Roses from cuttings taken
in the early part of last summer, from 1 foot to 1} high, a
Général Jacqueminot, 2 Mrs. Bosanquet, and a Géant des
Batailles. ‘wo are in single stems, and the other has two, both

apparently equally strong. Ought he to cut them all down to /

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

171

the lowest eye, and entirely do away with one of the two shoots ?
He wishes to keep them as pot Roses, and to have them all next
winter in a cool conservatory, so as to bloom earlier in spring
than they would otherwise do if kept out all the winter.

[If you wish the plants to bloom this season, merely shorten
the shoots about a fifth, If you would sacrifice this and grow
them to be finer plants for the spring of 1864, then cut down to
6 inches in length, if you wish to make bushes of them, and if
80, it matters not whether you have one stem or several. The
one stem would look the handsomest. |

JUDGING GRAPES AND OTHER FRUITS.

‘As the season for horticultural exhibitions is again approach-
ing, it reminds me of the revival of the discussion of rules for
judging fruit, more particularly Grapes, and the desirability of
having something like a recognised system, or set of rules for
the guidance of the censors.

I have had considerable experience as a judge of horticultural
productions at sundry provincial shows, but was never until
lately aware that at the great metropolitan exhibitions the
practice of testing the flavour of the fruit by the most direct and
natural process of tasting was not allowed, or, at least, not
practised ; but that the flavour was merely assumed from the
general appearance.

With all due deference and respect for such authorities as our
great metropolitan societies, I will venture to question the con-
sistency of this practice. And the question which immediately
suggests itself is this: If the flavour of Grapes can be ascertained
without tasting, then why caunot the same rule apply to Melons
and other fruit? as with respect to Melons, at least, the
practice appears to be always to cut and taste them; and as it
must be admitted that Grapes as well as Melons are grown to
be eaten. This being admitted to be the case, flavour must
always be a paramount consideration (without at the same time
ignoring in the least degree appearance, for fruit ought to be
‘good for food, and pleasant to the eye”), and flavour, Tom
inclined to think, can hardly be correctly ascertained without a
direct appeal to the palate. Another consideration is this :
a few berries can be abstracted froma dish of Grapes without
necessarily preventing them from being exhibited on a sub-
sequent occasion, or, at least, from being sent to table, whereas
the same cannot, of course, be done with a Melon when it has
been cut. And, with respect to the latter fruit, it is the con-
stant practice to give the first prize to the best-flavoured fruit,
quite irrespective of size or general appearance; and I doubt not
many people conversant with the subject, have observed with
something like regret, the first prize awarded to a fruit which
had nothing but its flayour to recommend it, while larger and
more handsome fruit, only slightly inferior with regard to flavour,
had a subordinate prize assigned them, or remained unnoticed.

To obviate this, in some measure, @ system of points or marks
has been recommended, and the suggestion, I think, is worthy ot
consideration. There is nothing new in the matter, as florists’
flowers and plants generally are necessarily judged on something
like this principle, and with regard to fruit the system might, I
think, be more clearly defined, and rendered more easy of appli-
cation.

I hope that you or some of your able coadjutors and corre-
spondents may be induced to give the subject consideration, and
to bestow on your readers the benefit of the same, and in the
meantime, if you will kindly aliow me, I will offer a suggestion on
the subject.

First. With respect to Grapes, I would confine myself to
11 points or niarks, assigning them as follows :—3 points to the
best flavoured ; 2 to the best coloured; 2 to bloom ; 2 to size
or weight of bunch; 2 to size or weight of berry.

For Melons I would take 7 points—8 points to flavour; 2 to
size or weight; 2 to general appearance.

Thave said nothing of degrees of ripeness, as unripe or over-
ripe fruit ought to be disqualified —P. G.

PROTECTING YOUNG TREES FROM RABBITS.

I HAPPENED to be in Waukegan about the time Rabbits bark
young fruit trees, and as I did not know what to do to prevent
them, I applied to Mr. Robert Douglas the extensive nursery-
man, for a remedy and he told me to mix equal quantities of

172

lard and soot, and rub the trunks of the trees ; but on consulta-
tion with a neighbour, who advised lard and sulphur, I concluded
to mix all three together; so I mixed equal quantities of lard,
sulphur, and soot, and applied it, and it proved effectual. On
the trees that were partly barked, it stopped the rabbits from
injuring any more, and the trees have completely recovered, and
the wounds are healed over. The mixture dried on to the trees,
and has protected them since.

The same winter my neighbour had a young orchard of sixty
trees completely destroyed, and last winter another of my
neighbours had about thirty trees destroyed by them, although
he rubbed them with lard and soot; the rabbits eat grease,
soot, bark, and all. They ran round in my orchard, and ate all
the twigs they could reach, and barked one tree that was not
coated with the above mixture; but they never touched a tree
that had been rubbed within two years with the lard, sulphur,
and soot, because the remains of it were still there.—(Lower
Canada Agriculturist.)

FEATHERED HELPS IN A GARDEN.

I sez by a communication from “ H.,” that he wants “ prac-
tical enlightenment” on the use of fowls ina garden, and you
also state that you will be glad to receive information. I shall
be extremely happy to give you my experience, for the subject is
mooted at a moment when some yent is required for the
emotions which the bare thought of fowls creates inme. The
facts are simply these:—I liye in a retired neighbourhood, and
my particular hobby is gardening. I have a neighbour two
doors off whose particular hobby is love of fowls. “hese two
otherwise-commendable tastes come into violent collision twice
or thrice a-day. The peculiar characteristic of my neighbour's
fowls is, that they have an irresistible and unconquerable pro-
pensity for coming into my garden in preference to staying in
their own. The result is, that I am driven wild every day; and as
my wife and family participate in my alarms, the consequences,
as you will perceive, are rather serious to well-disposed and
peaceable pecple. I will not delay informing you as to how
these lamentable events are caused; and, first, I will speak, as
impartially as human nature can do under the circumstances, of
the good which fowls do. f ;

The least objectionable of all fowls, excepting emall birds, of
course, are the hens, and from this category I beg to observe
that Lrigidly exclude the cocks. Both of them are very fond of
slugs, snails, et hoc genus omme, and in pursuit of these pests, do
a trifling amount of good. The ducks are equally destructive to
insects, and are even more persevering in the search of them;
but put ducks, cocks, and hens together they will be no more a
help to you than a quarter of an hour of personal labour would be.

Now, we come to the opposite side of the balance sheet. My
pen fails to paint the agonies which their destructive habits-
have occasioned me. The cocks and hens knew perfectly well
that they were trespassing, and were liable to be prosecuted;
but notwithstanding this they would come into my garden
several times every day, and the vigour, robustness, and rapidity
with which they sent my Sweet Williams, Pinks, Carnations,
&c., flying into the air whilst in search of prey, was absolutely
sickening to witness. I hada heap of rubbish in an odd corner
once, but they have made it “small by degrees, and beautifuily
less,” at the expense of the neatness, order, and cleanliness of
my garden walk. This was with scratching.

The ducks do not scratch, but they are still more destructive
when they go among softwooded plants. I had a nice bed of
Nasturtiums last year, bufthe ducks had waddled into it four or
five times, in search of snails, and the glory soon departed from
that feature of the garden. The effect of ducks in a Nasturtium-
bed is indescribable. They stagger about like drunken men,
and I fancy they like it so well that they must roll in it over
and over. Then my Prince of Orange Calceolarias were ship-
wrecked and knocked to pieces, and the simple fact is this, that
I must give up gardening, or my neighbour must give up the
fowls. From all this it results that cocks, hens, and ducks do
far more harm than good.—R. WELOH, Bristol.

HEATING GARDEN STRUCTURES.

I wave read with much interest Mr. Robson’s papers on
ventilating and heating horticultural buildings, and feel assured
that many wil! thank him for giving his experience. I believe it

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

‘isa subject that ought’ to be thoroughly examined, and I would

[ March 3, 1863:

be glad to have the experience of others who have had 'to'deal
with particular methods of heating. I, for one, will add what
little information I can. I have had nothing to do with Pol-
maise and several other modes of heating mentioned ‘by the
writer, and, therefore, wished, as very likely others in a similar
position to myself have done, that he had said a little more ‘relative
to them; for although fallen into disuse on account of real or
supposed defects, they are not without interest to such as desire
to know all that has‘ been done, as well as what may be done, in
a matter of so much importance to horticulture.

I once had the management of a small ‘greenhouse, heated by
means of a common brick furnace, from'which a flue passed
under the pathway three-quarters of the length of the house.
This was covered with square bricks. ‘The flue then rose above
the floor, and was continued back to the furnace, built of brick
on edge; here it ascended inside the house, and passed to the
chimney. I simply mention this because I think that if the
first portion of the flue pass under the floor it may be slower in
its effects, but the heat is never lost, and is given-off slowly
and in a condition that is never likely to injure the plants; for
although I haye seen several flues partly carried under the floor I
never knew a case of overheating where this was the plan adopted, :
and, more than this, it allows of two or more laps of flue being
piaced above the floor. The further from the fire the thinner
may be the material of which the flue is constructed, so that
pipes may used with safety.

Lam inclined to the opinion that where fire heat is necessary
only to keep out frost, as in the greenhouse, there can be no
reasonable objection to the flue system. That system has been
objected to on account of an escape of smoke happening occa-
sionally; but this must be owing to carelessness in the con-
struction, or, what L have known to be the case, from neglecting
to make a suitable provision for clearing-out the soot. When a
flue is built bricks should be left out at suitable distances, to be
inserted after the other part is finished : these can then be taken
out without disturbing the adjoining brickwork. Where this
provision is neglected a leaky flue is no uncommon oceurrence ; for
where bricks are well put together it is almost an impossibility
to take out one without disturbing several others, and these are
generally left so that the smoke can escape through the cracks
formed in the process. I haye known such instances, and the
blame has been thrown on the system; it is more for the want
of taking notice of such minutie than from any defect in the
system itself that accidents have happened, even where a per-
manent heat is required, as in the forcing of Grapes. I have seen
some of the very best Grapes that could be grown hanging in a
vinery heated on the flue system.

But still there is no reason why hot water should not have its
full share of credit; and what I have had to do with hot water
has been satisfactory. But then itis one thing to heat500 super-
ficial feet of glass, and another thing to heat as many thousands.
What may be thought economical in the former case*may be
thought the contrary in the latter. There must be proportions
in every case; but this does not alter the fact, that what scientific -
men are aiming at and have tried to achieve is possible—that is,
to give a large amount of heat with a small consumption of fuel.
To do this it is necessary that all the heat generated should con-
tribute to the object in view; but how this is to be done is the
question. Ifyou burn a pan of charcoal in a room the whole of
the heat generated is disseminated throughout the enclosed space,
provided there is no outlet for it; but this is not the case in
the furnace, which must be provided with a chimney, up which
much of the heat ascends with the smoke, escapes at the top,
and is lost. This must inevitably be the case to a certain ex-
tent; for Ido not see how the escape of a portion of the heat
in this way is to be prevented, but that is no reason why some
of it should not be saved; and sometimes this is effected by
having a horizontal flue, in addition to the boiler and hot-water:
pipes; but unless a good draught can be secured this method
does not answer. A boiler fire ought to draw well, or it soon
becomes clogged with soot. : ‘

One of the best arrangements of the kind I have ever seen, is
in the case of a lean-to conservatory I have, until lately, had to
do with. In this case the whole of the fireplace and boiler is
under the floor. Thus the heat of the fireplace itself ascends
through the floor,'and acts on the internal atmosphere of the
house ; it also adjoined a cistern of rain water, and warmed.
that. ‘The chimney ascended inside the house, a portion of heat
was, therefore, secured from that; then ‘there were 120 feet of

March 3; 1863. ]

four-inch piping, the boiler being of wrought-iron, and the fire
heat playing well around it before ascending the chimney. With
this arrangement it would be no difficult matter to keep the
house of 50 feet by 16, at a temperature of 80°; but to do this
it would be necessary to keep a fire going day and night, and
this at the smallest consumption of fuel, tells up in the course
of a few weeks. The boiler alluded to is a saddle one, of the
best of its kind, and set in the most approved manner, and
although I believe that the consumption of fuel was moderate,
yet the space to be heated was very small compared to what is
required of some boilers. There is a vast difference between
heating 120 feet of four-inch pipes, and heating 2000 feet of the
same-sized pipes, and if a boiler can be constructed on a plan
that will heat the quantity of water contained in the 2000 feet
of pipes, with the same consumption of fuel that was necessary
in the above-mentioned case, a great stride will be made in the
right direction.

I believe this is possible, and what I have seen of different
kinds of pipe-boilers convinces me that they are most efficient,
where a large body of water is to be heated. I do not pretend
to say that one kind is better than another; whether Weeks’,
Ormson’s, or Clarke’s are most effective. The pipes of these
being upright, or nearly so, they are, doubtless, less likely to
clog with soot than Messenger’s boilers, the tubes of which are
arranged horizontally, and are triangular, and fitted so as to
leave three quarters of an inch space between. ‘They are made
on the principle of presenting a maximum surface of water
to the fire; and although this gives a large surface to clog with
soot, and, moreover, these boilers require constant cleaning,
still I believe they are the most efficient I know of, for heating
a large space. But one thing is necessary—there ought to be a
good draught, or the many intricate passages the flames have to
pass through, damp the fire, causing a waste of fuel. In order
to keep the fire going, much has to be raked out that would be
otherwise consumed, and however strongly a fire may burn at
times, it ought to be go arranged as to be under control, with
damper and ash-pit door. Where this is the case, it is not only
safer, as when extremely sharp frosts occur, but it is econo-
mical in all respects. It would be the reverse of economy to
find that the frost had got in, merely because it was found im-
possible to maintain sufficient heat to keep if out. I firmly
believe that hot water is the best, cleanest, and cheapest means
of keeping up a permanent heat; but I believe there is still room
for great improvement in its application. In fact, there should
be no loss of heat from the boiler being placed too far from its
work, or other causes, and it should be perfectly under control.
—F. Curry.

SEEDS FROM BARBADOES.

I HAVE received from Barbadoes some seeds, of which I send
a list as nearly as I can distinguish the names. Some are very
large. Will you inform me whether they are available in this
country? I possess asmall stove and conservatory.— VICARIUS.
Abrus precatorius Bread-and-Butter seed. Botanical
Anona muricata name unknown
Achras sapota Canna indica
Circassian berries. Guilandina Bondue.

unknown Lent-blossom tree.
Coix lachryma unknown
Blue Ipomza Mimosa viva
Bixa orellana Sapindus saponaria

[We do not think that you will dv much with your importa-
tion of seeds from Barbadoes, either. for your own growth or in
the way of exchange for other plants. In fact, any gardener of
experience would be shy of receiving tropical seeds as a gift
unless gathered by a scientific practical botanist. To oblige you
and some other friends who have had packets of seed sent them,
which they value much more than practical men would be likely
to-do, we will give a few remarks on your list.

ABRUS PRECATORIUS.—This is a strong-growing climber, very
abundant in Jamaica, where the roots are used as liquorice, and
the seeds as beads. It would require stove heat, and half of a
fair-sized. roof to grow on, eyen if the roots were considerably
confined. The seeds may be soaked in water at 150° for twenty-
four hours before sowing. :

ANONA MURICATA is the Sour Sop Custard Apple, which grows
as a small tree in most of the West India islands, the fruit being
a succulent subacid berry, like-a large plum or orange in size,
with, a flavour and. smell like our black currant. It.would. be
worth while. to try. if this could be made to fruit in a,dwarf state.

Botanical name
Botanical name

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

173

Sow the seeds in sandy loam in a strong moist heat, keeping the
soil rather dry for a week.

AcHRAS sarora, the Sapodilla tree, grows to a good height.
The fruit is as large as a quince, with a thick russet skin outside,
anda delicious melting flesh inside, with two smail stones or
seeds in the centre. hese sown and raised, the only likely
chance for making them fruit in a stove would be by cutting
the young seedlings into cuttings, and thus trying to induce a
dwarf habit, so as to fit them for our stoves of limited size.

' Crecasstan Brrrres.—Never heard of them.

Corx LACHRYMA.—We gaye an account of this curious tropical
Grass some time ago, and you will manage it very well in your
stove. The pearly-like seeds have been called ‘‘ Job’s Tears.”

Buur Ipomma.—These will require a good moist heat to raise
them; and it would be advieable to keep them in rather small
pots until you could see a flower. If you sowed them now, and
raised several plants, you might try some of them against a south
wall after the middle of June. There are so many blue Ipomeas
that if is quite impossible to know whether yours are worth
keeping until you have proved them.

Brxa ORELLANA.—Thia is naturally a high-growing tree, and,
therefore, we fear you will not be able to manage it in moderate
space. ‘Uhere is little attraction about it except its associations.
From the pulp which covers the seeds the drug arnotto is made,
which, if not now much used for medical purposes, is, with or
without our knowledge, partaken of asa colouring matter in a
good deal of the cheese and the butter we use.

BrrapD-AnD-ButteR SEEDS.—These we cannot find out by
suchaname. There are Butter-and-Hggs (the Narcissus incom-
parabilis), the Butter-bur (the Tussilago), the Butter-nut—a
Walnut (Juglans cinerea), and there are the Buttercups, which we
associate with daisies and the “long-times-ago.” Again, there is
the Bread-root, the Psoralea esculenta of Missouri, where the
roots are used somewhat in the manner of potatoes. There
is, again, the Bread-fruit, Artocarpus incisa, so plentiful and
useful in the South Sea Islands, growing there to the size of an
oak with us, and with foliage as finely cut, producing fruit as
large as a good-sized Swedish turnip ; and between the skin and
the large core the white edible matter is placed, which is s0
supplied with starch that when a ripe fruit is roasted it eats
very like and is as pleasant as the best wheaten bread. The
seeds are generally about the size of a bean. Young plants are
to be found in the best London nurseries, and the plants are
elegant from their foliage; but we do not recollect seeing the
fruit anywhere in this country.

The Bread-nut is the last to which we will refer. This is
the Brosimum alicastrum, and most likely is what you have, °
as it grows freely in Jamaica and the West India islands as
a slender tree or scrub shrub. It is often met with in our
stoves, though there is nothing attractive in its flowers, which,
in fact, may be said to have no petals. The mode of fruiting is
a good deal like that of Ricinus or Palma Christi. The young
leaves and the young shoots are eaten freely as fodder by cattle ;
but they are not wholesome as they get hard and full grown.
There is a good quantity of milky starch and mucilage in the
nut-like seeds which are used, boiled, before they are quite hard ;
and when ripe and roasted eat very much like a roasted chest-
nut. In sowing, the nuts may be steeped previously in hot
water, or a little piece filed through at the end. If long kept
they lose their vitality, If meant for a small stove the seedlings
should be made into cuttings to induce a more dwarf compact
habit.

Canna InpIca, the beautiful Indian Shot.—Steep the seeds
in water at 140° for twenty-four hours before sowing, and give
them a good bottom heat, and keep the surface of the pot covered
with damp moss before they appear. If kept in about 50° all
the winter they will be good ornaments for the greenhouse in
summer, Most seed lists now contain fine varieties of Canna.
In the south of England they make a fine effect out of doors in
summer with their bright flowers and fine foliage.

Guinanpina Bonpuc.—A large tree, chietly found in the Hast
Indies, producing fine foliage and branches of yellow flowers,
and producing its seeds in a bean-like capsule. The seeds would
germinate sooner from being steeped in water. We think a house
like that at Kew or Chatsworth would be needed for this tree.

Lent-BLossom TREE.— We have no idea what it is.

Mimosa yviva.—A pretty, slender, low-growing shrub, rarely
rising 2 feet in height, resembling in appearance the Sensitive
Plant, which you will find no difficulty in managing in your
stove if you give plenty of heat and moisture.

174

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGH GARDENER.

[ March 3, 1863:

SAPINDUS SAPONARTA is the tall-growing Soapberry tree.—The |'throwing it into a very compact bush, JLaast spring I planted a
seed is a nut of a shining black colour, and from its hardness | Wellingtonia gigantea here that had stood two winters without

is often used for oznamental purposes.
about the size of a cherry, and this pulp is used as a soap in
many parts of America, though if not used carefully it is apt
to destroy linen from its acridity as much as when it is whitened
with the help of a little vitriol. Steep the seeds before sowing.

You will now perceive that the most of your seeds either
belong to plants that are already common in large botanical
collections, or from their luxuriance cannot be managed in small
houses with advantage, or, if dwarf, can be obtained from our
principal seedsmen. Yours, most likely, will have the advan-
tage of being fresh. You can grow any or all of them as easily
in the north as in the south of this country, if you can give them
room enough and burn enough coal to give them a tropical
elimate.—R, Fisq. |

ANOTHER MONSTER CALIFORNIA PEAR.

EyerY one doubtless remembers the excitement oyer the
great California Pear produced a few years ago, in the orchard
of E. L. Beard, Esq., at San Jose Mission ; its weight was over
3lbs. Rev. Dr. Bellows, President of the Sanitary Commission,
has just received notice, vid overland mail, that another Pear,
from the same tree, weighing an ounce more than the former
one, was forwarded to him by the steamer leaving San Fran-.
cisco Dec. 20, together with other interesting horticultural
products.

That Peay has arrived ina tolerably good state of preservation,
and is on exhibiticn at the office of the American Agriculturist,
at 41, Park Row. ‘The following is the letter to Dr. Bellows,
enclosing the express invoice of the Pear.

“Custom House, San Francisco, Dec. 20, 1862.

“Dear Sir.—The other day E. L. Beard, Hsq., handed me a
mammoth Pear, grown in his orchard at San Jose Mission,
California, Having for years been editor of the “ Ohio Farmer,”
this immense Pear greatly interested me—first, on account of its
size, and second, because it grew on the same tree that bore the
Dr. Bushnell Pear, that created so much interest a few years
since in the Hastern States. The Doctor’s Pear weighed 3 Ibs.
and 60z8.—this one 3lbs. and 7 ozs., so that it is the largest
Pear ever grown in California.

“When I had sufficiently feasted my eyes on it, I concluded to
send it to you, as the man of the east whose affections and
gratitude had for the past two months been constantly turned to
California.—T. Brown.’— (American Agriculturist.)

GARDEN TREES AND SHRUBS AT NEW
YORK.

THERE is much more difficulty here to furnish a place with
trees or shrubs, euitable for shelter or ornament, than in Great
Britain; not altogether from the greater severity of the winter,
as this is counteracted in a great measure by the wood, both of
deciduous and evergreen plants, being much better ripened in the
fall than it is possible for it to be in the British Isles, but rather
from the constant alternate freezing and thawing that takes place
in February and March injuring the cellular tissue of many
plants that otherwise would bea great acquisition, and rendering
such a thing as a shrubbery unknown, as neither Bays nor
Laurels will stand the winter, and Holly even under favourable
circumstances merely exists.

It is a strange fact, which I leave for wiser heads than mine
to elucidate, that a mild winter is moat trying to evergreens,
and a severe one to deciduous plants. In proof of this, last
winter, which was considered a mild one for this climate, many
hedges of American Arbor Vite in this vicinity were rendered
quite unsightly for some time to come; and an Abies Douglasii
here, nearly 20 feet high, the finest in this part of the States,
was cut down to within a few feet of the ground ; whereas
clumps of Hydrangea hortensis, scattered about the lawn with-
out any protection whatever, stood uninjured, and throughout
the summer were loaded with large heads of blue flowers, with
there and there a stray pink one to add to the general effect,

Araucaria imbricata lives but does nob becomes ornamental.
The same may be said of Cryptomeria japonica. Pinus excelsa
stands well, but its leader seems to be attacked most perti-
maciously by some insect, retarding its growth in height, but

It is covered with pulp | protection, and so far it is doing well. The Irish Yew is quite

hardy, but the common Yew is liable to be cuf down. There
are some fine, well-furnished trees here of the old Norway
Spruce, which form.a most agreeable protection in winter from
our biting north-westerly gales, very prevalent at this season.
This and the Silver Fir, Hemlock Spruce, and Weymouth Pine
form our most generally used trees for shelter. Taxodium dis-
tichum makes a fine summer ornamental tree, and with its
bright green foliage is quite refreshing to look at during the hot
weather. Magnolia conspicua and Soulangeana both about
20 feet high and loaded with flowers from top to bottom in
April and May, are a sight worth seeing. Grandifiora is generally
protected, but stood here last winter without shelter, and flowered '
well throughout the summer. The Pampas Grass requires pro-
tection, but amply repays the care taken of it.

In the nursery of Messrs. Parsons & Co,, Flushing, about five
miles from here, are some fine specimens of hardy Conifers, a
list of some of which I append. Great attention is paid to this
department by the enterprising foreman, Mr. Trompey, who is
likewise the most scientific and successful propagator in this
part of the States, making fine plants in a short time from grafts,
and as he ayers without any difficulty. '

Abies Menziesii
Keempferii

Picea Nordmanniana

Pinus pyrenaica
Pinsapo

strobus compacta

pyramidata cephalonica Taxus aurea
Whittmanniana -_picta stricta
Clanbrasiliensis stricta Parsonsiana Thujopsis borealis
orientalis nobilis Cupressus Lawsoniana
elegans grandis Juniperus squamata
monstrosa pectinata compacta humilis ©

Gregoryana Pinus monticola hibernica compacta
pumila Lambertiana oblonga pendula
inverta nivea Cupressus spheroidea
compacta [feem. uncinata erecta compacta

Cephalotaxus Fortuni

Many of the above are fine specimens, and all are in good
health. I may here state, that a Pear from California has been
exhibited for the past week, at the office of the ‘“ American
Agriculturist,’”” New York, weighing no less than 3 lbs. 7 ozs,,
evidently a monstrous Duchesse d’Angouléme, thoroughly look-
ing its weight, and stated to be the largest Pear in the world.
A very fine Flemish Beauty, 20 ozs. weight, 124 inches in cir-
cumference, was grown in the garden of an amateur in the village
here, last year, and both for form and colour a perfect model.—
Davin Fours, Gardener to Edwin Hoyt, Hsq., Astoria, Long
Island, New York.

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY’S MEETING.
THE anniversary Meeting of the Hntomological Society on the
26th of January passed off in a more harmonious manner than
was expected, although the Treasurer’s accounts showed a smaller

‘balance than in the preceding year, which was attributed to the

fact that the Council had carried out their resolution to publish
at once all the papers read at the Meetings of the Society, some
of which were two years in arrear, and also to the expense
necessarily incurred in making-up back yolumes of the “Drans-
actions’’ for sale. These legitimate expenses will not occur
again; so that the Society, having still a considerable balance in
the funds, may be regarded as being in a flourishing state. r}

The following gentlemen were elected Members of the Council
for the ensuing year :—Messss. Dunning, Grut, Sir J. B. Hearsey,
McLachlan, Pascoe, W. W. Saunders, Shepherd, F. Smith,
Stainton, Stevens, Waterhouse, Weir, and Prof, Westwood ; and
the following officers were appointed :—Mr, F', Smith, President ;
Mr. S. Stevens, Treasurer; Messrs. Shepherd and Dunning, |
Secretaries; and Mr. Ianson, Curator.

The President delivered an address to the Society, in which
he especially dwelt upon the advisability of rendering the So-
ciety’s collection of British insects as perfect as possible; a strong
opinion has, however, manifestly grown up in the Society as to
the impolicy of the Society possessing a collection, which neces-
sitates the expense of a Curator, additionai room, and, conse-
quently, increased rent, &e.

Thanks were voted to the President for his speech, which was ©
requested to’be printed, and also to the officers'and members of
the Council for their services during the past year.

THE general Meeting of the Society for February was held on ~
the 2nd instant, with the President in the chair. Donations of ”

March 3, 1863. ]

the publications of the Natural History and Entomological
Societies of Moscow, Munich, the Netherlands, and Canada, with
various other works, were announced. Certificates in fayour of
Dr. John Leconte, of New York, and Messrs. Lacordaire and
Hagen as foreign honorary members of the Society, were read.
The President nominated Messrs. Pascoe, Waterhouse, and
Grut to be the Vice- Presidents for the ensuing year.

The Secretary exhibited a small box of “manna” collected in
Tasmania, being an exudation from the young branches of the
White Gum trees caused by the punctures of a species of Kury-
mela, a genus of Hemiptera, allied to our common Cuckoo-spit
insect or Frog-hopper, and which infests the trees in the same
manner as our Rose Aphides. The exudation rapidly hardens,
and dries into a white saccharine mass, and is collected and eaten.

Mr. Frederick Bond exhibited two remarkable moustrosities
occurring in Colias hyale, the pale-clouded yellow Butterfly, one
of the fore wings of which was not more than half the size of the
opposite wing; and a female of Lyczna Adonis, in which the
right-hand hind wing on the under side was deficient of many of
the ordinary markings, and the fore wing on the same side had
only two dots.

Mr. Waterhouse read a communication on Homalota soror,
and several allied species of minute British Rove Beetles.

Mr. Haward exhibited a collection of Coleoptera collected by
himself in central Europe, containing many very fine and rare
species. —

Mr. Stainton, on behalf of Mr. Healy, exhibited some Bramble
leaves, within the burrows of which were visible the cast skins of
the larve of a species of Nepticula. He also read some notes on
the peculiarities observable in the moulting of the caterpillars in
this group of little Moths, by which it appeared that, although
the larva state in the summer time lasted only a few days, in the
middle of January it required four days to enable the larva to
complete its moult.

Mr. McLachlan read a paper on Anisocentropus, a new genus
of North American Trichoptera (Caddice Flies), with descriptions
of five species ; and also on a new species of the genus Dipseu-
dopsis belonging to the same order of insects.

Professor Westwood exhibited drawings of the species of

Imeanide, collected in Gipps’ Land at the south-eastern extre-

tmaity of New South Wales, forwarded by Dr. Howitt.

WORK FOR THE WEEK.

KITCHEN GARDEN.

THE preparation of the various quarters designed for main
erops to be persevered in whenever the soil is dry enough to
admit of being trodden on without being too much consolidated.
This is vf great importance on heavy stiff soils, and those who
have such to deal with should take advantage of every dry day
that occurs. On such soils, too, it will be advisable to defer
sowing main crops for a week or even a fortnight. But on light
dry soils the sooner the main crops are put in the better,
because such soils are most liable to suffer from drought should
it occur; and, therefore, the sooner the crops become well esta-
blished the more likely will they be to resist its effects; if, on
the contrary, the season should be a wet one, they will also be
in the best possible condition to profit by it. Beans, plant out
Mazagans from boxes and pots. Sow Longpods, regulating the
quantity by the demand. Cabbage, sow another patch of any
early sort, and a few Ked for winter use; also, the true Drum-
head Sayoy. Cauliflowex, prick out the young seedling plants
either on a warm border or a gentle hotbed, to be sheltered in
unfavourable weather with hoops and mats. Celery, the first
sowing to be pricked-out as soon as it can be well handled, and
another sowing made of both Red and White. Zeeks, sow for a
principal crop. Lettuce, prick-out the young seedling plants, to
be treated as advised for Cauliflowers. Onions, the principal
crops should now be sown. The Deptford, Old Brown Globe,
James’s Keeping, and White and Brown Spanish are good sorts.
Sow them in beas of 4 feet wide, and in drills 9 inches apart,
and if you can obtain it, sow some charred refuse along the drills
before covering-in. When the beds are raked smoothly over and
the surface is a little dry, pass a wooden roller over them several
times, as Onions succeed best when the soil is well consolidated.
Parsley sow a good breadth of the best Curled. Peas, on light
soils lose no time in getting-in the main crops of summer sorts,
together with a few of the later kinds. Potatoes, plant both
early and late varieties. Those who plant early generally suc-

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

175

ceed best. Whole tubers of middling size are preferable to cut
sets. Peraevere in hoeing, forking, and other surface-stirring
amongst all advancing crops.

FLOWER GARDEN.

The digging of flower-borders must now be commenced in
good earnest, in performing which use the fork in preference to
the spade. All kinds of herbaceous plants may now be planted,
either to fill-up empty spaces or to make new plantations in
borders which haye undergone a.course of preparation this
season, Pay particular attention to the arrangement of these as
regards height, colour, and succession of flowers. Bear in mind
that a large profusion of bloom alone does not make a flower-
border beautiful and attractive, unless the plants are disposed
in such a manner that harmony of colouring may prevail through-
out the whole. Proceed with the planting of hardy Roses. Con-
tinue the pruning and nailing of climbers; also, the arranging
and tying of such as are against trellises, verandahs, &c. Those
walks which have become dirty on the suriace or are overrun
with moss should be turned, which will give a fresh and clean
appearance to the surface. Look over autumn-planted beds of
Carnations, Pinks, and Pansies, and press down firmly those
plants which have been partially raised out of the ground by the
late frost. Stir the surface of Tulip and Hyacinth beds where
they are aboveground. Look ‘to the sowing of annuals.

FRUIT GARDEN.

Pruning should now be quite finished in every department,
and whatever nailing was left undone must be finished imme-
diately. See that newly-planted fruit trees are properly staked
and mulched; and after high winds it is necessary to look round
them, and to press the earth gently round the base of the stems.
All danger of very severe frost being over, Figs may have the
coverings completely removed, and be neatly pruned and nailed ;
do not crowd them with wood.

FORCING-PIT.
Continue to introduce plants of Hydrangeas, Roses in varie-
ties, Pinks, Carnations, Rhododendrons, Kalmias, Heliotropes,
and Azaleas. Shake-cut a batch of last year’s Fuchsias, Hry-
thrinas, and Salvia patens, and place them in bottom heat. Sow
Balsams, Cockscombs, Globe Awaranths, &e.

GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY.

Stop any strong-growing shoots of Camellias that are taking
the lead when their blooming season is over. Commence syring-
ing freely on every fime morning such Heaths as are freely making
their growth, and those that have lately finished blooming.
Examine the soil of such plants as the different kinds of Acacia,
Genista, Cytisus, Nerium, Hutaxia, Myrtles, the varieties of
Cactus, and others that may have been resting in the greenhouse
for a time, to see if the drainage is all right, and that no plant is
suffering for want of water. Many an old corner requires rout-
ing-out, and the plants brought forth to receive proper attention.

PITS AND FRAMES.

Those who have not yet attended to the propagation of plants
for bedding-out must now begin with all possible speed to put
in cuttings of Verbenas, Petunias, Fuchsias, Heliotropes, Lobelias,
&e., so as to have good plants for bedding-out in May. Pay due
attention to watering, and topping-back weak and straggling
shoots, so as to form robust bushy plants. If any slugs or snails
have enug quarters here they will do much mischief if they are
not looked after sharply, and destroyed as speedily as possible.

W. Kranz.

DOINGS OF THE LAST WHEK.

KITCHEN GARDEN.

WE seemed to be rejoicing overmuch over the few days’ sun,
as again we have had a week of a leaden sky, with scarcely a
peep of sunlight to cheer us, though good for carrying on work
out of doors requiring muscular energy. Stirred the soil among
crops ; sowed succession Peas and Beans, in the open air, cover-
ing them with burnt refuse to keep off slugs and mice, throwing
also a little barley awns along the rows for both purposes, as it

ricks the sleek sides of the former, and sticks in the beard of
the latter. The greatest trouble at this season is with grass mice,
and they are caught with most difficulty, as they will take little
except what is green. Some boys are good at catching them
with hair and small wire-trap nooses placed in their runs, much
in the same way as poachers manage hares and pheasants. They
saved us some time ago the trouble of nipping over some Cal-

176

ceolarias, and they nip over so much more than they eat, that
it: seems as if they felt» pleasure in the: mischief Ah, well!
we would be apt to become careless if we. had everything our
own way, and had no battles to fight,

Planted out Oucumbers in a small pit which is, heated
by hot water, as in this sunless weather, we cannot obtain
heat enough in a frame as. yet, as we,have little but leaves to
depend on for the heat, and must uge even them with economy.
We gave a section. of this pit some time ago, 6:teet wide inside,
sunk narrow path at, back, and narrow pit)in front, two three-
inch pipes below, and two in, front above, but separated from
the bed by a narrow brick wall. The only alteration this year
is forming simple ventilators in front, just opposite the lowest of
these top-heat. pipes, and if a simpler plan,can be devised, we
should like to hear of it, The ventilator.is formed by knocking
out a heading brick in the front wall, below the centre of each
light, leaving the sides smooth, and haying plugs or wooden
bricks the size of the opening, but the plugs made in a wedge-
shape, so that by merely moving them a, little you can admit a
little fresh air, which gets heated by coming against the pipes
and the inside walls before rising through the general atmo-
sphere. A little of this air from these plugs will be left on
almost constantly, except in very seyere weather, and thus not only
cause the air in the house to circulate but freshen it as well.
Some of our friends who advocate Polmaise heating, contend
that it is the only plan by which the air in a confined atmo-
sphere can be made to circulate. But that is all a fallacy. In
a house heated by whatever means, the air is constantly in
motion, even when all the ventilators are shut. We have proved
this over and over again, with light down and bits of feathers.
No doubt Polmaise, or the drain system connected with it, adds
greatly to the force of the circulation. In this pit there are
cross drains from the pathway communicating with the space
shut in for the top-heat pipes, and when a strong heat is used
the draught at these open drains, will pretty well extinguish a
candle, when all external air is as much as possible kept out.

Removed Kidney Beans bearing from Vine-pit, as.it was
so crowded we could not move about in it, placed them in
another pit in a bed of hot leaves, and planted successions in
pots in the same place, preferring pots just now in order to
move them easily afterwards. Turned over ground intended
for Onions and Parsnips. Planted Shallots and winter Onions.
Sowed Radishes and Lettuces where they could have a little pro-
tection, and prepared for sowing Parsley. Placed some hand-
lights and boxes over Rhubarb out of doors to bring it on a little.

FRUIT GARDEN.

Proceeded with pruning and nailing as opportunity offered;
Looked after insects in Peach-house; potted Melon plants,
having as yet no place to turn them out in, and stinting when
young does them no good; looked over Strawberries on shelves,
in every possible position, and if a few seemed likely to do little
good removed them at once. This is what few young men will
do, they will water and water a pot, whether it is worth the
watering or not. In this dull weather water in saucers is very
prejudicial; but we said enough on this subject lately. The few
plants taken out as not showing well, will be useful in autumn.
At present they are turned out of their pots against the north
side of a fence, packed closely together, and a little rough leaf
mould placed among them, and when we have time we will plant
them out, and, most likely, obtain a good gathering from them
in Septemher and October.

Some Vines in pots, rather small, have been set inside of
other pots of rather larger size, and the latter half filled with
rough loam, and have been set in the early vinery, as they
will come on before those on the rafters. ‘These, though not
extra fine, haye shown better than we expected at this early
season, as they received no preparation for carly forcing, and
were merely grown last year in an open, cool, orchard-house. If
left to breakin that house we have no doubt the shows, which
are very fair, would have been better. These are the plants
mentioned some time ago as being set in a small frame, with a
little bottom heat, and a ridge of horse-droppings all round, to
give them a steaming. These, forced with so little preparation,
convince us of what some of our readers seem to be in doubt,
that fine autumn Grapes may be obtained from an orchard-
house, without any artificial heat whatever, whether the Grapes
be trained under the roof, or as pillars, or as bushes, or in the
raspberry style, provided they haye plenty of light: Of course,
the brighter the summer and the autumn, the better will the

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGH GARDENER. .

[ March 3, 1863;

wood be ripened. If planted out as bushes of different: heights,
it' would be wellto have each plant,in a:pit or box of its own, so
that changes could be made without interfering with the general
planting. Havejust placed some small pots of cut-down plants
onthe floor of a Peach-house, which we intended to treat in that
way; but :
“* Phe best-laid schemes of miceandmen,, ©
Gang aft uglee.”

The house in which they, were to be growm is at present a vision
of the future. In all such hardy vineries, however, a simple
mode of heating would be an adyantage, as then the. Grapes
could be kept much longer.in, good condition, fromthe damps
of autumn being dispelled. Thoroughly. washed, cleansed, and
limewashed the walls of Jate,vineries, brought the, Vines to
the front of the house, and then filled it with bedding plants
above and below, ,

ORNAMENTAL DEPARTMENT. |

The rough leaf mould laid on the ridged-up flower-beds was
not only well sweetened, but the birds and winds were'sweeping
it over the lawn. Had it swept, the leaves turned-in by a
shallow spit, and the lawn well rolled and walkz rough-swept,
and then rolled when dry. When too close and level at this
season, places at all in the shade are apt to become green. There
is a great expense in nice gravel walks; but, after all; nothing
seems-so pleasant for continuous walking exercise. Planted out
Anemones, Rarunculuses, Wallflowers, Sweet Williams, <&c.
Commenced pruning Roses, cutting Laurels, &: Planted also
some edgings of Cerastiums, just dibbing little bits as cuttings
about 4inches apart. If all goes well, they will root im a month
or six weeks, and give little trouble. We planted a bed of this
and Variegated Alyssum in the autumn of 1861, and found them
useful; but this season we were not able to do it. We believe,
however, that planting now will answer as well, and with less
trouble.

CONSERVATORY.

This averages from 40° to 45° at night now, with a rise from:
sunshine when we can get it. Gave more water to Camellias,
Azaleas, Cinerarias, Primulas, &e. Epacris done flowering should
be pruned back and in a few days taken to where there is more
heat, taking care not to cut into the old wood. Bulbs and
forced shrubs should have a close warm place at first, and if
brought from a hotbed in which the pots are plunged, the pots |
should stand on the surface of the bed, and haye more air a
few days before moving. Hyacinths and Tulips opening will
relish a little artificial manure. The artificial ones sold at the
office are very useful for amateurs in small places, as they saye
much trouble in messing and making up mixtures for them-
selves. In no case, however, should the quantity exceed the
printed directions. It will be safer to give the stimulus a little
weaker, and repeat the dose oftener, and to vary the manure at
times. Guano must be used for pot plants with great care, as
when thoroughly good it is a most powerful stimulant. The
superphosphate is one of the safest, either mixed with water or
a little dusted on the surface of a pot, to be washed-in by re-
peated waterings. Shifted the earliest Pelargoniums into their
flowering pots, and will use a wet day for training and tying-out
a little. Placed the plants in the second vinery, just showing
signs of moving, that the Geraniums may be a little closer and
warmer than they would be in the greenhouse, Stopped the
stronger shoots of those intended for late blooming. Potted-off
some to come in late that were struck late in autumn. Potted
also some Pink and Scarlet varieties to bloom in pots. Pruned
more Fuchsias, and set them in second vinery on the floor. The
first lot are now breaking, and when a little more advanced
will get rid of a good deal of the old soil and repot in fresh.
Potted-of lots of variegated Geraniums, moved a good lot of
the first, potted into moveable boxes so as to leave small pots at
liberty, as, though the common Searlets do well put out into
beds, to be protected before planting-out time, the variegated
ones do best when they have a little ball beforehand.

Proceeded as opportunity offered with taking off cuttings,
and hardening-off those already struck, that the fresh ones may
go into a hot place. Note here the great: difference m striking
in spring and autumn, In the latter season all half-hardy plants
do best when plenty of time is given to them, and little or no
artificial heat used: In the spring, the plants bemg on the
move, will stand, nay, rather delight in an extra stimulus of
heat, and, therefore, cuttings of many things may now be made
into plants in as many days as weeks would be requited in the
autumn.

March 3, 1863. ]

Last season, though it was next to impossible for Calceo-
larias to do better, we felt the want at planting time of small
plants for edgings. To secure them this season, we have just
prepared for taking off'a good batch of cuttings, which will also
make the plants more stubby. For this purpose, beds with
hot leaves were prepared much as described the other week for
Verbenas. A few inches of rotten dung and leaf mould were
thrown over, and a little lime being added to sweeten it, it was
trodden firm. Then about 3 inches of compost were thrown over
it, and also firmed, and then dusted over with sand. The compost
consisted of one part fine sifted leaf mould, one part burned
earth and charred rubbish, one part driff sand, and three parts
fresh loam, rather adhesive than sandy, put on ina state dry
rather than wet. In a few days we will dib the cuttings in,
much the same as described for autumn work, only we will keep
the glass close and syringe the tops oftener, in the middle of
sunny days. ‘The cuttings being from 15 to 18 inches from the
glass, will rarely require shading. Among the autumn-struck
Calceolarias are some Aurea floribunda, rather yellowish and
sickly. On examination we found that the cuttings had been
planted quite deep enough, and the soil used had been old
instead of fresh.—R. F.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

CERASTIUM TOMENTOSUM CULTURE (A Constant Subscriber).—Old plants
left in the ground may be dug up, and the soil they have been growing in
exchanged for fresh ; then the plants, being divided, may be planted
somewhat like Box-edging, taking care, however, that sufficient of the
couch-like roots be buried to keep the top alive. We find this the easiest
way of managing it. Cuttings do as well if taken off beforehand, and
Struck in heat; but this mode of propagating is more troublesome,

ALYSSUM VARIEGATUM FoR Epetne (Jdem).—It would not be advisable
to have older plants than those struck last autumn. ‘These, with others
Struck in eurly spring, are what we use; and we have not found any differ-
ence between the two when they are rooted about alike. Old plants might,
perhaps, do; but they are bulky to keep through the winter, and are not
so handy as young ones.

Appiyinc Liauip Manure To A Poor Garpen (Aston).—If your soil
be light, liquid manure of any kind may be used almost at any time. Let
it be well diluted and clear in dry weather, but ona rainy day you might
putit on stronger. Very stiff ground, however, is not benefited by this,
but lime will doit good. If liquid manure be inconvenient you might try
guano, being sure that itis genuine. A very little of this is sufficient, and
it can be used at any time without the disagreeable smell of liquid manure.
The inexperienced amateur should be careful to use exceedingly little
until he has found out how much should be given.

Pruyine Firserrs (H. C.).—Those not versed in the matter can tell by
certain appearances where the female blossoms are, they being small tufts
ofa bright rose colour. The male blossoms are produced more abundantly,
and there is seldom any danger of cutting allof them away. Usually these
show themselyes early in the autumn, and a succession of them continues
up to the time the female blossom is out and gone. Little regard is there-
fore paid to these at pruning time, but the small tiny buds showing the
least bit of red sre carefully preserved. They are generally at the base of
small shoots, and in Kent are at the present time (Feb. 24), fully open;
the trees were all pruned some timeago. This subject will be adverted
to again by a writer from the Filbert district, who has promised us notes
of his experience.

Sowing Pinus Sreps (J. 1”. WV.).—If your seeds be attached tothe cone
they are best separated by forcing an iron spike like the prong of a hay-fork
up the centre of the cone’s stalk, and so dividing them without mutilating
them. This is especially adyised for the large kinds. Sow in well-drained
pans or boxes in a rather sandy soil, covering very slightly, or, in fact,
scarcely at all. Some of the larger seeds may be secured to their place by
fixing the wing part of the seed in the ground, and the germ only half
covered. Some shading from bright sun will be necessary. A cold pit or
house will do for them, but some of them germinate more quickly in heat.
We do not advise a hot-water soaking which, though it removes the coating
of resin or gum, we think injures the embryo. Good seed ought to
vegetate without this unnatural process.

Snoors oF Orance TreEs Dyine (W. C. WH. H. D.).—It is impossible
to judge from the sprig you have sent what is the cause of your trees going
off'so suddenly. There seemed a little brown scale, but that was nothing
particular. Hasany poisonous substance found its way to the roots, such
as an escape of gas? Has salt water or any poisonous matter been in any
water-pots or buckets used in watering them? Orange trees at times
become diseased, but they become so gradually ; while you say yours were
healthy and looked well only a few days ago. There must be something
more the matter than we can account for without being on the spot. The
roots, we think, from some cause will be found to be defective. Is the
drainage sufficient ? :

SEEDLING CINERARIAS (Ogston Hall).—That with dark centre, white-
based and mauve-edged rays is a first-class flower. The other is only fit
for the garden-borders.

STEPHANOTIS FLORIBUNDA (Stephanotis) —The Number containing cul-
ture of Lisianthus Russellianus can be obtained at our office. You have
no chance of the Stephanotis flowering in the summer of this year if you
cut it down now. If you train the four-feet. shoot round some sticks, and
the shoot has well ripened, you may have a chance of some bloom this year.
The best treatment would be to encourage growth without any cutting,
and cultivate for flowering in 1864. The Amaryllis seeds, sown now, will
bloom in two, three, or more years according to the kinds.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTLAGE GARDENER.

177

FLower-aarp¥n Pranzine (H. H. B.).—We like both your arrange=
ments, but prefer B, but would improve 2 with a margin of pink. We
think your centre bed is too large for the rest of the group, but a broad
bund of Perilla will render that excess less apparent. The Perilla will
require much pruning to keep it below Bijou.

FLower-rots Brcominc Green (Kate).—You may, when they are clean
and dry, paint them with whatever colour you admire most. If you used
stone-colour paint, and before it was dry daubed it over with silver sand,
your pots would look as if made of stone; and thus painted the green will
be kept off fora long time. If the paint is wel! dried before the pots are
used no injury will be done to the plants, if the sot] is rather open and good
drainage secured. If, like Grant Lhorburn, you paint the pots green, the
green mucor will never be seen even if it come.

POMEGRANATES Nov Broomine (G. ¥.).—Your Pomegranate had better
stand out of doors after June orin the middle of May. Give it all the sun
and air possible; andin pruning manage so as to have abundance of slender
twigs, and do not stop or cut them, as they will produce the flowers. If
you do not have bloom this season you may haye it next. There was an
account of the management a few weeks ago.

MiLpEw on GREENHOUSE Roses (H. V.).—The causes are chiefly their
being tender and our climate moist. The remedy is giving plenty of air,
and dried a little in winter and spring if the Roses are started early; and
dusting with flowers of sulphur if the mildew does appear notwithstanding
that treatment.

PROPAGATING LYCOPODIUM DENTICULATUM (Mary).—Divide the moss
into the smallest pieces with or without roots, and plant in sandy heath
mould and a little loam. Keep damp, syringe m sunny weather, and shade
a litrle until well established. You may as well cut over the brown fronds
of the Maiden-hair Fern, and give it a warmer position, and fresh fronds
will come all right. In your heat the Fern will be brown in winter.

Hoya cARNOSA CuLtuRE (Zdem).—It should not be so dry as to wither
the leaves. Ifthey are merely a little limp it will be allrightenough. A
little more heat will also do it good, and before deluging the roots much
you may syringe the leayes a number of times in a day, so that they may
absorb moisture. In watering make a few holes in the soil, and fill them
now and then for several weeks before deluging the soil. Except when in
a high temperature in summer and in bloom, this thick-leayed plant needs
no great amount of water. The heat should average 45° in winter, and
seldom or never be below 40°. Fi

GuAzina Frames (Z, A.).—If your frames are at all flat, you cannot do
better than glaze in the common way, and use quarterof inch laps, and
place the glass one way in order that the laps may be as closeas possible, If
the sashes were to be litle moved, the squares finely cut and placed end
to end would do, and there would be no drip, but then you would have a
good deal of tronble if a square were broken to fit it as nicely again. The
same remark applies to fitting-in glass in grooves in the sash-bars, and very
little putty is needed; but there is great trouble in mending so as to clean
out the groove. ;

Foretcn HortreunrturaL Paprrers (Gi/lawme).—We believe the ‘‘ Revue
FHorticole”’ is the most widely circulating horticultural journal in France.
We do not know anything about the Russian journals.

Appress (Constant Reader).— Messrs. Carson’s address is 9, Great
Winchester Street, Old Broad Street, London, E.C.

German Savusaces (Olivia).— Wurst kraut means sausage herbs, such
being Sage, Thyme, Marjoram, &c. No particular herb is known by that
name so far as we are aware.

Cupa Bast (P. Q.).—It is made of the inner bark of Paritium elatum,
@ species hardly separable from the genus Hibiscus. It is a native of
Jamaica and other tropical islands. The strips of inner bark are there
made into cordage. Brom another species, P. tiliaceum, native of Otaheite
and elsewhere, a fine matting is made of the bark films. The last edition
of the ‘* Cottage Gardeners’ Dictionary”? is dated 1857. It may be had
free by post from our office for 5s. 8d.

Names oF Prants, &c. (D. D.).—1, Evergreen Oak; 2, Escallonia
rubra; 3, Winter Codlin Apple. (#. #.).—The Fern appears to be an
Hypolepis, but is immature. (Old Subscriber).—l, Monochetum ensi-
ferum; 2, Blechnum spicant ; 3, Taxus adpressus.

POULTRY, BEE, and HOUSEHOLD CHRONICLE.

WHICH SHOULD BE ESSENTIAL POINTS IN
POULTRY ?

Wuttst reading week after week the able writing in your
Journal, I have noticed one constant succession of complaints
against the awards of prizes at our different shows, and also an
endless discussion on the varied points that constitute a really
first-class pure bred bird.

T hear individuals speak of a fixed standard; of poultry clubs
which are to rule all exhibitions throughout the kingdom, and
fix decisions for a never-satisfied crowd of poultry-breeders.
Now, the bane of our shows is, that we are not content with the
higher and real points that are the marks of prize birds, but we
descend to particulars which I think are beneath any common-
sense individual to support for a moment. ips

Why are we to set aside Aylesbury Ducks because their bills
have a tinge of yellow? Why withhold the prize when Dorkings
have only four toes? Or, why, in that noblest breed of birds,
the Game, to bow to the caprice of a judge who may think that
they should have different-coloured legs to what they possess ?

I take these simply as instances, and I know from experience
that numbers of birds of the purest strains in Hngland possess

178

these so-called failings. Nay, I dare all poultry-breeders of
however great standing, to deny that they have not bred as fine
poultry in size, ehape, and plumage, from their purest fowls,
which they have been obliged to set aside on account, it may be,
of a bill, or a leg, or a toe, or some hidden feather not being
exactly up to the fastidious and overdrawn taste of a judge. —

Let us look at another phase of this question. Can we fail to
observe the number of fraudulent tricks now played at our
shows, which would not exist but for this overstrained taste?
Have we never read of the painting of legs, of the addition of
toes, or the dyeing of feather, or of countless other methods
of cheating which I might mention ? ‘ :

Now, if we really wish our shows to progress—if we wish the
encouragement of poultry for their domestic uses—we must lay
aside all these gross absurdities, and let each breed stand upon
its well-known merits of shape, plumage, weight, or size.

We can never expect that farmers, or labourers, or the poor
in general, will ever take up the breeding of poultry asa general
trade, unless we break down those barriers, and render the
keeping of true-bred fowls more profitable. f

T call upon all men who are interested in this branch of
industry, who feel these evils (and I know there are many such),
now to raise their yoices in one united and overwhelming cry
for the reformation of such a system.

But, I am far from taking a desponding view of the future ;
the day is not very far distant when our judging shall no longer
be a laughing-stock and a byword to the public in general; but
when the breeding of poultry may take its stand among the
many well-regulated and profitable trades which now exist.—
A Povrrey BREEDER AND F'ANCIER.

[Different people will of necessity have different opinions, and
different standards of merit in every pursuit: hence it has been
necessary to lay down certain rules, and they have been admitted
for some years. One great end they answer is to form well-
defined marks which may guide the inquirer and the beginner.
‘The use of poultry shows has been to publish the merits and
properties of divers breeds; to point out those that are fitted
for certain soils and certain markets. Whether the demand be
for egos or for food, the knowledge now acquired and dissemi-
nated will enable the purchaser to possess himself of that breed
which will answer his purpose. The characteristics of it being
pointed out, he cannot easily be deceived.

Thus, he will not buy a Dorking without five claws; but if he
is to be told that Dorkings with four are as good as those with
five claws, he has nothing to guide or protect him; he is at the
mercy of any one who has fowls for sale. There is no substitute
for a real Dorking.

Take the Aylesbury Duck. Ifthe buyer is told the bird must
have a pale bill, he will not buy one lacking that mark; but if
any bill will do, every white Duck to the uninitiated becomes
an Aylesbury.

These are but two instances; we might multiply them, but we
should not gain by doing so. We ask if there is any good quality
given up in order to attain to the standard of excellence as
regards points? Have Dorkings lostsize? Have they suffered
ia constitution? Have Ducks dwindled in weight, or have they.
lost appearance? Spite of all the requirements of the most
fastidious judges, you will not find at a good show (take Bir-
mingham for instance), out of the two or three hundred com-
peting pens, a dozen that lack any of the properties insisted
upon, while the increase of weight has been fwo pounds per
head. The difference in healthis proved by the fact, that whereas
formerly the class was the dread of managers, and after two days
empty pens bearing tickets informing the public the birds were
removed on account of disease were one in ten, now such a
thing is never seen. Formerly it was thought they could only
be reared on the sunny side of a Surrey hill, and that they
required a peculiar soil. Now they thrive in Yorkshire, Lan-
cashire, and even in the far north of Scotland. :

The average weight of Aylesbury Ducks twenty years ago,
was from 3 lbs. to 4lbs., now it is from 4bs. to 61lbs. Here,
again, there has been no sacrifice of any useful quality whatever.

To continue the subject, let us take Pencilled Hamburghs.
Roup was thought to be their natural state. People avoided the
breed in their yards because they feared taint, and the classes
in an exhibition, because suffering birds were not a pleasing

sight. There was no inducement to take pains with them, till
competition and requirements supplied the spur. Within two
years they were shown perfect in colour, shape, and markings,
and strong enough to bear any trial in the way of climate or

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ March 3, 1863.

exhibition. And these were not temporary improvements.
Although those who worked the transformation have given up
the breed, or gone into other pursuits, it remains the same, and
has no more roup than any other.

As a rule, judges are not over-fastidious; but it can never be
that hundreds of exhibitors will be satisfied with the decisions
of two or three men, or that the knowledge that deals with every
class will be admitted cheerfully by those who have concen-
trated their attention on one. It is doubtful whether there is
not more unanimity among judges than exhibitors. Among the
latter those points are most insisted upon that are prominent
in their own birds, because their owners strive for their own
notions of perfection. :

If it is granted that after every large show papers contain
complaints of the awards, the thing admits of easy explanation.
There are often from one to three hundred exhibitors. The
majority are unsuccessful. They fancy, or a mischievous friend
instils into their minds, that they should have had a prize. Many
who would not care to condemn an award openly, will ask why
they did not win, or will say they preferred one of the unnoticed
pens to either of the prizetakers’, under the signature of
“TnpEx,’ or “B.,” or “Z.” Like the man staring at the
lion on Northumberland House, to seeif he did move his tail,
the example finds imitators, and a dozen who never thought of
it before are moved by a spirit of fun to do the same.

We cannot so easily dispose of the charge of dishonesty and
unfairness. We are afraid they are met with in every pursuit,
and we fear they always will be. Neither pcints nor prizes have
anything to do with it, and it is as common at chuck-halfpenny
as at screaming hazard.

We think the mistake made is in confounding two distinct
pursuits—breeding for exhibition, and for sale as food. ‘Lhere
is nothing in common between them. The prizetaker selis many
fowls. ‘hey are all bought either to exhibit or to breed ex-
hibition fowls. Hardly any one who walks round a poultry
show look at the birds as articles of food. Calculation, if there
be calculation, is about the number of eggs to be sold for sitting,
and of the chickens that are brothers and sisters to, or the pro-
duce of, the prize birds at the show. They are never bought to
improve the quality of market poultry ; they are bought for home
consumption sometimes.

The farmer will not, the labourer cannot, or is not allowed to
keep poultry. ‘he former is above it; the latter has not space.

‘His fowls trespass, or it is thought to be a temptation to him to
steal a pocketful of the corn with which he is surrounded when
at work, and his master forbids him to keep any.

We see nothing to laugh at in the Judgment of those who are
acknowledged to be competent, and who are above suspicion.
Where the appointment belongs to the person who will perform
the office least expensively, it cannot be expected that efficient
and superior men will accept it.

The overthrow of shows would diminish the quantity of poultry
bred one-half. To relinquish points of excellence is to ex-
tinguish poultry shows. There would be nothing to breed and to
show for. |

WHITEHAVEN CANARY, POULTRY, AND
PIGEON SHOW.

We shall give our report of this Show next week. ‘Che fol-
lowing is the list of awards :—

Canaries, Yellow Belgian.—First and Sccond, W. Lyon, Whitehaven.

Cananizs, Buff Belgian.—First and Second, W. Lyon, Whitehaven.

Mvzizs, Yellow.—First and Second, R, Bell, Whitehaven.

Mouts, Buff.—First and Second, lt. Bell, Whitehaven. —

Pieparp Cananizs, Yellow or Buff.—First, R. Bell, Whitehaven, Second,
C. Fitzsimmons, Whitehaven. ,

Lizanps, Gold or Silyer-spangled.—First, W. S. Penny, Middlesbrough-
on-Tees. Second, J. Walker, Whitehaven.

POULTRY.

Game, Black-breasted and other Reds.—First, J. Brough, Carlisle. Second,
H. Beldon, Bradford. Highly Commended, C. W. Brierley, Rochdale.
Commended, J. Bywell, Whitehaven; J. Gelderd, Kendal. i

Game, Duckwings and other Greys and Blues.—First, ©. W. Brierley,
Rockdale. Second, I’. Robinson, Ulverston, “ Highly Commended, H.
Thompson, Milnthorpe.

Game, any other variety.—First, H. Thompson, Milnthorpe.
Brough, Carlisle. Highly Commended, J. Doney, Aspatria.

SpanisH.—First, W. Cannan, Bradford, Yorkshire. Second, P. Mackay,
Millgrove. Chickens.—First, W. Cannan. Second, J. Towerson, White-
haven. Commended, J. Towerson.

Dorxine.—First, Mrs. Dixon, Rheda. Second, J. Bywell, Moresby.
Highly Commended, J: Doney, Aspatria; J. Todhunter, Whitehaven.
Chickens.—Fivst, J. Robinson, Garstang. Second, ©, Topping, Lane-end.
Highly Commended, J. Towerson, Whitehaven; M. Borthwick, Flimby.
Commended, J. Doney, Aspatria,

Second, J.

March 3, 1863. ]

Cocuiy-Curna, any variety.—First, W. Cannan, Bradford. Secon dR.
Jefferson. Highly Commended, R. H. Nicholas, Newport; F. W. Earle,
Prescot; R. Jefferson.

HamevrGus, Golden-spangled.—First, W. Cannan, Bradford. Second,
W. G. R. Jones, Parton. Highly Commended, J. Robinson, Garstang;
Commended, W. B. Clarke, Whitehaven.

Hampourons, Silver-spangled.—First, J. Robinson, Garstang. Second,
W. Cannan, Bradfora.

Eamburcus, any other variety.—First, W. Cannan, Bradford. Second,
J. Webster, Whitehaven. Chickens, any variety.—First, B. C. Curwen.
Second, W. Cannan, Bradford. Highly Commended, W. B. Clarke, White-
haven; A. Thompson, Cross; R. H. Nicholas, Newport; J. Webster.
Commended, J. Hetherington, Lamplough Hall.

PoLanp, any yariety.—First and Second, H. Beldon, Bradford.

Banraus, Game.—First, R. N. Nicholas, Newport. Second, J. Mashiter,
Ulverston. Highly Commended, J. Bywell, Moresby; J. Hall, Wigton.
Commended, H. A. Clarke, Aspatria; T. Christopherson; J. Cragg, Kendal ;
C. W. Brierley, Rochdale; J. Mashiter, Ulverston.

Banrams, Gold and Silver-laced.—F irst, W. Cannan, Bradford. Second,
J. Bywell, Moresby.

_BANTAMs, any other variety.—First, H. Beldon, Bradford. Second, D. A.
King, Moresby Cottage. Highly Commended, R. H. Nicholas, Newport;
J. Bywell, Moresby.

Ducks, Aylesbury.—First, B. C. Curwen, Harrington Rectory. Second,
H. Beldon, Bradford. Commended, M. Borthwick, Flimby.

Ducks, Rouen:—First, W. G. RB. Jones, Parton. Second, J. Towerson,

Whitehaven. High] "4 ‘ ; 3
Corkickie ishly Commended, W. Cannan, Bradford; J. Frears,
Ducks, any other variety.—First, F. W. Earle, Prescot (Black East

Indian), Second, W. Cannan, Bradford (Wi ck i
» W. (Wild Ducks). Highly Com-
eae J. Cragg, Kendal (Call Ducks): T Bell, Ulcoats Mill (Muscovies).
ech SET Rheda (Mallards); H. Beldon, Bradford (East

- ; . e 1erington, 2 nS. pak > -
Whitehaven (Wild Meta eee Hall (Musk Drake); J. Towerson,

Cine ‘ i PIGEONS.
Carfiah 1ERS.—First, J. & W. Towerson, Egremont. Second, R. Pickering.
Bene e. Highly Commended, W. Cannan, Bradford; J. & W. Towerson,
Stemont; H. Miers, jun., Whitehaven. Commended, S Sherwen, White-

haven.

Pia Almond.—First, A. L. Silvester, Birmingkam. Second, R.
Teas £, Carlisle. Commended, W. Cannan, Bradford.

am Whiten RECESS T. New, Westmoreland. Second H. Miers,

J eye any other variety.—First, H. Yardley, Birmingham. Second,

Spies Owerson, Egremont. Highly Commended, W. Cannan, Bradford;
“statrison, Linethwaite. Commended, S. Sherwen, Whitehaven.

fo ree —Rirst, H. Yardley, Birmingham. Second, W. Cannan, Brad-

I Bi ighly Commended, M. Iryin, Whitehayen ; C. W. Brierley, Rochdale;
: w ering, Carlisle. Commended, T. Kew, Westmoreland.
Pease —First, A. G. Brooke, St. Bees. Second, R. Brisco, Egremont.
“ACOEINS.—WVirst, W. Cannan, Bradford. Second, A.,L. Silvester, Bir-

minghsam, Commended, A. G. Brooke, St. Bees.

FERUMEETERS.— First, J. & W. Towerson, Egremont. Second, W. Cannan.
ighly Commended, H. Yardley, Birmingham.

ees nites A. G. Brooke, St. Bees. Second, M. Irwin, Whitehaven.
ighly Commended, A G. Brook; M. Irwin; A. L. Silvester, Birmingham.
TuRBirs.—First, Kt. Thompson, Kendal. Second, A. L. Silvester, Bir-

mingham. Highly Commended, R. Brisco, Egremont; R. Thompson;

J. & W. Towerson, Egremont.
Owns.—First and Second, J & W. Towerson, Egremont. Highly Com-

mended, W. Cannan. Bradford. Commended, S, Sherwen, Whitehaven.
ANY OTHER VARIETY NOT SPECIFIED ABOvE.—First, M. Irwin, White-

haven, Second, W. Cannan, Bradford. Highly Commended, M. Irwin;

H. Yardley, Birmingham. Commended, R. Thompson, Kendal.
Ragsrts, Lop-Eared.—Firs - We i g

Bean a irst,. J. W. Cowill, Egremont.
ANY OTHER Vaniery.—Prize, J. Todhunter, Whitchayen.

Game Cocz.—First and Cup, C. W. Brierley, Rochdale. Second, Mrs.
Dodds, Halifax. Third, T. Robinson, Ulverston. Highly Commended, J.
Baxter, Whitehaven; J. Mitchell, Egremont; R. T. Choyce, Whitehaven ;
BF. R. Locke, Whitehaven ; J. Weeks, Bootle; C. W. Brierley; T. Robinson.
Commended, H. Beldon, Bradford; J. Mashiter, Ulverston; J. Brough,
Carlisle. Cockerel.—¥irst, T. Robinson. Second, J. Blenkinsop, Maryport.
Third, H. Beldon. Highly Commended, T. Forsyth, Maryport; I. Wilson,
Parton; J. Mashiter. Commended, J. Hall, Wigton; J. Cragg, Kendal;
J. Gelderd, Kendal: C. W. Brierley.

Swrrpstakes, (Zurkeys).—E. Weston, Bootle. Goldfinch.—W. Lyon,
Whitehaven. eatest Bird Cage.—W. Robinson, Whitehaven.

_ Edward Hewitt, Esq., of Sparkbrook, near Birmingham, offi-
ciated as the Judge.

Second, H.

A MEMBER OF THE “LONG FIRM” CAUGHT.

A YounG man, named William Ridgeway, was brought up on
remand at the City Police Court, Feb. 25th, charged with having
stolen a hamper containing provisions and other articles, the
property of Mrs. Hampson, Moss Side. At the previous hearing
of the case an accomplice, named Lowe, was also charged with
the offence ; but, as the police had reason to believe that Lowe
was merely the victim of his companion, he was yesterday removed!
from the dock to the witness-boxz. His evidence, however,
supplied no new facts, escept that he was acting under in-
structions from Ridgeway. In the course of the examination
it was stated that the hamper containing pigs, for which Lowe
inquired at the railway station, arrived soon after Lowe had
taken the prosecutrix’s hamper. It was addressed “J. W.
Ridgeway, Esq., Bentinck Lodge, Manchester.’’ On the follow-

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

179

ing day, a man who claimed ten guineas in payment of these
pigs arrived in Manchester; but, as he could find no one to
give him the money, he returned the pigs to Ireland. In reply
to the magistrates, Sergeant Torr, of the detective police, said
that the prisoner was a member of the notorious “ long firm,”
He obtained a livelihood by writing to different parts of the
country for goods, for which he never paid. He was committed
for trial.

. BEE-HOUSE.

Mucu has been said from time to time in the columns of your
valuable Journal on the merits and demerits cf bee-houses; and
when I say bee-houses, I mean such buildings, be they of wood
or other materials, where the single hive or a whole series of
hives is entirely concealed from view. There can be little doubt,
I think, that ‘a house such as I’speak of, though it prevents the
hives suffering from the effects cf weather, rain, and so forth,
does effectually preclude the admission of that fresh and healthy
atmosphere around the hives so conducive to the well-being of
the bees themselves. But, again, I think the bee-hive may be
too much exposed, and that its inmates may sufier material
harm from a want of a proper and suitable protection. If, then,
as it appears to me, the protection in the way of an enclosed
house is not a thing much to be desired, and if the ordinary
earthen covering be not altogether a suitable protection, some-
thing, I feel, is required whereby the two evils resulting from too
close a protection on the one hand, and from an unsuitable one
on the other, may be so rectified as to produce a good result,
and this good result may, I think, be brought about by what L
would call

THE OPEN BEE-PROTECTOR.

Tt will be found of simple construction; while it allows’ of a
free current of air passing around the hives, and is so open that
the sun’s warmth may find its wey to each hive, and eo tend to
the early and more rapid increase of a now large population, it
yet effectually keeps off the extreme solar heat, and is also a
sufficient protection against wind and storm.

In the model I have forwarded with this communication, it
will be seen that the lower frame (fixed) is a barred one, and
for this reason, that in the event of the frame being only par-
tially occupied with hives, little or no wet may lodge on the
exposed part. ‘Lhe upper frame, also barred, is moveable, and:
is retained in any required position by two wooden bars running
through the main supports of the protector. This moveable
frame is furnished with eaves to protect the lower tier of hives
from’ the weather, and being barred, allows of supers being
easily worked on the lower hives independently of its own
position. The whole is surmounted by’a wooden roof, the front
a fixture, the back worked on hinges to allow of a more easy
access to the upper tier of hives. This, again, has a small coping

\

180)

roofiso constructed as to allow ofa free curvent of, air between
this and the lower roof, guarding also the upper hives entirely
from rain.

Being somewhat a novice in bee-keeping, my, ideas\as to the
suitableness of a construction, such as I have attempted to
describe as a protection for bees atall times, and in all weathers,
may be entirely wrong. However, 1 am inelined to think that
we novices may sometimes make a happy hit, and that more ex-
perienced apiarians than J at all pretend to be, may not altogether
despise the simple pretensions of “the open bee-protector.’’—
A.K. H., Westhorpe.

APIARIAN NOTES FROM MORAYSHIRE.

Bers first seen this season working in the open air on Feb-
ruary 10th; on the 13th carrying pollen freely from flowers of
early white and yellow-striped crocuses, snowdrops, Jasminum
nudiflorom, and Arabis verna. Vegetation considerably in ad-
vance for the season. Weather for the last ten days clear and
fine, with slight frosts at night. Observed on the 10th inst. some
turnips in full flower in the open field. _ Furze and daisies
flowering commonly. In the gardens Mitchell’s Prince Albert
rhubarb in the open quarters has stalks 6 inches long.—
J. WEBSTER,

BEES IN BUILDINGS.

In answer to the query of “A NortH-STaPFORDSHIRE BEr-
KEEPER,” December 30th, 1862, I have seen the experiment tried
different ways, ending in different results—yiz., a colony in a
garret or attic, south-east aspect, 14 feet from the ground, in
the centre of a window 3 feet wide, and about 3 feet from the
glass to the centre of the room. It began to breed earlier than
usual, and did well, throwing two swarms in that situation.
Others I have seen lower down, 1 foot 6 inches to 2 feet 6 inches
from the ground, which did very well at. a certain season, but in the
early spring they did not do so well, for being so low on the
ground the damp from the stone wall retarded their operations ;
and it being close, confined to the side, they never swarmed, for
getting into the corner between the hive and the wall, they
either lay out inactive, or commenced making combs in the space.
With regard to trying them in a building with a north-west
aspect, it would not do in this locality, as all the heavy storms
come from that direction. They might do very well in good
honey weather, but as the honey season generally lasts only
about two weeks here, they would probably lose a great many
bees in ordinary weather.

Of all the aspects for bees, I have proved to my perfect satis-
faction after about fourteen years experience on that point, that
a sheltered north aspect is the best, for in winter they are never
decoyed out by the tempting rays of the sun, and in summer
they work more constantly, and produce: more honey, as they
are always nearer one temperature. I have always found thata
west or south-west or north-west, is the very worst situation for.
bees, all the other directions being preferable by far to the last-
mentioned.

As a proof of what I have stated, I have seen it tried all ways,
and as I have a bee-house with the hives facing in all directions,
the stocks standing from north to south-east, are always prefer-
able, for the driving storm scarcely ever touches them, and
dryness is the great secret in haying good thriving hives.—
A LANARKSHIRE BEE-KREPER.

pa for the above. We shall always be glad to hear from
you.

DEATH OF A HIVE’S POPULATION.

A Disappointed Bee-keeper sends two pieces of comb from
a hive which she has lost within the last three weeks, and begs
to. be informed what. has. killed the bees, The hive is one of
Neighbour’s. The zine slide over the entrance was partially
closed, there being the little space to. admit of single bees leaving
or entering, One slide at the top was removed and the feeder
placed over it, and. the cover, then, placed over the top. The
food was not eaten, and eyidently not required, as. the hive
contained a good deal. of honey as-good as the specimen sent,
The hive shows no, appearance of damp except those spots where
the bees are clustered, a piece of which ia sent, and is perfectly
free from insects, The bees were all right three weeks since,
and were found dead yesterday. The queen was there, and

JOUBNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[{ March 3, 1863. -

seems to have died in the same way asthe others. Cana fright
kill bees? for in a high wind about a fortnight since, the cover
which was let down in front of the stand broke loose and flapped’
a good deal against the hives till secured. Another hive in the
same place was also dead, but evidently of dysentery, though they.
had a good supply of honey in their cells and were perfectly clean

[Of the.two pieces of comb which accompanied the above.
inquiry, one contained sealed honey of excellent quality, which,
of couxse, perfectly negatives the hypothesis of starvation, whilst
the centre of the other is coyered with mildew and dead bees.
They certainly were not frightened to death; but such a dis-
turbance as is described may indirectly have contributed to the
fatal result by causing a number of bees to disperse into the
colder parts of the hive, where they became so benumbed as to
be unable to return, whilst the main cluster was so diminished
by their defection and chilled by the dampness of the comb,
that the whole perished during the next frost. Why moisture
should have accumulated on that particular comb whilst all
the others remained dry, appeared to us at first an inexplicable
mystery; but on showing it to am experienced apiarian friend
he at once referred it to condensed moisture dropping from the
feeder; informing us at the same time of a case in point which
had occurred in his own apiary, in which he had found a cluster
of dead bees on a mildewed comb under precisely similar cir-
cumstances, | . ;

West Riprxe ConsormatEep Naruratists’ Socrery.—The.
fifth quarterly meeting of the above Society, established for the
more rapid dissemination of knowledge in the various branches
of local natural science; for making each society acquainted with
the natural history of the district of the others; and for the
exchange of specimens, &c., was held in the large hall of the
Assembly Rooms, Leeds, on the 17th ult., at three o’clock in the
afternoon. The meeting was attended by members of the Leeds,
Halifax, Huddersfield, Wakefield, and Heckmondwike Societies,
After the despatch of the usual routine. business, the Chairman
requested that any member who had specimens would lay them
on the table, when several specimens of Lepidoptera, shells, &c.,_
were produced, among which we noticed three fine specimens of
Antiope, which were exhibited and verified to haye been caught
in Wakefield, by Mr. Talbot, of that. place, also P. iota in the
larve, pups, and imago. state, all animate, and bred from the
same batch of eggs, by Mr. B. Gibson, of Wakefield. Mr. John
Connell, of Leeds, exhibited a series of fossil shells from the
Leeds carboniferous formation, and most liberally requested any
gentleman present to select specimens for their own cabinets,
which generous offer was most freely responded to. The Rev.
T. Hicks, B.A., president of the Leeds Naturalists’ Society,
lectured on “ Land and Marine Shells.” The lecture was illus-
trated by coloured diagrams, and the manner in which the
lecturer explained the action of the bivalves, the formation of
pearls, the provision for renewing the broken shell, and the
other interesting phenomena elicited by the topic, gave evidence
of a most careful study, extensive research, and a thorough
knowledge of the subject.

OUR LETTER BOX.

Deyizes Pourrry SHow.—The conduct and management of this Poultry
Exhibition is aboveall praise, I have never had my birds during the eight
yearsI have been an exhibitor returned so expeditiously from any pouliry
show, and I have never in any. instance had the prize money obtained
remitted so promptiy. Other poultry shows would do well to imitate so
good an example. I really hope the Devizes Show will confinue to flourish.
Such excellent management is well deserving of patronage; and, if the
period for holding it were somewhat more judiciously chosen, 1 have no
doubt it would secure the success it so well merits.—P. C,, Oswestry.

M. Sora’s Pouttry EsTaBLisHMEnT ( 7V¥.).—We cannot guide you, and the
expense ofa visit thither we do not think needed, for we believe that we have
information on all points connected with poultry which may be fully relied
upon; and if you will explain the points on which you want information,
we shall be happy to impart it to you. You must make up your mind to
begin in a small way, and you must not be discouraged if yon fail at first,

Foop RequireD By PovuLTEy (Clumber).—We can only answer your
question with a qualification. The quantity fowls require depends much
on their condition. If they have come from a place where they haye been
fully, if not over, fed, they require but little. They are full of meat and
fat, and nature is satisfied andat rest. Ifthey have beenon short commons
they are rayenous andinahungry condition. Nature requires food, and for
a time at least they are great consumers. Taking them at a medium, we
consider a pint and a half of corn shouid keep a full-grown Dorking during
a week, haying no,other help. than that derived from seeking in grass and
shrubberies. Half the quantity should be enough in a farmyard where
there is threshing going on. Ground food is cheaper than whole food, and
oats are. better than barley forthe purpose, The whole ofthe corn should
be ground, and nothing taken from it.

March 10, 1863.] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND OOTTAGE GARDENER. 181
WEEKLY CALENDAR.
| | WEATHER NEAR LONDON IN 1862.
Day , Day Moon Clock
of | of MARCH 10—16, 1863. if Rain in| 892 Sun | Rises |Moon’s| before | Day of
M’nth Week, Barometer. |Thermom.| Wind. Inches, | Rises Sets. jandSets} Age. Sun Year.
degrees. m. h.| m. h.| m. bh. m, 8.
10 Tu Lungwort flowers. 29.959—29.876 59—51 S.W. 24 28 af6 | 53af5 | morn. 20 10 32 69
ll Ww Elm flowers. 29,828—29.648 55—37 S.W. «04 DIV | EE a ea) | 21 10 16 70
12 Tu Wych Hazel flowers. 29.697—29.642 58—35 8.W. 06 24 6/|56 5/|380 1 C 10 0 71
13 F C. Loddiges died, 1826. G. 29.990—29.914 54—38 N. 02 QO V6) 58). 5) | 028) F228 9 44 72
14 Ss Squill flowers. 30.112—30.084 49—38 N.E. —e 19 6 vi. 16 3 24 9 27 73
15 | Sun | 47H, or MipLenT Sunpay. 30.098—30.013 | 49—39 | N.E. = He) BO 6 BE 8 25 9 10 74
16 M Whortleberry flowers. 29.950—29.813 46—38 N.E. 46 15 6) 8 6/25 4 26 8 53 | 75
METEOROLOGY OF THE WEEK.—At Chiswick, from observations during the last thirty-six years, the average highest and lowest
temperatures of these days are 50.6° and 33.5° respectively. The greatest heat, 67°, occurred on the 10th, in 1826; 12th, in 1841; and 15th,
in 1828; and the lowest cold, 7°, on the 10th, in 1847. During the period 152 days were fine, and on 100 rain fell.

THE RESPECTIVE MERITS OF HOT-WATER
AND FLUE HEAT.

HE very courteous letter of
Mr. Craw, at page 9, on the
above subject, calls for some
further remarks; and if in
giving my views on this or

any other matter, I shall in any
way depart from the line of cour-
tesy which graces Mr. Craw’s
communication, I can only say
that rude contradictions, and still
less personal offence, are never
intended in any article of con-
troversy in which I am engaged.
There is the less chance of such
intention, inasmuch that, I think
it agreeable at times to find a dif-
ference of opinion on some of the
subjects brought forward; and
when the merits of each of the
plans recommended are placed
before the reading public, a just
conclusion may be arrived at as to their respective ad-
vantages. John Bull has generally sufficient discern-
ment to know what plan will suit him best, and it con-
sequently receives the support it deserves. The subject
now under consideration is one of the utmost importance,
not only to the professional gardener, but to the numerous
class of amateurs who with limited means are anxious to
combine to the utmost economy with efficiency.

A competition between hot-water pipes and flues is
likely to enlist a much greater number of advocates on
the side of the first-named plan than on that of the other ;
but this does not dishearten me from advocating the
claims of the lesser fayourite. It was in certain cases
only that I ever meant to urge its claims to distinction,
and the general reader will easily comprehend that my
purpose was not to urge it as suitable for all places re-
quiring heating, but for those so circumstanced as to fuel
and other things, as to make it advisable to adopt the
much-despised flue. To make my purpose clear, it will
be necessary to allude to collateral matters bearing on
the heating of glass structures.

In large places where a number of forcing and other
houses are connected together, it is almost needless to
say that a well-constructed hot-water apparatus is deci-
dedly the best mode of heating yet known. I give this
opinion without any reserve whatever as to the price
of fuel or other local circumstances. The respective
claims of the various boilers and other fittings I will
leave until another time: suffice it here to say, that I
cordially agree with Mr. Craw, and others, that for such
large and varied structures hot-water pipes stand pre-
eminently before flues. But when an amateur puts up a
small greenhouse to contain a few plants, or, perhaps, a
vinery, which he is not particular about forcing very hard,

No. 102.—Vot. IY., New Srerss.

it then becomes an object of consideration to him to adopt
the cheapest and most efficient mode of heating that he
can consistently with a tolerable certainty that it will
work well.

Now, my experience teaches me, that although hot
water heats and does its work well on a large scale, it
does not do so when the parts are diminutive. Although
a large or moderate-sized boiler answers admirably, a
small one is often a source of continual trouble and
vexation. The reason of this is obvious enough. A fire of
fair size will act and do its work well; but a very small
one fed by some of those self-feeding contrivances re-
commended by the inventor, is liable to go out altogether
before consuming one-fourth of the fuel, the fuel stick-
ing in the throat of the hopper or feeding channel. This
is one reason I have against heating small houses with
diminutive hot-water contrivances, and JI have seen
several disasters from the cause I speak of ; while to avoid
them, a frequent and confining attention is required,
alike inconvenient and punishing to all but the ardent
admirer of the contents of the house. This is one of the
cases in which I either would advise the old flue, or
suggest another description of boiler and heating appa-
ratus than many of such as are now in use.

The next case in which flues have advantages, is in such
a place as the one where I noticed they had been worked
so long—Ravensworth Castle, where coals are cheap, even
more so, I believe, than Mr. Craw has estimated them at.
But allowing them to cost 4s. per ton, it follows that it is
hardly so necessary to go to a great expense in erecting a
heating contrivance to economise coals at that price, as it
would be if they were 34s. per ton, and even greater
extremes than these sometimes are met with. In my
own practice, the highest price I remember ever giving
for coals was 40s., and the lowest Is., or 1s. 6d., and it
appears that economy of fuel at the last-named price is
not a matter of sufficient importance to be worth spending
a large sum in the erection of a peculiar mode of econo-
mising fuel. It is, therefore, in places where coals are
cheap that I think the merits of the old-fashioned flue
are often overlooked; for supposing the saving in coals to
be one-half, or even more, it is not an important affair
where they are so cheap, and in like manner where the
structure requires only to be kept at a low temperature,
as for instance, an ordinary greenhouse, where it is only
necessary to apply fire to prevent the internal atmosphere
falling below 40°, the number of times a fire is really
wanted is comparatively few.

Take, for instance, the present winter—an unusual one
it must be admitted; but up to the time I write, the
16th of January, we have not had sufficient frost yet to
kill out-door Geraniums. Some variegated ones in a
rustic vase in front of my cottage, fully exposed, that
were injured and lost most of their leaves in N ovember,
by some frosts we had then, have evidently not been
killed in the stem, as they are now shooting out again.
Firing for greenhouse purposes has, therefore, only been
necessary to drive out damp; and the frosty nights in which
a fire is required to protect the plants, will, most probably,

No. 754.—Vot. XXIX., Op SERIES.

182

be few this ceason. Thus, even where coals are dear, the ex-
pense of a hot-water apparatus may be sayed in a house of
this kind: I'grant the case is widely different, when a minimum
of 55° is wanted, instead of one of 48° or 40° being maintained.
In the former case a continual fire is wanted, and the most
economical one is, no doubt, the best, and in such cases hot
water stands pre-eminent.

‘To make the matter of absolute cost appear more plain to
those not haying had much experience in heating a garden struc-
ture, I will give a very common example. Supposing that an
amateur wishes to erect a lean-to glass house against a wall that
already exists, and at the back of which there is convenience for
a fireplace ; and assuming the house to be 40 feet long by 15 feet
wide, and of a proportionate height at back, the question is how
to heat it. Most likely hot water will be recommended. Now,
to heat a single house like this, which we suppose to be a plain
substantial structure, the hot-water apparatus will cost yery little
short of one-half the amount which sufficed to erect the building,
and, possibly, more than that. ‘This is a large item, and the
saving of coals in the heating of one house only is not so much
as where there are several all heated from one source; besides, a
hot-water apparatus on a large, or moderately large, scale is not
half so tedious to manage as a very small one.

Now, this is by no means a solitary case. Many amateurs have
the means and wish to erect a house like the one alluded to, with
a shelf for plants and other internal fittings, but they feel they
have committed an error when, after the house is erected, they
find the heating apparatus so costly. To such I would say,
Inquire at what expense a flue could be put up, and if that be
one-third the cost of the more fashionable mode, it is for you to
decide which plan yeu would like to adopt. The attention and
management of both are much alike in regard to trouble—easy
enough in both cases, and both liable to go wrong through
carelessness. \

It would be easy to multiply instances where the flue answers
all the purposes of a heating medium ; but, be it remembered, I
by no means oppose it to hot water in places where many houses
are connected, or where they all want warming to something like
stove heat. In such cases to use the flue, unless in the coal
country, would be imprudent; but this subject as well as that
of the comparative cost of a flue with that of hot water, I have
gone into more fully in another article, on the “Heating of
Hortieultural Buildings,” so that it is needless inserting it here.
T cannot, however, omit repeating that in which I am pleased to
find Mr. Oraw coincides with me, that the blacks from a smoke-
flue are not half so bad as those from the fire of a boiler heated
by coal. With regard to the maintenance of a steady heat by
flues, a little practice will enable the knight of the stokehole to
do that with greater nicety than he ever can with hot water. I
speak this from experience, haying many times in early life had
upwards of twenty flue-fires to manage, and with due attention
to the appearances of the weather at ten o'clock at night, so
regulated the quantity of fuel put on, that the thermometers in
the morning seldom showed more than two or three degrees
difference from the point aimed at, and very often that point was
exactly maintained; and this without any attention after the
hours I have mentioned until six the next morning. Practice
alone can insure this, and in the case of a fire put on at bedtime
on the sudden appearance of frost setting in, there was, of
course, some delay and uncertainty; but generally the night
attention required by flues is not greater than that necessary for
hot water, and I have never known a flue half so tedious as some
hot-water contrivances are.

Of the relative merits of the heat emitted by the new system
there is a diversity of opinion, some asserting that that given off
by hot-water pipes is more moist and genial to vegetation. That
it may be more genial is not unlikely, but in what way it can
communicate moisture I am at’ a loss to know, unless the mode
of heating be the open-gutter plan. Certainly, however, the heat
is an agreeable one, and unless the pipes be newly painted there
is never any unpleasant smell or vapour arising from them. This
is, unfortunately, not the case with the flue, for when the fire is
first'lighted after the flue has been out of use some time there is
a yery disagreeable odour given off, and now and then there are
absolutely escapes of smoke. It is, therefore, beat to put on
the fire in the daytime and allow the yentilators to be open,
and a(ter the fine is dry the smell ceases, When flues are in
regular work, there are many who affirm that the heat emitted
is, less sluggish than that of lot water, the current of air being
greater, Whether this be so is more than I can affirm, but it is

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ March 10, 1863.

cextain that in many old-fashioned houses the plants do remark-
ably well under the old flue system,

I will conclude by again recommending the intending builders
of a greenhouse or late grapery, to inquire the respective costs
of hot water and a flue. If he find the cost of a hot-water con-
trivance for heating two small houses will exceed what would
build a third, and put flues into them all, and if he happened
to live in a neighbourhood where fuel is cheap, I leave it for him
to decide whether he would rather haye three houses than two.
This plain way of placing the matter is no vague theory, and is
easily understood by any one inquiring what the heating con-
trivance for single houses costs. J. RoBson.

THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY’S
SCHEDULES FOR 1863.

For what purpose, we may ask, was the Royal Horticultural
Society resuscitated? Did not the late’ Prince Consort imagine
that when he fanned into life that languid spark which bad
management had pretty well extinguished, it was for the encou-
ragement of floriculture and horticulture? We have now had
some little experience of the results, and we may well ask, Was
it not for these purposes re-established ?

I could say much on many points showing that those objecis
have not been regarded; but I must confine my notes to my
avowed object, and will turn to the schedules.

The times for which the shows are fixed first demand a word.
I do not enter into the question of fixing the great shows on
the same days as those at the Royal Botanic Society, for, this
might be laid to the charge of one Society as well as the other.
But there were two shows which were eminently successful last
year —the Hyacinth Show in March and the Kose Show in July ;
and what have the Exhibition Committee done this year P They
put the Hyacinth Show into February—three weeks too soon ;
and paid the penalty in having about the tithe of the attendance,
and in having several of the most popular flowers wholly un-
represented.

But of all insane things their treatment of the Rose Show is
the most mad. Last year they took, 1 believe, £800, and cleared
£400 by it. One vould have thought that so good a source of
income would have been fostered to the fullest extent: but no!
They have killed the goose, and no more golden eggs are to be
had—having actually done away with the Rose Show and added
it on to their July Exhibition! One knows pretty well what
a favourite the Rose is; and how is it possible for persons
thoroughly to enjoy it when they haye another exbibition to
see at the same time? It will be like poor Mrs, Haprris trying
to see the International Exhibition and the Soane Museum in
one day, and coming away with a confused notion that it was
very surprising how people could wear such old-fashioned
watches now-a-days, and how kind it was of the Queen to send
such a large piece of gold as the Victoria trophy when so many
thieves were about.

Passing by the spring schedules, only remarking that they
seem to be peculiarly shabby, and that there was not much
wisdom in requiring Auricula-growers to exhibit six varieties of
alpines and only eight of the ordinary kinds, when, as I believe,
there are not more than a dozen kinds of the former and about
150 of the latter, I pass on to the large shows; and one cannot
but be at once taken aback at the very Jarge sum given for
Crchids—indeed out of the £452 offered in prizes, £113 are
offered at the May Show for them, and £124, for stove and green-
house plants, or more than half for those two classes alone, -

T may be told that Orchids are such very expensive plants
to grow that it is necessary that large sums be offered for
them. Very true, but so are Azaleas. JI do not think Iam far
wrong in saying that a house in which a dozen such Azaleas as
are exhibited by the principal growers could be well managed,
would grow a collection of Orchids of some five hundred plants ;
and when the expense of taking them to and from the Show is
considered, the balance is all against the Azaleas—not more
than three or four plants can be placed im a van capable of con-
taining the whole twenty Orchids.

Again: Is it net time that something be done im restricting
the size of greenhouse plants? It isnot, as itis with Azaleas,
that you obtain a mountain of bloom, for the Boronias, Cho-
rozemas, Aphelexes, &c., which one is now sick and tired of
seeing, neyer make that display ; and Bricas, hardwooded and
difficult plants as they are, are restricted. Why should not

March 10, 1863. ]

greenhouse plants share the same fate? Next, on what prin-
ciple is it that amateurs are placed in a more fayoured position
than nurserymen? “Oh, they sell their plants, and it is an
advertisement for them!’ But is this to be considered in en-
deavyouring to bring together the best display that can be ob-
tained? I think not; for surely every encouragement should
be given to those who so largely maintain the credit of these
exhibitions.

Very much was said last season, when the complaints of the
florists were brought forward, about the desire of the Council
to meet their wishes, and conferences of some members of the
Committee with that body were mooted. With what feelings
of disgust, then, does one see that, instead of a forward, a retro-
grade movement has been made! Not only have no fresh
flowers been introduced, but Tulips have been excluded from
the May Show altogether, while no attempt has been made to
introduce Pansies, which are then in their prime.

TI object to the term “ florists’ flowers” altogether, but am
compelled to use it for want of a better, although it is indefinite,
and might be made to embrace now almost everything that is
grown; 80 that nothing could be more ad captandum than the
paper that appeared in one of your contemporaries, comparing
the sums spent on florists’ flowers and on other plants, and
showing how largely the florists gained. The truth is, that
there is a sort of foolish prejudice in the minds of the Council
against cut flowers. Some they cannot do without, but they
have tried their best to nullify what they do offer. It is, L
believe, the cause of their abolishing the Rose Show as a distinct
exhibition. It is also the cause of their peculiarly shabby
autumnal show (of which more anon) ; and to it I suppose we
must attribute the exclusion of the Tulip, Pansy, Pink, Car-
nation, Picotee, and Ranunculus from the great shows.

What folly it seems to be not to endeavour to please all
parties. £50 or £100 might very well be spared from stove
plants, Orchids, &e., and would satisfy a very large number of
real lovers of flowers. As it is, signs of discontent are showing
themselves elsewhere. A Chrysanthemum Society has been
formed ; and one would not be at all surprised to find that
this extended itself to other flowers, as was suggested by more
than one speaker at the meeting where it was established.

I must ask you to permit me to recur to this subject next
week, as my simple desire is to benefit floriculture, while at the
same time [ do not wish to injure the cause of a Society at
whose shows I amn—ANn EXHIBITOR.

VINES INJURED BY MICE. —-

I wise to offer a few words ia re the mice, as we lawyers say,
in answer to an inquiry of your correspondent “R. F.,” who
weekly favours us with his valuable notes on the ‘‘ Doings of the
Last Week.”

He speaks of the ravages of this shrewd little destroyer upon
his Vines, and inquires whether anybody else ever knew the like.
T never did until this year. I have known rats destroy by whole-
sale the roots of a fruitful Vine in a garden belonging to my
sister af no great distance from this; but I haye never known
mice do any injury in this respect until the present year.

My Vines, three in number, are planted outside my house,
which has apertures for the stems quite sufficient to admit a good
supply of air, and, of course, any number of mice. One day my
attention was excited by a sort of rustling nibbling noise, which
was unusual; but I did not at first give much attention to it.
Day after day the eame sound struck me, and at last I began to
think there must be some cause forit. I accordingly made search,
and was not long in discovering the cause; for there sat, as
sleek and as fat as high feeding could make him, Mr. Mouse,
just under the front shelf of the greenhouse, and in close con-
tiguity to one of my Vine stems. I could not deal with the
offender at the moment, but it led me to make an investigation,
the result of which was that I discovered that all my three
Vines were gnawed quite to the inner bark by this pestilent
little enemy. I immediately went to work, and set four or five
traps with the most tempting baits I could think of—peas, beans,
and new cheese—but all in vain; he preferred the sweet juices
of the Vine to all my daiuties ; and at last I was obliged to cast
humanity to the winds, and transfix him with a fork, and so I
delivered myself from my enemy, and I hope saved my Vines.
Had he been allowed to continue his ravages a little longer 1
fully believe it would have been all over with them, andI do not
yet feel certain they are safe.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

183

I should mention that it was not on the Vine stems only that
he had feasted, for he had treated in the same way a good many
bedding Geraniums which stood on the shelf in front of the
house ; these he had barked all round, and of course they were
completely destroyed. I subsequently caught a second, not by
the same cruel process, but in one of my traps, which confirms
me in the view I have been led to take, that at this season of the
year mice go in pairs, and, therefore, if you mean to exterminate
your enemy you must deal a double blow.

_A word or two now as to the cause of this unexampled in-
fliction. Generally in this quarter of my garden I have early
Peas and Beans, This year Ihave none, and my garden has
been particularly bare of everything that would seem to be the
legitimate food for this destroyer.

As the thief says when taken, “We must live somehow,”
and so, as there was nothing for them outside the house, my
little friends thought it no trespass to venture inside in search
of a livelihood, and have paid the penalty.—R. R.

A FEW DAYS IN IRELAND.
STRAFFAN HOUSE.
(Concluded from page 169.)

We must now finish by giving some account of this very
striking flower garden, consisting of two massive parterres which
present themselves on entering the gate, one parterre being
placed on the left hand, and the other on the right hand of the
main gravel walk which divides them from each other; the
parterre on the one side is a counterpart of that on the other
side. The main walk is 9 feet in width. A plan of one side
is here given. The beds are all nicely Box-edged, and divided
from each other by gravel paths of 3 feet in width. These par-
terres, each 120 feet by 56 feet, were laid out by Mr. Kelly ; and
the Hon. Mrs. Barton and Hugh Lyndoch Barton, Hsq., take
great interest in the arrangement and planting every season.

One of the charms of this garden for flowers placed in a kitchen
garden is, that just like a similar garden at Raith, which we
noticed some years ago, when looking at the flowers no views or
considerations of the merely useful are obtruded upon you, unless,
perhaps, a bright vision of luscious Grapes in the vineries at the
farther end already alluded to. Eyerything connected with the
kitchen garden is excluded from sight or thought by a fine
Privet hedge on each side, 10 feet in height, though planted only
a few years. In front of this hedge, longitudinally, are a series
of bold wide arches coyered with hardy creepers, with fine
Hollyhocks in the openings; and in front of these again, each in
its separate bed and at equal distances from each other, a fine
row of healthy large-headed tree Roses of equal height and of
the best kinds. Standing on the central walk, on whichever
side you look you are presented with a fine rich background to
reflect the brilliant colours in the beds. | We must content our-
selyes with a few words on the position of the parterres, the styles
of planting, and a hint or two to be considered if not adopted.

The first impression as the eye goes froxn side to side of this
garden is one of overpowering brilliancy, from the vast blaze of
colours presented in one uniform slope or level. This very
brilliancy, the great number of beds, and their nearness to each
other, are apt, when looked at from a distance, to mingle and
merge together, so as to give variety of shade instead of distinet-
ness in colouring. This would be still more the case but for the
incline of the ground.

Such parterres, to be seen to the very best effect, should have
such a position as they would have enjoyed, had they been one
on each side of the fine flight of steps that takes you tothe panel
gardens. The next best would be the position they now occupy,
but with that centre walk some 2 feet higher than a regular ground
level of the fower-beds. The third best is that which has been
adopted, not a ground level the same as that of the walk, but
rising from it by a gentle incline on each side. By this means
the plants in the farthest beds are brought nearer the eye,
and are seen more distinctly than if all the beds had been on
the same level. This effect was also frequently increased by the
taller-growing plants being used next the line of Roses, and the
dwarfer ones next the middle main walk; but always so as to
preserve uniformity of slope, showing the advantage in such
an arrangement of studying heights as well as colours.

“ Uniformity of slope! Why that is next thing to uniformity
of level,‘ or keeping clumps on the level!” we think we hear a
learned gentleman say, who wrote us such a nice letter last week,

JOURNAL OF HORTICULIURE AND COTTAGH GARDENER.

{ March 10, 1863.

that we hops he will give the purport of it somewhat enlarged | for variety instead of any attempt at balancing in regular geo-

to the Hditors for the general benefit; the purport of the part
of the letter to which we are now referring being an advocacy
for planting beds on the level instead of elevating them at all in
the centre—in other words, objecting to the opinion we ex-
pressed of the raised beds on the terrace of circles at Wood-
stock. ‘Now, with all due deference to the opinion of our kind
Mentor, we should not easily be convinced that that terrace
would have anything like the same gorgeous effect, if each circle
were planted so as to be level across; but we thoroughly agree
with him, though we should not object to a few prominent raised
parts, that in such a parterre as is here represented, if placed
not only beneath the eye but below the level of the feet of the
spectator, the more level each bed is from side to side, and the
more uniform the general level of the beds throughout, the better
will be the effect. ‘To raise the beds of such a parterre much in
their centres would throw the whole into a series of ridge and
furrow ; and, therefore, when looked at from a distance, little
except the ridges of the farther beds could be clearly seen. The
same principle must be kept in view in the slightly sloping
ground of these parterres. ‘The beds as a whole should not only
be level, and plants of similar height be used as much as possible
so as to lessen pruning and pegging, but the rising slope of the
ground may even be added to, by having the tallest plants next
the Roses. Any great break in the uniform slope would act as
a ridge and conceal what was beyond. Circumstances, therefore,
should regulate treatment and modes of action. We see no
reason why a single bed, a terrace of a line of circles, or even
an avenue of beds, whatever their form, should be treated the
same as a Close-packed parterre, over which the eye is intended
to sweep at once.

The beds of these parterres were not only well filled, but there
had, on the whole, been an extremely successful attempt made to
secure the desirable level and slope. If you ask us what was
the system of planting as respects colours adopted, we should be
inclined to say, it was a system thoroughly orthodox, and yet
perfectly heterodox. Hyen a passing examination would have
given you examples of shading, examples of contrast, instances
of balancing, and instances of uniformity ; but then these ap-
peared to come in less as a matter of primary design than as
adjuncts to carry out the main idea, which seemed to be that
each parterre should in itself form a harmonious whole con-
stituted of as diversified parts as possible. It was, therefore, but
seldom that the opposite pair or balancing-beds were planted
alike, or eyen of similar colours. We never could please our-
selves with this mode of planting, and we never were thoroughly
satisfied with what has been done by others. As carried out at
Straffan, it was by far the best we had seen, and that most likely
because the idea was not driven too hard. ‘There must have
been ten times more thought required than any mere simple
system of centering and balancing, and to us the latter with all
ifs simplicity is the most pleasing. We have had many rubs on
this subject already ; and, as in the case of the raised circles, we
expect to get many more from the ladies and gentlemen of
progress. Well, after a fair share of bantering, we have gone to
some places to see the working-out of this grand new idea where
variety is to be everything, and balancing and uniformity nothing.
We have seen single beds with six or seven patches of colour
and of all heights and sizes, and frequently the highest where the
lowest should be. We have been asked to admire the beauty of
a geometrical group where not only no two beds were at all
alike in colouring, nor yet any bed that had its own ends and
sides balanced either in colour or in height. And then there
were ribbon-beds and borders looking one way, with tall plants
at the back, and low plants between tall plants, and all for
yariety. And, again, there were ribbon-borders that faced two
sides, with one side filled with tall plants as if they meant to go
to the clouds, and the other side not only dissimilar in colour,
but clothed with plants so clinging to the earth as if they wished
to gravitate to its centre; and all this striving for variety and
much scheming for effect ending in what most people, except
the planners, looked upon as a careless, unmeaning pitching of
things fogether. One of the most earnest of these mere variety
advocates, pointed somewhat triumphantly to a pretty pair of
ponies in a phaeton carriage, one cream-coloured, the other a
piebald, like a magpie, and exclaimed, “You see I wili have
variety in everything.” “Not quits yet,” was the calm reply ;
“the two sides of the carriage are yellow, the two wheels are
blue. What a pity there should be any uniformity.” f

Could we see the desirableness of encouraging this mere taste

metric parterres, we should have given the planting in these
parterres at Straffan in 1861 as combining variety and some
little duplicating and balancing with much harmony and beanty.
But as Mr. Kelly has most kindly given us the lists of several
years’ planting, and told us to take which we liked, and say and
do just what we liked with them, we haye with some reluctance
taken the pianting of 1862, because assured by visitors that the
results were at least equally gorgeous with 1861, because we
ourselves are more pleased with the more simple mode adopted,
and because Mr. Kelly himself, after being so successful in planting
for variety, has last season adopted chiefly the balancing system.

The beds are all numbered, except the four large ones at the
four corners, which are named first, second, &c. The parterre
on the left-hand side of the centre walk was thus planted :—
1, Lobelia speciosa; 2, 2, Yellow Calceolarias ; 3, Tom Thumb
Geranium ; 4, 4, Lord of the Isles ‘pink Verbena and Saponaria
calabrica ; 5, 5, -- cross of Tom Thumb, filled up with Flower
of the Day and Manglesii Geraniums; 6,6, Purple King Ver-
bena; 7, 7, Annie Clayton Verbena, white, and Cerastium to-
mentosum ; 8, 8, Mrs. Archer Clive Verbena, maroon, and
Rouge et Noir Verbena; 9, Yellow Calceolaria; 10, ribboned—

March 10, 1863. ]

centre Golden Chain Geranium, sides Lobelia speciosa; 11, Pe-
rilla centre, Troprolum Stamfordianum sides; 12, ribboned—
Heliotrope centre, sides Tom Thumb Geranium; 13, 13, Cerise
Unique Geranium, and Lord Raglan Verbena; 14, 14, Silver-
edged and Manglesti Geranium ; 15, 15, Gazania, and Mrs. Moore
Verbena; 16, 16, Victory Verbena and Tropwolum elegans ;
17, 17, Mesembryanthemum tricolor and Lobelia; 18, 18, Lo-
belia and Mesembryanthemum; 19, 19, Mesembryanthemum
and lilac Verbena ; 20, 20, lilac Verbena and Mesembryanthe-
mum; 21, 21, white Iyy-leaved Geranium and Cerastium ;
22, 22, Rouge et Noir and Hendersoni Verbena; 23, yellow
Caleeolaria ; 24, 24, pink Geranium and Mrs, Mildmay pink
Verbena; 25, 25, cross -+- Tom Thumb, filled with Flower of
the Day and Manglesii Geranium; 26, 26, Purple King Verbena;
27, 27, yellow Calceolaria; 28, Thompson’s King Geranium,
scarlet, with dark horseshoe leaf; 29, Lobelia speciosa. Angle
beds :—First, centre row of Hendersoni white Geranium ; row
on each side of Thompson’s King, scarlet; and two rows on
each side of Manglesii. Second bed, centre Oakleaf Geranium ;
then two lines of scarlet Duchess of Leinster, and two lines at
side of cinnamon-scented Geranium. Third bed, Shrubland Pet
centre; Silver-edged Geranium, two lines ; pink Ivy-leaved, two
rows all round. Fourth bed, Cooperi, scarlet Geranium for
centre, fine; two rows of Hendersoni on each side; and two
rows round the sides of Cerise Unique Geranium.

On the right-hand side, the same figures and numbers being
next the walk :—No. 1 is Miss Trotter Verbena; 2, 2, yellow
Calceolaria; 3, Madeline; 4, 4, Purple King; 5, 5, + pink
eross, filled with white Saponaria and Cerastium ; 6, 6, Duchess
of Leinster and Commander-in-Chief Geranium; 7, 7, Miss
Trotter and Defiance Verbena; 8, 8, Purple King Verbena;
9, yellow Calceolaria ; 10, Flower of the Day centre, filled with
Hendersoni Verbena; 11, centre Scarlet Geranium, filled with
Lobelia speciosa; 12, Manglesii Geranium and Venosa Verbena;
13, 13, Mrs. Mildmsy Verbena and Lord of the Isles; 14, 14,
Annie Clayton and Bridesmaid; 15,15, Gazania and dwarf
Purple Nosegay Geranium ; 16, 16, Géant des Batailles Verbena
and Crimson Nosegay Geranium; 17, 17, cinnamon-scented
Geranium and Mesembryanthemum; 18, 18, Monoth Verbena
and Harkaway Geranium; 19, 19, Evening Star Verbena and
Mesembryanthemum; 20, 20, Mesembryanthemum and cinna-
mon-scented Geranium ; 21, 21, Evening Star and Lord of the
Isles Verbena ; 22, 22, Purple King Verbena and Lobelia;
23, yellow Calceolaria; 24, 24, Hmma and Hector Verbena;
25, 25, pink cross + Verbena, filled with Annie Clayton, sur-
rounded with Cerastium ; 26, 26, Tom Thumb and Duchess of
Leinster scarlet Geranium; 27, 27, Amethystina Verbena ;
28, yellow Calceolaria ; 29, Lord Raglan Verbena. First angle
bed, scarlet, centre row of Tom Thumb ; two rows on each side
of Manglesii ; and two rows of Lobelia speciosa. Second bed,
Perilla ; centre row, Tropzolum elegans two lines, and two rows
of Variegated Alyssum. Third bed, variegated crimson Ivy-leaf
Geranium ; centre, pink and white-flowering Ivy-leaved—a fine
bed. Fourth bed, centre Trentham Rose Geranium ; two rows
of Thompson’s King, and two rows of Variegated Alyssum.

In looking over this plan, we should say that the plants are
more alike in height than in 1861; but it will also be noticed
that the tallest are the farthest from the walk, so as to keep the
regularity of the slope. We found crossed beds, which, no
doubt looked well, but we miss some beautiful mixed beds of

iums and Verbenas, which we admired very much. It will
be noticed that the parterre is balanced (and the figures are just
cut out for being balanced) with similar colours, except the two
long ones in the middle, and the four corner beds, though, in our
opinion, if would have been as well if the same rule had been
applied to them. Very likely, too, we would have balanced both
sides of the walk, making uniformity the rule here likewise. This
has not been quite discarded, but the prominent idea is to make
each parterre a separate garden in itself, and here, most likely,
tastes will ever vary, just as one lady may prefer to see a finely
matched pair of horses for her carriage, and another may prefer
the colour of the pair to be as dissimilar as possible. The parties
that pay for the horses and the flower-beds have the best right
to gratify their own views on the subject. The Mesembryan-
themum tricolor, &c., just suit the little beds in the centre, and
in bright weather are very sparkling. Some light or white
colours more in the centre would tone-down brighter colours at
the sides ; but the want of whites is neutralised by the masses of
bright yellow, such as on the lefthand side, in figures 2, 2, 9, 23,
27, 27, which alike lighten-up and give a balance to the whole

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

185

parterre. Still whites in such a bed as 11, or 9, and 23, would
be very telling.

We have said so much on the level slope of the beds in such a
garden that there can be no mistake upon that point. Some
regular abrupt breaks in that level are quite a different thing.
At present the unbroken expanse of brilliancy is overpowering ;
and considering the points of view from the walk, a few stand or
rest-points for the eye would be desirable. A vase, or a basket,
or a raised bed at 9 and 23, so that the plants should be some
3 or 4 feet above the general level, would accomplish this. Less
lofty baskets might be formed at 2, 2, and 27,27. We throw
out this hint with some hesitation, and would be glad if Mr.
Kelly would try the effect of tall-flowering plants in 9 and 23,
&c., and tell us what he thought of the effect. Such raised beds
would, in our opinion, enable us to examine the garden more in
detail, make each parterre into several instead of one bewildering
and overpowering feature, and in a less degree, but on the same
principle, do for them what the raised lofty columns do for the
somewhat level splendour of Carton.

Beautiful as these gardens are in summer and autumn, perhaps
the most interesting times for the young professional to see them
would be March and April. We do not know what are the
makeshifts then that Mr. Kelly resorts to, to keep and harden-
off gradually such a number of plants as are required for these
different gardens, but we have no doubt that many of the make-
shifts then resorted to must be very instructive. We can well
believe that at such times mind and body are too exhausted in
the evening for entering with full zest into the demonstrations
and shoutings of welcome, and climbing of the knee of some
seven youngsters, “striving who first the envied kiss shall
share.” Ah, but the thought of these pledges to the future add
not only sweetness but energy to toil! It would almost be better
than a farce to observe how the attempt to frown-down such
child-like merriment and affection would be treated in such a
case ; as young children, like pet dogs, by the strong instincts of
their nature, read every lineament of the human countenance
with more unerring accuracy than the most learned physiog-
nomist.

Owing to unfortunate circumstances, which we need not here
mention, though receiving the most courteous kindness, we did
not see so much of Mr. Littleboy, the land steward, as we should
have desired, as he is most justly considered one of the best
practical agriculturists in the country, and equally anxious,
with his worthy employer, to improve the estate, aad improve
the condition of the people by increasing the comforts of their
homesteads, and giving plenty of employment. Of this we
should have known a great deal if we had never seen Straffan ;
for, from the proprietors of hotels to the drivers of cars, each
and every had something to say of the kind noble-hearted owners
and their managers. Perhaps it might be only an idea of ours,
but yet we could not help noticing often that in such circum-
stances of kind improving landlords there were manifestations
of an enthusiasm of affection, and an earnestness of outspoken
gratitude, which are rarely exhibited on this side of the water.

These farms already alluded to are managed by Mr. Littleboy,
with the assistance of several bailiffs. On the home-farm twenty-
five dairy cows are kept for family use and breeding, and the
rest is appropriated to flocks of sheep. Other two farms are
also chiefly under grass. Mr. Kelly went with us to Irishtown,
which is the principal tillage farm, and where a fine new stead-
ing was built in 1856, we understood, from designs and under
the superintendance of Mr. Littleboy. The buildings are in the
parallelogram form, 242 feet by 147, built in a most substantial
manner, and contain stalls for tying-up a hundred cattle and
thirteen farm horses, and boxes for fattening twenty-four pigs ;
and there are two loose yards, each holding twenty cattle, with
covered sheds attached. A fixed engine of nine-horse power
stands in the centre, and drives the following machinery—viz.,
threshing-machine, sawing-machine (cross-cut and planking),
grist-mill, oilcake-bruiser, oat-bruiser, pulper for cattle food,
and large steam-tub, holding two tons of Turnips, which can be
cooked whilst the men are at their meals. Threshing was going on
during our visit, and nothing could be more complete ; the straw
was all carried into a barn adjoining the cattle-sheds, the chaff put
beside the steamer, the light grain separated and transferred to
a bag, the fine clear equal grain elevated and conveyed along the
granary, all fif to be taken at once to market. The oat-bruiser,
also elevates and turns the bruised Oats into a hopper, and
when taken out for the horses a handle is turned, which acts on
an indicator in the steward’s office, so that he at once knows the

186 EE
number of feeds taken out in a day, a week, or a month. The
cattle-sheds are also complete, forming three sides of the paral-
lelogram, with railroads in front of the feeding-troughs of cattle
and of horses, connected with the boiler-house, pulping-house,
grain-bins, and hay-house; so that all can be fed expeditiously
from the trucks, there being turn-tables at each corner. One
side of the cattle square contains twelve loose boxes for cattle,
and the remainder are tied up in double stalls. By such means
labour is much lessened ; but here, as elsewhere, the economising
of human labour power, and even the greatly increased activity
of the individual workmen, haye not tended to diminish but
rather to increase the number of workmen employed on the farm.
Tn winter all these stalls are full, and the cattle receiving their
allowance of pulped food, cut straw, chaff, &c.

On these farms more than a hundred men are regularly em-
ployed all the year round, there being besides a great addition to
these in summer, and large companies for drainage and other im-
provements almost constantly at all seasons, Two blacksmiths,
two carpenters, and two painters are kept constantly for routine
daily work, and all large jobs are done by contract by other
masons, carpenters, &c. A number of cottages are either fresh
built or renovated every year, with upstair bedrooms, &e., that
the labourer may not only have ‘‘the privilege to toil,” but a
comfortable home when the toil of the day is over. All these
cottages have a bit of land attached, generally ranging from half
an acre up to as much, at times, as two acres,

We are ayerse to speak dogmatically on any subject on which
our knowledge is limited, and yet after all first impressions are
often the true ones. Qur short visit to Straffan left a strong
impress on our minds, confirmed by all we heard elsewhere, that
like true beneficence which ever carries with it a double blessing,
the works in progress were conferring benefits on the employer
and the employed—on the former in the shape of an improved
estate, and greatly augmented happiness from seeing others
happy; and on the latter from increased comfort and stimulated
and rewarded industry. There are people on this side of the
water who wid form no idea of Pat, except as the idle, tattered,
ragged fellow, leaning against a gatepost, or holding up the
crazy walls of his domicile, as represented by the earicaturist. In
all caricatures, there must be a spice of trnth, otherwise they
would be flat and fail of their object; and in times that are past
at any rate, the artist might find no difficulty in obtaining as an
object a poor fellow from whom all hope had next to departed,
as after every endeayour he had failed to obtain “leayeto toil.”
The caricature, however, is no type of the industrious Irishman.
We wish those who still have doubts, could pop in quite un-
expectedly as we did, at the Irishtown farm at Straffan, on a
threshing day. To say that the men were working like clock-
work, would give no idea, unless you associated the regularity
of their movements with the rapidity and dispatch of a railway
train, We have been in many manufactories and workshops,
but we never saw more intelligent activity, except, perhaps, in
some large iron-forging and iron-working establishments. All
honour, then, to those who are leaving it no longer as a problem
to be worked, but as a great fact demonstrated, that the great
cure for idleness and its wretchedness are plenty of work and an
equitablo remuneration for labour. R, Fis.

DOBS APOTHEME ENTER PLANTS?

Yoo will recollect that I started by refusing to accept ‘‘J.’s”
conclusions until he gave his authorities, and it is well that he
has now done this; and if he writes again on such abstruse
points, I hope he will not forget that it is very essential for an
unknown writer to give, in this way, some weight to his opinions.

Your correspondent says he regrets “that I would not be
convinced by a million experiments,’ because he thinks “‘ con-
viction contrary to a foregone conclusion must be impossible”
with me, and he then goes on to say that if I am right in this,
“Lord Bacon must have pointed out a wrong road to know-
ledge,’ &c. Now, Iam a steady adherent to Lord Bacon, and
will abide by any issue confirmed by him ; but I fear your corre-
spondent, like many others, has used his illustrious name as a
float when he found himself sinking.

When Bacon told us to “ask questions of Nature,” which
your correspondent says he did, he did not mean that we should
trust to imperfect answers, but that we should wait for the
truth, even although “a million of experiments” should fail to
elicit it. My complaint, is, that scientific writers and experi-

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

[ March 10, 1863, —

| menters now-a-days “jump at conclusions,” and give them to a
| very “‘pullable” public as authoritative facts. If they would
fayour us with a little more of Bacon’s inductive philosophy,
we should be better satisfied. Wm. Baxter SMITH. ;

[Here this passage of pens in our columns must close, —Eps.
oF H.|

J.

POLMAISE HEATING.

I HAVE just read Mr. Robson’s remarks upon Polmaise in
No. 99. Lhave had Polmaise at work in my church and school
for upwards of ten years, and I think that no system of heating
is to be compared with it for cheapness, simplicity, and certainty
of action.

I used it for some years in my forcing-houses, but gave it up
there, because from want of waterfall it was not in my power to
place the stove on a sufficiently low level. Mr. Robson says,.
“When it (Polmaise) works well, I donot know of any mode
of heating that will beat it for the welfare of the plants.’ I go
further and say that I know no mode of heating which equals it,
and for this reason, Polmaise is the only system of heating I am
acquainted with which keeps up a constant circulation of the
air within a house when all external air is excluded. My ex-
perience as regards the quantity of fuel required by Polmaise
differs altogether from Mr. Robson’s, and I have found this
method of heating fully as safo as either flues or hot water. The
conditions of Polmaise are few and simple, but they must be
understood and carried out, or Polmaise will, doubtless, bring
those who try it to grief.—W. H.

[We are quite aware that Polmaise answers with those who
understand it, and when not too great things are expected from
it. It is years ago that we described how well Mr. Lane, of
Berkhampstead, made it answer with and without drains, and
that without a deep shaft too. All these are secured by the
slope of the house, and the pathway forms the drain to bring
the cold air to the stove. Something of the same kind will take
place in all houses however heated. We are glad you succeed
so well with orchard-houses. Yours must be of great size. We
would be glad to receive more definite particulars respectiug
them. |

TREATMENT OF APRICOTS IN BLOOM—VINES
GNAWED BY MICE.

TuougH Mr, Pearson’s remarks as to the treatment of Apricot
trees in bloom were rather severely criticised, I think there is
more in them, and, unlikely as it may appear, in syringing trees
in bloom, than Mr. Rivers is inclined to give credit for. Where
I live, the springs of 1861 and 1862 were very wet. I believe
there was not an entire day without rain during the whole time
the Apricot trees against the wall were in bloom, and there were
even occasional frosts; yet, notwithstanding this apparently very
unfayourable state of the weather, the trees without covermg set
a fair crop of fruit, whilst those in my orchard-house, which were
kept perfectly dry and with an abundance of ventilation (for I
attended to them myself, not trusting my gardener), did not
ripen a single fruit in 1861, and in 1862 only three or four.

This circumstance leads me to think a gentle syringing might
do good rather than harm, My trees look very promising this
spring, and I shall try Mr. Pearson’s experiment on one or two
of them. I am disposed to think none of our horticulturists,
even Mr. Rivers, thoroughly understands their treatment in
pots; else why under glass are we not as certain ofa crop as we
are of Plums and Pears ?

Your correspondent, Mr. Geo. Burton, to me gives a very
unscientific reason with his opinion. How a low barometer im)
showery weather can make a dry atmosphere is rather inex-
plicable ; if he will test it with the hygrometer he will see.
Perhaps I do not comprehend his meaning.

Your regular correspondent, “R. F.,” in “Doings of Last
Week,” reminds me of the mortification I had on replacing my
trees in the orchard-house a week or two ago, I had all the pots:
covered with dry leaves in the autumn; on removing the leayes
I found four or five Vines and a Peach tree eaten off entirely by
either mice or rats, and four of the Apricot trees, and two Pear
trees eaten round, the bark being almost entirely gone for 2 or
3 inches up the stem. Will these live? Lhaye covered the wound
with cowdung, then bound it over with moss, which I shall keep

damp. There had been both rats and mice mithe place; whether

March 10,1863. ]

one or both were the depredators I do not know, but am in-
clined to suspect the latter.—Constan? READER.

[The Vines’ surviving will depend upon how deeply and how
far round the stems the bark has been gnawed away. Ifina
complete circle and down to the wood, the upper part of the
Vines will die, but they will shoot afresh from below the wound, |

PRESERVING GOOSEBERRY-BUDS FROM
BIRDS.

IT rarnx I have at last succeeded in finding a preventive to
the destructive ravages of the tomtit and sparrow on the buds
of Gooseberry and Pear trees.

Harly this spring my fruit trees were attacked, and a great many
of the fruit-buds, which are this season unusually forward, were
completely destroyed. I immediately procured some guano, and
had it broken down to a powder, and sifted through a very fine
sieve. I then set a man to water with a common watering-pot some
two hundred trees, and as he proceeded with the watering each
tree was immediately sifted over, as soon as watered, with the
guano. Ido not think a bud has since been attacked. It was
done when there was no wind; and, consequently, all that did
not fall on the trees fell at their base, and will be washed down
to their roots the first rain that falls, and promote their growth,
so there will be no waste. The whole expense of the man’s
time and of the guano was about 10s.—something less than three
farthings for each tree.

Another suggestion I beg to make is in planting Potatoes. As
soon as the tubers are cut sprinkle a little water on them, then
throw on them some soot, and stir them over with a spade, so as
not to injure them. This prevents wireworm, affords a stimulant
to their early growth, and, most probably, prevents disease, as I
had last year but about a quarter of a peck out of a considerable
quantity at all affected —W. Copnanp.

SLUGS DESTROYING WORMS.

SEEING that you think the worms eaten by the slug are ina
weakened or diseased state, I assure you it is not the case. The
slugs catch them when in full yigour both under and above
ground. I have worked in different localities almost all round
Worcestershire, and a good deal in Shropshire and Hereford-
shire, but I never saw that sort of slug (a large yellow one) in
any other garden than the one I now have the management of;
neither did I ever see that slug eat any vegetable. Ihave a
man who has worked on this ground from a boy, he is now
turned sixty, and he says these slugs do not eat the vegetables ;
in fact, he never kills them, nor permits the other men to do so.
He first pointed them out, end I could not believe it myself till
the men frequently breught me the slug with the worm in its
mouth ; and I heve caught them with their head in the worm-
hole, and having a fast hold of the worm, and I have pulled them
both out together. These slugs are mostly under ground ; yester-
day we dug three up, and two out of the three had a worm in their
mouth half devoured, the part that was left being in as healthy
astate as could be. When they are above ground they are mostly
along the walks by the Box-edging, but they are generally in
the ground from 6 to 9 inches deep. They seem to suck the
inside out of the worm, and to gradually draw the skin in after-
wards, and if they lay hold of it in the middle they draw it in
double. I have two more men that have worked far and wide
in Worcestershire and Herefordshire, both at farming and in the
garden, and they say they never saw this sort of slug anywhere
else; so that Lthink it is nota very common kind.— W oRoESTER.

In your Number of the 24th ult. is a reply to a correspondent
respecting slugseating worms. Your correspondent was probably
not incorrect in his supposition; one, if not more, species are
said to doso. Whereis a description given of two species of worm-
eating slugs in Loudon’s “Encyclopedia of Gardening,” page700.
One of the kinds he describes I have occasionally found in my
garden here, and chancing last night to meet with a specimen I
enclose it for your inspection. [It is the same species as that
sent by ‘“‘ WoRCESTER.’’—Hbs. |

Last year I placed several along with a worm under a propa-
gating-class to see what would take place. The worm disap-
peared during the night, but I did not take sufficient care to

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

187

enable me to state positively that they must have eaten it. You
will perceive that they are not so slimy as the common slug, and
that they differ from the slugs with shells (which, by the way, I
have never met with near London), in haying the shell placed
near the hinder extremity instead of on the back or thorax,
and not covered by the skin. They are by no means common
here ; nor, as an old conchologist and collector, have I ever found
them anywhere but in my garden.—H. M., Notting Hill.

PEACH TREES FAILING IN A COOL
VINERY.

THE accompanying letter has just reached us; and as the sub-
ject is one of considerable importance, we insert the complainant’s
letter at full length, with the reply of one of our regular corre-
spondents.

“T should be much obliged by a little information on the
probable cause of about three-fourths of the blossom-buds of
my Peach trees falling off. The trees were planted at the back
wall of a yinery in 1860, in a border about 9 feet wide and
2 feet deep, of good light loam, with a little manure and bones.
They made splendid wood in 1861 ; this was well cut back, and
in the following spring, though a good many buds fell a little
after Christmas, yet a fair crop was produced. They also made
abundance of wood, which was stopped three or four times in
the year, and when the wood was ripe the trees were covered
with blossom-buds. About Christmas, on washing the trees
with Gishurst, a good many of the buds seemed a little shrunk
and loose, and since that time they have continued to fall,
though they were as healthy as possible last year, and free from
insects, with the exception of a trace of red spider.

“After the fruit was gathered last year, the trees were
syringed a good many times, and a moderate quantity of water
was given at the roots; but during the last four months they
have had little or no water, and the border has seemed pretty
dry all the winter, though not by any means dust dry.

“As Ido not force, the yinery has been cool all the winter,
and as the weather has been so mild, the house had generally air
front and back, day and night, through the winter, and no fire
heat was given except such as a small flow and return pipe pass-
ing through the house has afforded, and the trees are now just
coming into bloom, though this is very scattered.”—J. J.

{Your letter, though carefully written, omits the most im-
portant circumstance, and which most probably is the cause of
your failure. How many Grape Vines are there against the
roof of the vinery of which the Peach trees occupy the back wall?
If the glass be pretty nearly covered, it is hopeless to expect
Peaches. A few Vine rods may be trained up the rafters, but
when they bear and do well there is a strong temptation to
allow them to straggle over the greater part of the glass roof,
and it is hopeless, then, to look for fruit on the back wall.

We have a large vinery in which Grape Vines are planted in
the front in the usual way, and some were also planted against
the back wall. The latter have long ceased to be of any use,
except at the tops, and we expect your Peach trees have been
suffering in like manner. Your mode of stopping the growing
shoots three or four times was certainly not likely to produce
well-perfected fruit-buds ; stopping the gross, rampant shoots,
if there were any, very early in the season, and continuing to do
so, in order to throw more yigour into the weaker ones, would
have been better practice, for buds imperfectly ripened are not
likely to produce fruit. Watering is rarely wanted in winter
inside a house that receives so little firing: therefore, we think
its absence is not likely to have caused the failure.

We would not by any means advise a severe cutting down in
winter, such as you say you gave them in 1861. Vines may be
cut back with impunity; but Peach trees do not do so well with
too much knife work. We hope you did not apply Gishurst
Compound too strong. So many causes operate in producing
failure, that it is not always to one only that we attribute it.
In your case we think it is badly-ripened wood; bui if that evil
be caused by the trees not having suflicient light, owing to the
Grape Vines usurping all the glass, either a part of them or the
Peach trees must be sacrificed. Both cannot be fully and
successfully cultivated. If, on the other hand, the bad ripening
arose from the growth being prolonged in the autumn, the
leaves would hang on late, and the tip ends starve rather than
mature.

You will most likely be able to judge which of these evils

188

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ March 10, 1868, —

your trees suffered most from, and from this, in addition to the { with whom you act, which of the fruits you are willing to sacri-

advice given from time to time in our Journal, on the manage-

fice.

A few Vines against the rafters of a Peach-house may be

ment of the Peach, you will be able either to find a remedy, or | tolerated, but too many is}.at variance with the well-being of

if the Grape Vine be in fault, it then rests with you, or those

everything else.—J. R. |

PROTECTING FRUIT TREES.

BEING an amateur and not keeping a gardener constantly, I
have experienced some difficulty in coming to a conclusion as to
what is best to adopt in order to give my young wall trees the
necessary protection with little trouble, and which at the same
time would be economical and lasting. I haye been scheming
to accomplish these objects, and the result is what I have shown
upon the accompanying sketch, which almost explains itself.

The frames I have made are five-eighths of an inch thick and
3 inches wide, ripped off a deal. The upper shutter is made of
two leaves, half an inch thick, of deal ledged together (of course
this might be made a light frame filled with straw like the lower
one if preferred). It is hinged to the frame by three pieces of
leather being nailed to them. The top is fastened, when closed,
with a common wood button, as at @, ain fig. 1. The lower move-

able frame is made in the same manner and with the same
scantling as the frame itself. It is hinged at the bottom with
three pieces of leather like the top shutter; but, instead of
plain boards as in the upper shutter, this is filled in with long
straw laid in between two spinyarns which are secured to the
frame: thus the straw is a kind of thin thatch, protecting the
trees from rough wind and frost but not excluding the air.

6b 6 B Fg. 2, are pieces of ropeyarn tied to both the moye-
able and fixed frames or shutters at the tops, and of such lengths
as to determine the angle at which the shutters will stand when
open. I have so fixed mine that when the morning sun is
shining—say 10 o’clock a.M., little or no shadow is cast either
upon the wall or tree by them. This hasty and rude description
will, I hope, have made the scheme clear to you,

KX

Ky

\ |

\
NAY

ZZ

LZ

STE Ee SSS
SS
== = —
=a = = ——
SS SS = ees —— =
—— ———— —_——S—aSaSSSSSSSSS =
————
———S—— ——
SSS SSS —————— SS ——
Se a LS SSS

The frames having been set against the wall where they are
required, the top is kept fixed and secured by the two splines 1 x 1!’
fig. 3, being tied by a cord to two nails or staples in the wall.
The bottom of the frame is secured by two stump stakes.

SS SSS
! Ni
x

SI
N

SSG p qu AEAA\ A

colt

Wea

Being fixed I need scarcely say, that to open the frames all
that is required isto turn the button, and the moveable shutters
are opened and fall to the required angle. To close them, of
course the reverse operation has tobedone. Thus a few minutes
suffice either to open or close them—an operation of no labour,
quite in the compags of a lady’s hand. Thus you see the trees
may either be thoroughly protected, or fully exposed at
pleasure.

When the season is over I intend to have my frames, which
are made of a convenient size for the purpose, taken away and
packed under cover for another season. I see no reason why

they may not last for a number of years in good condition.
Fresh straw, perhaps, in a few years may require to be put in,
but this is a very trifling matter.—H. G., Ipswich.

P.S.—May I ask some of your gentlemen’s gardeners who con-
tribute to your pages, if they will be so good as to give me their
advice as to whether I ought to keep back my fruit trees by
shading them or open the frames to give them the full sunlight ?
The scheme above described giyes me easy means to do either.
The trees are forward, and, probably, before the month is out we
may have coarse weather. I have been keeping them somewhat
sheltered. I suppose when the proper time arrives they must
be fully exposed.

[We cannot give you a better reply than is contained in this
extract from a communication sent to us by the late Mr. Brring-
ton, one of the most successful of fruit-growers :—“ My Peaches
this year, on a W.S.W. aspect, have been abundant. Those on
a due 8. and S.E. failed. This aspect has something to do with
such result, because I have always observed that the blossom
opens later there, and the leayes do not blisterso much, This
last winter, however, remembering what youstated about retard-
ing the blossoming of Peach trees by heaping snow about their
stems and over their roots, I adopted every mode I could think
of to retard my trees in blossoming on that W.S.W. wall. Tun-
nailed them, and shaded them from sunshine throughout the
winter, keeping them covered with wet straw and mats, but
exposing them whenever the weather was cold during the day.
With the same object I laid bare the roots, and I pruned late.
My reward was having the trees bloom fully a fortnight later,
and having a good crop. When in bloom they were protected
with nets the same as those on the S. and 8.H. walls; but
on these I had scarcely a dozen Peaches from twice as many
trees,”

March 10, 1863. ]
CROCUSES DESTROYED BY SPARROWS.

I PERCEIVE that one of your correspondents asks the cause of
the destruction of his Crocuses. No doubt, as you say, they
have been destroyed by the sparrows. I have a large quantity
of Crocuses, and the sparrows have played sad havoc with them
this year, as they have come early into bloom. But there isa
simple remedy, which in my case has never failed—namely, to
place white cotton or white worsted close to the Crocuses, either
round the clumps or lengthwise with the border, supporting
and placing it in such a manner that the birds cannot pluck the
flower without touching the thread.

T have found mice very destructive in burrowing and eating
the roots early in the season; and there seems no better trap
than the old-fashioned one set with thread, which they have to
nibble before getting guillotined. The traps can be put under
old pots or boards to keep the rain off; and there is nothing
better than baiting with oatmeal_Jos. Luoyp Purtrs, Lee
Crescent, Edgbaston.

WINTERING OLD VERBENAS.

I OBSERVED that you mentioned on one occasion how very
difficult it is to take up Verbenas from the beds and keep them.
I beg to state my success as regards this matter.

My plant was a fine healthy one of the Géant des Batailles.
I first proceeded to cut a great portion of the branches away,
leaving about 6 inches of each. I put the plant, in a six-inch
pot, in a shady part of our conservatory, for about a week, then
plunged it in a cold frame, in tan well watered, facing the sun,
and kept the glass covered. My plant is now a strong one,
with some nice shoots just fit for cuttings, and it will soon
bloom if I choose to let it go on. I think this a very good plan
if you desire to have good plants of Verbenas in bloom early in
the season.—AN ARDENT ADMIRER OF THE VERBENA.

[No doubt your plant isa good one, but a cutting struck early
in autumn, and topped, and having the attention you gave
to your favourite, would also now be a fine plant. Your ex-
perience is a proof of the truth of the saying, that there is hardly
a rule without an exception. We have kept old Verbenas over
the winter, but in general young plants are better every way. |

GARDENERS’ COMPANY.

GARDENERS were once a corporate body, as their charter
plainly sets forth. That charter never was of much value; for,
like all protectionist schemes, it failed to infuse new life and
vigour into the members, and lulled them into the sleep of false
security. Opposition is the soul of progress, and competition
causes improvement. That the charter was ineffective from the
first may be inferred from the fact that a second charter was
granted amending the defects of the first. This also came to
nothing, for a warrant was issued by Charles I. calling upon
magistrates and others to enforce the charter.

The first charter was granted by James I. in 1616. The
charters are preserved at the Public Record Office; and the
warrant is private property, late in the possession of W. Paxon,
Hsq., 9, Terrace, Gray’s Inn Lane, Holborn, London. “The
Worshipful Company of Gardeners,” incorporated by James I.,
A.D. 1616, the seventieth on the City list, consisted of “The
Master, Wardens, Assistants, and Commonalty of the Company
of Gardeners of London.” They were governed by a Master,
two Wardens, and a court of eighteen Assistants. Their income
was raised by fines and fees, and quarterly subscriptions of 2s.
They had no hall.

Could the charter be revived? No. Before that can be done
we must have a class of men conformable to the charter. The
charter has certainly done no good, and is so outrun by the
time that its working would be obnoxious: therefore the charter
is a memorable relict of the past and nothing more. But—we
hesitate to put the question—could not men having interests in
common form a company, become united instead of divided, and
aid their mutual needs ?

Nobility, gentry, and clergy have associations, merchants their
chambers of commerce, farmers their clubs, common tradesmen
and workmen their unions ; and all men, except gardeners, have
institutions more or less upholding their interests and adyo-
cating their cause. Surely men haying their periodical publi-
cations can form a Company useful and honourable. That they

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

189

have intelligence is not doubted, but each individually is striving
to advance his own interests irrespective of the consequences to
his brethren. These causes, with the present aystem of gardener-
making, have made gardening what it is—no profession. Owing
to gardeners granting free trade—for they were the first free-
traders in the country—they let in all classes of the community,
If a man only works in a garden a few years—is persevering,
sober, honest, and industrious—gives Mr. Head-gardener satis-
faction, he is soon sent out as a gardener. Such systems of
gardener-making have glutted the market. There is no differ-
ence between a man who has gone through a course of study
and served an apprenticeship and one who has not; providing
at they do for the time being work in gardens, both are gar-
eners.

A gardener according to the charter is a different man. He
must serve an apprenticeship, give proof of his competency, and
be an enrolled member of the Company before he is permi'
to practise. All gardeners must conform to these regulations—
that is, within six miles of the City of London, according to the
charter, or they would be liable to injunction, fine, or punish-
ment. That was a protectionist scheme then, and thought to
be an effectual barrier against quacks; but alas! the quacks eat
up the profession. What a stir there would be in the great
city if the charter were now enforced; and there is nothing to
prevent it, providing there are twenty-one men in London who
could conform to the charter, which is disputed, for the charter
is as perfectly legal as it was on the day it was granted.

We have six classes of gardeners—viz., Ist, professional gar-
deners; 2nd, nurserymen; 8rd, florists; 4th, seedsmen; 5th,
market-gardeners; 6th, jobbing gardeners; and another class,
neither gardeners, cowmen, nor grooms, and yet a little of all:
therefore I propose that they be termed utilitarians; but as I
ignore their claims to the title of gardener I propose to make
a special provision for them hereafter. The first six in 1841
numbered respectively :—Gardeners in England and Wales,
45,751; Scotland, 6277; Ireland, 7422. Nurserymen, Eng-
land, 1481: Ireland, 121; Scotland,141. Seedsmen, England,
771; Scotland, 185; and Ireland, 88. Taking for granted that
these three denominations represent the six above mentioned,
which is not improbable, for all men that work in gardens are
styled gardeners, and all florists are nurserymen, we have &
grand total of 61,389. In 1851 they were collectively 74,837 ;
and if we measure the increase aright, we should have no less
than 80,000 in 1861. Not less than 60,000 of these are de-
pendant on wages; and if we reckon an employer to every six
we have 10,000 employers, which we add to the figures before
named, and we have 90,000. Then we have amateurs number-
ing not less than another 10,000, which raises the figures to
100,000.

Could not these various classes be brought into friendly in-
tercourse, united instead of divided? I have long—though but
a juvenile—had an idea of a Company which would combine the
main characteristics of our national constitution, as employers
and amateurs the House of Peers, and nurserymen, gardeners,
&ec., the House of Commons; both being ruled by an arbitrator
or president, not a Yankee, who would exercise his prerogative
in matters of dispute between the Houses. The President to be
chosen by the members of the Company in the following order :—
employers, 4 votes; amateurs, 2 votes; and gardeners 1 vote
each respectively.

The Company is proposed to be called “The Company of
Gardeners of Great Britain and Ireland.”

No gardener shall be admitted a member of the Company
unless he can write in a clear bold hand satisfactory answers to
the following questions :—1, Name in full; 2, where born, and
date; 3, that he has worked in a garden seven years with the
intention of learning horticulture and following it as a business ;
4, name the places where the seven years were spent; 5, can
the applicant have a good recommendation from present em-
ployer ?—the address of his employer must accompany the de-
claration, so that the declaration can be verified if disputed by
members ; 6, that he is willing to pay all fines, dues, and sub-
scriptions, and to further the interests of the Company if elected
a member. Nurserymen, seedsmen, florists, market-gardeners,
and jobbing gardeners shall make their declaration in like
manner, substituting the term of nurseryman for gardener and
so on, leaving out the fifth query.

Candidates may, if they think proper, state whether they
understand keeping accounts and mensuration of surfaces and
solids; whether they can make ground plans; give plans and

190

specifications for horticultural structures, and useful or orne- |

mental buildings. In botany, to name nine plants in ordinary

cultivation out of every ten correctly ; to understand vegetable.

physiology as far as regards the germination of seeds, formation
and development of plants; entomology, in its relation to the
ravages of insects on vegetation; and pomology, so far as to
name and distinguish nine fruits in every ten of such as are com-
monly cultivated.

Persons answering these queries will be called upon to submit
themselves to an examining-board appointed by the Company
within two years from the date of their admission. Parties
signing the declaration and refusing to be examined to be dis-
carded the Company; but those who answer the call, though
unsuccessful, to continue members, but their declaration on
application paper to be scratched. | Those who successfully pass
the examination to have medals of bronze, with the emblem of
the gardener on one side with his motto, and the emblem of
the country to which the medal belongs; and on the other the
value, as first; second, or third. A certificate to accompany the
medal, duly signed by the President or his deputy. The value
of this is too apparent to need explanation.

_ Candidates may state if they are a correspondent of ‘any hor-
ticultural journal, and which, naming half a dozen of the sub-
jects which they have written upon, if so many; if less, they
must not sign, for it is evident they are not professed writers.
They may also state whether they have been successful’ exhibi-
tors, when and where ; naming a few instances, and the subjects.
Candidates may exercise their discretion about answering these
queries.

Candidates giving satisfactozy answers to the numbered in-
quiries shall, by paying an entrance fee of 5s., be registered
members of the Company ; amateurs, an entrance fee of 10s.,
their address and remittance shall be a sufficient guarantee of
their respectability ; employers—and I make a great point of
their co-operation—without them we can do nothing, £1.

This entrance money would realise—employers £10,000, ama-
teurs £5000, and gardeners £20,000, or in all £35,000. Now,
as gardeners are so peculiarly liable to rheumatic diseases, ren-
dering them unable to work in their old age, and not a few are
eut off in the prime of life, leaving a wife and’ several children
destitute—for those reasons we would place the money in the
Government’ Funds, which would afford £1050 yearly, and
allow of twenty-four married pensioners being kept in decent
circumstances, instead of pining in the poor-house after they
have been disabled through no fault of their own, and twenty-
four widows or widowers. The former should have £20 yearly
for life, or until such time as death severed them, when £13 15s.
would be allowed to the survivor. The voting for pensioners to
be as follows :—Gentlemen and ladies 4 votes, amateurs 2 votes,
and gardeners 1 vote.

Employer members to pay £1 annual subscription, amateurs
10s., and gardeners 10s., or 2s. Gd. per quarter, payable in
advance.

Pwo shillings and sixpence of employers’ subscription should
be appropriated to the uses of the Charity Fund, which would
yield £1250, whereby twenty-four married pensioners and
twenty-four widows or widowers could be elected pensioners.
H is expected that gardeners would not hesitate to contribute
to this fund, say 2s. 6d. yearly; and as they would have pre-
cedence over non-subscribers they ought, one and all, to sub-
seribe, which would be ample to keep all their own poor without
troubling ratepayers. In that case there would be 384 pension-
ers on the list.

Seven shillings’ and sixpence of employers’ money to be em-
ployed as follows :—One-half, £1875, to be distributed to suc-
cessful essayists; £78 2s, Gd. to be given to each district
(mentioned hereafter), and that, equally divided, again given to
the branches, at each of which a prize should be offered for the
best essay on whatever subject the employer members shall name,
to be competed for by members of the branch. ‘The other half,
£1875, to be appropriated to the printing of essays, which shall
be at the rate of two for each district, and they shall be chosen
by vote. The’ essays not to exceed 12 foolscap pages. Hmployers
to have copies of the essay volume free, but members to pay 1s.
for it. The printer to’ sell any number he chooses after the
sbove regulations have been fulfilled.

I now come to write of the meeting-places of the Company.
Supposing the United Kingdom to be divided into districts—
viz., twenty-four for the whole kingdom—.e., fourteen for
England and Weles, four for Scotland, and six for Ireland;

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

according to this arrangement each district would comprise
4166 members, andthe districts being divided into branches of
63 members each, we have 1612. hus the head quarters of
the Company would be in London for) Hngland, Hdinburgh for
Scotland, and Dublin for Ireland; districts to haye their head
offices at the most central part of the district, and branches
to be distributed according to the number of members—fity to
form a branch.

Hach district office and branch shall find, furnish, and pay
for hire of its own rooms, and all accounts thereto belonging.
Hach branch to forward 7s. 6d. for each member to the district
office, which sum is to be forwarded by it to the head office of
the Company, where it shall be applied to the printing of the
Company’s Journal, and publishing, and other’ expenses con-
nected therewith, and for those purposes only. The Journal to
consist of twenty-four pages of printed matter relating to
gardening or horticulture, containing the best of the papers read
at meetings of the Company, novelties exhibited, awards, state
of weather and vegetation, and communications. Free discussion
should be allowed in its pages to members, and reports given on
the general business of the Company. I think terms might be
come to with the gardening papers of each country, to do the
printing for the Company on the condition named hereafter, with
power to receive pay for advertisements, an unlimited number,
and to sell the Journal at a reasonable price to non-members..

Hach member paying 7s. 6d. to the Journal fund would raise
a capital of £37,500, of which £8750 should be given to the
London office, for the purchase of ‘plant and hiring of offices
for the transaction of business connected with the Journal,
and other matters; £3750 to Ireland; and £2500 to Scotland.
Besides the grant for formation of offices, &c., a further grant
shall be made as follows:—Head office of Hngland, £13,100;
Treland, £5700; and Scotland, £3700; for which each member
is to receive, free, a copy of the Journal of the country or head
office to which his district is attached.

Two shillings and sixpence of each member’s subscription to
be appropriated to pay for hire of rooms, lighting and warming
in winter, &. The branches shall select their own meeting-
places—that is, the most convenient situation—and make their
own agreements, for which they alone will be responsible. No
doubt there would be great difference of opinion about the meet-
ing-places. Some would say a club-room at a public-house, for
the sake of the friendly glass and merry chat; but a public-house
is the worst place imaginable, for our proposition is intended to
enlighten the mind, to cultivate the intellect, and to improve the
man’s social and moral condition.

A school-room would be the most economical meeting-place,
and one every way calculated to answer the purposes of the
Company. Fortnightly meetings should be held, when a short
paper would be read, or of such a length that not more than
half an hour would be occupied in reading it. Ten minutes to
be allowed any member for discussion on the paper. The paper
to become the property of the Company. New plants, fruits,
and vegetables to be exhibited, for which certificates may be
awarded if the subject merited the distinction. Hxtraordinary
productions, and specimens of subjects relating to gardening,
might be exhibited, for which a vote of thanks may be given.
The meetings to commence at seyen o’eleck im the evening.

In connection with the Company would be an exhibition
fund, in which all could join, non-members as well as members.
To this fund members would pay vespectively—employers. 10s.,
amateurs 5s., gardeners 2s. 6d., and non-members of the Com-
pany any sum not less than 5s.; tradesmen 2s. 6d., and working
men and cottage-gardeners 1s. I calculate the subscriptions
would realise £50,000, of which £20 to be granted to each
branch, £500 to each district, £3760 to the central (or head)
of England, £1700 to Ireland, and £1300 to Scotland. Thus
each branch would have its exhibition, once yearly, each district
two, in May and September, which would be held at different
places, the places being chosen by the subscribers; and the
central four in Apvril, June, August, and October—also held in
different places, these being chosen by the subscribers. :

Subscribers of 10s. to have three tickets to attend all the
shows of the central, district, and branch of which they are
members ; those paying 5s. to have two tickets for the’ central,
district, and branch ; 2s. 6d. subscribers to have one ticket for
central, two for district, and three for branch to whieh they are
attached; Is. subscribers to have one ticket for one central
show, one for district, and two for the branch to which they
belong, :

_[ March'10, 1863.

March 10, 1863. ]

The anniversary of the Company to be held at the October
meeting of the central, when an account of all. the districts
would be given, and districts to audit their affairs prior to the
meeting, At the end of every seven years there might be a
meeting of members from all parts of the kingdom, and am ex-
hibition open to all the world, so that the year of jubilee might
be celebrated with éclat.

Also in connection with the Company a benefit society might
advantageously be formed similar to others, and I have no fear
of employers not aiding the movement. ;

The Company might allow utilitarians to become members,
if they thonght proper, at the same rate as a gardener, and their
employers also, but with this reservation: No utilitarian shall be
allowed to take the title of or practise as a gardener, unless he
make application as for » gardener and has been enrolled a
member by the yotes of the branch members, which must be
confirmed by the district, and signed by the President. Neither
shall a gardener change at will from a gardener to a nurseryman,
and vice versdé throughout; but he, they, or any member must
give notice of the proposed change, end have the Company’s
permission to make it. Offenders to be discarded the Company,
to forfeit all privileges and all moneys paid, and to pay all dues.

I cannot forbear proposing that cottage-gardeners be allowed
to attend all meetings of the Company, and to pay a nominal
subscription, say 1s., but to have no other privileges, except
loan of books or papers.—G. A.

[We have inserted this communication as an evidence that
there is a spirit abroad among gardeners for the improvement
of their profession. It is a communication from a practical
gardener; and though the calculated subscriptions are wildly
extravagant, and some of the proposed proceedings undesirable,
it may serve to awaken attentionito the subject.—Hps. J. oF H. |

LANCASHIRE DISTRESSED WORKINGMEN
BOTANISTS.

I HAy= received, since the last notice I gave, from Lady
D. Nevill £1, which she kindly sends every month ; alao froma
working gardener 2s. 6d. (monthly); from J. R. £1 10s.; from
Miss Sloane £1; Mr. Marlow 5s. I have also received a col-
lection of choice vegetable seeds from Mr. Henry Watkinson,
of Manchester, which my friend Mr. James Wild, an old florist,
kindly distributed amongst forty-one poor cottage-gardeners
who are in distress by the cotton panic.

There is a well-conducted young man here who has a good
knowledge of both systems of botany, and he would be glad to
learn to'be a gardener if an opening could be made for him.—
Joun Hagun, 36, Mount Street, Ashton-wnder-Lyne.

WORK FOR THE WEEK.

KITCHEN GARDEN.

THosE who have fully attended to former directions respecting
the manuring, trenching, and pulverisation of the soil will now
amply reap the benefit of their past labours; they will have a
greater depth of staple in proper condition for nourishing the
roots of plants, at the same time the ground will work with
much greater facility. This has been, and still is, a most extra-
ordinary season, and in the eyent of our being visited by sharp
frost, either this or next month, the result will be calamitous in
the extreme. Some are sanguine enough to predict that we shall
have no frost this season, and let us hope they are true prophets.
Artichokes, make new plantations, and fill-up old ones. Beans,
sow in a sheltered situation, and transplant them in pots or
boxes. Beet, sow for a principal crop. Carrots, sow in the
open ground, and thin-out those in frames. Horseradish, plant,
if there is not sufficient in already. Zeeks, these should be sown
for the main crop, if not in already. Lettuce, sow, and harden-
off those in frames, to be planted-out as soon as fit. Onions, the
main crop, if not already sown, should now be put in. Peas,
sow several varieties for successive crops. Spinach, sow a few
more rows. Twurnips, sow early Dutch in a warm situation.
Take every suitable opportunity of surface-stirring, hoeing,
forking, trenching, and subsoil-trenching, turning in all refuse
Vegetation, and taking care that no useless crop is robbing the
ground. At this busy time both the eye and the mind must be
active if any ample amount of produce is looked for in return
for the labour bestowed on the preparation of the soil.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

i191

FLOWER GARDEN.

Proceed with the operations that involve the necessity of wheel-
ing or removing earth, Complete all planting. March winds
are often destructive if the precaution of renewing old stakes
and strings rotted by the damps of winter is neglected. Prune
Roses generally, and dress the beds with rotten manure. In
completing the arrangement of the flower garden duplicate
herbaceous plants may be found; these can be distributed about
the pleasure ground with excellent effect. Roll and sweep lawns,
cleanse and turn gravel walks where necessary. To eradicate
weeds there is nothing like handweeding. ork-over flower-
beds, and get them in a wholesome state to receive the delicate
plants intended for them.

FRUIT GARDEN.

Planting, pruning, and nailing should now be forwarded as
much as possible. These operations cannot be finished a minute
too soon. ‘The sap having now commenced its ascending course,
broken-off flower-buds and injured shoots will be the certain
consequence of delay and neglect. Continue to protect the
bloom of Peach, Nectarine, and Apvicot trees. Take advantage
of dry weather to draw away the soil from the stems of Goose-
berries and Currants with a hoe to about 2 inches in depth and
over a diameter of 2 or 3 feet, for about this time what is gene-
rally termed the Gooseberry caterpillar will begin to be on the
alert; sprinkle over the space cleared some soot and wood
ashes, returning the earth with the back of a hoe or rake. This
is not only a preventive to their ravages, but acts asa stimu
lating manure to the trees, and the extent to which it may be
applied will be very perceptible throughout the season. The
early season will render immediate preparations for grafting
necessary.

STOVE.

Cuttings of all free-growing softwooded plants, such as the
different showy varieties of Justicia, Begonia, Aphelandra,
Poinsettia, &c., will strike readily in a brisk bottom heat. They
will, if well managed, make useful and handsome plants for
blooming next autumm and winter. Achimenes and Gesneras
may be repotted, and others, to succeed them, put in. Stove
Orchids will be benefited by a little additional warmth and
moisture; when it is desirable to prolong the blossom for a con-
siderable period the plant may be removed to a cool house.

GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY.

Some of the early-forced Camellias and Azaleas will now
begin to fade. If they appear exhausted do not force them to
expand their last flower-buds, but rather remove them before
they expand, in order to invigorate the plants a little. Any
Camellias that are becoming misshapen or too large may now be
eut-in, and if afterwards placed in a nice growing moist temper-
ature of from 55° to 65° they will soon break afresh, and make fine
| plants. Syringethem daily once or twice, and if necessary give a

littlemanure water. The same treatment is applicable to Indian
_ Azaleas, and if the shoots are stopped once or twice during their
growing season fine bushy plants will be produced, which will
ripen their wood and be ready to bloom in December. All the
specimen plants in these houses should be carefully examined
to see that their roots are in a proper state with regard to mois-
ture and the drainage clear. Hricas to be top-dressed or re-
potted. Tropolums will require attention. Pelargoniums and
Calceolarias will require increased pot-room. Dahlias to be put
in action. Fuchsias, Cupheas, Salvias, Bouvardias, and other
plants for the parterre to be encouraged to afford cuttings. Re-
move all decayed leaves and flowers, and attend to order and
neatness.
PITS AND FRAMES.

Admit abundance of air, water carefully, and continue pro-
tection at night as long as there is any danger from frost. Attend
to the young stock which is intended for bedding-out, and go on
propagating stock for the flower-beds as it can be procured. Top-
dress Auriculas, Polyanthuses, and Carnations. W. KEANE.

DOINGS OF THE LAST WHEK.

KITCHEN GARDEN.

THE weather beg so mild, planted ont in well-aired
thoroughly-pulvyerised soil a good breadth of Potatoes, also
Cauliflowers from pots and thinnings from hand-lights, leaving
five in each of the lights, watered them, and top-dressed with
rich material. Sowed a few more Peas and Beans. Sowed
/ Sangster’s No.1 in boxes on the floor of a Peach-house, to be

192

transplanted for the first crop out of doors. Planted Garlic,
Shallots, and young Onions. The former are placed in drills
about half an inch deep and a foot apart, well firmed with tbe
fingers and thumb, and a little charred refuse thrown over
them ; the latter are fastened in the ground merely by the roots.
Tf a little of the neck is buried likewise, you have little chance
of good early bulbs. Sowed Spinach, Radishes, and Turnips
in the open air. Sowed also a few on the south side of a raised
bank to receive some protection, to have them early, being doubt-
ful if we can give them a slight hotbed this season. The white
Turnip Radish is useful for early work. It serves in many
cases for soups, &c., instead of early Turnips, and we have found
many clever people who did not know the difference on the
table, and they can be had several weeks before Turnips.
Generally sow a few White Dutch Turnip and Snowball for the
first, but always afterwards the American Red-top. Our chef
says they are often more delicious than a moderate Melon.

Gave syringings of clear soot water to Dwarf Kidney Beans in
pots, to keep away all trace of thrips and spider. Sowed more in
boxes for succession. Planted-out strong Cucumber plants in
the frame heated chiefly with leaves, which are now hot enough.
Was obliged to turn them over in several places and strew with
quicklime, to destroy a lot of disagreeable funguses that were
running among them. That is an eyil to be avoided when
leaves are chiefly used. When mixed up with hot dung so as to
cause a strong burning heat before being used, there is little
danger of these funguses, as the spores are pretty weil killed.
We have known Melons and Cucumbers on beds where a mild
heat was given by leaves much injured by these spawns getting
into and taking possession of the soil. We have planted
these Cucumbers in pure loam from the roadside without any
admixture whatever. I am very anxious to remove all trace
of the Cucumber disease, which has now troubled me several
years in pits, frames, and out of doors. Last season we were
little troubled with it until Cucumbers became plentiful even
out of doors, as the early crops were everything that could be
wished. Vegetable Marrows were also similarly affected, whilst
as yet Melons have showed no trace. We have found no remedy
like fresh soil and frequent planting.

Top-dressed and put small twigs to Tom Thumb Peas in pots,
and removed them from frame into a place where they can be
protected before it is convenient to move them to an orchard-
house. Stirred the soil about a row in front of an orchard-
house.

FRUIT GARDEN.

In addition to the routine of previous weeks, moved Straw-
berries from the back of a vinery, where they were too much
shaded, to the back of a pit, where they can have full light. We
always think the fruit ripened in the shade is deficient in flavour.
Forked the ground among Strawberries out of doors—that is,
merely for an inch or two. Cleared away all the stubble, &.,
in which fruit trees had been packed in the orchard-house, and
will, if possible, defer setting them out for the summer until we
have a wet day. Sometimes we are apt to defer too long for
such weather; bunt as we never like to see a man get wet, there
must be a little study of such matters. The early-pruned trees
on walls and in pots (Peaches) will want going over again, as there
is a greater deficiency of wood-buds this season than usual.
What we are pruning now will escape that, as the wood-buds are
now perceptible, so that there can be no mistake. Pretty well
finished pruning Peaches and Apricots out of doors. We find
that some trees that had nothing done to them in the winter
are more free from any traces of insects than those we washed
and took great pains with. Painted the trees where the blossoms
were not advanced enough to permit of its being done safely,
Pere the painting to be done before the buds begin to swell
muc.

A correspondent is in trouble abont his Peach trees, as the
bricklayers some time ago had spattered them all with lime,
which he cannot remove, scrub as he will. We presume it was
spattered on before the buds were far advanced, and in that case
would do good rather than harm ; it would become mild chalk in
a few days, would seal up what eggs of insects there might be,
and will scale off of its own accord during the summer. Thereis,
therefore, no need, but the reverse, for the attempts to remove it.

As soon as the fruit seemed set in the Peach-house, before the
blossoms had dropped, we gave the trees a thorough drenching
with the syringe, as, besides a few black beetles, there are signs
of red epider on the young shoots, which we never noticed before
at this early season; and this after the care bestowed in tho-

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ March 10, 1863:

roughly scrubbing and washing every part of the house, and
removing the surface soil. The watering over the surface of the
trees, shutting up early, and sulphur on the heating pipes, will,
we trust, soon remove all trace of this red-coated little gentleman.

Moved all the Strawberry-pots from orchard-house, making a
bed of them in the open air, and if a sharp frost should come
will scatter some straw or rough hay over them. Tied-out
Vines in first house, temperature at night averaging 60°, in dull
days from 65° to 70°; in bright days, 75° to 85°, with a little
air givenearly. In earliest small six-foot Vine-pit, the tempera-
ture is from 65° to 68° at night, and is raised in proportion
during the day. The whole of the outside walls of that pit being
thatched with straw, comparatively little fire heat is required.

Figs are beginning to push in Fig-house. Pinched the terminal
bud, pushing, through the middle with finger and thumb, when it
was desirable to throw back the sap into the incipient fruit at
the joints ; when the shoots push again there will likely be several
instead of one, and the most suitable one can be retained. Have
still kept the laurel branches on the Figs out of doors, as we
may yet haye a severe frost, and the shading at present prevents
the young fruit pushing so as to be injured. In that case we
generally nip across the terminal bud when it swells, as there is
no chance of obtaining a second crop out of doors. This stopping
throws back the sap on the different joints of the shoots. When
long-jointed shoots are made, the tree should be lifted, the
roots cut, or the branches ringed. Some time ago I mentioned
an instance of Figs proving extra fruitful out of doors owing to
the stems being gnawed with mice.

ORNAMENTAL DEPARTMENT.

Scrubbed walks, rolled lawns, pruned Roses, planted edgings
of Cerastiums, &c. Find that fine edgings of the white Cam-
panula carpatica are pretty well done for, from the long-continued
damps of the winter ; wish we had lifted it, and set it in a dry
place above ground, as it isa beautiful compact plant. Find,
also, that the taller kinds of Lobelias left out have perished from
the same cause. Made preparations for sowing lots of seeds
prepared the other week. Filled the four lights with Calceolaria
cuttings from nipping-off the points of those struck in autumn.
Cannot perceive how “AntrIpaTHY TO BorH” can find fault
with our mentioning that a piece of Aurea floribunda is not quite
so good as the rest of the Calceolarias, more especially as the
cause was also given—namely, the using of old effete soil for
putting the cuttings in. These might stop a little longer before
being moved; but the rest, even after stopping, must be put
out soon, or they will injure each other. he cuttings inserted
in the frame-beds will stand about 14 inch apart, and will remain
there until wanted; but as soon as rooted the frames will be
lifted off for something else, and partial protection given to them.

As soon as possible a bed or two in a similar manner will be
made ready for Verbenas cuttings; and generally these plants,
from such cuttings left in the bed until wanted, will thrive as
well, if not better, than those that have received ever so much
attention from separate potting, &c.

Proceeded with potting all plants needing it. Brought soil
into sheds for the purpose of being dried and aired, and in all
earth-pits and temporary places for protecting bedding plants had
them cleared, made ready, and the soil turned over a few inches
to be heated and mellowed by the sun’s rays. If we do not
plant-out until next week will likely turn these beds over several
times, go as to dig down or cover-in the soil acted upon by the
heat and light of thesunbeams. We donot mind a depth of from
3 to 6 inches for planting-out Calceolarias; but we like a hard
bottom and a depth of only about 3 inches for Scarlet Geraniums,
as they lift better the more shallow they are planted.

These minutie are of little moment for those who have a
place for everything and know nothing of cramming, but they
may be useful to those who have little glass and yet aim at
making the most of it.—R. F.

TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED.

W. Bull, King’s Road, Chelsea—List of New and Rare
Plants. 1863. ‘

Downie, Laird & Laing, 17,South Frederick Street, Edinburgh,
and Stanstead Park, Forest Hill—A Descriptive Catalogue of
Florists’ Flowers, Fe., Fe. 1863.

Francis & Arthur Dickson & Sons, 106, Eastgate Street,
Chester.— Catalogue of Select Agricultwral Seeds. 1862.

G. W. Hay, Church Street, Worcester.—Spring Catalogue of
Kitchen Garden, Flower Garden, and Farm Seeds.

|

March 10, 1863. ]

Robert Kennedy, Conservatories, Covent Garden,—Ad Cata-
logue of Ferns, Exotic and Indigenous.

Peter Lawson & Son, 28, King Street, Cheapside, London.—
Catalogue of Agricultural Seeds. 1863.

John Norse, Dursley Nurseries, Gloucestershire.—Spring
Catalogue of Cuttings of Dahlias, Verbenas, Geraniums, and
other Bedding Plants, fc. ;

Edward Taylor, Malton.— Catalogue of Agricultural, Garden,
and Flower Seeds. 1863. y

Toole & Company, Westmoreland Street, Dublin.—Spring
Catalogue of Vegetable, Flower, and Agricultural Seeds, Plants,
Toots, and Implements. 1863.

J. C. Wheeler & Son, Gloucester.— Wheeler's Little Book, or
Select Seed List. 1863.

D. Dauvesse, Rue Dauphine 4 Orleans.— Catalogue général
des Vegetaua disponibles dans les Pepiniéres. 1863.

Jamin et Durand, Bourg-la-Reine, Paris.—Catalogue des
Arbres Fruitiers, Rosiers, Arbres et Arbustes d’ Ornement.
1863.

Adrien Sénéclauze, Bourg-Argental,
général @’ Arbres Fruitiers. 1863.

Fontaine & Duflot, 6, Quai de la Mégisserie 4 Paris.— Cata-
logue de Graines des Fleurs.

Paul Tollard, 4, Place des Troismaries 4 Paris.— Catalogue
General de Graines de Plantes Potagéres, Fourragéres, Econo-
miques, d’ Arbres, et de Fleurs. 1863.

(Loire). — Catalogue

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

*,* We request that no one will write privately to the depart-
mental writers of the “Journal of Horticulture, Cottage
Gardener, and Country Gentleman.” By so doing they
are subjected to unjustifiable trouble and expense. ll
communications should therefore be addressed solely to The
Editors of the “ Journal of Horticulture, §e.,” 162, Fleet
Street, London, H.C:

also request that correspondents will not mix up on the
same sheet questions relating to Gardening and those on
Poultry and Bee subjects, if they expect to get them answered
promptly and conveniently, but write them on separate
communications. Also never to send more than two or

three questions at once.
cannot reply privately to any communication unless under

very special circumstances.

bs Rosrs ManurepD wiTH Fow.s’ puna’ (A Young Gardener, Dublin).—
So far from doing the trees any injury it will benefit them, and you may
water them with a weak liquid manure made of it—a peck to thirty gallons
of water as soon as the flower-buds appear.

Maxine Sops into Manure (J. Z.).—Do not pour sulphuric acid over
them, for it would take a vast quantity to kill the weeds in them. You had
better have them mixed with lime and salt, turning the mixture two or
three times before using it asa manure. A bushel of salt anda bushel of
lime to twenty bushels of sods would not be too much.

Insects IN ASPARAGUS-BEDS (A. B.).—They are Millipedes (Julus), and
one Centipede. We believe that they cause no injury to plants, but feed
upon decayed vegetable substances.

WHITEWASH OVER WALL-TREE BLoom-gEups (R. V.).—If the whitewash
was put ou before the buds were much swelled, it would do good instead of
harm. Do not meddle with it, it will fall off during the summer.

Grartine Youne OranoE Stocks (JV. B.).—Your best plan is to form a
mild hotbed, with a bottom heat of about 75° to 80°. Nip the point off
your plants, set them for a week in the bed, then take them out a few at a
time, and, as near the soil as possible take off a slice of 2 inches long or so
from the side of the stock. Do the same with a scion, tie them neatly
together, cover with a little clay, or grafting-wax, and syringe every day
to keep a close moist atmosphere. They will soon take.

Borrom Heart (N.).—Bottom heat is the heat given to beds or pots from
beneath, either by hot water, or by dung, or by flues. We think there
must be something wrong in your chamber. Isit close all round? If so,
the heat at the slate may at times be too great. We would advise you to
put 6 inches of open rubble over the slate, and you might have two or three
round small drain tiles in every light, set upright over the rubble, and the
upper end plugged. This would help to diffuse the heat equally through
the soil, and you can pour water into these tiles so as to have a moist
heat at bottom when desirable. If the soil gets caked against the slate the
heat will not rise freely, and if it becomes sodden like a morass the plants
will not thrive.

TRANSPLANTING CROCUSES AFTER FLOWERING (felirstow).—By taking
them up with as large a ball of earth as possible they may be removed to
some other place, and there left to ripen; ‘after which they may be taken
up and kept until September, and then planted where wanted next year.
They suffer a little by this treatment, but if carefully managed they flower
pretty well the following year. Sanderson the Vine will suit your purpose,
and give you all the information you require.

GoosreBrRry CATERPILLARS (J. F’.).—There are two caterpillars that attack
the leaves of the Gooseberry. The most usual depredator is green, spotted
black, and is the progeny of the Gooseberry Saw-fly, Nematus trimaculatus.
The other caterpillar is yellowish-white, with an orange stripe and black
spots. This is the progeny of the Magpie Moth, Abraxas grossulariata.

We

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND OOTTAGE GARDENER.

193

PRopaGatine CLEMATIS (Wyeside).—Cuttings off the young shoots when
about 3 inches long do best; or, what is almost as good, laying a few
shoots down on the ground, pegging them there, and half covering them,
will insure a number ef plants, each joint generally rooting, and also send~
ing up a leader.

Passion-FLOWERS IN A GLAZED Porcu (Idem).—These are planted on a
bed with pots of plants standing on them. There isno difficulty whatever in
making strong-growing Passion-Flowers grow in your bed, which is5 feet long
by 1 foot wide, provided, in the first instance, that well-rooted plants, which
haye been in pots, be first planted there. In planting do not break the ball
too much. It would be advisable to plant only the hardy robust varieties,
as Passiflora racemosa and coerulea, &c., omitting P. princeps, quadrangu-
laris, &c., as likely to suffer from the water they may receive from the
potted plants standing over them, Let the border be well drained, and we
have no doubt but you will be successful in presenting a good show with
the aid of Geraniums, &c., standing over it in summer, and evergreens in
winter.

Lirtine AND CurrinG-pown RuopopenpEons (An Old Subscriber).—If
your plants were only recently planted, they cannot want either pruning or
moving yet. Generally speaking, Rhododendrons, however vigorous,
flower well in favourable seasons, and rarely require cutting or pruning
until they become very old and leggy. In that case they may be cut
down in March or before, and in doing so it is advisable to leave a little
foliage somewhere if possible ; but they will grow without. Every season
is not favourable to an abundant production of this and other kinds of
bloom, and some of the hybrid varieties are more shy than others in flower~
ing. Unless other reasons, as thinning or altering the position, render it
necessary, merely transplanting them cannot do much good.

Oxp CENTAUREA CANDIDISSIMA Dy1Ne orF (An Old Subscriber).—Like
old Geraniums, Cineraria maritimas, &c., some of the old plants taken
up out of the flower-beds in autumn do occasionally die, but we never
knew them to be more likely to do so than other plants. Some plants we
had sent us in December, and which had come 200 miles, or more, about
six weeks before that time, and were then shaken out of the pot and sube
jected to another journey, have grown away tolerably well. Cuttings
taken from these, as well as some other old plants that have been in heat
all winter, promise to give us a good supply. Ordinary garden soil seems
to suit it very well. In toorich soil we expect it will be liable to become
more coarse and green-looking. The ensuing season will doubtless find it

very much used everywhere.

FuMIGATING wiTH Topacco (Anna, Norfolk).—The simplest and cheapest
way we know of is to place a little sand or mould in the bottom of a
flower-pot, to put about 1 inch of common candle into the sand, and then to
crumple a few yards of small wire into a lump open enough for the flame of
the candle to burn the tobacco that lies over it, and yet not so open as to
allow the tobacco to fall between and put out the light. Sometimes we
have split up a few bits of deal into pieces like matches and laid this on the
wire, putting the tobacco at top. We use this homely contrivance in
frames as well as in houses, as it is capable of enlargement or diminution
at pleasure. The only thing the amateur has to guard against is not to let
anything have the smoke too strong until he sees the effect. Better repeat
the dose than overdo it.

Care BULB not FrowxeKine (A Subscriber).—We have known more
than one party disappointed in large imported bulbs not flowering, which is
only to be attributed to the usual period of rest which all bulbs have being
much protracted, and the lack of that bright unclouded sunshine they receive
on their native hills. Cape bulbs are subjected to heavy and frequent rains
at one period, when they grow profusely, — and flower when dry sunny
weather sets in, the bulb afterwards ripening and ‘preparing the future
flower-spike in embryo. In your case it is most likely the ripening and
perfecting process was not completed when the bulb was taken up, and it
will require a good growth here to accomplish this. Give it the advantage
ofa sunny stove until it ripens, after which let it rest the proper time, and
it will flower. If it has not been subjected to frost, the mere fact of
covering it or not with ashes or moss has little effect on it, the condition

above ruling its welfare.

Crneraria Leaves Insurep (Amateur, Curragh Camp).—The leaf sent
had more the appearance of having suffered from frost than from insects,
a broad fringe all around being brown and withered. Cinerarias are easily
injured by frost. If, however, insects do attack them, which may be the
cause as well as frost, fumigate as directed in the case of another correspon-
dent. The flower stem and buds, as well as the leaves, are liable to fall a
prey to insects which are best destroyed by gentle and timely fumigations.
We may also say that an overdose of tobacco will injure the foliage much
in the same manner as that now sent, and it is quite possible your plants
may have suffered from that cause.

Fruit-raez Bups DErorMED (Mrs. W.).— There must be some local
cause for the fruit-tree buds becoming so shrivelled and deformed as the
one sent to us. Has any pernicious factory smoke found its way to your
trees, or is there an escape of gas at the roots, or has poisonous matter of
any kind come in contact with the ground? Without knowing more of the
condition of the tree, we can have no idea what is the matter with the buds.
There does not seem any insect, as American blight or scaly coccus, to
account for the disease, and mildew rarely attacks trees of the kind sent.
We advise you to iook to the condition of neighbouring trees, and if the
same as your own, explain to us the features of the locality, and we shall
then probably be able to state the cause. The remedy may, perhaps, be

out of our power.

RuopopenpRons DisEasep (Mrs. D., Westmeath). — We think they
are suffering from a superabundance of moisture either at the root or in the
climate, or from both united. A thorough draining will remedy the evil
of too much stagnant water at the root, and possibly drier seasons may be
in store for you than the last two or three years have proved. We had a
similar case of Gisease to yours. Some Rhododendrons were planted round
the edges of a pond which was low of water in 1857, 1858, and 1859, and
they did pretty well; but the rains of 1860 subsequently raised the water
level a foot or more, and thereby soddened the ground the Rhododendrons
were growing in, and they have gone off the same way as yours, many of
them being quite dead. Are your plants by the side of standing water?
If so, we fear the evil is incurable, unless they are sufficiently above it to
be moderately dry. Many other shrubs suffer more than Rhododendrons
from a superfiuity of water. If, therefore, draining be practicable, adopt

it as soon as possible.

94

_ Wames or Pranrs (2. C.).—Rhododendron dauricum., (8. D. Goff).—
“Staphylea pinnata. fe x ‘

POULTRY, BEE, and HOUSEHOLD CHRONICLE.

: JUDGING POULTRY.

-. To.adopt the opinions, of our last. week’s correspondent would
be'simply to make a poultry revolution. Darkings without five
claws, Aylesbury Ducks with yellow bills! Why, shade of
Sydney Smith, “ Locking-in on railways would be nothing to it!”

imagine a Dorking class, comb, colour, and claw, unim-
portant. Fowls to’ be judged according to their aptitude for
fattening, and their market properties. What a scene when the

‘public was admitted, if the judges had not taken the precaution
to ‘‘skedaddile.” Imagine the poor tired creature, “chopped”
as he was making for the door, and brought’ back to be asked
why he did not give the prize to 127, and civilly answering that
there was a tinge: of yellow on the leg; an absence of tail and
fifth claw; an unquestionable leaning to fluff; all of which led
him to think there was Cochin blood in it. To the question
why he gave it to 91, he said their shape, symmetry, claws,
indeed everything, bespoke their purity. Stuff and nonsense,
his ‘fowls had bred all through the year, he had had chickens at
market every month. His were the largest, they fattened best,
while 91 were purely fancy fowls. The old-fashioned nonsense
about white legs, five claws, and all those fanci{ul distinctions
were exploded.

Dhis is not: so much overdrawn as may be thought. If classes
ave'not judged for points, whatarethey to be judged for, or by ?
Tf the classes are dissected, how many will there be left after
those who exhibit for points are deducted from the number?

Shows are over for the season, there isa lull, and opportunely
a Society is just: formed which has for its object to compile
points by which all classes shall be judged. The extremes meet.
On one point alone they seem agreed—the present style of judging
is\ unsatisfactory. It is amusing to hear people complain they
do not know what to breed or exhibit, decisions vary so. Mr.
Archer knew what to breed in Silyer Hamburghs ; Mr. Rake, in
Spanish; Capt. Hornby, Lady Holmesdale, and Mr. Wakefield,
in Dorkings; Mr. Moss, in Game; Mrs, Pettat; and Mr,
Adtins, in Polands; Mr. H. D. Bayly, in Buntams; My.
Fowler, in Ducks; My. Manfield, in Geese. All these were, and
some are, umifoymly successful. We predict failure for both
extremes, and our belief is that rules are simply impossible.
The man who cannot judge without, cannot judge with them;
and no: man can ever fill the office properly who has’ not, either
had the experience of many years, or the natural love for sym-
metry and feather, which amounts to a gift. We do not mean
to say there are not mistakes made, and, in some cases, ignorance
shown in judging’; but, as a rule, complaints'come from the un-
successful. Very often the man who has finished the Red or
White Lion, which is to be sign of the village public-house, looks
at it with admiration, and when he compares himself with
Landseer and Ansdell, is more prone to attribute the difference
in their position to the blindness and injustice of the public, or
the want of opportunity, than his own lack of talent; and so
the exhibitor of three birds, two of which are excellent, and the
third very inferior, or the possessor of that mediocrity which
with content is the happiest station in life, looks from his com-
mendation to the coveted first prize, or it may be “silver cup,”
and denounces the incapacity of judges, or asks what ANY ONE
ISTO BREED.

Being somewhat looked upon by both sides as the poultry
organ, we shall be glad to open our columns to them. Tho
moment is well chosen, and good must be the result.

The supply of table poultry throughout Hngland is noto-
niously deficient 5 the price is remunerative. Anything, there-
fore, that will remedy such a state of things will be a double
good.

A BRAHMA POOTRA’S REMONSTRANCE.

In common with my feathered friends I am much interested
in the forthcoming Worcester Poultry Show, and on looking
over the prize list Isee that the Committee offer a deliberate
insult to the kind to which I belong—viz., Brahma Pootras.
Now, sir, Mr. Baily, no mean judge, says we are the hardiest
birds in England, and the best. winter-layers; and at Mr, Stevens’
sales we fetch higher prices than any other birds. What do you

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE

[ March 10, 1863.
Ga8L OF dou ,

think of the Worcester sages giving Créve Cours a class to them- —
selves, and leaving Brahmas to compete in considerable numbers —
—for we are a large family—with a lot'of French*sbominations |
with crackjaw names and few admirers?) =) |

Why, sir, both our varieties deserve a class—the dark birds,
and the beautiful white ones with pencilled hackles, abode

“Wise men came from the east ;” and if) Worcester’ folk are
fair samples of west countrymen, we must not expert much
wisdom from the west—Branma Poona.

P.8.—My friend the White Dorking begs
omitted algo. :

> LAS

GARDENER,

me to say'that he is

DURATION OF WORCESTER POULTRY SHOW.

I HAVE just received the prize list of this Show, .& most liberal
list, and am»only sorry to see the Show is ‘to be open: so long.
The whole of the poultry have to beim the building by Saturday
night, and the Show is to be opento the public. ftom Monday to
Friday night 5 in which casevexhibitors: will not get their birds
back till the Saturday : thus the birds are penned-up in pen and
hamper for eight days—quite enough to seriously injure chickens
and much too long to confine the old birds,

I hope the Committee may be induced to limit’ the days of
exhibition to three, or at the most four, and I feel confident
what they lose at the door will be more than equalled by the
entry fees—W. G. 0, ‘

ULVERSTON POULTRY SHOW.

Tx seyenth annual Wxhibition of Poultry was held on Wed-
nesday and Thursday last in the Victoria Concert Hall, a room
in every respect most admirably adapted for a display of the sort
being seen to the best advantage. ‘Where is good and equal light,
good ventilation, and the attention of the Committee to feeding
and cleaulimess was everything that could be desired by the
owners of the many valuable pens in the Show. In numerical
quantity the pens considerably exceeded last year, and their
excellent quality will bo easily understood from a glance at the
prize and commended list. On previous years the Committee
of management have been complimented irom yarious quarters
on returning the birds from the Show in good order. This year
we feel confident a like praise will be due. Wate?

Mr, Angus Sutherland, of Burnley, officiated as Judge. We
understand it is his first season in that capacity; and from the
generally satisfactory manner in which he discharged his arduous
duties, we expect to see his name frequently in next year’s
poultry returns, gisiad)

Amongst the varieties of the Show we noticed two pens in
particular. » One contained three remarkably fine specimens in
good feather, and three-parts grown, of those shy wild Ducks
the Shelldrake, Another contained a, fine, large, full-grown
hybrid between a Black Game hen and the Wild Pheasant.

In Class 1, Mr. Cannan, of Bradford, defeated the well-
known Black Spanish.of Mr. Teebay, and five others, ;

In_Dorkings, Capt. Hornby easily defeated all competitors.
My. W. Hill was second. In Black-breasted and other Red Game,
Mr. Fletcher’s birds, under’ the fostering’ care of Mr. Gilliver,
secured first prize; Mr. I. Robinson pressing hard’ with a good
pen. In Olass 4, Duckwings and other Greys and Blues, Mr.
Hletcher was again victorious with a capital Grey cock and two
excellent hens; Mr. Joseph Hindson second. In Class 5, Any’
other variety of Game, Mr. Fletcher won with a splendid pen of
Piles, about the best pen ever exhibited. The cock has won
eighteen times without any defeat, and placed to the credit. of
his owner £64\in prizes. Mr, West had a capital pen of Piles:
for second. Cochin-Chinas, in Class 6, were a first-rate col
lection. After devoting particular attention, the card, was up
for Mr, Cannan; Mr. #. M. Hendle second. In Class. 7,
Golden-pencilled Hamburghs, Mr. Robingon, of Ulverston, was
fivst with a beautiful pen, which had previously gained the cup
at Kendal. Mr. Cannan was first in both Golden and Silver-
spangled Hamburghs. In Glass 11, Polands, Mr. Beldon was
first and second, ‘In Class'12, Any other distinct or cross breed,
Mr. Lingard’s Black Hamburghs bore away the prize in a good
class of eleven competitors, including Mr. Teebay’s pen of
splendid Brahmas. In Game Bantams, My. Munn’s beantifal
pen defied all opposition, although seventeen others contended.
A nice pen of Mr. Bayley’s was second. ‘In Bantams, Any other
variety, Mr, Cannan wes again in the ascendant, defoating Mr,.
Dixon and seven others, er by

March 10, 1863. ]

In Ducks, Mr, Fowler was winner in the Aylesbury class,
and Mr. [. Robinson in Rouens. A pen of Grey Call Ducks
belonging to Mr. J. Dixon, was first in Ducks of Any other
variety, and Mr, Earle’s Hast Indian second.

In the Game Cock class, Mr. Fletcher was first with a noble-
looking Black Red, winner of many prizes, and Mr. Boulton
second with a Brown Red, which was third at Birmingham, first
at Manchester, and third at Whitehaven. Mr. Fletcher was
third, and Mr. Redhead fourth with a beautiful blood-like
Black Red. In Game Chickens and two pullets, Mr. Grimshaw
was first with a pen of capital birds; Mr. Fletcher second, and
Mr. BW. Aykroyd third.

In Game Bantam Cocks Mr. Bayley exhibited one of the most
beautiful birds ever seen. Mr. C. B. Kennedy, of Ulverston,
was second, and Mr. Fletcher third.

WHITHHAVEN CANARY, POULTRY, AND
PIGEON SHOW.

Fox five years past a Poultry Exhibition has annually taken
place at Whitehaven, under the management of a small but
enthusiastic committee of local poultry-fanciers. At the outset
the Exhibition was indeed a small one; but the originators, in
no way foiled by the paucity of the entries, perseveringly pur-
sued the same honourable and straightforward conduct that still
marks all their proceedings, until their Meeting well deserves
mention as one of the best to be visited in any of the northern
counties. vena cursory inspection of the printed catalogue
will convince any one that the competition now embraces a very
considerable proportion of our most noted breeders; and we
may, for the information of our readers, preface our few obser-
yations on this year’s Show by stating the entries were more
than a hundred pens in advance of those of the year 1862.

We offer the Committee our hearty congratulations on their

Suscess, and hope that each succeeding year may still add |

notoriety to their well-merited position among our local exhi-
bitions. The Refuge School, in which the Exhibition takes
place, is exceedingly well situated for the accommodation of
Visitors, being actually in the public market-place, so that the
Show necessarily becomes an annual treat not only to the actual
residents of Whitehaven, but is generally so to the numbers
who visit the town from many miles round for business purposes.
The only drawback is, that some portions of the room are com-
paratively dark from want of a direct light into the pens; but
this objection has been materially lessened by the application of
temporary gaslights, while a little alteration in the disposition
of the pens in future years will leave very little to be com-
plained of on this score.

The first class was for Black-breasted and other Reds, Game
fowls, and a capital competition ensued. Most unusually, the
Black-breasted birds took all the premiums, and were shown in
& tip-top condition most creditable to their respective owners.
The Duckwings, though few in numbers, were yery good; in
fact, birds of this colour were more than generally good through-
out the Whitehaven Show. In the Game class for Any other
variety were shown a very good pen of the now-almost-extinct
breed so well known in times past as Worcestershire Piles. In
the days of the cock-pit they were notoriously the most in-
domitable of fighters, and the most lasting birds that could be
placed on the turf, but perhaps not so quick fighters as some
others, whilst their curiously-marked plumage gave but little
hope to the inexperienced of their unvarying pluck ; so much
so that old cockfighters assert that not a single instance of
cowardice could ever be pointed out in this almost-forgotten
variety. A pen of uncommonly good White Game stood first,
however, in this class, and Red Piles took second honours, the
Worcestershire Piles having to remain content with a high com-
mendation. ‘The only class in which a falling-off appeared was
the Black Spanish, and therefore we omit any further reference
to them,

The whole class of Dorkings consisted of large and superior
specimens, and it augurs well for the great improvement of late
in White Dorkings to report that in such a competition a pen
of this variety took second position against all comers.

In Cochin fowls, all colours competing, the Partridge birds
were far in advance of the remainder, and were numerously
exhibited ; they thus, of course, cleared the prize list.

is a satire;on the breed, we rather presume, a local com-
petitor entered a very good pen of Brahmas. In this class they

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

195

remained unnoticed, though in the class for Any other variety
of poultry they must have maintained an excellent position.

The Hamburghs were quite a befitting collection for the
northern counties, where first-rate excellence is always antici-
pated. ‘The hen in the first-prize pen of Golden-pencilled birds
was undoubtedly one of the best ever yet exhibited. The
Golden and Silver-spangled Hamburghs were far beyond me-
diocrity, but the Silver-pencilled were comparatively a failure.

The only Polands worthy of special note were the White-
crested and the Golden-spangled.

The Game Bantams were, perhaps, one of the very best classes
in the room, Duckwings, Black Reds, Brown Reds, Piles, and
Birchen Greys being well shown ; but it really was a misfortune
for this truly pretty class—always, by-the-by, quite favourites
with the publice—to have to while away their confinement in
one of the darkest positions in the show-room. A provision
against this another year would certainly be an improvement.
The Gold and Silver laced Bantams were also good. A decidedly
good competition ensued in the Any other variety class for
Bantams; so much so that thrice the number of prizes to be
allotted could have been easily and deservedly distributed.

The Aylesbury Ducks fell short of the generally-accepted
standard ; but the Rouens made great amends for their short-
comings. Wild Ducks and Buenos Ayrean Ducks were shown
in perfection.

We next come to the Pigeon classes, and never, perhaps, has
a more meritorious collection, if limited to the same number of
pens, been exhibited. The Carriers proved one of the strongest
classes, the Dun birds taking the highest position, Blacks the
second, whilst high commendation seemed on every hand called
for. The Almonds were very good, and among the Baldheads
were a pair of as perfect Reds as need be desired. ‘The Trum-
peters, particularly the White ones, and the Jacobins (in many
varieties of colour) were so good that it was by no means a
covetable task for any arbitrator to assign superiority. The
Barbs, Turbits, and Owls were also of the highest character.
In the class open to all other varieties of Pigeons were some
extraordinary high-class Runts (Silver Duns), and some specially
good Frillbacks. Altogether, the Pigeon classes were superior
to any we have had the pleasure of inspecting for many months

ast.

x As a fitting tailpiece to the Whitehaven Poultry Show came
two Single Game Cock classes—the one for adults, the other for
eockerels. To the latter, money prizes were the order of the
day ; to the old birds, a silver cup in addition. The compe-
tition in both classes was extreme, and representatives of every
eolour of Game fowls were competing. ‘The winner of the silver
cup was a magnifcent Black-breasted Red belonging to Mr.
C. W. Brierley, of Oakenrod Terrace, Rochdale, and which
proved one of the most specially attractive objects on view.
The coyetous desires of on-lookers, however, were soon dissi-
pated, on a reference to the catalogue, where his value was
estimated by its fortunate owner at a cool £100, most probably
to insure its safe return. Under this proviso, it was really
amusing to witness how soon the ardour of anxious “ claimants ”
evaporated. Many of the remaining birds were most excellent.
In the Cockerel class, Mr. I. Robinson, of Poplar Grove, Ulver-
ston, exhibited a Brown Red that will take a very great deal of
beating before he can be surpassed if kept up to his present con-
dition; for not only is he of faultless colour, but as perfect in
the hand as could be wished for, and one of the hardiest-feathered
Game cockerels ever shown.

Before concluding we must make one observation as to the
silver cup given to the best adult Game cock at the Whitehaven
Show. It was really agood one and suchas any winner might be
proud of—a feature, we regret to say, by ro means universal in
the silver cups given to poultry of the present day. It was
a honest representative of value; and if some few of our poultry
committees will take down this gentle hint as a guide in their
future distributions, we can confidently assure them it will add
most materially to the popularity of their coming shows, for the
present case stands out in pleasing contrast to the many instances
that might be adduced of cups proving (when obtained), not
worth one-fourth or eyen a sixth of their reputed value. The
remedy is easy, and the line of conduct for the guidance of com-
mittees quite without dispute—viz., if silver cups are to be
allotted, by all means let them be nearly approaching in value to
the worth represented, or at least leave the winner the oppor-
tunity of receiving the money instead, under which arrangement
no objection can reasonably ensue. It is not, in our opinion, a

196

legitimate source of revenue to any committee to limit the
actual value of their silyer cups to perchance but little, if any,
more then a fourth of the sum stated, so that the fact stands out
apparent, that the winner of the second prize has ultimately a
decided advantage over his rival, by the personal purchase of a
much-better-mannfactured and more weighty cup with the pro-
ceeds of his second position on his return home, with, it may be
also, a trifling overplus into the bargain. As such malarrange-
ment absolutely stultifies the original intention of giving silver
cups as firet prizes at poultry shows, we again repeat, the White-
haven Meeting has offered them a rule which is well worthy of
their imitation on future occasions.

The part of the room appropriated to the exhibition of the
Canaries and other singing birds, was well-stored with excellent
specimens.

A list of the prizetakers appeared last week.

POINTS OF MALAYS.

Ix your impression of the 24th ult., a correspondent,
“Y. B. A. Z.” in his “ Dottings at Devizes” said, “Some Malays
were there most conspicuous by their ugliness.”

I am a Malay-breeder, and should have been glad if your
correspondent had pointed out which were conspicuous, or
whether all of them were not so. There are some persons who
consider this class of fowls extremely ugly; I do not. I think
as 8 class they are extremely beautiful; but after breeding them
for twenty years, and haying been successful at some shows, and
unsuccessful at others, I have yet to learn the good points of a
Malay, and what are its true characteristics.

I wish there were some settled point of eminence to which
breeders could direct their attention.
shall, dispute the decision of judges; but I must say that I am
puzzled to know what kind of birds to breed to insure success,

for one judge decides to give a prize to one colour and form at |
one show, and another judge acts differently at another show, so |

that they appear to have no rule to go by, and * when doctors |
| to accomplish this would be, on the first appearance of drones,

differ their patients suffer.” Uniformity of character, there-
fore, seems to be required, and how is this to be arrived at?
Perhaps you or your correspondent will kindly inform me
through the medium of your Journal.—Joun James Fox,
Devizes.

[ We agree with you, we like Malays, and we have liked them
for years—more than twenty. It is forty years since we first
knew them. There are few judges of Malaysin England. One
of the best, if not the best, is Mr. Andrews, of Dorchester.
We believe there has never been but one standard with that
gentleman and those with whom he mostly acts. We will give
our notion of what a Malay should be. The body should
describe three bends or bows, one from the head to the shoulders,
one from the shoulders to the rump, and the last from the rump
to the end of the tail. A Malay should have a drooping tail.
The comb should not be a pea comb, nor a lop comb, but a
hard, rough-skinned one, flattened down on the head, and per-
fectly tight. The eyes should be bright and pearled. The throat
bare, hackle very scanty; short, hard feathers on the breast
dividing at the crop, which should be visible, naked, firm, and
red. Scanty feather is a characteristic of the breed; the point
of the wing at the side of the breast, and the higher joint of the
same wing level with the back may both be bare. The wings
should stand ont from each side of the body plainly as if they
were carved in hard wood. There is in a good and pure Malay
no finff, no plumage to hide shape, and, therefore, the body
tapers to a point to the tail. The hip bones are plainly visible,
and the strong, wide-apart legs, with round, hard thighs, and
large but well-proportioned knees. They should be very hard in
hand, and have little or no feather on the hinder parts of the
body. There is no fixed colour for the legs or plumage. |

WARNING.

ALiow me a few lines in your Journal to caution poultry and
pigeon fanciers against lending money to a young man, who has
been living on borrowed money and other nefarious means for
some time back. He called upon me more than twelve months
ago, but was evidently disappointed—he obtained nothing, but
he has since revenged himself by making too free with my name
in drawing money from others. His plan is to introduce him-

I never did, and I never |

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[March 10, 1863.

selfas Mr. Shaw, of Stainland, where he finds I am not personally
known to the parties, or as my brother if I am known; and thus
by throwing people off their guard, succeeds in most instances in
borrowing money under some frivolous pretext or other. He has
in this way duped a great many fanciera ont of sums varying
from 5s. to 302. each. I heard of him a few weeks ago borrowing
money in my name in Manchester, and it is very probable he is
the notorious Beswick Lodge correspondent.

If I remember rightly he is rather well built, and has reddish
hair and whiskers. I shall be glad if this notice will be the
means of stopping his supplies, and handing him over to the
care of the police.—S. Suaw, Siainland.

SUPERPOSING IN STAFFORDSHIRE—SEASON
IN RENFREWSHIRE.

Tu following is in reply to the inquiry of “ A Norru-Star-
FORDSHIRE BgE-KEEPER,” in No. 99, page 144, as to his super-
posed hive. The division of a crown-board, with end openings
only between two sections of a storified-hive, would, doubtless,
to a certain extent, “affect their future welfare” by interrupting
the queen’s free progress through both, and thereby curtailing
her production from what might otherwise be were the
entire combs as open to her perambulations as when there is
the usual space between every bar. Then, although the stock
ultimately attained an altitude of four or five instead of but
“two storeys,” such a height, rather than being a disadvantage,
would give promise of weighty supers during a favourable
season. As a general rule, the roomier the stock the longer is
natural swarming protracted, although the swarm is all the
larger when it comes.

Assuming from the description of your correspondent that
the present upper portion of his superposed stock is but a cap,
or small hive—in that case he might, the stock being strong,
remove it filled as a super without materially retarding the
swarming of the stock, should the summer be good; but as he
seems desirous to increase his hives, perhaps the speediest mode

during the middle of a fine day, to attach the upper hive to an
eke, and then invert the lower, beating up the queen, together
with the bulk of the inmates, and remove it then—say a mile or
so off for two or three weeks. The absent foragers, with those
left in the lower hive, would in the interim raise a young queen.

The last year was quite as miserable a bee one in Renfrewshire
as it could possibly be in S i The season of 1860
was bad, 1861 worse, and 1862 the worst the present writer has

| any recollection of since he knew anything of bees and bee-

keeping. Many he remembers as enthusiastic bee-keepers since
his boyhood fed their stocks at the close of 1860, hopeful for
1861, fed again that season ; but in disgust let them take their
chance in 1862, trusting solely to the tolerably good month of
August at the heather, and this spring finds them totally bank-
rupt in the bee way. .
My own apiary at the beginning of last year consisted of six

| stocks—three weak, and three strong; and, anticipating a good

season after two such poor ones, besides the arrival of a

stock from Devonshire, I kent my favourites in tolerable con-
dition as the summer advanced by repeated drafts on the crushed-
sugar cask, but unfortunately neither the good season nor the
Ligurians arrived. I then turned my attention to equalise my
stock ; my three strong ones were by this time strong indeed,
built ont, quite at suffocating-point, but they thought better of
it than swarm, and were consequently nearly idle.

To remedy this I began operations first on the strongest, in a
Stewarton hive and eke wrought on the adapter plan, which I
will now describe as No. 1, beat out the inmates into a similar
hive and eke; and, with the assistance of a little feeding now
and then, they, by the end of the season, had filled their new
hive with comb. Into their vacated hive I placed an unusually-
prolific queen, the monarch of another Stewarton-adapter which
had met with a misfortune ard was now rated as one of my
weak ones. Her subjects speedily hatched-ont the large
quantity of maturing brood this hive contained, and were so
reinforced in consequence, that in the end No. 2 was, if any-
thing, superior to No. 1. The combs left by No. 2 I set in
frames, and I placed them, alternately with blank ones, in an
empty box under No. 3, a strong stock in a frame-hive: this
gave them plenty of fresh air and empleyment in completing
the frames in their lower hive. :

March 10, 1863. ]

No. 4: was a very weak colony in a straw hive with an agile
dark queen, but with by far too small a population ever to
prosper in so large a domicile. I therefore picked out four
frames well stored with brood and food borrowed from No. 5,
and placed them in a frame-hive with temporary contracted
moveable ends, into which I transferred her and her attendants.
So delighted were they with the change, that from being a pecu-
liarly inert helpless squad they were transformed into the
pluckiest little colony in the lot, improving to the utmost every
favourable blink. The combs of their old straw hive were cut
up to partially furnish a lower box for No. 5, which, by the
way, was a particularly good colony, shifted from a nine-inch-deep
bar-hive into a frame one. ‘To the beautifully-loaded tops of
their bars we were indebted for the only remembrance of a honey-
harvest obtained. No. 6 was a weak colony in a frame-hive,
reinvigorated by a contribution of three heavy frames levied
from the strong stocks.

After a large and final draft on the cask, I set my half-dozen
stocks fast on their ekes for the winter, thankful that the disas-
trous season of 1862 had passed, leaving my industrious little
friends, although not an augmented, still not a diminished, band,
and in better trim to begin the campaign of 1863 than 1862 had
found them. That campaign opened I may say on the 31st of
January, such a day as your esteemed correspondent, “A
DzEvoNSHIRE BEE-Kerrre” described the 29th to have been
with him, when I had the pleasure of seeing the first indications
of pollen-carrying, only two days later than with his beautiful
Italians in salubrious Devonshire. They have lately embraced
every favourable moment in this unusually mild spring to rifle
the aconites and crocuses now in bloom. This, however, will
have no effect in tempting their master to deviate from his usual
course of increasing the temperature one whit till March has
fairly lost her “adder head,” and displays the departing azure
brilliancy of her “ peacock’s tail,” when, by withdrawing the
ventilating ekes, and administering small doses of food, each

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

stock will be put upon its mettle—A RENFREWSHIRE BEE-
KEEPER.

DRONES IN MARCH.

Our of a Ligurian hive to-day (3rd March), which is very
warm, I saw two drones come. The hive was populous last year,
and was the only one that swarmed (it swarmed twice). But
misfortune overtook it on the moors, for it came back populous
but devoid of honey. I have fed it by bottle all the winter, and
this day, the first warm one (out of the sun), they have taken
their first spring flight. I observe that they have pulled out
many immature bees, as far as I can see, not drones, which
proves that breeding has been going on, and that there is the
possibility of a queen existing. Whether it is only the com-
paratively common occurrence of a hive deprived of its queen,
and of working bees breeding, I know not; but the existence
of drones on the 3rd of March is worthy of note——A NortHrrn
BEE-KEEPER.

{Setting aside the possibility of a drone-breeding queen or of
fertile workers as anticipated by “A NoRTHERN BEE-KEEPEE,”
either of which circumstances if they exist, will probably soon
make themselves sufficiently evident by the undue development
of the male element in the hive; there is yet another con-
tingency which will account for the occasional appearance of a
few drones in March. ‘This is the irregular deposit of isolated
drone eggs amongst those of workers, which sometimes occurs,
and of which I saw an instance only a few days ago in one of my
own stocks. In the middle of a patch of sealed worker-brood
projected the unmistakeable hemispherical cover of a drone
larva which has probably arrived at maturity, and may even
have taken its firat flight before these pages are printed.—A
DkVONSHIRE BEE-KEEPER. |

MEETING OF GERMAN BEE-KEEPERS AT
POTSDAM.

THE bee-keepers of Germany held their tenth annual meeting
at Potsdam, on the 17th, 18th, and 19th of September last.
Here were met the most distinguished ‘ bee-fathers”” of Vater-
land, theillustrious Dzierzon and his nephew, who is stated to be
a worthy follower in his uncle’s footsteps, Baron von Berlepsch, |
Count Stosch, Pastor Kleine, and a host of others more or less |
distinguished, to the number of from 500 to 600.

197

The following is an epitome of the subjects brought under
discussion.

I. What are the results of experience with regard to the ad-
vantages and disadvantages of the Italian bee ?

Herr Radlow who was the originator of this inquiry, stated
that he had himself but little experience with the Italians, and
pene car requested Pastor Dzierzon to enlighten them on the
subject.

Pfarrer Dzierzon in reply said, “ When ten years ago I
received the first Italian stock, multifarious opinions were pro-
mulgated concerning them. Some said the Italian bees were
nothing but German bees in a coloured dress, they were merely
a climatic variety, and in our climate would soon degenerate
into the common grey or black bee. This opinion has not,
however, been confirmed, The Italian bee is a distinct species,
which is not only of a different colour, but has also other great
peculiarities which have since come to light, especially during
the past year. The Italian bee is decidedly more diligent and
richer in honey. When I examined my hives in the beginning
of last August, what a striking difference was there to be seen
between the Italian and the black bee! Unfavourable as this
season has been, the Italians had generally much more honey,
but on the average fewer bees. ‘Uhe Italians begin breeding
earlier and cease earlier than the black bees. Being more diligent
and intrusive, they wear themselves out more rapidly, and there-
fore a greater mortality must be the result. ‘Towards autumn,
however, it must at all events be agreeable to bee-keepers to find
more honey than bees, whilst as greater diligence must naturally
produce a greater result, they are decidedly better honey-
gatherers. That the Italian bee is less inclined to sting is
undisputed ; and this is a great advantage, since the bee-sting is
very formidable to some, whilst in most a degree of swelling is
produced which is very disagreeable to clergymen, teachers, and
others who have to appear in public. Then the Italian bee is
more watchful, and will not submit to be robbed by others like
the common species. Hven the weakest stock, if it has a queen,
will repel courageously the most violent attacks from strangers—
at least it is s0 with me ; for though I am frequently obliged to
operate in the robbing season, not one Italian stock has been
plundered. My conviction is that these advantages are of such
importance, that it is well worth while to bestow both care and
attention on the introduction and multiplication of the Italian
race” (cheers).

Herr Gotze declared the Italians had many advantages, but
no disadvantages. Passing through a teazel field in full bloom
after seven o’clock in the evening he was surprised to find a
number of bees still working zealously. A close examination
proved them to be all Italians, not a single German bee could be
found among them. The flight continued until eight o’clock.

Pastor Kleine declared the superiority of the Italian species to
be beyond a doubt. It had also been of great value in deciding
debateable points, such as the intercourse between the sexes
taking place outside the hive, and but once during the life of a
queen—the doctrine of parthenogenesis, which has been of so
great importance in physiology—the turning-out of fertile
workers being an indispensable element in every normal hive—
the discovery of the mode of life and duties of young bees—and
the longevity of workers. He also considered that bee-keeping
in order to prosper should be a favourite occupation. Every
one who has introduced Italian bees into his apiary must
confess that his love for bees has been increased, and that by
their means he has become rapidly initiated into the mysteries of
bee life (applause).

Herr Harmuth declared his preference for the hybrid race,
stating that the true Italian bee neglects the heath.

Pastor Kleine, on the contrary, averred that the Italians seemed
to riot in the blossoms of the Liineburg heath.

Il. How may water-dearth* be discovered, what are its conse-
quences, and how can tt best be prevented ?

Count Stosch recommended the honey-room being on the same
level as the brood-room, avoiding the use of too thick as well
as stuffed double walls, but giving the bees water in a sponge.

Pastor Dzierzon agreed with the former speaker, recommend-
ing also a supply of water outside the hives in vessels covered
with moss, and keeping the floor-boards coolin order to promote
condensation upon them.—A DEVONSHIRE BEE-KEPPDR.

(Lo be continued.)

* Water-dearth is an evil which is, so far as we are aware, unknown in
England, and appears to owe its existence to the extreme dryness of the
atmosphere in Germany.

198

SALT NOT BENEFICIAL TO PIGS.

I HAVE had to do with pigs more or less for fully forty years,
and for the last twenty-five years have bred and fed not a few
for my own consumption, and to sell to private families. I have
read everything I could find about the management of pigs, and
tried many sorts of food and different ways of feeding. Amongst
others I haye tried salt, although I had seen its injurious effects
as I have stated at page 753, in the volume just concluded.

It will be remembered, that in Vol. XXVI., page 188, there is
a paper read by Mr. Stearn, of Brandeston, Suffolk, on the
management, breeding, and feeding of pigs, and to my mind he
is the best authority on the subject Iam acquainted with. He
sprinkles salt on the food for his young pigs, and it may seem
in the opinion of some to be rather daring to condemn salt in
the face of such an authority: yet I do, and I will endeavour to
make it appear why in as clear a way as I can.

In the first place, I am quite aware that to salt a pig’s food
as a man would salt his own porridge will do a pig no harm when
the pig has become used to it; but the question is, Doesit do him
any good? I say it does not, so far as my experience goes;
and in the next place I haye had plenty of proof on several
occasions of the injurious effects that brine has had on pigs when
thrown in the swill-tub, even when there has been no saltpetre
in it,

. As regards boiled potatoes salted down in large quantities to
be used as wanted, which was, I suspect, what Mr. Pearson did,
and which was the case with the potatoes and pigs xeferred to at
page 753, I will show from experience that the same quantity of
salt given to a pig—that is, sprinkled over his food at the time
of feeding and mixed up with it—which would do him neither
good nor harm then, would do him a serious injury if mixed
in the same proportions and put two or three hogsheads of it
together, and allowed tostand'a month or two before being used.

In 1855 I had a quantity of bad potatoes; and knowing if I
did not.boil them, all up at once I should lose a great bulk of
food, knowing also that salt; does not make pigs ill if giyen as

. above stated, and thinking that others had been too bountiful in
the use of it, I determined to try an experiment for myself, but
at the same time had. no faith whatever in the good effects of salt.

Ihave a tub that measures 3 feet 9 inches at bottom, 4 feet
9 inches at top, and 3 feet deep; and as it was the firat week in
August and I did not want to begin feeding my pigs till the first
week in October, I determined to fill the tub with potatoes, and
salt them down as I term’ it, First, I put potatoes in when
boiled, and smashed them till they were 1 foot up the tub and
quite solid and leyel on the surface. I then sprinkled salt all
over the surface, I next smashed-in another tub, and filled into
the large one 1 foot more, with salt as before; then another
layer 1 foot thick, likewise with salt, and that filled the tub. I
put no more salt, according to. the quantity of potatoes, than I
should have put on potatoes that I was going to eat myself, and,
consequently, no more than might have been put in a pig’s meal
at the time of feeding, and given without any ill effects,

When I had) used up all the offal I had in the shape of
brewers’ grains and refuse from the kitchen and garden, the
salted potatoes had then stood two months, and my pigs were
about11 score a-piece and half fat. I then began giving those
salted potatoes mixed with beanmeal. I dug the potatoes out
of the tub, with a spade,into a bucket, then put to them the
beanmeal and as much water as made the whole about the con-
sistency that a bricklayer would use his mortar. This was given
to the pigs, ana all went on well enough to outward appearance ;
still I thought they did not eat their food with that relish they
used todo, Neither could I see that they went on any better
than my pigs used to do with the same focd without salt; but
nothing happened till they had eaten about halfway down the tub,
then came the grand secret.

I fed as usual at night. I put the food over the wall into the
trough ; it was dusk, and as I was not aware of anything amiss
Idid not go again till breakfast-time next morning, and then to
see my pigs in the same plight that I had seen other folks’ from
the same cause! ‘hey had not eaten all their supper, and there
they were scouring all up the walls and about the sty, opening
their mouths as wide as they could, then champing their jaws
together, then gaping again, then champing, which told me they
were sick at stomach. I knew at once what was the cause, and
the effect was plain enough, and all I had to do was to remedy
the evil in the quickest and best way I could.

_ As soon as I had time I examined the potatoes that were left

in the tub, and the place I had taken out their allowance was

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGH GARDENER.

fe

filled up with stuffin a liquid state. I tasted it, likewise put
some potatoes in my mouth and chewed them. Both were alike
of a nasty brackish taste, a good deal like the mineral water T
have tasted either at Brighton or Malvern, but forget which, or
like water that a lot of rusty old iron had lam in for some time.
It did not taste as salted porridge would, and it is fresh in my
memory to this moment. I dug down to the bottom of the tub,
turned it over, and found the potatoes the same throughout.
It is natural to suppose if there had been no salt used that
the potatoes at the bottom of the tub would have been more
moist than at the top, after sianding so long; and my humble
opinion is, that the salt put on the top when the tub was full,
gradually settled down with the moisture that the potatoes con-
tained, and took the second lot of salt with it about G6 inches
lower than where it was put, and that, with the next lot of salt
and the moisture from the potatoes, had formed brine enough to
well saturate the potatoes for about 18 imches from the bottom
of the tub. I am satisfied that brine either from animal or
vegetable substances, is injurious, if not poison, to pigs, and it
is probable that if my pigs had been strong stores just brought
in from where they had not been half fed, and eaten eagerly, as
they would have done, to their fill, it would have killed them
outright. I think it will be seen that salt acts quite differently
when used in different ways, and why, I will leave wiser heads
than mine to determine. ,

Now for Mr. Pearson’s question, why T think salt is not good
for a pig, if it dees him no particular harm; and the reason is,
because it is not in the nature of a pig to eat or lick salt with
his own free will like sheep or cattle, whenever they come in
contact with it.. Between the years 1845 and 1855 I lived for
five years near some ‘saltworks in Worcestershire, and on the
premises there had been some new buildings put up, and at certain
times of the year the face of the bricks for 2 feet or so from the
ground would be incrusted all over and quite white with salt.
Whenever the sheep ‘or cattle came into the Seld adjoining
these walls they would at once begin licking this salt off, and
although we had im general from fifteen to fifty pigs that were at
liberty to do the same, I never saw one co it. Again: The
canal came through our fields, and at the locks the salt- boats would
often stop and put out lots of salt to alter the: arrangement of
their cargo, and to stow away the fresh meat for their voyage;
consequently, there were often lots of salt strewed on ‘the
large stones that were round the locks, and I haye seen the
sheep and cattle go and lick all the salt up as clean as if it had
been washed off; but the pigs had the run of the same fields,
and I have watched their proceedings, and they would walk over
these stones without taking the slightest notice of the salt. I
should have stated, that the pigs would rub themselves against the
aboye-mentioned wall without notice of the salt, and I venture
to say that pigs, dogs, poultry, and ferrets will thrive without
salt.— WORCESTER. !

ees

OUR LETTER BOX.

Brack Bantams’ Conus (J. Z.).—There is no’ fixed comb for a Black
Bantam. It may be double, or single, or cupped. The latter would-be no
proof of impurity, because wherever there are single there will sometimes
be cupped combs. Itis a very common thing for the Sebrights to show all
sorts of combs. We have seen them so curious as fo be ridiculous, and look
more like a thing made in sport than a production of Nature. A cupped-
cantly is not desirable, nor would the possessor of it be likely to be a prize-
taker.

BrauMa Poorras,—We are informed that letters directed to Mr. Har-
greaves, Bacup, Lancashire, have been returned from the dead-letter office.

CoveRInG Bex-H1veEs (Mr. J, Fenn).—Coyeriug them with stable litter.
as recommended by Mr. Payne in ‘‘ Bee-keeping for the Many,” is an ex-
periment which we have never tried, but we Should say, Keep them covered.
until the nights cease to be’ cold, or until the bees become sufficiently .
numerous to set the cold at defiance, j

VENTILATION—WINTERING Bers iN Grass Hives (B. W.).—If you will
reperuse my communication in pages 159 and 160, I think you will find it
sufficiently explicit. Miy mode of ventilation is, howeyer, inapplicable to
bar-and-slide hives. Perhaps the best plan with these hives would be to
draw out one or two slides on each side, and cover the apertures with
perforated zinc. I never attempt to winter bees in glass hives, but always
shift them in the atituinn into wooden boxes. The Jate Dr: Bevan informed
me that he once succeeded in keeping bees alive through the winter in a
unicomb-hive, which was placed in his drawing-room, and well protected
by woollen wrappers.—A, DEVONSHIRE BEE-KEEPER.

Work on Bers (An Old-fashioned Bee-heeper).—tf you will send to our
office five postage stamps, with your direction, and ordering ‘t Bee-keep-
ing,” you will have it free by post, and it contains what you require.

Loss or Harr on Docs (i. C.).—Your hairless two-year-old Toy Ter-
rier, descended from a-blue tan grandsire similarly bare, probably never
will have any hair. The ointment we mentioned last week would not in-
jure your dog, just enough to grease the surface being used ata time; but
we can hold out no hope of its prodacing a crop of hair.

March 17, 1863.] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 199
WEEKLY CALENDAR,
| | WEATHER NEAR LONDON IN 1862. |

| Day Day eat | | Moon | Clock |
of |_ of MARCH 17—23, 1863, y Rain in| S22 Sun Rises | Moon’s| before | Day of

Mnth Week Barometer. /|Thermom.} Wind. Inches, | Rises. Sets. waa Age. | Sun. | Xear.

Ss.

tt ' degrees. |m. h.}| m. h.| m. h.| m. 8. |

| 17 | To | SirJ.E, Smith died, 1828. B. .| 29.746—29.730 | 45—35 S. 0.21 | 13af6 | 5af6j; 51 4/ 27 8 36} 76
1S | W | Prrscess Louisa posy, 1848. | 29.763—29.671 | 49-25 | S.W. =) 10) 16? |b as Leonean Sh Sainz 7 |

) 19 | Te White Poplar flowers. 29.608—29.495 | 53—30 N.E. | 0.02 | 8 6] 8 6] ses | @ | 8 0} 78
20 F Sun’s declin. 0° 14’ s. 29.416—29.316 39—30 N.E. 111 6 6/10 6 | 4428.7) Bei 7) 43 79
21 s Jethro Tull died, 1740. | 29.678—29.372 43—32 N. 0.07 °} 4 6 | 12 16 | 58 Ws | 2 7 25 80

| 22 | Scx | 5 Suspay iw Lent. | 29.979—29.921 | 44—31 NE | OEE ea a rR St) IG) ly OG 81
23 | M Frankenius died, 1651. B. | 29.817—29 517 44—34 S.E. 0.42 | 59 5/15 6/16 11} 4 6 48 $2

METEOROLOGY OF THE WEEK.—At Chiswick, from observations during the last thirty-six years, the average highest and lowest

cold, 17°, on the 20th, in 1845.

temperatures of these daysare 50.9° and 33,9° respectively. The greatest heat, 67°, occurred on the 19th and 20th, in 1836; and the’ lowest
During the period 156 days were fine, and on 96 rain fell.

THE PROGRESS OF FLOWER-GARDENING.

NY

ETER searching
through many gar-
dening periodicals
I find that we have
arrived at our
present system of
massing flowers
by almost imper-
ceptible degrees.

Towards the end
of the last and be-
ginning of the
present century,
to judge from a
report that I once

saw of the annual
exhibitions of flo-
_tists’ flowers that
‘were then held
in nearly every parish around cities and towns, such
flowers must have been in high repute. It appears that
they were not only cultivated for exhibition, but also for
planting in the beds and borders of the flower garden.

I can well recollect the fine display that I have seen
many years ago, when the beds were filled with Crocuses,
Anemones, Hepaticas, Auriculas, Hyacinths, Tulips,
Cowslips, Ranunculuses, Narcissi, Ixias, Gladioli, Poly-
anthuses, Carnations, Pinks, Lilies, Double Rockets, &e.
Herbaceous plants were also of some service to give
variety to the beds and borders, and when annuals were
introduced, more especially the sorts sent home by
Douglas, they combined to produce a pleasing but tran-
sitory effect.

Abercrombie, Nicol, and other practical gardeners of
their time, seem by their writings to have had no distinct
ideas on the subject of arranging flowers in flower gar-
dens. However. Nicol in his ‘Gardeners’ Kalendar,”
published in 1810, gives the following instructions on the
formation of gardens—‘‘A variety of forms may be in-
dulged in without incurring censure, provided the figures
be graceful, and not in any one place too complicated.
An oval is a figure that generally pleases, on account of
the continuity of its outlines. Next, if extensive, a circle.
Next, perhaps, a segment in form of a half moon, or the
larger segment of an oval. But hearts, diamonds, tri-
angles, or squares, if small, seldom please. A simple
parallelogram, divided into beds running lengthwise, or
the larger segment of an oval, with beds running parallel
to its outer margin, will also please.”

The following observations made by a lady, authoress
of the “ Florists’ Manual,’ published in 1806, are the
first indications that I have found worthy of particular
notice, as they attest, to my apprehension, the first ap-
proach to a correct taste in the arrangement of flowers.
“Tn the formation of that assemblage of flowers which
may be distinguished by the term of the mingled flower
garden, it is essential that the separate parts should, in

No. 103.—You. LY., New Srnies.

their appearance, constitute a whole, and this appearance
is not incompatable with any form into whick the ground
may be thrown, if attention be given to the manner of
planting. In some gardens this appearance of a whole
is entirely destroyed by the injudicious taste of setting
apart distinct borders for Pinks, Hepaticas, Primulas, or
any other favourite kinds of flowers; also for different
species of bulbs, as Anemones, Ranunculuses, Hyacinths,
&e., these distinct borders, although beautiful in them-
selves, break the whole, that should always be presented
to the eye by the mingled flower garden, as single beds.
containing one species only form a blank before that
species produces its flowers, and a mass of decaying
leaves when the glow of their petals is no more. The
reverse of this mode of planting is essential to the per-
fection of the mingled flower garden, in each border of
which there should be at least two of every species, but
the precise number must be regulated by the force of
colour displayed by the plants, and the size and relative
positions of the borders. It will be only necessary to
observe, that to whatever view the garden presents itself,
the eye should not be checked by the failure in any part
of it, of the prevalent colours of the season.”

T think Mr. Hogg, who was master of an academy at
Paddington, Middlesex, was the first writer to give us
some ideas on the arrangement of colours. In his
** Treatise on Flowers,’ published in 1812, he says—* We
are apt to ridicule the Dutchman, as well as the imitators
of him here at home, who divide their gardens into small
beds or compartments, planting each with separate and
distinct flowers. We ridicule the plan because it exhibits
too great a sameness and formality, like unto the nosegay
that is composed of one sort of flowers only ; however
sweet and beautiful they may be, they lose the power to
please, because they want variety. It must, undoubtedly,
be acknowledged that a partérre, no matter in what
form, whether circular or square, elliptical or oblong,
when all the shrubs, plants, and flowers in it, like the
flowers of a tastefully arranged bouquet, are variously
disposed in neat and regulated order, according to their
height and colour, is a delightful spectacle, and worthy
of general imitation. Yet, still, in some particular cases,
I am disposed to copy the Dutchman, and I would have
my bed of Hyacinths distinct, my Tulips distinct, my
Anemones, my Ranunculuses, my Pinks, my Carnations,
distinct, and even my beds of Hollyhocks, double blue
Violets, and dwarf Larkspurs, distinct, to say nothing of
hedgerows of different sorts of Roses. Independent of
the less trouble you have in cultivating them when kept
separate, you have beauty in masses, and you have like-
wise their fragrance and perfume so concentrated, that.
they are not lost in air, but powerfully inhaled when you
approach them. Mrs. Siddons, the celebrated tragic
actress, is a great admirer of this mode of planting,
and fond of contemplating their beauty in masses. She
adopted this style of gardening at her late residence on
the Harrow Road. Her favourite flower was the Viola
amcena, the common purple Heartsease, and this she set
with unsparing profusion all around her garden.”

No. 755.—Vou. XXIX., Onp SERiEs.

200

T also think that the taste displayed by Mrs, Siddons in the
arrangement of her evergreens, to give a cheerful appearance to
her suburban villa during the winter months, is worthy “of
motice. It was planted with Box trees, Fir, Privet, Phillyrea,
Arbor Vitz, Holly, Cypress, the Red Cedar, Laurel, Irish Ivy,
Bay trees, Laurustinus, Arbutus, Spurge Laurel, &. After the
‘display of flowers was over, it was, no doubt, viewed with'a
‘depree of satisfaction, as giving rise to a pleasing association of

‘ideas, in beholding their green verdure at a time when deciduous -

trees were stripped bare.

Mr. Loudon, in his descriptive notice of the gardens of the
Misses Garnier, at Wickham, near Wareham, in the ‘* Gardener’s
Magazine” of May, 1834, tells us that'the bold masses.of bril-
liant-coloured flowers and the succession of masses of flowers,
with their intervening glades of turf, extending to a considérable
distance till the colours were almost lost in the boundary planta-
tion, produced a landscape of the most brilliant kind. When
we look closely into the ground-plan of that garden, and examine

the details, we find that beauty in mueses is the predominant.

feature, combined with a smaller portion of the mixed system.
There are beds of herbaceous plants distinct ; Perpetual Roses
distinct ; Roses edged with Pansies ; Potentillas and Calceolarias
edged with Viola cornuta; Hollyhocks edged with China Roses ;
beds of Pinks, Pelargoniums, and Verbena chameedrifolia; a’col-
lection of Phloxes ; Fuchsia carnea edged with Lobelia triquetra ;
‘Lupines, Hydrangeas, Petunias, Mimulus, and Pwonies distinct.
We also find that there were only Verbenas chamzdrifolia, pul-
chella, Lamberti, Aubletia, and venosa, and Geraniums san-
‘guineum, Lancastriense, sibiricum, and Wallichianum, which
are very old and inconspicuous sorts when compared with the
variety and brilliancy of the ‘sorts now in general cultivation.
We are directed by Mr. Loudon to the Rev. Thomas Garnier, at
‘Bishopstoke; to Mrs. Corrie, near Birmingham ; to Mrs. Robert
Phillips, near Cheadle; to Lady Broughton, near Chester; and
to Mrs. Starkey, at Bowness, as the most distinguished places
where the beds were most judiciously planted, and the order and
keeping of the whole were of the very highest and most refined
description.

Hay, “On Colours,” tells us that all know that the arrange-
ment of notes in a melody is regulated by fixed laws, proved
also by the natural philosopher to depend on certain phenomena
in nature, and which cannot be deviated from without giving
offence to the ear: therefore a knowledge of these laws is con-
sidered absolutely requisite to every one who wishes to cultivate
that pleasing art. Thisis precisely the case in regard to colour-
ing; for it does not matter under what circumstances a variety
of colours is presented to the eye; if they be harmoniously ar-
ranged the effect will be as agreeable to that organ as harmonious
music is to the ear, but if not so arranged, the effect on the eye
must be unpleasant, and the more cultivated the mind of the
individual the more annoying will such discordance be.

On the harmony of colours he says, “If we look steadily for a
considerable time upon a spot of any given colour placed ona
white or black ground, it will appear surrounded by a border of

another colour; and this colour will uniformly be found to be’

that which makes up the triad, for if the spot be red the border
will be green, which is composed of blue and yellow; if blue the
border will be orange, composed of yellow and ved); if yellow
the border will be purple, making in all cases a triunity of the

three primary colours—red, blue, and yellow, the three simple,

or homogenous colours, of which all others are compounds.
This analogy will help to show that the laws which govern
colour are as irrefragable, and at the same time as practically
necessary to the colourist in art, manufacture, or decoration, and,
T would add, to the gardener, as those which govern sound are
to the musician.” Also, from the combination of the primary
colours the secondary arise, and are orange, which is composed
of yellow and red in the proportion of 3 and 5; purple, which
is composed of yellow and blue in the proportion of 5 and 8;
a gem composed of yellow and blue in the proportion of

and 8.

Contrasting Colowrs.—Yellow, its contrasting colour is purple;
orange, its contrasting colour is blue. Orange is the extreme
point of warmth in colouring, as blue is of coldness. Red, its
contrasting colour is green. Red is decidedly a warm colour.
Purple is rather a cool colour, and very retirmg in éffeot. Blue
is the only absolutely cool colour; the contrasting’ colour to
blue is the secondary orange. Hach of these colours is.capable
of forming a key for an arrangement to which all the other
eolours must refer subordinately, This reference and subordi-

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

March 17, 1863:

nation to one particular colour, as is the case in regard to the
key-note in musical composition, gives a character to the whole.
The succession of colours in the key are yellow, orange, red,
purple, blue, neutral, green. The diagrams given are also
worthy of particular notice as showing a series of hues for each
of the primaries.

The'true knowledge of colour is not 'to be acquired by theory ;
some people have'a false taste, some'a false perception, which is
otherwise called “colour-blindness.” A true perception is a
natural gift, like’an ear for music, and it may be cultivated, but
cannot be acquired. To attempt fo find the reasons why one
colour harmonises with another is futile until we have obtained
a full empirical, generalisation.

The last and best work on colours is by Sir J. G. Wilkinson,
published in 1858. The following paragraph is valuable as a
guide in our arrangement of colours in the flower garden:—
‘Colours ‘are opposed 'to/each other in different degrees, Ist, The
strongest opposition is by positive contrast where the colours
are of different hues and natures—as black and white, blue and
orange, scarlet and blue, &c. Of these Mr. Mield says, ‘The only
two ‘contrasting colours ‘which ‘are “of equal powers are black
and white, orange and blue:; ‘andalliother‘contrasts are perfect
only when one of the antagonistic colours predominates. 2nd,
‘Opposition ‘or contrast of ‘watm ‘and cold ‘colours; among the
former ’of which are red, yellow, orange, brown, red-purple, &c.;
among the latter blue, grey, green, purple, white, blue-black, &c.
8rd, Opposition or ‘contrast ‘of dark and light colours, or op-
position»of tones, as where'the-colours are tones of the same hue,
oné stronger than the other—as dark and light yellow. 4th, Oppo-
sition or! contrast of accidental colours is where‘a colour and its
accidental companion ‘are Opposed ‘to ‘each other—as red and
green, blue and orange, yellow and purple.” ” ;

From the attention ‘that ‘is mow given to ornamentation in the
arts and manufactures, and toa general diffusion of taste among
all classes, we'may-soon expect tolsee'the whimeical combination
aud the indisctiminate’and incongroous mixture of colours, as at
present very génerally adopted ‘in Hower gardens, ‘superseded
by arrangements more in’accordance with the true principles of
taste. From the innumerable varieties of seedlings that are yearly
raised with all the colours of the rainbow we can select the most

‘suitable colours, and blend, shade, or contrast them as our taste

becomes more cultivated. We must also bear in mind when
arranging the colours in the flower garden that red ‘and blue,
which if mixed would form purple, become ata distance some-
how fused by theeye into that colour, and that yellow placed
next to red produces upon the retina the effect of an orange hue.
But blue and yellow in juxtaposition do not produce green, or,
if at all, to much less extent than the analogous secondary
colours. Green has another peculiarity—that a certain quantity
of it appears to be greater than the same quantity of other
colours, and, consequently, a very small quantity of it ‘will
brighten-up a design. W. KEANE.

MANAGEMENT OF APRICOT TREES.

In your No. 101 I felt much interested when I read the
above heading, and I at once read through the three columns
written by Mr. Robson. I quite hoped to have found some
new method of insuring a crop of Apricots; but I cannot say
that I found whatI wished for. Still Mr. Robson is voluminous,
and ‘tells us that he believes the native country of the Apricot
to be the southern shores of the Black Sea; that the Apricot
attains the proportions of a fair-sized timber tree in Armenia
(well, well, this is surely not far from the southern shores of the
said sea) ; that the air of high regions is good for the Apricot ;
and that we have no mode of imitating this highly rarefied air ;
that the cause of our want of success is thus revealed; that
‘soil has no little influence over success ;” that he is not quite
certain he is right in supposing some of the old sorts are worn
out, such as the Moorpark and the Peach Apricot, perhaps the
oldest of all except the “‘ Kill-John” of Atrica (the Red Mas-
culine).

a all this is interesting, I daresay, to many of your readers ;
but I confess I looked for some useful hints as'to the “ manage-
ment” of Apricot trees, and also'a full account of the districts
in England where the Apricot tree is found trained against
almost every cottage, helping to pay the rent; as Mr. Robson
is, of course, a travelled man, forno writer on gardening should

‘be a stay-at-home, I repeat I expected this from him.

March.17, 1863. ]

As to the soils which Apricot trees seem to flourish in, they
vary to a great extent. In Oxfordshire, where they are par
excellence the cottager’s tree, I think the district in which they
are so numerous is oolitic. In Nottinghamshire, around Not-
tingham, I am inclined to think the soil is a stiff alluvial loam,
but Mr. Pearson will tell us. In Suffolk, more particularly
around Bury St. Edmunds, the surface is light, the subsoil
mostly chalk; yet here Apricot trees flourish and bear abun-
dance of fine fruit when trained against walls with south or
south-eastern aspects, It is remarkable that in many gardens
in the neighbourhood of Bury you may hear the gardeners say,
“Tt is of no use to plant Peach trees here, they will not grow;
but Apricot trees, as you may see, do well;” the soil of such
gardens being a dark-coloured mould, very light and friable on
the surface, and chalk and flints below.

Well, as Mr. Robson has written sixteen long paragraphs
about Apricot trees, and has omitted to tell us many things, I
will humbly attempt to give your readers a few hints taken from
my own observation.

1, While Apricots against walls are in bloom, and the weather
clear and sunny with sharp frosts at night, cover the trees every
night with straw mats, or canyas, or some material capable of
resisting frost to a certain extent. If the weather be dry the
blossoms will take no harm, eyen if the temperature of the sur-
face of the wall be as low as 27°. At 9 A.M. remove every
covering, and neyer fail in doing so.

2. Never place any covering over the trees either by night or
day if the weather be mild. Ayoid all branches of evergreens
as “protectors.” If too thin, they are of no use; and if too
thick, they will create stagnant air and destroy the blossoms.

3. As soon as the fruit is set and about the size of small horse
beans, they are, if possible, more liable to injury from frost than
the blossoms, and must be protected on frosty nights, but not
in mild weather.

And now allow me to say why I have given the above hints.
For twelve years I have cultivated Apricots in orchard-honses,
and till last year my principal trouble has been the thinning
of the fruit. During this period I have always observed the
anthers disinclined to shed their pollen unless the weather was
bright with a cold dry wind, our usual spring weather, thus
showing that moist stagnant air was unfavourable to their per-
forming their office. I particularly observed this last spring; the
pollen was never dry and dusty as it should be, but remained
on the anthers in almost a glutinous state. My Apricot trees
in my orchard-house have been in bloom for more than a week,
bué till the 4th inst. the anthers did not open kindly. The
bright sun and drying wind of yesterday (the 5th), however,
settled the matter, and the pollen flew off in little clouds of
yellow dust—a sure sign that Nature was fulfilling her office,
My orehard-house, in which the Apricot trees stand, has been
open night and day in spite of slight frosts for the last fortnight.

Mr. Robson “ has but little hopes” of the Apricot asa house
fruit. He saw it in 1829, and “that was a failure;” let him
come here and see what a decent amount of intelligence and
attention to the laws of Nature can do. My trees, with their
roots “cramped-up ” in pots, are as sturdy as oaks; and some
of them, now from ten to twelve years old, have thick stems
andsturdy heads, with short, well-ripened shoots literally covered
with blossoms. Apricot trees planted out in orchard-houses do
not come into bearing so quickly as potted trees. They are apt
to grow too freely for some years; but I have some that are
now eight or ten years old that bear profusely. In pots.trees
only 9-inches high will give fruit, and when pinched-in they are
beautiful miniature trees.

Lord Elgin, just after his return from Japan, happened to
pay mea yisit when these little Apricot and Peach trees in six-
inch pots were in full bloom. He at once said, “ Why, how
did you manage to import them in such good order from such a
distance as China. or Japan, where, only, I have seen such trees ?”
I soon made him aware that they were of home manofacture.
No Apricot from a wall can be compared to the same fruit from
an orchard-house. In the town gardens at Cheltenham I have
seen Moorpark Apricots, from a standard, of very good quality ;
but. waiting for a crop year after year is disheartening, hopeless
work. Here, in a stiff loamy soil, I had at one time a standard
Breda. Apricot growing: its branchesspread over many square
yards:of ground, and its trunk was several feet in girth. An Apple
tree of the same size would haye borne twenty or more bushels
of Apples. Well, once in seven years if gave a crop of several
bushels, which, if the summer were very warm; would ripen so,

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

201

as to be fit for a schoolboy to eat. In the intermediate years
a few were occasionally to be seen on it; and so, tired of the
tree, I cut it down.

As to planting an Apricot tree against a north wall with the
hope of eating ripe fruit from it, you might as well expect ripe
Pine Apples from the open air in Kent. There is no wearing-
out of old sorts of Apricots. The Peach Apricot, the finest and
oldest sort cultivated in France, is now planted there to a greater
extent than ever; and, as I learned from a French orchardist
from the south, thousands of trees are planted annually to supply
the markets, not as standards as formerly, but as “ cordons”
or close pyramids, the shoots being pinched-in in summer.

Mr. Robson recently has had a fling at orchard-houses, I may
say as usual. Now, unlike your amusing and instructive con-
tributor, Mr. Fish, T firmly believe he has never tried to manage
an orchard-house. If he has, and has failed—well, the less he
says about them the better. Let him come here and see, and I
will endeayour to in-sense him, as Paddy says, as to the manage-
ment and advantages of orchard-houses.—T'Hos, RIVERS.

THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY'S
KENSINGTON GARDEN.

Iv is impossible to please every one, and this is more especially
true in matters of taste, such as ornamental gardeningis. No
work of man’s hands is perfect—there is none such in which
some fault cannot be found. No sooner is a work completed
than suggestion after suggestion is offered as to how it may be
improved. Where improvement is really the object in view
these suggestions are not only welcome but oftentimes valuable,
yet too often they are made with merely the desire of gratifying
individual crotchets; and of both classes of suggestions this
Society has had a full share. Some cmitics, regardless of cost,
would haye the Society’s new garden gay with flowering plants
at all seasons of the year; others, without reference to time,
would haye the garden planted with stately trees and luxuriant
shrubs; and a third party would direct the funds of the Society
to objects purely useful. All are night to a certain extent.

The purpose for which this Society was originally instituted
was “the advancement of horticulture in all its branches, orna-
mental as well as useful.” This should never be lost sight of;
for it isa great point for any man, or body of men, to havea
settled object; and the attainment of that, if steadily pursued,
if not easy is at least probable.

To the Kensington garden belongs the ornamental; to the
Chiswick garden the useful; but of the former it is now our
business to speak, Both are under the management of Mr,
Eyles, and with this twofold care upon his hands he has acquitted
himself with great ability towards both.

Of the Kensington garden, to which we now restrict our notes,
it was stated at the annual meeting, that in the previous season
much had been done to render the gardens attractive at a time
when the majority of the members and their friends could not
enjoy the attractions which were presented; and, on the other
hand, it was urged that the garden should be rendered even
more attractive in winter than hitherto. Between these conflict-
ing desires a happy compromise has been made; and without
going to an enormous expense, the gardens have been rendered
gay, whilst much of that flatness and deficiency in trees and
shrubs which they hitherto presented have, by judicious plant-
ing, been removed.

At this season it is almost hopeless to endeayour to tempt
any but the most hardy to prolonged out-door walks, accord-
ingly the display of flowering plants is chiefly confined to the
large conservatory. On entering this and passing along the
broad central walk, on each side are fine Orange trees in tubs,

‘with very superior-flowering Camellias here and there, and Rho-

dodendrons, &c., at the back; whilst at the base of these are

-ranged rows of gay Duc Van Thol Tulips, Hyacinths of various

hues, Cytisuses, Dentzias, dwarf Camellias, Alma and Flower of
the Day Geraniums, with a row of the Isolepis gracilis, which:
makes a yery graceful edging:-to the whole.

Occupying the centre of the main walk is a very gay polygon

_ bed, having in the centre a fine plant of Cyathea medullaris sur-

rounded with Lycopod ; then comes a band of white Hyacinths,
then one of blue, and nearer the edge a brilliant band of red Van
Thol, the whole being bordered with Golden Chain Geranium:
with Lycopod interspersed. Although this bed was striking, the
Yan: Tholi Tulips: seemed too powerful for the other coloura:

202

enrployed, and to prevent the eye resting on these so much as it
ought to do.

At the intersection of the main walk with the cross walk
running to the south doorway, are several fine Camellias gay
with their white and rose-coloured blooms; together with white
Azaleas, Kalmia latifolia, Lilacs, and Spirea prunifolia, the double
white flowers of which are yery ornamental; whilst in front on
the walks are bands of Golden Chain Geranium.

But it is at the south side that the conservatory presents its
Bayest aspect, for there the whole of the flower-baskets, or
brackets, which are placed at intervals along that side of the
house for a length of 80 or 90 yards, are filled with Hyacinths,
Tulips, and other early spring flowers, arranged on a conical
elevation with excellent taste. The whole, especially when
viewed from one end, affords a most striking and brilliant
acene, and such a glow of colour as probably is nowhere else to
Tbe met with at the present season. The opposite side of the
‘walk is likewise made gay by a miscellaneous collection of flower-

‘ing plants ranged throughout its length in front of the shrubs.

On entering the door at the west end, the first basket we come
-to is, like all the others of which we shall speak, edged with
Lycopod; next to this is a baud of Voltaire Hyacinth, blush ;
then a band of Diebitz Sabalkansky, and another red kind;
next a pale blue sort; and the centre is filled with Dielytra
, Spectablis and Azalea amcena.

The second basket had Lily of the Valley and Chinese Primula
alternately; then eame a band of pale blue Hyacinths; next to
this a band of’ double rose, and the centre was filled up with
plants for foliage and two tree Mignonettes.

The third had Lily of the Valley, then red Van Thol, mixed
blue and white Hyacinths, the centre being filled with a Rhodo-
dendron and tree Mignonettes. The appearance of this was
rather formal and not altogether pleasing.

The fourth consisted of yellow Duc Van 'Thol and white
Hyacinths alternately ; double blue Hyacinths formed the next
band, within which was a band of double white, the centre
being occupied by a deep rose Azalea and two plants of
Richardia xthiopica.

The filth basket had a band
front ; next to this yellow Van Thols; then white Hyacinths,
‘with an Azalea and tree Mignonettes in the centre. This had
‘been a very nice basket, but was past its best when we saw it.

It would be tedious to state particularly how the remaining
baskets were filled—the above will be sufficient for an example

-of the system adopted. ‘Ihe materials employed were Lily of
the Valley, Chinese Primulas, and Crocuses in the front bands ;
within these, Hyacinths of various colours and Due Van Thol
Tulips ; whilst the centres were filled with Azaleas white or red,
Dielytra spectabilis, or tree Mignonette.

The arrangement of the plants in these baskets, we were
‘informed, is frequently shifted so as to afford, as far as possible,
a change to the eye of the frequent visitor.

Outside the conservatory the vases on the terrace-wall are
filled with Crocuses, whilst bands of these are planted along the
front, the arrangement of colours being a band of white, one of
yellow, then one of blue, and next to the wall of the conservatory
a row of Wallflowers. Among the Crocuses were planted a few
Hyacinths; but, from the difference in height, they did not

‘harmonise well together.

On the terraces in front of the conservatory and in other parts
of the grounds several new beds have been formed, and these
have been filled with Rhododendrons, Irish Yews, Aucubas, and
-other evergreens; whilst in some, flowering Thorns, Tilacs, and
~other flowering shrubs haye been planted. The panel flower-
‘beds have been filled with Tulips, Scillas, Muscari botryoides,
&e.; but as these are not yet in flower we must defer noticing
them till another occasion, merely remarking that elsewhere
there has been a plentiful introduction of shrubs to fill up the
vacant flower-beds.

f blue and white Crocus in

Tue Prrnorss or Wass’ Brat Bovgurt.—This was
prepared and presented by Mr, Veitch, of the Royal Hxotic
Nursery, Chelsea. Enclosed in Honiton lace, and most taste-
fully arranged, were rare Orchid flowers, buds of white Roses,
sprigs of Myrtle, and the customary Orange blossoms. |The
Myrtle sprigs were sent from Osborne by the Queen’s special
directions, as their parent tree was raised from a sprig which had
formed a part of the bridal bouquet Mr. Veitch had presented
to the Princesa Royal. Similar trees are wished by Her Majesty

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ March 17, 1863.

to be raised at Osborne from the Myrtle sprays of the marriage
bouquets of each member of the Royal family. When Her
Majesty heard of Mr. Veitch being in attendance with the bridal
bouquet last Tuesday at Windsor Castle, she graciously directed
a ticket to be given to him for admission to the Royal chapel to
witness the marriage ceremony.

CLOTH OF GOLD ROSE FROSTED.

Inve a Cloth of Gold Rose on a wall with a south-east
aspect, which flowered for the first time three years ago, but was
nearly killed by the frost, which proved so fatal to Roses and
evergreens everywhere. It has long branches from 65 feet to
8 or 9 feet long, without a shoot, but on the top of each there
are tolerably good branches. How should it be treated ?—
A SussoriBer, South of Ireland.

[For this season let the Rose alone, fasten-in all the strong
shoots to the wall, and merely shorten their points; prune all
little short pieces back to a bud. If the plant is healthy these
pieces at the top will bloom well. If the long branches are
sickly from the frost, it would be best to cut the plant down in
the autumn, mulch and protect it in winter, and allow the plant
to push afresh. |

L :
DESTROYING THRIPS ON CUCUMBER PLANTS.

Lirz has been represented as a constant warfare, a perpetual
struggle with difficulties; and certainly the cultivator, whether
the farm or the garden be his sphere of action, finds it so.
Diseases new to his experience, or insect enemies never before
seen in numbers sufficient to be formidable, are constantly at-
tacking the objects of his care, and a certain amount of loss is
generally incurred before the best means of prevention or cure is
discovered. Even this Journal would be still more interesting
if every successful struggle were recorded and the means which
have proved effectual plainly described. Let me haye a word on
this subject with your readers. }

Iam quite aware there are some selfish people who like to
obtain information, but would not willingly impart it. I look
upon them as belonging to Les Mésérables—they are beneath our
notice, a contemptuous pity isall they are entitled to. But there
are great numbers of clever men and good gardeners who are afraid
of recording theix experience, because some stupid fellow is sure
to say, “ Bless me! has John Smith only just discovered that?
Why, that’s as old as the hills!’? Is any one less obliged to
Mr. Thomson for telling us how new Grapes may be produced
at Christmas, because some one may say they have been so
produced before? Or would Stephenson have been less anxious
to bring the locomotive to perfection if he had known beforehand
that some would-be savant would advance the opinion that not
only the steam-engine but the locomotive was known to the
ancients?

Let us remember that newly-acquired information, though
not exclusively possessed by us, may be valuable to many. I
have been led into this strain of reflection from haying incurred
some loss and much trouble by that troublesome insect the black
thrips. A letter was addressed to you some time since on this
subject—* How to kill the black thrips on Cucumbers,” and ‘at
that very time I was anxiously seeking a remedy, and for a long
time without success. Many years since I found strong tobacco-
water quite effectual when, as in the case of Azaleas of moderate
size, the plants could be entirely dipped in the liquor. Last
autumn I had a house of Long-gun Cucumbers, grown for
experiment, in splendid health ; some fruit cut about Christmas
were declared by Mr. Solomon, of Covent Garden, to be the
best he ever saw at that time of the year. Much to my yexa-
tion these plants became much infested with thrips. I not only
tried every remedy I could think of, but asked every gardener
who came in my way for information. Onesaid the best way was
to destroy the plants, clean the house, and plant again; another
said he knew of a remedy, but it was a secret. I knew at once
he was a fool; they always have a number of secrets to keep.
On all hands I was assured the thrips was very difficult to kill,
particularly on Cucumbers. i

At last I wrote to Messrs. Griffiths & Avis, of Coventry, to
ask their advice. Their answer was they were sure their tobacco-
paper would kill it, My reply was, our house had been fumi-
gated eight times in a fortnight, and the men said the smoke
would kill them before killing the thrips, I received a letter by

March 17, 1863. ]

return of post, saying they quite believed the men’s statement,
for no man could bear smoke of sufficient density to kill this
troublesome enemy. They also kindly gave a list of instructions
for fumigating houses.

First, never smoke if the sun shines; next, choose a still day.
Neyer open or shut a door whilst fumigating; never use coals,
but light a handful of brown paper torn into shreds, put it into
a pot, and the tobacco-paper also torn into small pieces over it,
and blow at once. Let the house and the foliage of the plants
be as dry as convenient. Smoke two nights in succession.

In accordance with these instructions I procured a gutta
percha tube, had a small brass pipe attached to one end of it to
insert into the pot side containing the tobacco, passed the other
end through a small hole in the door, and there connected it
with a bellows. By this means the house was filled with a dense
smoke two nights in succession, and I believe every insect killed.
The plants were quite uninjured, and are fast recovering their
health,—J. R. Pranson, Chilwell, near Nottingham.

THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY’S
SCHEDULES FOR 1863.
(Concluded from page 183.)

I now pass on to the second great Show; and here one is
again struck with the immense amount of prizes given to stove
and orchidaceous plants, for which, in a great many instances,
the plants that have done duty at the previous exhibitions will
again make their appearance, these, with foliaged plants, ab-
sorbing £262 out of the £446 10s. offered for this portion of the
Show. I have no doubt plantsmen will hold up their hands in
horror at the notion of there being any doubt expressed as to
the wisdom of the expenditure, and will tell me this Vanda cost
£30, and that Cattleya £25, and this exhibitor would not sell
his plant of that Phalenopsis for £100. Very likely ; but this
is no test of the amount of encouragement flowers ought to
receive. Tulips are sold at equally extravagant prices, or ut any
rate quoted; but the Society does not think of offering any-
thing for them, and, mad as Tulip-growers are, they would not
be so insane as to ask that their prizes should be measured by
the quoted value of their bulbs; and on what principle is £88
allotted to amateurs in Orchids and £25 to nurserymen ?

As to the expense of growing, I think that to be a question
which, with all due deference to other authorities, I cannot but
think has been over-estimated in the comparison. On what
grounds have the Exhibition Committee required new green-
house Azaleas to be shown in June? They will recollect that

they begin to require Azaleas on March 18th, and to have them |

three months after. That is requiring a great deal, and can only
be done by a constant system of retarding; but Azaleas are in
their glory in May, and then is surely the time for new sorts to
be shown; for, from their being new, there is every anxiety on
the part of the exhibitor to get his plants into bloom and forward
for growth as soon as possible; and by endeavouring to keep
them back until the third week in June a full month’s growth,
and that the best in the year, is lost, and with valuable plants
that is of some considerable importance. ‘There is not the
slightest reason why they should not be shown in May, and
perhaps it only requires pointing out to have the evil remedied ;
for I know that exhibitors of new Azaleas feel the regulation to
be injurious to them, and they are naturally anxious to make as
good a display of the new sorts as can be done.

Surely the Dracenas and Cordylines might very well have
been left to take their place amongst the foliaged plants, for if
they be as ornamental as the Council seem to think—a point on
which I, for one, beg to differ—an exhibitor would take very
good care to put them amongst them; but if they be, as I think
with few exceptions they are, stiff and unmeaning, it would be
surely better to put them out altogether.

The arrangement with regard to Pelargoniums seems peculiar,
nor do I quite see on what principle the prizes have been
arranged. If May be the month for Azaleas, June is un-
questionably the month for this yery familiar and effective
flower; and yet no difference is made in the number of classes
between this and the May Show. In May, Fancies are divided
into two classes—for nurserymen and amateurs. Why that
arrangement should be altered in June I cannot quite see, unless
it be to allow spotted kinds to be brought in; but then would
it not have been better to cut off some of the prizes for those

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

203

classes where money seems to be so lavishly given, and to apply
it here and elsewhere ?

Tropwolums are to be shown in June! NowTI have grown
some of these for years, and have generally some good and large
plants, and they are always in flower in March, and their beauty
quite over early in May. Why, then, the Council should persist
in placing them in the June Show I cannot conceive, especially
as they found that last year there were no exhibitors in the class,
and never will be in June. Just as they have done wrong in
requiring Amaryllids in February, so here is an error in the
opposite direction—but worse, inasmuch as I think that it is a
good object to get plants early in the year, and every inducement
may well be given to that end; but to require T'ropzeolums in
June when there is an abundance of other more showy and
attractive flowers is surely a blunder of greater intensity, and
one would think, with past experience before them, it ought to
have been avoided.

Calceolarias have been omitted altogether from the schedule
this year; and this, again, seems to me a great blunder. We
have latterly seen brought forward a class of flowers in which
the colours of the herbaceous kinds have been united to plants
of a shrubby character, and for the decoration of conservatories
in the later summer and early autumn months have been
much appreciated. It seems a strange proceeding, then, after
having set people on to grow these plants, to suddenly put the
ban on them altogether. I happened to be standing by one of
the exhibitors of them last season—a nurseryman—and haying
noticed that in the brief space of time that I was there he
received several orders, I ventured to express my surprise; and
he then informed me that he had received on that day alone
more orders than he should be able to execute for months, and
I believe more orders than any other plant received at the same
Show, and yet it is now to be excluded altogether! This does
not seem to be a wise way of commending the Society to the
goodwill of all classes. H

May I not put in a plea here for some flowers wholly omitted
as well as the Calceolaria? Some weeks ago Mr. Carey Tyso, of
Wallingford, took no little trouble in endeavouring to procure
the names of the best show Ranunculuses, as so considered by
different growers, and these lists were published in a weekly
contemporary, and from thence copied into other gardening
periodicals ; but this flower is not one that the Royal Hortical-
tural Society chooses to honour: it is excluded from their
schedules altogether. The same znay be said of Pinks, which
are generally in their prime about this time, and around the
boxes of which, when they are sent in for the Miscellaneous
class, there is always sure to be a crowd of eager visitors and
admirers. ‘To have done these things after the strong represen-
tations of the Floral Committee, and after the opinions so freely
expressed, of which some of its officers cannot be ignorant,
augurs surely an amount of perversity one would hardly expect
to find in a public body.

In making these strictures on the Society, I am in no way
influenced by a desire to find fault. I wish it were everythimg
it ought to be; but while so many blunders are perpetrated,
it can never thoroughly enjoy the confidence of the exhibitors.
Nurserymen especially are ill treated, ‘“* We get,” writes one of
the most successful of the exhibitors, “‘at-the shows but scant
justice. After subscribing our money and making their shows,
they now ask us to help them by advertisements, and yet come
into competition with us as distributors of seeds.” This is,
I believe, pretty well the feeling of the trade in general, and
will ultimately lead, if not altered, to the end which the same
writer points out when he says the ‘Society should not
be supported by the trade.” It may come to this; and, not-
withstanding a long list of aristocratic subscribers, the real
bone and muscle of the exhibitions are amongst the nurserymen.

—AN EXHIBITOR. ‘

THE HYDROPULT.

We strongly recommend this to the attention of our readers,
for, which is not always in our power to say, it fully comes up
to this statement of its proprietors :—“It is a fire-annihilator
and garden engine, simple, effective, and convenient. It weighs
but 8 lbs., and will throw 7 or 8 gallons of water per minute to
a distance of 50 feet, when worked by the power of one man.”
It throws the water either in one stream, or dispersed in the
form of the finest shower of rain, by means of a sprinkler which

204°

is screwed on beneath the pistons, and which’can be fixed when
needed on the end of the jet. ‘

Wherever a man with a bucket can pass there can the hydro-
pult be brought into operation; so that narrow walks, and other
places inaccessible with a garden barrow-engine, are no impedi-
ment to the approach of this yery simple and very effective
contrivance.

PARSLEY.

Common as is this kitchen-garden plant, and very often only
indifferently treated, there is, perhaps, nothing which forms so
universal an item in the daily wants of the household of a family
of position; and it is far from being an easy affair to apologise
to the kitchen authorities if it should not be forthcoming in
early spring, even after an unusually seyere winter. Such is
the case now and then; and there is no doubt that the plant
deserves a little more attention than it frequently receives, in
order that its services may be reckoned on with greater cer-
tainty, if only to save the grower of herbs from some not-over-
good-tempered mistress of the saucepan, who, in cases of ‘No
Parsley!” may give vent fo her disappointment in terms any-
thing, but complimentary,

_ After a very severe winter—such, for instance, as that of
1860-61—Parsley, as well as many other things, suffers sadly.
In that winter many plantations were wholly destroyed; and
what was left was rendered so weak that, excepting where pre-
cautions had been taken to leave some under cover, the supply
for some weeks was: very limited. In mild winters this eyil is
not so likely to happen, but if sometimes does so from other
causes. Plants die off, and the dearth is equally great. As a
means of preventing these calamities, let us look at the common
practice and compare it with that likely to be more successful,
and in fact proved by experience to be so.

In very many gardens it is not unusual to sow rows of Parsley
as edgings to the walks bordering other crops. For instance:
A square or plot consists of several kinds of vegetables, and a
row of Parsley is sown as a boundary between them and the
walk or pathway. ‘This practice is not only excusable but highly
to be recommended, only it must not, as is frequently the case,
be done too often, otherwise the ground becomes tired, and the
plant dies-off at the trying time in winter. It is, therefore,
better to change the ground every time a fresh crop of Parsley
is sown, and by, that means one of the evils will at least be
lessened if notventirely removed; as this change of soil isequally
necessary, whether the plant occupy a single row or part of a bed,
border, or plot, the practice of sowing Parsley where it is most
conyenient to get at when wanted will not bear carrying out
too. long. iy

Wireworm is:also another cause of Parsley dying-off. The
root, thick and fleshy as it is, is nevertheless eaten through by
these pernicious intruders; the top withers, and on examination
it is found to be separated from the root an inch or so below
the surface. The best remedy for this is a liberal dressing of
soot and wood ashes, and, in default of these, lime is useful ;
but it must be used more liberally, being dug into the ground at
the time of sowing, and a dressing given afterwards. Some
soils are so much infested with this pest that it is not an easy
matter to save Parsley over the winter; other crops, it is need-
less to say, suffering algo.

Perhaps the most certain way to secure a supply of good
Parsley in the months of February and March is) to take up
some plants in autumn, remove a part, but not all, the leaves,
and plant them in boxes, pots, or pans, not too shallow. Place
these for a time anywhere in shelter, removing them about
Christmas to a warmer place where they will have light; and
by the time above mentioned there will be some excellent Parsley,
if the variety be good and other circumstances favourable.
Digging up the frozen ground and. carrying the hard-frozen
plants at once into a hot vinery or other forcing-house, at a
temperature of perhaps 60°, is an unnatural process; and though
it will succeed, as we all know, it does so because the plant is so
extremely hardy as to be difficult to kill, still the process carries
its own impropriety on the face of it. A gradual forcing is
unquestionably the best for everything that has to undergo that

ordéal—Nature performs all her operations in this gradual way.

With regard to the proper time for sowing, Parsley in the
open ground much depends on the season. I generally sow ai
quantity in April and another batch in July. The seed lies,
longer in the ground before germinating than that of most other

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[March 17, 1868,

‘vegetables, Celery perhaps excepted. The plants ought to be
thinned, and they also bear transplanting pretty well. The
main point is to have the ground deeply cultivated rather than
enriched at top, in order to entice the roots downwards, and
thereby lessen the chance of running to seed m August; but
nothing can prevent the plants from doing so in spring, for after
a year’s growth Nature's law must be obeyed, and it is vain, by
repeatedly cuttizz-out the seed-stems, to attempt making them
into nice useful plants again. Other plants ought to be coming
on to succeed them. The plant, being a sort of biennial, dies-
off after ripening seed. It is, therefore, advisable in spring to
stop the seed-stems of a few in order to obtain some leaves for
garnishing while the new crop is coming on, the remainder being.
destroyed if not wanted for seed. I may also observe that it is
a good practice to cut down a good batch of the most forward
Parsley in the first week in September, in order that it may
make a fresh growth before winter. Another portion cut once,
a fortnight or three weeks later, will also furnish a later lot,
taking care to insure always plenty to serve the purpose of the
time being, as well as that which is to come.

It is needless to enter into the respective merits of the varieties
of this plant, for every one knows what good Parsley is. It
must be borne in mind that the finer the variety the more deli-
cate it is. A plant or two of a plain kind will endure a harder
winter than anybody’s ‘‘Improved.” This loss of constitutional
hardihood is a sacrifice to improvement which other things as
well as Parsley have to suffer; but in the case of the plant now
before us the remedy is tolerably easy; it is only to protect a
little and the object is attained. And, though Parsley likes good
ground, that grown on soil of a medium character, not too rich,
is more likely to stand the winter well, other things also being
favourable, J. Rogson.

HYACINTHS.

Tue lovers of this flower—those at any rate within reach of
London, will have for the next fortnight an opportunity of
seeing a fine sight, in Messrs. Cutbush’s annual exhibition of
these and other spring flowers at their nursery at Highgate. It
has never been my good fortune to be in London at that time,,
but I hope this year to be more fayoured; and although the
season has not, generally, owing to the cold and wet time in
Holland during May and June, when the bulbs were ripening,
been as good a oneas usual, yet I believe that Messrs. Cutbush’s
exhibition will be in no way behind those of former years.
Probably it will be the more valued, from the fact that the show
for them at the Royal Horticultural Society was fixed in Feb-
ruary, and that unless the enterprise of our leading growers
induces them to come forward, we shall not see the same display
asin March last year, The task of describing Mr. Cutbush’s ex-
hibition has fallen generally into the better hands of Mr, Beaton,
I am sure that I am only expressing the sentiments of every
reader of THE JOURNAL OF HortTIcULTURE, when I say that we
all regret the absence of his genial and chatty pen, and to know
that that absence is occasioned by illness, and that we, one and
all, heartily trust that he may soon reappear amongst us, to be
cheered and welcomed as an old friend.—D., Deal,

EFFECT OF GISHURST COMPOUND ON
FRUIT BLOSSOM-BUDS.

Havine continued my experiments with a view to ascertain
under what circumstances Gishurst compound can injure fruit~
buds, I have obtained the following. results, which I am induced.
to send to you in consequence of an article in your Number of
10th inst. The first inetalmentof my trees were, in consequence
of the season being so early, washed early in December, the solu-
tion being 8 ozs. to the gallon, fresh dissolved some forty-eight,
hours previously as recommended ; thenextinstalmentofthetrees
early in January. Neither, at the time the solution was applied.
nor @ month later, showed any apparent effect; except im the
cases of a few not-healthy trees, hardly a bud was touched on
most of the trees—none on Apricote, Plums, Apples,and on the
great majority of Peaches and Nectarines. Some of the Pears)
had a number of buds destroyed ; others, Winter Nelis for in-
stance, had not one. The trees which lost most have enough
left for a full crop, 1 should have said that the trees were
/more thoroughly soused than they are at all likely to be in other:
‘hands, the object being to have the extreme effect of the strength.

March 17, 1863. ]

Having thus proved that 8 ozs. might be so applied as in
some cases to injure buds, I then proceeded to ascertain what
strength or mode of application would not injure; and having
gome trees purposely left unwashed, I operated on these at the
end of January, when in my early situation the buds had come
forward considerably. Some trees I washed with 8 ozs. to the
gallon, and a few minutes afterwards washed with plain water ;
others I washed with a four-ounce solution without any after-
water-washing. ;

In the more susceptible of the Pear trees some of the buds,
washed with the eight-ounce solution were injured, notwithstand-
‘ing the after-water-washing. Those to which the four-ounce was
applied had, notwithstanding their forwardness, no buds touched.
Under these circumstances, though except in a few exceptional
cases, I shall continue on my own trees the strength I have
always used—8 ozs. to the gallon, believing that the increased
health of the trees, making more blossoms set, more than com-
pensates for any buds that may fall off. I shall be disposed to
recommend 4/ozs. in future to amateur gardeners, especially when
their trees are washed when not entirely at rest.— GroRGE
Wirson.

COCOA-NUT FIBRE DUST.

Last year, in March, I received a supply of refuse from Kings-
ton-on-Thames, and thought I would ascertain its properties
and communicate the result to THe Journan or Horticun-
TURE. I hope, therefore, that the remarks I am about to make
will be taken in the light in which they are given; that being
simply to state what I did with it, and what results attended the
application.

Under my care is a fernery 42 feet by 23, which is formed
nto a grotesque-looking place by some sixty cartloads of sand-
stone containing a considerable amount of quartz. The inter-
stices between the stones are filled with peat, loam, and silver
sand, forming a good compost for Ferns in general. The plants
did moderately well in this compost; but I must confess they
ut a poor figure in comparison to their allies in an adjoining
house, which were grown in pots crammed with the cocoa-nut
fibre dust. It was this contrast that induced me to treat the
Ferns in the house mentioned to a top-dressing of the dust.
The house is exclusively devoted to greenhouse Ferns, and I
may mention that several so-called stove varieties thrive well
init. The whole of the plants were mulched 3 inches deep with
the dust in its rough state; but some strong growers received a
double mulching.

When completed the appearance was neat, and gave quite a
new feature to the place. So well did it look that a traveller in
the trade noted down the place whence the material came; he
Obtained some, and he declares it is a bargain. Visitors also
Tiked the stuff, for it looked so neat, no guano wearing a more
golden aspect, nor being liked so well by vegetation, and in
handling it does not soil the fingers.

‘After one season’s growth the plants in the fernery had grown
more in the refuse than they had done in two years before the
yefuse was applied. For instance: A “set on” plant (a term
very familiar to gardeners, and which means a plant that refuses
to become vigorous under proper treatment), of Dicksonia ant-
arctica, with six fronds 2 feet long, put forth two fronds in
spring, which I presume were the concentrated growth of the
previous summer; but at midsummer, three months after the
refuse was applied, six fronds began to show, and ultimately air-
roots were put out from the short stem; the proper roots
matted the refuse like turf, and the fronds attained 6 feet in
length. Other six fronds appeared late in autumn, and they
placed the “set on” plant in a position to grace, whereas it
previously shamed, the skill of the cultivator. In its heart is
the promise of another season’s growth far exceeding the last,
and it has gained 1 foot in circumference of stem during the last
year. Would it have recruited itself so as to be vigorous with-
out the refuse? It had the chance to do so for two summers,
but it became weaker instead of stronger.

Take another example. Woodwardia radicans, fronds 3 feet
long and proportionately strong, became so luxuriant that it
strives hard to lift Hartley’s rough plate glass off the roof, but
being foiled in the attempt, its fronds, 9 feet in length, droop
gracefully, the plant nearly eclipsing all its brethren from tem-
Perate regions for beauty, and, in fact, for its engaging pecu-
Harities ; but in general cultivation it is presented in browned
fronds, stunted habit, and starved as often for heat as for

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

205

nourishment. Though said to be hardy, it is not sohere. True,
we have seen it just miserably existing in some places out of
doors, but let those who wish to see Woodwardia radicans in
character, prepare a vase full of refuse dust from the cocoa-nut
fibre, put in the plant and place it on a pedestal in a cool green-
house fernery, where, under ordinary cultivation, it will form a
grotesque, picturesque, and gardenesque object, disputing the
palm with all the drooping Ferns from every zone of our globe.
In fact, I challenge the world to find a subject amongst all the
varieties better adapted for an elevated position than the com-
mon and ill-used Woodwardia radicans.

In short, this dust is the best of all composts for Ferns; but
the “old” is better than the “new” for pot Ferns, whilst the
new is better for mulching purposes. Small-growing Ferns do
very ‘well in the pure refuse (old), but I cannot forbear adding
a little silver sand. In fact, some of the delicate sorts, as Ohei-
lanthes sp., and Nothochlenas become too weak in the stems
(stipes), without it, so as not to be able to support the frond in
its proper position.

I also consider it wise to give the usual quota of sand to all
plants, for I cannot see how silica can be present, in a vegetable
substance, in sufficient quantity to meet the requirements of
plants. Chemists say it is so, but I have seen the farmer
obtain only half a crop from an over-luxuriant field of corn,
whilst his next-door neighbour had a splendid crop from half
the manure. With due deference, therefore, I dissent from the
opinion that there is ample silica in all soils and manures to
meet the wants of all crops. When there is an excess of manure
applied the soil fails to yield silica in proportion to the growth
of plants: consequently, the wood, ligneous or herbaceous, is
gross, lacking those very constituents which give the wheat-
stalk its strength.

I find this refuse dust is a compost for all plants requiring
peat soil, or decaying vegetable matter; but it acts not only as
a compost, but as a manure on plants requiring loam: therefore,
as there is little silica in proportion to the other constituents
in vegetable soil imperfectly decomposed, it is essential that a
supply of the deficient ingredient should be applied by the cul-
tivator; but in loamy soil, deficient for the most part in vege-
table earth, an addition of the inorganic elements, particularly
silica, would be superfluous. }

Some Ferns like lime—as Asplenium ruta-muraria and Poly-
podium caleareum. Others require silica in considerable quantity
—as Blechnum spicant and its varieties, and, indeed, nearly all
Ferns from alpine regions, but the strong growers are not par-
ticular about the matter; yet loam will afford something of the
inorganic but not inactive ingredient—sand. In spite of chemists
and philosophers, I say that no vegetable substance or animal
excrement contains enough of the inorganic elements to meet
the wants of vegetation; and he who raises his plants with an
excess of organic matter will lose by the lank growths, the feeble
structure, the flimsy petal, and the altogether-badly-grown and
ill-shaped specimen. I have tried plants without the usual
quantity of sand, but I must say no plant liked the experiment,
neither did I; and I should no more think of planting a Cucum-
ber in pure manure without expecting to see it gorged into disease,
than I should to live luxuriously and escape the first pestilence
that occurred.

The refuse, then, has proved with me the best of all composts
for Ferns, in its pure state, and old for the small growers, with
a sprinkling of silver sand or pieces of sandstone not larger than
a walnut added.

Half fibry hazel or yellow loam, half refuse, old or new, does
for large-growing kinds, and that with a little sand will grow
well Geraniums, Cinerarias, Fuchsias, Achimenes, Gloxinias, Be-
gonias, and Gesneras, in fact better than the usual composts.
Primulas like it, especially Primula farinosa, scotica, nivalis,
cortusoides, and marginata; and I recommend it as a good sub-
stitute for sugar-scum or bullock’s blood to Auricula-growers, as
it emits no effluvia, and is so much nicer to handle.

Terrestrial Orchids—as Cypripediums, thrive well in the refuse
dust. Billbergias, Aischynanthus, and Tillandsias, also Maran-
tas, Caladiums, and in fact any deciduous or evergreen herbaceous
plant that I tried did well in it; but the names of these are too
numerous to recapitulate.

Now, then, for woody plants. For Oranges it is a specifics
but although I reported favourably of it last year for Camellias
and Azaleas, I have to record something not very corroborative.
Last year I took the precaution to mix a little loam and sand
with the refuse; but, anxious to mend well, I imprudently

206

potted some Azaleas with the pure material, and inatead of being |

old refuse as in the previous year, it was new. The plants Jan-
guished and died, still I do not blame the refuse for this, but my
own imprudence. An Azalea has a close ball, so by potting in
looze refuse, crammed in too, the water passes through it
without wetting the ball at all: the consequence is, that the roots
are dried-up, and when they are gone the plant goes also. This
was a hazardous experiment, certainly, but the plants were doomed
to be thrown out, for they were too large for our small houses.

Others have been in an equal dilemma with myself, and al-
though giving their vote for the refuse as a first-rate material for
Ferns, Begonias, Gloxinias, &c., they prefer peat for hardwooded

plants.

A florist who grows Camellias well had a few sickly plants,
and. he, fingering my refuse dust, ordered twelve bags; so when
the parties just mentioned remonstrated against my recommend-
ing the refuse for Camellias, I went to see what he had made
with his twelve bags.

“How do you like it?” ‘Very well.” ‘‘That’s strange,”
exclaimed I ; “‘ I had two gardeners from H—— last week, and
they do not like it.” ‘But, I do,” rejoined the florist, “and I
have been to the Midland station to see what they will brirg a
truck for.” This was proof enough. My friend liked it, and
stepping into his greenhouse he took me to a lot of young
Camellias, only grafted last year, growing in the infallible refuse
dust. Some were in flower, and I in a quizzing way said they
were nothing extra. “Nothing extra!” said he indignantly ;
“look at the size and bright green of their foliage, the brightness
of the colours of the flowers, their size, and feel for yourself the
stoutness of the petals,” all the while holding the flower in his
hand between his fingers ; “and,” continued he “ where will you
find a better-formed flower?” The points were incontestible:
therefore I simply said “it was an exception.” “An exception!”
quoth he ; “but look here, in an adjoining house, for growth on
my two-year-olds, none of your three-inch shoots, but a six-ycar-
old plant in two years.” That was enough; he had tried the
refuse, and had become an enthusiastic lover therecf. He uses
it, half loam, half refuse, with a good admixture of silver sand,
or about one-sixth of the whole. He says, and his plants bear
testimony to the fact, that it is good material for Acacias, Aza-
leas, Camellias, and anything requiring peat soil or leaf mould.
He puts his bedding plants in with a sprinkling of the refuse;
but he does not place an Azalea with a ball as hard as a turnpike
road in the pure refuse as I did, but uses half loam and refuse,
and gives the whole a sprinkling of sand, which is very different
from potting in the rough refuse.

I tried what effect it would have on Rhododendrons; but as
they gros so lusuriantly here, though the soil is a strong loam,
the difference was not great, though decidedly in favour of the
refuse.

Some one, Mr. Beaton, I think, hinted that the refuse would
be a good compost for Melons. Unfortunately, I had not a
frame at liberty, but in the first week in July I planted two
plants of the American Ridge, one in a bushel of refuse, the
other in loam, and two of Achapesnorricher Melon in a similar
manner, and treated them alike. Both set their fruit imme-
diately, and as the season was far advanced a couple of fruits
were only left on each plant, The American in refuse gaye a
Melon, large, deep green, changing to yellowish-green when
ripe ; flesh red ; flavour poor, but late Melons are not over-well-
flavoured in general, slightly netted ; shape of fruit elliptical ;
weight of each fruit from the plant in the refuse, 1¢1bs., and
3 lbs. 6 ozs. respectively. The plants in ordinary soil gave
smaller Melons but of better flavour, the weight being 1 Jb. 7 ozs.,
and 1 1b. 12.0zs, Achapesnorricher in refuse afforded a Green-
fleshed Melon, the rind netted and warted, spherical in shape, of
a moderate flavour, flesh thick but melting, and rind no less thick.
The fruits weighed 11b. 140zs., and 1 lb. 7 ozs. In common
soil the fruits weighed respectively, 15 ozs., and 1 1b. 4ozs.

My master, who is partial to Melons, pronounced these new
kinds of Ridge Melons flayourless Pumpkins; but he cannot
appreciate (and he is a judge), any other Melons than Scarlet
Gem, Excelsior, Beechwood, and Hgyptian. The Persian breeds,
however, are equally good. The smaller the Melon the better
the flavour, and the larger they are the more sugar is needed to
season them.

A few handfuls of refuse sprinkled on the meadow made people
inquire the reason of the place being different from the rest, and
it shows itself now. It would be a good dressing for mossy-
bottomed lawns.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ March 17, 1868.

Potatoes do well in it, and give an increase of weight over
ordinary manure. From a nine-yard row of each the weight was
—of manured Potatoes, 2 st. 8 lbs., and from the refuse dusted,
3 st. 4 lbs.

The rough refuse fibre appears to be a good substitute for peat
for Orchids; but as I-have not tried it with more than a dozen
plants or so, and as I intend to test that material this season, I
cannot speak decidedly. However, the results already attained
are very gratifying.

In conclusion, I beg to tender my thanks to those who first
proved the merits of the refuse dust, and more especially to
those who made known the material, thereby placing in the
hands of the small gardener and amateur a substitute for the
not-always-comeatable ingredient peat, and even when it is to
be had, not always of a suitable composition. Through writing
to Tar JourNAL or HorricuLtTuRE, my time has been seriously
encroached on by private communications, and as this is incon-
venient to me, I purpose, but reluctantly, to become an unlocated
correspondent of this Journal: therefore, good readers and
correspondents farewell.—G. A.

AERIAL ROOTS ON FRONTIGNAN AND

CONSTANTIA VINES.
VINE-STEM INARCHING.

Some Frontignan and Purple Constantia Grapes, which I
have in the same house with Grapes of other varieties, begin at
a certain stage to emit aérial roots, which dry-up, as the house
is kept dry to ripen the crops, and the fruit becomes worthless.
As this is not the case with other Vines (St. Peter’s, Black
Hamburghs, &c.) in the same house, it is evidently not owing to
mismanagement inside the house; but, in all probability, the
outside border should be of a different soil for Frontignan
Grapes—perhaps of a hotter and drier nature. I should, there-
fore, be glad to know whether, if they were in a border by them-
selves and with a third or fourth of sand or gravel, you think
they would answer better, though the soil should lose in richness:?
The present border is of the common description, as recommended
for growing Vines, and is covered in the winter by tiles in order
to protect it from wet.

Would you also inform me whether it would be difficult to
inarch the stem of a Vine, about ten years old, low down? as, by
this means, the pot with the young Vine to be inarched upon it
could rest upon the floor of the house. The proper and best
plan would be, I suppose, to inarch upon young wood; but the
former, if feasible, would be the more conveniert.—AN AMATEUR,

[You will help your Vines by pulling-off the aérial roots as
they appear, which will force them to root in the border; then
dig a drain or a deep well opposite them in the border, and work-
in some lime rubbish. If that does not have the desired effect,
then raise the roots next autumn; at the end of September re-
plant in fresh soil, of which lime rubbish may constitute a third.
We should use that, broken bricks, and charcoal; but not sand
or gravel.

As to Vine-inarching, you may either inarch or graft before
the sap is in motion; after that you can graft with a dormant
scion after the leaves of the stock are expanded. The inarching
in the growing period is most easily done when both are growing
as you state. See “ Doings of the Last Week.” |

ORCHID CULTIVATION, CROSS-BREEDING,
AND HYBRIDISING.

THERE has been for the last few years a steady and unabating
increase in the ranks of Orchid amateurs all over the country.
Gentlemen of wealth, not only in Hugland, which once reigned su-
preme in this respect, but also in Scotland and in Ireland, haye
devoted large sums in founding, and adding to, collections remark-
able for their individual and imtrinsic beauty; and all of them
possessing an interest which we may look for in yain inany other
of the great divisions of plants. To the great body of the people
the allocating such large sums for, in many instances, such small
commodities seems inexplicable and anomalous; but to those
who have cultivated a taste for flowers, and who are accus-
tomed to see the greater portion of the choicer subjects of Flora
under cultivation, this division possesses an interest, both indi-
vidually and collectively, such as to warrant any reasonable ex-
penditure. Besides, it is well known that skilfully-managed

March 17, 1863. ]

collections, remarkable for their rarity and beauty, are always
growing into money, so that, commercially speaking, the sinking
of such money is a profitable investment.

Superiority of cultivation, then, seeing that it is about a
quarter of a century since the mode of growing them and classi-
fying them into divisions and subdivisions. became better un-
derstood, ought to be a marked feature in their history; for
there has been no want, either of men to experimentalise and
find out the best methods for promoting their growth and en-
couraging floral development, or means to carry out their
views. It is very questionable, however, if the truth were
known, how far we have upon the whole gained in this respect.
Hight years ago, when the writer sojourned in the metropolis,
Orchids were in better condition, evincing somewhat more supe-
riority of culture than we can boast of at the present day; at
least, judging from what was exhibited then in comparison with
what was exhibited last season. This is 2 somewhat bold asser-
tion, but if seemed to be the opinion of more than one, and of
some of the exhibitors themselves.
collections around London that are a credit both to the gentlemen
that own them, and to the gardeners who superintend their
management; but numbers of these are holding aloof from
sending their plants to the exhibitions, and this branch of horti-
culture is not so strongly represented before the public as it
actually is entitled to be.

It has been remarked with a certain degree of truth that Orchids
are not difficult to cultivate. This remark holds good with every-
thing else, only one requires to know and adopt the right method.
A first-rate Orchid-grower, however, must be exceedingly at-
tentive and vigilant, taking cognizance of their peculiar habits,
in order to fall upon the best plan for accelerating and consolidat-
ing growth; so as, in the one instance, to make them proof
against disease, and in the other to promote good flower-spikes, and
flowers large and full of substance. ‘his is a task far more diffi-
cult to accomplish than many would suppose, for it is one thing
to have a collection that may be considered fairly grown, and
another thing to have one coming up to the superlative style of
merit. There is the temperature best suited to the constitution
of the plant; there is the material for the promotion of root-
action; there is the quantity of moisture that each and all re-
quire, and the time when it should be applied—all these matters
demand more tlian a passing glance, or an off-hand dealing with,
if it be wished to rise beyond mediocrity ; and yet you will not
find half a dozen men that adopt precisely the same method, and
all, probably, are successful to a certain degree.

Some, for instance, grow Phaleenopsids on blocks of wood with-
out any foreign matter whatever; others grow them in pots, the
predominating compost being charcoal and manure, which is
about as diverse treatment ss it is possible to conceive. ‘They
grow and root splendidly in the latter compost, if a little sphag-
num is chopped up amongst it; but it requires a skilful hand to
water them, and they must not be overwatered upon any con-
sideration in such a compost, else the roots are presented with
more moisture than they can absorb; and hence elongation
ceases, their pores are choked, and they gradually rot away ;
their leaves of course suffering in proportion. But, more than
that, such gross feeding subjects them to the very evil which
was recommended to be guarded against—disease; and, when
once these rare and fine plants are contaminated, it requires
time to produce a remedial effect. But to go into this tho-
roughly, and discuss it as it ought to be discussed, would re-
quire a series of papers, for this whole Orchid-cultivation question
admits of a more thorough investigation than what has yet been
accorded it, for the sake of horticulture generally, and more
particularly for the benefit of numbers who have begun founding
a collection, and who, feeling their way step by step, are anxious
to obtain reliable information in ascending the scale.

There is one peculiar incident in the seeding of Orchids which
is sufficiently anomalous to be worthy placing on record; and
if ic should meet the eye of Mr. Darwin, I should be glad to
know if any like occurrence has come under his investigation, and
the conclusions deducible therefrom. There are in our collec-
tion a plant of Cattleya crispa and one of Dendrobium creta-
ceum that produved, in each instance, abortive flowers. he
buds swelled and inflated themselves to a certain extent, but
were unable to expand their sepals and petals, and I supposed at
the time they would fall off and die. Not so, however. ‘The foot-
stalks began to ussume a more healthy green, and gradually
swelled and produced seed-veasels, so far as exterior appearance
went as perfect as those that had flowered in the regular way.

JOURNAL OF HORTIOULTURE AND COTTAGH GARDENER,

There are some private,

207

This appeared to me all the more strange, for the organs of
fructification were enveloped all the time by these sepals and
petals, so that no insect or other agency could in the least affect
them. I cut up the Cattleya when ripe, and it was full of the
fine white chaff-like dust common to the whole genus. The
Dendrobium cretaceum pods still hang on the plant.

Again, I have observed over and over again that flowers of an
imperfect character, such, for example, as those wanting a petal
or sepal, have a great tendency to go off to seed-pods; for
Mr. Darwin correctly remarks that go soon as a flower is fructi-
fied the ornamental portion of it immediately fades, and the
nutriment is absorbed by the organs of fructification.

But I have also had pods without the least manipulation from
perfect flowers, and have tried them in various ways, in order to
get what I believe to be the seed to germinate, all to no purpose.
Mr. Gorse, of Sandhurst, ‘orquay, an enthusiast in all such
matters, seeing a short article of mine in a previous Journal re-
specting the seeding of Orchids, wrote to me to know how I
had succeeded in my various experiments. I xeplied privately
to that note, and enclosed a packet of Odontoglossum grande,
which brought forth the follawing reply :—

“Yam much obliged for your polite note, and for the packet
of seed of Odontoglossum which is enclosed, It was very kind
of you to send it, though, after your failure, I should have had
little hope of succeeding. But, my dear sir, the seed is barren.
On caretul examination with one of Powell’s microscopes, with
a power of 300 diameters, I cannot discover a single seed which
contains an embryo. ‘There is the long, loose seed-coat, ribbed
and twisted, which ought to hold a naked embryo, as a minute
opaque dot somewhere in its interior; but in no single example
was the embryo seen, though the transparent tissue of the seed-
coat would readily have 4!lowed it to be seen if present. Pro-
bably your plants were not properly, not really, impregnated.
I think Darwin has touched the real spring of the general (ailure
of. Orchids to produce seed with us. He has shown that no
Orchid blossom is selt-impregnating, that the pollen of one
flower fertilises another, and that this is effected almost univer-
sally by means of insects, chiefly bees. But the ventilation of
our Orchid-houses is so managed that few flower-probing insects
find their way into them. I[ am myself only @ beginner in
Orchid-culture, and that on a small seale; but for you, or any
other clever man who has 2 large supply of Orchids at command,
I do not doubt that a promising field of experiment is open. If
T had such an opportunity I would encourage the access ot bees
to my plants in flower by all means; and even catch bees of
different species—honey bees, wild bees, humble bees from the
garden and field—and turn them loose in the Orchid-houses.
Thus I think you would get many flowers impreguated and have
fertile seed in abundance. Veitch’s successes are all hybrids ;
in these cases the impregnation was done by human hands, and
of course was effectual.”

Well, I thought this letter, which I received last October,
was most interesting, and, what with this and Mr. Darwin’s
theory and experiments together, I set earnestly to work. In
the first place [ determined to experiment upon a Phalenopsis
amabilis, crossed with the more delicate and pretty rosea,
thinking if I could but be successful it would be so much gain
in the right direction. 1 took off the hood or capsule that
covers the stamens—and really one cannot help wondering how
each component part is fitted to one another —with the point of
a budding-knife, and the gummy substance that holds the
stamens to their position in the flower (for it is only an appen-
dage, and can be taken off without the least scratch to the
column), stuck fast to my knile in the same way as I presume it
will stick to the insects in Java or the Phillipine Islands, and to
my delight I could carry it up and down the house ad libitum,
or could even send it with the utmost safety to your office in
Fleet Street, or to the laboratories of Messrs. Darwin and Gosse,
so as to be fit for duty after arrival. I applied this to the
pistil of amabilis with much earnestness and care, and have now
a very fine seed-pod as the result.

Vanda tricolor was served in the same way with Vanda
insignis, and with the same results; Cattleya Jabiata with a
chauce flower which-came from C. crispa; Oncidium Paillips-
ianum with O. leucochilum ; and some others, all with success.
I was, of course, very much pleased so far, and I am very
anxious to know whether I will be able to make them germinate
That point of the experiment yet remains to be tested, and I
shall take an opportunity hereafter, if spared, to record the
results.

208

About a month ago I crossed Phalenopsis Schilleriana with
the new Bornean variety, and have a splendid seed-pod as the
result of that experiment. There are several varieties of
Schilleriana, some producing flowers much more perfect than
others, and varying in shades of colour. Some, too, are much
closer arranged on the spike, and show at once the correctness
of the enunciation that a plant scarcely ever reproduces an exact
likeness of itself.

The Bornean variety is much the best of all the grandiflora
breed. Its flowers are Jarger, of greater substance, and of
inimitable purity of whife. Its form is as good as amabilis,
both sepals and petals being Jarger and more full, and the
flowers are so closely arranged on the spike, although not con-
fused, ag to give it a very formidable appearance. Its only
damaging point is, that the edges have a tendency to turn back ;
and this, in a florist’s point of view, somewhat mars its individual
beauty.

Vo return to the experiments. I was curious to try my hand
at hybridising; and having a nice plant, with a couple of fine
flowers on it, of Paphinia cristata, I fixed upon trying to cross
it with one of its terrestrial congeners—Calanthe vestita. In
this I was also successful, for a fine pod hangs on the plant as a
voucher thereto. I also hybridised Limatodes rosea with this
same Oalanthe, which has been done beforetime, I understand,
with success, so that I did not value this hybrid so much. The
pod of this is now ripe, and I will be enabled to enter into the
second, and, to my thinking, most difficult part of the
experiment.

Now, in conclusion, there are two points that I should like
the scientific pen of Mr. Darwin to throw some light upon; and
‘that is, Why these abortive flowers produce seed-pods to all
outward appearance as perfect as those that haye been impreg-
nated? And why those flowers that never expanded, whose
organs of fructification never were under the influence of light
and atmosphere in the same way as other perfect flowers 4re,
produced seed-pods at all?—Jamrs ANDERSON, Meadow Bank,
Uddingstone.

GALVANIC PROTECTOR ror KEEPING SNAILS,
SLUGS, &c., OFF FLOWER-BEDS.

Prorzssor William Thompson recently, before proceeding to
the regular business of the natural philosophy class in Glasgow
University, said that a very curious application of Sulzer’s
experiment had been made known to him. ‘This experiment, as
they were already aware, was:—When a piece of copper or
silver and a piece of zinc are placed one above and the other below
the tongue, and then put in metallic contact with each other,
either by direct contact between them, or by wires connected
with them, and put with their ends in contact at any distance, an
electric current was produced and felt in the tongue, this organ
acting as an electrolytic conductor. He had great pleasure in
bringing before them a practical application of this experiment
for the purpose of protecting tlower-beds from the inroada of
snails, slugs, and other kinds of creeping creatures. He had
not, indeed, seen it; but he had been assured of its success.
The way to apply the experiment was as follows:—A zinc plate,
the upper edge of which was bound with copper, and elevated
2 or 3 inches from the ground, was so placed as to encircle the
plot of ground which was to be protected. When any creeping
thing, attempting to get over this little wall, came in contact with
the zine and the copper, it experienced an electric shock ; indeed,
it could not be an instant in any position touching the two
metals at once without such a result taking place. ‘The question
now to be solved was, whether the snail, slug, toad, or frog
would be so sensitive as to be deterred and struck back by the
amount of the shock which it received under these circumstances.
Mr. George Edgar, who was the inventor of this remarkable
application, had assured him that he had tried the experiment
with leeches, and that it succeeded perfectly. Mr. Edgar was
present and had brought what was necessary to test the ap-
plication.

Mr. Edgar then came forward and made experiments before
the class. He placed leeches both inside and outside a part of
the table enclosed by a zine wall with copper mountings. When
the leeches crept so far up the plate that their bodies touched
both the zinc and the copper, they experienced an electric shock,
and fell backwards.

Professor Thompson remarked that Mr. Edgar had tried the
experiment with gnaila and slugs, and found they were more

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ March 17, 1863,

sensitive to the shock than leeches. Ashe had already remarked,
the question to be solved was whether the creatures were strong
enough fo persevere in getting over the wall, notwithstanding
the shocks they invariably received. He might add that it was
not necessary that the bottom of the plate should be buried in
the earth, as it was enough if the plate was so placed in the
ground that the creatures whose inroads were to be prevented
could not get under it. lo prevent the zine plate from oxidising
by damp, &c., the lower part of it might be protected by a
coating of paint, pitch, or some similar substance. Indeed, the
plate might be completely insulated from the earth, all that was
necessary for the electric effect desired being, as he had stated,
zine and copper in metallic connection with one another, so
placed that the marauder could not get into the guarded precincts
without touching the two metals simultaneously. Of course, if
the zine is well polished, the shock given is greater than with a
tarnished zine surface. If, therefore, this plan of protecting
flower-beds and other plots of ground produced all the results
which were desired and anticipated, it was possible enough that
one of the duties of a gardener ina morning would be to go
about and polish his zinc and copper enail-guard.

[This is no novelty. It was invented by Mr. W. Walker of
Hull, and communicated by him to the Society of Arts as long
ago as 1839. A full description with illustrative drawings are
in Loudon’s “ Gardener’s Magazine” for 1841, showing how it
is adapted to flower-pots and other garden uses. ‘The metals
becoming oxidised, and then ceasing to galyanise, require often to
be rubbed bright with sand-paper, and this trouble has caused
their disuse. Two or more makers advertised these plant-pro-
tectors at 14s. per dozen in the periodicals of 1841.—Eps.
J. or H.]|

ARRANGEMENT OF TURF IN FORMING A
GARDEN.

Grass lawns are such indispensable features in modern
gardens that few, if any, can be said to be complete without
them. Sometimes a broad sweep of lawn is made the principal
feature ; but more frequently grass forms the groundwork to set
off others, and well it is adapted to the purpose.

The time is at hand when lawns will give unmistakeable signs
that they require attention, that the scythe and the mowing
machine must be set to work to keep them in order. This also
is the time when many small gardens are laid out or altered;
and as, more or less, grass enters into the composition of all,
or nearly all, of them, a word on the subject may not be
inappropriate.

It cannot but have struck many working gardeners that where
anything has been attempted beyond the ordinary level grass
plat and grass verge one important point has been entirely
overlooked, or at least not sufficiently taken into consideration,
and that is the time and expense necessary to keep it in proper
order during the growing season. large quantities of turf are
laid in such a manner that neither scythe nor machine can be
used on it. It is formed into such sharp angles, both horizon-
tally and vertica!ly, so thickly planted with shrubs, &c., or roots
and rocks form such intricate passages, that nothing but the
small hand-shears can be used to cut it, and this, it is well
known, is a very slow method of grass-cutting.

I once knew an instance where a gentleman, who had an eye
to the fanciful in gardening, had his garden laid out in such a
manner that, although nearly half of it was turf, there was
scarcely a part where anything but the shears could be used on
it. It looked very well while the grass was inactive, but when
the growing season arrived it was found that the ordinary
labour was not sufficient by two-thirds to keep the garden in
order; and as he had not calculated on the additional expense
of employing another man merely to ¢lip the grass, he found
that he had committed a grand error, fur cf all things that tend
to make a garden unattractive nothing is more effectual than
neglected turf, and that still more so when formed into steep
banke, narrow windings, and fanciful edgings.

In very small gardens which take less time to manage, such
intricacies of turf may be excusable, as it can be more easily
controlled ; but even here some consideration ought to be given
to the time that can be spared during the summer for keeping
it close and neat, as, where this can be done, some of the
prettiest effects can be produced by a well-planned mixture of
turf, shrubs, and flower-beds.

March 17, 1863. ]

Tn gardens of any extent, where turf is extensively used, it is
of importance to apply it to the best effect without incurring
such an additional expense as may become irksome to the owner,

or the chance of the turf proving a source of trouble and vexation |

to the gardener, for it true teste is economical im any one thing,
it certainly is so in the matter of laying down turf; and I can-
not see why it cannot be done to the best effect where the scythe
or the machine can be used effectively. Gentle slopes and un-
dulations of turf generally look well, and these can be mown ;
but steep banks are, in my humble opinion, neither attractive
to the eye nor comfortable to traverse, and certainly I do not
believe they compensate in any way for the extra time necessary
to keep them in order.

In natural scenery I think we shall find that where ground is
covered with a close herbage, the rise from low to high ground
is gentle and gradual, and that steep descents belong to rocks
for the most part barren; and although it is not necessary
slavyishly to copy Nature, we ought at least to keep within
certain bounds and not stray too far from her teachings.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

209

Every year new gardens are being formed, or alterations~are
made and, generally speaking, the whole attention is given to
picture-eflect, with scarcely a thought as to how that effect is to
be maintained. Turf is laid just in such a manner and place as
requires the utmost stretch of time to keep it ss close us tt
should be. In the same way nurseries are ransacked for shrubs
and trees of just such a size and height as are required for the
moment. Many of them die, the rest become too large in a
year or two unless they are severely punished to keep them
within bounds. It would be greatly to the advantage of the
owners to give a little thought beforehand to such matters, as,
in selecting subjects for planting a new garden, how important
it is to have young well-formed plants that are certain to live,
giving in addition the pleasure of watching them grow; and
also to lay the turfin such a manner that it can be mown off
quickly and kept clean, unless it is considered preferable to ree
a man in his shirt sleeves at the everlasting task of clipping to
keep it short.—F. Curry.

STROBILANTHES AURICULATUS.

Tue order of Acantnads contains many pretty stove plants of | country.

the ‘ soft-wooded” class, which, from their affording consider-
able variety, and from
many of them being
winter bloomers, are de-
sirable in gardens where
conveniences exist for the
cultivation of plants of this
peculiar stamp. There are
the Aphelandras, the Por-
phyrocomas, the Schau-
erias, the Eranthemums,
the Goldfussias, Belope-
rones, the Kuellias, the
Cyrtantheras, and many
other family groups, all
yielding species of a more
or less ornamental charac-
ter; and though not quite
so striking as some of
these, there are some Stro-
bilanths, such as S. Sabin-
janus, and the subject of
the present notice, which
possess sufficient merit to
claim admission, if only
for variety’s sake.
Strobilanthes auricula-
tus is a vigorous-growing
brenching plant, of from
2 to 3 feet high, bearing
stem-clasping elliptic-ob-
long leaves, which are nar-
rowed to the base, and
strongly auriculate; they
are hairy on both surfaces.
‘he flowers come on short
axillary branches, and
issue as is usual in this
genus, from a spike of
imbricated leafy bracts,
which, haying the charac-
ter of a strobilus or cone,
seem to have suggested
the generic name. They
are very pale blue, prettily
veined, and when a con-
siderable number are ex-
panded at one time, are
rather attractive. Their
defect is, that they indi-
yidually fall too soon.
The plant is a native of
the East Indies. We have
no exact information as to
its introduction to this

{robilanthes auriculatus,

The plant was presented about the year 1850, to the
Chelsee Botanic Garden, by Messrs. Henderson, Pine Apple
Nursery, Edgeware Koud.
With us it has blossomed
in February.

Nothing can be easier
to cultivate or imcrease.
lt grows vigorously in a
stove, if potted liberally
into a free compost, which
should not be too rich. To
develope its ornamental
qualities, a good plant
should be grown on
through summer and au-
tumn, and then allowed
a short rest. The excite-
ment of additiona] heat
will then cause it to throw
out the flowering branches.
To produce smaller bloom-
ing plants, cuttings taken
from a nearly matured
growth, will usually
branch into flower, as
happened with that from
which the accompanying
sketch was taken.—M.—
(Gardeners’ Magazine of
Botany.)

VINEYARDS IN Ene-
LaND.—Out in the fields
near the remains of Beau-
lieu Abbey, Hampshire,
stand the ruins of a build-
ing, now a mere pinfold
for cattle, called by tra-
dition the Monk’s Wine-
Press, whilst the meadows
beyond, lying on the slope
of the hill, are still known
as “The Vineyards.” This
term is still frequently
found hereabouts as the
name of fields generally
marked by a southern
slope, as at Beckley and
Hern, near Christchurch,
showing how common
formerly was the cul-
tivation of the Vine, first
introduced into England
by the Romans.—(Wise's
New Forest.)

210

TAR OR ASPHALT WALKS. |

Iw some recent Numbers Mr. Robson has des:ribed the various ;
materials of which paths and walks may be made, and the prin-
ciples of their construction. May I add, as a supplement to
his remarks, an account of the tar paths which are at present
much used in this city by our surveyor uf roads? The body of
the path is made of the soft oolitic stone or other rubbl» free of
dirt. ‘Vhis is brought to a tolerably even surface with the rake,
and over it is laid about 3 inches thick of a hard mountain
limestone, known here as. Clifton Black Rick, which has pre-
viously been broken into pieces not exceeding an inch and a half
in size, and these passed ever a three-quarter-inch riddle to
separate the finer particles. The stones are then very equally
mixed with enough cold gas tar to cover every stone, but not to
leave more fluid tar than can be avoided. They are spread
equally with the shovel over the softer foundation, and when
levelled are carefully rolled with an iron roller drawn by two
men, to give a smooth surface. This is then sprinkled with about
three quarters of an inch thick of the finer particles of black
rock, whereby any fluid tar is absorbed and a finer surface
obtained of a hardness equal to the stones. Of course, a dry
day must be selected, as all the materials must be dry, otherwise
the tar will not adhere to the stone. Four men will lay down a
very long piece per day—the more pains are taken the better is
the path.

At first the stones, covered with tar, were laid down without
sifting ; the result of which was that the path was never emooth,
the larger stones cropping out and being uncomfortable to the
feet. Where barrows are likely to be used, paving occupies the
middle «nd the edges are tar paths. A better path or one more
pleasant to use cannot be made, and the moré it is used soon
after its first formation the better it becomes. The objection to
it is, that for some months in warm weather there is the smell
of gas tar. It is very inexpensive, lasts for many years, and
acquires a dull grey colour. One’s day’s work is easily joined to
the piece made in the preceding day. The fear of the offensive
odour led thei City Act Committee to order in sdié parts paths
to be made of puzzolana, ground lime, and stone, but these are
at least one-third more expensive, and are not so pleasant for
foot passengers. Blindfolded, one could notice that they do not
- possess the elasticity of the tar paths; nor is it probable thut
they will wear so well, the whole material not being so hard,
while it is more brittle, it cannot be laid so smooth, and the
joints are never good.

Some years ago I laid down some tar paths, running between
Box-edgings, in my kitchen garden. They were made with
boiled tar and sifted rubble; but from further experience [
should not now adopt them, for the Box is killed where the tar
surrounds the stems, the weeds gruw between the edge of the
tar and the Box, and the materials of the walk rise at the ede,
so thatithe whole path becomes irregular in two years. ‘his,
probably, would not occur if slate or wood-edging were used ;
but it must »always be remembered that if the soil below the tar
or cement paths be damp, the first hard frost will muke it rise,
ani Jarge patches will peel up. Paths of the above description
answer best when flanked by a wall, and when above the level
of the soil; if below it, or not thoroughly drained, they soon
perish.— A Bato Man,

SHADING FERNERIES.

Some reader of this Journal may have a fernery requiring
shade from the sun’s rays, and may be anxious to know of a
cheaper mode of shading than by using tiffany, bunting, hexagon
netting, &c.

We had such a house, costing some £3 10s. annually in tiffany,
which was move than it cost in heating. We wanted a perma-
nent shading material, for the Ferns were planted out, and, there-
fore, not likely to be used for any other purpose for some years.
I had some squares of glass, mixed some whitelead paint and
painted three squares of various consistences of paint, one thick,
another medium, and one thin, ‘Lhen, holding one of them to
the sun, where the mercury was driven up to 104° in the full
solar rays, I could see no sun through it, and a thermometer
under the glass read 71°. That was the square painted with the
thick paint, which was too opaque. ‘The medium-thick paint
allowed the light and heat to pass through the glass until the
thermometer became stationary at 81°; that, also, was too}
opaque. That, however, with the thin paint on it could just be

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

[ March 17 , 1863.

looked at when held between the eye and the sun; and the ther-
mometer under it rose to 86°.

I painted some squares green, others red, some blue, and more
yellow. Then placing these together along with the white, I had
contrasted shades or reys of light, but as red, blue, green, and
yellow tinted the plants, though they did not alter the colour of
the plants, yet these looked as if surrounded by a coloured atmo-
sphere; but white-painted glass had not any such drawback :
therefore I considered it the only colour fit for the purpose of
shade, as it gave pretty nearly the same light as nature—I mean,
allowed the light to pass through the glass untinted, unlike the
other colours.

The painters were sent for, given the pane of painied glass,
and told to paint the glass roof outside exactly like it. hey
hinted that to dash their dust-brush perpendicularly lightly on
the painted glass would give it a frosted appearance. ‘hat was
a first-rate suggestion, and therefore acted on.

The roof must be thoroughly dry before the paint is put on,
and the internal atmosphere kept as low as possible, air given,
and every means available taken to prevent water condensing on
the glass, for water finds its way through the laps, and runs
down the squares outside, leaving marks a quarter of an inch
broad, and that spoils the appearance materially.

The appearaues when completed was superb, and the utility
of the plan was very great. ‘The plants throve well, and though
gloomy in winter the plants keep their colour, and are in nowise
drawn. The paint shading prevents the internal temperature
from cooling as rapidly as with tiffany, and is not liable to be-
come hot so soon—in fact, if gives a uniform temperature,
beconting neither quickly hot nor soon cool, and that is what
most plants that grow in shady places require. How long the
painting will list I cannot tell, but ours has stood three years,
and is as good us ever. A plan like this gave in three years
some £7 for the gardener to buy something extra to gratify his
master, which otherwise would have gone in tiffany.—G. A.

MORE ABOUT POTATOES.

As “‘ Upwarps anp Onwarps”’ has been giving a description
of the best Potatoes he saw at the International Exhibition at
South Kensington, so far as their appearance went, perhaps a
few words {rom one of the exhibitors may not be ont of place,
stating their different habits of growth and eating qualities.

I will take first the first earlies, as they are the first ready for
eating.

Old Ashleaf.—A capital cropping and superior eating Potato ;
but for exhibition purposes it is not a good one, as you would
want to grow a bushel to pick twelve large ones from.

Red Ashleaf—& good cropper, capital for exhibiting, but
requires keeping a month or two before it is good to eat, and
when boiled is too white-looking in the dish. Nevertheless, it
is a good Potato, as it will keep as long as the late kinds and
takes up very litle room, being very short and close in the top.

Lemon Kidney. — A splendid-eating Potato, and looks a
beautiful pale yellow when boiled; produces a great many at a
root, but rather inclined to the disease if grown upon a wet
soil, Altogether a superior early Potato, and just what judges
like; a Potato fit for a gentleman’s table.

Jackson's Se-dling.—A capital Potato. I have taken prizes
with this for both rounds and kidneys, and when digging roots
up part of them will be quite round and others kidney-shaped.
One or two of the judges in this neighbourhood say they are
not good-eating, but I always found them good; perhaps the
soil made the difference.

Myatt's Harly Kidney.—A Srst-rate Potato for every purpose,
especially for exhibiring, as nearly ail of them are of & good
shape, [t is a good cropper and very early—nearly as early as
the Lemon Kidney, but # better shape.

Sutton’s Racehorse.—A first early kidney, a certain cropper,
and capital eating, and one of the earliest grown; very similar
in shape to the Old Ashleaf.

Early Handsworth —A very early Potato with a very short
top and good shape, round; but you cannot eat it, so who will
grow itp If any one likes a Potato very waxy, this is the one
for his taste. 4

New Golden Seedling.—A very superior eating’ and looking
Potato, round-shaped, very early, and good cropper, with very
dark foliage. This is all the first early Potatoes I grew last year.

The King.—Second early, a great cropper upon good land,

March 17, 1863. ]

capital eating ; the best for exhibition purposes for either round
ones or kidneys, as they grow both shapes, some being as round
as marbles, others good-shaped kidneys, both at the same root;
a beautiful straw colour when boiled. This Potato took the
first prize at every show I sent it to, including the Crystal
Palace in 1861, for the best twenty Potatoes in the Show, first
at Birmingham this last year, first for the best twelve kidneys at
the International, South Kensington. They were also in two
collections I had there that gained one second prize and one
extra. This capital Potato was a seedling from the

Fluke raised by Mr. Spencer, of Hartshill, now living at
Offley House, Eccleshall, Staffordshire. He has a lot of seed
to spare. I sent all I had to Sutton & Sons, of Reading.

Webb's Imperial.—A good second early, a good cropper and
eater, but very much inclined to take the disease; very long
tubers ; good for exhibiting.

Lapstone Kidney.—Second early. A very handsome tuber,
splendid eating, but shy cropper, and very much inclined to
take the disease.

Flour Ball.—Round, second early, a good cropper, good-
eating white Potato, but the eyes too deep for peeling.

Bell Kidney, or Second Early Ashleaf—A good cropping and
eating Potato, but grows too many small ones, and the bulbs
yery much thicker at one end than the other.

Queen of the Flukes——A late Potato, very similar to the
Bluke, but better in shape, with pink marks at each end. ‘This
is considered by several Potato-growers to be the best eating of
any of the kinds, quite superior to the Fluke; it is capita! as an
exhibition Potato. This was reared by Mr. Spencer with the King.

Red Regent or Holland.—A red round Potato, an immense
cropper; indeed, it will grow a good crop where the Fluke
would fail. It is a handsome Potato, and good for exhibiting ;
but when cut through some of the tubers are red all through,
and when boiled are nearly black, so that it will not do for a
gentleman’s table. Nevertheless, it is a capital Potato for
cottagers, as they do not mind the look as long as the tubers are
good to eat.

_UMillet's Manifold.—A. capital scarlet Potato, good for ex-
hibiting, eating, and cropping ; kidney-shaped.

Wellington.—A capital round Potato, but the eyes are rather
too deep for peeling without waste.

York Regent.— A capital-eating round Potato, but very
subject to the disease ; rather a shy cropper for a Jate Potato.

Scotch Cups, Farmer's Glory, Pheasant Eye, Bread Fruit,
and several others I grew, but found them too coarse to need
description.

“ UPWARDS AND Onwarps” makes a mistake when he says

the Rey. Mr. Stevens, from Reading, sent the King and Queen |

of the Flukes, for I believe I was the only exhibitor who sent
them to Kensington. Mr. Stevens sent Webb’s Imperial or
Incomparable, and took the second prize, while my Kings
gained the first for the best twelve kidneys.

I think, if I remember right, “Upwards anp Cnwarps”
could not tell which were the best Potatoes out of the great
quantity he saw. Did he notice Mr. Robinson’s first-prize
collection? There were twelve splendid-looking Potatoes named
the Melbourne Hero. [I liked these the best in the Show;
indeed, I never saw anything like them before, as far as appear-
ance went. I wish I had some of the kind. They were kidneys,
and looked like second earlies. Next to these I thought my
Kings were the best; but a competitor always likes his own
the best.

I haye received a schedule of the Royal Horticultural
Society’s Shows for this year, but there are no prizes for
vegetables. Why is this? The Exhibition in October last
must have answered.—J. Cuoycs, Jun., Harris Bridge.

FLUE-HEATING.

Havine during the iast autumn built a vinery and orchard-
house, heated by a flue, I think I may be enabled to help the
amateurs who, like myself, have been afraid of the expense of hot-
water apparatus.

My house is a lean-to, 40 feet long and 15 feet wide, divided
in half by a glass partition, the half nearest the fire being the
vinery. ‘Ihe flue goes from the back through to the front of
the house, within 5 feet of the glass, then turns along the front
to the glass partition, and takes a slight curve to within 5 feet
of the back wall of the orchard-house. In this house I haye two

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

211

chimneys, one going from the curve mentioned before, the other
in the far corner of the house, so that I can either have heat or
not in the orchard-house, by allowing the smoke and heat to
escape by either the one chimney or the other. My flue is
formed of single brick walls 44 inches wide, 12 inches deep inside,
14 inches wide, covered by fire-brick covers, notched, to prevent
any escape of smoke through the joints. The expense of the flue
was, bricks and mortar, 20s.; cover, 20s.; labour, 10s.; show-
ing a cost of 50s. My fuel costs me 2s. per ton, or with cartage,
1s., 3s. On the 19th of January I had in two tons, of which
about 5 or 6 ewt. remain.

My Vines are showing fruit, so that you see I am enabled to
keep up a good heat at a very small cost. I have five Vines
planted in the border, and five more in pots, besides some
Orange and Fig trees, bedding plants, &c. Another mode of
heating which I feel certain will prove very good and cheap, is
on the principle of hot water, but actually by hot air. We have
it af work in our manufactory, and we find it heats a very large
structure very effectively, and dries-off our goods in a very
efficient manner. The principle is this :—Im the furnace or fire-
place a large cast-iron pipe is fixed, so that the fire plays all
round if, and heats it thoroughly before going up the chimney.
One end is open to admit the cold air, to the other end earthen
pipes are attached, taking the heated air in any direction you
desire, the circulation being as true with air as water, but only
requiring a flow-pipe, and not a return one, causing a first-rate
circulation in the house ; and by keeping the earthenware pipe
(unglazed) damp, you can have any amount of moisture you
require. The heated air contains no impure vapour, as it is not
at all unpleasant to stand in and breathe it, even at a high tem-
perature. The costis also very little, as the six-inch pipe we can
supply at 9d. per yard, and the nine-inch at 1s. 13d. per yard, at
the works, or deliver them 100 miles at a very small additional
cost, in two-ton lots. I shall be happy to give any further in-
formation that may be required, or to register the heat I keep,
and my consumption of fuel. In my orchard-house, which
is full of trees—Pears, Apples, Plums, Cherries, Peaches, and
Nectarines, of various sorts, 1 am also forward, but as many
were only maiden plants I cannot expect very much fruit ; but
the few fruiting trees I have look very promising, Peaches and
Nectarines being in full blossom, and Pears and Cherries in bud.

MICE DESTROYERS OF CROCUSES.
FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN A SPANIEL AND MOUSE.

SEVERAL letters have appeared in your Journal on the
destruction of Crocuses, &e., by mice, and I have no doubt
of their committing the depredations, for I haye had mine
destroyed by them. It is astonishing the numbers of these
animals I haye had in my garden, for the three cats I have
have destroyed scores of them, and as they do not eat that
species, they leave them on the walks and grass plat in front of
my house, yet I frequently find five or six on opening my door
in the morning. ‘They are difficult to catch in traps, as they
will not take any bait that I put for them; but my gardener
has caught a great many by placing the traps in their runs in
the turf pits and orchard-house and covering the trap with grass,
leaves, &c. I have suffered in the same way as your correspondent
“R. F.,” haying had a Sweetwater Vine bitten off by them close
above the ground. They have also eaten the large roots, so that
it is quite destroyed. I haye had a very strong solution of
Gishurst applied repeatedly to the other Vines to prevent the
mice destroying them.

I may mention a curious circumstance relating to a common
house mouse, which has made its nest in a corner of the stand-
ing in the stable where a large spaniel dog is tied-up, which
protects it from the cat, and which yesterday flew at the cat that
was just about to catch it. The mouse was protected in the
same way last year by thedog, under whose protection it brought
up its young ones, and it is about to do the same again.—
R. C. B.

[Our correspondent is a physician, and old subscriber to this
Journal.—Ebs, J. oF H.]

TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED.
W. Paul, Waltham Cross.—Spring Catalogue of New Roses,
Follyhocks, Gladioli, Pelargoniums, fe.
Sutton & Sons, Reading —Farm Seed List for 1863.

212

WORK FOR THE WEEK.
KITOHEN GARDEN.

A DISTINGUISHING feature in this departments its uniformity ;
straight lines and angles meet the eye in every direction, and
whatever may be said in favour of a departure from this rule in
the disposition of pleasure grounds, it is universally allowed
that straight lines are best in the Kitchen garden. Straight
walks, with their edges neatly kept; seed-beds of a uniform
Width, with the seeds drilled in at equal distances; the disposi-
tion of plants in rows; trees all tramed with the greatest exact-
ness; together with continual surface-stirring, and the conse-
quent absence of weeds, are amongst the distinguishing charac-
teristics of a well-kept kitchen garden, and the most strenuous
exertions should now be made for the attainment of such results.
Sowing all kinds of seeds should be proceeded, with as di-
rected in our last; the weather during the week has been so
cold that little advance since then has been made, ‘The ground,
however, is in excellent order for planting and digging, which
should be finished without delay, and groundwork im general
completed. Asparagus, top-dress the beds, taking care not to
injure the plants with the rake or fork. A little Celery or
Lettuce seed may be sown over the beds. Artichokes, Globe,
they should now be dressed, superfluous shoots removed, and
fresh plantations made if required. -As this is generally a per-
manent crop, the ground should be well prepared by deep
trenching, and a plentiful application of rich manure. Beet,
may be sown in drills a foot apart. Broccolt, make a sowimg of
Grange’s Early White. Cabtage, plant-out autumn-sown, and
weed beds left for Coleworts. Capsicums, sow on a hotbed.
Cauliflowers, give attention to the plants under hand-lights by
surface-stirring and giving sir on all suitable occasions; tilt the
glasses on the jside away from the wind in cold windy weather,
and remove them altogether on the first occurrence of genial
showers. Do not let those in frames, or the young seedling
plants that are now pricked-out, suffer from exposure to the
cutting east or north-east winds, so prevalent at this season of
the year. Peas, continue sowing for succession crops; earth-up
and stick those already up as they require it. Potatoes, plant
for the principal crop while the ground continues in good work-
ing order. Sea-kale, cover-up for a succession; fermenting
Substances may soon be dispensed with for this purpose, as it
will merely require to be covered for blanching. Spinach, when
picking over the autumn-sown, if they were left standing rather
thickly together, it is as well to remove every alternate plant
entirely, as it will give a greater facility for stirring the soil,
and induce a largergrowth m those left standing. Sow Turnips,
Carrots, Leeks, Onions, Parsley, small salad, and pot herbs.

FLOWER GARDEN.

The rockery is a beautiful and pleasing addition to this
department. Many, even small, places will admit of forming
an imitation of rocky surfaces where they can be made to harmo-
nise with the surrounding objects; and if the outline be simple,
‘and the surface not too much broken, the following plants,
suitable for such situations, will produce a very good effect :—
the different species of Alyssum, Arabis, Astragalus, Iberis,
Draba, Saxifraga, Sedum, the dwarf species of Campanula,
Dianthus, Veronica, Saponaria, with Phloxes of dwarf habits.
Vacancies should now be filled up in the shrubbery-borders.
Plant-out Pentstemons, Phloxes, Lysimachia, Delphiniums,
Dupines, Sweet Williams, Antirrhinums, Clove Carnations,
Anne Boleyn Pinks, Brompton Stocks, and double Wallflowers.
‘Sow a collection of half-hardy and hardy annuals on & warm
border, and sow some Sweet Peas in‘pots and in the open sround.

STOVE.

Complete the shifting of all specimen plants as quickly as
possible, and keep a sharp look-out for insects. Tet 60° be the
minimum temperature for the future, except the weather be very
severe. Keep a brisk, growing, moist temperature during the
day, and shut-up early.

GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY.

If not already completed proceed vigorously with the shifting
of plants, and if hey are well rooted and in good health do mot
be afraid of giving them a liberal shift. See that Hricas and
Epacrises do not suffer for want of water. While the variable
weather which usually characterises March continues, attention
must be directed to the conservatory, that'a uniform and mode- |
rate temperature may be preserved. he violent showers and |
boisterous gales, which frequently occur at this season, succeeded |

JOURNAL OF HORTIOULTURH AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ March 17, 1868.

by intervals of mild weather and bright sunshine, render some
management necessary. Hires should be dispensed with as
much as possible, and air admitted on all favourable ‘occasions,
On still nights the house may’be damped and the syringe used,
and as the plants exhibit vigour atmospheric moisture may be
increased generally.

FOROING-PIT.

Introduce fresh plants for succession as fast as others are
removed to the conservatory. Pinks which have trussed-up
will be better in a mild heat, and Lily of the Valley should be
removed to a lower temperature as soon as the first flowers are
open. Keep a brisk growing temperature, with plenty of air
and moisture in clear weather, and avoid crowding the plants
as much as possible. Stop the barren shoots of Perpetual Roses ;
these rob the blossom-buds. Wake care that no plants suffer
for want of water.

PITS AND FRAMES,

Keep a nice growing heat in the cutting-frame; if the linings
are becoming cold turn them to the bottom, and add some well-
fermented dung. ‘here will now be some empty frames to
dispose of. Make up some beds of well-fermented leaves a foot
longer and broader than the frames, and place these upon the
beds when finished. They will be required for the reception of
potted-off cuttings. Take those cuttings out of the cutting-
frame that are well rooted, and place them in a cooler atmo-
sphere to harden-off. Continueto put in cuttings of those plants
previously recommended. W. KEANE.

DOINGS OF THE LAST. WEEK.

KITCHEN GARDEN.

THE change in the weather has come quite opportunely, as it
will help to keep many things back that otherwise would have
been injured by a slight frost. Used frosty mornings for wheel-
ing, and during the day turned oyer soil intended for Parsnips,
Onions, &. Dug and trenched over empty ground. Dug
ground intended for general seed-bed, so as to sow Greens,
Savoys, &c,, about the end of the month. Planted out succession
Cabbages, and a row or two of Red for pickling, and continued.
the routine much the same as last week; sticking a small hand-
ful of dry hay into the heart of the Broccoli just coming im ;
protecting Radishes, &c.; planting outforced Sea-kale; putting a
few warm leaves over that out of doors, and some hand-lights
over Rhubarb.

FRUIT GARDEN,

Proceeded with planting, root-pruning a few Plums that were
making too strong wood, and looked out for protecting material
for Peaches and Apricots, if the frost should prove too severe.
Had, also, some large boughs of evergreens in readiness to place
round forward Pears, if the frost should be more severe. ‘Pro-
ceeded in fine days with nailing and tying. Grafting should also
be proceeded with as the sap moves. In the case of Vines, all
grafting should take place before the sap moves at all. If not
done then, the operator should wait untjl the foliage is expanded,
and then either cut down and graft with an unstarted scion; /or
bring a growing plant and inarch on a young shoot. ‘Lhe modes
were fully detailed some time ago. The chief point in all such
matters is to unite the inner bark of the stock and the scion, the
modes of doing so are of less importance. This is about the
best time of the year for grafting all sorts of trees to be grown
in the liliputian form; and if the stocks have been previously

established in pots, and these when grafted are set in a mild hot-

bed, the union will be all the sooner effected. Put up beds for
Melons ; will in the meantime fill them with cuttings of various
things. Shut up orchard-houses in theseicold nights, but opened
them early, not only to give abundance of air, but to keep’ back
as much as possible, though some of the trees are in full bloom.
Trees on the walls left unnailed, and hanging from the wall, will,
as yet, be in no danger. At this season much of the success will
consist in retarding, rather than accelerating, before the trees
come into blossom. Aifter that the more sun we can give ‘the
better it will be on ordinary occasions.

Some correspondents cannot see through this so as to use
their protecting mediums to the best advantage. Our practice
would depend entirely on the simple principle that the later
that such trees—as Peaches, Apricots, Cherries, Plums, Pears,
&c., bloomed in our variable climate, the more likely are we to
have a regular crop; as many of these when they bloom early
and even set well, have the fruit destroyed m the young states

March 17; 1863: ]

when if they had been a fortnight or three weeks later all might
have been well. Suppose, then, that an amateur has’ a’ piece
of sheeting over a favourite tree, as soon as the buds begin to
swell freely, the sheeting should exclude the heat of the sun by
day, and be removed at night so that the buds may be chilled.
Of course, if the frost be so severe as to injure such buds—say
10° to 15°, then the cloth should be on night and day. With
only a few degrees of frost, until the buds of the flower are sufli-
ciently open to expose the parts of fructification, the cooler the
trees are kept the better. ‘Two advantages are thus gained—the
trees will bloom later, when the weather may be supposed to be
milder, and then when they do bloom the earth will be warmer,
and there will be more of a reciprocal action between roots and
branches. From the time that the bloom opens our tactics must
change. The more light and heat in a moderate way the blossoms
then receive, the better will the fruit set and swell. We say in
a moderate way, for after a frosty morning, if the sun is ex-
ceedingly bright, its force against the wall would be so great,
thaf shading for a couple of bours in the middle of the day
would be highly serviceable. If the frost has been so severe at
night as to touch the young fruit at all, the trees should be
shaded all the next day. In ordinary circumstances, however,
when there is only a little frost, or a keen east wind, the trees
should be covered at night, and only uncovered in the morning
when the air becomes genial and warm. The weather must,
therefore, regulate the times of covering and uncovering. Ina
fine genial morning in March and April, after the trees were in
bloom, we would uncoyer early and cover up late at night. In
such circumstances as to bloom and a cold wet day, we would
keep the cover on night and day to keep the blossom dry. Ina
cold east wind with but little sun, we would open a few hours
in the hottest part of the day. As already stated, before the
blossoms open use covering for retarding.

All fixed coverings—be they branches, or nets, &c., have the
disadvantage that a degree of weakness is induced that renders
the plant less able to contend with extremes. So much is this the
case that some of our best gardeners, if they cannot obtain stout
moveable coverings, will use none at all, as fixed coverings they
contend do as much harm as good. We do not go that length,
as even a fixed covering of laurel boughs or spruce branches has
saved the crop of one half of a tree, whilst the fruit on the
other half was lost. The best gardeners often cannot in these
matters do as they like. In one place no resources are wanting.
In other places it is expected that the gardener shall secure fruit
without an extra farthing of outlay, just as the Israelites were
expected to make bricks without the necessary materials. Alter
haying tried many schemes with more or less success, we would
recommend to all amateurs a stout material, such as sheeting, to
be moved easily as necessary, as the best; and next to that, as
fixtures, we would designate hexagon netting and woollen netting,
because they allow light and air to pass, secure a certain amount
of shade, throw past the most of heavy showers, and thus, in
addition to mitigating the force of the frost, enable the flowers
to stand more frost from their comparative dryness. In facet,
we think all modes of protection better than none, but the
superiority will much depend on the care used and the con-
sideration given.

Changed and watered Strawberries. Was obliged to protect
Strawberries in pots in the open air, as within these few days
they haye had more frost than they would have had all the
winter, so that our previous protection, without protection now,
would have done more harm than good. If Strawberry-pots are
now frozen as hard as building bricks, be sure the fruiting will
be apt to suffer. If plunged in the ground the roots will suffer
little injury ; if standing on the surface and thus frozen, both
buds and roots will be injured. We sometimes meet, in the
garden of an amateur, with valuable plants standing in pots out
of doors exposed to all weathers. A great point would be gained
could such kind readers be made to see, that if plunged in the
ground or planted out, such a plant would be more safe than in
a pof aboye ground and not protected. The idea seems to
prevail that a nice new plant, almost or entirely hardy, is better
kept in a pot than plunged or planted out. Such friends alto-
gether forget the degree of cold the roots of such a plant are
exposed to in a frosty night, by radiation of heat and evaporation
of moisture from the sides of an exposed pot. Had we such a
good society for plants as the one for preventing cruelty to
animals, we should see less of pots exposed out of doors in
winter with plants in them. For such matters, and ail about
budding and grafting, we would wish all amateurs with a spice

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

218

of enthusiasm, to invest 39, in the ‘Science and Practice of
Gardening.”

Finding there were still a few of tlie black fly in the Peach-
house, fumigated leaves and fruit with capsicums and bruised
laurel leaves, and then with a couple of Neal’s pastils, which have
made them disappear at present. It is best not to confine such
operations to one material, but to vary it, and always to be sure
not to use the smoke too strong. It is better to repeat the process
after a day or two of interval. Wor a lean-to house 10 feet at
back, 10 feet wide, and 50 feet in length, two pastils well
smothered, and about 6 ozs. of shag tobacco, are separately
enough at one time. It is quite easy to use such a dose as will
destroy every living creature, but then it may be easy to destroy
the plants likewise. The strongest dose of smoking will not
destroy the eggs, and of these there may be thousands; and,
therefore, if ever a colony is formed, there is not only the neces-
sity of killing what is alive but of doing for others as they come
into existence. Such matters are apt to make gardeners rather
cruel-hearted on the vermin, though no class of men, as a whole,
are more kindhearted. “ Give a thorough good dose and have
done with it,” is by no means sound advice. I once saw a beautiful
house of Peaches just. nicely set, and the swelling fruit throwing
their embracing: blossoms off. A few green fly appeared, and it
was ordered to be smoked. Next morning after a good syringing,
some flies were to be found alive, and an extra dose of tobacco
smoking was decided on for the next night, and some poor fellows
were shut up in the nicotian atmosphere blowing away with
bellows at the tobacco retorts, until on opening the door the
gardener was pretty well knocked down with the aroma that
saluted him, and then there were orders for the operators to
come out, which they did, almost as stupid as if they had been
lolling in an opium-eater’s paradise, And did they kill all
insects? Yes, we believe, every one that was then alive; but

| there were plenty more during the season, and a sickly vegetation

during the year, and what I want to note more especially is,
that by the second day there was scarcely a fruit in the house;
but all the little set fruit were strewed over the floor as thickly
as if you had meant to sow rows of Peas. From that day to
this, though forced at times to use smoking and washing mode-
rately, we have great faith in the “‘ Weaver remedy,” of “ catch-
ing them and killing them,” and if the remedy is applied soon
enough, people will be surprised what the fingers and thumb can
accomplish,

Drew a dry hand over bunches of Grapes in bloom, especially
Sweetwaters, in order to assist the setting. We observe this
plan is recommended in some of our contemporaries now,
though it is now many years since we first alluded toit, and found
that the hand dry and applied gently along the bunch, was far
better than any camel-hair brush, or anything of the kind. Some
good people, however, must amuse themselves longer in seeking
for a tool, than with the best of all tools, the human hand, they
might do the job five times over. In some Grapes the calyx
rises and covers the parts of fructification so tightly that they
cannot perform their functions; but a slight rub with the dry
hand, especially in a sunny day, removes the hoods and sets the
pollen free to act on the pistil of the flower. By this means and
a little care to give extra heat, Muscats may be set as thickly as
Muscadines. Gave a little water to Figs, not too much at once,
because extreme dryness and extreme moisture at once would be
apt to throw off the incipient fruit. Those out of doors are still
covered with laurel branches.

PLANT DEPARTMENT.

Fresh-packed some Orchids in baskets; placed some Ferns in
a state of rest, as Maiden-hairs, into more heat. Fresh-potted
fine-leaved Begonias, shaking most of the soil away, and re-
potting in similar or smaller-sized pots, using light, rich soil,
packing it close, and placing the plants under the shade of
Vines on a stage. Potted and put in cuttings of Coleus, and
other softwooded stove plants; placed Gloxinias in heat, to
start them before shifting them; put tubers of Achimenes and
Gesneras into pans to start them before separating and grouping
them in pots for blooming. The Achimenes may be set rather
thickly in pans.and boxes, covered with half an inch of sandy soil,
and when 2 inches in height selected for potting and vasing.
They start best under shade, as then the sun will not injure the
young foliage. When such things are started in a hotbed, not
only should the bed be sweet, but there should be'a little air left
on at top all the night, as well as during the day ; for condensed
moisture or steam from such beds is apt to scald the foliage,

214

and rarely does if recover its beauty again. In such a place the
young leaves should be quite dry before the sun strikes them.

Melons in pots should not have less than from 65° to 70° ayerage
night temperature, and Pine plants for autumn fruiting should
now receive their last shift, and care should be taken whilst
the bed is preparing for them, that the plants are not chilled.
We have seen plants throw up pigmy fruit prematurely, or a lot
of suckers instead of a fruit-stem, from such checks being given
to the roots, merely by allowing the plants to stand about in the
cold; and because the plants\do not show the effects of such
treatment as readily as a Cucumber, or an early Balsam, we are
too apt to imagine that they may be treated roughly with im-
punity. It is from thoroughly understanding this hot-and-cold
affair that many things look so nice in small places. ‘The gar-
dener there, doing the most particular matters with his own
hands, will take care that his plants receive no check. No
sooner is a plant out and shifted, than it is back again in its
comfortable home; but in large places you may often find
numbers of plants in a cold shed at dinner time. The young
people cannot be made to feel how grievously they injure their
plants, inthus bringing them toa temperature of from 35° to 40°,
when taking them out of and back again to one of ‘70°. When
this is long continued, all the coaxing and warm-watering after-
wards will not compensate for the serious check thus given.

Repotted Fuchsias that had been pruned and started, shaking
away @ good portion of the old soil, and filled up with fresh rich,
loam. Placed Dahlias and Cannas on the floor of a house to
start them, bringing both from sheds where they had stood the
winter. ‘I'he weather being so cold, delayed planting out bed-
ding plants under temporary protection; but filled every little
available space with cuttings of Verbenas, double Feverfew,
Geraniums, &. Made preparations for sowing lots of flower-
seeds, and rolled the lawns and pruned the Roses in flower
gardens ; also put in Rose cuttings.—R. F.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Hacxsrerry Tree (JV. D.).—The following extract from Hogg’s “‘ Vege-
table Kingdom” gives the information you ask for:—Cerasus padus, the
Bird-cherry or Hag-berry, is common in most parts of Britain. The froit
is nauseous, but infused in gin or whiskey greatly improves them, and is
only surpassed by an infusion of Peach leaves.” We may add that Hag, or

Hg, is the Anglo-Saxon for the Hawthorn, and the fruit of the Bird Cherry
8 not unlike the Haw.

VEGETABLE AND GouRD SHow (J. Choyce).—We believe that the Royal

Horticultural Society do not intend to have a show of this description like
that they held last October.

_ CaranTHeE vestiTA (Orchidophilus).—Be assured that no discourtesy was
intended. We only remember that we considered the notes of Mr. Appleby
at page 90 gave the information you needed. If it does not, send your
questions again to us,

GaLvaniseD Iron Wire For Trainine (J. McClellan).—The galyanised
wire will do very well. The shoots must be tied loosely.

_AcuIMENES Dyine (Jdem).—The Achimenes in the yinery might not be
ripened enough. The roots, however, whether in-doors or in houses, should
rarely be in a temperature lower than 45°, A little frost injures even
well-ripened buds of Achimenes,

Gass For 4 SMALL Lean-ro GrernuousE (J, P.).—If the roof is to be
fixed, and the place at all exposed, it would be desirable to have British
plate, seconds or thirds, 21 ozs. to the foot, and the squares 12 inches deep
and 15 inches across, If the place is protectec, squares 12 by 20 would
do, and 16 or 15-oz. glass would be nearly a third cheaper. If sashes are to
be made, then we would propose glass 10 inches wide, and 18 inches long.

Lirtine Vine Roors (An Old Subscriber).—As you haye taken up the
‘Vines now, place over the border a foot or 18 inches depth of warm fer-
menting stable manure, so as to raise the temperature of the border, 4 inches
below the surface, to 75° to 80°. Keep the Vines in the house as cool as

possible until they break naturally. By that time there will be roots making
to sustain them.

Negium Frowrrs Farine (Idem).—Place your Neriums in a sunny
place out of doors after June. Water plentifully until September. Thin-
out head if too thick. Do not shorten any of the shoots you leaye. Give
all the sun possible in the autumn, and no more water than will keep from
flagging. Pot in rather stiffloam. Take them into the house in October.

PLANTING 4 FLOWER GAEDEN (P. J/.),—Were we to plant flower gardens
on paper, we should require several first-rate flower-gardeners almost con-
stantly employed. Weare not able to do that. We will gladly give hints
on proposed planting, Your arrangement of last year was not only simple,
but very good. It is desirable to change the beds, and if you send us your
own re-arrangement, we will refer to the plan and tell you our opinion.

RHODODENDRONS NoT FLOWERING (Ada).—We can only suppose that
your plants were starved last season if they made no new wood. Of course,
if they did not do that they could make no flower-buds. Examiue the roots.
See that the ball is moist to the centre. If the pot is full of roots, repot
into two parts peat or heath soil, and one part of loam, with sand and char-
coal, Keep in the conservatory until June. Syringe and keep close to en-
courage growth; then set in a shady place out of doors, and by August
place pretty fuil in the sun, mulch with rotten old cowdung, and give

plenty of ‘water. The sorts you name will do pretty well out of doors ina
sheltered place.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ March 17, 1863

Sowine Cxiiantuus Dampiert SEED (An Original Subscriber),—Soak
the seeds in water at 140° for some hours before sowing ; then place the pot
in a mild bottom heat, and cover but slightly. We would advise you to
take out those you have sown, sow afresh, and treat thus—nay, further, we
would put a single seed in a small pot, and take to a cooler place as soon
as the plant is up. You may then transfer the plant before the pot is
full of roots to alarger pot. If you had a pot of seedlings they would
suffer in shifting, as the plant is touchy in enduring moving.

Pevarconium Coirure (L. F. F.).—Water must be given to all plants
just as they need it. In a sunny week they will want water, probably, every
day, or every other day, according to circumstances. Im dull weather
water may be needed once a-week, or once a-fortnignt. Your Geraniums
you must treat according as you want flowers from them this season, or
fine specimens in the following year. In the first case place the plants
where you can command the fire heat. When they haye got over the
journey repot into larger pots—say 6 inches. Stop the shoots that are
too strong a fortnight afterwards, and then these will flower in the end of
summer. If fine plants are your object, stop all the shoots, pot in a fori-
night, begin to train, and pot once or twice during the summer, but not
after August or September. These will make nice early plants next summer,
Let the temperature be from 45° to 50° at night in average weather, from
50° to 60° in dull days, and 10° more from sunshine. Buy ‘t Window-Garden-
ing for the Many,” you can have it free by post for 10d. from our office.

FLUE-HEATING A GREENHOUSE (Wisbech).—Of course you lose a little
heat from the top and only one side of the flue being exposed; but the top
alone being exposed ought to be sutticient for suchasmall houseif the flue is
9 or 12 inches across. We presume that the flue is almost a dead level in the
house, but it would have acted better if it had risen a little from the
place where it is connected with the furnace rignt on to the chimney. If
the fiue is quite level the chimney will require to be higher. There is one
thing you omit—the furnace, andit strikes us as yery likely that your furnace-
bars are not low enough. If not many inches below the bottom of the flue,
sink the bars low enough to be 24to 30 inches below the level of the bottom
of the flue. Our opinion coincides with that of our coadjutor Mr. Robson,
that for all such single small houses a flue is preferable inevery way toa
boiler. The expense of heating such a place with a boiler alone will be
much more than with a flue, as so much heat will be lost up the chimney
by the first mode, And then, as for economy, you will have a small boiler,
tle heat will be more irregular without considerable attention, as when the
fire is out the beat is soon gone; whereas, when a flue is heated it keeps
its heat along time. We would, therefore, advise the flue so far as effec-
tiveness and economy are concerned; and we do not see why it should not
draw. We should be glad to know if the hint above is of any use, and if
not you may give us more particulars. —K. F.

FLower-GarDEen Puan (W. R.).—We never undertake to plant.
that we can do is to criticise the planting proposed.

RHODODENDRON AucKLANDII, &c. (W. Brown).—Sir W. Hooker (“‘Botani-
cal Magazine,” t. 5065), speaks of it as ‘‘magnificent,” and ‘-in some re-
spects the finest of its genus.” It flowered in this country for the first time,
we believe, at Mr. Gaines’ Nursery, Wandsworth, in the May of 1858, We
know of no reason why it should not interbreed with Rhododendron
ciliatum. 4

Monocuztum (Idem).—This name is derived from two Greek words,
monos, one, and chaite, a bristle; the connective of the anther being
jengthened into a kind otf bristle.

Names oF Piants (Ff. J.).—We cannot name plants from leayes alone,
except in rare instances. 1 is an Echites; 3 appears to be Cytisus filipes.
(W. i. W.).—Chorozema cordatum. (Vovice, Gorey).—l, Pleopeltis lyco-
podioides; 2, Phlebodium areolatum; 3, Cyrtomiuim faleatum; 4, Pteris
hastata, (An Amateur, Co. Tyrone).—Cyclamen coumisallright. Poly-
gala Dalmaisiana is a British-raised hybrid, requiring the protection of a
window or a greenhouse in winter. You may prune it back when done
flowering. ‘The small shoots will strike in peat and sand, with a bell-glass
or a hand-light over them. If you allowed a little seed to ripen, andsowed
it ina pot in the window, that would be the easiest plan of obtaining plants.
The plant will be safe enough out of doors from June to the middle of
October. You are all right about the Auriculas,

All

POULTRY, BEE, and HOUSEHOLD CHRONICLE.

ECCENTRICITIES OF THE WORCESTER AND
BATH AND WEST OF ENGLAND

POULTRY SHOWS.

I nxconzect hearing a story once of a lady ringing for her
servant to sweep the floor after some of her visitors had de-
parted, declaring that these same visitors had dropped so many
H’s, that the carpet must be strewn with them. Taking up the
Worcester schedule makes me fancy that some kind friend with
the dust-pan is needed, to raise up some of the classes which
have dropped unheeded by the tender mercies of the Committee.

We are supposed to be living in the year 1863, when shows
are no longer in their infancy, and when exhibitors expect, and
have a right to expect, a different prize list. Iam one of those
who think it rather questionable whether the entries, being
similar in amount, it is altogether justice to the exhibitor to have
prizes varying in amount. If you take any catalogue and
make a proportion sum—if Dorking entries receive such an
amount in prizes, Malay entries should receive so much ; or take
any other breeds. I do not think that it always holds that those
classes for which, if I may so call it, extra prizes have been
offered fill in proportion to those prizes, whilst often it is palpa-
bly the opposite. ‘Take Devizes, where, as some of your readers
may recollect, I took down a few notes. There £9 5s. offered

March 17,1863. ]

to Spanish and coloured Dorkings produced respectively ten
and fifteen entries ; whilst £2 offered to Polands (any variety),
produced six, and the like amount offered to Brahmas produced
six. Some of the Bantams and Buenos Ayroan Ducks far out-
stripped this number; yet each had paid an entrance fee of 6s.,
and the Dorkings and Spanish paid nomore. At the same Show
sixteen pens of Cochins had £9 divided between them; yet
these only paid the same entrance fee. ;

But to return to the schedule of the Worcester Show. Where
are the classes for White Dorkings, Malays, and Brahmas?
All of these breeds expect classes at “grand” shows. Why are
White-crested Black Polish chickens to have prizes, while the
aged specimens may take refuge in the Any other variety class ?
In my simplicity I believed that Polish adults were handsomer
than chickens. Why are Black Hast-Indian Ducks classless ?
Wherefore are spangled Hamburghs cut off from a third prize
in each class, whilst their brothers and sisters, the Pencilled, have
three? Atthe Crystal Palace Pencilled produced, omitting single
cocks, thirty-nine pens, but Spangled forty-four.

In exchange for these sins of omission, we have Worcester
setting us the bright example of separate classes for Créve
Cours. These birds, which one of your correspondents lately
denominated degenerate Poles, have yet to prove their merits.
T cannot say I was over-pleased with the specimen I once kept,
but this may have been an exception. But surely these birds
should not displace other well-known and useful breeds from
the class list.

I fancy, too, that some exhibitors will ask where their birds
are to be kept for one whole week. Every place for exhibitions
of poultry is not the Crystal Palace, and in hot July too! Two
days are sufficiently long for any show except the really “grand”
ones—Birmingham and the Crystal Palace. The Committee
should recollect that the poultry are not cattle, and that they
cannot stand the confinement in the same way.

T have written you at once, as there is plenty of time for the
Committee fo alter some of their plans. If they do not, I fear
their Show will not prove so successful as they doubtless imagine.

Turning to the schedule of the Bath and West of England
Poultry Show, I find no classes for Gold or Silver Polands,
none for Brahmas ; Gold and Silver-spangled Hamburghs massed
together, while their Pencilled brethren enjoy their two classes.

_ To deduct 3s. 6d. from each entry in the sweepstakes for
single cocks seems monstrous. Surely there must be some
error here.

Last, not least, it is a five-days Show, the birds being cooped
about seventy hours before the Show commences. Altogether,
many valuable birds—if their owners are simple enough to send
them—will be cooped-up for ten days or more, journey included!

Will one of the latter rules prove a “soothing syrup” to
them? It runs—‘In case of the death of any poultry during
the time of exhibition, the bird or birds” (very cool) “so lost
will be sent back for the inspection of the exhibitor.” Great
satisfaction may it give him, especially if the death is from a
contagious disease, and the dead and living birds journey home
together!—Y. B. A. Z.

[Our experience of the management of poultry shows tends
to convince us that there is always a great difficulty to com-
mittees in pursuing the exactly midway course that insures
entries in due proportion to the appointed prizes on the one
hand, and at the same time gives g-neral satisfaction to ex-
hibitors of different varieties of poultry on the other. Hach
breeder most probably selects for his choice his own particular

“hobby,” and fancies it the most deserving of support and dis-
tinction—in fact, supposes for the time being the breed he then
holds superior to all others: hence, on the part of exhibitors,
discrepancies must always prevail as to the opinion of which
breed of fowls is the most deserving. Committees, on the other
hand, are compelled not unfrequently, as expressed by homely
phrase, “to cut their coat according to their cloth,” and thus
are forced to the really unenviable task of a selection among
the numerous classes of such breeds as must be among the most
limited, as to the amount of premiums offered. Unfortunately,
statistics of their previous meetings are not invariably trust-
worthy to committees, for it frequently happens a class com-
prising only three or four entries one year calls forth the
Succeeding season perhaps quadruple that number, for the simple
Teason that, as the prizes were so easily won formerly, the
next trial induces a great number of expectant winners to
enter into the competition. This variation of entries seems
beyond the power of computation, and thus the number of com-

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

215

petitors is altogether conjectural until the close of the time for
entries makes plain the matter in dispute. Of course, even
committeemen have their partialities for different varieties
equally with the exhibitors themselves ; and however anxious to
arrange their schedule of prizes to meet the views of all those
most interested, they must fail occasionally in so doing.

It should be kept always in mind that any show to be success-
ful must be self-supporting ; for the cases in which a voluntary
subscription is to be depended on among the non-exhibiting but
resident gentry is a most unusual occurrence, and a resource
that after a few repetitions speedily becomes threadbare to the
very core. After all experiments that have been introduced it
seems that equal payments for the privilege of competition, with
equal amounts gained by the successful ones in each class, is the
most universally-approved arrangement. Trueit is, at the outset
a few (and in some instances very few), pens compete, and the
loss to the Society by certain classes is considerable; but, in
many cases where the attempt has been renewed, the entries the
year following have been so strangely reversed, that in the aggre-
gate of the two years an absolute gain has been obtained.

We think with our correspondent, “ Y. B.A. Z.,” that the time
the birds are detained at Worcester is too lengthy. ‘The fact is, a
better and a larger show would undoubtedly be insured had its
duration been of a-less protracted nature, particularly as chickens
invariably suffer more from confinement than aged poultry. We
trust, therefore, the Worcester Committee may think well even
yet to reconsider this matter, with the view to meet the wishes
of exhibitors generally, more especially as their Poultry Show
of this season should boast of a very greatly-increased amount
of support, on account of its taking place during the time of the
Royal Agricultural Society’s Meeting at Worcester. |

TAUNTON POULTRY ASSOCIATION.

Tus well-managed and remunerative Society, according to
an advertisement which appears in our columns to-day, is
“dissolved.” This causes us much surprise, because, as some
comic character observed on an undesired death, “‘ there was no
oceasion for it.’ Weare not astonished when a society retires
to the catacombs after being ill-conducted, or when it isin debt,
but neither of these “ occasions” befell the Taunton Association.
No secretary could have ministered more satisfactorily than Mr.
Ballance ; and we see in the printed accounts that there is a
small sum in hand.

We do not think that a valid reason for dissolving is “the
subscribers having failed to attend the meeting’’—a more cogent
reason would have been their “having failed to subscribe.”
Much do we hope that the subject will be reconsidered—that
Mr. Ballance will resume the secretariat ; and, we think, that
subscriptions will increase rather than diminish, if application
is made for them, when the threatened extinction of the

Association is thus publicly known.

APIARIAN NOTES.

OPEN BEE-HOUSES.

THERE is nothing at all novel in the advocacy of open bee-
houses ; and if “A. K. H.” will turn to No. 10 of Vol. XXIV.,
page 161, he will see that I have written in fayour of them,
though in a modified form. It is recommended that the hives
should be on separate pedestals, but there is not the slightest
objection to a double rail for their support, and in some respects
this would be found to be the most convenient plan.

But, surely “A. K. H.” cannot have tried the form of open
house he has described at page 179, or he would hardly have
brought it forward as an improvement on any known method of
protecting hives. He would findit, as he has figured it, anything
but a protection for his bees. The double tier of hives is fatal
to it. To work supers the roof must be at such an elevation
above the lower tier that rain must freely drive in at the front
and back; and as to the high exposed sides, the hives might as
well be out in the open air altogether. I thoroughly detest
hives being placed one above another, even if the upper entrances
are not immediately over the lower. Let the upper tier be
dispensed with, the roof brought down to a proper distance,
allowing ample room for supering, and there can be no objection
to the plan. But I would do a little more before I should
consider my hives safe from driving rain; the ends should be’
closed-in with some material, such as pieces of old floor-cloth,

216" JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE
matting, or boards of feather-edged deal. With a wide over-
hanging roof the hives would be thoroughly protected; and I
have little doubt that there is no better plan of house or shed
for keeping them to advantage. The back of the roof bemg
made to open on hinges is a very great improvement and worth
adopting.

Within the last two or three years I have made use of a large
aviary about 25 feet long by 8 feet in width. The front is-all
wirework, the roof wood or galvanised iron ; the back, sides, and
top, being quite closed-im. Having discarded the feathered
occupants, it occurred to me te make use of the place as a bee-
house. Parts of the wirework were cut away so as to allow
plenty of room for the free flight of the bees. This has
answered admirably in this place, though if it were not for the
wire front the rain would probably drive in too much, as in the
centre the roof is at least 16 feet in height above the ground
floor. I find one very great advantage in performing operations
in such a house —the bees do not readily enter through the
meshes of the wirework, but they very quickly make their exit
thereby, so that they seldom annoy the operator. If building a
bee-house, I should be very much inclined to obtain some
galyanised wire netting of very small mesh to form the front,

cutting away spaces of about 8 inches by 5 for the bees.. This |

would allow of ample circulation of air; yet be of consider-
able use in preventing annoyance to the bee-master from his
angry subjects.

BEES IN BUILDINGS.

A short time ago I expressed myself rather adverse to keeping
hives in buildings or in rooms in dwelling-houses. Since then
I have received a letter from a friend giving an account of the
state of his apiary, and speaking highly of the success of his
experiment in making use of a large glass room originally built
for the purpose of taking photographic likenesses. As he is |
totally unaware of the subject having been mooted in these
colunms, his opinion may perhaps be the more valuable. I may |
premise that he is an apiarian of long standing, and of far more
tham ordinary science and practical experience.

Adter giving an account of the present state of his apiary, and
reporting the loss of most of his artificially-formed Ligurian
stocks, he goes onto say,“ My great success has been in the
driven cottager’s bees, formed into stocks last autumn; all these
are-alive and flourishing. They have been all carrying in pollen
from the 30th of January and. 1st of February, some of them in
large quantities. These are all in my glass room, which really
makes a first-rate bee-house. The temperature being equable
and the room dry, the: hives are earlier than any out of doors.in
my‘garden. There are seven stocks now in this room a good
distance from each other, and. there is less hovering and pitching
about iof strangers than in the garden. The fioor-boards are dry
and clean, and there has been no moisture on the windows all
the winter. I enjoy this room vastly, and wish there were more
hives in it.”

So far as it goes this is evidence in favour of placing hives in
rooms; but whether they will do well in this glass house for a
permanency remains to be proved. I should fear the heats of
summer would be very detrimental to their prosperity, and
therefore must defer judgment until the close of the next
aufumn, when I hope we may have further and corroborative
evidence of the suitability of such a plan for keeping hives.

BEST ASPECT FOR HIVES.

IL do not think a “A LawarksnirE Bez-Keepre ” can lay
down any law as to the most suitable aspect in which: hives:can
be profitably worked: That he is right in his decision that: a
sheltered north aspect is'the best in his:own locality or apiary I
have'no doubt or wish to dispute ; but I am convinced: that what
would be the best aspect: in one part of the country would be
the:worst in another. So much depends on prevailing winds or
draughts of air, or the quarter from which most rain may be
looked for, that: it seems impossible to lay down any role for
absolute guidance.

Considerable attention has been paid by me: to this very
subject, and I confess that after numberless experiments lam
unable to arrive at any fixed conelusion.

At this present moment I have hives facing nearly every point.
in the compass, and it is extremely difficult to say which are
answering best. The finest takes of honey I have ever had have
been respectively from east, south-east, south, and due west, and
with me there is) not mueh to choose between them; but I
should in‘all cases be guided by what:is in. the garden, or near

AND COTPAGE GARDENER. [ March, 17, 1863.
enough’ to affect the bees by causing rough eurrents of air, or
confining, them too closely so as to distress them with a teo
sultry atmosphere.

My own inclinations rather tend to a south-eastern. aspect
with the shelter of a building or some large evergreen shrubs on
the north at some little distance. If it can be obtained, a large
bush on the south which shall in some measure shade the house
about twelve o'clock, is always a desideratum, but if must in no:
wise interfere with the direct flight of the bees. Probably the
most populous hive I have this spring, a3 it also was last year at
the same period, is a hive facing due west. For some years past
hives on this same stand have been remarkable forgoing through
the winter with large populations, and in good or in tolerable
seasons showing considerable returns from their labours.

It is far from my intention to write against placing bees In a
north or any other aspect; all that IE wish to contend for, is
thet the aspect most suitable in one part of the kingdom may
not be so in another; and even more than that,a distance.of only
a few miles shall equally influence the judicious placing of bee-
hivyes.—S. Beyaw Fox, Ezeter.

BOTTLE-FEEDING FOR BEES.

Szxtxe the above mode recommended in your columns, I
have given it a fair trial this year and the last.

The principal disadvantage I have experienced is often of a
morning finding a broad stream of food out from the entrances,
and over the landing-boards. At first I concluded that the
bottles must have toppled over, er that the double ply of fine
cap-net had given way; but on examination the bottles were
standing quite plumb and the net all right. Besides the injury
this run over the combs and the main body of the bees in the
very centre of the hive must cause, this stream externally attracts
robbers from the strong colonies to the weak ones most in want
of food, and I fear the consequences may prove disastrous. I

| also find feeding in bar-hives, which the most of mine are, through

the marrow space betwixt the bars, a very slow proceeding m
comparison to that in straw hives—for instance, where the neck
of the bottle can be introduced into the hive amongst the bees.
With these exceptions, which I trust some of your many con-
tributors may assist me to overcome, I otherwise think it a vast
improvement over all the other systems I have tried.—W. J.

[There is evidently something wrong in your manipulation of
the bottle. Either some loose ends of string or net have caused
the food to drip into the hive by means of capillary attraction,
or the first rush on inverting the bottle has-been so copious as to.
overpower the bees. Test your bottle before again using it, by
inverting it filled with water and tied over with cap-net. If after
being inverted the fluid remain perfectly suspended all is as it
should be, and it will only be necessary when using it to invert
it in the first place over the jug or other vessel contaming the
food, whence it should be carefully and steadily conveyed in the
same position to the hive. Bees in bar-boxes may be fed with
the same facility as those in common hives, if Mr. Woodbury’s
plan be adopted of allowing a free passage between. the bars. and
crown-boards. |

Brzs rx Norra-SrarrorpsHirEe.— Pollen-earrying commenced
on February 16th, and was brisk on, March Ist) and 2nd.—.
A Norrs-SrsrrorDsHizE BEE-KEEPER,

PRESERVING WOOLLENS FLOM Morus.—The simplest and best:
way of preserving woollens through the summer from the de-.
struction of moths, is, to. wrap them well up, after brushing
and beating them in cotton or linen cloths. The moth can pass
neither. ‘lwo covers well wrapped around and secured from: the
air will be effectual. An old sheet will answer.

OUR LETTER: BOX.

DEALER uv Zoopnytes.—Can any of your readers recommend a dealer in
zoophytes, residing on the coast, who is moderate in his charges? Not
a dredger alone, bet one who keeps a.stock forsale, andis conversant with
their habits.—EvesHam.

Worx on Picrons (Almond).—We. know of no other work, on the sub-.
ject except those you name.

Bers OVERPOWERED BY Motus (S. E., Swaffam).—We haye received
‘the tin box containing a mass of cocoons, which shall be upon as
soon-as any of the moths arrive iat maturity.

March 24, 1863.] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COLITAGE GARDENER. 217
WEEKLY CALENDAR.
WEATHER NEAR LONDON IN 1862. ; I Vie
Day , Day F n Moon | | Glock |
of | of MARCH 24—30, 1863. Rain in| Sun Sun Rises | Moon’s | before | Day of
M'nth Week. Barometer. |Thermom.| Wind. inches Rises Sets. and BE Age. Sun. Year.
= — z |
| degrees. |} m. h.| m. h.} m. b.| m. s. |
24 | To H. Repton died, 1S18. G. 29.542—29. 454 | 65—39 S. 02 57 af | 17 af6 | morn. | 5 6 30) 83
25 | W Lady D. Lawson died, 1747. B. | 29.472—29.436 | 63-46 | S.W. 08 | 54 5/18 6/15 0 | 6 6 11} 84
26 | TH Gesner born, 1516. B. 29.500 —29.369 56—40 N.E. 10 |} 62 6) 20 6 te eal 7 5 53 | 85
27 | F Golden Saxifrage flowers. 29.394—29.213 |~ 60—43 E. 18 DO; Mo|P228 Reali aleey 1 | »)) 5 85 | 86
28 ES) Chickweed flowers. 29.182—29.115 51—39 N.E. — AT) |-2 3s val Oodle cde eee 9 5 16 | 87
| 29 Stn Patm Sunpay. | 29.243 29.192 51—38 N.E. _ 45 °5)| 25 6/56 2°) 10 4 58 88
| 380 M Elsholtius died, 1688. B. | 29.321—29.288 59 —41 Ww. 13 AST O27) MGs eo lees 11 4 39 | 89

METEOROLOGY OF THE WEEK.—At Chiswick, from observations daring the last thirty-six years, the average highest and lowest
temperatures of these daysare 51.9° and 33.6? respectively. The greatest heat, 75°, occurred on the 27th, ia 1830; and the lowest cold, 14°,

on the 25th, in 1850. During the period 161 days were fine, and on 91 rain fell.

ORCHID IMPREGNATION.

- OWE Mr. James An-
derson the correction
of a misstatement;
and as he has repro-
duced my letter in
which the mistake
was made, I will cor-
rect myself in your
pages. I ought to
have done so to himself pri-
vately, but I was not aware
that he was so interested in the
suggestion as he seems to have
been.

The seed of Odontoglossum which he was so polite as
to send me was not all barren. Some time after I had
written to him the remarks which he quotes I thought
I would institute a more prolonged and careful micro-
scopical examination ; and the result was that I found a
few seeds—perhaps one in five hundred—in which the
Opaque embryo was clearly discernible in the midst of
the twisted, netted, loose seed-coat. I therefore deter-
mined to sow it. In doing this I adopted the plan re-
commended by Mr. Beaton in page 61 of Tue Journat
oF Horricunture for 1862—in which the mode of dis-
persing the dustlike seeds by floating them on water,
which is then let slowly off at the pot-bottom, leaving
the seed adhering to the charcoal, peat, and crocks—
struck me as beautifully ingenious, simple, and effective.
This, then, I did; and the pot, standing in a saucer of
water daily replenished and covered by a square of glass
slightly tilted, has remained from last October till now,
in shade close to the hot-water pipes in the Orchid-house.

Curiosity led me to examine the condition of the pot
and its contents often; and the seed had not been sown
long before I could readily discern, by the aid of a
pocket-lens, the fertile seeds. These manifestly swelled
and became of a tender green hue; and as the thin empty
memorane of the numerous barren seeds gradually decayed
away, the fertile ones were the more distinctly seen, es-
pecially on the black ground of the bits of charcoal. I
presumed they were going to germinate; but one by one
they disappeared, and tor some time past I have not been
able, with the closest scrutiny, to detect a single seed.

With regard to my suggestion of encouraging the access
of bees to Orchid-houses I will add a word. While I
still believe it would be found successful in securing the
formation of ripe seed by many species that are now
unfertile with us, I perceive a strong objection to the
practice. Itis known that the blossoms wither and die
within a few hours afterimpregnation ; and as this, under
the free action of insects, would take place almost im-
mediately after they had expanded, our magnificent spikes
of flowers, which now adorn the house and fill it with
perfume and loveliness for four, six, or eight weeks to-
gether, would scarcely last so many days. Only, there-
fore, in a few cases, in which the obtaining of available

seed would be of superior importance to the preservation
No. 104.—Vor. IV., New Srntes.

of the bloom, would the free introduction of insects be
proper. Yet, if once the raising of Orchids from seed
could be depended upon as of ordinary plants, I cannot
but think that it would soon become cf mercantile im-
portance as a source of obtaining specimens far more
prolific than those on which we at present depend—viz.,
the importation of foreign specimens, and the subdivision
of such as are in cultivation.

Moreover, as Orchids seem peculiarly liable to variation
in the size, colour, and number of their flowers, the raising
of them from seed on a large scale might reasonably be
expected to yield a multitude of startling novelties, even
in those species which, from long cultivation with us and
wide dissemination (chiefly, however, by repeated fission
of the same original), we are accustomed to cunsider as
sufficiently familiar.

The desire to cultivate these most lovely plants is no-
toriously increasing, and would spread very rapidly but
for the barrier presented by the high prices demanded
for them. A great reduction in price would doubtless
be the immediate result of an extensive and general pro-
duction of seedlings. The little plants at two or three
years old would be eagerly bought-up if once in the
market, and grown on by many a charmed amateur, who
would not venture upon the purchase of established plants
ready to flower, such as are alone to be bought at our
nurseries as yet. Then the interest attaching to the
lengthening or the rhizome, the successive formation of
larger and yet larger bulbs, the peculiarities of cultiva-
tion under such skilful teachers as Appleby and Williams,
the watching for the development of flowers, would keep
expectation alive; till at length the peeping-forth of the
flower-sheath from some plump bulb of Cattleya or Lelia,
the gradual rising of the dark bud within seen against
the light, its protrusion, and the expansion of the gorgeous
glorious blossom, would be confessed an ample repay-
ment for all the anxiety, all the expense, all the labour.
Surely there is a fortune to be made by some young
nurseryman who will Jay himself out for raising Orchid
seedlings, or | am much mistaken.—P. H. Gossn, Tor-

quay.

THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY'S
SECOND SPRING SHOW.

A FRosty morning, a dense gloom hanging oyer the
metropolis in the forenoon, and a chilly north-east wind
for the remainder of the day, were circumstances by no
means likely to be conducive to a large attendance of
visitors ; still the muster, especially of ladies, was very
good, and, notwithstanding the cold and draughty place
in which the Show was held, so great was the interest
manifested in the flowers exhibited, that it was frequently
a matter of difficulty to approach them.

Camellias and Hyacinths constituted the most pro-
minent objects in the Show, but the former were not
brought forward in such numbers as might have been
expected.

In Camellias, a special prize was offered for the three

No. 756.—Von. XXIX., Oxp SERIEs.

218

u
best. This was taken by Messrs. Veitch & Son, of Hxeter ‘and
Chelsea, with Valtevaredo; General Lafayette, bright rose
striped with white; and Countess of Orkney, white with rose
Stripe, the last-named being unquestionably the finest plant in
the room.

In Class 1, six distinct kinds, Messrs. Veitch had the first prize
for Madame Lebois, a fine imbricated deep rose; Fimbriata
alba plena; Comte de Paris, a very fine plant and the flowers ofa
very delicate salmon pink; Bella di Firenza ; and Tentonia rosea.
‘All of these were handsome, well-fowered plants. Mr. Hally, of
Blackheath, came second, being in fact the only other competitor
in this class. His flowers were Amabilis, red; Carminata, a
blood-red seedling; Optima, Hlegans, Countess of Orkney, and
Imbricata. Mr. Standish, of Ascot and Bagshot, likewise ex-
hibited in this class, but not for competition, and the varieties
which he brought forward were more recent than those in the
second-prize lot. Whey consisted of Layinia Maggi, very fine;
Sarah Frost; Duchesse de Berri, a beautiful blush white;
Queen of Beauties, delicate rose, large aud very double; Maestra
Rosa ; and Bicolor de la Reine, salmon and red.

In Class 2 there was no competition; and in Class 3, which
was for four distinct kinds, Messrs. Veitch again walked over the
course with handsome plants of Triomphe’de Lodi, deep blush
variegated with rose; Alexina, blush striped with rose; Alba
plena; and Amelia Benuco, rose.

In Class 4, a single specimen, Messrs. Veitch were also first
with a plant of Princess Bacciochi, 5 feet or more in height and
‘handsomely grown, its glossy foliage setting-off the crimson
scarlet flowers to great advantage. The’second prize was awarded
to Mr. Salter, of Hammersmith, for a very fine plant of Chand-
der’s Hlegans, which was about 8 feet high, but not so bushy as
the preceding.

In Classes 5 and 6, for Rhododendrons, there was no competi-
tion. In 7, that for single specimens, Messrs. Veitch had Smithii
superba, a magnificent plant about 5 or 6 feet across and covered
With ‘its crimson scarlet flowers. To this the first prize was
gen ; and the second went to Mr. Young, gardener to R.
Barclay, Esq., Highgate, for Rhododendron Blandyanum, form-
ing a dwarf standard about 3 feet high, and having six trusses
of bright rosy crimson flowers. From the same exhibitor ‘also
came 4 plant of the small scented white Ciliatum.

The Hyacinths were superb; but the collections of Mr. Wm.
Paul, of Waltham Cross, and Messrs. Cutbush, of Highgate,
surpassed those of all others, both as regards the size of the
spikes and bells ‘and the excellence of the varieties shown.

Class 8 was for eighteen kinds, and here!Mr. Wm. Paul was
successful in carrying off the highest honours. Among the
varieties he exhibited were Koh--Noor, a new and excellent
double‘sort, with a magnificent spike of a delicate rosy salmon ;
Marie, a purplish-plum; Duc de Malakoff, fawn and nankeen,
a fine addition to the yellow class; Macaulay; Yon Schiller;
‘Mont Blanc; Solfaterre; General Havelock; Cavaignac, very
clear pink, anda broad spike; Ornement de la Nature, a delicate
pink; Snowball, one of the finest varieties known; and Florence
Nightingale, flesh. Grand Lilas, Grandeur 4 Merveille, Howard
‘and Baron von Tuyll were also very fine. Messrs, Cutbush took
‘second, though not without a close competition. In this col-
lection were Ida, one of the best of the yellows; Haydn, a very
fine lilac mauve; Snowball; Koh-i-Noor; Garrick, double blue;
Seraphine, blush; Grand Lilas; Duke of Wellington; Florence
Nightingale; Grandeur 4 Merveille ; General Havelock; Alba
Maxima; Charles Dickens; Victoria Alexandrina, a new and
very fine crimson ; and La Prophéte, also new, pink-striped.

The only other competitors were Messrs.\Carstairs & Sons, of
Edinburgh, who had in their collection good spikes of Amphion,
crimson; Agnes, bright rose; Lord Palmerston, a pretty blue ;
Seraphine; Charles Dickens; and Ida.

Class 9 was for twelve kinds, for amateurs only, and here the
exhibitors were Mr. Carr, gardener to B. Noakes, Esq. ; Mr.
Young, of Highgate; and Mr. Taylor, gardener ‘to C. A. Han-
‘bury, Hsq., of Hast Barnet, who stood on the prize list in the
order in which they are named, but whose exhibitions fell far
se the excellence of the eniinent nurserymen alréady men-
tioned.

Mr. Carr had fine blooms of Mrs. Beecher Stowe, Von Schiller,
Madame Van der Hoop; and good: examples of Duke of Wel-
lington, Charles Dickens, and some others; whilst Mr, Young’s
collection contained a fine spike of Howard; Koh-i-Noor ; Prince
Albert, a good dark purple; Princess Alice, with large light
blue bells; Mont Blane, and other well-known sorts.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ March 24, 1868.

The next Class, 10, for six new kinds, only contained two
exhibitions—those of Mr. Wm. Paul and Messrs. Cutbush, who
were respectively first and second. Mr. Wm. Paul had Ma-
caulay, which, as a rose-striped kind, wasa gem; Duce de Mala-
koff, fawn; Koh-i-Noor, a splendid spike; Haydn, a beautiful
mauve; Snowball; and Florence Nightingale. Messrs. Cut-
bush had Feruk Khan, a very good dark plam; San Francisco,
a nice canary yellow; Prince of Orange, a fine deep rosy pink;
Maria Theresa, with a close spike of a fine rose; Rouge Hcla-
tante, a distinct double deep crimson; and Fair Maid of Den-
mark, with large pure white bells.

In Class 11, six pots, Amateurs, the frst prize was withheld.
Mr. Carr received the second, and among the flowers he showed
were three nice spikes of Mrs. Beecher Stowe; Lina, small but
of a fine crimson; and Heroine, yellow. In Mr. Young’s, who
was third, the best were Grandeur 4 Merveilleand Elfrida, white.

Of early Tulips, there was again a good display, Messrs.
Cutbush taking first in the class for twenty-four kinds; and
Mr. W. Paul second. The former had Grand Duc, brownish-
red with yellow edge; Vermilion Brilliant; Cramoise; Duc
d’Aremberg, brown with yellow border; Fabiola, rosy violet
and white; and Rouge Luisante, rose. Mr, Paul contributed
Grand Duc; Proserpine, a rich rose; New Yellow Tournesolis
White Pottebakker; Tournesol; and Canary Bird, yellow, but
the flowers did not stand out so well from ithe foliage-as in My.
Cutbush’s. ‘

The next Class was also for six kinds, but for eighteen pots);
and here again Messrs. Cutbush and Mr. W. Paul occupied the
same relative positions, the former having Duc d’Aremberg’;
Fabiola; Vermilion Brilliant; Florida, purplish-violet; Ma-
thilda, a showy red and white; and Rouge Luisante. Myr. Paul,
whose exhibition was also excellent, had Archduc d’Autriche, a
fine crimson and yellow ; Cottage Maid, a pretty rose; Standard
Royal, very showy; Van der Neer, a very fine purplish-violet ;
and Striped Pottebakker.

In the Amateur’s Class, good pots of Rex Rubrorum, Tourne-
sol, Perle Blanche, and Duc d’Aremberg were shown by ‘Mr.
Carr, who was first. Mr. Young was second,

The Miscellaneous Class is always a large one,/and on'this oc-
casion it occupied an unusually large space. Here Mr. W.
Paul received a first prize for a magnificent collection of a
hundred Hyacinths, among which we noticed as being par-
ticularly fine—Macaulay; Marie; Howard, brick red; Snow-
ball; Solfaterre, a splendid spike; Agnes, bright pink; Princess
Clothilde, a new and dark'red; Princess Charlotte, a beautiful
peach; Ornement dela Nature; Aurora Rutilans, a very fine
colour—crimson; Milton; Mirandolinc, pure white; Duc de
Malakoff ; and La Nuit, a very dark colour. Couronne de Celle,
Baron yon Tuyll, Grand Lilas, and other well-known sorts made
up the remainder. }

Messrs. Cutbush had also a splendid collection of one hundred
pots, comprising most of the sorts above enumerated, and many
other fine varieties. In Reds, Susannah Maria was a fine double
rose; Dukeof Wellington, a splendid spike; and of single'kinds
of the same colour, Macaulay, Queen of Hyacinths, and Johanna
Christina, pale rose, were ‘very fine. In Whites, Sir Bulwer
Lytton was a fine double cream with a large spike; Queen of
the Netherlands ; and Paix de l’Hurope had large spikes ‘and
pure white bells; and Miss Burdett Coutts is alsoa remarkably
fine blush variety with very large bells, and the same may be said
of Tubatlora. In Blues, Bride of Lammermoor and Pieneman
had yery large bells; Charles Dickens and Grand Lilas were
also fine; Aurora was a pretty straw colour tinged with pink;
and Duc de Malakoff has been already mentioned as being an
excellent new straw-coloured variety. This collection well
deserved the second prize which was given to it; and Mr. Cut-
bush also received a similar award for twelve Amaryllises, of
which Admiral de Ruyter was a rich ruby red; and Welatante,
a blood red with white streak. The otler varieties exhibited
were variously streaked with'red or crimson and white.

Second prizes were awarded to Mr. Bull, of Chelsea, for ‘a
collection of new'and rare plants, which were mostly the ‘sanie
as those exhibited at the previous Show; to Mr. W. Paul for
four boxes of beautiful cut Roses, including John Hopper,
Madame Masson, Colonel de Rougemont, and fine blooms iof
other leading’kinds; and to Messrs. J. & C. Lee, of Hammer-
smith, for a collection of greenhouse plants, in which were a
fine bushy plant of Acacia Drummondi, and two handsome
specimen Hpacrises, Eclipse and Miniata splendens; several
Amaryllises; Hriostemon myoporoides, a Very ornamental

March 24, 1863. ].

species; Hedaroma tulipiferum and fuchsioides, Oncidium
altissimum with two fine spikes of flowers, and other planta,

Messrs. Veitch had also a fine collection, which included hand-
some plants of Chorozema ilicifolia, Eriostemon densifolium and
neriifolium, and a beautiful specimen of the white-flowered Rho-
dodendron jasminiflorum, Azalea Extranei, which was a splendid
prramid of crimson bloom, uumerous varicties of Lycaste
Skiuneri, and other plants.

Of other objects, three boxes of cut Roses were shown by
Pan! & Son, of Cheshunt ; cut Cameilias by Messrs. Lee, of Ham-
mieysmith, and Sir. W. Paul; of Waltham Cross; Bougainvillza
hy Mr. Daniels, gardener to the Rev. C. R. Keene, Henley ; col-
leetions of stove and greenhouse plants by, Messrs. FP. & A.
Smith, of Dulwich, who also agein exhibited their variegated
Hemerocallis elegans, for which they had an extra prize. They
had besides several Azaileas, one of which, a double white,
called Flag of Truce, received a special certificate from the
Biorai Committee.” Hrom the same firm there were also several
seedling Cinerarias, the merits of which as well as of several
other objects which were brought forward, we will leave to the
pen of our talented contributor “*D.” of Deal, to describe.

Of tree Mignonettes, for which special prizes were offered, |

there were none to compare with the immense plants shown by
Mr. Richards, gardener to Lord Londesborough, Tadcaster.

These stood 5 feet in height and had fine, dense, psramidal |

heads, which were covered with flowers. Pandanus elegantissimus,
from Messrs. Veitch, and from Mr. Bull, of Chelsea, had a first-
class certificate. Trichomanes spicatum, ofa pellucid olive green,

a, dwarf and handsome species, came from Mr. Bull; as well as |

Nephelaphyllam cordatum, a terrestrial Orchid, forming a nice
companion to the Anzctochils, the leaves of a very light sreen
dotted and yeined with olive green; and Funkia univittata with
a broad white stripe up the centre of the leaf.
exhibitor also came Yueea Stokesii, Begonia Sécretaire Morren,
with very handsome silvery leayes, and two seedling Geraniums,
Beanty and Auriculs, the former orange scatlet with white eye,
the latter s2lmoaz with a white eye.

Rhododendron Romain de Smet, pink and much spotted, was
shown both by Messrs. Veitch and Messrs. Lee, and in both
instances was commended.
Standish, was awarded a first-class certificate; and last, but not

least in importance, was the male Aucuba japonica in dower, the |

stamens and pollea being plainly visible in its small dusky
flowers. Moreover, this was the first plant of the kind ever
seen in flower in Burope, and its importance was, therefore, not
Overrated when it received a special certizcate—a medal it
should rather haye been, as there can now be no doubt that we
shall soon see the scarlet fruit of the ferzale plants in abundance.
The green-leayed Aucuba, or the original from which the varie-
gated race has sprung, was also shown.

WHEN the dense yellow fog settled down on the west end of
London on the morning of Wednesday last, after the promise of
a bright end clear day, not a few said, “ Ah! the old luck! If
it does not rain, there must be foz when we have a show.”
Sonmie there were more hopeful, who looked for a brighter after-
noon, when the fires in London grates burnt bright, and the
dense yolumes of smoke had time to rise—and these latter were
right. A beautiful day for the season of the year enticed out the
gay and brilliant butterflies, and the gardens were well filled by a
large number of Fellows and lovers of fowers. Several members
of the Danish Royal family were present, and seemed much
interested ; while the Duchess of Cambridge and the Princess
Mary, who are as regular attendants at the gardens as they are
interested in the productions exhibited at the shows, were there
also. he Royal party was conducted round the Exhibition
and through the gardens by Sir Charles Dilke, the Rey. J. Dix,
and Mr. G. Eyles. 5

Never was it more apparent, as observed by one of the corre-
spondents of THE JourNaL oF Horricunrure last week, how
much the strength of these Exhibitions rests with the nursery-
men. Had the productions of Messrs. Paul, Cutbush, Veitch,
Lee, Smith, and Bull been taken away, verily there could have
heen little left; but the zeal and energy of these various firms
contributed to make altogether a gay and brilliant assemblage.
We could not but regret that the place again selected was the re-
freshment gallery. We saw some plants exhibited for the approval

of the Floral Committee, which we should think would never *

recover the draught they experienced from the open door near
which. they were placed,

From the same |

Skimmia jponica vera, from Mr. |

JOURNAL, OF HGRTICULIURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 219

Aithough called the Camellia Show, it, was the Hyacinths that
formed the main feature of the Exhibition, and nothing could
exceed the beauty of the long line of them exhibited.

Mr. Wm. Paul occupied the place hitherto held by Messrs.
Catbush & Son, who came second in the three classes, Mr. Paul
standing first,

In the collection of six new and distinct varieties Mr. Paul
had some very magnificent bl oms, Koh-i-Noor being quite a
model. There were in it besides, Due de Malakoff, Haydn,
Florence Nightingale, Snowball, and Mucanlay. A still neyer
lot was shown by Mr. Cutbush, consisting of Rouge Rclatante,
red, semi-double; Fair Muid of Denmark, large white; San
Francisco, a very fine eemi-double, deeper in colour than Ida;
Prince of Orange, pink, striped with ecarmine; Bernk Khan,
dark blue; and Maria Theresa, pink, dark stripe. hese were
all novelties of 1863, but were not, perhaps, quite so large and
fine in the bloom as Mr. Panl’s.

In the class for eighteens, both Mr. Paul and Messrs. Cuthush
had some very fine. trusses. Amongst the former were Daydn,
very large; Koh-i-Noor, a splendid spike; Macaulay, very fine,;
Solfaterre, large and good, novel, too, in colour—a sort of orange
red. Mr. Catbush had amongst his eighteen fine spikes of
Victoria Alexandrina, white; La Prophéte, pink-striped; Ida,
fine yellow; Florence Nightingale, pink, with red stripe; and
| Garrick, fine blue, with a darker stripe of same colour. Amongst
the 100 varieties contributed by each firm were some really
magnificent blooms. Mr. Cutbush had Van Humboldt, dark
red; Johanna Christina, light pink, carmine stripe; Sir Bulwer
Lytton, white, large, and semi-double; Due de Malakoff, orange,
with red stripe; La Nuit, very dark; Mammoth, fine white;
| Aurora, orange vellow; Madame Van der Hoop, white; Piene-
| man, a large blue. bell, but the bella are too far apart; Keine
des Jacinthes, very fine; Quven of the Netherlands, good white ;
Princess Clothilde, dark pink ; and, General Havelock, very fine,
| dark. Amongst Mr. Paul’s were Aurora rutilana, dark red;
| Grand Lilas, fine blue; Aleda Jacoba, yellow ; Cosmos, late,
| and, the spike somewhat too open; Couronne de Celle, blue,
| something like Grand Lilas; and Mis. Beecher Stowe, pink,
| striped,
|
|

Messrs. Carstairs sent a nice lot of eighteen from Edinburgh,
| grown.in small pots, for which a third prize was awarded.
In Tulips, Messrs. Cutbush was first with a very nice lot, of
| which the best were,Rouge Luisante, Vermilion Brilliant, and
| Thomas Moore. ‘Dine most favoured spot in the Exhibition was,
however, that where the two boxes of Roses exhibited by ihe
| Messrs. Paul were placed, and an opportunity was afforded of
| seeing some of the new Roses of lasf season, especially in the
| box of Mr. William Paul. Eugéne Lebrun was good, but
eclipsed by Olivier Delhomme and Charles Lefebvre, two very
bright and well-shaped flowers. La Brillante fully sustained its
character for brightness, and Roberi Fortune seems to be a
“topper,” very globular and lively in colour; but as far as
fulness and size were concerned, they were all eclipsed by John
Hopper, our new English Rose. We can testify to those who
have nof seen it (and the purchasers of it must comprise an
extensive number, inasmuch as Mr. Ward had, up to the. Ist. of
January, sold 2500 plants!) that it bids fair to realise all thaé
T and others have said on ita behalf. Mr. G. Paul had amongst
his a fine bloom, of a good dark Prince Camille de Rohapr,
Clement Marot, and a by-no-means-ugly bloom of Reine des
Violettes, caught. jast at the right moment.

The tree Mignonettes deserved a prize for ugliness. Perhaps,
like a Skye Terrier, it is in that their beauty consists; but
never did. we see a finer example of labour uselessly spent than
in these. We would far rather haye a sixpenny or ninepenny
pot of this fragrant weed, such as one can purchase in Covent
Garden, than the biggest and ugliest of the great plants.

There was a fine collection of Amaryllis from Messrs. Cutbush,
of Highgate. The bulbs were as fine a3 could be well imagined,
but the flowers were deficient. in breadth of petal, giving them
an open and loose appearance. Eclatante and Howard were
amongst the best,

The Camellias disappointed me. The season had, I know, been
a bad one—wood, had not ripened last summer; but, notwithe
standing, I had hoped that the prize of £10 would have brought
together something better. The best flowers there were two of
Mr. Standish’s, not entered for competition—Sarah Frost and
Duchesse de Berri, The largest were Mr. Veitch’s, which obtained
the prize. Amongst seedling flowers, there were some promising
yearling Cinerarias from Messrs. Dobson, of Isleworth, and

220

Messrs. Smith, of Dulwich. Prince of Wales, a beautifully-
shaped flower ; Model of Perfection, very good, but not quite so
large ; and Princess of Wales were good; while Sunbeam, exhi-
bited by Messrs. Smith, is very bright and promising. There
was a pretty new Rhododendron, Romain de Smet, exhibited by
the Messrs. Lee, of Hammersmith, and Mr. Veitch, of Chelsea ;
and Hebeclinium atro-rubens by Mr. A. Henderson, of Pine Apple
Place, and Mr. Parker, of Tooting, is likely to be a useful
spring-flowering plant. Mr. Henderson had also a pretty
Epacris, Viscountess Hill; and Mr. Smith, of Dulwich, a nice
little collection of Cyclamens, consisting of persicum and its red
and spotted varieties.

T have left untouched the plants exhibited, nor have I given
@ nominal list of the florists’ flowers, as these matters will fall to
other hands; but I think one could not but see how super-
fiuous the February Exhibition was, while, at the same time,
such a Show as this tends very much to quicken the taste for
early spring flowers,

The conservatory looked gay; but really there is such a thing
as viewing everything in a couleur de rose tint, and spectacles of
the most roseate hue must have been on your correspondent of
last week who could see anything in the gardens. ‘lo me they
seemed but little improved ; while those abominations, the oil-
cloth patterns of Mr. Nesfield, I heard unsparingly condemned
on all hands.-—D., Deal.

APRICOTS AND ORCHARD-HOUSES.

I conrEss being much surprised at Mr. Rivers finding fault
with my devoting a page and a half of No. 106 of THEJOURNAL
or HorricuLture to the management of the Apricot, when his
own articles on his favourite orchard-houses might be measured
by the dimensions of the houses themselves. To say the produce
of his pen in that way is one hundredfold more yoluminous than
my unfortunate one on Apricots is speaking within the mark,
so that the public may draw their own conclusions as to whom
the term “voluminous” more particularly applies.

Mr. Rivers also says that all writers on gardening matters
ought to be travelled men. Unfortunately those in private
service cannot always make their travelling from place to place
such a paying affair as a nurseryman can do; but, at tlie same
time, the views they put forth are exempt from all interested
motives. But as the direct reference Mr. Rivers makes to me
compels my saying more of myself than I would have wished
to do, I may say I believe there are only about half a dozen
counties that I have never visited; while on the other hand,
q have followed my calling in five counties of England, and
these widely apart. I donot for one moment doubt but Mr.
Rivers travels, and sees much more than I do, and I have
read many of his articles with pleasure ; at the same time I must
say I should have liked them much better had"his favourite
theme usurped somewhat less space in the productions of his pen.
Assuredly Mr. Rivers must have been joking when he called my
article on the Apricot of one page and a half voluminous. Even
his article in criticism of mine was half its length, without
adducing anything fresh in the management, beyond condemning
the idea of Apricots being grown against a north wall, which I
happen to know was done by one of the most successful fruit-
growers in the kingdom—one who, I believe, has taken as many
prizes at the metropolitan shows as any man living.

Mr. Rivers says I have, ‘‘as usual,” had a throw at orchard-
houses. Now, on looking over the paragraph relating thereto
on Apricot trees, the impartial public will, I believe, give me
credit for dealing with that part of it with great delicacy. And
more recent information confirms me that I spoke the feelings of
nine-tenths of the fruit-growers in the kingdom. At the time I
wrote it a letter from a friend was before me, detailing the un-
successful attempt to grow Apricots under glass; and if Mr.
Rivers had read the letter of “ A Constant READER,” in No. 102
of Tor JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE, he would then haye learned
that there had been failures in Apricot-growing since 1829, as
the writer says he had a fair crop on his open wall in 1861 and
1862 without any covering, while he had none in his orchard-
house in 1861, and only three or four fruit in 1862. Surely this
case required more of Mr. Rivers’ attention than mine, especially
a3 with the simple notice of Apricots not doing well under glass,
I believe I have not more than incidentally mentioned orchard-
houses for nearly two years; but even if 1 had, is not criticism
legitimate ? ;

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ March 24, 1863.

Let us, however, take a fair view of the matter, and see what
really has been done in the way of orchard-houses which has been
so many years before the public. I will take the two broadest
views that fruit is judged by—dquality and quantity, and just
compare what has been done in orchard-houses during the last
twelve or twenty years with what has been done in the old-
fashioned way.

Like many of your readers, I went to the great fruit show at
Kensington in the beginning of October last, and was much
pleased with what I saw. Amongst other things I was told
there were upwards of two hundred entries of Pears, some of them
of half a dozen and more dishes each, and there were twenty-one
prizes awarded. Now, was it not fair to suppose that the mode
said to produce the best fruit ought to have been represented in
the’prize list ? but from inquiries I made at the time and since,
I believe not one of these twenty-one prizes was given to
orchard-house fruits. Now, I call this a fair test of the merits
of the mode. There were some nice fruit on trees in pots ex-
hibited, very creditable to the grower; but I think there were
samples of the same kind of fruit grown in the ordinary way,
quite as good, and certainly larger.

Now, as Pears are a favourite orchard-house fruit, why were
none in the prize list? The answer is simple and conclusive
enough. When orchard-house fruit-growers can beat those who
have followed the old path it will be a very good time to vaunt
their success. Hitherto (with, perhaps, one solitary case in a
thousand), they have been ‘“‘nowhere”’ in the race. It is need-
less saying anything about the quantity of fruit from orchard-
houses: the letter of ‘A Constant READER,” page 186, could
be repeated in many instances, only there is always a greater
disinclination to record failures than successes.

Having a year or two ago given my opinion on orchard-
houses, I may say I have seen nothing since but what confirms
the views I then took of the matter. With trees planted out on
a border of suitable soil, I have not the least doubt but most
fruit trees may do well, and cause little trouble. Kept in pots
they may occasionally do tolerably well, but with a vast
amount of extra care and attention ; and eyen with that, failures
will occur. To say that a Peach will not succeed in a pot is
more than I ever asserted; but I have never yet seen a fruit of
that kind grown in a pot equal to the same grown in the ordi-
nary way, and the results of fruit shows confirm my views;
besides which, the term “fruit grown on trees in pots,” must
be accepted with caution. I have been anxious to see good
Peaches in pots, and once took a journey of many miles to
witness this result, and sure enough there was a fair good crop
of fruit on trees in pota; but the said pots were as “rmly fixed
to the ground as the house itself. The roots, alive to one of
Nature’s laws more potent than any Mr. Rivers teaches, had
gone in quest of that food intentionally denied them by the cul-
tivator. To call such fruit “grown in pots” is a mockery.

I do not by any means doubt but that Mr. Rivers’ trees are
managed differently, but I have not seen them; nevertheless, I
find there is a difference of opinion amongst those who have.
But as Mr, Rivers says his greatest difficulty with Apricots has
been in thinning the fruit, I um bound to believe him a very
lucky man. By the columns of THz JouRNAL OF HORTICULTURE,
there are others as well as myself who have yet much to learn
on this matter; and although I have not read all the voluminous
matter Mr. Rivers has written on orchard-house affairs, I have
never read of orchard-house fruit beating at a fruit show that of
the same kind grown in another way. At the same time, more
light would be thrown on the matter, if all who have tried
growing the larger kinds of fruit trees in pots would come forth
and state the result of their practice, success, and failure. ‘That
there are several who have abandoned it owing to failure I have
good proof; but as such people naturally shrink from ayowing a
failure in an enterprise they, had previously advocated, it is not
fair to urge them to come forward. ‘This, however, need not
prevent those who have been successful from recording their
practice. For, be it remembered, that I do not deny the possi-
bility of a good Peach being grown in an orchard-house; but I
ask, Where was one grown in a pot equal to those grown else-
where? and was any other opinion of its merits taken except
that of the grower ? 4

That it is quite possible to grow good Wheat, Barley, and
Potatoes in pots I do not doubt, and “ agricultural-houses”
may be as fashionable hereafter as ‘“‘ orchard-houses” are now,
the names bearing a strong resemblance; but I reckon the time
is far distant when Mark Lane or Covent Garden will be in any

March 24, 1863. ] :

way influenced by the supplies from these sources. A (ozen or
more years haye made no impression in the fruit trade; and when,
as Mr. Rivers says, sturdy Oaks grow in flower-pots, will be a
fitting time to look out for the other.—J. Rosson.

GRAPES SHRIVELLING-UP. WHEN IN
BLOOM.

Can you inform me the cause of my Grapes going off? My
Dwarf Kidney Beans, you will find from the specimens, are
affected in the same way—namely, all the blossom drops off.—
K. B.

[We cannot speak quite decisively as to the cause of the mis-
fortune, but in general such failures are the result of a check
given to the system of the plant. Though you do not say so,
yet we should judge from the length and consistence of the
main stem of the incipient bunches, that the Vines are not
deficient in vigour ; but the flowers, instead of expanding, seem
to have shrivelled-up and withered.

We recollect of a crop of Vines being lost from this cause,
owing to a break-down of the heating apparatus at night during
a severe frost in early forcing. There might have been some
means resorted to to keep the frost out, if the accident had
happened in the evening ; but as it was, the bunches were frosted
and never recovered, though the foliage suffered but little.
There has hardly been frost enough this season thus to affect
your Grapes, and therefore this could not be the cause. We
believe that Vines set better when the temperature is pretty high
even at night; but provided a good heat from sunlight is
obtained during the day, a considerable decline at night will do
but little harm. Contrary to all our general rules on the subject,
we have several times had Vines in bloom as low as from 40° to
38°, and we did not consider they were at all injured. Of course,
the heat was gradually raised during the day. Such a low tem-
perature as that would not do for a continuance even at night ;
but, on the other hand, such a high temperature in darkness as
75°, and upwards, we consider to be more artificial than natural.

Once or twice we have seen bunches on a Vine affected as
yours are from the explosion of a flue at night, or from. the
water in an open cistern being made to boil, either from a de-
ficient supply of water, or from the flow being arrested whilst a
strong fire was beneath the boiler, and the consequence was
strong jets of steam or of water in a very hot state were thrown
into the house, and scalding was the result; but as you do not
say anything of the foliage being injured, we do not suppose
that this happened in your case, though such occurrences are
not uncommon in places where even the greatest and latest im-
provements in heating have been carried out. It matters not
if one boiler heats a range of houses, and nothing more is wanted,
besides tumbling-in a few barrowloads of fuel, than to regulate
the taps and valves; for if this is not done, there may be
burstings and explosions, even with the best-planned hot-water
apparatus.

Sometimes when the wood is extra luxuriant and long-jointed,
and has not been sufficiently ripened the previous autumn, some-
what similar examples will present themselves, but not exactly
so; for in that case, when bunches do show, those that fail to
come to perfection are apt to turn up and go off in tendril
fashion at an earlier period than yours dropped their blossoms.

Again, over-excitement is apt to produce this effect, especially
when there is a want of counteracting sunlight. Suppose we
have a week or a fortnight of dull, cold weather, and the heat is
kept up to 75° and 80° during the day, and from 70° to 75° at
night, little air given, and plenty of moisture kept up in the
house, the extra excitement produces a weakness in the con-
stitution of the plant, and the most sensitive and valuable part
is the first to suffer. We have seen such Vines, young bunches
especially, after such dulness, closeness, and heat, hang weltering
when the first sunny day came, when those with 10° or 15°
lower temperature, and air also given, met the change from
cloud to sunehine without any effect except apparent pleasure.

Whether any of these lesser causes have had any influence in
your case you alone can determine, and we allude to them as
much for the sake of some other inquirers as for your own
individual case. Our opinion is that the falling of the flowers
in your buvches is owing to a want of reciprocal action between
the roots and the branches of the Vine. ‘This may arise from
the roots being placed deep in stagnant moisture, and, therefore,
cold; or the roots may be near enough the surface, and yet wet

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 221

and cold, and, therefore, unable to meet the wants of the bunches
in a high temperature within the house. But here you may say,
Tf such were a cause, why did it not manifest itself sooner? why
did the buds expand? why did the bunches show and look
well, and then the flowers drop-off in this manner, instead of
setting and swelling their fruit? ‘Truly we can give no other
reply than that the needed supply seems to fail at the most
critical time, and that fruit under such circumstances will always
suffer before leaves, though these and shoots too often feel the
effects of such influence. If there is much of the stems of the
Vines in the house, these would contain enough of elaborated
sap to supply the bunches for some time; but if nothing fresh
is obtained from the roots, there must come a period of ex-
haustion. The avoidance of such want of correlative action
between the roots and branches must constitute the chief remedy.
If the roots are very wet after this damp winter there would be
no time to drain; but several rather deep pits or wells might be
made in front of the border. If the border, inside or outside,
were dry, then moisture and heat could easily be com nunicated
by warm waterings. If the border were well drained, it could
be forked on the surface, a little warm water added, and a cover-
ing of warm fermenting material placed over it ; but if the roots
are deep that will do no good. In such a case all that you can
do is to prevent the border getting colder, and making it drier
by litter-covering, unless when the sun shined, and reducing
the temperature inside the house considerably, especially at
night, that the plants may be less excited. You might also tie
small weights to the points of the bunches—say bits of stone
or lead, from a quarter to half an ounce in weight, and the strain
thus given to the stem of the bunch will, we believe, entice more
of the elaborated sap than would otherwise come to the bunch,
and thus the fruit may be preserved. We see nothing more
strange in this than the strength of the muscles in the arm of a
blacksmith resulting from wielding the hammer. It would be
needless applying such a remedy unless under such circumstances.
Two years ago an erthusiast induced us to look at a vinery where
most of the bunches were threatening to become tendrils. By
tying the weights on, and reducing the temperature until the
roots were at work, a very fair crop was obtained. The border
was well drained early in autumn, and covered with litter, and
next season no such contrivances were necessary.

It would just be as well to examine and see if mice gnawing
the stems were no cause of the disappointment, as they seem to
have taken to Vines as a luxury this last winter.

You did not send any flowers of the Dwarf Kidney Beans, but
the leaves did not conyey any idea that they were suffering from a
similar cause. The foliage was rusted, and had all the appearance
of the plants having had too much water whilst the earth was
cold. ‘here were also marks of the small thrips—that is, where
they had been, though we discovered none alive. ‘he only
remedy, if in fruit, is to gathes this as soon as possible, and de-
stroy the plants. If nearly in fruit, remove the worst leaves,
fumigate with tobacco, and well syringe with clear soot water.—
R. Fisu. ]

APRICOT TREES ON THE COTSWOLD HILLS.

I HAveE read the letters of both Mr. Robson and Mr. Rivers,
and am thankful for what information they give.

Iam inclined to think the rarefied air has much to do with
the welfare of the Apricot, because this part of Oxfordshire,
where the cottagers pay their rents with the proceeds of their
Apricots, being on the end of the Cotswold Hills, has a very
thin and bracing atmosphere. As Mr. Rivers says, the soil is
oolite. But the oolite extends in a long narrow band from the
south coast of England to Whitby in Yorkshire. One would
like to know whether the Apricot would succeed equally well
all along this band. :

The oolite is rather elevated everywhere, so that it is hard to
tell whether it be the elevation or the limy nature of the oolite.
But if the tree grows in stiff loam very well the air may still
have a great influence. Our unprotected trees have not suffered
with all these frosts.—T. C. B., Oxfordshire.

GARDENERS’ SOCIETY.

I WAVE before me your very valuable Journal of the 10th
instant, containing the article by “G. A.” I for one—and I
only express the feelings of hundreds of the gardening com-
munity—was glad to see the subject of co-operation in gardening

222)

brought before your readers: We must certainly interchange:

opinions and receive information from one another: through the
medium of your valuable Journal, yet still we are disunited as if
we had no common interests to aid. We are unlike any other
body of men in this, and, as ‘Gi. A.” observes, we are each
striving for his own aggrandisement irrespective of the results
to our brothers of the spade. Surely, we: could) rise better
were we to consult each other’s welfare and work together in
unity, which makes strength.

Shall we not, then, make as a body some response to
“© G, A.’s” propositions? I hope we shall, and I hope we are
on tlie verge of some measures to the end we have to attain.

Could we not, as other professions and trades have done, join
hand-in-hand to try to eradicate the existing evils which
“°G@. A.” mentions? Shall we not rally round the standard of
the proposed Society, and, each putting his shoulder to the
wheel, give a hearty. strong push in the right direction and push
the quacks, as the poet Hood says, ‘anywhere, anywhere, out
of the world,” at least out of the gardening world ?

Surely, no one will doubt that we have men in our profession
who are competent to effect such a union of purpose, and I do
not doubt their willingness to take the management of such a
Society could they but be sure of the co-operation of the gar-
deners. Surely we are not so blinded’ to our own interests as
to withhold our help from those who would be trying to help us;
and that a Society of the character is very necessary must be
obvious to all who, with an unprejudiced eye, will look at the
proposal,

Who has not seen those whom “ G, A.” terms: “ utilitarians,’’
when they have been with Dr. or Mr. So-and-So for a year or
two as groom, gardener, cowman, and errand-boy creeping in as
head-gardener? Itiis this false way of gardener-making that is
ruining our profession. Not that I would try to keep these
men from getting on and bettering their station in life—so far
from it, that I would help them to attain itin a trustworthy way.
Let them study and pass some such examination as “G. A.”
suggests before they are permitted to practise, and there is not
one in ten who would then have to be allowed to practise.

Who has not seen many instances of the character just men-
tioned? I could give instances were they necessary, but every
one with open eyes must have seen numbers of them; and yet
they are placed on the same level as the person who has served
an apprenticeship of seven or more years, and studied hard too.

Is it not surprising that gentlemen will employ such persons
to take charge of valuable plants? yet they doit often. Surely,
it is plain that a Society would be of great service both to
masters and gardeners. ‘The masters would then be sure of
having a competent man and of good character; andif the pro-
posal were explained to them, would surely come to our side
and give us a helping hand to promote the interests of both,
and we should take our stand in the world as a united instead
of a divided body.

There are undoubtedly that wish and looking-forward amongst
the gardeners of England for some such Society to unite them
and to protect them. J am glad to know that this is the case;
and it is my opinion that, werea Society of the kind formed, they
would with one accord support it, as they would be in duty
bound to do. It cannot be expected that all’ will agree with
“G. A.’s” proposition as to the government of the Society
named, but his are merely hints he has been at thé trouble to
prepare and throw out. I certainly think the expenditure
might be to a considerable extent reduced and thereby greatly
bettered, for one of the points in the successful management of
the Society would be to do it as economically as woula be con-
sistent with other points. Buta committee of energetic men—
and we have a great many in our profession—would soon
surmount these matters, and every obstacle that would seem to
prevent the formation of the Society proposed’ would yanish.—
A Young GarDENER IN YORKSHIRE,

“

In your Number of the 10th there is a communication from
a correspondent signing himself “*G. A.,” relative to the forma-
tion of a company, to be styled “The Company of Gardeners
of Great Britain and Ireland.”

All honour to him for being the first to introduce the subject ;
and although he may be rather sanguitie, still I think the general
outline of his planis good|;.and as far as my humble means would
allow (and I speak the sentiments of several gardeners. of my
aquaintance), I would give it: my hearty. support, for. it is.a, want
long felt. by gardeners inthis: country.

JOURNAL, OF ‘HORTICULIURE: AND’ COLTAGH; GARDENER.

[ Maroh 24, 1863),

There is;one thing I would like it better for, if if were, more,
of a gardeners’ than an, employers’ and amateurs’ company.—
H.R. Cappoguin, Co. Waterford,

[There can be) no question, of the importance of the subjecti
you allude to. he diffieulty would be to find gardeners of
sufficient standing, and with time at their disposal to work the
Society up, so as to givevit afair start. Wes have every reason
to believe that Mr. Fish and others you name, will have some-
thing to say on the subject.. We know that though Mr. Hish
looks on the whole scheme as somewhat over-sanguine. and
impracticable, that yet, like you, he is, convinced that gardeners.
ought to do something of the kind to lessen those scenes: of
suffering and of destitution which are now so common when
gardeners are laid aside by affliction, or are taken away when
young, leaving families unprovided for, and for whom the
Gardeners’ Benevolent Society can,do nothing. Before such a,
society in its more prominent features is organised, no respect-
able young gardener ought to take upon himself the respon;
sibility of being the head of a family, without, by insurance or
other means, making some proyisiom for the day of affliction, and
the probability, of leaving young children behind him, The too-
common carelessness shown in this respect is not creditable to,
gardeners in. general. |

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Marcu 187TH.

FErorat Commirrrn.—The Floral Committee held its meeting
this day in conjunction with the second spring or the Camellia,
Exhibition of the Royal Horticultural Society at South Ken-
sington. The plants placed before the Committee were neither
numerous nor particularly novel and interesting. The most
attractive plants were the two specimens of Aucubas sent hy,
Mr. Standish, of Ascot; the one a female in flower of the green-,
leayed variety, till lately unknown, in Hngland, and introduced
by Mr. Fortune from Japan; the other a small male plant in
flower of the well-known variegated Aucuba, so common, in all
suburban gardens. The plant so well known to us is a fomale,
and it is remarkable that the pollen-bearing plant has never,
before been brought into our country. We may now hope to,
see our old variegated friend under a new aspect, as Mr, Fortune:
informs us that under favourable circumstances it produces
abundant scarlet berries, three times.as large, and)as brilliant as.
our common holly berries, These plants had been before the:
Committee on a previous occasion, and received their award.
At this meeting a special certificate was voted for their being
exhibited under such interesting circumstances, Mr. Standish,
also sent a plant of, a new Skimmia in flower, which is supposed,
by some botanists to be the true S. japonica.. Should that new
variety produce an abundance of berries similar to the plant now
known as 8, japonica it will be a great acquisition. A first+
class certificate was awarded.

Mr. Bull, of Chelsea, sent a new plant, Pandanus elegantissimus,
a handsome-foliaged plant, with long, narrow, deep green, highly-
polished leaves, edged with a brown margin, to which a first-
class, certificate was awarded. Mr. Bull also sent a,new and
interesting Fern, Trichomanes spicatum,, which also received a
first-class certificate, From the same firm were, sent plants of,
Alocasia, picta, Nephelaphyllum cordatum, Fuchsia, variegata,,
a, Begonia, and Yucca Stokesii; aleo three promising varieties.
of Scarlet Pelargoniums, but of, which at this early periad of the
season no decisive opinion could be formed.,

Mr. Turner sent two Cinerarias, one named John Spencer,
which received a, label of commendation, a. very handsome,,
bright, showy, crimson variety, commended as a useful decora-
tive plant. The other, named Mrs. Harley, was not considered
an improvement on other varieties.in cultivation.

Specimens of Rhododendron Romain de Smet were sent from,
Messrs, Lee, Hammersmith, and from Mr, Bull, Chelsea, A.’
label: of commendation was awarded to this plant as an early-)

| flowering variety, with pale rosy lilac, profusely, spotted flowers;

but much resembling other well-known kinds,
Messrs. Lee also sent two Camellias—Napoléon IIL, a.delicate

'roseflower, shading to white, with well-cupped) petals); to which

was awarded a label of commendation. he other, Jubilee

| rosea, said to be a,sport from Napoléon IIL., with deeper-shaded

flowers of the came colour; but inferior in form. From: the

| same firm was sent also. Hebeclinium,atro-rubens and cordatum;

large; and. coarge-foliaged| plants. producing heads, of gray) or

‘March 24, 1863. ]

lavender-coloured flowers, somewhat resembling the Ageratum.
These plants are of too robust a habit for general purposes, and
would require a large conservatory to produce a good effect.

The Messrs. Smith, of Dulwich, sent a collection of Cyclamens
of various shades of colour, also some well-grown plants of
double pink and white Primulas. These were very beautiful,
and decidedly an improvement, both in form and colour, on the
semi-double flowers from which they were raised. A special
certificate was awarded this interesting collection. A basket of
small plants of Azalea Flag of Truce, a double white variety, was
also sent by Messrs. Smith, and received a special certificate.
This Azalea maintains its good character, and is not surpassed
by any other double white variety, either for its purity or pro-
fusion of flowers.

A small plant of Azalea Souvenir de Prince Albert was sent by
Mons. Verschaffelt, from Ghent. It will be remembered how
highly this Azalea was spoken of at the Azalea Hxhibition, 1862 ;
it was then considered a first-class variety. The plant sent on
this occasion, either from not being in condition, or from some
other cause, disappointed thoze who had formed so favourable an
opinion of it, neither colour nor form of flower at all resembled
in quality those of the specimens exhibited last year.

Mr. Parker, of Tooting, sent a Tropeolum named Vivid. The
plant was covered with flowers inferior both in form and colour
to Tropeolum Brilliant. It may possess some merits from its
tendency to early-flowering.

RATING OF NURSERYMEN’S GREENHOUSES,
&e.

“ T Have erected several hothouses and greenhouses employed
solely for the purposes of supporting myself and family. Now
the parish have just doubled my rates on the ground of the glass
houses I have erected. Would it be asking too much for a
reply as to whether this is lawful?—that is, whether the parish
authorities can rate a nurseryman’s glass houses to the poors’-
rates, and, as he increases his buildings, rate additionally such
buildings or not?—ANn Oxp SusscriBEg, G. R.

{We are of opinion that a nurseryman’s greenhouses and his
similar structures used exclusively in his trade are not rateable.
We reprint the following from a former volume of our Journal :-—

“« A nurseryman rents a piece of ground, erects upon it green-
houses, and stocks it thoroughly. he parish then endeavours
to rate him to the poors’-rate according to its improved value ;
and the question has arisen whether this higher rating is ad-
missible. The question was brought before the Winchester
bench of magistrates, and was decided by a majority that the
higher rating is not maintainable. They held that greenhouses,
unlike other buildings erected by tenants in other trades, do not
attach to the land, but are always treated in law as stock in
trade, which is clearly not rateable. What Lord Kenyon stated
in Penton v. Robart (2 Hast 90), is so strongly in support of
this view of the case, and is so illumined by that enlightened
policy which should influence a decision upon this question,
that we offer no excuse for 1ts quotation :—

©The old cases upon this subject,’ said his lordship, ‘leaned to consider
as realty (part of the freehold) whatever was annexed to the freehold by
the occupier ; but in modern times the leaning has always been the other
way, in favour of the tenant, in support of the interests of trade, which is
become the pillar of the state. What tenant will lay out his money in
costly improvements of the land, if he must leave everything behind him
which can be said to be annexed to it? Shall it be said that the great
gardeners and nurserymen jn the neighbourhood of this metropolis, who
expend thousands uf pounds in the erection of greenhouses, and hothouses,
&c., are obliged to leave all these things behind them, when it is notorious
that they are even permitted to remove trees, or such as are likely to
become so, by the thousand, in the necessary course of their trade? If it
were otherwise, the very object of their holding would be defeated. This
is a description of property divided from the realty.’

“ Now, if a greenhouse be property divided from the freehold,
it cannot, in the case of a nurseryman, be anything but a part
of his stock in trade, which, as we have already observed, is
clearly not rateable. The bench were not unmindfal of the
recent decision in the Queen v. Haslam (Justice of the Peace,
‘xy. 24); but they held, though not unanimously, that green-
houses being uniformly treated as part of a nurseryman’s stock
in trade, the present was distinguishable from that case.”

Since the foregoing was written there has been a decision of the
‘highest court of appeal in Scotland, determining that a nur-
‘seryman’s greenhouses and hothouses are removable by him,
being only part of his stock in trade. Now the poors’-rate is only

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

assessable upon the rent the land would let for, supposing all the
stock in trade was removed. Such is our opinion; but you had
better consult an attorney, and have your case placed before a
barrister. ]

FLUES versus HOT WATER—VINES INJURED
BY MICE.

I HAVE read with interest Mr. Robson’s paper on the above,
and I believe that we have not that advantage in hot water over
flues which the extra expense should obtain. Ihave just such
a house as Mr. Robson mentions, only wider. It is heated with
a flue, and in if we grow Pines all the year; Vines up the
rafters in summer ; besides forcing a few Dwarf Kidney Beans,
and a great many Ferns, hothouse plants, &c. They all appear
to have good quarters, plenty of heat, and sufficient moisture.
The flues are covered with tiles, which hold water on their tops,
All our houses have flues in them, and we have no difficulty
about heat.

Ihave had the management of houses heated with pipes for
growing Pines, Vines, Peaches and plants; and here we have
the same fruits growing, but heated with fiues, and I see no dis-
adyantage from them. Care is required with both, and ex-
perience before you can succeed.

Water thrown on hot flues is ruinous to everything, but
especially to Grapes in bloom or when swelling. It will kill
the bloom and spot the berries.

I beg to inform your worthy correspondent “R.F.,” that he
has not suffered alone, for my Vines have received just such
treatment from mice as his own, only with me it occurred last
year. About twelve months since, when I was making prepara-
tion for taking in my Vines (which are wintered outside, and
the border was covered with fern), 1 saw that a young Vine,
planted the season before, was out ofits place. I took it inmy
hand to replace it, and to my surprise it was completely gnawed
asunder. J took off the fern covering, and in so doing we caught
the destructives, for there were, as is usual, a pair of mice.

Not satisfied with the destruction of one Vine, they had
nibbled away all the bark from the old Vines close to the soil,
but not very Geeply, some part of the way around. 1 mixed
together a good lump of clay and cowdung, put a thick plaister
on the places gnawed, and let it remain on all the summer, and
I believe it has done much towards the recovery of the Vines,
for I perceive they are not suffering much now.—JameEs HARRIS,
Gardener, Machen Rectory, near Newport, Monmouthshire.

DESTROYING WEEDS WITH OIL OF VITRIOL

AND GOOSEBERRY CATERPILLAR WITH WHITE
HELLEBORE.

I HAVE noticed the remarks in your Journal relative to the
use of sulphuric acid for the destruction of weeds on walks; and
having repeatedly seen it tried in the course of several years,
can fully corroborate what has been adyanced as to its excellence
for that purpose, if the earth or gravel is not of a chalk or
limestone formation.

The acid not only perfectly destroys the weeds, but assists in
binding the gravel. Where chalk or lime abound the acid is
epeedily neutralised, and the weeds soon re-appear ; but where
the soil is not of an alkaline character the effects of the acid are
very permanent. A gutta percha watering-pot, being perfectly
acid-proof, is far preferable to one of tin; for, as it is impos-
sible to have the interior of the spout and rose protected with
paint, these parts are speedily corroded in a metal waterimg-can.

If the acid and water are mixed in the watering-pot, seven parts
of water to one of acid must be first introduced, or the heat
evolyed during the combination would probably make the gutta
percha collapse. It is, perhaps, best to mix the two in a wooden
tub, which will not sustain the slightest injury if the water is
first put into it. -

As the diluted acid not only changes the colour, but also in
a few hours almost destroys the texture of cotton or linen fabrics,
it should be used with caution. Woollen textures are not seri-
ously affected ; and although the colour is changed if spotted
with the dilute acid, it will generally return if the material is
dressed with a solution of carbonate of soda. The shoes may be
effectually protected when using the acid by wearing goloshes,
which are not in any way affected by it.

(224

I tried white hellebore powder Jast summer as a remedy
against the gooseberry caterpillar, and found it very efficacious.
As soon as | perceived symptoms of the marauders on a tree, I
lightly dusted it over with a little of the powder through a
muslin bag. One dressing seemed to destroy all the caterpillars
in existence at the time of its application.

N.B.—I was careful to obtain hellebore of the previous year’s
growth, and which had been quite recently powdered. Several
persons tried it at my instigation, and it was always perfectly
successful,—J. H. B.

HEATING A GREENHOUSE FROM A KITCHEN
a BOILER. if

I HAVE just built a small greenhouse 9 by 6 feet. Itis warmed
by a four-inch pipe running round three sides and an inch pipe in
front. I have connected these by inch pipes with the kitchen
boiler about 20 feet off. The whole apparatus works properly,
except that I cannot get heat enough—only about 14°—and
that only by a most extravagant amount of firmg. The boiler
is an ordinary kitchen boiler, with a flue underneath and at the
back, which, however, is of very little use, as it is difficult to
clean-out. ‘To increase the power of the boiler, a few bricks, or
something of the sort, may be put inside to diminish the body
of water in the boiler.—A Constant READER.

[The diminishing the body of water in the boiler will be an
advantage, and then enlarging the connecting-pipes a short
distance might be managed with one-inch pipes, but in 20 feet
much of the heat is lost before the house is reached. Were the
Pipes 3 inches, or cyen 2,it would be better. ‘The pipes then
should be packed either in sawdust or surrounded with a trough
of wood and the end open into the house, so that the heat given
off should have a free inlet there. If at the end near the boiler
there were an opening to the external air, you would have a
continuous supply of fresh heated air inthe house. ‘The flue at
the back of the boiler should be kept clean. ]

RHODODENDRON CULTURE.

WE have received the following letter from a correspondent,
which, being of great interest to others similarly cireumstanced,
we insert, together with the remarks upon it by one of our
regular contributors; but the subject is one which cannot be
answered so ably as by those who have the good fortune to have
ground, either natural or artificial, so well suited to the well-
being of the Rhododendron as that of which our correspondent
speaks. His communication runs thus :—

**T should be very glad if you, or any of your readers, could
give me any information on the following points with regard to
Rhododendrons :— The soil in the neighbourhood of my house is
peculiarly favourable to the growth of these plants, which,
indeed, sow themselves like weeds all about the place. For the
last two or three years I have been raising a number of hybrids
between some of the best-coloured of the ordinary crimson
varieties, between Barclayanum, for instance (of which I have a
magnificent specimen 20 feet high and as many through), Mrs.
J. Waterer, Concessum, J. Waterer, and the like, with the idea
of planting them in clumps along the road leading to my house.
They are now growing so large and so numerous that I am
anxious to place some of them at once in their destined
positions, and with that idea to know whether, as a general
rule, Rhododendron hybrids turn out well. I do notmean turn
out new varieties, but handsome bloomers—superior, for instance,
to the common ponticum or catawbiense. Hardihood, I believe,
most of them possess. Breeding from hybrid varieties is, 1 am
aware, often condemned ; but more, I fancy, as producing weakly
constitutions than deterioration of bloom. Mr. Standish re-
marks that nearly all his Gladiolus seedlings have produced
handsome flowers. Is this the case with Rhododendrons ?

“Two years ago I tried to produce a hybrid between Rhodo-
dendron javanicum and a white catawbiense variety, but failed.

“T read last month in your pages with great interest Mr,
Anderson Henry’s letter regarding K. Nuttalli. I have several
plants of that yariety about 14 foot high, How soon may they
be expected to blossom? 1 fear they are not hardy, ulthough
with me the Azalea indica alba thrives and blooms magnificently
out of doors, and as well as ever after the winter of 1860.

“T scarcely venture to put another question, which is this:

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ March 24, 1863.

Are the Rhododendrons from the Neilgherries, near Madras, of
the same kind as the ordinary Rhododendron arboreum from
the Himalayas, and are they moderately hardy? My brother,
who sent me the seed some three years ago, was fully per-
puaded Pray they would prove hardy in favourable positions.

[It is no easy matter to give advice in a case like the above, .
where the inquirer is evidently well qualified by experience to
speak on many subjects himself; and favoured as he is by a
situation 80 well adapted for the Rhododendron, and doubtless
many other things, it almost excites one’s envy to hear of these
successes. However, we may say that our correspondent need
not be in any fear from breeding from hybrids, for he is quite
as likely to obtain good, useful, flowering varieties as if he
confined himself to distinct species, and in all likelihood the
progeny will be better than if the parents were widely dissimilax.
The great object to be aimed at in such matters is to avoid the
early-fowering ones, which rarely do well, and there are some
varieties shy in flowering. These had better be omitted, unless
they possess quelities of a kind worthy of being transmitted to
some other plant. In regard to making new plantations of
seedlings, it would in a general way be better to take them up
and haye them in a nursery for a year or two; but, assuming
this to be done, there is no reason why your bed of hybrids
should not be planted out at once into their permanent quarters.
You must not expect them to flower in so emall a state as plants
raised from layer or grafting. Seedlings of all kinds are more
robust than plants from cuttings, layers, or grafting, but they will
flower all the stronger when they commence. Your soil must
be very favourable for them, and the kinds you mention are
good. It is not an easy matter to decide by appearances before
flowering which are likely to turn out well; but, in a general
way, those haying small leaves like R. ponticum are rejected ;
while those with large and partly-reflexed foliage commonly re-
present the pale-coloured varieties ; those fayouring the scarlet
breeds resembling, more or less, R. arboreum. ‘Dhese observa-
tions do not, however, hold good in every case, and it is only
alluded to here as being likely todo so. Practice alone enables
those daily amongst them to tell with tolerable certainty which
are likely to turn out inferior, and these are, of course, rejected,
Rhododendrons haye, however, so much improved of late years
in all the large nurseries that most of the seedlings sent out for
the commonest purpose, as R. ponticum, have imbibed a tinge
of the larger kinds and present larger and more varied hues,
some being really very good.

In regard to the progeny of hybrids being delicate, there are
certainly many exceptions; and, so far as I can give an opinion,
it is only where the dissimilarity of the parents was very great
that the offspring is sickly ; and it is not to be wondered at
that R. javanicum and R. catawbiense refused to breed, and,
if they had, most likely the issue would haye been sickly—much
more so than the next generation from the said hybrid.

A good example of this was exhibited in Fuchsia Venus
Vietrix, the first white variety of Fuchsia sent out. It was a
weak grower, but subsequent seedlings from it possessed a
stronger constitution, until the white ones of the present day
are as robust as their darker brethren. It is, therefore, an error
to suppose that hybrid seedlings are more delicate than their
forerunners. Delicacy in constitution is only attained when the
object aimed at by the hybridiser is the encouragement of the
growth of a particular part of the plant that engenders disease.
Thus, for instance, a variegated plant is in general more tender
than a green one, and the improved vegetables of the Cabbage
and other tribes are much less hardy than the weeds from which
they originated.

It is very much to be feared that the widely different forms
of the Sikkim Rhododendron will add but little to our shrub-
beries, excepting as objects of novelty, and maany of their
qualities are not desirable for out-door decoration. Myr. Cox, at_
Redleaf, has, we believe, established the hardihood of two or
three species, but their appearance is not inviting. We shall,
however, be glad to hear how you succeed with R. Nuttalli.-
To the best of our recollection, R. ciliatum, Russellianum, and
another were the kinds that had been out of doors at Redleaf
for a year or two, but they fell far short of the healthy and gay
appearance the older varieties possessed. It is, however, possible,
when their management becomes better known, that they may
be turned to better account out of doors than they haye yet
been, and in favoured situations they are certainly worth the
trial; and as the Indian Azaleas do so well ont of doors with

March 24, 1863. ]

the correspondent alluded to, we hope to hear of his success
with other plants not usually regarded hardy.

With regard to the Rhododendron from the Neilgherry Hills,
its hardihood or otherwise entirely depends on the altitude it
was found at. Plants found at the base of these hills require
stove heat in Engiand, and midway up the greenhouse will do,
and it is possible some of the extreme heights may furnish hardy
plants ; but as the Indian and Home Government have of late
been at considerable expense in importing the Peruvian bark
tree to this district, and a friend of the writer has gone to
superintend a plantation of Coffee there, it is evident that in the
district where these plants are cultivated—and both are destined

for the Neilgherry Hills—Rhododendrons capable of with- |

standing the cold and changes of this country are out of the
question. The greatest elevations must, therefore, be the only
sites where hardy plants are found; and unless the severities of
the cold season of their abode exceed those of an ordinary English
winter, there is but faint hope of their doing well out of doors
here; for, be it remembered, we have not the hot summer to
ripen and perfect the wood which they have in India, ao that it
would not be prudent to trust more than a few plants to the
rigour of an English winter until their hardihood has been in
some measure confirmed. Takinginto consideration the tropical
heats of Madras, I should think the Neilgherry Hills do not
attain sufficient altitude te furnish plants hardy enough to with-
stand the changes they are subjected to in Hngland.—J. Roxson. |

MESSRS. CUTBUSH’S HYACINTH SHOW.

THe annual Exhibition of Hyacinths at the Hicshgate Nur-
series is one of those sights which no one should omit seeing.
Tt has also the great advantage that one can inspect the floral
beauties in quiet, and with 2 minuteness which is impossible at
shows where the public are admitted in any number. Besides,

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

the display of flowering-plants in the house in which the Skow |
is held represents the decorative resources available at the |
season; and, from their number and excellent arrangement, they |
afford a good example of what 2 show-house may be made in |
skilful hands, and this with materials within the reach of per- |

sons with moderate means. Azaleas of yarious colours, Kalmias,

Dielytra spectabilis, Acacias, Deutzias, Cimerarias, Cyclamens, |

early Tulips, &c., fill the whole of the back stage of the house,
forming a dense mass of foliaze and bloom, reaching nearly to
the roof, and alike hiding stages and back wall.

Tt is, however, in Hyacinths more especially that Messrs. |
Cutbush possess an eminence, which is certainly surpassed by |
| another year it will improve in size, and if so the variety will

none; and this season their display of these attractive Howers is
in no way inferior to that of last year.
several attractive novelties which deserve attention.
all the flowers are fine, it would be merely repetition to say in
almost every instance fine spikes or fine bells. We shall, there-
fore, confine ourselves to giving a list of the names and colours
of the best varieties. These were—

Double Reds—Duke of Wellington, very pale rose, a large
and splendid spike with bells closely arranged; Noble par
Merite, deep rose; Koh-i-Noor, a very fine salmon ; and Susan-
nah Maria, salmon rose.
Royal, rose striped with pink, are also excellent.

Single Reds.—Solfaterre, bright orange scarlet; Yon Schiller,
deep salmon pink; and Victoria Alexandrina, a new crimson,
are all splendid kinds, producing immense spikes. Macaulay,
from its beautiful colour and size of bells, should be in every
collection however small; and the following are also all of the
highest excellence :—Amy, bright crimson ; Cavaignac, salmon,
striped with deep rose ; Cosmos, rosy pink ; Florence Nightingale,
with large pale pink bells, striped with carmine; Howard,
orange crimson; La Dame du Lac, pale rosy pink; La Pro-
phéte, pale pink striped with carmine; Lady Sale; Lina,
crimson ; Mrs. Beecher Stowe, deep rosy pink; Norma, delicate
pink; Pelissier, a new crimson scarlet; Princess Charlotte, deli-
cate rosy pink; Princess Clothilde, pale pink, striped with car-
mine; Queen Victoria, pale pink striped with red; Queen of
Hyacinths and Robert Steiger, bright crimson. Aurora Rutilans,
dark red; Belle Quirine, bright pink; Circe, salmon pink;
Desdemona, dark crimson; Duchess of Richmond, dark red ;
Duke of Wellington, rose with carmine stripes; Johanna Chris-
tina; Madame Hodgson; Monsieur Feasch, pink; and Sultan’s
Favourite, rose striped with deep pink, can also be highly recom-
mended.

Double Blues.—Garrick ; Laurens Koster; Sir Colin Camp-

Added to this there are |
Where |

Jenny Lind, deep rose; and Princess |

225

bell, light blue; Van Speyk, pale blue striped with dark blue are
of the best. And Belle Mode, porcelain; Comte de St. Priest,
light blue; General Antinck, pale blue; Paarlboot and Prins
Van Saxe Weimar, dark blue, are likewise excellent.

_ Single Biues—Argus, bright blue, with white eye; Baron
Von Tuyll; Charles Dickens; Couroune de Celle, azure; Grand
Lilas, and Orandates are the most choice. Bleu Mourant is
also a very useful dark blue.

Double Whites.—Of these Sir Bulwer Lytton, cream, with
a purple eye, is a splendid new variety. Coceur Noir, pale blush;
La Tour d'Auvergne; La Vestale, and Prince of Waterloo, are
all excellent. j

Single Whites.— Alba Maxima, pure white; -Gigantea, deep
blush; Grandeur 4 Merveille; Madame Van der Hoop; Mont
Blanc; Paix de l'Europe, and Snowball,’ are all of the highest
excellence; the last-named in particular has the broadest seg-
ments of any Hyacinth known. ‘Lhe best of the others are
Cleopatra, deep blush; Elfrida, creamy blush; Queen of the
Netherlands, pure white, new and fine; Seraphine, pale blush;
Tubatlora, blush, very large bells, stained.on the outer side with
purple; and Voltaire. Mirandoline is also a very good pure
white.

Lilae and Mauve—Of these Haydn and Prince of Wales
take the first place; the former is of a splendid colour, and -
has a large spike. Dandy, bronzy lilac, is also good.

In Blacks, Othello is an excellent double; and of the single
flowers General Havelock, of the deepest purple, is a splendid
sort. La Nuit, Mimosa, Prince Albert, and Yon Humboldt,
deep purplish-black, are all first-rate.

In Yellows, Due de Malakoff is new and very fine. Ida and
Victor Hugo, are fine deep yellows. Aurora, pale straw, striped
with pink, is also excellent.

Of the new varieties, Maria Theresa is a capital pale pink,
with light carmine stripes. Price of Orange, of a deep rose,
with a bright crimson stripe up the centre of each petal, isa
very fine double variety; and so is Rouge Hiclatante, of a
splendid deep crimson. stella, another double red, is of a very
delicate rose, with a narrow pink stripe up the centre of each
petal. Fair Maid of Denmark is a most beautiful pure white,
with immense bells; and San Francisco, a bright yellow, with
a close spike, is a great acquisition in that colour. erulk Khan
has a very close, fine spike; the colour a dark violet purple.
Pieneman, with very large porcelain blue bells, is also very fine.
Lord Palmerston, a single bright blue, has a fine close spike ;
and Marie, deep blue, with an indigo stripe, is also good.
Lamplighter, a purplish-black, with a very distinct white eye,
appears a promising sort; but the spike which we saw was small,
owing to the small size of the bulb which produced it. Probably

prove an acquisition.

In addition to the Hyacinths, several very pretty varieties of
early Tulips are also shown, as well as the collection of Ama-
tyllids exhibited at Kensington.

We cannot do better than conclude by recommending our
readers not to lose the opportumity of seeing Messrs. Cutbush’s
Exhibition, which will continue open till the end of the month.

METEOROLOGY OF CARDINGTON,
BEDFORDSHIRE.

Tne following tabie shows the monthly and annual fall of rain
at Cardington in 1662, and the average during the last seven-
teen years. The greatest quantity was in 1848, 30.860 inches ; and
the smallest quantity in 1854, 16.245 inches: being 5.805 inches
below the average of the seventeen years. The greatest monthly
average fall is in October, July, and August; the least in
February, March, and December; and the year ending Decem-
ber 31st, 1862, is 0.565 below the average :—

| Average } Average
Month, 1862. | in Month. | 1862. in
} 17 years. | 17 years.
Inches. | Inches. ¥ _ Inches. | Inches.
FADUALY ..- ew esee 1.350 1.661 August .... | 1.820 2.337
February -} 0.320 1.089: Septembe: 2.310 1.880
March ..... 3.115 1.300 # October .... 2.410 | 2.624
April 2.110 | 1.704 November . 0.980 1.634
May 2.750 1.969 December .... 1,250 1.419
June 1.510 2.064 ———
July. 1.260 | 2.378 Total amount...) 21.485 | 22.050

The following table shows the highest and the lowest readings

226

during the last seyenteen years, of a self-registering thermometer
at the height of 5 feet from the ground, and protected from
radiation and rain; the highest readings of a self-registering
maximum theymcmeter in the full rays of the sun, and the

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ March 24, 18623:

lowest readings of a self-registering minimum thermometer on
the grass during the last thirteen years, and also the mean tem-
perature, the number of days on which rain fell, and the quantity
of rain of each year for seventeen years. ;

Mean Number of | Rainfall

Years. Maximum in Shade. Minimum in Shade. Maximum in Sun. Minimum on Grass. Annual |dayson which in
Temperature.| rain fell. Inches.
deg. ; deg. deg. Inches.
1846 89.0 on July 31. 17.0 on Dee. 13. ea 51.5 164 25.070
1847 83.0 on July 12. 18.0 on Feb, 9, 49.0 133 20.810
1848 85.0 on July 6. 18,0 on Jan. 29. 48.9 196 80.860
1849 83.4 onJuly 8. 16.8 on Jan. 5, ro odo aie ty 48.5 172 22.324
1850 83.5 on July 16, 19.4 on March 26. 123.0 on June 20. 8.3 on March 26. 48,0 142 18.450
1851 78.0 on June 27. 21.0 on Novy. 19. 129.0 on June 30. 11.0 on Nov. 19. 42.6 148 17.980
1852 91.0 on July & 19.5 on March 6. 119.0 on July 9. 9.8 on March 6. 49.5 161 30,705
1853 81.5 on June 11. 13.0 on Dec. 28. 115.5 on June 16. 5.0 on Dee. 28. 47,2 lt 21.185
1854 86.0 on July 25. 11.00n Jan. 2. 117.5 on Sept. 11. 1.0 on Jan. 2. 49.0 135 16.245
1855 84.5 on May 26. 3.0 on Feb. 17. 118.50onJuly 8. 4.0 below zero Feb. 17. 46.4 140 19.890
1856 91.40n Aug, 2. 16.5 on Dec. 27. 121.0 on Aug. 2. 3.0 — Dec. 27. 48.6 151 20.680
1857 88.6 on June 28. 18.6 on Jan, 29. 125.0 on June 28. 6.4 on Jan, 29. 50.7 145 25.120
1858 95.0 on June 16. 15.0 on Noy. 24. 182.4 on Aug. 12. 2.0 on Dee. 24. 49.1 124 17.465
1859 92.0 on July 12. 6.0 on Dec. 19. 131.4 on July 17. 1.0 on Dec. 19 49.8 146 22.480
1860 76.4 on July 15. 3.6 on Dec. 25. 116.6 on May 19. 1.0 below zero Dec, 25. 46.6 196 25.080
1861 85.0 on Aug. 12. 10.0 on Jan. 8. 120.6 on June 19. 4.0 on Jan. 10. 488 16l 19.020
1862 80.0 on July 26. 16.0 on Jan. 19. 125.0 on Aug. 3. 5.0 on Jan. 19, 49.1 181 21.485

—J. B. McLarrn, Observatory, Cardington, January, 1863.

BHODODENDRON GLAUCUM (Gtaucovs-tEavyep RuopopENDEON).

SS
SS

Nat. ord., Evicacesee. ZLinn., Decandria Monogynia.—A small
evergreen and yery handsome shrub, of the average height of
2 feet, with branches of the size of a goose-quill. The leaves are
oblong or broadly lanceolate, with a mucro, about 3 inches long,
and 1% inch broad, deep green above, and remarkably glaucous
beneath. The umbels of seven or eight flowers grow from the
ends of the branches, the flowers being a “pale pinkish-purple,”

‘the tube campanulate, more than an inch long, and about as

broad across the spreading limb of five rounded emarginate
lobes. The whole plant has a powerful resinous smell. From
Sikkim Himalaya, on the rocky depressed ridges of Chola,
Lachen, and Lachoong, at an elevation of from 10 to 12,000
feet. Introduced, we presume, in 1850. Flowers in June,—_
(Gardener's Magazine of Botany.) \

March 24, 1863. ]

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

HASSARD’S PORTABLE CHATR.

Tus chair is one of the most complete of its kind ever
invented, combining all the qualifications of portability, light-
ness, and great strength; and, from the ready manner in which
it folds-up and the small space it occupies when folded, offers a
great acquisition over the ordinary stools used as seats in
gardens.
useful and comfortable addition not generally met with in
articles of this kind ; and as there is no strain on any part of the
chair, either when folded or not, it is almost, if not quite,
impossible to break it. This has had practical proof in the

original chair, which served as a camp chair for some years in |

the colonies, Turkey, and the Crimea, and can now be seen in as
sound a state as when it started.

H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, in his late visit to Egypt, took
several with him, and no complaints have been registered against

Fig. 2. Folded on the ground.

For invalids it is invaluable, the back being a most |

them. For horticultural fétes its use would be invaluable, as
| the small space it occupies when folded enables its being easily
carried, or it can be stowed away in a tool-house or other con-
venient building ; and being made of wood, it possesses a lightness
which the iron portable chairs do not.

Its uses are as follows :—1, As an ordinary chair; 2, With
| the back put down it makes an excellent table to a person sitting
| on the grass, as at a pic-nic; 3, It can be sat upon also when
| entirely folded-up; or, 4, makes a lounging chair if in this

position the back only is put up.

Its price is only 12s. 6d., and its transformations so various
| that we should call it the Protean Chair. Major Hassard, the
| inventor, lives at Hilsea, near Portsmouth, and we have no

doubt he would answer any relative inquiries.

Fig. 4. As a seat on the ground.

REMOVING A VINE LONG PLANTED IN A GREENHOUSE.

Pe lowing js in answer to the questions of * F. §.”
at _you can remove this Vine without injuring itis not likel
ue ene Nae is very large and old-established, it = just as little
'y that you can remove it with x

ee ith profit. If only a few years
Vine would be better than a young one. With

e a : out th
and trouble being expended, it would be best every aa ioe:
the old Vine alone and plant some fresh young ones, as their
expense would be little more than that involyed in moving the
old one. These young Vines could not be expected to bear the

first season. With proper care bestowed i
so and flourish well cnarwarde Sas tot a ta cao

Though we can add nothing t

g to what has been previously and

lately stated, we will, to oblige you, answ i

And firet as to soil. Good fresh soil of any kind will eraetths
Vine well. The chief point to secure is dryness by drainage
The best-flavoured, if not the largest, Grapes are obtained from
districts and positions where there can be no stagnant water

you resolve to do the job carefully, then the old |

| This dryness secured, the earth is a matter of less importance.
A good loam, such as may be obtained from a roadside, will answer
| well. The soil that grows good vegetables and the common
fruits will grow good Grapes. The fresh soil, if obtainable, is
| the best. ‘That should be from 18 to 24 inches deep, and if
outside the house it should slope to the sun. In late Numbers.
and in another week or so, you will see much on border-makine.
| The chief point, however, is to avoid stagnant water. The soil
may have a tenth of its bulk of rough pieces of brick, and
another tenth of fine brick and lime rubbish well blended
together, and for every four cartloads of compost there may be
| 8 bushel of broken bones. Suppose the Vines are to be planted
| the roots may be nicely spread out about 6 inches from the
| are, aes iB jittle Baer and richer soil strewed over them.
ra stren afterwards we w i i - i
a eee ould give by rich top-dressings
Now as to lifting your Vines,
| asked our advice any time between

|

We wish you would have
the end of September and

228

Christmas, as the chances would have been more in your favour.
However, the fact that the buds will soon burat of themselves is
not so much against you as at first sight would appear, as that
will cause growth to take place all the sooner, and thereforeyou
will only have to assist Nature in her operations, ‘Nota day,
therefore, should be lost. The first thing to do is to secure the
head of the Vine and keep it ag cool as possible. Then begin in
front of the Vine-roots, and dig out a trench deeper than you
expect the roots to reach, With a pick carefully pull dowu the
soil and throw it behind you; and as you come to the roots save
them, carefully tracing them right up to the bole or stem, and
wrapping the roots as you disentangle them into cloths or mats,
to keep the fibres you can save fron» being duied and killed by
the cold air. This is no such difficult job as. it would seem
from our description to be.

Having taken up and removed the Vine to its place, the
first object is to put the head into the desired position, and
the second is to lay out and plant the roots. In such a case
we would depart from the ahove simple mode of making a
border, and 6 inches below the place we intended for the roots
we would incorporate 2 or 3 inches of fresh horse-droppings if
they could be found, so as to-yield a mild gentle heat as well as
enriching qualities, Place a couple of inches of fresh light soil
over that compost, and on this lay out the roots regularly,
packing them nicely, and cover with a couple of inches of soil.
Then water moderately, so as to damp the roots, with water at
about 140°, and as soon as seltled cover with 5 inches more of
soil. When that is done place 15 inches of hot fermenting
material over the border, and, if possible, thateh the border, or
use hurdles or eloth, to threw off the cold yains. If the job is
thus done, a thermometer sunk 6 inches:in the border would
most likely show a temperature of from 75° to 80°, which would
furnish a stimulus to root-action. The roots thus attended to,
the next point is to keep the head of the Vine as cool as possible
by moistening the head and keeping it shaded from the sun, so
that roots may be forming in the border before the buds are
much advanced. In this will consist the success. Without
such care the old Vine had better be left alone.—R. Fisu.

CAPE BULBS.

A OORRESPONDENT, writing from Liverpool, asks our advice
on the management of the bulbs just received from the Cape of
Good Hope :—Antholyza prealta (hardy) ; Amaryllis reyoluta ;
Agapanthus major (greenhouse) ; Albuca filifolia (greenhouse) ;
Brunsvigia faleata (greenhouse) ; B. ciliaris (greenhouse) ; Calla
wthiopica (greenhouse) ; Disa grandiflora (greenhouse) ; D, bar-
bata ; D. purpurea; Babiana rubra (greenhouse) ; B. purpurea
(greenhouse) ; B, rubrocyanea (greenhouse); B. mixed; B. vil-
losa (greenhouse); Gladiolus blandus; G. natalensis (green-
house) ; G. hirsutus (greenhouse); Heemanthus tigrinus ; Hes-
perantha cinnamomea (greenhouse); Hypoxis flava; Geisso-
rhiza rochensis; G. purpurea; Satyrium fragrans; 8. cucul-
latum : (greenhouse); Melanthium (greenhouse); Sparaxis var. ;
8. bieolor (greenhouse); S. purpurea; 8. grandiflora (green-
house) ; Ornithogalum caudatum (greenhouse) ; Ixia purpurea ;
I. ciharis; I. var.; I. maculata (greenhouse); I. viridiflora
(greenhouse) ; I. versicolor ; I. flava (greenhouse) ; I. fragrans;
Lachenalia purpurea (greenhouse) ; L. purpurea var.; L. alba;
L. pendula (greenhouse); L. pendula yar.; Trichonema cru-
ciatum ; Oxalis rosea (greenhouse); O. versicolor (greenhouse) ;
O. alba major; O. alba minor; Nerine sarniensis (greenhouse) ;
Tritonia crocata (greenhouse) ; T, fenestrata (greenhouse) ;
Watsonia plantaginea (greenhouse); W. precox; W. rosea
major; W. rosea minor; W. Meriana; Morsa bicolor;
Watsonia splendens; Wurmbea spicata; Anomatheca juncea
(greenhouse); Babiana flava; B. plicata (greenhouse); Tri-
tonia crispa (greenhouse) ; I. crispa var. ; Lapeyrousia purpurea
(greenhouse); Ornithogalum niveum (e¢reenhouse). t

In reply to the inquiry of our correspondent, we may say
that most of the Ixias, Sparaxis, and Antholyzas are hardy, and
might be planted out into a warm border after being nursed
awhile in a hotbed and then in a cold frame. This nursing in
pots, we expect, will be necessary in order to compensate in
some measure for the injuries sustained in the journey. Most
of the other bulbs will require a greenhouse, especially such as
the Watsonias, Hemanthus,| and others, that, iris-like, do not
form ripened bulbs, the foliage never entirely dying down.

Such bulbs aa Amaryllises, Oxalis, &c., which ripen and |

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ March 24, 1868.

i require a period of reat, will nevertheless benefit much by a

considerable addition of heat at the growing time; for, though
most of Cape plants will flourish and do pretty well in our
greenhouses, most of them do better when subjected to the
heat of the) stove or- hotbed at one time, and! they will stand
several degrees of frost at another. “While, therefore, the bulbs
are growing it would be better to keep them in a hotbed, re-
moving them to a cooler place when they show flower; and
when at rest they may be placed out of doors altogether. Those
acquainted with the extremes of temperature experienced at the
Cape will easily understand this. It would not, however, be
advisable to suddenly subject bulbs and pseudo-bulbs recently
unpacked after a long confinement 'to great heat. Rather let
them be all potted in sandy peat, and placed first under a dark
roof in a cool place, gradually increasing heat and lighf as the
plants begin to grow. '

FRUIT-TREE BORDERS CROPPED WITH
VEGETABLES.

Tur following inquiries relating to this very important sub-
ject being of a similar kind to many others we receive, we have
called the attention of one of our regular correspondents to the
matter, and subjoin his remarks, together with that of the querist,
whose case is far from being an isolated one :—

“The garden in my charge is divided into four squares, with
wire trellises round each square, On which ara trained Apples,
Pears, and Cherries, with a flower-border 5 feet wide between
the trees and walk. Our wall-borders are 21 fect wide, with a
fall of from 18 inches to 2% feet, which are planted thus :—Half
of south wall Peaches, the other half Pears; north wall, Plums;
west wall, Cherries ; east wall, Pears.

“The borders are entirely devoted tothe growth of vegetables,
except the west-wall border, which is under Strawberries.

“T think vegetables are highly injurious to trees, owing to
spade-work being necessary in vegetable culture.

““T was thinking of planting two rows of fruit trees on each
border—that is, Pears on the south and east, Plums on the
north, and Cherries on the west,‘and training all on trellises
having a fall to the walk, so that neither the front trellises
would shade the back nor the back trellis would shade the wall
trees ; also, to have a flower-border in front to correspond with
the other side of the walk. The fruit trees round the squares
are upright espaliers about 5 feet high.—S. H,”

[So far from your case being a solitary one of being obliged to
crop your fruit-wall borders with vegetables, I firmly believe
that ninety-nine out of every hundred are in the same predica-
ment. That it is hurtful to the fruit trees I believe no one will
deny; but the anxiety to haye Peas a few days sooner, or a
greater certainty of Cauliflowers standing the wimter well, or to
have Dwarf Kidney Beans in good time, or, im fact, the many
things required by the household in sufficient abundance in
season and out of season, induces us: all to crop borders that
ought to be left alone; and that very often to the permanent
injury of the Peach and other trees, whose roots ought to have
unmolested possession of the border. This, however, is one of
those unfortunate choices between difficulties which occur in
all callings, and is solved in accordance with the individual
requirements of each place. Ifa crop of Potatoes, Peas a few
days sooner, and the same with Cauliflowers, Lettuce, and the
like be of importance equal to that of good Peaches and Necta-
rines, the preference given to the former must not be found fault
with. If, however, fruit be most wanted, some sacrifice of the
vegetables must be made, or a sort of compromiye entered into.
The last-named measure is that most generally addpted, although
even in that vegetables, are often allowed to usurp’more than
their just share of space, and our correspondent seems disposed
to enter into a compromise when he suggests occupying the wall-
border by trellises for training fruit trees of other kinds. In
many cases, however, this would be objected to; and as vege-
tables must be had, it is the duty of the manager to contrive to
injure the wall trees as little as possible im the endeavour to
secure both fruit and vegetables. This is often done, care being
taken not to crop the ground too heavily, and to manure accord-
ingly. It is, however, better to\allot a space of 6 feet from the
wall to be kept free from all, growth excepting that of the’trees.

Our correspondent’s plan of having a trellis for trained trees,

instead of a vegetable-border, is nota new one, The late’ Mr. -

March 24, 1863. ]

Errington strongly urged it in many of his papers in the early
Numbers of THz Corrage GaRDENER ; but he advocated a sort
of table trellis. Arched trellises enclosing a walk exist in more
places than one, and answer very well. ‘he writer once had a
sort of half-arched trellis overhanging the sunny side of a walk.
This was also very successful; in fact, so obedient are most
of the hardy fruits, that they can be made to assume almost any
shape. Some ot those already tried are as much to be admired
for their novelty as their utility. However, I have no doubt
that the roots of a Pear tree will do less injury to those of the
Peach than the gross-feeding Cauliflower and similar vegetables ;
besides which, with only trees on the border, the necessity for
digging deep does not exist; in fact, it is questionable whether
it is necessary to dig at all or not. I once knew a gentleman
—until very recently the oldest member of the Horticultural
Society—who was so impressed with the propriety of letting the
roots of such trees alone, that he had the Peach-tree border turfed
over, and, I believe, it answered yery well. Much, however,
depends on the character of the soil and subsoil for the well-
being of fruit trees, and there may be cases where a slight
crop of vegetables, not deep-rooting, may do no harm. Healthy
vigorous trees root much deeper than is generally supposed.
Some men digging a well not far from whence I am writing are
finding healthy useful roots at the depth of upwards of 28 feet!
the soil being a sandy shale. ‘he adjoining trees are Sycamore,
Poplars, Fir, Birch, &e. The eurface soil being good, these
roots have not descended tiis depth for lack of substance
near the top, but by their healthy appearance they have done
80 in consequence of relishing the nourishment met with there.
When, therefore, the subsoil of a wall-border is one that suits the
Peach and other trees planted thereon, a slight crop of vegetables
does not dos0 much harm; but where the subsoil is of a con-
trary character, and the trees must thrive on the surface natu-
rally or not at all, then by ali means leave them the unlimited
use of the latter, withou) any compromise whatever; and the
condition of the trees, with other tokens, will alone enable the
manager to determine how far this state of things bears on his
case, and to act accordingly.—J. R.]

CINERARIA LEAVES INJURED.

T norice an answer to one of your correspondents respecting
his Cineraria leaves being injured. For his information (should
this catch his eye), I beg to say that about the first week in
January the frost was too sharp for me, and got into the green-
house. In the morning, on going to look round, I observed the
Fuchsia shoots looked very stiff. I gently tapped the pots of
one or two of them, and the greater part of the shoots tumbled
off; but the Cinerarias did not appear then to have suffered
much. However, I noticed in the course of a fortnight that
some of the plants did not grow at all, and others very little ;
while some did not seem affected in the least, and in a few more
days the outer edges of the leaves appeared to be gradually
mouldering and crumbling away, giving the plants, though nicely
showing bloom, a very shabby appearance. Some of them are
now all right again, but others have never recovered. Iattribute
this to their having been wetter than the others: consequently
they felt the frost more than they would have done had they
been dry.— An AMATEUR.

THINNING BLOSSOM-BUDS OF FRUIT TREES.

I wave Peaches, Apricots, Nectarines, Plums, Cherries, Pears,
&c., in a well-ventilated lean-to (south aspect) orchard-house in
pots plunged in the borders. ‘hey are particularly full of
bloom-buds, which, owing to the mildness of the late weather,
began early in February to swell, and so water was given very
moderately and gradually, and they were fast opening before
the late change to cold. Some Pears of choice kinds are the
only trees not repotted here last autumn. They came from
London without balls of earth, and with the roots quite exposed ;
they were potted immediately, late in December, and are now
crowded with bloom just showing the pink tinge.

It is quite impossible any of the above can bear one-tenth the
blooms shown, and I wish to have your opinion as to the ad-
visability of now removing them. My gardener says he would
not touch one, but thin them after the setting. I recollect Mr.
Rivers recommending thinning-out with sharp scissors fully one-
half of Cherry-buds before they opened. If this be good prac-

. JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

229

tice, why not deal so with other kinds, especially in the case of
the Pears I have mentioned, as it is very questionable how far
the roots are established? My notion is that the merely mode-
rate strength of a tree might be rendered of no ayail in having
to expend itself on such a yas quantity of bloom, though it
would be equal to a very reduced quantity. Can any harm be
done to the trees by my suggestion ?—MancuesTEk.

[In the mere expanding of the blossoms there is little strength
of the plant exhausted. We would, therefore, compromise the
matter, and wait until the blossoms are go fur opened as to show
which have the strongest stalks, and the most prominent in-
cipient young fruit; then, rejecting the smaller ones, thin
more than half away.- When these have set and have begun to
swell kindly, then thin them out again, leaving about a dozen or
so on each plant, or more, according to the strength. If you
were sure of all the: blossoms being fertile you might thin earlier ;
but even in the case of Cherries, many of the blossoms can never
set, from imperfect organisation. |

PORTRAITS OF PLANTS, FLOWERS, AND
FRUITS.

PycnosTacHys Urticrrorta (Nettle-leaved Pyenostachys).—
Nat ord., Labiate. Lian., Didynamia Gymnospermia. Native
of Mount Zamba in tropical Africa. It has been found there
at an elevation of 3000 feet, and will probably flourish in our
greenhouses. Its flowers are dark blue, and appeared at Kew
in January.—( Bot. Mag., t. 5365.)

IMPATIENS BICOLOR (Iwo-coloured Balsam).—Waz. ord., Bal-
samacee. Jinn., Pentandria Monogynia. Native of the island
of Fernando at an altitude of 4000 feet. Flowers appeared in
December at Kew; they have a white mouth and purple lip.—
(Zbid., t. 5366.)

Monocr=tuM HuMBOLDTIANUM (Humboldt’s Monochetum).
—Nat. ord., Melastomacece. Linn., Octandria Monogynia. Na-
tive of Caracas. Flowers in the stove in November and rather
later. Flowers reddish-purple.— (Zdid., t. 5367.)

WELWITSCHIA MIRABILIS (Wonderful Welwitschin).— Nat.
ord., Gnetacese. Linn., Polygamia Monadelphia. Native of
Damara and Cape Negro in western tropical Africa. This mar-
vellous plant, it is said, sometimes measures 6 feet across the apex
ofthe trunk, with ribbon leaves 2 andeven 3 fathoms long. Mr.
Anderson, the eminent African traveller, says :—‘‘1t is only
found in one single locality—that is, as regards Damara Land,
which locality is exceedingly circumscribed. It grows, more-
over, in sandy places, and luxuriates when it can find a few
stones where to fix its extraordinary tap root, penetrating often
several feet deep, so that it is indeed a work of labour and
patience to extract one single plant. I have been thus oecupied
more than an hour, and even then I have come away with only
a portion of the root. The leaves attain a length of several
feet, a small portion at the point only being withered; in other
respects they are evergreen ; they are straight-grained, and you
can tear them from top to bottom without deviating a single
line from a straight course. Rain rarely or never falls where
this plant exists. I have crossed and recrossed Damara Land
throughout ita entire length and breadth, but on!y found the
plant growing on that desperately arid flat, stretching far and
wide, about Waalvisch Bay, or between the twenty-second and
twenty-third degrees of south latitude. It is most common
about the lower course of the river Swakop.’’—(Zdid., tf. 5368,
5369.

oe ComTEssE OuvAROFF.—This variety of the Tea-scented
group was raised by M. Margottin. Colour, a soft creamy rose.
— (Floral Magazine, pl. 137.)

PicorEE JESSIE; Carnation SamuEL Moreron.—The first,
raised by Mr. ‘Turner, Slough, is a medium-edged purple. ‘The
Carnation was raised by Mr. Addis, but is in Mr. Turner’s list.
It is well and regularly marked.—(Jéid., pl. 138.)

VERBENAS Fioxa, RosaLiz, AND PuRPLE Emprror.— fora,
crimson scarlet with white centre; Rosalie, reddish-purple, but
crimson towards the centre, which is white; Purple Hmperor
is plum-coloured with white centre. They will all be let out by
Messrs. Low & Son, of Clapton.— (Zéid., pl. 139.)

THUNBERG’S ‘LRICYRTIS (Tricyrtis hirta)—Sent by Mr. For-
tune from Japan to Mr. Standish, who believes is will prove a
hardy border plant. Flowers pearly white, thickly spotted with
reddish-purple.—(Z6zd., pl. 140.)

330

‘JOURNAL OF HORTIOUIZURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

(| March 24,/1863.

Versenss—Lord Leigh, raised by Messrs. S. Perkins '& Sons, | arrived at’was, that in his opinion one of them “was somesort

Park Nursery, Coventry; crimson scarlet, yellow eye. Awarded
a first-class certificate by the Floral Committee. Lord Craven,
Eig by Messrs. Downie, Laird, & Laing, of Sydenham and

dinburgh. “ Decidedly the finest of purples.”—(Florist and
Pomologist, ii., 25.)

Currry—Belle Agathe, raised by Capt. Thiéry, of Haelen,
Belgium. Of the Bigarreau character, but skin more red, fiesh
hard and crackling. Birds do not touch'the fruit. Tree hardy
and abundant bearer, ripening its fruit about the middle of
September.—(1bid., p. 32.)

NEW BOOK.
THE PHANTOM BOUQUET :

A Popular Treatise on the Art of Sheletonising Leaves and
Seed-vessels, fe. By EH. Parish, &c., Philadelphia.

Tuts is well-named, for the embellishments are very beautiful
and very disembodied, whilst the literary portion is equally
phantom-like. There is nothing whatever new in it. The
directions for skeletonising are merely the old one, requiring
weeks and months for effecting the putrefaction of the pulp of
the leaves under water. How old the process is may be learned
‘from this‘extract.

“Some ‘of the old London books we have lately forgotten to
‘vead give accounts of the identical process, and tell us that, as
long ago as 1645, Marcus Aurelius Severinus, Professor of
Anatomy and Surgery at Naples, turned his attention to the
subject, and published'a figure ofa leaf thus delicately prepared.
‘But this ingenious disciple of Msculapius, according to the
fashion of his time, kept the process a secret ; and so we owe,
probably, the first published account of the method of preparing
plant-skeletons toa Dutch naturalist, Fredrick Ruysch by name, |
who in 1723 first gave ‘to the world the announcement that,
through the putrefactive fermentation promoted by warmth
and moisture, the pulpy matter of the leaf may be loosened, so
as to be separated from the fibrous skeleton, which may thus be |
preserved unimpaired.” |

We believe that a much shorter time might suffice to effect |
the skeletonising, and the process'to attain this is worth trying |
to discover, for the results are beautiful, and, as Mr. Parish |
remarks, “adapted to embellish a home of taste.”

NAMING HERBACEOUS PLANTS.

Tux return of the early spring flowers reminds me of one of
my gardening difficulties, which the Hditors may kindly assist
me in elucidating. I came into possession of an old place in the |
country a few years back, and amongst the many traces of the
cultivated taste of my predecessor, not the least prized is the
store of nice herbaceous plants which adorn the flower-borders
of our small garden for the greater part of the year.

Having neither space, time, nor inclination to go imto the
modern bedding-out system, I would like to take stock, with
the view of adding to my collection such noteworthy specimens
as I might see from time to time noticed in your pages or other-
‘wise ; but the evil is that I am ignorant of the names, scientific
as well as vulgar, of very many of those I possess. This I was
forcibly reminded of not'long ago, by ordering a lot and finding,
as many came into flower, their duplicates already in the borders.

I thought I had hit upon an expedient last summer that
would have thrown light upon my darkness. ‘The principal
foreman in the nursery from whence I occasionally procured a
few fiorists’ flowers, was a most intelligent, obliging fellow,
thoroughly versed in ‘horticulture, from his aristocratic fitled
favourites down to the little “Hyssop that springeth out of the
wall,” I assumed, judging from the discrimination he displayed,
opening my eyes'to the unseen distinctions between fhe “ addi-
tional substance,” “cleanness of club,” “breadth of belt,”
“brightness of eye,” &c., of this Pansy or ‘that, or ofher florists’
flower, second only to'the style of your gifted Deal contributor.
It was, therefore, with much confidence that I one day went off to
town with a small bouquet as a first instalment, which I spread
out on a frame-light before him, and stood note-book in hand ready
to begin my list. Judge of my disappointment, taking up one
after the other, with that ¢urious puzzled look one could'imagine |
in a geologist examining an antediluvian ‘fossil, the only result

of Geranium.” He, however, politely asked me to leave the
flowers, and he would endeavour to get them named for me by
some old gardener; but I fear the race of our good old “blue
aprons” must be wearing out, as I have not heard from him
since. I would, therefore, feel much obliged were you, or any
contributor, to recommend any plain cheap old work on the
subject, or otherwise kindly advise—Down-BRED.

FEATHERED HELPS IN A GARDEN.

I am obliged by your insertion of my inquiry upon this sub-
ject, which shows that you deem the matter not unworthy of
some attention ; and I feel encouraged to put my own ideas into
some more definite shape, more especially as I have since had an
opportunity of asking the opinions of practical men on ‘the
Undercliff, from which place Iam now writing. You will deal
with my further remarks as you see fit.

Iam afraid that no definite views are entertained by gardeners
upon either branch of the question—either the domestication of
birds for useful purposes in a garden, or the proper treatment of
the race of small birds generally as wild. Upon the first point
one gardener approves of gulls; another prefers the sandpiper,
but that is, I believe, a migratory bird, and an:attempt to keep it
continually is, therefore, forced and unnatural; another likes|the
owl, as not only destroying mice, but anything else that can be
picked up, and especially as working at night. Some think
ducks would be useful upon special occasions and at special
times. None like bantams, even Sebrights; and the ‘habits of
Guinea fowls, as non-scratchers, do not seem to have been
noticed. Of course nobody ever dreamt that poultry in general
could be “helps,” as our Bristol friend assumes in his chapter
of grievances. This, therefore, seems an open question; but
upon ‘the use of gulls I may mention that I have just seenia
pair in a garden, and am assured by a medical friend, their
owner, that, in addition to an unremitting attention to all vermin,
one of them is as good as a watch-dog; for if an intruder finds
his way into the garden at night, the bird screams, as long as he

| remains, loud enough to wake all the neighbourhood. But this

part of the subject must depend upon loval cireumstances ; for
such birds may well be kept in small and enclosed gardens,
when there would be difficulty in doing it in larger establish-
ments. The principal question, therefore, is the proper treat-
ment of the feathered tribe in general, and the views generally

| expressed by your correspondents show that it is a serious one.

The views I have heard expressed are certainly in fayour of
birds, especially the soft-bills, as doing infinitely more good than
harm, although requiring strict watching at particular times.

I rather think a true philosophy points to a protection of the
race, accompanied by a complete control of their habits, in
matters upon which our reason should guide their instinct. Do
they not rank with the other inferior creatures which God has
given for our help? Are they not all the year working for our
benefit? Has the farmer or the gardener any cheaper labour
than theirs? and is not the labourer worthy of his hire, in their
case as well as in all others? We give our domestic animals
extra food sometimes; we give our labourers extra wages at
haytime and harvest; and why should not somewhat of the
principle be extended to our birds? Are they not entitled to
the food necessary for them? ‘True, in the main they find it by
living upon our insects; but if their want of intelligence leads
them to be mischievous at seed-time and in a blossoming season,
is not that a defect which our intellect should lead us to control
rather than to visit the mistake with destruction? And, ifwhen
fruits are abundant they take their share, what more is it than
pursuing the analogies of life? and whet more is if than their
right, always taking care they do not, in their want of know-
ledge of the properties of things, take too latge or too wasteful
ashare? Surely it would be a great misfortune if the race were
destroyed; and that is the logical sequence of the arguments
against them. The race may be properly kept down like that
of any other of the inferior animal creation when necessary, bat
that would be better done by a judicious bat-folding, when the
hard-bills could be selected for puddings, aud the soft-bills sent
back to their work, rather than by a wholesale and indiscriminate
slaughter.

I was ‘yesterday walking through the ‘grounds of a gentleman
whose position in the scientifie world entitles any opinion of his
to profound respect,-and who iis, besides, an accomplished horti- —

March 24,1863. ]

culturist, and possesses as fine a collection of out-door fruits,
I should think, as any gentleman in Hngland. I said to him,
* How do you manage with the insect: tribe with all your fruit?”
His ready answer was, “Oh, 1 am very much in the habit of
trusting to my friends the birds.” ‘“ Buf do they not plunder
you of a great deal?” “Well, of course they take their toll,
possibly more than.some people would like ; but I am not at all
sure that they take move than they have a right to,” was his
reply.

Mer not the question, then, be resolved into an adaptation of
Loudon’s adyice es to Vurnips and the turnip fly, “‘ Sow enough
for the fly and yourself too?” I think it may, and, without
further argument, I haye determined to try; and at the risk of
being considered Utopian or anything else, and without heeding
any amount of ridicule, I will give it a fair trial for at least a
year, and will then report to you the result. I have a small
garden here, containing a few dwarf standard Figs just coming
into bearing (an immense temptation to birds), as well as good
Jersey Pears, and other dwarf trees suitable for a emall garden,
and, contemplating a permanent residence here in the course of
the summer, Lam abeut to complete my stock both of top and
bottom fruit, and I will make a point of increasing that stock
so as to allow my birds 25 per cent., and will sow seeds in
a like proportion. I will try hard to temper my fondness for
the feathered tribe with a firm resolve to keep the 75 per cent. for
myself and my friends, and I rather think the birds will have
to rise early in the morning for their share.

I may add that I have bespoken,a pair of gulls for day Jabourers
and an owl for night, and if I live the prescribed time I will
carefully report the result of my efforts.—H.

I scarceny thought my experience, limited as it is to the
practice of allowing ducks to range in my garden, was sufficiently
extensive to be worth while recording in reply to your request for
information on the use of feathered helps in a garden. ButIsce
in your No. 101 a communication from R. Welch, Bristol, so
thoroughly and completely condemning ducks, along with others
of the feathered tribe, that I cannot refrain from saying that for
several years past I have made it a rule to allow ducks, at
various ages suitable to the season, to range at perfect liberty in
my garden. I would not be without them on any account, but
discrimination is required in admitting them. During the
winter months—say from the first severe frost up to the end of
February, or even into March, they may be admitted freely ;
after that time the old ones must be rigidly excluded, and may
be allowed to run in the grass fields, where, during the breeding
season, they do an immense amount of good,

So soon as you haye ducklings they may run in the garden
freely instead of their parents until they are five or six weeks
old, but not longer; to be followed by others just hatched, up
to the same age.’ This will bring you probably up to the end of
May, or not later than the middle of June, when the flower-
borders with young plants, together with the several crops of
Strawberries and other fruits coming on, will require their
exclusion also. Of course, where they are indiscriminately
allowed to roam from one year’s end to the other, they would
carry death and destruction before them; but, admitted as I
have instanced them, I aver that they are of inestimable value.

I first introduced ducks in consequence of the immense num-
ber of slugs and grubs with which I was troubled. These they
have completely and effectually exterminated. A duck of any
age will hunt out’ slugs and worms during the winter months.
As soon as ever, or even before, the breeding scason commences,
they will consume every insect having life to be found in a
garden. I have seen them eat up greedily the largest worms,
clocks, slugs, wireworms, and, indeed, as I said before, every-

' thine living—nothing comes wrong. ‘The young ones, when
introduced, limit themselves to worms and slugs, of which they
ave remarkably fond; andit is very pleasing to watch a whole
brood of ducklings ranging the garden about a foot apart in
regular marching order, and wheeling round and back again as
soon,as they reach the extremity. And, again, it is very amusing
to see an old duck in the winter months range up alongside
the Box-edgings, poking her bill wherever there is a chance of
a slug harbouring, and then running off to the Strawberry plants,
each, of which will be examined in the same minute manner.

I introduced them originally from necessity, being a great
lover of my garden. Having benefited, by such introduction, I
haye-long.since formed, a, liking, for them, also, and I cannot.re-

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND. COTLAGE GARDENER.

237°

frain from thns recording the very great store I set upon them,
although I feel that to do them full justice would require, a,
much abler pen than mine.—W. P: M.

WORK FOR THE WEEK.

KITCHEN GARDEN.

Crman-orF all the old: stumps otf Coleworts, Savoys, Brussels
Sprouts, Broccoli, &c., if not wanted for sprouts. ‘Lhis year up
to this time there is no lack of winter Greens, and young
Cabbages are forward and good. Artichokes, Globe, prepare a
fresh plantation if necessary, by deep trenching and _ highly,
manuring the soil. Asparagus, forking the beds should be pro-
ceeded with. Some soot and salt, may be sprinkled on them
and forked-in. hey are excellent stimulants when used in
small quantities. Beans, muke another sowing. ‘The Lougpod
isa prolific sort; but the Green Windsor has the best appear-
ance when sent to table. Harth-up the early crops. Capsicums,
pot-off the young plants as soon as fit, and place them in a hot-
bed frame; they are verry subject to the green fly, which should
be kept under by all means. Carrots, sow. Vhe Barly Horn
is a good sort both for early and late use, as it keeps equally
well with the long sorts; audiis much better adapted for many
soils than any of the others. Celery, prick out the early sown
in boxes or ona slight hotbed. When it has taken fresh root-
hold give it aix at every favourable opportunity. Jerusalem
Artichokes, if not yet planted no time should be lostin putting
them in. Kidney Beans, make a sowing in pots. Lettuce, some
of the best plants that have been wintered in frames may now
be put out, some under a south wall and others in a,more open
situation. Onions, sow the mein crops. If large ones are
required, plant the very small bulbs of last year, or the autumn-
sown plants in very rich ground; or large Onions can be had by
the following method. Weil tread the ground, and lay 3 inches of
very rotten dung upon it; onthis sow the seed, and cover with a
little fine earth. Peas, stick the early crops as soon as they are
earthed-up. A few small kornbeam boughs with the leaves on
may be stuck on each side of the row. his will protect them:
from frosts and cold winds. Pot Herbs, see that fresh beds of
Thyme, Mint, Sage, Winter Savory, and other herbs are made.
They generally want renewing every year. Potatoes, plant a
good breadth of Flukes or any other good sorts. Protect Ash-
leaved IXidneys and other early varieties. as soon as.they appear
above ground. Sawdust is as good as anything, and it can be
vaked off'as soon as all danger of frost is over. Radishes, sow
for successional crops. The Turnip-rooted sort may now be
sown. Savoy, make a good sowing of the Dwarf Green, which
is the best for general purposes.

FLOWER GARDEN.

Complete any planting which circumstances compel you to do,
but otherwise do not choose this;season. Remember there is no
time like early autumn. Prune Hoses, and, as a, general rule,
the more severely you prune strong-growing Roses, the less they
are likely to flower, If not done previously, the beds, should
have a good dressing, of rotten dung or liquid manure, The Rose
is a gross feeder. Complete the pruning, and training of Cle-
matises, Jasmines, Bignonias, and other creepers on trellises.
Where you have gaps, in Box-edgings insert pieces of Box to
mend them. These may be clipped in April. Complete the
boxing of beds and walks immediately ; let the Box be trimmed
neatly. Sween and roll the lawns well, taking care that they are
closely cut down now, thus laying a good foundation, for the
season. Nothing adds more to the beauty of a place than fine
smooth turf; and where there is suflicient labour, it isa great
improvement to extirpate Daisies, whose flowers mar, the effect,
of a lawn very much, Hetouch the grass edgings of the. walks
with all care and precision, and turn old or add new gravel
where necessary, so that when your garden reaches the height,
of its beauty, all its parts may be in, the most perfect order.
Look oyer the beds planted with bulbs, and where necessary, stir
the surface soil so as to keep it open and friable, and also to,
give it a clean, neat, fresh appearance,

FRUIT GARDEN.

Finish the nailing of all wall trees. Tie down the branches
before the buds swell too far, of the Pear trees trained’ en-
quenouille. Protect blossoms with canvas, bunting, fir boughs,
cr fronds of Ferns, The covers may: be taken off occasionally
on.sunnydaya;.and put on at night when frost is expected.

282

STOVE.

Push Clerodendrons, Stephanotis, and Allamandas forward as
briskly as possible, but do not be in a hurry to train them. Pot-
off the Achimenes, and any seedling plants which are sufficiently
large, and start a fresh lot of Achimenes, Gloxinias, &c., to form
the second succession. Stimulate the young growing plants as
much as possible—that is, consistently with the state of the
weather; and while you give plenty of air, at all times guard
against sudden changes and cold winds. All Orchids that have
commenced growing and require potting, should be attended to
forthwith. ‘This isa good time to shake out and repot Cyrto-
podiums and Sobralias ; they thrive best in good-sized pots, well
drained, in a compost of equal parts of good turfy peat, loam,
leaf mould, crocks and charcoal broken rather small mixed well
together, and when the plants are growing freely, they must be
well supplied with water. Pot in the same compost, omitting
the loam, the following genera—Houlletia, Acanthophippium,
Mormodes, Lycaste, Cycnoches, Catasetum, and Huntleya. This
is also the best time for parting and shifting Gongoras, Brassias,
and Acroperas, they succeed well either in baskets or pots, and
should be potted rather high in sphagnum moss with a few
large lumps of charcoal built in amongst it in the process of
potting, and all made fast with a few rough deal pegs.

GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY.

Where a large quantity of hardy shrubs is annually forced,
either to decorate the drawing-room or conservatory, it is not de-
sirable to pota fresh stock each season, as a number of deciduous
shrubs—such as Roses, Lilacs, Honeysuckles, &c., may, by
proper treatment, be made to bloom for several successive seasons.
Select, therefore, the most suitable plants when removed from
the houses, and give them some kind of temporary shelter to
gradually harden their foliage. Those cramped for pot-room,
shift into a size larger, pot in rich turfy loam, and towards the
middle of next month plunge them in an open situation in order
that the wood may be ripe early. These plants from having
been previously forced will bloom earlier than the new stock, of
which a portion each year should be potted to replace such
plants as become useless for further work. Now is a good time
to commence witha stock of Begonias for next season’s display.
As they go out of bloom allow them a short rest in a rat her dry
house, when they may be partially disrooted, pruning-in any
straggling shoots. Keep them close and syringe frequently,
when they will soon commence growing. Abundance of light
and a tolerable share of pot-room are necessary to insure fine
plants. W. KEANE.

DOINGS OF THE LAST WEHEK.

KITCHEN GARDEN.

Put-1n the bulk of the Potatoes on dry days, using the ridged-
up ground for the purpose, planting the Potatoes in the hollows,
and trundling-in the nice mellow soil of the ridges over them,
after they had been covered slightly with material from the
burnt earth and charring-heap. Placed some of the most forward
sprung ones on a north border, covered them with leaf mould
and then with litter; to be lifted again when we can find room,
and to be placed over a mild heat from tree leaves, as we fear we
have not enough of forward ones, and cannot spare a bit of
glass or cloth for a fortnight. Those tubers planted in pots
are now yielding a nice supply for the table.

Prepared ground for Onions, Deeks, &c., and for sowing
spring vegetable seeds. Would like to have the ground mel-
lower and warmer before sowing. In light soils this will be
of less importance, and sowing may be proceeded with. Hoed
over Asparagus and Sea-kale beds, so as to kill any weeds that
might be coming, before giving a dressing of salt. Threw
rough ashes, sawdust, and barley awns over Peas and Beans
coming up. Will move the Peas shortly to the orchard-house.
A row of Tom Thumb in front of one house is looking very
strong and sturdy ; but this Pea, though early, has little except
its dwarfness and earliness to recommend it. How one of
our esteemed coadjutors could sigh after the miserable small
Peas that come in first, as the Sangster’s and the Frames, and
wish for their tasteless produce all the summer through, we cannot
imagine; but, of course, he ought to please himself, and can
easily do so by sowing only those small kinds often enough in
succession. We think we mentioned long ago that we once were
brought to book for sending old Peas to table—considered old
because no one had the courage to taste them owing to their
size, the Peas being fine specimens of Jeyes’ Wonderful, as soft

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ March 24, 1868: * ,

as butter in the dog-days, but larger than Charltons when full '
grown, and then requiring some masticatory powers to fit them
for digestion. In most small places an error is made of sowing
too thickly. Ifthe Peas were a couple of inches apart the crop
would generally be more abundant; but the mice and the birds
are so apt to help themselves, that in self-defence we often sow
thicker, but with no great advantage. A magnificent row of
Parsley in an orchard-house we must get rid of, as it is not
wauted this season. Such a crop would haye been worth much
in 1861, and most likely we will try the same plan again. The
seeds were sown af the end of June close to a row of Dwarf
Kidney Beans, then bearing. By the time the Parsley was any
size the Beans were removed. Parsley out of doors has needed
no protection this season. Some of this Parsley will be stuck in
thickly in a border for roots, as those of the common kind answer
for stewing, &c., nearly as well as the Hamburgh. Those who
save their own seed should now mark-out some of the finest
plants having compact curled leaves,

FRUIT GARDEN.

Netted some dwarf Plum trees that were a mass of fruit-buds.
These trees had been well syringed with the mixture of water,
soot, lime, and cowdung, and the birds had let them alone until
they had it all to themselves during the stillness of last Sabbath
morning, then they pretty well stripped several of the trees ; and
it was not what they ate of the buds, so much as the numbers
they nipped-off and threw down in sheer wantonness, that was
the most yexing part of the affair. We know that many of the
extra advocates of the little birds are so steeped in philosophic
wisdom and endurance, that bardly anything conceivable could
ruffle their mild well-governed spirits; and yet we think that
such sights would be apt to move their choler a little, and that
even they, if their favourite fruit trees were near to well-kept
preserves, would acknowledge that it was possible to have too
much of a good thing.

Finished pruning and nailing Peaches and Apricots out of doors.
Find in the latter still traces of the frost of 1860 and 1861, in
shoots and branches dying-out in places, and some kinds are not
so well covered with bloom-buds as we should have expected.
Watered the borders in orchard-houses, and set out and fresh-
dressed the surface of trees in pots. Our house is a lean-to, with
a walk near the back. We want a trellis of wood or iron for this,
but have not obtained it as yet; butit looms in the future. The
walk being formed of a sprinkling of gravel and sand on the
surface, with an edging of brick on edge, looks well enough, but
it becomes so hard and firm-set, that no water will penetrate ; and
when we break it up to give a good soaking, no person careful
about his shoes can walk on it for some time afterwards. We
incline to think that a cast-iron trellis in pieces some 9 feet long,
and 15 or 18 inches wide, would be the best thing for such a
purpose, where neatness and ultimate economy are considered.
Our sand-and-grayel path would be the cheapest at first, but if
not attended to, the soil beneath is apt to become too dry. In
the meantime, having given the space thus covered a good soak-
ing with manure water, doing it by degrees, we shall prevent the
necessity of breaking-up the path often, by frequent, daily
sprinklings on the surface of this pathway part, and that will so
far prevent free evaporation from the hard surface. A trellis
would allow of air and moisture penetrating freely.

The trees which are not yet all regulated, and which must now
remain so until they are set, are as thick of bloom as they can
bear. Had we time we would thin freely, for if a fruit is
allowed to remain for thirty or forty blooms, it will be pretty
well enough. Some people like small Peaches for tartlets, and a
few may remain for that purpose before the final thinning. We
do not know why, but we never knew Nectarines when young
used for that purpose ; but many people like Peaches as well as
green Apricots. Young Grapes are also vey nice, when not
larger than small lead shot. When the young berries are as
large, or larger than frame Peas, you~ would require to be on
good terms with a grocer to render them palatable. When
very young they are free from such extreme acidity.

Smoked the Peach-houses again for the brown beetle, which
came to us last year as no common visitation, and how we cannot »
say. We went to bed on Saturday night, glad to think that,
haying been over all the trees and found none, we had succeeded
in driving the ugly customer away. We took the opportunity
of watering the borders of the house pretty well with chilled —
water, and then, having well syringed the trees before shutting —
the house up, we congratulated ourselves’ that this torment was -—

March 24, 1863. ]

disposed of for a time at least. On Monday forenoon some of the
lower shoots of the Peaches were as black with the enemy as if
you‘had dusted them with charcoal dust. No doubt they had
been enjoying themselves among the dry nodules of soil, had
sallied out to escape the watering, and, finding the foliage sweet
‘and fresh after our extra syringing, had resolved on having some
of the best that was going. ‘here is little difficulty in killing
them by smoking, by washing with Gishurst, or other things,
as a slight touch will kill; but if the touch be slight it will
only set free prematurely a batch of young ones, or if one beetle
escape you will soon have hundreds. It you take a good fat
full-grown one—say as big as a good-sized turnip seed, and give
it a squeeze with the point of your nail, or the point of a small
stick, you will cause to emerge a string of young ones more or
less fully formed, looking under a microscope like a rope of
Onions. The myriads thus quickly produced by one insect are
incalculable. On the wall-plate of a pit in a sunny day we found
some running about, but have seen none since the frost When-
ever one is seen it ought, therefore, to be hunted-up; and when
none are suspected, the trees, when the fruit is set, should be
syringed over now and then with clear Gishurst water, clear
laurel water, and clear soot and sulphur water, so that the leaves
May not present such a tempting bait for them. A little of
these precautions will often keep them off altogether. We found
last year a beetle very similar covering entirely some plants of
Horseradish; but they did not seem to care for other plants
or leaves placed beside them. This one that has troubled us a
little with the Peaches is very quiet and lazy during the day,
but he can rua about fast enough at night. If allowed their way
they will soon suck all the virtue out of a shoot. If not eradicated
or destroyed in summer, our experience would give us little
hopes of getting rid of them by any means in winter: we
question if eyen a severe frost would kill them—they would
find means for sheltering themselves.

Proceeded with other houses much as detailed in the last and
previous weeks, attending to setting Grapes, training Cucum-
bers, potting Melons, regulating and changing Strawberries,
which are showing their gratitude for the fine sunny days.

ORNAMENTAL DEPARTMENT.

Out of doors the work much the same as in previous week,
Shifting plants, and being smothered-up for want of apace, we
have turned out into earth-beds some thousands of bedding plants,
beginning with Salvias and Calceolarias, and will follow with
Geraniums and Verbenas, These, according to the size of the
plants, will have an average space of 3or 4 inches, so that they may
turn out nice bushy plants in May. They will be protected
from cold weather chiefly at night by whatever can be most con-
veniently obtained. Nothing is better than a roll of calico fixed
to poles. Proceeded with making cuttings of bedding plants as
room could be found for them, pricking-off Lobelias, and sowing
flower-seeds in pots in heat, deferring others a little longer, &c.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.
*,* We request that no one will write privately to the depart-
mental writers of the “Journal of Horticulture, Cottage
Gardener, and Country Gentleman.” By so doing they
are subjected to unjustifiable trouble and expense. All
communications should therefore be addressed solezy to The
Editors of the “Journal of Horticulture, Se.,” 162, Fleet
Street, London, F.C.
also request that correspondents will not mix up on the
same sheet questions relating to Gardening and those on
Poultry and Bee subjects, if they expect to get them answered
promptly and conveniently, but write them on separate
communications. Also never to send more than two or
three questions at once.
cannot reply privately to any communication unless under
very special circumstances.

PackinG Prants ror New Zearanp (A Lady).—From May to July is
the best planting time there; so not a day should be lost in despatching
them. Moss or damp cocoa-nut fibre dust packed closely round deciduous
trees, and in a common wooden box fastened round with iron hooping
Would preserve them as well as any other mode. We cannot say where
you can buy Hepatica or Clematis azurea grandiflora seed.

Gourps (F. S.).—Such Gourds as Big Ben of Westminster, Dr. Lindley,
Goblet, &c., grow large; but for the front of a house we would prefer a
heavy crop. of alesssize. About remoying your Vine, see another part of
our columns.

s Worms in THE Sort oF A Lawn (R. C.).—No mode of banishing them
is more effectual than watering the lawn once a-week with lime-water.

We

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

233

Coxe as Fu—EL—Consumine SMOKE (J. Mackenzie).—We think good coke
is cheaper than coal; but yours ought to be goodat the money. ‘he most
obvious means of lessening the smoke, if coal is used, is to introduce a
small pipe, say from half to three-quarters inch wide, communicating with
the external air, just in front of the fireplace, which will throw the smoke
back on the fire again, A small hole in the furnace door near the bottom
is also useful. A simple mode is to keep the live coal at the neck of the
furnace and the fresh nearest the furnace door, and shove it along as it
burns. The smoke will thus be burned as it passes uver the live fuel, and
what is behind will be gradually coked. We have several times found that
in boiler furnaces a plate inserted below the damper for sweeping the
flue, with a hole of a quarter of an inch in its centre, did much to lessen
the smoke, especially when the damper was partially in.

ProposED FLower PLantTinG (Godetia).—As you want the plants in
your beds to bloom at the same time, to be of the same height, and to pre-
sent an equal mass of bloom with Nemophila insignis, then we would so
far alter your proposed planting as thus, beginning with Koses at summer-
house :—Mignonette; Nemophila, blue; Kschscholtzia tenuifolia, light
yellow ; Saponaria calabrica, bright 10sy pink ; Sweet Alyssum, or White
Nemophila; Nolana paradoxa violacea, or prostrata, blue; Mignonette.
The Conyolyulus minor would be too rampant, and in damp seasons too
green, and in the afternoons too dull. The narrow beds will look as well
without divisions, the plants being allowed to touch each other. A nice
ribbon in lines might also be formed of such a border, 20 by 7 feet, and
then the border might slope, from having the tallest lines at the back.
The Godetias of which you are so fond will do very well for the crosses.
On one side we would sow or use roseo-alba, and on the other side rubi-
cunda or Lindleyana. All these will bloom long if you pick off the flower-
seeds and water in dry weather.

Pruninc ORANGE TrexES (Z.).—Very seldom, indeed, do Orange or
Lemon trees require any pruning, unless they become diseased, when they
may be cut back to a limited extent; or, if trained against a wall, they will
occasionally want a fore shoot taken away. But when grown as bushes or
trees they seldom neetl the knife, unless they encroach on the pathway,
against the glass, or in some way or other usurp more than their allotted
space, when they may becut back by taking out some of the most offending
branches, avoiding by all means giving a clipped appearance. About three
weeks or a month before the season’s growth commences is the best time
to cut them, when they speedily recover and conceal the mutilation.

Preacn TREES IN A House witHouT Fire Heat (D. P. B.).—Your trees
which are in flower will only require plenty of air until the bloom sets,
when they may be syringed; and as it is not unlikely that green fly may
make its appearance, a gentle fumigating once or twice with tobacco
will be required about the time the fruit is setting. Disbudding may
commence, but this must not be all done at once, but by degrees. The
amount of water given must be regulated by the dryness or otherwise of
the site. Generally speaking, deluges of coldspring water are bad; and as
you say your trees are planted against the front of the house, it is likely
agreat part of their roots run outwards, and, consequently those inside will
require less water. We should hardly think your house in the north of
Northumberland would be altogether safe without fire heat from some of
the severe frosts now and then occurring in some seasons; but you may
guard against this by covering the glass with mats, or something of that
kind. After the fruit is set you may syringe the trees every morning,
using rain water for the purpose.

Disa FROM THE Cape (Frank).—The species named by you—viz., Disa
grandiflora, barbata, purpurea, rubra, cucullata, and fragrans, are not
all known to us—in fact, so much uncertainty of late years has arisen in
the nomenclature of Orchids of this class, that it is probable some of the
species you have received may exist under another name. Your best way
is first to treat them as greenhouse bulbs, and after they begin to grow
to increase the heat to that of the stove. I* they be in masses of several
bulbs together that will easily part, separate them at once, but do not tear
off a half-formed offset until it be sufficiently advanced to part easily from
the parent root. We shall be glad to hear how you succeed with them.
Cape bulbs, once very popular, have been neglected for many years, but
are again taking their proper place in public opinion.

Currinc-1n EverGReEens (A Subscriber).—March and April are the best
months for pruning them, as the shrubs speedily afterwards make new
growth, and recover the unsightly mutilation. They may be cut-in at any
time during the winter; but for the reasons above given, we have always
preferred delaying it until a short time before they started to grow. Itis
not advisable to cut all the foliage away; leave a branch or two on for a
time, even if they be cut off hereafter, as they encourage the growth of the

new shoots.

Greasy Liquor (7. H., Reigate).—Apply it to any part of the soil where
Cabbageworts are to be grown.

Temporary EpGinc PLants For A KitcHen GarDEN (G. Graham).—
Beet, as you propose, will do; but wé should prefer Parsley, or say a part
of both with a little Thyme also if wanted. Having 500 yards altogether,
we should say it would be better not to have it all of one kind. One ounce of
Beet seed will sow 100 yards; but as the seed is not expensive, it is better
to sow more than that quantity of seed on the space. Beet bears trans-
planting very well, and it is advisable at all times to sow alittle on some
favoured spot to fill up gaps in the general plantation.

Koun Rast anp Mancoup (Zdem).—Abvout 4 or 5 lbs. of seed of the first
per acre is a fair allowance; the other is a large seed and may take double
that quantity ; but, in seeds that are inexpensive, and when the quantity
of ground is small, it is better not to pinch seed. Sow a little of both in
some favoured corner at the same time as you sow your main crop, so as to
have plants to fill up gaps, &e.

Rose TREes AND Bone Manure (Subscriber).—If the worms whicn are
attracted by the bones seize also upon the roots of your newly-planted Rose
trees, then by ail means take these up and replant them in fresh soil with-
out the bones, allowing the latter to lie ex: osed to the wir if possible to kill
the vermin. If, however, the worms only attack the bones, no particular
harm is done; and if other conditions are favourable the Rose trees will
come allright. If, however, the bark of the roots is eaten away, no time
must be Jost in removing them, washing their roots well in lime water to
efface all traces of the pest before planting them in their future situation.
We are not sure what you mean by the term “‘worms.”

Jamaica Ferns (P. 4,)—If you procured some botanist to name the
specimens, your best plan then would be to advertise the collection for sale.

234

Beate Cvrrines—HEarus: 1n-SumMMER: (7yrv).—Heath cuttings must
be’ regularly -watered-as they: need it-: soaking! them: well vill kill:them.
The glasses must be’ kept on-until roots are formed; and then: be-taken off
by degrees, leaving them off at night first, then morning and: evening in
addition, and then removing them altogether. Seaths bloomed in winter,
if at all free-growing, should be pruned’ pretty well back, kept-close: until
fresh growth is proceeding freely, then more air given, and be fully
exposed in autumn to the sun and airy and be housed'in October.

APRICOT IN A GREENHOUSE (7: Wood).—If' you keep your-greenhouse
warm in winter, or if’ you have a stage so as to shade the back wall, your
Apricot tree will do no good as to fruiting: Ifyou merely keep frost out in
winter, have no stage which would shade the back wall, ard give plenty-of
air in spring—then the tree will'do well: From your description, however,
We suspect the tree wants voot-pruning. If;yow gave as much heat to, your
greenhouse as, from 40° to 45° in winter, and kept it rather clase in, the
spring. a Peach or Vine wouldidowbetter'thanan Apricot, Wie vould not
despair of the Pear trees:for: next season, if you follow the same system,
though we are almost afraid:you haye missed: some of the main tap_roots.

Orcuws (Orchidophilus).—For «1 bulb: of Galanthe yestita from. 2 to
Sinches.would be aigood:size.. Ttis;somewhat difficult;to renovate a neg-
lected eollection. They will require more) shade, and more moisture in. the
atmosphere than healthy specimens; and as, soon as they, aye moving
strength may be communicated by manure-waterings-of a.cool nature, such
as that:from old cowdung, and nodulesiof old cowdung that has been: well
dried may form partiof the.compost., A little manure, if, carefully-applied;
doesithe plants no harm, except the very tenderest of those fixed to. blocks,
and even these we; have seen dipped:in weak solutions ofpmanure with
advantage. The words ‘‘at)least 3feet high,” at pave 598 of the Cottage
Gardener's Dictionary should be struck outs

Four Brppinc-our Grraniums (JV. C. #. V. D.).—If we were confined

to four, kinds, we would have Christine (pink-flowered), Tom Thumb or
@rystal Palace (scarlet), Bijou as, a white-edged, and either Cloth of Gold
or Golden C.xcle as a yellow-edged one. Two more kinds would do for the
largest garden—that is, Mangles’ Vaniegated or Shottesham Pet, and.a deep
rose-coloured one as Rubrum or Paul L’?Abbé.
. Pink VERBENA AND, Epainc For Verprna, (Zdem),—As, a rosy pink,
Great Eastern is very good, while Ida is a delicate pink. Some of the
shaded or fancy sorts make avery good pink, by the blending of the two
colours composing, each floret.. One of the best that way is Herman
Steiger, an old kind. Amongst new ones, Cheerful is a good pink; but
there are so many tints having the name pink that it is difficult for one
person to cheose for another. As an edging for a bed on grass, the old
Variegated Alyssum keeps pace with the growth of the Verbena best ; and
excepting for a light-coloured variety, it-looks as well as anything; but if
the flower be white try Perilla, or Lobelia speciosa.

Frame Hrarep By A Frur (J. Z.).—lt is most likely there has been an
escape of smoke from your flue, but the same evil ‘would arise from ‘too mucly
heat; by negleciing to pive air sufficiently early on a bright sunny day,
the small volume of air ina frame quickly becomes overheated, and bad
results follow. If, however, your Cucumber plants be likely to recover, it
is certainly not advisable to disturb the fine and all the contents of the frame
if it can be avoided. First, therefore, ascertain, if you can, where the
escape of smoke is, and if-there be a drain-pipe at that place stop it up.
‘We presume your drain-pipes are placed upon the flue and not exactly-
eommunicating with the chamber. If the latter, however, be the case,
the temporary remedy is more difficult; but as the season is fast advancing
when atmospheric heat will beess wanted, you might partlywstop the pipes
up with moss that had previously been scalded, to kill all insect life in it.
A little: moss putin each pipeand frequently wetted will filter the heat of
soms crits impurities and charge it with moisture suitable to the wants of
the plants inside, Cucumbers: especially delighting in a nice, agreeable,
humid atmosphere. It is generally easy to detect any pernicious vapours,
in a pit or house by inhaling. the air after: previously being some time in the
open air. Most gardeners know by the testiof their lungs when the heat is
amice and sweet one, free alike from the rankness of unprepared. dung or
the smell of an Arnott stove which fire-heated surfaces often give off. If,
however; your flue be too bad to go on for the present crop, by all means;
have it rectified, and we haye no doubt but-it will act, At the same. time
try and bring the first light into use if you are restricted for space laterally
for your fireplace. Then go deeper, so as to Nave the extra room aboye for
the hot-air chamber and other overheating precautions. If your frame be
a close-fitting one, it would be better to have a small opening at the back:
at all times, Many impurities would pass off that way that might be hurtful
to the plants inside; and as you reside where coals are cheap, the little
extra expense in fuel is of little moment.

THE POULTRY CLUB.

UnveEe the authority of this newly-formed Society a circular

as just been issued. It embraces not only the proposed future
Operations of the collected body of its members, but also ex-
plicitly points out the evil it is intended to eradicate. In the
first place it proceeds to ayow the formation: of the Society has
arisen from “the very different awards of the judges, and the
diametrically opposite opinions, of arbitrators on certain, points,
ag exemplified at’ our different public poultry exhibitions.”

True it is that such variances of opinions haye:‘‘Jed’to the
confusion”? complained of; but the primary, question is this:
From what particulary causes: do. these complaints arise?
Decidedly the most important’ of our shows ltave but little room
for. amendment. in. the, matter. of; the, arbitrations,; but on the

JOURNAL. OF HORTICULTURE! AND: COTTAGE GARDENER,

]

[ Manel: 24; 1863:

contrary; nota, few of our, minor, meetings. haya, justly: calied
forth ‘considerable; animadyersions, from, the, irregularity, of, the
awards, and the perplexities thus,cauged.to,breeders, = *

A case in point occurring not, long sinceis an aptiillustration
ofthe majority of instances of such misundevstandings., Ai show,
that had for many-yeara past held its annualmeetings with unyayy-
ing aud inereasing success, repeatedly added small sums.to. its
surplus incomes, and promised a great, increase both. of size,anc
popularity, as time progressed: Unfortunately for the welfare of
the Society, a new resident in the locality, himself, a, poultry.
fancier, and,then a, subscriber, of £5.to its;revenues, proposed an -
alteration in respect, to. the previous arrangements, for adjudica-
tions, which, he assured: the. committee. would, prove:;most acl:
yantageous on the balance sheets, saving an outlay, of about the
amount of his subscription that, had been, hitherto expended in
judges’ fees, and.an arrangement which he, was,conyinced, woultl
also meet with universal approval: when the awards were. made
known. he experiment. wasitried; as the gentleman, on-whose
behalf! the application. in, committee was, made, assured, that
body hy, letter, that,‘‘he had, been, am enthusiastic, breeder, af
almost every variety of poultyy: for more than, twenty-five years,
and that he had, not, the slightest: fear-as, to. his, competency, to ,
fulfil the duties to the satisfaction,ofall.” Again, he stated, “aa
it was his, greatest ambition to become.a:pouliry, judge, he. would
not) object to give two guineas.to, the Society, besides paying ali
his. own, expeuses, if his offer were excepted.’ Hie came to.duty,
bearing with him not only a,well-knowm publication, for, instant
reference should diflicuity arise, but also a manuscript of his
own, whitten expressly for, this,occasion.. The result was, that
though the Show was adyertised to open as heretofore at midday,
the arbitrator. now appointed had not quite completed his awards
at7 Pw: In a private letter one of the Committee since writes:
“Qur show is, for ever ruined. ‘Ihe instances. in. which the
awards were obvious enough to any, poultry-lover, were got
through. efficiently and speedily ; but, im almost every, case; in
which competition arose, a delay of very considerable duration
immediately ensued for the purpose of reference, and thus
eventually the premiums then under, consideration were given
quite as frequently to the worst as to the better “pens.” The
Judge declared his difficulty arose from the application of his
rules to the birds before him, ‘In his hurry to ‘skedaddle,” he
left his books behind him, which (both the printed and
manescript) were unquestionably good. It would have paid our
purpose better,” says the Committeeman, “to have given
Mr. fifty or ahundred pounds to have stopped away.”

The fact is, it’ wants the greatest practical experience in 4
poultry judge to select at once by the eye, and nicely to balance
the proportionate excellence of rival pens in the short space of
time allotted to the duty. It is a natural gilt to a great, extent ;
for which book-learning will never prove a fitting substitute.’

It is certain, too, that our principal shows will never succum}
to the dictations of the “Poultry Club,” involving as it will
most probably, contending personal interests; neither will the
managing committee of our lesser exhibitions fail to hesitate
before placing the well-doing of theix particular meetings in the
hands of comparative strangera, .A local committee of any show
must of necessity prove the most effective in, its. own manage-
ment. Again, it is probable that none of our most,xreputed
judges of poultry will accept, office encompassed with leading-
strings, or aid in furnishing the code of rules on which, by their
printed admission, the successful, hopes. of this embrya: Society
depend. In our opinion, it is evident that the proposed, Club is
an abortion. without life or power, and, although formed, to
suppress all causes for future grumblings, yet itself it, would
become, if allowed to act, the nursery of dissatisfaction,

Lastly, the assumption of power by such stewards; ‘as happen
to be present,” at any local meeting where the rules of the Club
are in force, will subject themselves to no very pleasing amount
of personal reflections by the attempt, whin called, upon,. as
provided “ to deal with the case as they think, pyoper,” in. cases,
too, where even they may themselves be interested competitors.
Without, vastly, improved rules: and regulations to, those, now
issued, failure is inevitable.

REAL. SPRING CHICKENS,,

Savs Mary Powell, “Phe sojourn of the Court’ at? Oxford
and the number of troops and officers on duty, do cause grea

demand, for, the spring, chickens and) ducklings in, the yard,”

March 24, 1863. ]

Spring chickens did not always bear that name. They wereonce
called—they are now in some places—“ Asparagus chickens :”
the two came together. They were called, also, ‘“ Paper
chickens :” little white fat things used to come in small baskets,
and each was carefully wrapped in soft paper. In France they
are called the poulets a la Reine. e

“What's in a name?” Asparagus, paper, spring, or ¢ la Reine
—few things are so delicious. People have no idea of the extent
of the trade carried on by a small portion of Sussex, nor of the
amount of money turned. At this time of the year the little
delicacies make from 4s. to 5s. each. They seem to be among
fowls like dwarfs among human beings—age brings no increase
of size. The old form gets dry and wrinkled, but it is no larger.

It sometimes happens, at the end of a season, that the hen is
inlled with her progeny, and they all come up together. An
unpractised eye would see little difference. They cannot be
produced or made anywhere but in some parts of Sussex; and
although they are the most perfect specimens of choice poultry
that can be conceived, they have no outward indications of purity
of breed, nor have they any distinctive marks or points. They
are hatched perfect in shape, and in their onward progress they
never arrive at an awkward age; nor are they ever all legs and
wings, or ostrich-like, as many chickens are. Their merits as
table poultry are of the first order; they are small-boned, very
compact, full of meat. A paper-knife would carve one well.
A joint left on a plate for a time will be found, when cold, to be
bedded in its own jelly. He who has not tasted one of these,
carefully boiled, and eaten with a little lemon juice and salt,
has yet something to try.

We are speaking of the perfect. We shall appear paradoxical
when we say no young fowl will make one of these chickens:
one of these chickens will never make a fowl. Many thousands
‘of pounds are returned for these every year from Leadenhall
Market; and Sussex families have lived for many years, from
father to son, by breeding and fattening these chickens.

HOW THEY OBTAIN CHICKENS GRATIS IN
AMERICA. :

OnE of our peculiar, slab-sided, gaunt Yankees lately emigrated
and settled down in the West. He was the very picture of a
mean man, but as he put himself to work in good earnest to get
his house to rights, the neighbours willingly lent him a hand.
After he had everything fixed to his notion, a thought struck
him that he had no chickens, and he was powerfully fond of
sucking raw eggs. He was too honest to steal them, and too
mean to buy them. At last a thought struck him—he could
borrow. He went to a neighbour and thus accosted him :—

“Wal, I reckon you hain’t got an old hen nor nothin’ you’d
lend me for a few weeks, have you, neighbour ?”

**T will lend you one with pleasure,” replied the gentleman,
picking out the yery finest in the coop, one that happened to
desire to sit.

The Yankee took the hen home, and then went to another
neighbour and borrowed a dozen eggs, He ‘then sat the hen,
and in due course of time she hatched out a dozen chickens.

The Yankee was again puzzled ; he could return the hen, but
how was he to return theeggs? Another idea—and who ever
saw alive Yankee without one ?—he would keep the hen until
she had laid a dozen eggs.

This he did, and then returned the hen and eggs to their
respective owners, remarking as he did so :—

“Wal, I reckon I’ve got as fine a dozen of chickens as ever you
laid your eyes on, and they didn’t cost me a cent nuther.’—
(Prairie Farmer.)

SAFE ARRIVAL OF LIGURIAN BEES IN
AUSTRALIA.

Ir will be perceived by the following paragraph, copied from
the “Yeoman” of December 20th, that the four stocks of
Ligurian bees, whose departure for the antipodes by the “ Alham-
bra,” on the 26th September last, was duly announced in Tun
JOuRNAL or Horticunture of the 30th of that month, have
Tteached their destination in safety. We certainly entertained
hopes that one or two out of the four stocks would survive the
yoyage ; but that not one should have failed surpasses our most
Sanguine expectations, and speaks volumes for the skill displayed
by “A Drvonsuire BEr-KEEPER” in providing for the wants
of the little travellers during their yoyage. The result cannot

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

235

fail to be highly gratifying to him, as well as to Mr. Edward
Wilson, to whose public spirit, we believe, the colony is indebted
for this interesting importation, and to Messrs. Neighbour and
Son, through whom the order was given, and who superintended
the transmission of the hives from Exeter to Southampton,
their place of embarkation.

Ata meeting of the Acclimatisation Society at Melbourne, a
report was laid upon the table from the Apiarian Society, upon
the state of the four hives of Ligurian bees lately arrived. It
was to the effect, that, although a very iarge proportion of the
bees had perished from the confinement, yet, in consequence of
all the four queens being alive, the Society confidently anticipate
that these will form the nucleus of an important addition to the
bee-stock of the colony. The report stated that, in consequence
of the small number of Ligurians left in each hive, it had been
found’ necessary to strengthen the hives by placing with them
some of the common bees to provide the necessary food, and
also for the sake of warmth; but this proceeding will in no way
impair the ultimate purity of the new swarms of bees issuing
from these hives.

BEE-KEEPING AT BATH.

In the frontispiece of Jardine’s Natural History, vol. vi.,
“Bees,” 1840, is a very pretty drawing of a honey bee on a
heathbell. The moral and the execution were so good, that I
had it cut on my signet ring, and it has afforded me many a
lesson. It was asa word in season. Since then I have wished
to become a bee-keeper, but never carried my desire into effect
till the spring of 1862, when, stimulated by the discussions as to
the respective merits of the common and of the Ligurian bees, I
purchased the ‘“ Bee-Keeper’s Manual,’ by Henry Taylor.
Thinking it desirable to ‘obtain some experience in management
before incurring the expense of £5 5s. for a swarm of Ligurians
in Mr. Woodbury’s hive, I had a bar-hive made in accordance with
Taylor’s directions, page 56. To be able to compare this with
the Woodbury bar-hive, Messrs. Neighbour supplied me with
one ready for use. My limited experience has shown me the
advantage of this latter shape. The interval between the bars
and the top-board permits the bees free access to all parts of the
hive, and to ascend by several ways to the super. Moreover,
the shape of the Woodbury-bars does not allow the bees so
readily to form their combs in any but parallel lines. I have
found that though a point of the combs in the flat-bar hive may
be attached square with the side, other combs are built in dif-
ferent directions, just as the fancy of the first formation arose:
consequently it would not be possible to remove any one
bar without destroying much comb. On the other hand, the
shape of the Woodbury-bar is so defined, that though the comb
may not be made in a strictly straight line, a bar might be re-
moved without much disturbance of the neighbouring comb.
There can, however, be no doubt that the bees do not like to
form a perfectly straight comb, however accurately a piece of
guide-comb has been fixed on one or more bars.

My hive being ready, and the house for two hives ordered,
late in the evening of April 26th a large swarm, called hereafter
No. 1, was safely housed, unfortunately, in the novelty of the
scene and operation, in the super (of Taylor’s) hive. On May
8rd, another, No. 2, was properly hived in the Woodbury-hive.
My garden being quite a third of a mile away, my pets cannot
be watched, especially by one who from many occupations
cannot see them after breakfast; nevertheless, as they have the
range of very extensive public gardens, abounding in all the
growing trees and shrubs that are known to be fit for this
climate, besides suburban gardens well stocked with apple, pear,
and other fruit trees, as wellas miles of pasture land, they thrive
very well, and return laden with pollen, which, from the abun-
dant bloom of the red chestnut and red hawthorn, is more
often red than yellow or white, as is usually the case.

After a while, hive No. 2 became filled with comb, and the
bees began to cluster on the alighting-board, when the super
was added. This was quite filled with comb in the course of
the summer. No. 1 never did so well—no clustering, no need to
add the super. In the autumn I removed the super and founda
small quantity of liquid honey, which never solidified. I gave
each hive barleysugar. The same difference of vigour cha-
racterised my two hives. No. 1 would take none, while No. 2
fed freely. In the middle of November the troughs were taken
away, the closing-blocks put in their places.

236 =

The last week of January I removed the hives from their
boards, which I scraped and cleaned, as the crocus was showing
bloom, and I thought they wight bestirring out to seethe world
once more. All were then alive, but No. 1 was very light. I
had ordered barleysugar to be in readiness, but, upfortunately, the
cook had made it of brown sugar, and it was toffee, not barley-
sugar, and I feared to give them this. This delay appeared to
have been fatal, for within a week I noticed after a very fine day
a large number of bees were dead in front of No. 1, and within
it there was not one alive. It was a case of starvation, not a
particle of anything edible was there to be found. Numbers had
buried themselves in the cells in the faint attempt to find sus-
tenance. The queen seemed to be perfect. The barleysugar
came too late. The lesson I have thus early learnt is to feed
my bees. : ‘

In the month of August, outside the hives I found many of
the enclosed, which I presume to be larve of the drones, as
about this time the drones became less numerous, and far more
languid in their movements ; shortly afterwards they wholly dis-
appeared. My bees are at present (March 4th) enjoying their
feeding-trough, but do not eat so much as [ had expected.
When should the trough be removed? TI judge from a letter in
a recent Number, that the air whick must necessarily pass
through the hive to it tends to keep the hive cool; and so to delay
the formation of brood. On lifting No. 2 I fouudd several small
white maggots beneath the edge of the box. ‘Were these the
maggots of the wax moth mentioned as one of the enemies of
the hive?

Can I venture to give my bees the brown sugar cake, or must
it be thrown away? I have a friend who for more than twenty
years has had a Nutt’s hive with the side boxes fixed in his wall
with the door behind. These have thriven according to the
season; but his gardener is so afraid of them, that except to
move the zinc slips to give admittance to the sides, they are
never touched or interfered with in any way, still they thrive; and
they gave a large quantity of first-rate honey in 1861—a good
illustration of the wise maxim to let well alone.—B. J. 8.

[It is very possible that what you enclosed were drone larvz,
but they had disappeared before your letter reached us. If closely
covered, the feeding-trough will do little harm, although we
decidedly prefer the bottle. We have given bees brown sugar
in the form you describe, without any evil results, and, therefore,
see no reason why you should not use up what you have on hand,
although it might not be advisable to give it habitually. The
white maggots found under the edge of the box were, doubtless,
the laryze of the wax moth. ]

FERTILE QUEENS—DISTANCE BEES FLY—
HONEY SEASON.

Tue remarks of “ A LaNaRKSHIRE BEE-KEEPER,” in your ex-
cellent Journal of March 3rd, powerfully revive in my mind the
two questions I yentured to put a few weeks ago. The first was,
What is the best method of insuring a succession of fertile
queens? The second, Are there any facts determining the dis-
tance of the flight of the bees in search of honey? J sincerely
hope some of your correspondents will afford us a reply.

The remarks to which I particularly refer are these: ‘‘ They
might do very well in good honey weather; but as the honey
season generally lasts ouly about two weeks here, they would,
probably, lose a great many bees in ordinary weather.” The
fact stated in these words I think not sufficiently appreciated.
“the honey season” I believe to be short everywhere; but will
our friend kindly inform us which he considers to be about these
two important weeks, and also what flowers bloom then from
which the bees gather their harvest? How much must de-
pend upon their proximity to the apiary? Probably the “sea-
son”? may occur at different times in different localities, as the
same flowers may not be within reach of the bees in different
places.

I haye often been surprised at the apparent contradiction
even of my own observations, in their increase or decrease of
weight at different periods, and my observations again differed
from those of others ; but as there never was an effect without a
cause, one feels earnest in the desire to comprehend some of
those causes which produce the mysteries as witnessed amongst
“ our favourites,”

I know that the keen observing eyes of those I could name

. JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

{ March 24, 1863.

among your correspondents, may see perfectly what appears so
strange to us. If, therefore, they will favour us with the benefit
of their knowledge we shall esteem ourselves happy.—EDwp.
FarrBRorHER, Woolwich.

P.S.—I might ‘subscribe myself “A LonpoN BrE-KEEPER,”
and not be far. out.

[ We shall be very glad if any of our able correspondents will
reply to the questions asked by Mr. Fairbrother. We ourselves
find it difficult to do so with any great degree of certainty.
“ Destroy first swarms and keep old stocks,’ is a very good
maxim for the old-fashioned bee-keeper who wishes to secure
young queens, but beyond this little can be said, unless we
advise our correspondent to become a first-rate operator like
“A DEVONSHIRE BEE-KEEPER”’ and others, in which case he
will find the selection and renewal of queens easy enough. The
time of honey harvest varies in different localities, and in dif-
ferent years. In some, such as 1860 and 1862, it never occurs
at all. We know of no facts positively determining the distance
traversed by bees in search of honey. Huish is so notoriously
unreliable, that we do not think much of his authority. With-
out, therefore, any very decisive information to guide us, we
venture an opinion with some diffidenee, although it is founded
on an experience of many years. We believe that the range to
which the honey bee can profitably extend its flight is limited to
a radius of 2 mile, or at the outside a mile and a half. |

BEE-KEEPING IN THE NORTH OF SCOTLAND.

Ayn old and formerly a very successful apiarian writes as
follows :—‘ Absence from home and a careless gardener haye
reduced my once-numerous colonies to one stock; and another
wet summer will certainly finish-off the very few remaining bees
in the north. We depended chiefly on heather for main crops
of honey, and I can only describe our weathe: for the last three
years, by saying that my stocks sent to the heather about the
20th of July, that used to come back well filled, have uniformly
returned lighter than they went; the incessant rain completely
preventing all collecting of honey, and obliging my poor friends
to use up the little they had madein summer. Formerly less
rain used to fall in summer hereabouts than in any other part of
Britain, and we had frost and snow in wiuter, which now are a
matter of surprise.’””— M.

OUR LETTER BOX.

Hens witH Swotten Eves (J. A. Boltonz).—Your fowls have incipient
roup among them. Separate sickly from healthy birds. Give them castor
oil and Baily’s pills. Feed on bread and ale, and let them have green
meat. Wash their faces with cold water, vinegar, and camphor julep. It
only adds to the suffering to tie up the legs and prevent a comfortable
scratch.

Matay Fowts (Rustic Robin).—“‘ Pheasant Malays*’ and Malays”
are as distinct as Hottentots and Caucasians. The Pheasant Malay is, pro-
perly speaking, an Indian Game fowl. It is essentially a bird of feather,
quite distinct in every particular from tlie bird we described. Yours
should be covered with feathers of a rich deep chocolate, spotted all over
with spots of a glossy green black. They should have bright yellow legs,
and be neither as high nor as large as the Malay.

Crive Ceur Fowis nor Larinc (Lady Amatcur).—There are two
things wrong in the treatment of your fowls. Either would account for
partial failure, and together they may account for all your disappointment.
‘The paved yard is very bad, and it mends it little to cover it with straw.
Cover with loose gravel, mould, road saud and bricklayers’ rubbish, or
what you will, a few inches deep; it will keep sweet and afford a scratch,
but straw will not. Next, you overfeed, and your fowls are too fat to lay.
Give ground oats slaked with water night and morning. Feed on what
you willat midday. Your expenses will be less, and your eggs tenfold.

Licvnian Bees (B. G. S.).—T. Woodbury, Esq., Mount Radford, Exeter,
can supply you.

Work on Bees (2. Levett).—Mr. Payne’s ‘ Bealeenine for the Many ”’
can be had post free from our office if you enclose five postage stamps-
Mr. Payne’s hive is the most simple and effectual for managing bees cheaply
on the depriving system. We know a party who supplies a hive and its
Super complete, money paid in advance,

CHotce or Hiyes—Licuri1an Bees (C, #.).—We are not acquuinted
with Knight’s hives, nor, in fact, are we disposed to recommend any par-
ticular description of bee-hive. Why not pay a visit to Messrs. Neighbour
and Sons, at 149, Regent Street, where you will find a large assortment of
all kinds, from Payne’s Improved cottage-hive at half-a-crown up to any
price you please. For information respecting the Italians, write to T.
Woodbury, Esq., Mount Radford, Exeter.

BerksHiee Pics Wanted (J. G.).—You had better advertise in our
columns, and you will have replies with more particulars than we can give
you.

March 31, 1863.] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND OOTTAGE GARDENER. 237
WEEKLY CALENDAR.
WEATHER NEAR LONDON IN 1862, | Say Hae OT
Day | Day i Moon Clock
of |_ of MARCH 31—APRIL 6, 1868. Rain j Sun Sun | Rises |Moon’s| before | Day of
M’nth Week Barometer. |Thermom.] Wind. Thehee? Rises. | Sets. |andSets| Age. | Sun. | Year,
| a ri
| degrees. m. h.| m. h.| m. h, m. s.
31 | Tu Wood Sorrel flowers. 29.623—29 479 60—34 S.W. 08 4lafos | 28af6 | 44 3 12 4 21 90
1 Ww Water Fennel flowers. 29,844—29,769 58—48 S.W. +02 88 5] 31 6) 5 4 13 4 2 91
2 TH Early Orchis flowers. 29.639—29.497 57—56 S.W. 24 86 5] 32 6) 24 4 14 3 44 92
3 F Goop Fripay. 29.786—29.576 63—35 S.W. — 34 5) 33 6) 46 4 15 3 26 93
4 Ss Spider Orchis. ___ [1804.} 30.041—29.980 60—38 S.W. _ 82,5 | 35 6 rises (o) 6 8 94
5 | Sun Easter Sunpay. W. Gilpin died,| 30.050—29,883 56—47 S.W. O04 29 5/387 6) 5lL 8 17 2 50 95
6 M EasTER Monpay. 29,944 —29.865 56—46 S.W. 12 27 5} 388 6 7 10 18 2 33 96
METEOROLOGY OF THE WerrxK.—At Chiswick, from observations during the last thirty-six years, the average highest and lowest
temperatures of these days are 55.7° and 38.8° respectively. ‘The greatest heat, 78°, occurred on the 3rd, in 1848; and the lowest cold, 16°,
on the Ist, in 1838. During the period 143 days were fine, and on 109 rain fell.

FERTILISATION OF ORCHIDS.

AD Mr. Anderson asked me
two days ago for any facts
illustrative of his case of
unopened flowers of Cat-
tleya crispa and Dendro-
bium cretaceum producing
seed-capsules, I could have
given no sort of informa-
tion; nor can I now ex-
plain the fact. By an odd

coincidence, yesterday I received

avery interesting letter from Dr.

Hermann Cruger, the Director of

the Botanic Garden at Trinidad,

0 } who informs me that certain na-

tive species, and native species alone, of Cattleya, Epi-

dendrum, and Schomburghkia, “are hardly ever known
to open their flowers, but which nearly always set fruit.”

In answer to Dr. Cruger, I have asked him to look at the

eu send me some, and inform me whether it appears

good.

Will Mr. Anderson have the kindness to send me a
few seeds produced by his unopened flowers ?

I further asked Dr. Cruger whether these Orchids in
their native haunts xever open their flowers. I can
hardly believe that this can be the case, seeing how
manifestly adapted the structure of their organs of fruc-
tification is to the action of insects. But it is known that
several plants, such as Violets, Campanulas, Oxalis, &c.,
produce two kinds of flowers: one sort adapted for self-
fertilisation, and the other sort for fertilisation by insect
agency or other means. In some cases the two kinds of
flowers differ very little in structure; and it occurs to
me as possible that something of this kind may cecur
with Orchids.

Dr. Cruger further informs me that with certain Or-
ehids, as in those which do not open their flowers, the
pollen-masses after a time become pulpy ; and though re-
maining still cz stu, emit their pollen-tubes, which reach
the stigma, and thus cause fertilisation. ¢

An excellent observer, Mr. J. Scott, of the Royal Bo-
tanie Gardens of Edinburgh, will, I am sure, permit me
to state that he has been making similar observations,
and has seen the pollen-tubes emitted from the pollen-
masses whilst still in their proper positions.

These facts were all unknown to me when I published
my small work on the Fertilisation of Orchids; but I
ought, perhaps, to have anticipated their occurrence, for [
saw the pollen-tubes emitted from the pollen within the
anthers in the Bird’s-nest Orchid, and likewise in mon-
strous flowers of the Man Orchis. This latter fact seems
related to Mr. Anderson’s remark, that flowers of an
imperfect character, wanting a petal or sepal, had a great
tendency to produce seed-capsules.

These curious observations by Dr. Cruger, Mr. An-
derson, and Mr. Scott, convince me that I have in my

No. 105.—Vot. 1V., New SrEries,

work underrated the power of tropical Orchids occasion-
ally to produce seed without the aid of insects; but I
am not shaken in my belief that their structure is mainly
related to insect agency. With most British Orchids this
conclusion may be looked on as established.

I will only add that since the publication of my work,
a number of persons have set seed-capsules with various
tropical Orchids.

Cuartes Darwin, Down, Bromley, Kent.

HISTORY AND CULTURE OF THE
CHRYSANTHEMUM.

Mr. Gurenny wrote, about eighteen months since, a
very interesting article on the introduction of the Chinese
Chrysanthemum into England. He says it flowered for
the first time in this country at Mr. Colville’s Nursery,
King’s Road, Chelsea, in November, 1795, in which year
the name Chrysanthemum (Golden Flower),was first given
to it by Linneus, who distinguished two species, calling
the one with a small flower, indicum ; and the other with
a large flower, sinense. But after his time a diversity
of opinions arose among botanists as to the proper name,
some of them saying the plant belonged to the Anthemis
grandiflora, Anthemis artemisiefolia, and Anthemis sti-
pulacea (Camomiles). Modern English writers call it
Chrysanthemum, with the exception of Sweet, who con-
siders it a species of Pyrethrum, or Feverfew, and places
it under the head of Dendrathema (shrubby kinds). These
differences of opinion arise from the small membranous
scales resembling chaff found on the receptacle of the
flowers of the Chinese Chrysanthemum at the base of the
florets, such being characteristic of the genus Anthemis,
while the receptacle of the true genus Chrysanthemum is
without chaff-like scales. Nevertheless, they are in my
opinion both the same genus.

In the ‘“ Horticultural Society’s Transactions ” of 1831,
a history of the Chrysanthemum is given by Mr. Sabine,
who says they were cultivated in the gardens of Holland,
and described by the celebrated Breynius as far back as
1688. He calls it Matricaria japonica, and speaks of six
varieties. They appear afterwards to have been lost, as
no gardener in 1821 knew anything of them. _

In January, 1826, Mr. Sabine, again referring to the
Chrysanthemum, says, speaking of the rapid progress the
flower had made in this country in a few years, that the
shows of the flower at the Society’s gardens in 1824 and
1825, had been acknowledged by its admirers to be,
taking them as a mass, the most splendid and gorgeous
exhibitions ever seen even in the gayest time of the year.
The Show consisted of seven hundred pot plants. They
began to bloom in October, and continued till December,
with now and then changing a few of them for later-
blooming ones, thus enlivening the garden at a period
when there was nothing else to attract attention. Many
of these varieties were collected by Mr. Parks in China
and Bengal during 1821, and some of them were sent
home by the Society’s gardener, Mr. John Potts.

No. 757.—Vou. XXIX., Ory SERIES.

Oey

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

288

The whole of the varieties in the garden at this period ‘were
forty-eight. These were introduced into the gardens of Hugland

at the following times—one came from China to France in 1789, ,

and. was brought to Kew from Paris in 1790 ; seyen from Sir
Abraham Hume, between 1798 and 1808; one from Mr. Evans,
in 1802; one by Capt. Rawes, in 1816; one by Capt. Larkins,
in 1817; one by Messrs. Brookes, in 1819; one by Mr. Reeves,
in 1824; two from whom not known; four are Hnglish sports ;
and the remainder were sent from China by the Society’s agents up
ito1824. Mr. Colville, a nurseryman at Chelsea, sent to the Society
a sport in 1822, of a pale Pink, grown from the Changeable
Buff; coloured plates of several varieties of which were shown
—viz., the Harly Blush, Parks’s Small Yellow, Blush Ranun-
culus, the Tusselled Yellow, the Changeable Buff, the Curled
Blush, the Tasselled Lilac, and Two-coloured Red, the Pale Bui,
the Windsor Small Yellow, the Clustered Yellow, the Clustered
Pink, the Semi-double Orange, the Starry Purple, the Golden
Lotus, the Brown Purple, the Two-coloured Incurved, the Late
Quilled Yellow, Waratah, the Yellow Indian, the Double White
Indian, the Small Yellow, the Quilled Pink, the Semi-double
Pink, the Semi-double Quilled Orange, and the Pale Purple.

Mr. Munro, in a paper read before the Horticultural Society,
in January, 1826, sajs—‘‘Since the establishment of the
Society in the year 1818, considerable attention has been paid to
the culture of this plant, and the improvement is so great in its
appearance that it rivals those grown in its native country.”
He then gives his mode of treatment, and I find his directions
differ in a very trifling degree from what is generally practised now,
both as regards compost and supplying liquid manures; and I
have no doubt that in those days, had he possessed our present
improved varieties, he would have grown them as fine. He
speaks of a Mr. Joseph Wells as the best grower of that day,
and recommends thinning the buds and watering with liquid
manure as practised at the present day. On account of their de-
licacy, the idea of growing them in open borders was abandoned,
except against south walls, while we have improved varieties
sufficiently acclimatised to flower freely in the open borders,

The best mode of managing Chrysanthemums in the border
I have found to be the following:—Remove the plants after
cutting them down, and put them in close together in asheltered
part of the garden, covering them with a framework of thin laths
to guard them from frost. When sufficiently grown—say
4'inches long, take off the suckers, and put them in small pots
in light, sandy loam, on a south border, in rows, protecting them
from the frost, and giving just enough water to keep them
growing. If you can put them in cold frames so much the
better. Then dig up the border 2 feet deep, mixing a little rotten
dung with a good dressing of fibrous, turfy loam, and fork-in
8 or 9 inches deep. Let it lie rough for the winter to sweeten ;
plant out in the end of March, if the weather is favourable,
giving to each plant a good handful of cocoa-nut fibre, which
keeps the worms from it till it is well rooted. Plant the strongest
suckers 2 feet apart, taking cave the sparrows do not peck ont
the crown. Take off all side laterals\as they throw out, till they
show the second flower-bud. In July reta‘n the three shoots
thrown out from the crown, and take off all side shoots from the
three branches as before till the flower-bud shows itself. Mulch
the borders in August with cocoa-nut fibre, leaf mould, or rotten
dung. Water with weak liquid manure from the 1st of August
‘till they show their colours, and do not allow the plants to starve
for want of plain water, as this throws them back, and when
recovering they are apt tomakea second growth, which prevents
them blooming so early.

Cover them oyer the first week in October, to guard against
frost, and if you haye a frame and can put on glass they will
bloom much finer and cleaner than with canvas. All buds not
showing colour in October are of little use, as they seldom come
‘to maturity in November, and it is generally so cold that the
work must all be done in September and October, for border-
blooming. If against south walls they will bloom much finer,
as they are not so liable to the draughts as under canvas. If
grown in eight-inch pots they must be treated in the same
manner as in borders, except that they require a stronger liquid
manure with good drainage; and if the water do not pass freely
through, force through the mould a thin wire all over the pot,
to open a drainage.

Now for a few words regarding the Pompon, or Chrysan-
themum indicum flore pleno. About the year 1845, Mr. Fortune
brought to the Society’s gardens from Chusan a small semi-

-double, reddish, or light brown Chrysanthemum, which he called }

‘randum, Novelty, Plutus, Raymond, Rifleman, Sp

[ March 31, 1863.

the Chusan Daisy, on account of finding it at Chusan. The
Society propagated it, and distributed it among its members.
Thence it was carried to France, and came into the hands of
M. Lebois, of Paris, an ardent lover of the Chrysanthemum.
He seeded it, the climate being better adapted for ripening the
seed than that of this country. From the seed thus obtained he
raised a great many beautiful varieties\of various colours, some
of them exquisitely formed, and perfectly symmetrical, and,
consequently, the majority of our present collections came from
this source, having been obtained by Mr, Salter, of Hammer-
smith. Still, I find coloured plates of beautiful Pompons in the
Society’s “Vransactions,” as far back as February, 1821.

The French gaye it the name of Pompon, on account of its
small compact bloom, resembling the tuft or pompon on a
soldier's cap.

The following is the method adopted by me in the culture of
large varieties in five-inch pots, from cuttings in June :—Last
year I purchased all Mr. Salter’s and Mr, Bird’s new varieties.
They were delivered to me in May, and I-planted them out in
the borders on receiving them, and allowed them to become
naturalised to the smoky atmosphere for three weeks, which
brought them up tothe first weekin June. 1 then took the tops
off 3 inches long, and put the cuttings into 60-sized pots, one in
each pot, draining the pot with a little cocoa-nut fibre, and
filling up with mould composed of half light loam and half
silyer sand. .I then plunged the pots in the front of a Cucumber-
frame, of the temperature of new milk, and shaded for a fortnight,
giving a little watering occasionally. By the 1st of July they
were well rooted. I then repotted them into fiye-inch pots
drained with cocoa-nut fibre, the compost beimg two-thirds
fibrous maiden loam from Hpping Forest, one-third rotten dung,
and one-third decayed leaf mould, pressing the mould firmly
round the sides of the pot. I then put them in a cold frame for
nine days with a little air to harden them off, and afterwards
removed them to a sheltered, sunny spot for three weeks, attend-
ing to the watering, and every evening syringing the foliage to
wash off the fallen soot, and keep off insects:

At the end of three weeks 1 plunged them three parts down in
the front of the border, making the hole much deeper than the
pot in order to obtain a free drainage. I then commenced
giving weak liquid manure, composed of horse, sheep, and cow
dung, all mixed together in a tub, and this I continued to follow
up till they showed the colour of the flower. As soon as they
began to show and throw out their side shoots I picked these
out, and continued to do so till they showed their flower-bud,
which was in the end of August. When the bud was properly
formed I took off the side shoots on each side of the bud, where
the bud looked healthy and promising; but I was obliged
to let several go on to the second shoot. These did not bloom
quite so early, but all did very well. The average height was
18 inches, with healthy foliage to the rim of the pot, and the
blooms as perfect and nearly as large as those plants in the
borders with unlimited space for growth. ‘They bloomed in the
first week in Noyember, and attracted more notice than all the
other flowers on account of the short foliage.

This system of growing large, well-shaped blooms in small pots
would give very attractive specimens for exhibitions, and they
might afterwards be brought into use for decorating greenhouses
or cottage windows, and be kept in bloom for a month, and it is
far preferable to cutting the bloom off to show, and afterwards
perish in a day or two. Some of the best varieties to grow for
this purpose are, of the larger kinds—Antovelli, Cardinal Wise-
man, Her Majesty, Lord Palmerston, Princess Alexandra,
Talbot, Cherub, Dido, Duchess of Wellington, Dupont de
YEnre, Emily, General Harding, General Slade, Globe, Ton,
Jardin des Plantes, Julia Grisi, Lady Harding, Little Harry,
Lord of the Isles, Madam Lebois, Marshal Duroe, Nil Despe-

hxrkler, Vesta,
and Yellow Perfection. Of, the small kinds, or Pompons—
Fairest of the Fair, Julia Engelbach, Lilac Oedo Nulli, Cedo
Nulli, Golden Cedo Nulli, Andromeda, Bob, Christiana, Héléne,
Graziella, Jessie, Miss Julia, Mustapha, Sainte Thais, and
Pyramidalis. i

If the grower prefers aquantity of blooms instead of very large
single ones, the flower-bud should be taken off, and the stopped
side shoots allowed to remain. These will produce seyen or

‘eight blooms, but they will not flower as soon as the single

bloom. 2
SEEDING ‘THE CHRYSANTHEMUM.
The following mode I saw practised in Guernsey, where T went

March 31, 1863. ]

four years ago, at Christmas, to look after some new varieties.
At the town of St. Peter’s, which is built on a rock a consider-
able height above the sea, I found the Chrysanthemum seeded
freely, and that many of our newest and best varieties were

raised in an alcove on the top of a rock.. About one hundred |

pots were crowded together in the dry, and all the late blooms
of the season were full of seed half ripe. I saw the petals had
been carefully cut off with a sharp pair of scissors close to the
florets, avoiding disturbing the pollen. The buds were quite
firm with the seed. I have practised the same mode myself with
perfect success. Mr. Wyness, of Buckingham Palace, has also
raised a great number of very good varieties. He takes the
seed off in February, and puts it into his pocket to dry for a
week or two, and then sows it in a sharp heat in silver sand, and
it comes up in nine days. I am persuaded that any one can
seed them in the greenhouses or dry stoves in this country if
kept free from damp.
INSECT ENEMIES.

The Chrysanthemum, like the Rose, Holly, Celery, and some
other plants, is injured by having its leaves mined by cater-
pillars, which reside within the leaf and feed upon the paren:
chyma or pulpy part of the leaf; for if the injured leaves are
examined the interior will be found quite destitute of pulp,
and to contain one or several small green grubs of different sizes,
which have eaten all the interior, leaving only the two surfaces
of the leaf entire, and those very thin. The grub when feeding
may be observed through the transparent surface of the leaf,
using the two bent hooks or mandibles which it has the power
to retract within or protrude from the mouth like a pair of
scrapers, and by the action of which the parenchyma is entirely
destroyed, and brought into a state to pass into the mouth of
the larva without difficulty. When the grubs are full grown
they quit the leaves and descend into the earth, where they
shortly afterwards gradually become pup, and appear to lose
all vitality, their form becoming shorter and oval, with the seg-
ments distinct and terminated at each end by two obtuse points.
In this state the insect remains buried in the ground until the
following spring, when the warmth gives birth to the imago of
one of the most beautiful of our species of two-winged flies,
which after throwing off its pupa skin and bursting through the
hardened pellicle of the larva, crawls to the surface of the
ground and takes flight, generally during the months of July
and August; but more or less throughout the summer. There is
no doubt but like the house fly, a succession of generations
is produced throughout the season.

The insect of which the cxterpillar mines Chrysanthemum
leaves, belongs to the Dipterous or Two-winged genus, Tephritis
of Fabricius, and is the ‘lephritis artemisi# of Curtis, and the
Tryptera artemisiz of Walker, in the “‘ Entomological Magazine,”
No. XI., page 84. The fly itself is about one-sixth of an inch
long, and the expansion of the wings when fully extended is
about one-third of an inch. It is of a pale yellowish-buff colour
with a few black hairs, especially at the sides of the thorax
(breast). The wings are limpid and slightly tinged with a yellowish
colour, haying several black spots of various shapes and sizes,
and three uninterrupted bands across the body vary, in different
specimens, from a rusty brown to a shining black. The head is
buff with black lateral hairs, and the wings are marked with
various limpid spots of various forms and sizes. In some speci-
mens the dark marking of the wings is varied with a pale copper
colour, and these present a still more beautiful appearance, the
under side of the body being of a paler yellow, with the abdomen
and thorax highly polished.

To destroy this perfect fly seems impracticable: therefore, the
extermination of the insect must be looked to from the earliest
time of their appearance in the caterpillar state. Picking off
the infested leaves, or the crushing of the larva between the
finger and thumb without destroying the !eaf, appears the best
and only mode likely to prove successful, if adopted in the
beginning of summer, as the destruction of one grub at that
period will not only prevent the production of a numerous
progeny, but will also insure the better growth of the yet
tender plant. he motions of the fly are also very peculiar, for
when seated upon a leaf in the sunshine the wings are carried
partially extended and at the same time partially elevated, and
there is a sidling kind of motion which is possessed in com-
mon with but few other two-winged insects. It is generally
found in the perfect state basking on the broad leaves of the
Laurel and similar-leayed plants, as well as on the Ohrysanthe-
mum.—J. BRooME. :

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

239

[The foregoing is a lecture delivered by Mr. Broome, whose
cultivation of the Chrysanthemum in the Temple Gardens is so
well known. |

THE PANSY,
ITS PAST HISTORY AND FUTURE PROSPECTS.

Ir may seem strange that I should occupy myself with a plant
so common and old-fashioned, but like many things in other
departments as well as in that of flowers, “it was in high repute
once.” Its day has not entirely gone yet ; for some elderly gentle-
men, occupying gardens in happy rural retreats, may still be
found patronising a flower whose name harmonises so well with
the abodes which it assists in adorning by its beauties. Neither
has the fashionable florist entirely discarded it, and the list of
prizes at country horticultural shows often contains one or more
for Pansies. ‘The pages of THe JournaL oF HorTICULTURE
have from time to time been the means of placing its merits
before the world as a bedding plant, and other modes of dealing
with it have also been occasionally set forth; but as the articles on
the subject have probably been lost sight of, a brief review of its
merits, together with a slight sketch of its past history and
present position, may not be unacceptable at a time when the
great diversity of plants we possess renders if no easy matter
to select the best. 5

Tt is impossible to say at what precise period the parent of
our garden varieties of Heartsease, or Pansy, first attracted the
attention of some zealous and far-sezing florist, who either
spared it while destroying the other weeds in his garden, or
transplanted it thither from the corn field or waste where he
found it growing, for the plant (Viola tricolor), is a native one.
At whatever date it was first introduced into gardens, the be-
ginning of the present century found if an occupant of our
mixed flower-borders, and iu a state very considerably improved
as compared with the parent ; and its convenient mode of repro-
ducing itself from seed, served the twofold purpose of originat-
ing new varieties and new plants to supply the place of the old
ones, which seldom survived the hardships of half a dozen years.

he Pansy, however, was never honoured with much attention
until about the year 1825, when its great adaptability to im-
provement, and the almost incalculable manner in which it could
be propagated, as compared with the Auricula, Ranunculus,
Tulip, &c., by which it had been preceded, led some enthusiastic
person to bring it into notice; and so rapid was the improve-
meut in its form and colours, that the botanist seemed almost
at a loss whether to set down the fashionable occupants of a pan
of Heartsease at a flower show as belonging to the genus Viola
or not.

That all the improvements were effected at one time and by
one individual it is scarcely necessary to say was not the case. A
long category of names, including most of the celebrities of the
day, lent able and skilful hands to the work. Amateurs and
professionals alike entered into the spirit of the time, while

‘censors settled the points by which the merits of each flower were

to be judged. ‘his work, of course, occupied some time ; but I
believe there was no previous example of a plant so quickly be-
coming fashionable, and at the same time so rapidly approaching
perfection. ‘he Dahlia was in the field some few years prior to
it, but was several years in making much progress out of the
single condition in which it first reached us. The Pansy, how-
ever, from being a second-class border flower, was quickly ele-
vated into the condition of an occupant of the same beds that
the Tulip, Ranunculus, &c., bad held years before. Like them,
the opening of fresh flowers was watched with interest. I believe
the best varieties then in cultivation were first dignified with
distinct names about 1829; and from 1832 to 1842 may be re-
garded as the most fashionable period of this flower.

The claims of other plants, and the changes in the public taste
by the introduction of plants available for what we now call
bedding purposes, were a heavy blow to florists’ flowers; for
although the Pansy continued to be well represented, and in
many cases well patronised, its showy antagonists—the Verbena,
Petunia, and other flowers, forced it from the position it onee
had ; and though various attempts have been made to reinstate it
by the introduction of varieties said to possess merits qualifying
them for bedding purposes, it is only in some isolated places
where these have been successful. It is, therefore, for other pur-
poses than the ordinary summer decoration of the parterre that

{ we must look for the Pansy again attracting attention.

240

Although, as we have stated, the Pansy has receded before the
more fashionable occupants of the parterre of the present day.
in most places, there are localities where it still retains a re-
spectable place, and these are where our variegated and other
Geraniums do not succeed. The moist atmosphere of the north
is more in accordance with the welfare of this plant than it is
with that of many of its rivals, and in such situations beds of
Pansies present a cheerful appearance. On the contrary, in dry
sunny districts, with long periods in summer without any rain,
this plant falls a victim to mildew, which it is not easy to arrest.
Some years ago I had a tolerably good collection of show varieties
of this plant, but one or two hot summers in succession reduced
them sadly; so that eventually a yellow one called, I believe,
Hon. Mrs. Harcourt, was the last survivor of a long array of
names, aristocratic, warlike, and I fear I must say vulgar, for
the caprice of those who give names to new plants or varieties
descends to oddities as well as soars up to celebrities. OF this,
however, it is not my purpose to speak; but continuing the
history of the Pansy, I may say that at the present day the
number of show varieties falls short of what it was twenty
years ago; and I may also add, that the attempted introduction
of very dark varieties into the bedding system did not receive
much patronage, so that it has been left for another move in the
history of the Pansy to again restore it to favour.

As before stated, the long dry summer in the south of England
was sadly against the Pansy doing well, and in very many cases
was fatal to it entirely. Though not an annual, its original state
ag an occupant in a corn field led to its destruction almost every
year, and consequent reproduction by seed. This condition,
however, was in some degree altered in the cultivated plant ; still
the tendency of the plant was to succumb when it had flowered
and ripened seed, and when its roots felt the scorching effects
of a bright sun in the dog days, for mildew carried off large
numbers. It was, therefore, not without feelings of much satis-
faction that some eight or ten years ago a new race of double
Pansies was brought out, which certainly possess the qualification
of withstanding the heats of summer better than any of the
single sorts by which they were preceded. For many years I
have disregarded all others but the doubie kinds, and have often
turned them to useful account for furnishing the beds in winter,
by striking cuttings in August, and planting them as soon
as the beds were at liberty in autumn to receive them. Their
tidy, stocky appearance improved the aspect of the beds; and,
planted amongat Roses or in mixed borders of herbaceous plants,
the double Pansy is always worth a place. The only drawback
to the kind I have had so long is its liability to return to the
single condition from which I expect it was originally a sport.
Perhaps one or two plants in a bed may return to the condition,
or parts of plants may do so; but in other respects the double is
ag perfect as could be wished, and the flowers bunch well in small
bouquets.

Lam glad, therefore, to see that other varieties in the double
form are making their appearance, and hope they will be im-
provements on those we possess. I do not know the qualities of
the one lately advertised in the columns of Tur JouRNAL oF
Horricvrtvee, but I should like it all the better if it were a
clear bright yellow without the least tinge of other colour in it.
Next to that, 2 good double white would be an acquisition.
Perhaps I may be fastidious or whimsical in my choice; but I
like best to look at a flower when ina growing state and attached
to the plant, when, it is needless to say, its appearance differs
widely from what it presents when forming along with others a
bouquet, stand, or pan. In the latter case the artificial arrange-
ment to which the flowers are subjected differs so widely from
the contrast they individually would have to the plant that pro-
duced them, that a bed of flowers and a bouquet must ever be
regarded as widely different. It is, therefore, to the clear yellow
and clear white of the double Pansies that we must look for our
flower-garden favourites in future; and however meritorious
mixed coloured ones may be, there is no place for them in the
bedding department.

It is hardly necessary here to advert to the easy manner in
which the Pansy is propagated. Cuttings of the small wiry
shoots from the centre of the plant are best, but the outside
branches will also grow. All the preparation that is required is
a little river sand spread over any border and slightly worked-in,
8 little more sand being placed on the top; then the cuttings
may be put in and shaded for a week or two, watering of course
when necessary. It is seldom that they are struck under glass.
Tt is not unusual to put in cuttings of other hardy herbaceous

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

j{ March 31, 1863,

plants at the same time—as Alyssum, double Rockets, Phlox,
Pentstemons, &c. ; and if advantage can be taken of dull weather
to do this work, the success will be the more certain.—J. RoBson.

DISAS FROM THE CAPE.

AN answer is given to a question relative to these Orchids in
the last Number, from which I beg respectfully to differ en-
tirely, and by following it, I am inclined to think, “‘ Frank”
would lose the best part of his collection. I do not know by
name any of the Disas there mentioned except grandiflora, but
they are probably allied species requiring the same treatment.
That treatment I have more than once spoken of in THE JOURNAL
or HorticvntuRE; and shall, therefore, now merely say that
it consists in treating the Disa in a totally different way to
Orchids as generally so called. This beautiful terrestrial Orchid
inhabits a ravine on the top of Table Mountain at the Cape of
Good Hope; and as that is most frequently covered with the
mists from the ocean, it will be at once seen that at so high
an altitude, where the thermometer sinks to 32°, Orchid-house
treatment would not suit it. I have seen quantities of D. gran-
diflora with my friend Mr. Leech, of Clapham Park, and have
through his kindness a plant, now most vigorous, which will
throw up its blooming-stem shortly ; and this has been sub-
jected simply to gresnhouse treatment, with this addition—that
it has stood in a pan of water ever since the autumn, and will
continue to be so treated. I do not believe you can give it too
much moisture ; and I would advise “Frank” to pot his into
small pots in peat and sand, give them a good soaking, and,
when the signs of growth manifest themselves, to keep them
continually wet in a shady part of the greenhouse. Avoid the
stove by all means. I should be glad to know by-and-by whether
he has succeeded, and whether the sorts he names are all species,
or whether some are not varieties of D. grandiflora. He may
be confident that the only treatment that suits them is the one
detailed above, for the knowledge of which we are indebted to
Mr. Leezh of Clapham.—D., Deal.

[We believe this treatment to be right; but we may hear on
the subject from the authority who furnished us with the answer -
in our last.—EDs. |

THE ROYAL BOTANIC SOCIETY’S FIRST
SPRING SHOW.

THE opening Show for the season was held on Saturday last,
and for the early period of the year the display of flowering-
plants was very good ; whilst the beautiful cut Roses shown by
Mr. W. Paul, of Waltham Cross, and Messrs. Paul, of Cheshunt,
formed of themselves a most attractive feature. The objects
exhibited were arranged with Mr, Marnock’s usual good taste,
on turf stages in one of the large tents, and the effect of the
whole, especially when viewed from the end next the conserva-
tory, was excellent.

Of Hyacinths, excellent collections were exhibited by Messrs.
Cutbush, of Highgate, and Mr. W. Paul, who each furnished
one hundred pots, the varieties being nearly if not exactly the
same as those shown at Kensington on the 18th inst. Harly
Tulips were likewise shown in good perfection by both these
gentlemen.

OF foliage and flowering plants, good collections were shown
by Messrs. Veitch, A. Henderson & Co., Williams, and Bull.

Messrs. Veitch had a fine plant of Rhododendron jasmini-
florum; Princess Bacciochi Camellia, a very handsome plant ;
Maranta vittata; Hriostemon densifolium ; Chamerops humilis;
and Azalea Carminata, a fine pyramid of crimson bloom.

Messrs. A. Henderson’s plants consisted of Hriostemon densi-
folium, a nice bushy plant; Boronia pinnata; Aphelexis ma-
crantha purpurea; a handsome plant of Pandarus jayanicus
variegatus ; and large and fine specimens of Dracsena ferrea and
Maranta variegata.

Mr. Bull contributed fine specimens of Azalea Triumphans,
Cibotium princeps, Gleichenia flabellata, very large plants of
Pandanus utilis and Chandler’s Elegans Camellia, also Yucca
aloifolia variegata.

Mr, Williams, of Holloway, sent Vanda suavis, with a hand-
some spike of its beautiful flowers, Pavetta borbonica, Cordyline
indivisa, Azalea Empress Eugénie, and fine plants of Vanda
insignis and Dendrobium nobile.

March 31, 1863. ]

Messrs. Lee, of Hammersmith, were likewise the exhibitors of
a fine collection of plants, the same as that referred to in our
columns of last week.

From Mr. Young, gardener to R. Barclay, Esq., of Highgate,
came Weigela rosea, now well known as one of our best flowering
shrubs both for in-door and out-door work, Coleus Verschaffelti,
handsomely grown and some 5 feet across, Rhododendron
Biandyanum, Csladium bicolor splendens, Azalea Fielderi, and
Maranta zebrina. Mesers. F. & A. Smith, of Dulwich, likewise
showed collections of stove and greenhouse plants.

There was a class for Coniferous or other hardy evergreens in
pots ; and here Mr. Standish, of Ascot and Bagshot, stepped in
with his new Japanese introductions, among which were the
femaie plain-leaved Aucuba; Retinospora pisifera aurea, with its
golden-tipped foliage; Sciadopitys verticillata and its yellow
variegated variety ; Osmanthus ilicifolius and its variety aureus ;
Retinospora obtusa; hujopsis dolabrata, and the variety of the
same with white variegations, and some others of the new
acquisitions which we owe to Mr, Fortune’s explorations.

Camellias were contributed by Messrs. Veitch, who had hand-
some plants of Valtevaredo, Alba plena, Alexina, Marie Morren,
2 deep rose, and Drysdali; whilst the fine new varieties, Queen
of Beauties, Bicolor de Ia Keine, and Lavinia Maggi, were
exhibited by Mr. Standish.

Of Roses in pots, some magnificently flowered plants, which
were the admiration of every one, came from Messrs. Paul and
Son, of Cheshunt. They consisted of Victor Verdier, Virginal,
Madame J ulie Daran, Jules Margottin, Goubault, Anna de
Diesbach, Elizo Sauvage, Madame de St. Joseph, Comtesse de
Chabrillant, Solfaterre, Triomphe de TExposition, Louise
Odier, Paul Ricaut (the only one to which exception could be
taken), and Enfant Trouyé, a beautiful yellow Tea.

To the cut Roses we have already alluded as affording a very
attractive feature to the Show; but it would be tedious to
enumerate all the varieties which were exhibited. It will suffice
to say that nearly all the leading varieties were included in the
collections, and that the flowers themselves were, with but few
exceptions, all that could be desired.

OF other objects—Cyclamens were shown by Mr. Howard,
gardener to B. Edgington, Esq., Wandsworth; Mr. Wiggins,
gardener to W. Beck, Hsq., Isleworth; and Mr. Holland, of
Spring Grove, Hounslow; and the whole of the pots were very
creditable to the exhibitors. Pansies came from Mr. Bragg, of
Slough, aad Mr. James, gardener to W. Watson, Esq. Chinese
Primroses from Messrs. Cutbush and Mr. Vodman. Cinerarias
from Mr. Holland and Messrs. Dobson, of Isleworth, who,
among others, had Princess of Wales, which seemed a promising
sort, white, with a magenta edge.

Messrs. F. & A. Smith, of Dulwich, had several handsome
double Chinese Primulas, seedling Cinerarias, their new double
white Azalea Flag of Truce, and other plants, previously exhi-
bited at Kensington.

In the class for new and rare plants Mr. Bull, of Chelsea,
was @ principal exhibitor. Many of the objects which were
brought forward here have, however, been noticed in our previous
reports, such as the Yucca quadricolor and Stokesii, Pandanus
elegantissimus, Nephelaphyllum cordatum, &c. He had, besides,
two bright scarlet Amaryllises called Conqueror and Fire
King, which were very showy, and Bougainvillea spectabilis
flowered in a four-inch pot, the bracts being small but well-
coloured.

Messrs. Veitch had Camellia Giannina Milli, a pretty cupped
white variety ; Filippe Parlatore, carnation-striped on a blush
white ground; and Giardino Santarelli, the centre petals deep
Tose; and the marginal white; also Dracena striata, a highly
ornamental foliage plant, especially the young leaves, which are
of a bright pink; and Hoteia japonica with very ornamental
spikes of small white flowers.

Mesers. A. Henderson & Co, had the lavender-flowered
Hebeclinium atro-rubens ; Tropxolum Ball of Fire, the flowers of
which are of a splendid bright scarlet ; and J)raczena cannefolia
with immense dark green leaves. And Mr. Parker, of Tooting,
among other things, contributed Funkia univittata and Symphy-
tum officinale with the leaves deeply margined with pale yellow.
Phalenopsis Schilleriana was exhibited by Mr. Williams, of
Holloway, and Mr. Wiggins, each plant having a handsome
spike of bloom, that on Mr. Wiggins’s being the larger. Messrs.
lee, of Hammersmith had Camellia Lavinia Maggi, Hermione,
a double white Azalea with here and there a carnation streak ;
also a box of cut Camellias.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

241
FLOWER-GARDEN ANNUALS.

THE accompanying list of annuals has been sent to us for
approval by a correspondent from Newport, Monmouthshire,
and we append the remarks of a good authority ; but we shall be
glad to learn the opinion of others, as catalogues of annuals have
become go extended of late, that itis possible many useful species
may have escaped the notice alike of our correspondent and his
adviser. We, however, give the list as sent us, followed by the
notes that have been prepared on the subject.

Marigolds—African and French,

1. Asters—Dwarf Chrysanthemum- 37.
tall and dwarf.

flowered and Giant Emperor.

2. Athanasia annua. 38. Mimulus cupreus.

3. Asters—Bouquet. 39. Nolana alba.

4, Ageratum mexicanum nanum. 40. Oxynra.

5. Anagallis, mixed. 41. Oxalis tropzoloides.

6. Arctotis grandiflora. 42, Poppy—French, mixed.

7. Browallia, mixed. 43. Phlox Drummundii, mixed.

8. Brachycome iberidifolium. 44, Rhodanthe Manglsii.

9, Clarkia pulchella flore pleno. 45. Stock—White wallflower-leaved,
10. Chrysanthemum Burridgeanum. Ten-week, German, and Dwarf
11. Calendula officinalis superba. Bouquet.

12. Cen\aurea gymnocarpa. 46. Salpiglossis, mixed.
13. Cenia alba. 47. Schizanthus, mixed.

14. Campanula pentagonia. 48. Spraguea umbellata.
15. Cotula aurea. 49. Schizopetalon Walkeri.
16. Calandrinia umbellata. 50. Silene armeria alba.
17. Calliopsis,nigra nana. 51. Sabbatia campestris.
18. Calendula pluvialis. 52. Viscaria, mixed.

19. Dianthus chinensis Heddewigii. 53. Zinnia elegans flore pleno.
20. Erysimum Peroffskianum.

21. Eucharidium grandiflorum album Ornamental foliage.
22. Feverfew, double white. 54, Venus’s Navelwort.

23. Gulia tricolor. 55. Crimson Orach.

Gaillaraia grandiflora.

. Grammanthes gentianoides.
26. Gypsophila muralis. 56.
27. Heliophila araboides.
Isotoma petraa alba.

Scented Annuals.
Mignonette.
Limnanthes Dovglasii.
Abronis umbellata.

29. Iberis umbellata. 59. Cedronella meyicana.
30. Indian Pink, double white. 60. Amblyolepis setigera.
31. Iberis grandiflora alba. 61. Nemesia floribunda.
32. Kaulfussia amelloides. 62. Centranthus ruber.

33. Larkspur, tall Stock-fiowered 63. Scabious, dwarf scarlet.
(blue). 64. Amberboa moschata and odorata
34. Leptosipnony new French hy- Sauerlastingss

65. Helichrysum compositum maxi-

85. Leptosiphon densiflorus albus.
36 mum, mixed.

. Lobelia speciosa.

[It is no easy matter to take up a comprehensive catalogue of
annuals of the present day, and give a decided opinion on what
is really good. Many who grow flowering-plants on an exten-=
sive scale grow but few annuals. he mode of keeping half-
hardy plants through the winter and propagating them in the
spring has of late years been so much simplified, and is now
carried to so much greater extent than it was years ago that,
comparatively speaking, few annuals are grown on what is called
the large bedding-out plan. Nevertheless annuals have their
merits, and it is to be hoped some one better acquainted with
them than I am will give us the benefit of his experience ; but as
most of those mentioned above are well known, a hasty glance
at each will suffice. Additions thereto will be treated of after-
wards.

Commencing, therefore, in the numerical order they are placed
in, we may say that Nos. 1 and 3 are gcod; 2,not known; 4, grows
taller and flowers later than the same kind kept through the -
winter, and propagated in spring; 5, middling, only presents
few flowers to look at in the distance; 6 is said to be good;
7, too tender in ordinary seasons for out-doors; 8, requires a
dry soil; 9 and 10, both good; 11 and 18, varieties of Mari-
gold, than which nothing looks better when they are good;
12, rather coarse; 13, not remarkable; 14, there may be some
other Campanulas added as well as the one given—Venus’s
Looking-glass belongs to this genus; 15, not known; 17, 19,
20, and 21, all good; as likewise are 22, 23, and 24, all favourites 5
25 is said to be good; 26, not remarkable; 27, good; 28, if
resembling Isotoma axillaris it is good; 29 and 31, Candytuft,
of which there are several good varieties; 30, also affords many
useful varieties ; 32, good; and 33, deservedly so, several varie-
ties deserving attention ; 34 and 35, good and hardy ; 36, per-
haps the best of all annuals, though not an annual either;
37, indispensable, sow several varieties ; 38, requires rather moist
ground; 39 and 40, good; 41, not much acquainted with;
42, good for shrubberies; 43, on a peaty or moist soil is very
fine, but useless in dry places; while 44 is quite at home there;
45 needs no commendation; 46, I have never been successful
with ; 47, fine; 48, said to be good; 49, do not know the
variety ; 50, said to be good; 51, too tender for out-doors;
52, good and hardy; 53, good, the single is, perhaps, better than

242

the double; 54 is certainly wrongly placed; while 55 is inferior
to Perilla nankinensis; 56 is good; 57, only slightly scented ;
58, showy plant; 59, a stranger; 60, said to be good; 61, not
known; 62, not much scent; 63, more remarkable for flower
than scent; 64 are related to Eschecholtzia.

Although the above list comprises as many names as most
small growers would care to have, there are, nevertheless, several
other good annuals from which a selection could be made as
useful and showy as that described above; andif we except the
Asters, Stocks, and French and African Marigolds, there are four
others omitted in the list that I would place before any that are
in it. These are Saponaria calabrica, Collinsia bicolor, Nemo-
phila insignis, and Portulaca. These seem to me so indispensable
where annuals are grown, that I am surprised at their omission.
Tastes, however, differ, and some one else may suggest others
which may be thought still more deserving ; but as my list is not
yet complete, I may say, that in addition to those of which the
names are already given, the blue Conyolvulus is worthy a place.
Senecio elegans and some of the Lupine are also pretty ; and
Delphinium chinense as well as others is good. The double
Sunflower, Helianthus, is also an excellent adjunct in the back-
ground; while Virginian Stock, Scarlet Valerian, Bartonia aurea,
and some of the Gnotheras and Godetias, are all useful in their
way. ‘The dwarf and pretty Clintonia pulchella is also an
acquisition, not less so being Linum kermesinum and others. The
old EHschscholtzia crocea and others are rather coarse, but some
admire them ; and a bed of seedling Petunias lasts through the
season well. Venidium calendulaceum is also good ; and, perhaps,
the prettiest of all blue is a bed of Salvia patens; while Lotus
jacobeus and Martynia fragrans ought not to be forgotten.
Trachelium coruleum is also deserving of a place everywhere.
T believe some of the Aquilegias are good, but I have never been
successful with them. Many other plants, however, might be

added, but I leaye the further extension of this list to other

hands ; I will however, mention a few having remarkable foliage
wah our correspondent has wisely placed in a class by them-
selves.

In the first place stands Perilla nankinensis, a plant much
better than Purple Orach. Equal with this, but nofso extensively
grown is, I believe, Amaranthus melancholicus ruber; while in
a like strain, though beautiful-flowering plants too, are Love-
lies-bleeding and Prince’s Feather. All these have a bronze-
coloured foliage. In direct contrast with them is Salvia argentea,
a white-leayed plant, woolly, and conspicuous. In the large-
Jeaved class are some of the genus Ricinus or Castor Oil Plants.
Marvel of Peru is also a singular-growing object, though not
more pretty and graceful than Canna indica, or some of its
kindred species, In a smaller way are some pretty Grasses, as
Stipa pennata. The Ice Plant is also singular; as likewise is
Tobacco, and the berry-bearing Phytolacca decandra, which,
however, is very tall, though not more so than Heracleum
giganteum; and I do not know that either of them excels a
plant of the common Hemp for beauty of foliage. This list,
however, may be extended so far as to become, perhaps, as
numerous as the other.

In addition to the three classes given by our correspondent, he
might have added a fourth for creepers, which would have beon
as interesting as any. Cobcea scandens, Maurandya Barclay-
ana, Hecremocarpus scaber, Tropeolum pereprinum, and some
others are alluseful; while Sweet Peas and some of the Tropzo-
lums are also indispensable—in fact, the dwarf varieties of Tro-
peolum ought to have a prominent place in the list of flowering-
annuals, which I find I have omitted. But if is a most difficult
task to limit the number of species of annuals which different
individuals might recommend; and supposing a person restricted
the list to twenty, might I ask what would these be, omitting
Stocks and Asters, which are every one’s favourites? It is
questionable if anything like unanimity would exist amongat the
first ten persons that might be asked the question: neyerthe-
less, the question is one well worth asking, as I confess my
knowledge is far from being perfect in this matter. |

GARDEN ENGINE.

Azovr this time last year I:purchased from Mr. G. Heaven,
High Street, Birmingham, a garden engine, price 9s. It
throws a continuous stream to a distance of 40 feet, and is
now, after twelve months hard work, as good as ever. The
workmanship is rough, but there is not likely to be any

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ March ‘31, 1868.

injury done to this engine which a tinman could not remedy-
I was told that a Frenchman, too poor to take out a patent,
was the maker.—E. H. : i :

MESSRS. CUTBUSH’S EXHIBITION
OF HYACINTHS AND OTHER SPRING FLOWERS.

Cockney though I am, and born within the sound of Bow
bells, "Ighgate *ill had until last week been a tera incognita to
me. I had never toiled up what to Londoners is, I dare say,
quite a Snowdon or Grasafel—had never admired the wondrous
wit at which I suppose successive generations of citizens have
laughed as they sat on those seats, where admonitions to take
care of defacing them are graven with such laconie wit, that a
man must be indeed bent on mischief who could do so; and
even now I had not attempted the feat, had not frequent and
pressing invitations from Mr. James Cutbush and my own love
for the Hyacinth tempted metodo so. And although a corre«
spondent has given his ideas on the subject already, I hope it
may not be ont of place to record my impressions of this Hxhi-
bition, so well worth the visit as it was to all who have a real
love of flowers.

As Hyacinth-growers this firm has stood at the top of the
tree for many years; and although I am not going to “ reveal
the secrets of the prison-house,” I may say that these impor-
tations of bulbs from the first growers in Holland haye during
the past ten years increased twelvefold, so much more widely
spread is the taste for floriculture, the stimulus to bulb-growing
having been in no slight degree augmented by this very
Exhibition of which I am now writing. I was quite assured
of a kindly reception from Mr. Cutbush, and am indebted
to him for a very pleasant morning spent amongst his spring
flowers.

The greenhouse in which the display takes place abuts on the
residence, and skirts it at two sides. As arranged for the Exhi-
bition it is filled up with a stage, the back reaching up the
back wall to within a few feet of the top, and with a broad shelf
running round the front. The arrangement displayed consi-
derable taste, and gave a very pleasant and bright appearance
to the house. On the lowest shelf there was a row of double
Primroses, yellow and lilac alternating. Above them was a row
of the dwarf miniature Rose in nice bloom. Above that again
arow of Primulas and Mignonettes, the Cyclamen on one side
of the house taking the place of the Primula. Above that
again a row of Tulips in pots, then a row of Cytisus and
Deutzia scabra alternately; while the shelves above these were
crowded with a gay mixture of Azaleas, Camellias, Dielytra,
Kalmias, Epacris, Cinerarias, Narcissus, and other spring
flowers—pots, stages, and all being hidden by the profusion of
bloom and quantity of foliage. On the front shelf the
Hyacinths were arranged, all being placed in 24-pots, and then
covered with green moss gathered in Epping Forest. This
plan has been adopted in preference to that formerly used of
plunging the pots in moss, which was found to be too heating
for the plants,

I have been anticipated in the lists I had taken of what
seemed to be the most beautiful varieties; and I hardly think
it is worth while again filling up space with a mere list of
names, for there can be but very little difference of opinion as
to what constitutes a good Hyacinth and what flowers come
up most closely to the required standard. Many of the new
yvarieties—and we must recollect that it will be years before these
come down to the reach of ordinary mortals—cost two guineas,
which is a large sum for a plant; but for a plant that only gives
a good bloom once, and then must be consigned to the border,
it is very high, And when we talk of improvément and the
probability of something novel making its appearance, we must
recollect that if a seedling be raised this year it will not come
into general sale for nearly twenty years! hence we) older ones
must content ourselves with what we have, leaying to our
juniors to look out for Hyacinths twice as large as anything we
haye now, and of all imaginable and unimaginable shades of
colour. Mr. Cutbush informed me that of the’beds of seedlings
which he saw in Holland, by far the greater number were of
that lilac shade of which Haydn and Unique may be considered
as types—a colour more interesting to foreigners tham to us,
with whom I do not think it, finds much favour.

I find that Mr, Cutbush’s experience with the Hyacinth is’
the same as that of florists with every other flower, that there

March 31, 1863. ]

are some seasons in which some kinds are especially good and
others inferior—facts which are difficult to account for, but
which are nevertheless true. He had told me that the bulbs
were not so good this year as usual; but I am bound to say
that I saw no evidence to that effect.

The collection of Amaryllids exhibited by Mr. Cutbush at the
Show at South Kensington on the 18th were likewise in bloom,
and finer bulbs I never saw; but the sorts generally wanted
that breadth of petal which we consider necessary to form a
first-rate flower, such as Mr. Williams’s Amoryllis Unique.
The treatment to which the bulbs had been subjected must have
suited them very well, for they were of very large size and in
fall vigour of growth.

Tn the other departments of gardening Mr. Cutbush is making
also great advances. ‘The prevailing taste for Roses has induced
him to erect a span-roofed house for the purpose of growing
them and Vines. The stock looked uncommonly well, and con-
tained all the best varieties of Roses. One is often tempted to
ask what becomes of all the Grape Vines. At every nursery
one sees that they are grown in great abundance, and all speak
of them as selling well. Roses one can understand, but Vines
are a different thing; and we must suppose that very few are
left of the older plants, and that the new ones have taken their
place. Bedding plants were also cultivated, and the usual
assortment of nursery stock. I also noticed the, to me, inter-
esting sight of a small beginning of a collection of Auriculas,
grown not for sale, but as a little hobby of Mr. Cutbush.—
D., Deal.

VENTILATING & WARMING HORTICULTURAL
STRUCTURES.

Tux articles upon this subject which have lately appeared in
your Journal, are as highly instructive to the general reader as
interesting to those whose knowledge enables them to under-
stand the laws of aération by the power of heat.

Having had much experience, and devoted much time to ex-
periments in heating and ventilaing, and having tried most of
the systems for heating in general use for mansions, cottages, and
horticultural structures, I have arrived at the conviction that
the prevailing error is warming too much and ventilating too
little. The great secret lies in combining the heating apparatus
with a thorough ventilating system, and supplying a sufficient
quantity of air, ever changing and circulating through the
building at a proper temperature, without at the same time
wasting in the chimney-flue more heat than is wanted to carry
off the smoke and make the fuel combustible.

We can arrange a most economical and most useful heating
apparatus for large establishments, by combining hot-water
pipes with the Polmaise, or air-chambers having ventilating
openings to regulate the quantity according to the change and
perpetual alteration of temperature in the external air.

The public generally consider many of the newly-invented air-
warming stoves, Polmaise and Arnott’s, &c., to be failures. The
principal cause why is, because the warm-air-chambers are too
small to supply the proper quantity of air required to keep up
the temperature, without overheating and destroying its life-
sustaining properties. If we allow the air to take up the heat as
fast as the fire gives if out, then the warm supply of atmosphere
will not beburnt. It is through confining it too long in a small
hot chamber that it becomes exhausted, and its properties de-
stroyed. When the space required to be warmed is rightly
apportioned to the apparatus employed, the air absorbs the heat
as fast as it is generated without destroying the atmosphere. If
we understand this rule we can use any system of heating for
ventilation. very living thing requires fresh air, plants as well
as animals. Nature has provided sufficient for usall, and supplies
it abundantly to the doors of the mansion, cottage, or other
erection; but with doors and windows we try to keep it out,
because the air in our climate is cold and damp, and, rather
than admit it in that state, we try to live as long as we can in
impure air, for the sake of comfort in our dwellings. To make
air life-sustaining and healthy, depends upon ourselves. Cold

or warm air has the property of supporting life, if it be good;

but bad air destroys life. Air in circulation promotes health ;
but in a state of stagnation breeds disease.

The exhibitions of plants, from time to time, prove that when
care is taken by the cultivator in this country he can imitate
the temperature of our climate, and show clearly that heat properly

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

243

combined with air produces exotic plants equal to those of their
own native homes, which are warmed by the sun. To be uniform
in sucess will depend upon our power of assimilating an artificial
atmosphere suitable to the wants of the nurslings in our con-
servatories.

This is a question that now requires more attention than if
has hitherto received; and it is evident that no system of ven-
tilation, unless combined with heating, can in this country
provide what is wanted—that is, the knowledge how to make
a comfortable and healthy artificial clime in our dwellings. A
nobleman some years back, on observing my process of heating
conservatories, addressed me thus—‘* I want you to make the
climate of Italy in my own house. I cannot go to that country,
but I desire its genial atmosphere.” I carried out this order,
not by shutting the air out, because had I done so we should
have had no substitute for its healthful motion. Heat we could
have, it is true; but heat is not air, and if we stop out the air
we have nothing to warm. It was then and there I first adopted
my plan.

We meet with people daily who are fitting-up heating
apparatus, but who are not ventilating, without the slightest
idea that such is the fact. I met a gentleman in the Inter«
national Exhibition, 1862, who, like myself, was studying what
was exhibited there as likely to be useful in the way of warming
and ventilating. He told me he had been employed upon
nothing but heating buildings for the last thirty years. He had
fitted up 3000 apparatuses, but never combined ventilation
therewith, only because he did not understand it. He could
heat a building to any degree of temperature required; he
wanted ventilation, but could not see anything in London worth
coming from Leeds to examine. This statement was confirmed
after the closing of that Exhibition ; for if we refer to the Jurors’
Report of Class X., Section B., Sanatory Improven ents and Con-
structions in the International Exhibition, 1862, they say—

“As a general result it does not appear that the active thought stirring
among men is in sanatory contrivances very great. The amount of educa-
tion on the subject is still deficient, and all progress must be slow until the
nation is brought up a little farther. There is, in fact, a desire for change,
in some instances to the worse, from an ignorance of the past we have left
behind. New ideas of a purely sanatory kind we have absolutely none
before us. Although since 1851 the subject has grown widely, we know
more of the condition of the air, more of the necessity of ventilation, and
more of its difficulty ; but the progress of our knowledge has not been seen
in the Exhibition. Thus far we see a defect in it; the whole circle of human
invention has not been exposed to view, and room is made for improvement
in a future exhibition. Although we have notshown all that has been done,
we must not forget that much is still undone. We have not learned the best
mode of ventilating; we cannot warm and ventilate a small room so as to
make it healthy and comfortable. The response in the Exhibition has not
been so great as the intellect of the country led us naturally to expect.

“The great demand in this country is for warmth and dryness. Give these,
and we are ready to ventilate sufficiently ; deny these, and the whole poputa-
tion instinctively prefers bad air to cold-giving air: therefore if we ventiate
sufficiently, we must warm.”

There cannot be any question about there being room left for
improvement, and for producing a better system of ventilating,
combined with warmth, if we intend to convert the natural
atmosphere into an artificial and healthy climate in-doors.
Persons in the habit of attending horticultural exhibitions have
frequently the opportunity of seeing prizes of flowers, fruits, and
vegetables obtained by cultivators haying no better systems of
warming than the smoke-flue; but good gardeners understand
how to assist Nature without doing her violence, and ayoid
going too fast with heat without plenty of air. Nevertheless,
experience in horticulture convinces me that more information
upon this point might be obtained if our horticulturists would
set about ventilating and warming buildings to feed the plants,
by supplying air as they have set about other departments of
agriculture and horticulture, as, for instance, in manuring, or in
thorough drainage.

To be further useful, and to meet the requirements of the
poor, I have fitted-ap a room to show how the common house
stoye can be converted into a fuel-saving, smoke-consuming,
heating-and-yventilating apparatus, without costing more in the
first construction of the building, but effecting a vast saving of fuel,
Since I have shown this system to my friends, several haye
adopted it with much satisfaction. Ihave had an apparatus made
for J. Walter, Esq., of Bearwood, for a national school he hag
just built at Sandhurst, near Wokingham, at his own expense,
This plan can be seen in daily operation at my residence upon
application.

What is wanted just now is the combination of practically-
informed men to co-operate, to give publicly an account of
what may be done; and this is most essential if we are to

244

put in a better appearance at any future exhibition. The
Horticultural Society having appointed an implement com-
mittee to report upon heating and ventilating apparatus, I
hope they will find out something new and more useful.
hope that this subject will before long be considered of such
importance, that it will be taken up by a sufficient number
of persons to make an instructive and interesting Society, to
he called “The London Warming and Ventilating Associates’
Nociety.”—Josera Newton, 30, Eastbourne Terrace, Hyde
Pork...

APRICOTS FAR NORTH.

A orgcuMsranor to which I shall afterwards allude has im-
pressed strongly on my mind, that the most satisfactory mode
of: cultivating the Moorpark Apricot (at least in the northern
part of the Kingdom), is by fiued walls, or some analagous
method of imparting heat without covering. In such gloomy,
eold seasons as 1862, the tree is not able either to ripen the

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE. GARDENGR,

[ March 31, 1863;

fruit or to form flower-buds for the following crop without
zome such help; and in this neighbourhood, even in the most
favourable situations, the Apricot trees are this spring almost
destitute of blogsom. , (OP gps

The wall of my kitchen containing the chimney, which, of.
course, is in constant use, is one of the boundaries of my pro-
perty in this small town; and my neighbour, whose back court
immediately adjoins, has availed himself of a right to nail his
trees on my wall. He has just informed me that on an Apricot
tree planted on that part of it behind my kitchen fire he has a
most abundant crop, beautifully set, while on another tree at a
short distance on the same aspect (west) there are very. few.
blossoms. it occurs to me, that what the Apricot wants is heat,
sufficient to ripen, the wood, stimulate the formation of flower-
buds, and ward off spring frosts. The same agency when the
summer is backward, will promote aud insure the ripening of
the fruit. It would appear, I think, that the tree is rather im-
patient of glass and close covering.—Jd, F'., Haddington.

‘

SMALL FLOWER GARDEN.

3 |

For this year I think of having No. 8, Purple King Verbena ; |

Nos. 4, 5, 11, 12, yellow Calceolaria ; 7, 9, plain-leaved Scarlet
Geranium; 2, 14, Flower of the Day, mixed with Perilla or
Veitch’s Amaranthus melancholicus; 1, 3,13, 15, Flower of the
Day, mixed with blue Lobelia; 6,10, Koniga maritima, mixed
with blue Lobelia.

The above plan is only one-half of the garden. A walk
& feet wide, edged with 5 feet of grass, divides the two beds
No. 10, so that there is a corresponding arrangement on each
side of the walk.—P. M. P.

[Your plan of planting will answer very well, and those beds
of one colour we think you will like best. In another season
you will gain variety by edging the beds. Your present principle
of planting is centering, balancing, and a little cross-planting, and
its simplicity will be its chief charm. ‘The centre bed is of Purple
King Verbena, and the eight beds round it are four of yellow
Calceolarias, and two of the larger in Scarlet Geraniums, and
two of Flower of the Day, mixed with Perilla or Amaranthus
melancholicus. We did not find this Amaranth succeed well
with us, and the Perilla will be too strong unless stopped very
early, and so kept down that the little twigs shall mingle with
the Flower of the Day. So used, the purple Spinach will also
do well, and it makes with the Flower of the Day a nice soft
bed to the eye. ,

:

1

a
))

Your four corner beds, 1, 3, 18, 15, you propose to be mixed
beds of Flower of the Day and blue Lobelia. We should have
preferred something else vyariegated—as Manglesii Geranium, as
your Flower of the Day will run™in lines—as 1, 2, 3, and 13,
14, 15. The Lobelia speciosa or L. erinus will be too low
for mixing with the Flower of the Day, unless the plants of the
latter are emall. If you retain Flower of the Day for these four
beds, we would not mix but give a nice edging of Lobelia
speciosa, with an outside single row of Cerastium next the grass.
Something of the same objection appears to the two ends of
your figure 3, 10, 15, 1, 6, 18, as the prevalent character would
be white and blue. :

We are doubtful if punching-out, as it were, 6 and 10 adds
to the completeness of your figure. At any rate, if using 6 and
10, we would not employ variegated Alyssum, and blue Lobelia,
when their neighbours 8, 15, and 1, 13, were Flower of the Day
and Lobelia. If we retained the Alyesum and wished to mix,
we would use the soft lilac of Verbena pulchella, or Verbena
Charlwoodii. In either case the Verbena and Alyssum would
be matched for strength. Nos. 6 and 10 would also do well if
filled with crimson Ivy-leaved Geraniums, with an edging of
Golden Chain. One charm of your little garden will consist in
the good space you give between the beds, | ge

wild

:

March 31, 1863.]

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

~
rs

ZERIDES MACULOSUM, var. SCHRGDERI.

Deseription.—An epiphytal herb with broadly strap-shaped,
obtuse, and deeply emarginate oblique leayes, and a pendent,
open, many-flowered panicle. Flowers very delicate, the sepals and
lateral petals almost alike, obovate and obtuse, spreading, white
tinged with lilac, and spotted with ;
lilac rose. Labellum consisting
of a pouch-like base, prolonged
downwards into a slender arched
spur, bordered above by a small
tooth on each side, between which
is a bifid tubercle; the middle
lobe of the lip is, at first, sud-
denly expanded, then contracting
from an angle on each side toa
somewhat obtuse point, forming,
thus, a narrow triangular-rhom-
boid limb, with the sides deflexed ;
the middle lobe pale lilac marked
with rose, deepest at the base;
the spur gradually shaded into
bright yellowish-green.

History, §c.—This plant seems
to bear a close resemblance to
4®rides maculosum, from whick
it can hardly be specifically dis-
tinct, althongh in the shape of
the lateral teeth of the lip, and
inthe bifid tubercle between them,
it appears to differ slightly. Con-
sidering the much sreater differ-
ence between the other species, we
prefer to regard this as a variety.
—A. H.

For an opportunity of figuring
this very beautiful plant we are
indebted to J. H.Schréder, Haq.,
of Stratford Green, Essex, in
whose unique collection of Orchids
it has blossomed several times,
and by whom the following
particulars are supplied :— “I
purchased it at Mr. Stevens’s

sale, Covent Garden, being part of a small importation from the | of air in immediate contact with them.

hills near Bombay. My attention was directed to it by its very
distinct habit, and the remains of a flower-spike from every leaf.
We have flowered it now for three years, and each year finer than

native flowering habit, I need not say what a magnificent thing it
will be. It appears tobe a hybrid between ASrides crispum and
maculosum, and on that account I value it the more, as I do not
think it is so likely to be introduced again.”

Culture.—The following is the
treatment recommended by Mr.
Goode:— The plants belonging
to this lovely genus, to grow them
to perfection, require to be placed,
in the growing season, in the
warmest and most humid part of
the Orchid-house ; and, in addi-
tion to the moisture suspended
in the atmosphere, to be liberally
syringed daily with tepid soft
water. When, however, the plants
are first imported, they must be
thoroughly washed, both root,
branch, and foliage, for until they
are cleared of all kinds of filth
it will be found impossible to
grow them to anything like per-
fection. Rustic baskets, or pots
with perforated sides, are the most
suitable to grow them in, and the
compost used should be very
fibrous peat and sphagnum moss,
liberally intermixed with charcoal
in large and small pieces; press
the compost close together, and to
make sure that the plants are firm
in the pots, use a few pegs to
hold the soil together. Suspend
the pot or basket close to the
glass, and take care to keep a
mild atmosphere at all times, and
the plants when once established
will then grow with great free-
dom. Water liberally, and shade
in very sunny weather, and
take care that the plants are not
broiled by a too free admission
When the growth
is completed, and more especially after they begin to show
bloom, they may be kept comparatively dry, but they must
not at anytime be subjected to a low temperature.—(A. za

the preceding, and should we be fortunate enough to attain its | Gardener's Magazine of Bo‘any.)

EDINBURGH HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Tus Society held its first Exhibition of flowers and fruit for | served to make up for the absence of those whose interest we

the present year on March the 18th, in the Music Hall, George
Street.
marked the present occasion, as compared with that which
occurred at the first Exhibition last year, affords a striking proof
of the fickleness of our climate. Last year it was a day of cold
drizzling sleet and rain; on this occasion, although ushered in
with a pinch of frost, the day was all that the most fastidious
could wish for in March—a day of calm and sunshine. On such
conditions depends to a large extent the success of a Hower show,
both in a financial point of view to the Society, and to the public
in the amount of pleasure and instruction afforded by the
inspection of so many of Nature’s gems, and the intelligent skill
which such meetings bring together. The collections of plants,
and particularly Hyacinths, though less numerous than on some
former occasions, particularly that of last year, were abundantly
numerous and first-rate in quality, and afforded a most enjoyable
feast of floral beauty to the perfect crush of the élite of Edinburgh
and its environs which thronged the hall both afternoon and
evening.

Before passing on to notice in detail the objects which were
exhibited, we cannot refrain from expressing great regret that
several of the leading nursery firme did not contribute a single
object on this occasion. This, of course, told to some extent on
the general appearance of the Exhibition, although the more than
usual excellence and number of objects contributed by private
growers, and one or two of the Edinburgh firms, fortunately

The striking contrast with regard to the weather which |

would suppose it was to contribute on such occasions. There
was nothing.from the gigantic concern of the Messrs. Lawson, of
Golden Acres, nothing from the Messrs. Dickson & Sons, next
to nothing from Mr. Methven, of Leith Walk. Surely this is
not to be their rule on future occasions, as none we conceive
have more inducement to contribute to the prosperity of a
horticultural society, nor more interest in fostering and fanning
the love of flowers and fruits. Nothing but emulation and the
exciting influence of competition could have broaght gardening
to its high state of perfection: withdraw this influence, and we
would venture to predict a speedy flagging of the pace of im-
provement. Nor is this principle by any means confined to the
science of culture; it is alike applicable to the existence, health,
and vigorous action of societies. Let us hope that these great
nursery establishments will in future see matters to be as we
have indicated, and that our next Show at the same place will be
favoured with their aid to a liberal extent.

Messrs. Carstairs & Sons contributed a unique collection of

| flowering-plants such as they grow for sale, which occupied the

whole of a table which stretched entirely across one end of the
large hall. It consisted chiefly of forced Geraniums, Azaleas,
Cytisus, Camellias, Lily of the Valley (exceedingly well grown),
Fairy Roses, Cinerarias, Kalmias, a large number of well-grown
Hyacinths, and other bulbous plants, some half-dozen very
chastely got-up bridal and hand bouquets. Altogether this was
a most creditable collection, and had a fine effect at the end of

246

the hall, and well deserved the special award which it received
from the Judges.

Mesars. Downie, Laird & Laing also had a very handsome
table of plants, among which were conspicuous the beautiful
Caladium Lowii, evidently the best of its class, Ferns, Lycopods,
Hyacinths, Begonias, Marantas, some large pyramids of Azaleas
(one of them that most beautiful white variety, Mary), and
Dracenas, Cinerarias, and two specimens in a pot of the lovely
and most useful decorative plant Centaurea ragusina. ‘To this
collection a special award was also given.

Messrs. Cunningham & Fraser also received a special award
for a collection of beautiful Amaryllids, among which we noticed
Linnei, Vittata major, Imantophyllum miniatum, Ackermanii,
Solandreflora. The Amaryllis is a plant well worth far more
attention than it has yet received as a winter and spring fiower-
ing bulb.

Mr. C. Alexander, of Larkfield Nurseries, contributed a table
of beantiful Ferns in excellent condition for March. Mr. Methyen
had two large plants of Dicksonia antartica, or tree Fern, which
had an imposing effect—standing prominently above the other
plants. We hope next season he will contribute some of the
splendid Azaleas and Rhododendrons for which his esiablish-
ment is celebrated.

Among new plants, by far the most striking was the lovely
seedling Rhododendron Countess of Haddington, exhibited by
Mr. Lees, Tynningham Gardens. This is a real gem, being a
eross between Ciliatum and Dalhousie, and having the stiff
compact habit of the former with a vastly superior foliage, and
the sweetness and beauty of the latter. For spring decoration
this must prove one of the very best things recently raised. It
was awarded a special prize.

There was a quantity of seedling Cinerarias exhibited by Mr.
W Millan, gerdener to J. Gibson, Eeq., Woolmet, all very pretty,
but not equal to varieties already in cultivation, Mr. Cumming,
Newbyth, had also a lot of seedlings of this popular spring
flower. One white variety among them was commended by the
Judges for its dwarf and compact style of growth.

For the twelve finest Hyacinths—Gardeners and Amateurs—
(we are sorry to say there were no competitors for the prizes
offered to nurserymen), Mr. Reid, Grange Cemetery, was placed
first with fine plants of Seraphina, Miss Nightingale, Baron von
Tuyll, Von Schiller, Charles Dickens, Grandeur 4 Merveille,
Madame Hodgson, Mimosa, Mrs. B. Stowe, Alba Superbissima,
Monsieur de Feasch, Robinson. Mr. Henderson, Millbank,
made an excellent second. His collection contained different
from that of Mr. Reid’s—Lord Palmerston, Mont Blanc, Queen
Victoria, Lord Wellington, General Havelock, Macaulay, Grand
Lilas. Mr. Vair, Gogar Bank, was third with such a collection
as made it difficult for. the Judges to decide the question.

For the best six.—Mr. Brunton, Duncliffe, was first with Yon
Schiller, Alba Superbissima, Miss Nightingale, Prince Albert,
and Lord Wellington. Mr. Bery, of Newington was second ;
and Mr. James Watt, Broughton Park, third, with very good
specimens.

Best six Hyacinths (Amateurs).—First, Mr. M’Phail, Athole
Crescent ; second, Mr. Young, South Bridge. .

Best siz Hyacinths in glasses (Amateurs).—First, Mr. Young ;
second, Mr. M’Phail.
ae six Hyacinths in glasses (Ladies) —Mrs. Nelson, Salisbury

ouse.

Best single Hyacinth in the room.—Mr. J. Vair, Gogar Bank.
The best double, Mr. Henderson, Millbank.

Four pots Narcissus, four pots Tulips, four pots Crocus
(equal).— Mr, Yair, Gogar Bank; and Mr. Henderson, Mill-
bank. Both these collections were exceedingly well got up, and
formed a very attractive feature of the Show.

Twelve finest pots hardy spring bulbs.—Messrs. Cunningham
and Fraser, Comely Bank Nurseries.

Twelve finest Rhododendrons.—First, Mesers. Cunningham
and Fraser; second, Messrs. Dickson & Co. In these collections
we noticed fine specimens of Grand Arab, Pasithea, Prince
Camille de Rohan, Jacksonii, Atro-rubrum, Dalhonsiw, Etendard
de Flandre.

The finest scarlet Rhododendron.—Mr. Henderson, Millbank.

The finest white Rhododendron.—First, Mr. Henderson,
Millbank ; second, Mr. Lockhart, Arniston.

Two Azaleas Indica—First Mr. Henderson, Millbank, with
two unique plants of Iyeryana and Criterion. To the best of our
recollection Mr. Henderson has taken first prize with not only
these two varieties, but these two very plants for th last four

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ Mareh 31, 1863.

years, and this shows how certain a cultivator he is. Mr.
Lockhart, Arniston, was placed second with well-managed
plants, Roi Leopoldii and Iveryana. etign

Two finest Epacris.—A second prize was awarded
Fowler, Mavisbank. f

For Cape Heaths there was no competition.

Three finest Cinerarias.—First, Mr. Henderson, Millbank, for
Duke of Cambridge, Constance, and Glory of Dulwich; second,
Mr. M’Millan, Woolmet, for Blue Bonnet, Brilliant, and an
unnamed seedling.

Two finest greenhouse or stove plants.—First, Mr. Lockhart,
Arniston, for Erica Sindriana, and Pultenza subumbulata ;
second, Mr. Henderson, for Acacia Drummondii, and Azalea
Empress Hugénie.

Six Camellia blooms.—First, Mr. Henderson, with very fine
blooms of Candidissima Halleyii, Abbey Wilder, Blata, Maria
Theresa, Duchess of Buccleuch ; second, Mr. Lockhart.

The best Table Bonquet.—Firat, Mr. M’Millan, gardener to
J. Gibson, Esq., Woolmet; second, Mr. J. Gordon, Niddrie.

Best Hand Bouquet (Nurserymen).—First, Mr. John Fraser,
Rosebank; second, Mr. C. Alexander, Larkfield Nursery.

Best Hand Bouquet (Gardeners).—First, Mr. Henderson,
Millbank ; second, Mr. M’ Millan, Woolmet.

Two best plants Mignonette.—First, Mr. M’Millan, Woolmet ;
second, Mr. Lockhart, Arniston.

Three best pots Lily of the Valley, three best pots Violets.—
Mr. Reid, Newhailes.

Three best forced Roses.—First, Mr. Gordon, Niddrie, for
Gloire de Dijon, Géant des Batailles, and Conpe d’Hébé.

Two best single Primulas.—First, Mr. Fowler, Mavisbank.
A special award was made to two exceedirgly well-grown white
Primulas from Mr. Henderson, Millbank, which were dis-
qualified from competition on account of their being both white,
instead of one red and one white, as specified in schedule.

Four Azalea Indica—First, Mr. Lockhart, Arniston, with
good plants of Magnificans, Fielderii, Stanleyara, and Symmetry
—all first-class varieties.

Twelve plants for table decoration.—First, Mr. Thomson,
Dalkeith Park, with fine plants of Cordyline indivisa, Pteris
umbrosa, Grevillea robusta, Adiantum formosum, Coleus Ver-
schaffeltii, two Dracena terminalis, two Croton angustifolium,
two Dracwna ferrea, and Yucca variegata; second, Mr. Fowler,
Mavisbank, with three Azaleas, two Ardisia crenulata, two
Epacris, one Acacia Drummondii, Dendrobium nobile, a Pul-
tena, and a Cineraria. s

Six finest Azalea Indica.—First, Messrs. Downie, Laird and
Laing.

to Mr.

FRUIT.

The finest bunch of Grapes.—First, Mr. Thomson, Dalkeith,
with a handsome and well-preserved bunch of Lady Downe’s.
Mr. Lockhart, Arniston, made a capital second witha fine bunch
of the same variety, which had been cut from the Vine for four-
teen days.

An enormous bunch of Raisin de Calabre was exhibited from
Dalkeith. It weighed 43]bs., and was without a shrivelled
berry. This is one of the most valuable late-keeping Grapes in
cultivation, and is the best white partner for Lady Downe’s in
spring yet out.

For the best thirty-two Strawberries, Mr. Gordon gota first

rize. a
3 From Archerfield Gardens there was 2 Pine Apple of the
Hurst House Seedling not quite ripe, in an eight-inch pot.
This variety is remarkable for its compact dwarf growth, and
the large fruit that it throws in a small pot. A first prize
was awarded to Mr, Thomson, Archerfield, for a moderate-sized
fruit of the same variety.

VEGETABLES.

For the finest collection of vegetables, Mr! Gordon, Niddrie,
was placed first. His collection had Asparagus, French Beans,
Mushrooms, Sea-kale, &e. Second, Mr. Thomson, Woodburn.

Tyrelve heaviest stalks Rhubarb.—First, Mr. Vair, Dulock;
second, Mr. S. Dickson, Whitehill.

Six finest heads Sea-kale.—First, Mr. Gourlay, Musselburgh ;
second, Mr. Fowler, Mayisbank.

Three Broccoli.—First, Mr. Scarlett, Rosebank; second, Mr.
Gordon, Niddrie.

Six Leeks.—First, Mr. Fairley, Henderson Row; second, Mr.
Thomson, Woodburn, ¥:

Finest Pint Mushrooms,—Mr, Pender, Moredun. vere

“wy

March 31, 1863, ]

BEES IN MY ORCHARD-HOUSE.

Sunday, March 22.—What a glorious sunny day! How filled
is the air with the harmony of birds! The blackbird, the thrush,
the chaffinch, and, above all, the lark, are pouring forth their
thanks for this foretaste of spring. Well, as is my custom after
morning service, I strolled into my orchard-house, and to my
surprise—for, since the winter of 1860 which destroyed all the
bees in this neighbourhood, so that I am not cognisant of a single
hive—I found it literally full of bees, every tree loaded with its
glowing blossom had from ten to twenty of these sabbath-working
little fellows all busy in apparently gathering nothing but pollen,
although, I dare say, they now and then stole a sip of nectar.
As soon as two large lumps of the golden dust were glued to their
thighs they took their departure home—heaven knows where,
and then came every minute fresh arrivals to join in the loud
hum of happiness and content. I almost fancied they thanked
me for giving them such an early feast; and, then, how fearless
they are, alighting on a flower close to one’s eye, and allowing
one to watch every moyement without betraying the least feeling
of anger or discomposure. There is something in all this very
charming, the stillness of the Sabbath thus agreeably broken by
the pleasing sounds of bird and insect life.

That I am not alone in my train of thought, allow me to illus-
trate by quoting from a note just received from one who is at the
head of the scientific world, one whose mind is so gigantic in its
grasp as to be able to people the world of countless ages past
with its inhabitants. May I, therefore, trespass so fur as to
give an extract from the note in question ?—“T have been
sitting in my orchard-house surrounded by the loveliest bloom,
with the sun shining warm at my back, amidst the hum of bees.
One hour of enjoyment of such precocious summer repays the
whole year’s care. To ears wearied with the din of town, to
other senses offended with its fog and fumes, to the mind jarred
by the inevitable conditions of official responsibilities and intel-
lectual struggles, you may conceive the paradise of such a con-
trast as 1am now enjoying. A Sabbath peace, broken by the
pleasing songs of happy birds, and the distant call of the rook ;
all the worldling’s world shut out. But you cannot appreciate
the scene without seeing it; and the full enjoyment of my garden
will be wanting until you have an afternoon with me in it.”

Such are the reflections of a man of high intellect—how
different from those of the prize-looking-for gardener !

I begin to think that orchard-houses are far more adapted to
the refined and philosophical, than to those who calculate how
many fruit each tree will produce, and if they will be able to
“show” at some horticultural exhibition. What lover of his
trees could bear to strip them to make-up “dishes” of fruit, or
send his beautiful trees, loaded with their fair produce, some
miles at the risk of every leaf and fruit being bruised, and the
beauty of the tree destroyed? No amateur or real lover of
gardening would risk this. I have sometimes been half tempted
fo send two or three of my finest trees, merely to silence those
detractors and persons of confined ideas who think everything
worthy of being seen should be exhibited; but I have never
had the courage, feeling assured that a fine tree of fruit must be
destroyed, however carefully packed, during a journey of sixty
smiles. Exhibiting gardeners know little of the feelings of the
real lover of orchard-house culture, who enjoys his house nearly
at all seasons; butif there be any difference in the measure
of his enjoyment it is in spring, when the trees are in full
bloom; and he looks at them, not as he looks at his wall trees,
with a mixture of hope and fear—the latter largely predominating
—but with a calm, delightful, confident feeling that nearly every
flower will produce a fruit, and that the only trouble he looks
forward to is thinning it. The climate, alsc, of the orchard-house,
irrespective of the fruit it gives and ripens, is a source of great
pleasure. I often hear from friends, who are victims to pul-
Monary disease, expressing the pleasure they derive from the
climate of their orchard-houses. It is, indeed, at ail seasons—
except in bitter dark weather, when there is not a gleam of
sunshine for days—perfect. In the bright sunny weather we
have had for some days past, the thermometer has stood at 72°
in my large house, but tke ventilators at a low level, admitting
two large volumes of air, made the climate like that described
by the Persian poet—“ The warmth was not heat ;” and, I may
add, in cool weather, “Its coolness isnot cold.” Think of this,
Mr. Robson, and repent.

March: 2'tk.—I have just paid my morning visit to my
orchard-house. The trees never were more magnificent. ‘The
most striking are those with large flowers, and first among them

JOURNAL OF HORTIOULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

247

are the Orange Nectarines, the Pitmaston and Rivers’s Orange ;
the latter has the largest flowers and is really gorgeous. Next
to these are the varieties of Grosse Mignonne Peaches, all bright
and beautiful. Then we have the Shanghai, Montagne Précoce,
Karly Victoria, and Early York Peaches, and the Hardwicke
Seedling, and Karly Newington Nectarines, all with large and
showy flowers. Among those with small flowers there are some
varieties almost petalless, or apetalous, to use the botanical term :
the Petite Mignonne Peach is remarkable for this. Others have
small petals so bright and pretty that one is always arrested by
them. Such are Impératrice, Downton, Violette Hative, and
Elruge Nectarines, and the Violette Hitive Peach. Besides these
there are many intermediate flowers, scarcely two alike in the
orchard-house, unless of the same variety. The effect may be
imagined when I state, that there are more than four hundred
trees, three hundred of which are Peaches and Nectarines, in my
house in full bloom.

Pears, Cherries, and Plums with their pearly blossoms con-
trast so beautifully with the bright pink of the Peaches and
Nectarines, as to make the picture perfect. My largest trees are
now from ten to fourteen years old ; and although their roots, to
use Mr. Robson’s phrase, are “‘ cramped in pots” (oh! Mr. R.,
they are in the most perfect and vigorous health), the Apricots
are all off bloom, and have set their fruit so thickly as nearly to
hide the leaf-buds. I counted seven fruit in a square inch of
space, aud yet such men as our nonprogressive friends, Jasper
Standstill and Peter Heavyhead, say that Apricots are difficult
to cultivate as house trees. I cannot help saying “ pooh.”

T am fearful our friend Mr. Robson will feel a little nervous
irritation in seeing the, to him, disagreeable words “ orchard-
house,” at the head of this article.—T. R.

WORK FOR THE WEEK.
KITCHEN GARDEN.

A¥FrER the favourable weather for out-door operations which
we have lately experienced, all kinds of work here should be in a
forward state. ‘Take advantage of the dry condition of the
| ground to get manure wheeled upon quarters where it is wanted,
and to push forward any jobs which may involve wheeling.
Beans, earth-up growing crops, and continue sowing for succes-
sion. Broccoli, sow for a main crop. Cabbage, sow for a main
autumn crop. Fork up the earth between those planted in the
autumn. Capsicums, pot-off as soon as they are fit. Cauli-
flowers, stir the soil round those under hand-lights, and earth
them up. Sow for autumn crop if not already done. Cardoons,
sow seed if that vegetable is esteemed. Celery, prick-out the
early crop. Potatoes, plant the main crop. Spinach, sow
small crops of the Round in drills, but little at a time, as it
soon runs to seed. Tomatoes, these should now be potted-off.
Sow seeds of herbs and other vegetables that may have been
omitted during former weeks. Remove all litter and weeds.
Earth-up early crops, strewing a little soot or fresh lime about
them to prevent the attacks of slugs. Protect recently-sown
seeds from birds by a covering of nets, or by twine stretched
over the rows or beds, with pieces of glass suspended from it in
a manner to clash with the wind and to flash with the sun.

FLOWER GARDEN,

All nature is now starting vigorously into life; and, however
delighted we may be by looking on the productions of genius, no
art can inflame our sensibilities like the glow we feel coming
over us on viewing the universal mind of the Great Designer
unfolding itself in every leaf and flower ; and, instead of the sigh of
despondency coming over us, we should feel that this is a season
of the year to be joyful, and to be ready at all times to respond
to all the animate and inanimate expressions of nature about us.
Prosecute vigorously, till finished, improvements in this depart-
ment. Bring speedily to a close the laying-down of turf and
the planting of deciduous and evergreen shrubs. Make a sowing
of all the showy hardy annuals in the flower garden and shrub-
bery borders. Pay due attention in sowing to the heights and
the arrangement of colours. Gravel put on walks, especially if
sloping, should be almost in a state of mortar prepared for uses
well trodden and afterwards rolled, it forms a hard and durable
walk. To keep Ivy close to a building, it is advisable to defoliate
it about this time, and it will soon again be covered with fresh
and vigorous leaves. Continue to putin cuttings of those choice

248

varieties of Dahlias of which it is desirable to have a good,

stock. Sow choice Ranunculus seed in shallow pans or boxes;
cover the seed as lightly as possible, and place them in a cool
frame. This is a good time to strike cuttings of Pansies; put
them in round the sides of small pots, plunge in sand on a north
border and cover with a hand-glass.

ETRUIT GARDEN.

The season for disbudding fruit trees is fast approaching.
The importance of this operation is generally acknowledged,
and upon its proper performance mainly depends the produc-
tion of a proper quantity of clean healthy wood of the best
quality. very tree in a good soil is capable of producing and
bringing to perfection that quantity of wood and number of
fruit which is proportionate to its age and the healthy condition
of its roots: consequently, if by carefully thinning the fruit,
and xemoval of superfluous shoots, the fluid is directed to all
parts of the tree at nearly equal distances, the result will be that
each shoot will have the power of drawing to itself that amount
of sap which is necessary for its healthy eupport. Wmploy all
available means of affording efficient protection to early wall
trees. Whatever material be employed it should be devised that
if may be speedily removed at will, to allow the trees the advan-
tage of fine weather.

STOVE.

Here at this time much is to be done in the way of timely
potting, and applying weak manure water to those plants now
making their growth and filling their pots with roots. Shut-up
a high temperature rather early in the afternoon, and use the
syringe liberally. ;

GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY.

The great proportion of greenhouse plants are now in activity,
and very much depends on the treatment they receive at this
time. Whe practice of dwarfing trees, shrubs, &c., which the
Chinese pursue with such assiduity, is diametrically opposed to
our method, which generally consists in developing things to
their utmost power of expansion; yet, admitting the absurdity
of a fashion that would strive against Nature, we might, never-
theless, profit by a lesson from them when, restricted in space,
we are yet compelled to retain a certain number of decorative
greenhouse plants, which, if permitted to increase in size, would
occupy an unfair proportion of the plant-house. It becomes
then necessary to adopt the Chinaman’s custom, and restrict
those circumstances that conduce to luxuriant growth; and in
some cases, still following his practice, use the pruning-knife to
both branch and root, to adapt the unfortunate subject to the
limited accommodation. ‘This is a trying period for the conser-
vatory inmates, at least for those of delicate habit, and a slight
shading may not be amiss for an hour or two on very sunny
days. See that twiners which are starting into growth are kept
free from insects, as these, if allowed to gain a footing upon the
young tender shoots, will soon do a vast amount of mischief.
Large plants of Brugmansia that have been kept dry and resting
through the winter should now be pruned back, shaken out and
repotted in readiness to be turned out of doors in a sheltered
situation, where they form beautiful objects in the late summer
and autumn months.

: PITS AND FRAMES,

At this period it is of much importance to have a dung-bed
or two of a very moderate character fitted-up for the purpose
of cooling-down fresh-struck cuttings, hardening annuals, and
receiving plants from either the stove or the greenhouse; for, in
consequence of liberal shifts in theae departments, and the
rapidly increasing size of Cinerarias, Pelargoniums, &c., some-
thing will of necessity have to be removed, and a cold frame is
insufficient for some of these tribes. Look well to the propa-
* gation of bedding-out plants. See that such climbers as Rhodo-
chiton, Maurandya, Lophospermum, Tropxolums, &e., are pro-
pagated and cultivated for blanks or trellising, &c. W. KEANE.

DOINGS OF THE LAST WEEK.

Awp such 2 glorious week for March dust, which the old
proverb tells us is more valuable than gold dust to the com-
munity, and more valuable even to the agriculturist than to the
gardener, as the farmer gets in now the greater part of his seeds
for the season, whilst the gardener must sow only a little bit of
many things at a time, to keep up 4 continuous fresh supply.
Of course, there is a main crop of Onions to be sown, and the

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ March 31, 1863.

weather was so tempting that we sowed a good portion of them,
and a first instalment of Carrots, and just a little bit of Beet-
root to come in early. Where young Onions are a desideratum
there must, as with us, be a sowing at least every month during
the summer, and young Carrots are so much sweeter and 0
much less likely to be affected by the worm, that several sowings
up to June, and again a few Harly Horns in September, will
enable the gardener to keep on better terms with the cook, just
because of the reaction of commendations of everything being ‘so
nice” from the dining-room. April is generally early enough for
Carrots, and the end of April quite time enough for Veetroot,
Salsafy, &c., but a few heads of forward Beet are xse'ul, eyen
should a part of itrun. Threw a little lime and soot over the
Carrot and Onion ground, to keep worms and slugs at a dis-
tance. Placed spruce boughs, from which the leaves had fallen,
over rows of Peas, which partridges and other birds seemed.
resolved should not get above the ground. If that does not
stop them, must place narrow bands of netting over them.
Singular enough, the kinds molested are fine Marrows; as yet
the birds have let Frames and Dickson’s Favourite alone, so,
perhaps, there may be as.much difference in the foliage as in the
Peas. When staked, and a few bushy twigs stuck along the
bottom on each side of the rows, the birds generally let them
alone until they are fit for the table. Gave a good watering
with manure water to Cauliflowers under hand-lights, and gave
them an earthing-up. Watered those also planted outin the open
air. Pricked-out Cauliflowers and Lettuces that were scattered
on the surface of an early Carrot-bed under glass. Sowed
more Kidney Beans. Looked oyer those bearing frequently,
so that no pod should become too old, as that would be
double waste; the pods being useless, and one such pod exhaust-
ing the plant more than four or half a dozen when in a nice
young state. Syringed in the afternoon with clear soot water,
to keep all trace of the thrips, &c., at a distance, this water being
as much disliked by the vermin as it is relished by the plants.
Remored Potatoes in pots under a little protection, turning
them carefully out of the pots, and setting the balls in leaf
mould, as a number will yet be produced, and the first bed will
soon be fit for use. Hoed and raked Asparagus and Sea-hale
beds, and threw a dusting of salt over them. As the latter is
now coming strong, put two or three dozen of pots over a part,
and a piece of turf over the hole in the top, and a little earth
round the bottom to keep out light, and a few armfuls of dry
litter over the pots; for it a sharp frost come, and the pots be
exposed entirely, and the Sea-kale 4 inches high, and close to
the sides of the pot, it would be much injured, although it
would take no harm if fully exposed.

Planted out the remainder of winter Onions. We never do
much with them when we leave them. where sown in September,
they always bulb better for the transplanting. Also, did the
same with small sets of Shallots and Garlic, though in most
grounds we prefer autumn planting, though they do well with
us even after this time. Cleared off a quarter of Cabbage stalke,
and laid out the grounds into beds 4 feet wide, with ridges
between, and put several inches of half-rotten leaves in the
trenches for want of better, which will come in ultimately for
Celery, and in a few days will be used in the meantime for turn-
ing out great numbers of bedding plants, Pricked out Celery
into pots and boxes, and sowed for succession in a mild heat.
Planted out a second lot of Cucumbers. Removed the litter and
earth from Globe Artichokes, and after removing some sucker-
roots for a fresh row, will dung and fork the ground round then.
This winter we expect none will be injured by the frost; but,
nevertheless, we range ourselyes among the protectors. We do
not make much of ajob of it, however; merely place some long
litter round the plants somewhat tightly, and then throw some
spadefuls of earth from between the rows ond and among the
litter to keep it from blowing about, and then fork over the
surface of the ground. If the frost should prove very intense, a
barrowload or two of litter thrown over the ground will prevent
the ground being much frozen. The mere forking of the ground
lessens the danger from damping. Sowed in shallow drills the
main crop of Parsley out of doors; also, Chervil and several
kinds of herbs—as Borage, Burnet, Caraway ; and some others
sowed in boxes under protection, as Thyme, as the ground was
rather rough for such small seeds. Sowed also in rows, 2 feet
apart, a good piece of Sea-kale and Asparagus on a north border,
for want of a better. In such a place the Sea-kale will be strong
in two years, and the Asparagus will be transplanted. Throw
charred-heap-and-ashes-material over Radishes, Turnips, &c.,

Pty.

March 31, 1865. ]

and fresh planted Cabbages. Sowed a few Broccoli, Sayoys,
Scotch Cabbaging-kale, Brussels Sprouts, &c., to come in early,
deferring the main sowing for a fortnight or three weeks to come.
Gave manure waterings to Broccoli plants coming on strongly
and well, there having been no frost to hurt them but what
could be easily guarded against. Waa obliged to remove lots of
Lettuces and Endive from earth pits, as their room was wanted
for bedding plants.
FRUIT GARDEN.

Here routine attention to watering, air-giving, and firing, and
moving Strawberry plants and getting others in have been the
principal work. ‘he front of the Peach-house being cleared of
early Peas in pots, which were transferred to the orchard-house,
a shelf has been elevated all the way on pots; and saucers being
deficient, and, besides, requiring careful management, the shelf
has been covered neatly with an inch of moss, with about half
an inch of riddled leaf mould and old mushroom dung on the
top of the moss, and all well watered with strong, hot lime water
to settle any small snails, &c., that might be in such materials,
and on the top of this covering the Strawberry pots after being
cleaned were placed. We have long found such a plan in
places where a little drip after watering is no object, preferable
to using saucers. ‘The moss retains moisture a long time, and
yet if the drainage is nearly right, there is no danger of water-
logging the plant. The fine weather bas made Strawberries really
worth eating. As our late vinery gets cleared of plants, we shall
introduce many Strawberries in the same manuer, and orchard-
houses too will get their share,

ORNAMENTAL DEPARTMENT.

For stove plants and Orchids, see the excellent directions of
our old friend Mr. Keane. All terrestrial Orchids and stove
plants in general that now require shifting will be greatly
improved by bottom heat. In fact, where this can be applied,
much less atmospheric heat will be necessary. This bottom
heat, where it can be given, is a grand promoter of sturdy growth
both in-doors and out of doors. Many tropical plants will do
well out of doors in summer if only extra heat and manure can
be placed beneath them. Occasionally we meet with fine speci-
mens thus managed, but most of us find fermenting material so
scarce that we can spare little or none for such purposes. In
cold places, even Cucumbers and Vegetable Marrows out of
doors in summer do much better if they are planted on a mound
of fermenting material. Many fine-leaved plants from the
tropics and more temperate latitudes south of ours would do
well if holes a yard in diameter were dug out, from 2} to 3 feet
deep, filled more than half with hot dung well worked and then
good earth put in, 6 inches higher than the surface, to allow for
sinking. Even such hardy plants as Brugmansias will produce
magnificent flowers and foliage from this treatment.

Cut down and repotted the flowering Begonias. Now is a
good time to put in cuttings of Clerodendrons for next season;
also cuttings of Begonia fuchsioides for blooming in winter and
spring. Small plants a foot or so high should also be repotted
and encouraged to grow on for a similar purpose. Large plants
with masses of drooping flowers iook yery graceful. Care should
now be taken that Ixoras and plants of that tribe should not
have too much bottom heat, and be watched for any appearance
of fly and thrips. Such plants should have a fair amount of air
in these sunny days, and be syringed and shut up early in the
afternoons, as sun heat is more healthy at all times than fire
heat. Ferns must have plenty of shade. Potted more fine-
leaved Begonias and Gloxinias, and placed them beneath the
shade of the Vines. Kepotted large Fuchsias. Sowed lots of
tender annuals also under the shade of Vines, and will remove
them as goon as they are up, so that they may have more light.

Pricked-off Lobelias and plants of that kind. Just now I wish
every pair of hands could be multiplied threefold, as we are
rather behind with some kinds of work. Few know before
they try it what it is to fill large flower-gardens in the present
fashion, and have little or nothing but your plant-houses to
depend on as means. The great aim should be to put all
bedding plants out before they become drawn or enervated.
‘We inadvertently kept some Bijou Geraniums too long last
season, and, but for their foliage, they took until September to
recover themeclves. Removed Pelargoniums from second vinery
a5 if was getting too hot forthem. These are at present in
the cool vinery, and will soon go to the conservatory. ‘hat
cool vinery—though with fruit until March and filled every inch
with plants above and below, and with air on night and day,

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 249

except in frost—is now beginning to move, though the place
over the Vines is shaded. We are thinning this house as quickly
as we can by taking young Geranium plants that were standing
thickly as they were struck in boxes and planting them out in
earth pits, to be protected temporarily. We like to turn them
out in compost consistimg chiefly of leaf mould, but we are too
deficient of that material to doso. Success greatly depends on
shallow planting. For this purpose, the ground being rather
firm, the surface soil is forked over from 2 to 3 inches deep,
allowed to dry, and rough raked. ‘Then a board is obtained, the
size of the width of the pit, for etanding on, and a shallow trench
about 2% inches deep taken out, a little rough fresh stuff of leaf
mould hot, burnt charred heap and fresh loam, is thrown
upon it, and the plants are placed along, some 3 or 4: inches
apart, according to their size. A little more of this fresh rough
material is thrown along and then fastened round the roots of
each plant. The plants are then watered with warm water and
the surface dry soil is then put over them, patted down slightly
with the spade, and the next trench taken out 4 or 5 inches
from the first, according to the size of the young plants. In
sunny days these plants will have the foliage damped from the
syringe, and anything worthy of the name of watering will not
be given until a short time before bed-filling time. The chief
object is to plant and keep the roots near the surface ; for if they
go down, when lifted they will flag considerably in the beds.
From thus never potting we save a great amount of labour, and
chiefly in watering. ‘he earth pits filled with Calceolarias
are syringed also in the middle of these sunny days, and they
are doing nicely. In a brick pit, with glass over them and a
few warmish leaves below, we have planted out temporarily
Amplexicaulis Calceolaria, as that is more tender than most;
and also lots of Ageratum, which we want strong for rows.
Cuttings of that also must be put in. Planted lots of cuttings of
the Cineraria maritima, in a strong heat. The cuttings slipped
off from the base averaged 13 inch in length, and these tiny bits
will make better edgings in May than old plants or cuttings
made last autumn. We shal! plant out lots of Verbenas directly
in temporary beds, and put in a fresh batch of cuttings of some
of the more distinct colours.

Our readers may recollect of our filling a couple of two-light
frames with Calceolaria cuttings, having a little heat below them.
We do not believe one will miss, but we are put out so that
very few are yet rooted and we want the frames for other
purposes ; and we suppose we must wait a week or ten days
more, when a few branches will shelter them sufficiently. No
one looking on them cursorily could detect any reason why they
are not already rooted. All seem nice and firm at the top;
put, on closer investigation, we find that the bottom of the
cuttings is somewhat ‘‘hung”—that is, the earth and sand had
not been pressed close enough to them, except at the surface,
and that will make a week or ten days’ difference in the time of
rooting. We thought of this when our worthy coadjutor, Mr.
Beaton, described Mrs. Bird’s plan of dropping the cuttings
into the holes. In such case there must be plenty of sand,
more than we could spare, to wash down by the sides of the
cutting, or part of the base may swing in @ vacuum, as we dnd
many of these of our spring-put-in ones do, ‘his just shows
the importance of minutiz. We do hope that our friend Mr.
Beaton will soon be able to be among us, as few, like him,
possess the power, with a mere sweep of the pen, of establishing
a new idea or perpetuating a useful practice.—K.

TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED.

J. Salter, Versailles Nursery, Hammersmith Gate, London.—
Descriptive Catalogue of Chrysanthemums, Dahlias, Paeonies,
Phloxes, Hardy Variegated Plants, fe. Spring, 1863.

Bruce & Co., Hamilton, Canada West.— Descriptive Catalogue
of Flower, Kitchen Garden, and Farm Seeds, Bulbs, §c. 1863.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

CINERARIA SEEDLING (H. A. C.).—The Cineraria is of no value, and not
unusual in colour. Cinerarias are not injured by tubacco fumigation if
practised with the usual care. All the flowers you mention may be benefited
by weak liquid manure of fowls’ dung. One peck to thirty gallons of water
would be enough, and not applied oftener than once a-week, nor until after
the flower-buds appear.

Maxine a Fernery (G. FE. R.).—Apply to Messrs. Veitch & Son, King’s
Road, Chelsea. They could send you a man to construct it. You do not
say where yon live, aud we are not clairvoyant.

250

Fives (Querist).—We do not know Mr. Ayres’ addtess; He las long
left the place you name, and the work mentioned is extinct,

Insrots oN PLants 1% Vinery (P. C. D.).—We discovered no insects on
the leaf sent, but we saw marks that left no doubt on our minds that you
ave the thrips. The best remedy you can employ at present is
smoking, and that repeatedly, as you cannot wash with the Vines in bloom.
The next best—nay, the first best—is to take a emall brush and a dish of
£0ap water and go over the leaves of the Vines, and every little jumping or
sleeping thrips you see daub him up with the soft moist brush. You would
Soon thus go over the house, and several eatchitigs would clear the whole.
If this is too tedious you must smoke séyeral times, and then, when the
fruit is fairly set, you may wash with clear Gishurst, at the strength of
about one ounce to two gallons, dissolved the day before, and then gently
Poured off so as to have the liquor pure and without grounds, ‘Tis you
must repeat often. If you have 4 boy with a quick pair of eyes, the brush
Moistened with soap-water will be the best and most effectual remedy.
Now, one word as to bedding plants in a vinery. They will do no harm
when the Vines are at rest. Your house must now average 65°, and that
will ruin the most of bedding plants. We were lately accused as the cause
of Calceolarias being a living mass of all sorts uf insects, from saying they
might be kept in sucli Houses; but no one who has resd “ Doings of the
Last Week” but must have seen that all such plants must be removed
before the temperature is much raised, Of all bedding plants Geraniums
will stand most heat, especially if they have plenty of light. Without that
light all the extra growth from extra heat will be mo.e than neutralised,
from their inability to beer the brunts of the open air afterwards. Throngh
excess of work, some variegated Geraniums weve left too long in a vinery
last spring, but they never got over it until September.

Lawn with Moss anp Sprry Harp Geass (A Subscriber).—A mossy
lawn ought to be harrowed or scratched over with a rake in spring, and
slightly dressed with some fine good soil, which might be sifted, perhaps,
to remoye ajl stones, and a quantity of grass seeds mixed in the soil, it
might then be spread oyer the lawn and rolled in. A little wood-ashes or
lime is also useful to kill the moss. The hard wiry Grass is, however, more
difficult to manage; but this generally succumbs to continued cutting, the
finer Grasses enduring that ordeal better. Most likely, however, the hard
Wiry Grass is on the poor land, and it may be treated the same Way asthat
which is mossy. Lawns affected with worm casts are more difficult to
Manage. Watering with lime-water will keep them down for a short time
only, but it is 4 tedious and expensive mode. ‘thus some take the trouble
to take up their turf and put an inch or tyro of cinder ashes or lime-siftings
underneuth it. The richest grounds are most infested with worms. Weak
Sepia will drive them away, vut they return again if the weather be

Contours oF Beppiic CaLczOLARIAS AND VEEBENAS (A Tyro).—The
Calceolari.s you mention are Kentish Hero, orange buff; Viscosissima,
yellow ; and Sultan, crimson. The Verbenas are Prince of Wales, crimson,
yellow eye; André, purple; St. Margaret, lignt crimson ; Mrs. Cayley,
white, purple eye; and Paryum Madeline, white, violet eye.

Quantity oF Cocos-nur Frere Dust Requizep As A MANURE (C. &.).
—‘‘A rod (imperial), pole, or perch, or 30.25 square yards, will require
one bag or three bushels of cocoa-nut fibre dust. The dust must uot be
Scattered broadcust, but in the rows immediately over the sets; for its
properties are not so stimulating as guano or farmyard manure, evidently
ot being so surcharged with ammonia (nitrogen); but it (the dust), yicias
nitrogen by the process of decomposition as in the case of all decaying vege-
table substances, slowly but surely. Its advantage over manure seems to
be due to that continual yield of nutrition being as abundant when the
plant is developing as when it is sprouting ; whereas in manure it is richer
When the plani least needs nourishment.—G. A.”

.Gruzs 1x FLowEr-Pors (A. 7.).—The grubs sent to us were the larve
either of Bibio Marci or Dilophus febrilis, two-winged heavy-tiying insects
of a shining black or rea colour. We have generally considered the grubs
feed on decaying vegetable matter; but they will doubtless also feed on
the fine rootlets of plants, which should be repotted into earth which has
been baked.— W.

FLOWER-GARVEN Puans (WU. C, E.).—We have no doubt that No. 1 wiil
look very well, but we prefer No, 2, and we would not mix the edgings at
all as you propose ; but on ali except the four narrow beds at the ends we
would have a broad edging of 12 or 15 inches round each bed, and these
shonld be all pretty level throughont, centre and edgings. Then suppose
you edged 3 ana 4 with biue Lobelia, we would edge 1 and 2 with variegated
Alyssum. Then we would cross the others—as 3, 8, Ageratum, with borders
of Tropzolum, yellow, wel! disieafed ; 6, 7, yellow Calceolaria, bund of
Purple King Verbenus, and edging of Cerastium if liked. ‘Then cruss
10, 11, and 9, 12, bordemmg all instead of mixing, and try this for the pre-
sent year. ‘he borders must be ciose up, joined to the centre, but kept in
a straight line from it.

Buuzs 1x Pors (H. B.).—To make the most of bulbs done flowering, they
should be kept at first under glass, and watered well so long as the leaves
Temain green, then placed in a sunny p.ace and kept dry to ripen.

CAMELLISS AND AZALEAS AFTER FLoweEninc.—(Idem).—The Camellias
and Azaleas may be kept close in the greenhouse, or removed to more heat,
where they will form their wood and set their buds earlier.

Sowine CuianrHus Dampizri (Jdem).—The seeds of Clianthus must
not remain long in the hot water—say ten hours. We prefer doing so
before sowing, ana 130°, 140° or so instead of 100°, as when you steep earth
and altogether, it is apt to make a quagmire of the soil.

Cucumsrrs Diseasep (A Constant Reader, Littlehampton).—We think
it is likely they have taken “* the aiseas- ;” but, perhaps, it is only a burniny
from deficient ventilation, Stir the surtace of the soil, throw a slight
sprinkling of soot on the surface, and if the back of your frame or pit is
very white, dull it with a mixwure of soot and sulphur made into a paint.
Leave also a little air on all night,

Ispran Szens (7. B., Leeds).—They rately are worth trying to cultivate.
The Cape Gooseberry is Physalis edulis. The Marvel of Peru is Mirabilis
jalapa, and is described in the Dictionary. The other species, perhaps, is
Mirabilis suaveolens. The Giant Convolvulus may be Conyolvulus maximus,
@ native of Ceylon. The other names are too indefinite to be identified.

Oncuanp-Houses ‘Inquirer).—The Harlow Station is the nearest to the
Sawbridgeworth Nu series, and we know that Mr. Rivers will admit you,
Or aly one, to see his orchard-~houses.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ March 31, 1863.

Burnine Cray (Starkie Baldwin).—The clay will certainly be turned
into a hard, red, lumpy eubstatce like bricks; but we have always found
that it was easily broken up into a brickdust material, which is just what
1s required to mix with and disintegrate a heavy soil.

Manvres (An Amateur, Surbiton).—How can we advise you withont
knowing the plants you are cultivating ?

CrImBER FoR GREENHOUSE Watt. (J. B.).—The Cobea scandens would
grow very quick, but it is slightly herbaceous, though it would always be
green. Perhaps as a mere cover or shade, Cissus antarctica or any other

greenhouse Cissus would be best, as it runs closely and always presents a
thicket of green.

Sowine Deopar SreEps (Sophia).—Split the Deodar cones and beat them
a little and the seeds will drop out, or you may take them out. Sow in loam,
slightly covered, and put in a cool place under glass.

Covers oF ovr VoLumes (Jdem).—There is no difficulty in obtaining the
covers through any bookseller. Their price is ls. each.

FLOWER-GARDEN Pian (Idem).—The colours are pretty well arranged.
Such lists as you require have been often given. The other week you would
see the planting of a flower-garden at Straffan—all low things. As your
beds are only 3 feet across, we would prefer planting each bed of a colour.
We think all these will do, except those to which we allude. The beauty of
the picture will consist in having the plants about the same height. We
therefore think Perilla will be tall for anything you have, unless you
stump it down well. For the same purpose the Linum will be too tall for a
erimson, and the Clarkia would be moze suitable. A crimson Verbena
would be better still, and more lasting. For whites as in unison with
Saponarias, you might use white Clarkia or white Feverfew pegged down;
but the best would be white Verbenas or white Alyssum. For violet we
fear the Convolynlus will be too rampant, and we would prefer such things
as Verbena Purple King or Charlwoodii, and for lilac such a Verbena as
pulchella, At this season, however, we can only criticise the intended
planting of our friends—we really cannot plant for them. ‘The scarlet and
yellow Nasturtiums must be well picked of leaves, or they will be too strong
for the rest, We dislike the most brilliant colours being in the centre of
such a group, and therefore your Nemophila discoidalis willdo. We think
you would improve your figure by haying the central sircle white, and as
you have twelve clumps round it in six pairs, you could put a scarlet pair for
white. In the four clumps at the two corners you might put white where

viovet is, and viceversd. The other week a list of annuals was given for a
small garden.

Primus, &. (Tyro).—Division of the plants and offsets are the modes
of propagating Primulas; cuttings cannot be made of them. Tobacco
paper can be bought at wholesale tobacconists, but shag tobacco we prefer
tor fumigating.

Names or Fruit (H. Pedley, Tenterden).—The Apple is evidently a
seedling, and appears to be a good kitchen sort. The naming of it will
rest with yourself. Being a good keeping Apple, it deserves to be cultivated.

Names or Prants (£, A. S.).—It is useless to attempt naming Ferns in
the seedling state, as are all those you have sent. They will alter entirely
by the time they get matured. (J. S.).—Dipsacus sylvestris, or Wild
Teasel. (C. B., Knaresborough).—\lt is Daphne mezereum, a native of
England. (#. W.).— Fabiana imbricata. (C. F.).—Omphaloges yerna.
(1. H. £.).—1, Platycerium alcicorne; 2, Adiantum formosum; 3, Adian-
tum cuneatum ; 4, Selaginella uncinata.
carthaginense ; 2, O. luridum; 3, O. altissimum, apparently; 4, Dendro-
bium Pierardi.

POULTRY, BEE, and HOUSEHOLD CHRONICLE.

THE POULTRY CLUB.

ALL associations of men for the purpose of assisting each other
in harmless and useful pursuits deserve the support of their.

fellows, provided the grounds on which they start are sound.

When, however, the object they have in view is unattainable, or
appears so to some, it is the duty of these to make their notions
ublic.

E “Members to be expelled the Club at a general meeting.”
What is to be the effect of expulsion? The Club is not like the
Jockey Club—it has no competing ground which is its own
property, or where it is paramount, and can prevent the peccant
party from exhibiting.

“Committees of Poultry Exhibitions to be requested to place
their Shows under the rules of the Club. ‘The Stewards to
appoint Judges when desired to do so. The Judges to judge
according to the rules drawn up for their guidance.”

If the Club means to do anything af all, it ought to provide
Committee, Secretary, and Judges. It should offer pen money.
It might advertise that any place haying a\fitting building, and
undertaking to provide the sum of £—,, shall, on application
to the Poultry Club, be provided with a poultry show, con-
ducted on the most approved principles. There is no objection
to the appointment of Judges, but there will be difficulty about
therales. Who shall judge the Judges? Fancy a Yorkshire-
man at the Spangled Hamburgh class, and finding in his book
of rules that Golden cocks must have black breasts. He would
resign—s black breast is a heresy in his eye. In the search
after immaculate Judges, it will occur, perhaps, that for English
Shows it may be desirable to have Judges from Scotland or
Ireland. Both pin their faith to purely black breasts and tails”
in Dorkings. Fancy the dismay in the general class. a

But the “Judge or Judges,” what are they to do? ‘They

(Mt, B., Yorkshire).—1, Oncidium —

March 81, 1863. ]

must judge according to the rules ; and any person having @ com-
plaint of a glaring departure from the rules of judging, shall lay
the same before the Stewards who may be present to investigate.
The Stewards to call on the Judges for an explanation. ‘This
rule appears to be a joke. Has it entered into the minds of
the framers to ask themselves whether the office is a profitable
one, and whether men of standing and position in society are
disposed to submit to this? Any one would suppose, and it
may be so, that there are competent persons who are constantly
applying for the office, and either that it affords them a liveli-
hood, or that the office has such charms that those who seek to
fill it will submit to such rules as these.

But let us deal with the programme. ‘A want has been felt
of a fixed standard by which each variety may be judged.”
The list of Stewards comprises some of the most successful
exhibitors in Hngland. If there has been such difficulty in
knowing how to breed for certain points of excellence essential
s success, whence arises their good fortune, for it can be nothing
else?

The duration of poultry shows, and their success where they
are well conducted, bear good testimony to the soundness of the
awards taken as a whole, while the position constantly occupied
by certain yards proves that good strains hold their own.

We like clubs; contact is good and profitable for men engaged
in the same pursuit. The communication of knowledge one to
another; the record of novel and interesting events connected
with the pursuit; compiling statistics, of which we stand so
much in need; and the treatment of the poultry question as
one affording a delightful and healthful amusement—all these
come within the legitimate scope of a Poultry Club, and are
calculated to do good; but when the Committee of Stewards
talk of laying down rules for judging, we think they have only
to try them among themselves with closed doors to find the
impossibility of agreeing.

We believe the Club’s outset to be in the wrong direction, and
we anticipate a short life for it.

MALAY FOWLS.

In your Number for March 10th (which, unfortunately, I did
not receive until the end of the week), I notice a letter from Mr.
Fox, of Devizes, asking for a fixed standard of points to be
adhered to in rearing.“ Malays,” and referring to the variations
in opinion amongst judges respecting the points of this breed.
You have appended a very full, and, in the main, a very correct
description of those points ; but asa Malay breeder and admirer
of twenty-five years standing, I am desirous of pointing out what
appears to me likely to be misunderstood in your description. I
refer to the use of the word “ scanty,” as applied to the plumage.
Ifyour meaning be that the feathers should be very short, 1
quite agree with you; but this is not the meaning generally
attached to that word. Were it possible to number the feathers
on the body of a fowl, I believe it would be found that every
breed possesses the same, the difference being length and soft-
negs in some breeds, shortness and hardness in others. Amonget
the latter I place the Malay. i know of no breed in which the
feathers are so short and hard; but I demur to the necessity on
this account, for the plumage to appear so scanty that any part
of the body should exhibit a destitution of feathers. Certainly,
“the plumage should not hide shape,” which it would do if long,
loose, and flowing; but unless the plumage be in the most

_perfect order, and brilliant in metallic lustre, the shape of the
body and shortness of feather render this breed the most un-
gainly of any; and it is owing to the absence of condition in
plumage, in which so many owners of Malays exhibit their birds,
which gives rise to the remarks we often hear at exhibitions, in
depreciation of this most valuable and (if shown as they ought
to be) majestic breed. Your description ends with the sentence,
“there is no fixed colour for the legs or plumage.” As to
plumage, of course all colours are admissible, from white to
black; but the legs, in every case, should be yellow. Birds with
aa of any other colour could not be exhibited in the Malay
class.

T fear in many cases perfection of plumage has been lost sight
by some of our judges, and prizes awarded to birds of good blood,
though in wretched feather. I venture to think (and upon
this principle I have ever myself acted in awarding prizes, what-
ever might have been the breed) that blood and feather should
both be looked for in greater or less perfection; but that birds

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGH GARDENER.

251

possessing only one of these qualifications are ineligible for
securing a high position on the prize liat—Cuas. Batancr.

[We have seen as good Malays with white legs as we ever saw
with yellow; and we haye seen birds’ in the highest condition
running in a farmyard, faultless in lustre and feather, yet
showing the points we noticed in our last—vyiz., naked parts of
the body and wings. |

TAUNTON POULTRY ASSOCIATION.

I am sorry to find that this well-managed and promising Show
is dissolyed. I cannot perceive what the non-attendance of the
subscribers has to do with it in any way. So long as they pay
their subscriptions it is quite optional whether they attend the
meetings of the Association, The resignation of the Secretary
is, I grant, a serious obstacle; still, is there not some enter-
prising gentleman on the Committee who is qualified “and at
the same time willing” to undertake the laborious duties of the
Secretary 2? Ido hope Mr. Ballance will reconsider the matter,
and, if he is still determined to give-up the office he has held “30
ably for some time,” he will find a substitute.

I haye sent several pens to this Show for the last two years,
though the distance is over three hundred miles each way, and
the birds always returned to me in excellent feather and con-
dition, which speaks well for the general management ; and the
plate and prize-money were always sent to the successful com-
petitors within a week after the closing of the Show. Mr.
Ballance I always found most obliging, doing everything which
lay in his power to please, and, at the same time, win the
confidence of his exhibitors.

Iam convinced many exhibitors have no conception of the
downright hard work which devolves on a secretary in a show
of say four to five hundred pens, and am the more confirmed in
this opinion when I see the thoughtless remarks which are occa-
sionally made, “that the Secretary and Committee have no right
to be exhibitors.” What absurdity! Why, who would do the
drudgery if these unselfish individuals had not the chance of a
prize? And I dare venture to say nine out of ten of the Com-
mitteemen throughout the country keep prize poultry. —
WESTMORELAND.

WORCESTER AND BATH AND WEST OF
ENGLAND POULTRY SHOWS.
THE POULTRY CLUB.

Wy attention has been directed to a letter in your columns
relative to the length of time the birds have to be kept in the
yard at the Worcester Show, and I say that I altogether agree
in the opinion expressed by the writer. The arrangements of
the approaching Bath and West of England Show appear, how-
eyer, to be still more objectionable—the birds in that instance
being required to be in the yard by ten on Friday morning,
whilst the Show will not open till the Monday morning follow-
ing. Surely the parties who have superintended these arrange-
ments must either have had but little experience in the duties
they have undertaken, or have committed a serious oversight 5
for unless the circumstances are of a very peculiar character
indeed there can be no necessity for having the birds cooped-up
so long before the Exhibition commences. Besides, as any one
with the least pretension to experieuce in such matters well
knows, few birds can undergo such an ordeal of confinement as
that involved in the five days during which the Show is to be
open, and the three-days confinement previously, especially af
such e season of the year, without serious injury—an injury
thet would render them next to valueless as exhibition birds in
future. It is, indeed, a question whether the chickens would
survive it, the heat of June being, in fact, far more trying for
birds thus penned than the cold season of December. Then the

| old birds will be on the point of moulting, when they are un-

equal to sustaining the same amount of hardship as at other
times.

Before closing this communication, I will, with your per-
mission, add a remark or two on the Poultry Club in the course
of formation. I had quite expected to see the matter more fully
canvassed in your paper.* It is right that those who are in-
terested in the subject should be put in full possession of the
objects contemplated in its establishment, and the mode in

# The writer had not seen what we published last week.—Eps. J.or H.

252

which it is proposed to carry them out. Discussion on these
points could not fail to be beneficial. What I have been able
to gather from your paper, and from a friend or two who were
at the privete meeting of the Poultry Club, has by no means
favourably impressed me.

If I am correctly informed, it is intended to frame a series of
rules by which birds are to be judged—a course of procedure
which could not fail to bring the Club into collision with those
who have to perform the duty of judges. What gentleman of any
standing as a poultry judge, would, if he had any self-respect,
submit to the kind of dictation implied in placing in his hands
acode of rules drawn up by parties less conversant with the
subject than himself? Besides, there are points in connection
with the merits of different birds for which no rules can provide,
and any one who is not capable of judging poultry without the
aid of printed rules, has no claims which qualify him to fill the
office, and ought not to aspire to it. It would be interesting to
hear the opinion of some of our best judges on the subject. If,
as I also believe is the case, it is the intention of the Club to
appoint the judges at some of the principal shows, I should like
to know how Mr. Hewitt would feel on the matter, if his ap-
pointment should be accompanied by a number of rules to direct
him in the exercise of his office. It is very problematical whether
he would accept it under such conditions.

That there is great room for improvement in poultry ex-
hibitions is undeniable; but it is questionable, not simply
whether such an arrangement would work advantageously in
promoting that object, but whether it would be practicable.
Whatever improvement is to be effected, it is certain it must be by
the mutual concurrence of both judges and exhibitors, without
which the most promising arrangements would fall through.—J.

EXOTIC HONEY BEES—SIZE OF THEIR
CELLS.

I am indebted to the kindness of Mr. Charles Darwin, for
specimens of bees and comb of two foreign kinds of honey bees,
which differ in many respects from either of our Huropean
species. The first is a bit of virgin comb and bees sent by Mr.
Mann, either from Fernando Po or the opposite mainland of
west Africa. The bees, as far as I can identify them, are Apis
Adansonii, and are much smaller than their European brethren,
but with this exception appear nearly identical with the Ligurians,
possessing the same orange-coloured abdominal rings. ‘Their
comb, on the other hand, differs in no respect from that of the
common hive bee, if we except a reddish tinge, due, probably, to
the colour of the honey which it once contained, and from which
it had originally been secreted. Although, as before stated, the
bees themselves are notably smaller, their cells are of precisely
the same diameter as those constructed by the Huropean species,
Secondly, I have a piece of brood-comb and bees of the species
Apis testacea, brought by Mr. Wallace from the island of Timor,
in the Eastern Archipelago. Those bees and the allied species,
Apis dorsata, are about one-third longer and stronger than our
English honey-bee, and are indigenous to Borneo, Ceylon, Hin-
dostan, and the islands of the Hastern Archipelago. Their ex-
traordinary size is evidenced by the sealed brood-comb, which is
no less than an inch and one-third in thickness, whilst sealed
brood-comb of Apis mellifica, at any rate during the first year,
is barely an inch thick. The great area of their wings, and the
length of their abdomen, appear to me conclusive as to their
wonderful powers of flight, and great honey-gathering capa-
bilities; but I was amazed to find that the most careful mea-
surement resulted in establishing the fact, that their cells like-
wise were of precisely the same diameter as those of the Huropean
species.— A DEVONSHIRE BEE-KEEPER,

WOODBURY FRAME-HIVES MADE IN
STRAW.

THE advantages possessed by straw over wood as a material
for the construction of bee-hives have often been pressed upon
my attention by apiarians whose great experience entitles their
Opinions to the utmost respect, whilst the course of events in
my own apiary has been such as often to give weight to their
suggestions. One obstacle, however, has always stood in the
way of my adopting straw hives, and this has been the difficulty
of procuring them of the perfectly square form required for the

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ March 31, 1863.

reception of frames. When last in London I drew the attention
of my friends, Messrs. Neighbour & Son,* to the advantages
possessed by straw, and suggested that they should endeavour |
to produce a straw hive which would meet my requirements.
TI have now much pleasure in announcing that they have per:
fectly succeeded, and manufacture Woodbury-hives in straw,
equalling wood in firmness, squareness, and stability, and
which, in fact, leave nothing to be desired; whilst their mode-
rate price is an advantage by no means to be despised. I have
already many of these hives in use in my own apiary, and I
think few will regret following in this respect the example of—
A DEVONSHIRE BEE-KEEPER.

* 149, Regent Street, and 127, High Holborn.

EVENTS OF THE SEASON.

THERE was a nest of young Thrushes, nearly fledged, in
Leadenhall Market last Tuesday.

Sitver PHEASANTS began laying March 17.

THE first Plover’s eggs were sent up to London March 24th.
The ueual day is on the 25th. In 1862, the first came in on
the 21st. ‘ ;

OUR LETTER BOX.

Diary or THE Dairy, &c. (A Gardener).—Its publication has been
abandoned, we believe.

Crtve Caur Hens Dyine (1. J.).—The symptom, “swelling of the
abdomen until it touches the ground, becoming red and death ensuing,”
intimates that the egg-passages are inflamed, probably from the birds being
overloaded with fat. Give them a table-spoonful of castor oil, no hard
corn, very little barley or other meal; but plenty of boiled potatoes and
lettuce leaves. i

MaNaGEMENT OF CALIFORNIAN QuAtzs (Constant Reader).—There is ~
little difficulty in keeping and breeding the Californian Quail. They
require only a smallspace. Their food is simple—oats, barley, and green
meat. They are very prolific, laying from twenty to thirty eggs, a few of
which they may be allowed to rear themselves. A very snecessful breeder
who keeps many pairs, has them in different divisions round a yard; one
pair in each cage or pen, which is about 6 feet in depth by 3 wide. Each
pair in turn has the run of the whole yard or enclosure, which is more than
half greensward. This, it is said, prevents the hens from getting too fat,
which is dangerous for them in the laying season, and often fatal. There
is veally no art in keeping them; all they require is gravel, dry dust, oats,
barley, and green food, with as good a run as may be convenient.

CHICKENS witTH cotps (P. W. 7.).—If the chickens which snuffle and
have mucus in their nostrils roost on the stones of the stable, they are
suffering from chill contracted from it. They must not roost on board,
brick, or stone. If they have taken to the stable they will not be satistied
elsewhere. Make up a warm corner for them, and cover it so deep with dry
gravel or sand they shall not feel the damp throughit. The best treat-
ment for the snuffle, is to feed three times per day with stale bread soaked
inale. You may give, if that fails, sma!l pieces of camphor half the size of
a pea.

Matay Fowts’ Lxes (F. J. C.).—We do not at all agree with you about
the legs of Malays, and we repeat our opinion that the colour is not essen-
tial:

BREEDING Canantes (R. C. B.).—Keep the birds together a little longer
—say a fortnight—and give them egg, mawseed, and hemp, and provide
them, if not already done, with building materials. Do not take out the
slide, the pans will be better separated. If at the end of the fortnight the
birds do not agree, we would advise you to change them; but we think
that they will be sociable after a time.

Reat Spring Curckens (A Subscriber).—The fowls that produce the
“real spring chickens” are to be had in Sussex only, about Handeross.
Cuckfield, the neighbourhood of Lewes, and East Grinstead. The Brahma
Pootra isthe fowl you want, as they will rear themselves in any weather.

PREVENTING Hens Sirtine (H. NV. D., Woolwich}).—There is always
more or less of cruelty in preventing hens from sitting, as it is a natural
operation. The most humane plan is to shut them up in a bare place,
where there is neither hay, straw, box, basket, norhole, They will look for
something or somewhere to sit upon, and, failing it, at the end of a fort-
night may be turned out with the others.

Cock Droopine (A. H.).—We fear some internal organ is chronically
diseased. Give a dessert-spoonful of castor oil, and offer him some bread
soaked in ale.

KEEpinc Fowts (R. Godfrey).—Your space will do for a cock and three
hens of Buff Cochin-Chinas. The place under the stairs would do for a
roosting-place, if enclosed. The wire-netting had better be 5 or 6 feethigh
and no rail along the top. Have rome limy rubbish in a corner, and the
floor of the roosting-place covered with 3 inches deep of sand.

LONDON MARKETS.—Mazcg 30.

POULTRY.

There is but a small supply of poultry at market; but the trade is so bad,
there is as much as is reqnired.

s. d. s. d. os. d.
Large Fowls ............ 4 0 to 2 6to3 0
Smaller do..... "30.55 00,00.
Chickens........ a Gas 14,51 5
Gosling ........ . 6 0,, 0o8,eg9
Duckings ,.... » 5 0,, 07,0 8

April 7, 1863. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COITAGE GARDENER, 253
WEEKLY CALENDAR.
} : | WEATHER NEAR LoNDON IN 1862. | |
Day Day | Moon | Clock
| of | of APRIL 7—13, 1863. | i Rain in| Sua Sun | Rises |Moon’s| before Day of
Mnth Week. | Barometer. |Thermom.| Wind. | tiones, Rises. | Sets. and Sets| Age. | Sun. Year
| } degrees, m. h.| m, h.| m h.| m. s.
| 7 oc | Easter Tuespay. P. Lroporp b.| 30.182—20.093 | 53-42 | N.E. | Ol | 25af6 | 40af6 | 20 11] 19 | 2 15 97
ra:s Ww J.C. Loudon born, 1783. G. [1853.| 30.229—30.091 48-38 N.E. 69 23. 5 | 41 6] morn. | 20 1 58 98
brory'h Ta | Crowberry flowers. | 30.047—29.929 51—39 N.E. +73 20 5/43 6/23 0 21 1 4L 99
| 10 F Birch flowers. | 30.000—29.904 56—39 N.E. _ 189501) 45a Ge | teeen ln teaze il ck 24 E00,
11 s W. Kent died, 1748. G. | 30.166—30.077 | 45—27 N.E. = 160 5) | 4GuetGh Acer | ¢ | 1 8| 101
; 12 Stn | Ist, or Low Sunpay. | 30.248—30.138 46—21 N. _ lf 56/48 6/27 2 24 0 52; 102
| 18 M Box flowers. 30.139—29.852 46 —20 N. = 12 5 | 50) 6 | 54) 2 25 | 0 36 103

on the 10th, in 1850.

MesreoroLoay oF THE Wrerk.—At Chiswick, from observations during the last thirty-six :
temperatures of these daysare 55.7° and 35.3° respectively. The greatest heat, 79°, occurred on the 7th, in 1859; and the lowest cold, 20°,

years, the average highest and lowest

=

HARDINESS OF SIKKIM RHODODENDRONS.

R. ROBSON, at
page 224, has
referred to my
having found
two or three
species of Sik-
kim Rhododen-
drons hardy.
It may interest
him, and per-
haps others, to
know that I
have found all
that I have had to do with, consisting of those sent
over by Dr. Hooker and distributed from Kew, perfectly
hardy, with the exception of Dalhousianum and Edg-
worthii. :

They have now been planted out in the open borders
for five years, and many of them have flowered; but,
unfortunately, like all the first cross with the Nepaul
varieties. they flower too early to be of much use out of
doors, unless in very favourable seasons.

At the time I am writing (March 30), I have ciliatum
in beautiful flower ; also a plant of Wallichii 5 feet high,
with a fine truss expanded, and others swelling fast.
This is pretty much in the way of the old campanulatum,
only the colour is deeper. Robustum is another in the
same way, but with larger leaves and more compact habit.
Thomsoni and fulgens both look very promising, but
have not flowered out of doors yet. Campylocarpum has
flowered the last three years. This has a compact truss,
individual flowers rather small, and the colour is a deli-
eate violet purple. Glaucum, which is figured in the
same Number, flowers very freely, and when in flower
is very pretty, but the plant is not always handsome.
Cinnabarinum and anthopogon have also flowered freely.
Madden’s argenteum is a very compact-growing plant,
and when larger will have a very handsome appearance
without flowers. But the gem of all for foliage is Fal-
coneri, and it is as hardy as a laurel; but unfortunately
the leaves are so large and heavy, that unless very much
sheltered they get broken by high winds. Barbatum,
ales has a very good foliage, and is a handsome-growing
plant.

Some others which with me came up amongst the
fulgens, but are very different from it, are very pro-
mising in foliage and habit, but have not yet flowered.
The great fault of most of them is early flowering, and
early starting into growth, by which the points of the
leayes are sometimes nipped by the morning frosts, giving
them in the summer the appearance of being burnt; yet,
notwithstanding all drawbacks, they are an interesting

race of plants, and likely to find work for the hybridiser
for some years yet.
I have not had much experience with the Bhotan
varieties ; but I have one plant now, said to be a Bhotan,
No. 106.—Vou. 1Y., NEw SERIEs,

During the period 130 days were fine, and on 122 rain fell.

which has three beautiful, yellow-looking, smooth flower-
buds, with no sign of expansion yet. If it turn out well
I will let you know.—Jouw Cox, Redleaf.

FUMIGATING WITH TOBACCO.

GARDENING operations of many kinds call for a display
of tact as well as of skill. In fact, those two qualities
are closely allied, and to a certain extent are, or should
be, inseparable. What the skilful man does he does
well, but tact enables him to do it quickly, and often
with imperfect means. Thus he economises time and
material while doing everything at the right time and in
the right place. Much has been said about takig time
by the forelock and having everything done in advance,
so that one may be prepared for a season of pressure ;
but this is only one side of the question, and the man of
tact has no occasion to hurry at any particular season,
although he does not, to ordinary observation, keep in
advance of his work.

Tn no particular is a display of tact more requisite than
in doing battle with the various pests which to the care-
less gardener are a source of trouble and anxiety, but
which the man who possesses tact takes as a matter of
course, for he knows how, when, and where to meet
them. The appearance of green fly, thrips, scale, mealy
bug, red spider, &c., on his plants, if they do appear,
gives him no anxiety, for he applies the remedy or
remedies, and it is done with; but then comes the
question, What are the remedies? A dozen gardeners
will answer the question in as many different ways.

In my school-boy days I remember almost every
boy in the school had a way of his own of forming the
figure 8. One would commence below on the right hand,
another on the left; one would begin at the top, another
would make a regular pothook of it, and some, again,
would make a horizontal dash to connect the points, and
soon. In this way gardeners differ in performing some
of the most simple operations for destroying green fly.
One says, Use nothing but the best tobacco, and apply it
by means of the bellows; another says, Use the flower-
pot pierced with holes. One says tobacco paper is best;
another, Try Neal’s pastils; and consequently Neal’s
pastils are tried, probably with not suflicient strength,
and the fly is not killed, or the dose is too strong, and
the plants are killed as well as the fly. Advice of this
kind is often given and taken; mishaps occur through
misunderstanding or misapplying the remedies, which
are set down as ineffectual, and are, with those who
recommend them and the vendors, mentally consigned
to the rubbish-heap, if a more unpleasant situation does
not happen to be before the mental vision of the dis-
appointed experimentalist.

In the process of fumigating with tobacco or tobacco
paper—for, in my opinion, both are equally safe and
effective—I could never perceive the necessity of being
in the smoke myself, or of seeing others inside the
house with it, for apart from the fact of the operator being

No. 758.—Vot. XXIX., OLD SERIES.

254 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

almost suffocated, the door has to be opened as, helf choked, he
leaves probably before the work is complete. ‘There is another

ebjection: the smoke hangs about a person’s dress, while the’

amell does not improve by age, and lasts for several days. To be
inside the house during the operation is by no means necessary,
as I have always found: consequently, I never use the ordinary
famigatiag-bellows and dislike them, although some are so firmly
attached to them as to prefer them to every other appliance for
fumigating.

Novw, the various ways and means of fumigating which have
come under my own immediate observation conyince me that
more depends upon the way in which the smoke is applied,
and on adapting the quantity to the space to be fumigated, than
on the material itself. I have used the different sorts of tobacco
and also tobacco paper, and find that nothing better could be
wished; yet one is no better than the other. I once wished to
try the pastils, but at the nursery where I applied for them they
said they had not any at the time, and that their experience of
them was that they destroyed everything but the insects. How
true this was I had no opportunity of proving. I haye heard
from those who have tried them that they are unsafe; but, aa I
never take the bare word of others in such matters, haying known
several instances of plants being killed or injured, as was alleged,
with bad tobacco or tobacco paper, but in reality, as I am pretty
eertain, through the quantity being disproportioned to the space,
I can, therefore, say nothing in their favour or otherwise. With
regard to tobacco and tobacco paper, I have used both in several
different ways ; and if I have found the leaves of plants marked
or the insects not killed, I blame myself, and not the material,
for that is entirely blameless.

Tn the first place, it is always best—at least, I have found it
so—to fomigate towards night, when the house is shut up and
there is no fear of the sun shining on it, and thea, as it has been
often recommended, itis better to smoke two nights in succession’
than to depend on one fumigation, especially when it is for
thrips, because it takes a strong dose to kill these all at once,
and the quantity of smoke necessary to do so may injure the
plants; but when the insects have had a weaker dose it makes
them sick, and before they have recovered, a similar dose the
following night settles them.

Ti is, then, worth while to take the measure of the enclosed
space, and find out, if possible, just the exact quantity of tobacco
or paper that will give the required quantity of smoke. This is
advisable, both on the score of economy and to save time and
trouble in doing the work effectually. There is more tobacco
casted througli doing the work ineffectually than many would
‘believe. I have been surprised myself when told that 7 or 8 lbs.
of tobacco had been used, or ratner misused, for smoking two
small houses within three weeks, and this in cases where the
operators were supposed to understand the matter. I have
found half a pound of tobacco, or the same weight of paper,
quite sufficient for a house 30 feet long by 16 wide and 9 feet in
height; and this*made into two fumigations, with, perhaps,
a trifle the most at the last performance. A pit or frame will
require much less, for it must be remembered that the height
makes a great difference in the quantity of material requisite ;
for the farther the plants are from the roof the denser the smoke
should be. In a pit the plants are generally within a few inches
of the glass, and it is in such structures that plants are generally
injured from an over-strong application of smoke. It is, there-
fore, advisable to use but a very small quantity of tobacco in
smoking pits and frames, and to increase the quantity if the dose
is found ineffectual.

In applying the smoke, the plan I generally prefer is to take a
common flower-pot—a 32 size is very convenient—place it on a
larger one that stands on the ground inverted, so that the
apertures of both are clear for the draught of air. Put in the
upper one a few pieces of charcoal ignited, and when they are
thoroughly alight tear up some brown paper and put in, and
then put on the tobacco or tobacco paper, which will consume!
gradually and give out a good smoke. Another plan I have
generally adopted with regard to small houses, frames, &c., is to
take some coarse brown paper, steep it ina solution of saltpetre,
dry it, then spread out the tobacco on pieces of 6 inches or a foot:
square, roll both together, and tie with twine or matting. ‘hen
suspend by one end and light the other; let two or three of}
‘these be lighted according to the size of the house or pit, and let)
them smoulder. If properly done, this will be found as clean!
and effectual a method of fumigating as need be.

IE April 7, 1863.
RHODODENDRON CULTURE.

In your article on the above subject in your Number for the
24th ult., I was surprised to find it mentioned that the Sikkim
Rhododendron ciliatum did not succeed well out of doors.
With us, about 550 feet above the level of the sea, it, with
several others of its class, grows and blooms far better outside
than in pots in the conservatory. I may instance Falconeri,
fulgens, Thomsoni, Hookeri, besides the three arboreums, scarlet,
rose, and white, Russellianum, &c,, as sorts that have been out
here for from five to eight years, and are growing luxuriantly,
but have not all flowered as yet. One, ciliatum, has been out
thirteen years, and is now covered with bloom, being about
2% feet high and more than 8 feet in diameter; I enclose a flower
and a leat of it; the latter is, I think, double the size I have
ever seen the foliage of it on house plants.

With respect to hybridising generally I do not entirely agrep
with Mr, Robson. I have found the best results from avoiding
too much similarity between the parent plants; for instance, in
crossing two Fuchsias—say Clio and Queen of Hanover, the
progeny, from seventy to eighty plants, were wretched, with
leaves like microphylla, and worthless flowers; while in crossing
a dark and light variety the progeny were often good, while some
took after the one parent and some after the other.

Recollecting that the original Fuchsias gracilis, globosa, &c.,
which now grow 7 feet high outside, were once considered green-
house plants, [ planted-out several of the improved varieties
about six years since, which I find do nearly as well as the
common sorts. For instance: Venus di Medici in the open
ground is about 3 feet high now and as much in diameter,
Some are still killed to the ground in a hard winter, but come
up again strong before the 1st of April, and ave beautiful objects
in the flower garden.—H. H. Gurmnyinin,

SENSATION NAMES.

Pray give a little wholesome advice to some of your con-
tributors and advertisers with regard to the naming of novelties,
&c. Our nervous system had scarcely recovered itself from the
weekly attacks of the ‘Roaring Lion Strawberry”? when we
were as much astonished, as we had been terrified before, by the
announcement of the ‘‘ Good-Gracioas Polyanthus.’’ Some of
your readers, if we recollect rightly, were rather shocked at the
last-named epithet; but we are free to confess we were not
morally aensitive on the point, but merely regarded the name as
simply ridiculous. ‘We have, however, been slightly startled by
the sudden appearance in your No. 104 of the “ Phantom
Bouquet,” the subject of which is a review of a book of that
name on the art of skeletonising leaves, &c. The author has,
probably, taken a leaf out of Mr. Home's book, or accompanied
that spirited individual in an aérial exploit, hovering occasionally
over garden rubbish-heaps, and holding communion with de-
parted vegetation. How this may be we know not, but this we
know, that it would be well to check the prevailing taste for
such absurdities; and if you would be instrumental in doing this
you would confer a favour on the majority of your readers, and
especially—R. 1. H,, Shrewsbury. ’

x

THE WARDEN OF WINCHESTER’S GARDEN.

Tur readers of THE JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE are no
strangers to this garden, or at any rate to its gardener, for Mr,
Weaver has oftentimes given them the benefit of his lengthened
experience and ripened judgment; and as I heard much of him
from a valued friend and earnest horticulturist, I determined on
a late visit to the old cathedral city of William of Wykeham to
pay him a visit. And although March is but a peor month for
seeing gardens, even though after a mild winter, I was, as I
was assured I should be, most pleased with all I saw and heard ;
and pezhaps a few reminiscences may not be uninteresting to
your readers.

When I speak of the Warden’s garden, it should be borne in
mind that we are not talking of one with acres of glass, miles
of hot-water pipes, and with a mint of money at command to
meet all the requirements of a first-rate place. ‘The motto of
the Wardens seems to be utile et dulce—a little more of the
former than the latter. ‘The place is not a show place, but

‘an ordinary quiet but pretty garden, having the charm of a’fine

F. Currty. |dawn and a nice stream of water; giving one, perhaps the notion

of i fom er

April 7, 1863. ]

that the Wardens, fresh from the remembrances of classic Ox-
ford, had tried their best to reproduce in their own way the
scenes of cloistered ease which make the daughter of the Iais
so perfectly unique and charming. Nor, again, is Mr. Weaver
one of the new race of what some one: has called ‘“kid-glove
gardeners.” He has not the ologies all at his fingers’ ends,
although cases of British and foreign insects and books, pre-
sented to him by the students of the Training College in grati-
tude for his instruction, attest that he is a Jover of nature and
able to use his mother tongue. No: Mr. Weaver is one of
those shrewd, honest, hardheaded men, who are accustomed to
listen to what everybody has to say, but to have a judgment of
their own and act upon it—no blind adherent of old customs,
but no extravagant praiser of new-fangled notions, and therefore
one finds in his garden a good combination of both old and new
, methods and plans.

T saw him first in his fruit-room. Bless me! what a quantity
we hear about fruit-rooms, and trays, and shelves, and all sorts
of things as necessary to keep Apples and Pears, until one
begins to be thankful that we do not grow enough of them to
need such an elaborate structure. But what was Mr. Weaver’s
fruit-room? Simply a shed—such as we ordinarily term a
potting-shed, with the simple addition of a door to be locked
and kept all secure. “But, then, of course, it was all arranged
with shelves and straw, &e.”’ Nothing of the sort—a few common
boxes, in which the Apples lay some foot in depth, touching
one another (an awful notion, 1 believe, in the fruit-room) ; and
yet out of these he took Ribston Pippins, Sykehouse Russet,
Court of Wick, and Scarlet Nonpareil as fresh, bright-coloured,
and crisp as the day they were gathered off the trees; and he
told me that he has more than once had his Apples frozen hard
without any apparent detriment ; though when the winter is
very severe he remeves his boxes into an inner room, the roof
of which is thatched very thickly and quite frostproof.

As Tam speaking of fruit, 1 should mention that in a little
garden attached to his own house he has an orchard-house, in
which he grows some fine Grapes and has planted a few Peach
trees; but, like most practical men, he has a contempt for fruit
trees in pots. He says that where one has a clever man, whom
it pays to give a large income to, and where expense is of no
consequence, there it may be done; but that even then the fruit
is poor in comparison with that grown on trees planted out.
I have never myself seen an orchard-house but what the owner
had to make many apologies for fuilures (always excepting Mr,
Rivers, of Sawbridgeworth).

In another small house heated by a fiue he had also some
Vines, from which, he said, he had always fine crops. Formerly
the walls of this garden were completely covered with Black
Hamburgh Vines, which were, when in fruit, quite a picture.
About four years ago mildew attacked them, and he has been
obliged since then to give them up.

But to return to the Warden’s garden. There is there just
that combination of the old and new styles of gardening which
one longs to see. ‘There is a noble herbaceous border which
runs round the lawn, and in it a fine collection of the best and
most showy plants of that class so planted as to allow space for
large plants of Pelargoniums, &e., to be placed out amongst
them in summer; while in another part there is a small parterre
laid out for bedding things, ‘hus flowers are secured at ail
seasons, and that ‘‘ploughed-field character’? which one’s own
garden assumes at this season is obviated.

In the vegetable and hardy fruit garden everything betokened
the superintendence of an active and sensible man. I learned
there a few things hitherto unknown to me. Mr. Weaver, for
instance, never ridges up his Asparagus-beds, as he says digging
between the beds is sure to cut up some of the roots, which
in old beds (and some of his are said to be 100 years old), are
sure to make their way across. He manures well, and genily
forks the bedsover. Neither will he toleratean Asparagus- knife,
nor allow the shoots to be cut deep beneath the soil, as he says
injury is sure to be done to the stools by it, and that he does
not see the advantage of having a long white stalk with a little
edible piece at the top. It appears that the late Warden was
a great lover of the Asparagus, and that hence it has been cul-
tivated with zeal, and I may say with great success. Mr,
Weaver has before this given his experience on its growth in
the pages of Tur CorraGe GARDENER, aud I can well believe
that the beds are very fine.

Then as to Strawberries. What think our fragarian friends

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGH GARDENER.

235

gether—say about 9 inches from plant to plant, and in quincunz
style? Yet this was Mr. Weaver's plan; and on my expressing
a doubt as to the quantity produced he assured me that the
crop was very large. His plan is to keep the hoe gently at work
amongst them ; and at this period to give them a good top-
dressing, which helps them on wonderfully, and he says you
can have no idea of the crops that he grows.

Raspberries, too, were never allowed to be dug between.
There were beds there twenty years old that never have had
aspade amongst them. The hoe is liberally used and manure
freely given. Of these, again, the crops are said to be very fine,
and from the appearance of the canes I can well believe it.

I do not af all dislike either to see new plans or to try them;
but when there is such a rage for “novelty,” it is really re-
freshing to find one who dares to keep to old plans; and with-
out being laudator temporis acti, or believing “no times like
the old times’”—not moved from what he knows to be good
plans by all the alleged charms of new beauties—it seemed of.a
piece with the old grey ways of the College, for one felt that to
have found everything “spic span and new” would have been
incongruous. I quite enjoyed my little chat; and in many
pleasing recollections of the old cathedral city, do not esteem
that to be the least when I had an opportunity, even in Mareh,
of visiting the Warden’s garden and making the acquaintance of
Mr. Weayer.—D., Deal.

THE PROFIT FROM FARMING TWO ACRES.

IT Mabz the acquisition the other day at your office in Fleet
Street, of a small work, “ How to Farm Two Acres Profitably,”
by Mr. Robson. ‘The book is an excellent one, so far as it goes;
but, notwithstanding its great merit, I was disappointed at nat
finding one word regarding either expense or profit, the alpha
aud omega of any enterprise whatever.

Now, I look upon you as a sort of godfather to the little book
in question. Allow me to inquire, What sum may be necessary
to bring the two imaginary acres into the state supposed by Mr.
Robson ? and what profit may be reasonably expected from the
same at the year’s end ?

My intention is to farm ten acres profitably, both for pleasare
and emolument ; and having the outlay and income for two acres,
itrequires no great stretch of arithmetic to multiply these by five
to obtain the result for ten; though not quite, ag ten may be
more economically worked than only two.

For Mr. Robson’s guidance, 1 ought to state that I may come
into possession of the ten acres unprovided with even a spade,
and as practically ignorant of agriculture asa Hottentot, though
as learned theoretically as an Alderman Mechi: consequently,
I must have an intelligent and practical man to assist, and often
to advise, in carrying on the various operations of the Sela,
which is to be reckoned on the aide of expenditure. I mean to
have everything done on the most recent scientific principles,
but without launching out into experimental speculations. The
desired site to be within a marketable distance of London, if
possible, or that of Torquay, or other eligible place on the south
coast.

To resume: What is the cutlay and income of the two acres?
supposing I come into them as unprovided as father Adam inte
his farm, ‘Phe same as regards the ten acres? the land being
purchased in both suppositions.—W. B.

[Upon handing the above to Mr. Robson, he writes us as
follows :—

“T confess it is far from being an easy matter to give sucha
reply to the letter of ‘W.B.,’ as he would like to have. True,
it 1s easy enough to put forth a set of figures that might appear
feasible, and could even be supported by the absolute practical
working of such things; but I have deemed it better not te do
so, a3 local cireumstances have so much influence on the pro
and cor. of such undertakings, that statements such as might be
given in a tabular form in one case, would only mislead im
another.

“The original intention of the little work referred to was to

| give advice to any one not acquainted with rural affairs, whe
| might be disposed to retire to such a place in a suburbaa oF

country district, much, if not all of the produce being supposed

‘to be wanted for the consumption of the family of the occupier.
This, however, would not be the case in the ten-acre holding; se
‘that the ordinary rule of multiplication cannot be applied there.
of growing only yearling plants, and planting them close to- |)

“Ten acres may be managed very prudently, and I may say

256

profitably, by haying eight acres of it grass land, if the owner
wanted to keep a horse and a cow or two, and the remaining
two acres as described, while it is hardly likely that he will want
all the ten acres in garden stuff; and if he cultivate for sale, he
ought well to study what the ground is best adapted for, and
plant more extensively of those crops for which it is suitable.
Biven then, unless he has well studied the requirements of the
market in his neighbourhood, he will find it difficult to under-
sell those whose personal and practical experience is already in
the field against him; but he may succeed, though, probably,
not until after some practice. This need not surprise ‘ W.B.,’
who if he be a city man retiring te the country, with a view to
make gardening pursuits as profitable as he may perhaps have
made his city business, it is not unfair to ask if he could write a
small work on the mode of making a fortune by the business he
has just left, and make that work intelligible and easily to ba
followed by a midland county’s farmer with a certainty of
success.

“Tt is easy to perceive that a close attention to the minutie of
business in both cases will alone be accompanied by a good
result; but the pursuit taken up early in life is the one most
likely to prosper. However, I would not dishearten ‘W. B.,’
nor any other person intending entering business of this kind ;
but I wil help him a little in calculating his labour expenses.
His returns I must leave him to estimate himeelf; only it is fair
to say, that if he require all the produce of two acres for his own
use, it ought to be calculated as worth the retail price he would
have to pay for it if he bought the articles at the greengrocer’s.

“*Trenching on dry, stony ground is worth £6 per acre, and 9d.
per load for the stones taken out. In many cases these stonea
are sold to a good profit to the road surveyor and others. If
there be tree roots on the ground, a pile of these stacked up close
together, making 128 cubic feet, is often sold for 8s. or 10s.
bis, when dry, often sells for double that amount. Special
agreements for work of this kind are sometimes entered into,
ae the workman to have either the roots and stones, or

oth,

“ Digging is done in various modes. Rough digging, shallow,
and the turned-up portion not broken, is from 16s. to 18s., or
20s. per acre. This is often paid for what is dug up in fruit
plantations. Deeper digging and breaking the clods is worth
double this amount. A hedge may be trimmed in summer
for 1s. or 1s. 6d. per 100 yards. Mowing of hay, if the crop
is good, and in the neighbourhood of a town, will cost 6s. or
more per acre. Mowing short grass is difficult to calculate, so
much depends on the way it is done. In fact, it is not easy to
say what ought to be given for any piece of work without seeing
it; neither is it fair to enter into calculation of the profit and
Joss of undertakings without being on the spot when the under-
taking is in working. Railway prospectuses have put forth
plausible tables which experience has over and over again
proved were hollow and worse than useless. I can, therefore,
only say to ‘W.B.,’ that by using great prudence, economy,
and perseverance, he may make his ten-acre cultivation a paying
undertaking —J. Rozgson.”

This is just the answer we expected. Soils, situations, and
seasons so vary that no one can give a prophetic table of profit
and loss with any reasonable prospect of approaching the real
result. The best guide for “W.B.,’ will be the man whose
services he purposes retaining, and who, if intelligent and trust-
wortby as well as industrious, will be the surest leader to
success. |

RHODODENDRON SEEDLINGS AND CULTURE.

T ax glad to see in your Number for the 24th ult. a reply to
“J. N.M.” on the subject of Rhododendron culture.” May I
say a few words on the subject? Having grown thousands of
seedlings from the best hybrids, I asked one of the questions,
which your correspondent there puts, of Mr. Standish, and he
very kindly replied to me that “all the best Rhododendrons
generally come true from seed.” Of course there is a chance of
obtaining varieties where the plants are grown in juxtaposition.

It may interest “ J..N.M.” to know that Rhododendrons bar-
batum, Thomsoni, and Campbelli (all Sikkim), have proved per-
fectly hardy, and the foliage good at allseasons. These haye been
planted-out since 1858 in an exposed northerly aspect here. Rho-
dodendron ciliatum was cut down to the ground in 1861, but is
now covered with flowers, having been potted last autumn, and
placed ina cold pit on frosty nights or days. All the Bhotan kinds

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ April 7, 1863.

proved too tender. Azalea indica alba has been ont in the same
exposed portion since 1856, and has flowered every year, remain-
ing unhurt, though unprotected, when Laurels and Bays were
all killed or severely injured by frost. Having now proved these
plants hardy, they are to be moved into a more sheltered posi-
tion, to give the Rhododendrons a chance of flowering, and to
allow the Azalea to flower where the north wind will not tear
the blossoms. This is, you may be assured, a rather cool spot,
rather damp, and feeling early frosts more than most places in
Ireland. Were I to name the county it would mislead your
readers, as at one side of the mountains the Myrtle blows as well
as in its native Ischis, while on this side the climate is more like
Switzerland withont the advantage of its milder latitude.

Isee in your Number of November 25th, 1862, a reply to
“An Op SupscerBeR” (I am an old one, too), in which it is
said that ‘* manure is not only not good, but an actual poison tg
Azaleas, Rhododendrons, and Heaths.” ‘This must, no doubt,
be true under certain conditions, or it would not be so distinctly
stated; but the old saying holds good here, “‘ What does not
poison fattens,” for in every case in which I have used old
well-rotted manure the results have been most satisfactory.
Manure, containing long straw or other undecomposed material
of that kind which would render the soil open or loose, is certainly
most injurious, either applied to the ground before planting or
dug-in afterwards; but, indeed, digging is, I think, always
destructive to all the Ericacex, and if ever the earth is to be
stirred it should be done with a fork, and never even then except
to apply manure.

Perhaps you will consider it of sufficient interest to allow me
to give your readers the following advice given by Mr. Veitch in
his catalogue for 1861, now before me. He says, “‘ Bog or peaty
mould is the best; but when this cannot be procured good
fertile loam with a dressing of rather fresh cowdung once in two
years will grow them well;’’ and he adds, “a good mixture for
them [American plants] can be made as follows:—To three
parts half-rotted leaves add one part of the turfy surface of a
meadow cut about 4 inches thick ; to this add a good quantity
of white or other sand. Chop but do not beat the soil, and use
as rough as possible; should the foliage become yellowish top-
dress with cowdung, or the use of liquid manure about four
times during the month of July will soon change them to dark
green.” Mr. J. Waterer recommends “ well-rotted stable-ma-
nure in proportion of one barrowful to six of the former
ingredients.”

I should not trouble you with these remarks, but that I have
saved the lives of some of my most valuable Rhododendrons by
the application of manure. Hereand there, too, I find a Rhodo-
dendron ferrugineum losing almost every leaf, but quite revived
by pointing-in well-rotted manure, after opening a trench out-
side the ball of roots, and filling it up with the same stuff.
Curious enough, Rhododendron hirsutum grows better here than
ferrugineum. These two kinds, by-the-by, I have never met
with in their wild state growing together; they generally occupy
distinct districts, though growing at the same altitudes.

In conclusion, it is worth while to remark that though much
of the soil here is that best fitted for Rhododendrons, yet there are
two other soils in this place—viz., fine limestone gravel and fine
rabbit sand of decomposed granite. On both of these last there
are to beseen good healthy Rhododendrong, of course more dwarf
and less luxuriant, the soil being, I believe, almost entirely
devoid of vegetable matter, and no mixture of manure or any
thing else being applied; and it may be worth while remarking
that on these soils the Rhododendron ponticum strain does better
than the catawbiense.

Enclosed is a small paper of Rhododendron seed of fifty of
the best hardy named kinds, having flowered together last season.
This is for your correspondent ‘J. N. M.” should he wish for
them.—D. C. M., ireland.

SSS ed

IMPORTANCE OF GENERAL KNOWLEDGE.

Ty a late article on attention, &c., which has met with more
consideration and sympathy than I ever expected from the
greatest gardeners and the employers of gardeners, 1 borrowed
a sentence or two from a nobleman when addressing an Institute
at Birmingham. I have just read with great delight the address
of the noble Premier on his installation as Rector of the Univer-
sity of Glasgow. I would urge the reading of that address, and
that of the Duke of Argyll and others, upon my younger brethren ;

April 7, 1863. ]

and for the sake of those who may not see it entire, the follow-
ing extract from the speech of Lord Palmerston is well worthy
of a place in Tne Journat or HorricuLrure, where it is sure
to come before great numbers of young professionals.—R. F.

“You are all of you, probably, destined to some one particular profession,
make everything that belongs to that profession the object of your intense
and preferent study; but do not on that account omit acqniring general
information on other matters whenever opportunities may present them-
selves to you for doing so. Whatever the profession a man may enter into
he will perform the duties of that profession better by having general
knowledge, and that generality of knowledge will not interfere with the
successful study of the particular line which he determines to enter. Do
not be discouragea by people who say, It is absurd to have a smattering of
different things; ‘alittle knowledge is a dangerous thing.’ A little know-
ledge is better than no knowledge at all. Learn a little of everything of
which you can learn anything, it will be useful to you hereafter ; though it
may not be in your own line, it will be the foundation on which you build up
as you go along through life. But bear one thing in mind—be not content
With regard to many things with mere rudimentary information, but what
little you know, know it well. Do not accept a jingle of words for reality of
things: goto fundamental principles; know acurately that which you are
desirous of knowing, and, however little that may be, depend upon it

that upon that basis you will be more a bui -
Pere y e able to build up the future super.

BOILERS.

THE mere fact that there are so many kinds of boilers made
and advertised proves that few meet with general approval, and
also that there must be a great difference in opinion as to what
is required. The only idea which appears to be patent to all
boiler-makers is to present as large a heating surface to the
action of the fire as possible, and this, all will allow, is a most
important one.

I will give my idea of what is requisite to make a perfect
boiler, and if those who have had still more experience will do
the same some information will be the result.

The points TI should insist upon are—1st, That the boiler be
made of cast-iron, haying proved that wrought-iron ones soon
rust through ; 2ndly, That it should present as large a surface
as possible to the action of the fire; 3rdly, That the return-
pipe enter the lowest part of the boiler, and in entering shall
not pass through any brickwork whatever; 4thly, That the inzide
of the boiler be easily examined and cleaned; 5thly, That the
furnace be calculated to burn any kind of fuel; 6thly, That there
should be room for a good body of fuel under the boiler.

With regard to the third point, in my opinion a most impor-
tant one, I have scen only one boiler—that of Mr. MeNab, of
Hdinburgh—which in this respect appears to be made on a
correct principle. Ifa boiler be surrounded by a mass of brick-
work, and the return-pipe pass through it, it must happen that
the circulation will be impeded as the bricks become heated.
The bottom of the return-pipe being much hotter than the water
returning to the boilera return current is set up, and the general
circulation interfered with. I have lately seen a boiler pulled
down that from this cause would not work at all, but thereturn-
Pipe in this case passed through a great thickness of hot brickwork.

There are so many boilers made the inside of which cannot be
got at, that my fourth point must be generally considered quite
unimportant, and perhaps, if nothing but clean soft water is
ever used it is not absolutely necessary ; but who can be quite
sure no one will ever use hard water with or without his con-
sent? There are many boilers only calculated to burn coke or
the best large coal; a boiler of this description must be an in-
tolerable nuisance to a man who can procure good cobbles at
half the price of coal, or whose cook will not burn up the slack.
With regard to the last point, it will be found much more
economical to have a good body of hot fuel if the draughts are
under control than to be always poking the fire and mending
it up, besides requiring iess attention at night. M

I feel convinced when gardeners have settled what are the
requisites of a perfect boiler one will be made much better than
any now in use.—J. R, PEarson, Chilwell.

MESSRS. A. HENDERSON & CO.’S HYACINTH
SHOW.

Tuts month, as usual, the Lapageria-house at the Pine Apple
Place Nursery is gay with a choice assortment of Hyacinths and
other early flowers; and though, owing to the past year having
been unfavourable to the bulbs, some of the spikes are scarcely
“equal to those shown in previous scasons, the display is well
worth inspection,

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

257

The stage in the centre of the house is filled up in the middle
with young Araucarias excelsa and Cunninghami, two nice
plants of Araucaria Bidwilli being placed one at each end; and
round the centre of green foliage thus formed, and which serves
to set off the flowers to advantage, the Hyacinths are ranged
in three rows. The whole of the pots are mossed over,
and surrounding the whole is an edging of Isolepis gracilis.
The side stages are likewise filled with Hyacinths and early
Tulips, and from the roof are suspended six baskets filled with
Hyacinths edged with Isolepis gracilis and having Ivy wreathed
round the outside. Near the entrance is a very large basket of
Hyacinths in bands of white, blue, and red, arranged on a
conical eminence and surrounded by Golden Fleece Geranium
and Isolepis, the whole producing a striking effect. The opposite
end of the house is occupied by a bank of Npacrises, among
which Viscountess Hill is a pretty crimson variety.

Of the Hyacinths the following are some of the best:—
Single Whites.—\iord Gray, a very fine waxy white; Madame
Van der Hoop; Mont Blanc; Richardson, waxy blush, very
fine; and Tubiflora.

Single Red.—Beranger, deep red; Charlotte Marianne, striped ;
Diebitz Sabalskanski; Herstelde Vreede, bright pink, fine;
Lina; Mrs. Beecher Stowe; and Solfaterre, brilliant orange
scarlet.

Single Blue.—Bleu Mourant, Charles Dickens, Couronne de
Celle, Emicus, Grand Lilas, Grande Vidette, Keizer Ferdinand,
Orondates, Prince of Saxe Weimer, Robinson (nemophila blue,
tinged with with lilac on inside, very pretty), and William the
First.

Double Red.—Bouquet Royal; Comtesse de Ja Coste, dark
rose ; Duke of Wellington, and Panorama.

Double White. — Anna Maria; La Tour d’Auvergne; and
Triumph Blandina, blush, with pink eye.

Double Bive-—Mignonne de Dryfhout, pale blue ; Paarlboot ;
Pasquin ; Sir John Franklin, marbled blue; and Van Speyk.

Blacks.— General Havelock; La Nuit; Mimosa; Prince
Albert ; and Uncle Tom, a good dark purple.

Of new sorts, Bouquet Constant, deep red with paler edges
Baron Rothschild, crimson; Jenny Lind, pale rose with pink
stripe; Princess Charlotte, rosy pink; are all good single
varieties ; whilst Petronella Cornellia is a pretty double blush
with pink stripes, and Passe Mabopolasser a very fine single
violet blue.

Among the Tulips Golden Standard had the leaves edged with
white; and of the others, Grand J)uc, Keizerskroon, Vermilion,
Brilliant, and Thomas Moore, were the most striking.

Several fine varieties of Narcissus were likewise shown, of
which Luna is a splendid double white and orange with very
large flowers; Malakoff, a fine pure yellow; and Amiable
Bouquet, a very large white with yellow cup.

SHADING FERNERIES—FLUE-HEATING.

In “G. A.’3” article in your Number of the 17th inst. I can
see something useful as well as ornamental; but I think some
shading may be found more under control than paint on glass.
Still, as ““G. A.” states it is for a permanency, I cannot find so
much fault. I, however, wish to point out one or two drawbacks
to its general use.

Firstly, Paint, labour, &c., could not well be done carefully
under 6d. per square yard. Secondly, Its being put on a little
too thickly will occasion great expense of money and time to
replace it with a thinner coat. Thirdly, In winter the more
light obtained the better; but the paint is still on, and cannot
be removed without being washed with soda and water, costing
as much to take it off as it cost to put it on. Fourthly, Paint
when put on in that style is apt to flake within a year when
exposed to a very hot sun and much rain, owing to the want of
union with the glass.

Now, what we require is something with which to wash glass
with the least expenditure, and producing greater benefit, and
with less evils to contend against—something, for example, as
may be readily removed when required, so as to be used not
only for ferneries, but also stoves, greenhouses, and pits, and I
will now offer ray opinion as to what this should be.

If we place a small quantity of unslacked lime in a quart of
milk, we shall find a substitute for paint on glass: it will give a
beautiful shading, which can easily be put on more thickly, or
done away with on the first wet day, or on being syringed and

258. JOURNAL OF HORTICULIURE.AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

then gently rubbed with a common house-broom. The labour
is small, the cost is next to nothing; no tradesman has to be
employed, but merely a boy may be trusted to apply it carefully.

“G, A.” is right in daubing it on with a dust-brush; for if
done in the regular way, unless performed by a very light hand,
it will leave many streaks, through which the sun will have
sufficient power to burn the green leaves beneath. ;

Next, this question presents itself to our notice: Should it
be applied outside or inside? If the latter, it will last much
longer, excepting where there is very much moisture, bat will
not allow you to obtain any heat from the sun; on the other
hand, if applied outwardly, it will give a nice shading, and allow
a quantity of heat to be obtained from the sun during the
summer months,

Great care ought to be taken in putting it on, so as to avoid
covering the paint on the wood, as it is liable to make the paint
perish sooner than it otherwise would do. TI have seen this
simple composition used for the last eight years, and never found
any fault with it, and I shall continue to use it. I have tried a
mixture of soot and milk for the same purpose, but find I
cannot put it on thinly enough to allow of the admission of
sufficient light. z

One may kill two birds with one stone, if possible, 1 will,
therefore, call your attention to “H.’s” article, which almost
immediately follows that of **G. A.” Flues, with one or two
exceptions, may be considered a dead loss, as compared with
hot-water pipes. I would never have the one if it were possible
to haye the other, as flues are always out of repair, let the
smoke out, cause nasty smells, take up much room, and are
accompanied by a dozen other annoyances.

In regard to heating by hot air, that might do fora manu-
factory or warehouse, where you wish to keep articles dry, but
never for a greenhouse or stove. Only fancy a quantity of hot,
dry air coming against some young foliage: I think it would
inevitably burn it. I fancy we always require a certain quan-
tity of moisture in the houses, which would be done away with
by “E.’s” plan, unless he stood by all the time to syringe his
earthenware pipe. Let him go to Mr. Monro, nurseryman,
Colney Street, near St. Albans, and see his excellent manner of
heating by hot water. His trials have at length brought him a
reward in the shape of a new-fashioned boiler, which quite
astonizhed me when I saw it work. Mr. Monro would be most
willing, I believe, to put up a boiler for any one who would, if
the boiler succeeded, buy his discovery and haye it patented. I
am not in a position myself, or would most willingly, for I am
certain it only requires to be seen to be brought into general
use. He has one at work, which he made himself, and it heats
two houses, and is expected to heat a third, with merely rain-
water pipes.—J. E. L., Jun.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Marcu 31.

Fiorat Commirrer.—A Meeting of the Committee was held
this day on the right-hand terrace of the conservatory at
South Kensington. Although there were not many subjects
sent for examination there were several plants of much interest
and beauty, and which would have amply repaid any of the
Fellows for a visit to the garden on that day.

Messrs. Smith, of Dulwich, cent a Verbena named conspicua,
a deep rosy crimson with clear white eye. Also Azalea Surprise,
flowers of a pinkish ground; the centre of the petals blotched
and spotted, and sometimes striped with bright red—a very
showy variety with badly-formed flowers, though considered
useful for decorative purposes. Messrs. Smith sent also a seed-
ling Azalea Oracle—a pretty, smooth, rosy-tinted flower, after
the style of Standard of Perfection, which it much resembled.

A seedling Wallflower came from F. J. Graham, Esq., and
was zouch admired for its brilliancy of colour—a bright yellow.
The scent of this single-flowering variety was most exquisite,
and a label of commendation was awarded, it being considered
an advance upon other Wallflowers in cultivation.

_Mr. Jackson, of Kingston, sent an early-flowering Pelargo-
nium, Mrs. Lewis Lloyd, with bright showy carmine flowers;
the upper petals deeply marked with a dark spot; the throat
purple. Although not possessing the usual requisite properties,
a label of commendation was awarded, being a decided improve-
ment in ‘the early-flowering class of Pelargoniums.

Mr. Earley, of Digswell, sent cut specimens of three varieties

[ April 7;.1863,

of Intermediate Stocks. Mr, F. Hopwood, a Cineraria named,
British Sailor, with a light blue disk, but not equal to many)
named varieties.

Mr, Bull, Chelsea, sent five Zonale Pelargoniums of various»
shades of colour, also a variegated-leaved variety. No award
wes made to them at the present season.. When they are seen
again in the autumn some of these: seedlinys: cannot pass
unnoticed. Auricula and Beauty appeared promising varieties.
Mr. Bull also sent Petunia Captivation, a very showy single:
variety, with mauve flowers margined with white; semidouble:
Azalea Due de Nassau, not new; Cupressus Lawsoniana varie-
gata; an Amaryllis Fire King, a bright scarlet. variety mottled
with white, flowers small but very conspicuous. Ai label of
commendation was awarded.

C. Anderson-Henry, Haq., sent a curious plant—Phzedranassa.
obtusa, which had no particular merit. The plant had lost its
foliage, and perhaps did not appear to the best advantage.

Messrs. Veitch, Chelsea, sent several plants of interest.
Among them Dendrobium lituiflorum, a very handsome Orchid,
to which was awarded a first-class certificate. Perhaps the most
interesting plant on the table, sent by Messrs. Veitch, was
Anthurium Scherzerianum. This plant was exhibited by the
gardener to the King of Hanover last July, at South Keasington,
and attracted much admiration from its extremely novel and
handsome appearance. It is nearly allied to the Arads, bearing:
bright scarlet spathes, with beautiful dark green foliage. It
reminded one of the scarlet Flamingo, and might well be named
flamingoides. A first-class certificate was awarded, which it
most justly merited. Messrs. Veitch sent also two Camellias;,
Filippo Parlatore and Giardino Santerelli, the former a very
beautiful variety, with flowers of a pale pink ground, with finely-
formed petals, striped and flaked with deep rose. A first-class.
certificate was awarded. ‘The latter Camellia was not in con-
dition to receive any award; but there could be no doubt about
its being a first-class variety.

Mr. Standish, Bagshot, sent Bletia sp.fromJapan. Although
a weakly plant, it promises to be a useful one. The deep
purplish-mauye flowers and elegant grassy-looking foliage were
much admired, and when stronger plants are exhibited will gain
its award. This will probably prove to be a greenhouse Orchid,

Messrs. Henderson, Wellington Road, contributed greatly to:
the interest of this Meeting, by sending a collection of beautiful
plants, among them an Amaryllis, with very dark-shaded red
flowers, which received a label of commendation. Two red and
white varieties of Primula sinensis filicifolia received a second-
class. certificate. We noticed, also, several other Amaryllids,
Rhododendron Veitchii, Rhododendron Princess Alice, Azalea
rhododendroides, Hymenocallis speciosa, and many others. A
special certificate was awarded by the Committee to this col-
lection of plants.

Royat Horricuirvuran Socrery’s READING-ROOM.—This is
now open; and we think that no two opinions will be enter-
tained, either as to the comfort and beauty of the room, or the
liberal supply of daily and weekly papers upon the table. We
think a book should be kept, and an attendant, to-ascertain the
number of Fellows who avail themselves of this gratuitous
luxury. P

SHA-KALE.

I HAVE in my garden a bed of Sea-kale which, owing to a new
treatment, has yielded very abundantly. Last autumn I had
the whole bed covered with seaweed about a foot deep. The
Kale grown under the seaweed is !so much finer and more abun-
dant than that grown under pots, that I shall discontinue the
use of pots, and thus save great expense. I have had shoots of
Sea-kale quite tender and white, of from 12 to 15 inches in
length, and 1 to 13 inch in diameter. I have only to watch its
appearance above ground, and then to uncover it to the root.
Would you recommend a similar treatment for Asparagus P—
T. W. B.

[So writes a correspondent, and communications like the
above are invaluable. Unfortunately, it is only those of our
readers who reside near the seacoast that can avail themselves:
of the seaweed spoken of; but there is no question but it will
suit the Sea-kale to the very letter. We are net exactly certain,
however, about it suiting Asparagus so well, although we haye
no doubt but to a certain extent it will do so. If the soil be
light and open the seaweed will be highly useful; if, however).

é

+
=
>

April 7, 1863. J

on'the other hand, the ground be stiff and heavy, the effect will
not be so good as a quantity of sea sand probably would. We
have, however, not had much experience with Asparagus so
treated. We would rather invite further communications on the
subject. ]

FUMIGATING WITH TOBACCO.

T HAVE seen no plan more simple and effective than mine. I
haye an iron bowl with a handle rivetted to it. The bowl is
made of good strong sheet iron; the handle is about a foot long.
Theprice of it here is about 6d. I had mine given to me, it
being no more than a “ waster’? before being galvanised. I had
About twelve holes punched through around the bottom of it,
and I haye had it in use about two years, and it looks as good
now as if did before it came into use, I think it beats
the flower-pot system of burning tobacco, for the pots are so
liable to break with the fire that isin them. I put a few bits of
wood.on the top of the greenhouse fire, and in about ten minutes
the,wood will be burned down to a glowing heat 20 as not to
causovany smoke from the wood whenit isin the house. I damp
the:tobacco-paper, cut a few laurel leaves with it, put the wood
coals into the bowl, turn three small flower-pots upside down,
set the bowl on them with the tobacco-paper put on the top of
the coals, go out, shut all up close, and in five or ten minutes
the house is full of tobacco smoke. There is no necessity for
stopping in the house, for the tobacco-paper will burn without
any trouble—W. F., Wolverhampton.

ESTABLISHING A ROOKERY—ROOKERY
FORSAKEN.

THE means of inducing a number of rooks to colonise any
given place is a subject which has already received various
answers from some of the many able readers of THE JOURNAL
OF HorticuLtuRE. But, though various suggestions have been
given on this point, there are at least two known ways of attain-
ing what in some localities is so great a desideratum; and I
give them below, as they have not, I believe, been referred to
before in these pages.

If upon any of the trees in or near the place where you would
wish to induce the rooks to nest, the nest of either a magpie or
ajay can be found, watch (if the former), the nest carefully, until
you are sure the old bird has done laying. This being known,
procure from some neighbouring rookery five or six eggs which
you are confident have not been sitten upon. Having obtained
them, watch for a conyenient time to climb up to the magpie’s
nest, and change the eggs when the old birds are absent, which
they will be for a long time during the day or two which occurs
between the date at which the hen ceases laying and com-
mences sitting. Should the old ones perceive you, proceed in
carrying out your object, trusting they may not forsake the
nest.

The jay, though quite as good a foster-parent to the young
vooks as the magpie, is exceedingly shy of being intruded upon.
Should you have in your grounds one of their nests, from the
moment you know of its whereabouts studiously leave it to
itself until you suppose the old one is sitting, when eggs from
some rook’s nest should also be procured—but this time, if
possible, in an early stage of being sat on. Keep them perfectly
warm until near the nest, where one should first proceed, dis-
turb the old bird, and, by following it whichever way it went,
endeayour to drive it further from the nest. This done, asecond
individual having the eggs should quickly climb up and deposit
them in the room of those already in the nest, leaving as quickly
as possible, for of all the birds of which we have had experience
none will so readily forsake its nest as the jay. I have known
it do so repeatedly where an individual had but once climbed
up to it, and this without disturbing it in the least.

Though I here give a suggestion or two, 1 would trouble
some of the many readers of this Journal for any further expe-
rience they may have in this matter also. We have here this
very season lost the rooks which had hitherto been as secure
upon the premises as their own new-made nests upon the trees.
They have unaccountably left abruptly and entirely, one and all.
‘Can any one inform me of the cause? Some of them had
actually commenced their nests this spring, but this was no
sooner donethan others came and destroyed them. Ithen acted

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGH GARDENER.

259

upon the suggestion I found in these pages—namely, placing a
broom upon the trees. I did more, for I caused to be built-up
in one of the very crooks where a nest rested last year an attempt
at a fac-simile of a rook’s nest. This seems as yet to have been
of no avail: no heed haye I seen taken of it save once, and this
by a rook seemingly larger and darker than the generality of

| them—a member of their gravest debates possibly ; for certainly

he seemed to treat this nest with great derision, as was evident
by a species of ironical croaking and other strange sounds.
Now, as we happen not to have either jays’ or magpies’ nests
here, the thought has occurred to me, Why would not the jack-
daws do as well or even better than either, still leaving the
broom and man’s nest in the branches aboye?—W. HARLEY,
Digswell.

P.S.—We have been in the habit of destroying the jackdaws
for the last year or two. I think one remained in the rookery
this spring. Can this have caused our friends to leave?

CULTURE OF THE GENUS CHOROZEMA.
By Pau Proeress, Esq.

Or all beautiful New Holland plants, the plants belonging to
this interesting family are the most beautiful; for, blooming
almost throughout the year, and more especially through the
winter and early spring months, they contribute to the decorative
appearance of the conservatory, or yield a few flowers for the
bouquet at a time when they are especially acceptable and valu-
able. They are also plants of tolerably easy cultivation ; at least,
those who have learned the rudimentary principles of cultivation
will find little difficulty in managing some of the more showy
examples of the family. Others, as C. Henchmanni, and angus-
tifolia, are more difficult to manage ; but, before we conclude this
article, we will endeavour to make their cultivation clear and.
easy to all.

‘The Chorozemas ave propagated by cuttings of the half-
ripened young wood, taken off in July or August, making
choice of the short, stiff, and weak, or medium growth, but
avoiding twigs of a robust habit. These, after being trimmed,
should be about 1 inch long, and must be inserted in sand, under
the protection of a bell-glass. In preparing the pot for the
cuttings, take care to drain it thoroughly, by filling it half full
with potsherds, then place fibrous peat about an inch deep over
the drainage, fill up with clean silver sand, and the pot is ready
for the cuttings. It is indispensable that a little peat be placed
under the sand, as it affords nourishment to the young plants,
until they are potted-off, and admits of their being allowed to
remain longer in the cutting-pot than would be advisable if
they were growing in sand only. After the cuttings are all in,
place the pot in » close, cold frame, water when necessary, and
wipe the condensed moisture from the inside of the glass twice
or thrice a-week. Here the cuttings must remain until they are
cicatrised, when they may be removed to a rather warmer
situation, the pots be plunged in a very slight bottom heat, and,
in a few weeks, they will be ready to pot-off. If it is late in the
season—say the end of October, before the cuttings are in a fit
state to pot-off, it will be the best plan to let them remain in the
cutting-pot through the winter, and to pot them off in February ;
but if they are fit for single pots in September, then they will be
much benefited by being potted-off early.

The plants when sent out from the nurseries are generally
from twelve to eighteen months old, and, at that time, should
be established in five-inch pots. Presuming you have selected
dwarf, healthy, bushy, well-rooted specimens, prepare the follow-
ing compost: rich fibrous peat, two parts; leaf mould, one
part; turfy rich loam, two parts; clean potsherds and charcoal,
broken to the size of horse beans, one part ; with sufficient gritty
sand to make the whole, when mixed together, light and porous.
Time was, and that but a year or two back, when cultivators, to
secure porosity, used the soil in rough pieces, and “‘a down-
westward” cultivator, to show the strength of his affection, has
recommended pieces the size of a brick. Thus, though this
served the purpose of growing the plants rapidly for a short
time, they soon became unhealthy, for, the compost being de-
ficient in silicious matter, from the impossibility of mixing the
sand with the coarse pieces of turf, it soon became unhealthy,
and hence the plants were brought to a premature end, much to
the disappointment of the cultivator, whose labours were cut
short just at the time when his anticipations were at the highest

260

pitch. Now, those who understand the mixture of composts
pursues an opposite course, and, after selecting their soil, and
divesting it of all superfluous and inert matter, they break it
into small pieces, so that the whole will pass through the meshes
of a half-inch sieve, and secure porosity by the intimate ad-
mixture of sand, potsherds, charcoal, or soft porous sandstone
broken small. In this way the compost is of the same quality
throughout, and hence the roots receive neither check nor
change of food; but when large pieces are interspersed through
the mass, the roots of the plants either avoid entering them al-
together, or by entering them, are subject to constant changes.
This is the rock upon which the advocates of ‘‘the accumu-
lative,” “the one shift,” and “the large shift” potting system
foundered ; they got plants to grow rapidly for a time, but that
time was limited, and at the end of it death was the jinale.

Let us not be misunderstood. In repudiating the rough
compost, and the one-shift, we do not disapprove of a large shift,
but we would enter our protest at once and for ever against the
use of rough compost. Look to Nature: The primeval clod, do
we find it like a honeycomb, loose and open like a basket for
Orchids? _No. But do we not on the contrary, while it is
sufficiently permeable for the free ingress of air and water, find
that it is firm and compact, and sufficiently solid to prevent the
changes of every breeze that blows? In this way progress is
comparatively slow, but certain; and the plants, instead of
progressing with great ra-
pidity for a time, produce

A S r -
tea won and Aer re se ee
o 4 S 4 NEES SCF) ) y 7
Ses ee PRN Aa ZA OO ie Tn oie
which abide with you for ANS a a i the flowers are in racemes,

years. But to return to our
young plants:—Having pre-
pared your compost examine
the roots of the plants, and
if they are strong and healthy,
Prepare a pot two sizes larger,
and after draining it properly
proceed to pot your plants,
placing some of the roughest
part of the compost over the
drainage, and proceeding to fill
up firmly with the finer soil.

The best place for the plants
after potting is a close frame
or pit, taking care to ventilate
freely, but to keep a moist at-
mosphere, and to shut the
frame up for an hour or two
every evening, but open it
again either partly or wholly
before retiring for the night. In this way the planta will
make rapid progress, and, therefore, due attention must be
paid to stopping the rude shoots so as to induce close, com-
pact, and healthy growth. If the plants progress as they
ought to do, they will probably require a second shift during the
Beason, and, indeed, if you wish to make the most of your time,
the plants may be kept growing slowly until the winter fairly sets
in, at which time they should be brought to a state of rest.
Inthe second year some of the plants will produce a nice head
of bloom; but, in order to secure rapid growth, remove
the bloom-buds when quite young, and keep the plants vigor-
ously growing through the second season. For potting, uo
general rule or time can be specified ; if a plant is in good health,
and the pot full of roots, a shift any time between Christmas
and October will not injure it; but never shift a plant until the
pot is full of vigorous roots, and take special take that the roots
do not become matted before you shift the plants.

Manure water in a weak state may be used with advantage to
hardwooded plants of all kinds, but use it with caution, and
not more than twice a-week. That prepared from sheep’s dung
and sootis the best, but it must be used in a perfectly clear state.

Chorozemas are subject to the attacks of red spider, and also
to thrips and mildew; the best remedy for the whole of these
pests is sulphur and water, vigorously and plentifully supplied.
Take a plant and lay it upon its side in the open air, then with
2 syringe wash it thoroughly, and after watering dust it with
sulphur, and repeat the dressing until the pest is destroyed.
C. Henchmanni and angustifolia are the most subject to mildew,

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

= Fitts AL NA
Na Ef y
4 oF

[ April 7; 1863.

but it may be destroyed by the timely application of sulphur
and water.

The following are some of the most distinct and beautiful of
the species which are met with in cultivation :—

C. angustifolia.—A remarkably graceful shrub, with long,
slender, somewhat scrambling stems, haying linear, acute leaves,
with recurved margins, and racemes of pretty flowers, of which
the standard is orange yellow, and the wings crimson purple.
Flowers in March and April. New Holland. Introduced 1830.
Formerly called Dillwynia glycinifolia.

C. cordata.—An elegant dwarf shrub, with many slender
branches, clothed with sessile cordate obtuse, spiny-toothed
leaves, and bearing the flowers in more or less drooping racemes.
They are orange in the standard, with scarlet or crimson wings,
sometimes scarlet with purple. Flowers in March and April.
New Holland. Introduced in 1836. There are numerous va-
rieties as regards the colour of the flowers. A fine variety of
this species, with a more vigorous habit, and larger and deeper-
coloured flowers, is called ©. cordata Lawrenceana.

C. Dicksoni.—A handsome, dwarf, bushy-growing shrub,
furnished with narrow leaves, and bearing a profusion of beau-
tiful dull scarlet and’ yellow flowers, something in the way of
C. Henchmanni. Flowers from March to May. New Holland.
Introduced in 1836, ;

C. flava.—A very pretty and distinct form for the cultivator,

though regarded by some
botanists as a variety of cor-

the standard deep clear
yellow, the wings much paler,
or lemon-coloured. lowers
in March and April. New
Holland. Introduced about
1848.

C. Henchmanni.—A hairy
shrub, with short twiggy
branches, covered with needle-
shaped leaves, and bearing nu-
merous axillary racemes of
flowers, which are very orna-
mental, light scarlet, with a
yellow mark at the base of the
standard. TFlowers from April
to June, and sometimes on-
wards till September. New
Helland. Introduced 1825.

C. ilicifolia. — A diffuse-
spreading shrub, with oblong
lanceolate pinnatifidly spinous leaves, and bearing scarlet flowers,
the standard marked with yellow at the base. lowers from
March to August. New Holland. Introduced 1803.

C. ovata.—A handsome shrub, with weak, ascending, winged
stems, furnished with ovate-acute leaves, and bearing short
racemes of showy flowers, usually scarlet, with the wings crimson.
Flowers from Marchto May. ‘New Holland. Introduced 18380.

C. spectavilis—A very beautiful, small shrub, with slender,
twining, or scrambling stems, the leayes of which are elliptic-
lanceolate, obovate, or cuneate, and the flowers pale orange in
the standard, tinged with crimson, the twigs being crimson;
they grow in long, drooping xacemes. Flowers from April to
July. New Holland. Introduced 1839.

C. triangularis—A beautiful, dwarf, spreading shrub, of
branching habit, with sub-hastate leaves, pinnatifidly spinous on
the margin, and the flowers in short racemes, the standard
scarlet, the wings purple. Flowers in March and April. New
Holland. Introduced 1830. i

C. varia.—A dwarf, compact-growing species, with yariable
leaves ; in some forms broadly ovate, toothed, and spiny on the
margins, in others almost entire, and sometimes nearly round in
outline. The flowers are very numerous, in short racemes,
large and showy, usually orange, with crimson wings. lowers
from April to July. New Holland. Introduced in 1837. The
variety called C. varia nana, of remarkably dwarf habit, is the
best for a limited collection, though there are two or three other
very distinct and beautiful forms.—(Gardeners’ Magazine of
Botany.)

2

April 7, 1863. } JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 261
A FEW DAYS IN IRELAND.
LYONS.
Fig. 1—Fiower Garprn ar Lyons. Fig. 2.—Puisn or PAanEt.
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Tuts yery elegant and classic residence of Lord Cloncurry is
twelve miles from Dublin and two miles from the station of
Hazelhatch, on the Great Southern and Western Railway. The
Mansion is very handsome, consisting of a centre and wings
connected together by colonnades, and is much celebrated for its
rich collection of paintings and its gallery of fine statuary. We
arrived at Lyons from Straffan by a beautiful approach, but too
late in the afternoon to be able to note and appreciate all its dis-
tinctive beauties, or to examine and be delighted with the great
improvements of superior cultivation and effective drainage
accomplished and being carried on in the various farms of more
than one thousand acres in all. The noble owner spares no
pains, labour, or expense in this direction, and gives a lesson
and an example of true patriotism by living almost constantly
among his own people, and assisting every effort that has a
tendency to elevate them in comfort and social respectability.

The site of the mansion is anelevated platform, but the whole
surroundings with their rich plantations being somewhat level,
no views of consequence can be obtained from it, unless on the
fiower-garden front, where after passing over an oblong flower
garden 650 feet in length by 198 feet in breadth, which slopes
down to a noble clear lake of forty acres, the eye rests on the
beautiful hill of Lyons on the opposite side of the lake, which rises
to the height of 680 feet, and from the top of which fine views
must be obtained of the surrounding rich level country. From
the flower garden glimpses are obtained of massive ruins on the
side of the hill, the remains of an old castle or monastery, and
possessing an extra interest as being near to the burial place of
the family. We could not help thinking how imposing, nay,
almost how impregnable, a castle situated on the top of euch a
hill would have been in the days of raids and forays, when

might was considered to be more than three parts out of the

262

four of right, and when nothing was thought, in these “good
old times,” of the exhausting labour so imposed on serfs and
vassals, as to send them prematurely out of that world which
had been to them a scene of toil and of woe. Neither could we
help reflecting how grand and picturesque a castellated mansion
would have looked loftily placed on the bosom of that hill, com-
manding such a rich distant yiew of the surrounding country,
and near at hand a series of terraces down to the beautiful lake.
In these days of quiet and social amelioration, when comfort is
eyen more important than security, and easy access to water,
corn, and fuel more desiderated than eyen the most splendid
views, we gradually become reconciled to the mansion of Lyons
being situated where it is, as we feel there is an advantage on
the score of prudential economy in looking over the lake up to
the hill, instead of looking down from a rich colonnade near its
crest.

Owing to the lateness of our visit, we will chiefly confine our-
selves to the peculiar features of the large flower garden, the
management of the fruit trees, and the mode of heating the forcing-
houses; and thus, whilst touching on some of the distinctive
features, help also to give variety to these sketches.

The flower garden, as already indicated, is bounded at one end
by the mansion and a range of elegant vases, and at the other
end by the splendid lake. The two sides are bounded by
lawns meadows, and plantations, the meadow being one of the
things a gardener would wish elsewhere, owing to the weeds
that are apt to come from it. This oblong square is divided by
a walk down the centre, 21 feet in width, and bounded on the
sides by walks 10 feet in width with their suitable verges, &c.
Three transverse walks at something like equal distances apart,
would throw the whole space into four pair of oblongs; but
a fine statue of Venus on a lofty pedestal being placed in the
middle of the central walk, and equidistant from the mansion
and the lake, the necessary curve round it breaks what might
have been the monotonous straight lines of the oblongs, and
secures a pair of curved triangles in addition to the oblongs,
as seen at 5, 5, in fig. 1.

We here met with our new and very intelligent friend Mr.
Lind, who kindly detailed to us many changes and improve-
ments he propozed effecting, though the garden, as it was pre-
sented to us, had many charms, and chiefly for two reasons—
first, because in combination with the new grouping system,
there was ful! play given to the older and, perhaps, more simple
and natural arrangement of flowers; and secondly, because each
pair of oblongs was planted not only so as to pretty well balance
each other, but so that each pair should be distinct and conjure
up different associations.

Thus beginning at the two squares next the mansion, we find |

that the beds are grouped with bedding plants and separated
from each other by walks of gravel, and that in addition each of
these oblongs is surrounded by a border about 6 feet in width,
planted chiefly on the mixed system with early bulbs in spring,
numbers of bedding plants in summer, and haying besides a num-
ber of fine plants of Lavender along the centre, and the sides well
supplied with huge massive plants of evergreen Candytuft, Au-
brietia purpurea, Arabis yerna and yariegata, and Alyssum saxa-
tile, &c., which give the border a very vich gay appearance in
April and Mar, and a furnished look in winter.

It would, therefore, be a pity to alter the arrangement of
these borders, though we quite coincide with Mr. Lind, that no
sticking-in of abundance of bedding plants during summer will
ever cause these borders in autumn to vie with or equal the
splendour of the grouped beds. If the labour-power would
permit, we would reduce the fine old plants to more manageable
dimensions, remove them to a reserve ground in the end of May,
and ribbon or parterre these borders so as to be of a piece with
the beds in autumn, The beds in the two squares 1, fig. 1 have
also rows, &c., of Tulips, Crocus, and Snowdrops in spring ;
and with the exception of Roses, &c., were filled with bedding
plants in summer; and we quite agree with Mr. Lind in re-
moving even Roses from such a parterre, as do what you will
you cannot get them to correspond with massive beds of bedding
plants in the end of summerandautumn. Fig. 2 is « plan of
one of the squares of fig. 1, and was thus planted :—1, all Scarlet
Geraniums, with Humea for centre; 2, Verbena venosa, which
generally grows strong in the moist climate of Ireland; 3, one
bed with Roses, Perpetual and Moss, witha belt of Salvia patens,
the other bed belted -with a violet Verbena ;-4, one bed Roses
and Salvia patens, the other Roses and Lord Raglan Verbena;
5, all Lobelia fulgens—splendid beds'in autumn ; 6, two beds of

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

—

T

[ April 7, 1863.

Amplexicaulis Calceolaria, and two beds of Golden Ball Calceo-
laria in fine order; 7, all Manglesii Geranium; 8, planted in
lines, middle Perilla, then white Alyssum and Tropolum elegans ;
9,9, Verbena venosa. We think these large beds would have
been improved by mixing with Flower of the Day or old Scarlet
Variegated Geranium. If the borders were ribboned in straight
lines, we should like more of the beds to be mixed, or edged,
and that would increase variety; but then there should be a
different style from that adop‘ed in the two squares 2, fig. 1.

In the couple of parterres, 2, 2, there were fine beds of Roses,
and a fine horseshoe bed of Berberis aquifolium, which looks
well summer and winter. The main beds, however, are filled
with early hardy bulbs; and then, as these decay, the beds are
filled with bedding plants. Mr. Lind intended grouping all
these beds in future; and as they have no border round them,
a different style of planting should obtain from that adopted in
No. 1.

The two beds, 5, 5, round the statue of Venus are filled
with Roses, and, the row next the Venus are pillar Roses, and
festooned together; then follow standards, half-standards, and
dwarfs, so as to form a blunt pyramid of Roses. The break in
the masses of flowers here is very pleasing, and prevents one
being overpowered with dazzling colours, and there is no chance
of wearying from the monotony of the splendour presented.

The pair, 3, 8,is on grass, and the parterres may be called
transition gardens. Here again were beds of Berberis and Hy-
pericum (St. John’s-wort) ; fine beds of China Roses; Dahlias ;
mixed bedding plants in lines; herbaceous plants in varieties ;
Sweet Peas; Hollyhocks; and beds of Phloxes, &c.; putting
one in mind of, and in love with, our old-fashioned flower-
gardening. Mr. Lind contemplated a better arrangement of
many of the beds, in addition to Hollyhocks, Dahlias, Phloxes,
&e., 80 that the beds should be gay all the year round—such as
mixtures of Delphinium formosum and Verbena yenosa, both of
which stend the winter there well, and the Verbena would just
be coming strong when the Delphinium wanted pruning-in.

The pair, 4, 4, are chiefly old herbaceous plants and deciduous
shrubs and trees. Among the latter are some fine old Laburnum
trees, which are stumped-in close every year, and yet bloom
most freely on the young wood, and, what is more singular,
produce endlezs sports, generally having three or more dis-
tinct forms of wood and colours of flower on every tree—the
large yellow and the small yellow, and the pink and purple as
well. Mr. Lind playfully hinted whether inquiring into the
causes of such eccentric variation might not be a pleasant relief
from the vexed question of the cause of variegation in plants.
We understood there was to be a change in the parterres, 4, 4,
by throwing the beds into grass near the lake, which we feel
sure would be a great improvement, especially if graced with a
few evergreens and Conifers, as there are plenty of beds to re-
quire an immense number of plants to fill them well. The Irish
Yews at the corners of the parterres come in well. The combi-
nation of the new grouping system with the old mixed system
is yery pleasing to a stranger, more especially as the systems
are kept separate and distinct. “The vases and statuary give a
light and elevated appearance to the whole.

We just saw enough of the kitchen garden to be satisfied that
there was a good supply of all vegetables for family consumption ;
but the fruit trees having arrested our attention, and Mr. Lind
having had much practice in root-lifting and root-pruning, &c.,
we will now devote a short space to that subject. The first we
shall refer to were fine-looking Apricots, with short-jointed, well-
ripened wood and prominent buds. “Previously the wood did
not ripen well. On eqemining the border it was found to be
well flagzed 3 feet frota the surface. The soil and the roots
were dry; but the latter were deep, and in a sad state with

warts and suckers, from deep cultivation of the borders. The |
warts and suckers were carefully removed, the roots carefully —
traced out, the lower soil well firmed, much of the surface soil
removed, and the trees were just not raised altogether, 2 feet

next the stem being left, and the roots were nicely packed in new
soil a foot from the surface. .
Then, Pear trees were greatly improved by the following
process. They had been root-pruned more than once—that is,
a trench had been dug round the stem, at 8 feet from it, and all
roots cut through. ‘No attention to drainage being given, no en-
couragement to surface roots, the new roots formed went: down
straight asa line after moisture, into the subsoil, and flower-buds
and good fruit were things rather to be thought of than obtained.
These straight-downward roots were carefully raised as “far as

April 7; 1863. ]

possible, a foot of open drainage was packed underneath, and the
long roots brought near the surface, ag in the case of the Apricots,
with marked success. A similar course was adopted with
Plums and Peaches. In such a moist climate, dryness at the
root near the surface, and frequent raising and root-pruning
young trees, are great essentials to success. Ono of our old
tutors in Staffordshire lifted his Peach trees every other year,
and thus, though the trees were rather small, secured plump buds,
stubby wood, and freedom from canker and insects. Mr. Lind
does all that work, if possible, eayly in autumn before the leaves
begin to change much, and thus accelerates the ripening of the
wood, and finds an adyantage instead of a disadvantage the follow-
ing season. If he commences in the beginning of October, he
shades the trees for a short time in bright sunshine, and uses the
syringe pretty freely, to prevent the leaves falling prematurely,
and thus the fine new roots will be running io the fresh, warm,
surface soil, before even the leaves all fall. R. Fise,
(Lo be continued.)

DOUBLE LESSHR PERIWINKLE.

I SEND you by this post a box containing flowers of the
double blue Vinca minor, hoping you will inform me, for my
own satisfaction and also for that of my friends, if itis a plant
in general cultivation. I do not remember having seen it before
this year.

It is one of the most beautiful plants I ever saw for early
spring blooming. The plant I took the enclosed flowers from
is growing on a block of wood on the lawn, exposed to all sorts
of wind and weather, and has been producing hundreds of
blooms since the middle of January last. It has now quantities
of beautiful expanded blooms upon it, and will evidently con-
tinue to flower for some time to come, there being large numbers
of buds daily making their appearance. The plant grows very
compact and quite circular, and, I think, would be found an
admirable acquisition for suspended baskets in the conservatory,
or cold greenhouse. The shoots are about 2 feet in length, of
slender habit, and produce racemes of blooms from the crown of
the plant to the extreme point of the shoot. The foliage is small,
of a bright dark green, and beautifully contrasts with its lovely
hepatica-like flowers. I have been an admirer of spring-flowering
and rock plants for many years, but I do not remember any plant
more deserving of general cultivation.—Hrnry W. Browne,
Boughton Street, St. John’s, Worcester.

[The specimens, abundant in number, sent by our correspon-
dent, we consider a very desirable acquisition, both for rock-
work in the open garden and for baskets in the conservatory,
if the plants will flower true and as abundantly there. In some
old florists’ catalogues we find a double purple variety of the
Vinea minor mentioned, but we have no remembrance of it in
modern catalogues.—Eps. J. or H. |

GARDENERS’ SOCIETY.

I must thank your correspondent “‘G. A.” for bringing the
above subject before the gardening public, and I hope it will be
well responded to, as I know the want of unity in the profession
has often been felt and commented on by numbers of gardeners
with whom I have come in contact. Could not the Gardeners’
Benevolent Society be extended to embrace the idea in a great
measure ?

Two or three years ago the education of gardeners was criticised
rather seyerely in the columns of a contemporary, because some
of those hybrids between a groom and gardener applied for a
situation in letters containing some wretchedly bad spelling.
This was too hard upon gardeners as a class, and would not
haye happened if public examinations in which first, second, and
third class certificates were given, had been the order of the
day. Should such be adopted, we should find the right man in
the right place more frequently than we do now.

How often do we see the man who has worked his way up-
wards from the stokehole through different gradations to the
Position of confidential foreman, after qualifying himself in his
leisure hours bystudying vegetable physiology, botany, chemistry,
&e,, find another, without study, and with half the years of prac-
tice, but with good private interest, gain the position in society
thé former should have held? If acertificate were required from
A recognised. board of examiners, abilities would: become more

JOURNAL OF HORTICULIURE AND COTTAGH GARDENER.

268

prominent: in the great’ competitive labour market. Again’:
Gardeners, from the very natuve'of their employment being much
isolated from their brother gardeners; particularly in country
localities, the stated times of meeting at head-quarters of sub-
districts would tend to bring them more together; and the

exchange’ of ideas could not fail to be beneficial.

Also, if a fund for sick and disabled members could be added
so much the better, as it is very lamentable to see a once-respect-
able man in his old age come to want, as is often the case.
Gardeners when young are not thought capable of filling a
head place, consequently they have not the chance of providing
for a rainy day so well as persons engaged in many other trades
and professions.

T will conclude by hoping that the importance of the subject
will cause it to be well ventilated.—J. A., Hants.

[We are enabled to state that steps are being taken to effect
the establishment of a ‘*GARDENERs’ Socrery.”—Eps. J, or H.J

ANIMAL HELPS IN GARDENS.

Tur Hen.—A fowl that devours greedily all kinds of insects
in the egg, larva, or chrysalis state, and in most cases the mature
insects. Woodlice hens are partial to. I have known a single
hen deyour a gill (quarter of a pint), in a few minutes, which
I had caught by the simple and old-fashioned contrivance of
putting a boiled potato in a 32-sized flower-pot, and placing a
little hay loosely over itin the pot. This, along with pouring
boiling water down the walls of a Mushroom-house, effectually
eradicates the troublesome woodlice. When it can be done,
hens will speedily clear dung of woodlice, and a large quantity
of larvee or maggots more or less present in dung. They not
only catch all they see, but they search with their feet for more.

Were it not for their ardour in searching for prey with their
claws, and scratching such deep holes to cool and clean them-
selves; I should have no objection to their entering a garden;
but I have tried them there, and was glad to be free of them.
They scratch anywhere, and never in the right place; destroy
seed-beds completely, eating the seeds; and they will pull
currants off the trees for mischief, and anything that looks like
“mub” they tamper with. In return, they make quick work.
and good of snail or slug eggs. 1 have no proof that they
devour the perfect insect, though I have watched and put them
in their way.

In a garden they are a nuisance, and do more harm than
good. I have known people wrap bantams’ claws in a kind of
leathern bag, so as to make them web-footed like ducks, and
I can vouch’ for their then doing good service. A couple even
then are enough on an acre of land; and they must be fed twice
daily, and a supply of water provided.

Ducrs.—These are wholesale deyourers of insects, the slug,
and beetles occasionally, but not when other food is plentiful;
the larvee, however, they gulp down should they put in an
appearance near the surface. They: also destroy wireworms
and dew-worms, but seem to respect them when fecundating
in July; and they put their bills into Strawberry-beds, break-
ing some plants off or trampling them to death and into
Thrift and Box-edgings, and mostly suck in something, as often
bits of sand and quartz a3 anything else. In reality they are
useful in a garden, and of great service to the gardener. In
point of damage they break succulent plants, as Calceolarias, and
sodden the ground by their putting some four pounds pressure
so frequently in one place, and the dirt made by them is not
pleasant to the eye.

A couple of ducks are enough in a garden of one acre, and
they may rear their young until five weeks old, when they must
be put out of the garden altogether.

It is advantageous to haye a small pond in which they can
swim and wash themselves; but it is not absolutely necessary,
for a shallow galvanised basin (ours is 2 feet by 6 inches), will
answer the purpose of drinking, a wade-through, and a wash
besides. They must be fed once daily in the morning in summer,
and twice daily in winter during severe weather. The reason
they are not to be fed at night is to make them forage.

Where there is the convenience of a pond, ball, pintail, and
other small breeds are not only ornamental but useful; and as
they are shyer than the Aylesbury, Rouen, &c., their excursions
are taken during early morn and night, but they never wander
far. Hvyen they must be fed at least once in twenty-four hours.

Water Hen.—Shy, but insects and aquatic grasses form their

264

daily fare. A pond and an isle with undergrowth are all they
require. Geese are worthless, and swans are little better.

Water Rat (Arvicola aquaticz).—‘ Nay, it eats young ducks
and goslings,”’ say old wives. But for once the old wives are
wrong. The water rat is a sportive inoffensive creature—a
water-insect and aquatic-plant-devouring animal, valuable for
eating grasses that choke-up brooks and pools; and it, with
wild ducks, will clear any stream of Anacharis—that plague which
threatens to close the angler’s sport. By-the-by, we had some
Water Lily (Nymphea alba), from Cambridgeshire, out of the
sluggish streams there, and planted them in a pond. To our
mortification the Anacharis soon filled it; but thanks to the
Normandy ducks, they cleared it sharply, not forgetting to destroy
the Lilies also to the root, but they come up again.

Pra Fowt.—A swaggering gentleman, and a coward and
great bore. It is of no use trying to grow anything where there
are many of them; yet they devour snake and viper eggs, the
young and the mature reptile also. J

Guinea FowL.—Too shy and tender for a garden, not given
to scratch except in basking-holes, but of little value to the gar-
dener. Though they are large insect-consumers, yet they par-
tals top much of the pheasant and partridge to be of much
utility.

Owz1s.—Very valuable; but who can pinion one, and put a
false wing on? Very, very useful in a wild state, yet useless
when caged. I have heard gamekeepers assert that owls take
young rabbits and partridges. Be it known that they do no
such thing. Ihave watched them for hours when alone by my
bothy door, and though I have seen a coyey of partridges (and
young enough), and young rabbits in the paddock adjoining a
wood ; and the invariable chosen prey of the owl (horned, the
largest, and screch owl too, not excepting the white), was a
mouse. Happily the worthy owner did not believe keepers to
have much knowledge of owls, or they would soon haye been
swept away. He spread his wing alike over the fowl and brute
as he did over the fatherless children and widow. Owls, though
solitary birds by day, court rather than shun the habitations of
man when protection is afforded them. The sereech owl har-
boured in an unfrequented tower over the laundry at the place
above alluded to, and I have known them shelter in grottoes,
and, in one instance, in a church steeple. Thehorned owl hides
itself in hollow trees, and the barn owls also select a secluded
resting-place where they breed, and to see them aally forth at
night in search of prey for their young is an instructive sight,
To see them skin a mouse before it is given to their young
may cause a shudder; but, their catching a rabbit or partridge
is what I should very much like to witness. The food of owls
is the smaller quadrupeds of the mouse tribe, but rarely birds
and never are they poachers of game.

_Hawxs.—The sparrow-hawk is a capital tenter of the smaller
birds, for though they may mock him in a pinioned state, yet
they dare not follow their nefarious practices, or Mr. Hawk puts
in his veto. A basin of water and raw meat is all the hawks
need. I have tried none of the larger kinds.

THE Cuckoo is a first-class ineect-consumer, and a scarer of
small birds. Cuckoos may be reared with boiled eggs and
sopped bread. But do not pinion one; rather clip its wing, and
towards autumn if it cannot fly clip the other and let it fly to
other climes, to return again in spring.

Gur1is.—I have had three kinds in gardens. The grey, white,
and black-headed, and a smaller kind under the name of a tern.
The black-headed are good, the grey next, and the tern best of
all, The tern is about the size of a jackdaw, and becomes very
tame. When the gardener is digging it follows, picking up
worms, slugs, and grubs. The gulls never become very tractable,
but they are continually on the look-out for snails, worms,
insects, and mice. The gulls are the only bird that I know with
a pointed beak that devour animals. ‘They will soon clear a
garden of mice, and they do not object to take a sparrow on the
sly. A sparrow they devour whole, head foremost, and they
relish young thrushes and blackbirds. In fact their gluttony is
unbounded ; but as their food is insects and small animals they
are invaluable to the gardener. Occasionally they will take the
heart out of a Cabbage, but beyond that they do no harm in a
garden. ‘Two are enough for an acre.

Gulls require fish when young to rear them, and anything
afterwards you please to give them, cereals excepted. They
should have a basin of water to drink at, wade through, and wash
in; but a pond they are averse to, on account of the fresh
water being colder than their native element—sea water.—G, A.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ April 7, 1863.

GISHURST COMPOUND.

Mz. WItson says that he has proved that 8 ozs. to the gallon
might be applied so as not to injure buds, but I have found out it
does so to a great extent; for 1 dressed the trees in an orchard-
house about the last week in December, using 8 ozs. to the
gallon, and on some of the trees it took a great effect. From
some of the Peaches three-parts of the buds fell off, and, I think,
there is hardly enough left for a crop. The Pears seem the
same, for about half the buds became black and fell off. The
Cherries, and Plums, and Apricots do not seem the least injured.
I brushed them all softly with a small painter’s brush.

Iam not the only one about here that it has taught a lesson
to. The trees were all in pots, and have done very well before
every year. I will take good care to use no more Gishurst. I
think some of your worthy friends, such as Mr. Rivers and a
whole host of others that so higbly recommend it, could. not
have thoroughly proved it. I believe that I used it the same as
directed in this Journal time after time—8 ozs. to the gallon
for trees at rest.—S. P.

[We think you have formed too hasty a resolve against the
Gishurst compound. This winter has beenso mild, that even in
December Peach trees under glass had their blossom-buds as
much swollen as they are usually in February. Wait until the
end of the year before you add a Mede-and-Persian law against
the Gishurst to your gardening code.—Eps. J. or H.]

Extract from annual report of the Van Mons Society of
Belgium. Printed at Brussels. Tenth publication.

“In 1859 appeared for the firs5 time the destruction produced
by the Scolytus, ravages which were not perceived till then, so
little was it thought that this insect would attack Pear trees. In
cutting-up one of these trees, the inside was found entirely per-
forated, and Scolyti were found measuring 6 to 7 centimetres
long, and 3 to 4 centimetres in circumference. Various remedies
have been tried to destroy this hidden enemy. The trees have been
stripped of their bark to the inner rind, and washed with milk
cf lime; but what has produced the best result, is a composition
which we received from Scotland under the name of ‘ Gishurst
compound,’ which, diluted with a certain quantity of water, was
introduced with the smali syringe into the perforations caused
by the Scolyti, and destroyed them.”

WORK FOR THE WEEK.

KITOHEN GARDEN,

EVERYTHING connected with this department should now be
kept in good order. Take every opportunity of eradicating
weeds; hand-weed where practicable, as it more effectually
answers the purpose than hoeing and raking, Cut the Box-
edgings and keep the walks well rolled. Bastl, a warm sheltered
spot may now be chosen to sow in the open ground; but being
rather a tender annual, it is generally the best plan to sow in
pans or on a slight hotbed and afterwards to plant it out.
Beans, earth-up the-early crops, but before doing so lay a little
soot close to the stems. . Timely earthing will also prevent the
wind damaging them. Borecole, make a sowing for the first
crop, what is commonly called the Scotch Kale is the best
variety. Broccoli, most of the varieties may be sown about the
end of the week. By sowing early there is time for a second
sowing in case of failure. Cabbage, pull up any of the plants
that are running to seed in the autumn plantations, and fill up
from the reserve-bed. ‘At the same time stir the soil between
the plants and earth them up. Carrots, thin out those in
frames, and give a plentiful supply of water when dry. In
sowing the main crops put in the seed rather thickly, as it is
more liable to fail than any other kitchen-garden crop. Celery,
the main sowing for the winter crop should now be made.
Continue to prick out from the early sowings. Dwarf Kidney
Beans, a sowing may be made on a warm sheltered border where
the soil is fayourable to early crops, or a sowing may be made
in pots for planting out as soon as all danger from frost is over.
Lettuces, give air to the plants in frames night and day in mild
weather. Loosen the soil about those planted in the open
ground. Onions, sow the Silver-skinned ona poor piece of ground
to produce picklers. Plant into beds the autumn-sown or those
sown in boxes in the early part of the year. Draw shallow drills,
and lay the roots of the plants in them at regular distances, after
which cover them with fine soil. Peas, sow any approved sorts

‘ )
“
i

4

De

‘

April 7, 1863. ]

for succession, but after the early part of the season, Knight's
Dwarf Green Marrow should be sown as a delicious sort, but
other and quick-bearing sorts may be sown when a large quantity
is wanted at each successive gathering. Radishes, keep up a
succession by sowing a few once a-fortnight. Sea-/ale, remove
the covering when the produce is gathered. If there is any yet
remaining to be covered let it be done before it grows much.
Durnips, thin out those sown in frames, and give them water
when necessary.
FLOWER GARDEN.

Patches of showy hardy annuals should now be sown in
vacant places, which usually are to be found in herbaceous beds
and in borders of the shrubbery. Double Poppies of various
colours, Lupines, Suntlowers, African and French Marigolds,
Clarkiae, Gilias, Erysimums, Collinsias, Silene, and Nemophila
are excellent for that purpose. Campanula stricta appears a
desirable plant for flower-garden purposes; its colour is light
blue, height about 6 inches. This, together with Salvia chame-
drioides, as well as the blue Anagallises, should be cultivated
in abundance, particularly where beds are encompassed with
gravel, and now that the Verbenas produce so many warm-
coloured flowers. Cultivate the different sorts of Mimulus;
several of the strong-growing sorts do well for damp situations
in the shrubbery, and, from their warmish colour, add apparent
depth to the scene. Plant Gladioluses and Ferrarias. Plant
evergreen shrubs if you are obliged, and, if so, take care to let
every fibre be carefully preserved; have large balls of earth, and
holes dug much larger than the ball will fit into. Attend well
to watering, and fix the stakes to prevent the injurious effect of
the shrubs being wind-waved.

FRUIT GARDEN.

The following is a method of which many may ayail them-
selves to obtain Grapes nearly equal to those grown in the most
approved structures. All that is necessary fur the purpose are
established Vines against walls, a common hotbed-frame or two
having three or four lights, a load or two of dung and leaves,
and a few plain tiles. If the Vines are pruned, which they
should have been before this time, make a bed of leaves and
dung of the size of the frame, about 4 or 5 feet high, and 2 feet
from the wall; use the short dung at the top, and put on the
frame immediately. After the heat is up fork it up a little once
or twice; and if it become dry, water it slightly. After the
strong heat has somewhat subsided cut notches in the back of
the frames, and bring down the branches of the Vines. A trellis
should then be fixed inside at about 6 inches from the glass, to
which the Vines must be tied. When this is completed close
the frame, and let it remain unless the bed is very hot, when
a little air must be given until the buds begin to push; after
which they must have air according to the state of the
weather. When the buds are about breaking, the dung should
be covered with tiles or slates to keep down excess of heat and
steam. When it is necessary to thin the Grapes the lights can
be drawn off.

STOVE,

If any plants in this structure require propagation seize an
early opportunity. Keep a moist atmosphere with a sweet and
regular circulation of air, using abundance of water about floors,
and syringing frequently air-)lants or others suspended. Shut
up with a solar heat, if possible, of 80° towards three or four
o'clock.

GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY.

The regular admission of air, qualified in amount by the state
of the weather and the period of the day, will not only be ad-
vantageous to the health but conducive to the preservation of
the blossom of the many elegant plants which decorate the con-
servatories at this moment. Continue to shift those greenhouse
plants which require it. The process of shifting is generally as
foliows :—A few potsherds to be placed at the bottom of the
pot, and then a layer of the rough turfy portions of the soil.
When the plant is in hand a portion of the old soil is carefully
removed by the fingers, or by gently patting the sides with the
hand so as to loosen the points of the fibres if they are at all
matted. ‘Then place the plant in the pot, so that the top of: the
Id ball of earth may be level with the rim of the pot; fill-in
with whatever soil is most suitable in a rough state, and gently
out firmly press it down, finishing-off quite level about half an
neh below the rim. Give a moderate watering with a rose to
ettle the soil about the roots, and the operation is then finished,

W. Keane,

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

265

DOINGS OF THE LAST WEEK.

KITCHEN GARDEN.

GAVE a little manure water to Broccoli beginning to swell.
Sowed succession Peas and Beans, also Spinach. Regulated and
made up herb-beds. Planted new beds of Mint, as on cold
stiff soils it is apt to give way if not frequently renewed, and a
gardener might as well be without Parsley as without Mint.
Sowed the main crop of Parsley. Planted-out Peas from boxes,
and staked as proceeded. Watered Cauliflower out of doors and
in hand-lights, that in the latter growing fast,and almost threaten-
ing to be in as soon as some of tke Broccoli. Planted a small
bit more of Potatoes under cover; have still a few late ones to
plant out. Pricked-out Cauliflower and Lettuces from a Carrot-
bed under glass, which will enable us to keep this second Carrot-
bed closer to get them in sooner. Planted the Lettuce at the
foot of a wall, so as to succeed the winter ones, now very nice.

Planted-out a piece of Fraser’s Batavian Endive to obtain a
little seed; this being the very best among the broad-leaved En-
dives for compactness and hardiness—in fact, for sweetness,
crispness, and hardiness it beats all other Endives hollow. We
have had it in April and May on a north border looking like
huge pats of yellow butter, and almost as sweet, by merely
placing a 24-sized pot over each plant, and stuffing the hole
with a wedge of moss. On applying to Mr. Veitch for a pinch,
he replies, ‘Sold out,” but that is just a reason why amateurs
who grow little, and like to make sure of a salad in winter with
but little trouble, should try and obtain a little pinch. It is
sure to be scarce for a time, though it is now a number of years
since our good neighbour distributed it. If any one should
save a few plants for seed they will be sure to be disappointed
if they do not net shortly after the plants show flower, if there
are such things as birds near them. ‘Iwo years ago the rascals
got under our net, and ate up almost every seed in the milky
state. Let them alone for finding a good thing! A few Lettuce
stalks that we cared nothing about were untouched—we say cared
nothing about advisedly, because in most small gardens it is
cheaper every way to buy seeds that can be depended on from a
seedsman, instead of bothering and saving your own. We have
often seen plant-houses and fruit-howses a perfect mess for
months from seeds drying and perfecting in them, and a few
shillings, less after all than the worth of the labour involved,
would have bought all that was wanted. Of course, if there is a
must be it must be; but in these days of the division of labour,
seedsmen by trade can save good seed cheaper than the man
who has myriads of other things to attend to. In rather new
varieties or where it is doubtful if the real Simon Pure can be
obtained, there may well be exceptions; but all our great seeds-
men, even as a matter of trade, are as anxious to send out only
the best articles, as their customers are to receive such.

This blanching of Endive has reminded us of the Sea-kale
we mentioned the other week, placing rather large common pots
over some in the open air, with a little earth round the bottom
of the pot, and turf across the top. Well, on looking at it
yesterday to see how it would come in to succeed some under
litter, we found it was from 2 to 3 inches high, and would be
long enough in another week; but it was coming neither white
nor green, but a sort of go-between purplish, and all froma
very simple cause which we never thouglit about. The heat of
the sun had dried and shrunk the turf, and thus a little light
reached the Sea-kale, which prevented thorough blanching.
Had we stuffed a plug of litter or moss in the hole we should
have had it white enough. Pots of any size being now wanted
for potting, for sowing seed, and for pricking-out seedlings,
we managed to obtain a few small oyster-barrels instead, which
will do better than pots, especially with a turf on the top
of them, and hanging over all like the large blue bonnet of a
Highlandman, so as to prevent the sun shrinking the staves, for
that would let the light in. Covered up, also, several rows,
showing fine heads, with a ridge of ashes 6 inches deep, and a
little dry earth from between the rows over it ; and in this case,
as soon as the smallest bit of Kale appears, the head will be in
prime case to cut. There is nothing better for obtaining delicious
Sea-kale than a covering of 8 inches of bog earth, and cutting
when 6 inches long, which can be easily known by seeing the
little hillocks made by the growing Kale. Sowed a lot of Sea-
kale seed in rows 18 inches apart. This, when thinned out, isa
more profitable way of growing it than in beds. In good light
soil it will be good stuff for forcing the first winter. In cold soil
on a north exposure it will require two summers. ;

Dug ground for sowing more Asparagus, as, when much is

266

forced, thereisno other plan for keeping-up a'succession. Forked:
the soil, and earthed-up Cabbages, and uncovered Potatoes
during the: day, now about fit’ for table, those in’ pots lasting
out well. Watered Mushroom-beds, bearing still pretty well.
Ought to have made up another bed; but just now there is such
a demand for extra heat from the little fermenting material that
falls to our share, that we could not spare any droppings.

FRUIT GARDEN.

Some of the Strawberry-beds, haying more rough leaf mould
placed between the rows in winter than they could manage, had
the ground hoed, and the rough extramaterial raked off and put
in the bottom of trenches that will come in for Celery some day.
Daubed buds cf Cherries; Pears, &c., with a little weak Gishurst,
and soot and lime, partly to keep insects from them, but chiefly
to keep the vermin of birds from them, Wehad a row of dwarf
Plum trees as fine'a sight as ever we would wish to look upon;
but the fruit will be few and far between, as scarcely a bud was
left, even though a net was thrown over them. One dark even-
ing come boys batfolded and caught from eighty to ninety of the
gentry, and we asked no questions as to what they did with them.
It is singular with what pertinacity they will keep to some things.
Some other Plums were not touched at all, and the same as to
vegetables. Two rows of fine Marrow Peas had to be sown
again, and now, in addition to trenches along the rows, a narrow
net is placed above the branches, and still through net and alto-
gether you will see the marks of their bills at the young sprout-
ing Peas, whilst there seem to be much more tempting/rows. of
other kinds close at hand, which have never’ been touched. In
this one would almost think there was more than the choice and
selection of instinct. And yet, for all that, did they moderately
only take their share, we would willingly forget and forgive, and
even do something more, so delightful now are theix sweet notes
morning’ and evening. Regulated Strawberries less or more
every day, as when fruit is gathered every day, besides watering,
some pots will require taking out, and some others taking in.
Others of our attendants knew something in the way of selection
as well as the birds; for if a slug or snail has sccoped out a
small hole in a Strawberry, there is) every probability that it will
be in the best Strawberry in the house—just such a one as you
would like to have as the crowner to a dish. There is no method
of getting hold of these gentry except taking a candle at night
and looking for them, and they will be easier found if there
should. be such tempting baits laid down after work hours asa
ara of brewers’ grains, or some buttered young Cabbage
leaves.

Further disbudded trees:and thinned fruit in Peach-house, and
for a fortnight haye seen no more of the brown beetle. We
found it taking hold on some small trees in pots in orchard-
house. The trees were placed in a small box-house; half a
bushel of bruised laurel leayes were placed on the bottom of
the box, and the door shut close, and next morning there was
not one insect alive. For plants that we can put into this box,
we have found no kind of insects that can stand the fumes from
the laurel leaves; and one advantage is| there is no smoking or
dust of any kind thrown on the plant. A slight skiff with the
syringe afterwards makes the plant clean of all vermin. There
is just a chance of some eggs remaining in.acorner. We think for
such purposes, having a stout calico cloth painted to make it
stiff to keep in fumes, and then wrapped round a plant, a few
laurel leaves would clear them more safely, often, than smoking
would do; but a small plant could thus also be easily smoked,
The great drawbacks of cleaning plants by syringing with any
washes are, that unless the liquid is clear a sediment is formed,
and the insects knocked down are apt to crawl up again.

Potted Vines, smaller and larger. Regulated Figs swelling
fast, leaving those out of doors still covered with laurel twigs,
and thinned Grapes, reducing the number of bunches as well.
Planted out one bed of strong Melons; and the second bed
haying been filled with Verbena cuttings, in semicircular drain-
tiles, which were struck, remoyed them, forked over the bed,
and introduced the soil toheat ready for planting. The minutise
of ow mode may be interesting to some. Our frames being
about 10 inches deep in front and 20 inches behind, the most
of the soil should be beneath the level of the bottom of the box.
Por this purpose the frame stands on a wall or ridge all round,
a foot above the bottom of the bed. Supposing the bed inside
to be 5} feet wide, a space in the centye of 2} feet wide is made
deeper still to the extent of 6 or 8 inches or more, A slab is
placed behind and in front of this; and the extra dung is placed

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGH GARDENER.

[ April 7, 1863.

at the back and'in front of these slabs, and between them and the
aides of the frame. This leaves a well or gutter in the centre,
between the slabs, of 2% feet in width, and 14 foot in depth for
soil. We find this all the lensth of the bed is generally enough for
Melons, When filled with earth the edges of the slabs are covered,
anda couple of inches or'so spread on the dung, back and front.
If we wich to give more earth we have only to lift up the slabs.
and take out the dung at the sides, but we very seldom do so.
We think that the plan has two advantages. he earth in the
centre is kept warmer with. a less proportion of dung, owing
to the dung at the sides inside being almost as high as the surface
of the earth: and again, the roots being mostly confined to the
narrow space between the slabs, there is less encouragement. —
given to an excess of mere lusuriance, whilst there is enough ~
of vigour to secure well-flavoured handsome fruit. Weight for
weight, Melons grown in large pots will generally be richer tham —
those:grown in a large bed of earth; and this curtailing of the
feeding-ground in a pit or frame secures some of the advan- —

tages of the pit, and dispenses with much of the extra and con- —

stant attention that pits require over common beds.

ORNAMENTAL DEPARTMENT.

Besides potting, regulating, and moving, the chief work has
been placing tubers of Achimenes in heat, bringing tubers of
Dahlias to the floor of a vinery beneath a stage—that is, the
general bulk, moving the Verbena cuttings referred to under
calico to harden, planting out struck Verbenas singly in a bed
to grow for six weeks, putting in more cuttings, potting-off
variegated and Ivy-leaved Geraniums, planting lots of Scarletsin
earth pits; and co little are we yet thinned, that more trenches
must be dug for them. Watered slightly those Calceolarias, &c.,
in earth pits for the first time; most doing very well, and root-
ing nicely.—R. F.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

*,.* We request that no one) will write privately to the depart-
mental writers of the “Jowmal of Horticulture, Cottage
Gardener, and Country Gentleman.” By so doing they
are subjected. to’ unjustifiable trouble and expense. All
communications should therefore be addressed solely to The
Editors of the “ Journal of Horticulture, Se.,” 162, Elect
Street, London, #.C.

same sheet questions relating) to Gardening and those on
Poultry and Bee subjects, if they expect to get them answered
promptly and conveniently, but write them on separate
communications. Also never to send more than two or
three questions at once,

cannot reply privately to any communication unless under
very special circumstances.

SKIMMIA JAPONICA BLOOMING BUT NOT FRUITING (Blba).— We ave sur=
prised at this, as with us it seems to set and perfecs its fruit in greater
abundance than we wish it, as we think by so doing it retards its growth.
Perhaps you keep it too warm. We treat it much the sameas Cape Heaths,
inured to strong currents of air every day. The thermometer is above 32°,
The soil we grow it in isa mixture of peat and loam, with more tham a
usual proportion of sand. Too much coddling is its bane; and treated as
a stove plunt, we believe itmay have refused to fruit. ~

Lrquiy ManvurE For Roses AND TaNnDER SHRvBS (Idem).—The drainage
of a farmyard is the best of all liquid manure for Roses, Sut it ought to be
given clear and not thick and muddy. ‘Tender shrubs will not want it, as
Yarnpant growth is not so advisable with them as a good ripening of the
shoots, Ordinary soil is therefore quite good enough for them; and in
some cases a \fery poor sandy soil is advisable for tender shrubs, manure
water being ohly wanted for swamp plants, and, if they be tender, most
likely clean water will be more beneficial.

ANNUALS AND Prrennias~s ror A Smoky ATMosPHERE (Idem).—Most
of the common annuals, as Candytuft, Conyolvulus, French Marigold, and
the like do pretty well. Asters do not doso well. Of perennials, Chrysan- —
themums are unquestionably the best—in fact, it has often been a question
if they do not succeed betterin a town than in the country. Dahlias grow
not amiss; and if the ground be moist Phloxes succeed pretty well. If the
soil be good aud the atmosphere free from all other noxious impurities
excepting coal smoke, most of plants will do; only it is not advisable to
plant many white-tlowered, as Rockets, Stocks, &¢., as they so quickly —
become soiled.

MEYENIA ERECTA AND VINCA RoSEA LEAVES TURNING YELLOW (F. J.).— |
There must be something wrong, or the leaves of your plants would not
turn yellow when the plants are in flower. The Vinca especially is an”
evergreen shrub in its way. If the plants have been forced hard to flower
thus early, and perhaps placed in a draughty greenhouse, they would suffer
at.once, or even if kept in the stove. Very hard forcing, and perhaps
something the matter with the drainage, will occasion the sudden falling= —
away of the leaves. Your plant is Saxifraga sarmentosa, and probably the
variety cuscutiformis, a fayourite plant with some cottagers, and called by ©
phen ‘Mother of Thousands,” but we could not be certain without seeing
the flower. .

We

also request that correspondents will nob mix up on the ©

April 7, 1863. ]

Pruninc Cepar or Lesanon (Mf. N.).—It is certainly wrong to cut
these trees at all; but if it must be done when they encroach on a walk or
other place, then August is the best month for pruning them. It would be
advisable to cut-in some of the limbs to within a short distance of the bole,
and leave others overhanging the cut part to conceal it. Do not shorten
all to one length, as a shorn look must be avoided; and if you can manage
without cutting them at all so much the better. G

Sowine Quercus pHELLos (Jf. A.).—Sow the seeds of this, the Willow
Oak, at once in deep pans or boxes, and do not moisten the soil too hastily
if the acorns haye been kept dry. If you havea large quantity they might
be sown out-doors. Itis always best to sow acorns when gathered, few
seeds suffer more from being kept dry than they do. When it is absolutely
necessary to keep them some time before sowing they should be buried in
sand, and that neither too dry nor too moist.

Wanrtous (S. 2. S., Zaunton).—Superphosphate of lime will be beneficial
to Geraniums and the other flowers you name. Sprinkle a dessert-spoonful
on the surface of the soil round each plant. Syringe your Peach trees with
a weak solution of Gishurst compound or with tobacco water to kill the
green fly, as soon as the fruit is set. Pigstye drainage is too strong for
Howering plants uniess much diluted—about one gallon to eight gallons of
water, and we would not apply it at all to Strawberry plants; butit may
be given to Asparagus and Onions, between the rows, diluted—about one
gallon to four gallons of water.

FLower-Garpen Pian (S, E. L.).—We purpose haying it engraved and
published next week, with a brief note on the planting.

Leaves or CryERarta Insurep (Curragh Camp).—The leaf seemed to be
infested with a scale, that looked almost like young woodlice. We have
Sometimes seen young woodlice on the leaves when the plants were grown in
old brick pits, but except making a few holes they did little harm. These,
however, we should imagine stick more closely, and should be syringes off
by the plants being placed on their broad sides. It is not common for Cine-
rarias to be thus infested, and it is more strange from being common in the
neighbourhood. With freedom from frost, coolness, and moisture, Cine-
Trarias are little troubled with insects. Heat and dryness will bring them
in Shoals. There are so many ‘“‘ Amateurs,” that looking back to such a
Signature to find what we want, would require no end of trouble and time.
We are anxious to oblige to the utmost, but when correspondents make
references, they will greatly oblige by giving the page and the volume.

Pires Requirep For HEatine (A Subseriber).—We think that to keep
a conservatory 24 feet high, 48 feet long, and 22 feet wide, warm for plants
in bloom in winter, if span-roofed, with much glass on the sides, and the
Pipes as you say beneath the floor, you would require at least 690 feet of
three-inch pipe instead of 370; but much will depend on the above mutters.
Tt will require more hea‘ing surface if the pipes are buried.

Coneus Prants Dampine-orr (A Subscriber).—We can only conclude
they hayenot had air and heat enough. They will not do much good under
60°. If we knew the treatment we might say more. Were they chilled
too much in the journey ?

SYRINGING WitH CLEAR Soor Water (H. W., Lyme).—‘‘R. F.” says
syringing with clear soot water isa great preservative against all kinds of
insects, but it will not kill them when there. It must not be used too
Strong for Azileas. He often makes it pretty strong, and dilutes as he uses
it. But for general purposes a peck of good fresh soot will do for a hogs-
head of water. The following is the process of making it:—Place it
Nicely sifted in the tub, mix it with enough of water to form a paste with
an old birch broom which causes it to mix with the water thoroughly and
intimately. Then pour in the water and stir with the broom as you pro-
ceed. This will give you soot water but not clear, and about half as much
or so of fresh lime powdered, and stir all well together. In a couple of
days there will be a little film of chalk apd soot on the surface of the water ;
remove that and the liquid is fit for use, as clear and bright as the best
sherry or the sparkling pale ale some people like so much. The lime so
Clarifies the soot water that not a particle of black will be left on the foliage,
though smelling strongly of ammonia. For some things you may use it
ecOnPEr than the above, but it will be strong enough for Beans, Cucum-

ers, &c.

Movine A Lance Pyrvs saponica (2. S.).—You may enclose both the
Pyrus and Magnolia by your conservatory, and must not meddle with the
Pyrus now. Ifthe houseis merely to exclude the frost, and the back wall
is not to be shaded, and you can give plenty of air, it need not be remoyed
even in the autumn. The Magnolia will do very well if the heat is not
often at night above 40° in winter, and you can give air and light enough.

FLoWeER-GARDEN Puan (Z. S.),— We would prefer lining your beds
instead of diamonding them. Our chief objections would be, that with the
exceptions of 3 and 4, all the other five beds would have white or light
edgings, and in No.6 the Pyrethrum would smother the Gazania. Sup-
pose you let 7 stop as it is; Flower of the Day, Brilliant, Purple King, and
Tvyy-leaf, white or variegated Alyssum, or Cineraria maritima as a broad
edging. Then we would plant all the rest in pairs—oppos‘te and crossed.
Thus, 5 and 6 centered with Pyrethrum and Heliotrope, banded by purple
Petunia or Purple King Verbena and edged with Gazania. Then 1 and
2we would surround with Manglesii, with just a strip of Cerastium, and
3 and 4, make alike, Tom Thumb, Cxristine, Lobbianum, and that would
be infused with a string of purple or blue, as Charlwoodii Verbena, or Lobelia
speciosa.

FLOWER-GARDEN PLAN (S. Z.).—We are sorry that we cannot recommend
a better rather dwarf Geranium than Brilliant, but Bijou, bounded by Cloth
of Gold, would make a charming bed at 9; or you might make a centre
of white, and two scarlets, and two oranges, all surrounded with an edging
of purple, as Purple King Verbena. Your second border will be nice if
you keep on Campanula carpatica to the autumn. In the first border
Calceolarias, after Perilla, will be more telling than Geranium Manglesii.
We have no fault to find with your balance pair of fancy figures; but the
whole would look better if 1 were in the same styleas 9. Yon will geta
good hint by referring to the plan given page 224, and that from ‘‘S. E. L.”
in ournext Number. In these you will perceive what we consider a test
of good arrangement—that it is impossible to alter any figure in the group
Without destroying the effect of the whole. Now, you will perceive we
could change any two of your figures into oyals, circles, or squares, &c.,
without making much difference to the plan as a whole; but of course it
‘will look well when planted, and you have the best right to please yourself
‘even as to the forms of the clumps.—R. F.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND OCOTTAGH GARDENER.

267

Gui (Sutton).—See what ‘*G. A.’’ says to-day. One gull would be
enough in your garden, and he would not object toa daily ration of raw
gurbage.

CuLTURE or TRICHOMANES RADICANS (Boughspring).—The fronds of your
plant are grown in air too dry for them, and the becoming brown and
dying is the result. We extract for your guidance the following from
Johnson’s ‘* British Ferns :’?—‘* It may be successfully grown in a pot by
first filling a middling-sized pot one-third full of finely-broken potsherds
or sandstone, putting upon this a layer a little finer, and filling the remain-
ing space with a compost of fine loam, silyer sand, and finely-powdered
sandstone in equal parts, This is to be pressed firmly together, and then
the caudex or main root very carefully arranged upon the surface, fixing it
by means of a few very small hooked pegs—the smaller in size and quantity
the better, Then strew a little sand and powdered stone over the surface,
just enough to cover and settle the roots. This being done, the whole is to
receive a liberal watering from a yery fine-rosed watering-pot, and left for
a short time to settle. Place the pot in a saucer, the top of which is to be
below the level of the top of the first layer of stone in the pot. This saucer
is to be kept full of water, with a bell-glass turned over the pot, and to rest
in the saucer of water. Place the whole in a warm greenhouse or stove,
and by keeping the saucer filled with water success may be relied upon.
Similar directions may be followed for cultivating this Fern upon a larger
seale. Be careful always to keep the atmosphere moist and warm, which
moisture will be secured by keeping the pan full of water.”

ANEMONES NOT FLOWERING WELL (JV. Reed).—We have known Ane-
mones do very well for four years without removal, but in general they
are better when removed every two years, and either planted in a
fresh place, or the soil in which they are grown exchanged for other soil.
Generally they do very well without any manure, but they are benefited by
liquid manure being applied while they are in a growing condition, or if
the ground were covered with rotten dung while they are at rest it would
benefit them much.

Tom THume Geranium (7. Bolton).—The flowering of Geraniums out
of doors depends more on the character of the season after they are planted
and the position they are in than on any treatment they receive before-
hand. If the plants be good and can be turned ont with good balls they
will flower quickly if the season is 2 dry hot one. If, on the other hand, it
is moist, they will likely run more to leaf in the early summer and not
flower until late. Soil, however, has a litt!e to do with this, and situation
also.

Camettra Leaves Sporrine (4. K. H.).—We cannot perceive any trace
of insect on the leayes you haye sent, but as you say you keep your plant
in your drawing-room, may the discolouration not arise from the plant being
so far from the light? or kas it atany time been watered with anything per-
nicious, as salt in the water, or soda or any like chemical substance that
might cause the disease? So many causes might give rise to the injury,
that without being more fully acquainted with the particulars we are at a
loss to define the eal one.

SEEDLINGS FROM NEwrown Pippin Aprie (H. P. B.).—It is very un-
likely that any of the seedlings from the pips of this Apple will come like
the parent, but you may obtain one or more good useful kinds perhaps, as
new varieties are obtained this way. It is, therefore, the best way to let the
seedlings be transplanted out into the open ground by the middle of May,
choosing damp weather for the job, and as they adyance an experienced
hand will be able to tell by the foliage which are Apples and which are
crabs. The former may be made to bear sooner by their tops being taken
off and grafted upon fruit-bearing trees. The others being only crabs
may be used as such.

CINERARIA AND PriatuLA (Southampton),.—We cannot undertake to re-
commend seedsmen ; but we would say, if you really want good varieties of
them, send to some one who advertises in our columns, and say you want
the best they have, and would rather give an extra price to insure its
being good. Lapageria rosea does not generally prosper from cuttings. At
least we have neyer seen it do so.

TRANSPLANTED Otp APPLE TREES (H. B.).—In transplanting a young
tree it is better not to cut it much down, because that reduces the chances
of leaves forming in sufficient abundance to perform the functions of
nature. ‘This, however, is not the case with an older tree, for in the pro-
portion between top and root there is an undue preponderance of the former,
when it is taken into consideration that the roots are invariably injured
more or less in the operation of transplanting. It is, therefore, better to
cut down partially; otherwise thin the branches at once before the sap
advances much, taking care to retain as many branches as will maintain the
shape and character of the tree.

Bay Trees INJURED BY THE WINTER OF 1860-61 (H. B.).— If you do
not object to the appearance the dead and dying shoots present, it is often
as well to leaye them on as to cut them away. If, however, they are very
unsightly a part may be cut off at once, and it is to be hoped the ensuing
season will restore them ; if not, the worst had better be destroyed at once,
and young ones planted, not inthe same place unless the soil be exchanged.
Cutting down evergreens entirely seldom answers ; it is betterat all times to
leaye a portion of the old foliage on, even if it be diseased. It serves in
some respects to perform the functions required of it. Whatever cutting you
make had better be done at once.

Lycoropium Lyattr nor Prosrerine (Southampton).—It is now the
season for this class of plants resting, or rather it has lately been the season
for that purpose, and if you had allowed it to occupy a place in a warm
greenhouse and kept it neither too wet nor too dry, it would have been
ready in a week or two to start a fresh growth. All herbaceous plants die
down at one period or other of the year, unless their growth be kept up by
unnatural excitement, which in the end brings on disease. No doubt but
your plant will start and grow again by-and-by; but until it shows signs
of doing so, keep it cool, and after it begins to grow mcrease the heat and
you will find it come all right afterwards.

Harpy LareE-FLOWERING CHRYSANTHEMUMS (—— ).—Some one, whose
letter is mislaid, asked for a list suitable for growing far north, so we
publish the following:—Alfred Salter, Aregina, Auguste Mié, Bisio,
Bossuet, Caractacus, Cassy, Diadem, Duchess of Wellington, General
Harding, General Slade, Golden Hermine, Jardin des Plantes, Little Harry,
Lord Ranelagh, Madame Poggi, Madame Domage, Orange Brilliant, Plutus,
Progne, Queen of England, Snowball, Striped Queen of England, Trilby,
Yellow King, and Yellow Perfection.

268

Vines Not Domne WELL (A Subscriber).—We fear that something else
was wanted than removing the clay that overlaid the roots of your Vines
on the border and against the house. It would have certainly been better
to have taken up the Vines entirely and made a new border, and replanted
them, or introduced fresh ones, for as you say the fruit last year was colour-
less and ill-flavoured, it was a pity to lose another season in the attempt to
partially restore them by enticing the roots to the surface with a horsedung
covering. Late as it now is, we would prefer destroying the Vines that are
almost certain to be unsatisfactory, and remake the border and plant fresh
ones. By having Vines with roots spread out in soil in a flat basket, and
that basket kept in a suitable place under glass, growth will be going on,
and you can plant basket and all when you have finished your border by
the middle of May.

SEA-KALE UNDER AN ApPLE Tree (H. P. B.).—If the roots of the Apple
tree occupy the ground and the top overhang it, the Sea-kale will not
be so good as when grown in the open ground, It will, however, succeed
tolerably well if manure be liberally applied. See what has been said about
Sea-kale in another part of our paper.

HyacintHs 1n Guasses HLowERING UNEvVENLY (F. JV. B.).—Most likely
those bulbs which did not throw the flower-spike above the collar were
forced hard and early, when they are likely to do so; while those which
did not open their flowers, but elongated the stem, must have either been
from imperfectly-ripened bulbs, or perhaps gown in transparent glasses,
exposing the roots to the action of the light: either of these causes would
occasion the defect complained of.

PAINT FOR GREENHOUSES IN SMOKY Towns (C, F, T.).—Have the outsides
painted a dark stone colour, and with the white paint inside have some
Prussian blue mixed. The latter should be used wherever a greenhouse or
conservatory may be situated; it gives a very pleasing tone to the colour.

AuSTRALIAN SEEDS (Lex).—They are all Acacia seeds, and require sowing
in a light soil in a greenhouse, atter being soaked for two hours in water
you can just bear your fingerin. JVattle is x colonial name applied to the
Acacias, but which is the Cape JVattle we do not remember.

NAME OF SEED (JV. H.).—The seed of Abrus precatorius.

Names or Prants (W. D.).—1, No flowers; 2, Acacia hispidissima;
3, a Chorozema, without leaves; 4, Tropzeolum tricolorum; 5, Azalea
amoena.

POULTRY, BEE, and HOUSEHOLD CHRONICLE.

THE POULTRY CLUB.

AS a member of the Poultry Club, and one of the Honorary
Secretaries thereof, I cannot allow the two condemnatory articles
in your Journal of the two last weeks to pass unnoticed. From
their tenor, I feel assured that the writer must be smarting
under the conviction that the Club is formed to correct his and
his brother Judge’s errors of judgment, or that their decisions
may be hereafter censured by the Club. Itis well known to
many exhibitors, that at many of our large Shows there haye
been most glaring mistakes, whether wilfully or from not
knowing the points I am not inclined tosay. The gentlemen
who have formed this Club have but one object in view—that of
obtaining the honest and fair exhibition of poultry, and uniform
judgment. And so far the success of the Poultry Club has been
proved beyond what its promoters could have expected, number-
ing amongst its members, residents in England, Ireland, Scot-
land, and even Holland, including breeders of every known
variety of poultry, many of them acknowledged judges, and “‘men
of standing and posilion in society,” who are prepared to act
under the Poultry Club’s rules. ‘Time only will show whether
the Club can accomplish the object aimed at. And even should
it fail in doing so, the promoters will haye the satisfaction of
knowing that it has had a fair trial.

At the same time I must say I think the articles in question
are premature ; and it seems evident in predicting failure, that
“tthe wish has been father to the thought.”

In conclusion, I can only repeat that the Club will do all in
its power to secure honest and uniform judging, without which
poultry shows will share the fate which has been so assuredly
anticipated for the Club in Tor JourNaL oF HorvicvLtTuRE
AnD CortAGE GARDENER. Lhat such prediction may be doomed
to disappointment, is the hearty wish of—Epwnp. TupMAN.

[We readily give insertion to Mr. Tudman’s letter, for we
have no object except the promotion of the interests of poultry
exhibitors, and the success of poultry exhibitions; but we
must express our regret that he has ascribed unworthy motives
to those who have published in these pages opinions differing
from his own. This is not the best nor the pleasantest way of
attaining to the truth, for in this and in all other discussions,
reasons should be weighed; what the reasoner’s motives are, is
perfectly immaterial.

The only question for discussion is, Will the Poultry Club
effect its objects? We think that it will not, and we have
stated temperately why we so think, and we have that opinion
sustained by the opinions of others well acquainted with poultry
exhibitions. If wrong, no one will rejoice more than we shall
over the success of the Poultry Club.—Eps. ]

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ April 7, 1863.
/MALAYS AT DEVIZES.

I DID not receive your Journal till late, and fully intended
to reply to Mr. Fox’s query, but it escaped my memory. If ©
“better late than never,” I would add a few words to your
notes on the Malay. “ Chacun a son goit,” say our neighbours,
and I do not doubt there are many who admire the Malay.
Of those at Devizes, I admired Mr. Fox’s as much as any, but
for this reason—that, in my eyes they were less ugly than their
prize and highly commended neighbours. Some young birds
highly commended were those which provoked my “dotting ;”
they had not the brighter colours of the adults, which, to a
casual observer, covers over defects. I would candidly say that,
in my eyes, Mr, Fox’s birds are too handsome.

T agree with your definition of the Malay; and if you do not
think me too bold, I would add one or two points. The hackle
of the Malay is peculiar to the breed ; instead of the feathers, as
in other poultry, getting longer as they approach the shoulders,
they are nearly of the same length throughout, so that they fail
to cover over the shoulders, and make the neck appear as if
stuck on the body. I give you simply my own impressions.
It is here, I fancy, aud I beg pardon for saying so of so good a
breeder, that Mr. Fox’s birds fail. You say that the comb
should be flattened down on the head, and I would add that the
head should be broad, as well as overhanging the eyes. I agree
with all your remarks about the scantiness of feather. Have
you not, however, omitted a characteristic of the breed, espe-
cially of the featherless strains—that is, a peculiarly cool and
defiant air? You may rattle your hand along the front of the
pen, and your true Malay takes no notice of the affront, nor is
he at all put ont—indeed, had he a lip, I should expect to see
it curl up; but that would be the only part of the body to
move.

To turn to another subject. Iam very glad to see that others
have noticed the faults of omission and commission in the sche-
dules of Worcester and Bath and West of England Shows. In
both the duration of the Show is preposterous, and if it is un-
altered, I hope breeders will come to the same determination as
[have done—to keep my best birds at home.—Y. B. A. Z.

ACCRINGTON EXHIBITION OF POULTRY.

PRoBABLY were those parties intimately conversant with ~
poultry-breeding to attempt the selection of the most inappro-
priate time of all others to hold a public exhibition of this kind,
a period of the year could not have more aptly suggested itself
to their minds than the one adopted for the Meeting at Accring-
ton—the first week in April. To exhibit their best birds at
such a critical portion of the early breeding season would, it
would be imagined, have daunted the spirits of even the most
resolute and persevering ; for now is the time in which the fondest
expectations of all breeders beat highly in anticipation of those
chickens that are hoped to take all before them at our earliest
Summer Chicken Shows. It is, of course, quite obvious no
chicks of 1863 gre as yet eligible for showing; whilst the stock-
birds are so busily engaged, it taxes the resolution of their pro-
prietors to the utmost to place so serious an interference to the
production of early broods as that of exhibiting them at so
important and anxious a season. ‘Vo this particular Meeting,
poner the time of holding the show appears rather that of an
unavoidable necessity than the result of willing selection.

The Spring Fair at Accrington is always held on the first
Thursday in April, and as their Cattle Show invariably takes
place at this time, the poultry has become an adjunct to this
meeting, only since the time that the universal desire to improve
our breeds of domestic fowls has become so popular. Not-
withstanding these serious drawbacks, as goodly a muster
throughout the varied classes was got together as we have
witnessed at any local meeting for years past. It is quite evi-
dent to all observers, that the Accrington Committee are as
desirous as it is possible for men to be to insure permanent
success to their undertaking, and both their collective and indi-
vidual exertions are strained to the utmost to promote this
desirable end; but they have not yet attained the experience of |
those who superintend our long-established societies. We will, —
therefore, just courteously suggest two points on which an
altered arrangement would, without doubt, be most advisable.
The one is, that the printed catalogues are openly sold about the |
streets for many hours previously to even the commencement of |
the arbitrations, This gives a great opening to the disaffected |

ee

April 7, 1863. ]

(because disappointed) competitors, and throws open a good and
sufficient cause of complaint as to the possibility of unfairness in
the adjudications, should such be attempted. It has long been
an established rule with all our principal committees, that no
catalogue should be issued under any circumstances whatever
until the arbitrations are finally settled. The-other arrange-
ment at Accrington, equally open to improvement is, that every
person willing to pay the admission fee at the doors can be
present even at a much earlier hour than that on which the
Judges are themselves permitted to begin their duties, and after-
wards narrowly follow such arbitrators step by step all through
their adjudications, and that, too, within a distance of a few feet
only. It is advanced in support of this last-named arrangement,
that as the Show holds open only a single day no other plan can
be adopted ; but surely we contend that exhibitors who complain
of the retention of their specimens for a few additional hours to
meet this objection, by allowing the arbitrators to fulfil their
duties calmly and with quiet unbroken deliberation, are not
those on whom alone the success of poultry exhibitions depends.
Haying pointed out these essential points to improved manage-
ment, we shall proceed to make a few remarks on the birds
exhibited.

©n entering, the eye of the visitor first rested on as excellent
a Game class as need be wished for, every colour being equally
eligible. A grand pen of Black Reds belonging to Mr. Fletcher,
of Manchester, stood at the head of the prize list. They were
not only perfect specimens, but were also shown in the condition
for which this well-known exhibitor’s birds are always proverbial.
Mr. Grimshaw’s Brown Reds were but little inferior, and ob-
tained the second prize. We confess disappointment in the
Single Game cock class, as the greater proportion were not shown
in high condition. Brown Reds had here the advantage. In

_ Hamburghs we never saw more reputable classes than both
varieties of Spangled birds—they were a show in themselves ;
but in the Pencilled ones, whether Golden or Silver, we could
only look back with regret when mentally comparing them with
those exhibited in bygone years by Messrs. Archer, Chune,
Tyler, and Worrall. We trust come enthusiastic breeder will
strive to restore again to our meetings one of the most winning
characteristics. he Dorkings were many of them good, but we
especially noticed some three or four pens so grossly overfed as
to have become alike quite useless, whether for exhibition or as
stock-fowls. This lavish management invariably tends to the
most annoying disappointment, for to any suscessful breeder it is
well known pouitry suffer less from paucity of food than over-
petting. Captain Heaton’s Grouse Cochins were very good, and
the whole of the class of Black Spanish were a triumph of atten-
tire management. Game Bantams were numerous and very
good, a pen of capital Brown Reds here shown have seldom been
surpassed. Some perfect Polands were also competitors in the
extra class.

The Turkeys and Ducks were exceedingly good, and one
solitary pen of Geese was well shown.

The last coop contained a singular addendum to a poultry
show—viz., a Scotch Terrier bitch and puppies. The inquiry
of visitors “what next? ” was a natural one.

he day was beautifully fine: consequently the ground was
constantly well filled, though, as the two hundred pens of
poultry were arranged in one unbroken single line, no thronging
took place. To excite the merriment of the company, the day’s
entertainment concluded with a spirited donkey race, with all its
concomitant “ups and downs.” The Committee were evidently
trying all means to please every one, and were, beyond doubt,
suecessful. With improved trade. in this district, shows will
most probably insure even greater popularity.

Gawe (any colour).—First, J. Fletcher, Stoneclough, near Manchester.
Sccond, N. Grimshaw, Pendle Forest, near Burnley. Highly Commended,
C. W. Brierley, Oakenrod Terrace, Rochdale; N. Grimshaw; A. Hodgson,
Church Row, llingworth. Commended, J. Firth, Ellen’s Grove, Halifax;
E. Beldon, Park Cortage, Bradford. Cock.—First, J. Sunderland, jun.,
Coley Hall, Halifax. Second, A. Hampson, Bolton-le-Moors (Black Red).

Highly Commended, R. Whittam, Mount Pleasant, near Burnley ; N. Grim-
shaw; J. Fiith. Commended, J. Sunderland, jun, ; J. Fletcher; W. Ayrton,

Hamsurcn (Golden-pexcil'ed).—First, Miss E. Beldon, Park Cottage
Bradford. Second, A. Nuttall, Newchurch, Rossendale. Highly Com-
mended, J. Munn, Shawclough, near Manchester.

Hameoreu (Silver-pencilled).—First, E. Hindle, Woodnook, Accrington.
Second, J. Dixon, North Park, Bradford. Highly Commended, C. Moore,
Poulton-le-Fylde. Commended, E. Hindle.

Hambureu (Golden-spangled).—First, Miss E. Beldon, Bradford. Second,
J. Dixon, North Park, Bradford. Highly Commended, E. Whittaker, Edge-
worth, Turton ; N. Marlor, Denton, near Manchester.

Hampuneu (Silyer-spangled).—First, J. Dixon, Bradford. Second, Miss

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

269

E. Beldon, Bradford. Highly Commended, J. Fielding, Newchurch, near
Manchester; J. Patterson, Church, near Accrington. Commended, A. Bell,
Burnley.

Dorxinc.—Prize, J. F. Newton, Kirby-in-Cleveland, Yorkshire (Coloured).
Highly Commended, T. W. Hill, Woodlands, Heywood (Grey). Commended,
T. W. Hill (Grey); J. Dixon, Bradford; E. Smith, Middleton, near Man-
chester (Grey).

Cocuin-Cuina.—Prize, Captain Heaton, Lower Broughton, Manchester.
Highly Commended, F. M. Hindle, Bury New Road, Haslingden (Buft);
Captain Heaton, Commended, F. M. Hindle (Buff) ; H. & J. Newton, Gar-
forth, near Leeds; R. H. Nicholas, Malpas, Newport, Monmouth (Buff);
C. W. Brierley, Oakenrod Terrace, Rochdale.

Sranisu (Black).—Prize, Miss E. Beldon, Bradford. Highly Commended,
S. Robson, Brotherton, Yorkshire; J. Dixon, North Park, Bradford; E.
Brown, Sheffield ; E. Smith, Middleton, near Manchester.

Bantam Cock (Game).—First, W. Lawrenson, Poulton-le-Fylde (Duck-
wing). Second, T. Barnes, Accrington. Highly Commended, J. W. Morris,
Rochdale (Black-breasted Red) ; J. Munn, Shawclough, Newchurch ; W. O.
Kenyon, Mossfieid, Wavertree (Duckwing). Commended, C. W. Brierley ;
J. Munn ; J. Crossland, jun., Wakefield.

Bantams (Game).—First, T. Barnes, Accrington. Second, J. Munn,
Shawclough, Newchurch. Highly Commended, C. W. Brierley, Rochdale ;
J. Munn; J. Crossland, jun., Wakefield. Commended, E, Brown, Shef,
field; R. H. Nicholas, Newport, Monmouth (Pile Game).

Banrams (Auy other variety).—First, Miss E. Beldon, Bradford (Black).
Second, J. Crossland, jun., Wakefield. Highly Commended, G. Ormerod,
Accrington (White) ; J. Dixon, North Park, Bradford. Commended, C. W.
Brierley, Rochdale; R. H. Nicholas, Monmouth (Chinese Silk).

Any OTHER VARIETY.—First, E. Beldon, Bradford (Polands). Second,
J. Dixon, Bradford (Polands). Highly Commended, T. W. Hill, Woodlands,
Heywood (Créve Coeur) ; Mrs. M. Seamons, Hartwell, Aylesbury (Brahma
Pootra) ; H. & G. Newton, Garforth (Black Hamburghs); H. Lacy, Under-
bank, Eastwood (Dark-pencilled Brahmas); R. H. Nicholas, Newport,
Monmouth (Black Hamburghs). Commended, J. Hargreayes, Broad Oak
(Brahma Pootra); A. Lord, Blackburn (Cuckoo Creels).

Turxeys.—Prize, J. Dixon, Bradford. Highly Commended, J. Cunning-
ham, Snigbrook, Blackburn. Commended, T. Bury, Church Kirk,

Ducxs (Aylesbury).—First, H. Kenyon, Fern Grove, near Accrington.
Second, Mrs. M. Seamons, Hartwell, Aylesbury,

Ducss (Rouen).—First, Miss E, Beldon, Bradford. Second, J. Houlker,
Richmond ‘Terrace, Blackburn. Highly Commended, E. Leach, Rochdale.
Commended, J. Dixon, Bradford.

GresE.—Prize, J. Houlker, jun , Blackburn.
Mr. Edward Hewitt, of Eden Cottage, Sparkbrook, officiated
as the Judge.

«B. & W.’s” APIARY.
(Continued from page 666.)

I HAve unfortunately to record the total failure of my last
autumn’s operations in my apiary. I refer to my second
attempt to Italianise it, by destroying the queens of five stocks,
and compelling the bees to rear queens artificially in their place
out of pure Italian brood. The young queens, indeed, were
duly hatched, all five of them, several of them beautifully
marked ; but one.of them died of starvation (I am ashamed to
tell it), a second died of dysentery in January last in spite of all
attempts to save the stock, and the three survivors of this terrible
bee-winter have done nothing hitherto but breed drones. This I
feared would be the case, owing to the great scarcity of drones
in my apiary last August. The fact is—none of them, of course,
were impregnated. It was only last week, on the 21st, that
I was able to assure myself of the truth by actual inspection of
two of these hives, although I had suspected it by seeing several
small drones alive and dead about the garden.

Tt may interest your readers to know what I have done, and
what I purpose doing with these hives, with a view to saying
them if I can; but let me first give the arrangement of my sur-
viving stock at the time I recommenced operations last week.

BEE-HOUSE.
B.
Italian drone-breeding
queen (weak).

T

A.
Pure Italian queen
(weakish but active).

Cc.
Italian drone-breeding
queen (weak).

D. E. 106
Hybrid Italian queen Hybrid stock died in Italian drone-breeding
(strong). January. Strong stock queen (weakish).
from garden now in its
place.—(‘* J.” at p. 666.)
GARDEN,
G. H. I. K.
Dead. Strong. Weak. Given away.

I began then by hunting for and destroying the drone-breeding
queen of B. I then took a comb with brood of all ages out of A
(pure Italian), and inserted it in B in place of an empty comb,
taking care not to disturb the combs containing the few drone-
grubs in B, which I now look upon as the spes gregis. The
queen of C was then caught and killed, and all the bees turned
| adrift to find a home where they could. My hope was thet

270

finding their own home shut‘against them they would have fra-
ternised with their next neighbours of B, and so strengthened that
hive. Not so, however; most of them entered BH, already strong,
on’ the shelf below them, and some were admitted into F. A
few were rejected and killed, but not many. What drone-brood
was formed in © was also inserted into B, and I am rejoiced to
see that it has been tended with care.

Now as to future plans. In Haster week, by which time I
expect the young queen of B to be hatched, and the other hives
to have gained strength, I intend to proceed as’ follows :—
1st, make a swarm of D by driving it into a box well stored with
comb and food; 2nd; place D, when cleared of its adult popula-
tion, in the room of A, after driving or shifting into D the
Italian queen and population of A; 8rd, put A with its Italian
brood alone in place of F, setting F over it after first catching
and destroying its drone-breeding queen; 4th, make a swarm of
E by driving into a box well stored with comb, as in the case of
D above; 5th, place H with its brood-comb under B. Here are
five distinct operations tending to equalise my stocks in point’ of
population, and to preserve two out of three of the drone-breeding
stocks which otherwise would have perished, by supplying them
first with the means of rearing fertile queens, and then with an
increased population to work with. In this way, too, I shall
turn the: misfortune of drone-breeding to some profit. I may
mention that several of the drones which I examined were well-
marked Italians. I also had a good view of the queen of A,
which is a most beautiful specimen of her race, and large and
vigorous also. This plan of mine, as detailed above, courts the
criticism of the “ DrEVYONSHIRE BEE-KEEPER.’ He will at
least allow it to be an ingenious one. Can he suggest an im-
provement upon it? if s0, I shall be glad to hear from him.

I cannot conclude without remarking upon the extraordinary
condition of the bees in this country. Deserted apiaries are to
be seen everywhere. I believe that nine-tenths or more of our
English bees have perished this winter or the previous autumn.
T venture to predict (and I was a true prophet last May), a fine
summer for honey, if only we have a dry and rather cold six
weeks before us.—B. & W. ,

[Whilst disclaiming all pretensions to criticise the programme
of s0 accomplished an apiarian as “ B, & W.,” I can fully corro-
borate what he has stated with regard to the difficulty—in fact,
I may say the impossibility, of getting late-bred queens impreg-
nated last’ year. Nearly all of mine were slaughtered by their
own bees, whilst the only two that survived turned out drone-
breeders in the spring. This’ phenomenon must probably be
at(ributed to continued low temperature rather than the paucity
of the male sex. Dzierzon places the temperature required for a
successful wedding flight’ at above 75°, and I am disposed to
think that not less than 70° to 75° will suffice. How few days
were there last year during which the thermometer stood so
high as this'in the open air!) In one of my own hives a great
number of drones were in existence until quite late’ in the
autumn, when they’ were expelled by the workers in the ordinary
way; and yet the young queen of this colony is at the present
moment incapable/of breeding aught else than drones. I pur-
pose keeping her’ alive, if possible, for the sake of her male
offspring, recruiting the worker population by the insertion’ from
time to time of a sealed brood-comb: this course is, in fact, sub-
stantially the same as is proposed by ‘ B, & W.,”’ with respect to
the drone-breeder in hive B.

Tn conclusion I may add, that most heartily do I wish my
esteemed apiarian friend a happy issue out of all his difficulties);
and if I can in any way aid in the solution of the “Italian
question,” the doing so will afford much pleasure to—A Dxyon-
SHIRE BEE-KEEPER. |

SPRING PASTURAGE FOR BEES.

ON a visit we recently paid to the Sawbridgeworth Nurseries, we
saw a large quarter of Salix,caprea (as we thought) in full bloom,
forming a complete sheet: of golden catkins, and peopled with
myriads of bees. The day. was’ bright—one of those lovely sum:
mery spring. days we have» had.so many of all this/season, and
the lively hum.of the. busy. throng made music in-the air, This
was early in Maych, and.there were the bees evidently, revelling
in what appeared to bean. unusually rich store at‘that season. of
theyear, What struck us particularly was the great profusion.
of bloom.on trees so.emalli. Some of them. were notmore than!

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ April 7, 1863.

bushes'2 to 3 feet high, and every young shoot was a dense spike
of catkins.
large tree when it bloomed; and our curiosity being excited by
seeing so much on trees eo small, we appealed to Mr. Rivers, who
informed us that this was a variety of Salix caprea, which pos-
sessed that peculiar property of flowering when very small and
young. He procured it some years ago from the north of
England, and has hitherto used it as a stock for grafting the
American Weeping Willow upon. What a treasure this would
be to bee-keepers, who might plant a few in proximity to their
apiaries, or in shrubberies where it would furnish abundant
pasture to bees at a season when they are frequently enticed out
by bright weather when there!is really yery little or nothing for
them to pasture upon.

Bers in THE New Fornsr.—A great quantity of Mead—
medu—is still made here, and it is sold at much the same value
as with the Old-English, being three or four times the price of
common beer, with which it is often drunk. The drones are
here named “the big bees.” Bees are never said to swarm, but
“to play.’ The caps of straw put over the “bee-pots” to
keep them from wet, are called “‘bee-hackles,” and “‘bee-hakes.”
About the honeycombs or “workings,” as they are commonly
called, there is this rhyme :—

‘* Sieve upon herder,

One upon the other;

Holes upon both sides,

Not all the way, though;

What may it be? See ifyou know.”
The entrance to the hive is called the “tee-hole.’” Am eke for
raising the hive and giving more room is called “ the rear.”—
(Wise's New! Forest.)

OUR LETTER BOX.

Foutrry Dyine SuppeNnty (J. Price).—You should have told us the
symptoms. The appearance indicates long-continued constipation and con-
sequent inflammation of the bowels; but the same appearance may have
arisen from the birds eating something poisonous, If the birds are con-
stipated give each a dessert-spoonful of castor oil, and do not feed exclu-
sively on barley. Soft food, such as barleymeal mixed with mashed boiled
potatoes, should be given once a-day.

Bantams (WVovice).—We believe you haye some Bantams bred between
Game and common ones. You will probably find them yery good sitters,
and useful fowls for all purposes.

DIARRHEA IN BANTAMS (CO, D,).—We do not believe the lump you speak
of in the Bantam’s abdomen is painful. Fomentation with hot water is
beneficial, but if it does not increase we advise youtoletitalone, Thelump
is sometimes a cheesy deposit under the skin, and in that case it is only
necessary to make a slight incision, and to squeeze the back of it, when it
Willslip out. This'must’/be ascertained; because if it be, as they are some-
times, a blood-tumour, cutting is worse than useless.

Points 1n TurBi 78 (J7qwir'er).—The most important points in Turbits are
the following :—They should be small and neat, large coarse birds being
particularly objectionable. The head in a good Turbit is peculiar, being
flat and somewhat frog-like; the beak should be short, but net turned
down like the beak of an Owl or Barb, The shoulders should be: without
white splashes, and of a sound uniform colour, whether red, black, or
yellow; if silver or blue, with the black bars well and distinctly marked ;
the less colour on the thighs the bettér, though it is very d.fficult to breed
them without any; the entire plumage (of the body, flight, and tail feathers
pure white. With regard to the turm-erown, some prefer a mere point of
recurved feathers, others a broad shell; and prizes haye been awarded by
good judges to plain-headed birds. It is indispensable, however, that the
pair must match accurately. As a rule we should think that the turn-
crowns would beat the plain-headed under all judges, other things being
equal. It isan additional property, and one of some importance.

Winnow Aviary (H. B.),—The window isin a very good aspect for an
aviary, and the size you mention would hold from fifteen to twenty small
birds. The following would stand the cold and agree very sociably together
—viz., the Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Bramble Finch, Bullfinch, Grey Linnet,
and Redpoll, and as the season advances the Canary, Java Sparrow, and
Averdevine might be added. A small firtree in the centre would add to
the appearance, and’ the birds would enjoy it.

Drivin: Begs’ (Sutton).—Ifiyou place a, strong stock upon an empty box,
and:compel the bees'to work through the latter, they will ultimate!y take
possession of it, and/when they: have adopted it as’ their breeding-place,
the original hive may be removed., No precise period of time can be
named. for the completion of the transfer, which is open to the double)
objection—that if ‘successful, no swarm can be expected this summer, and
80 great a proportion of drone-comb is apt to be built under these circum-
stances as injuriously to affect the future prosperity of the'colony. After
“driving” hees’ into a’ straw hive, you may readily transfer them into a box,
by knocking the cluster out on‘a cloth, and: standing the box over'them,
supported on wedges or a couple of sticks an inch thick. As soon as all
the bees haye:ascended they should be put in the place they areintended:
permanently to ocgupy. Whilst replying to your inquiries, we should

lstrongly advise you to eschew either of these operations and trustto natural

/swarming,

We had always regarded the Salix caprea as a

April 14, 1863, J JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 271
WEEKLY CALENDAR.
| | | WEATHER NEAR Lonpon IN 1862. | }
Day Day | | Moon | Clock
| of | of APRIL 14—20, 1863. | E Rain in| _S22 Sun | Rises |Moon’s before Day of
Be Week Barometer. |Thermom.| Wind. Inches. | Rises. Sets. and Sets) Age. Sun, Wear,
degrees. m. h.| m. h.| m. h.| m. s. |
ee Tu Prixcess BEATRICE born, 1857. | 30.177—29.872 | 48—25 N.W. — 9af5 | 52af6| 1S 3) 26 OM2Te iy 104
15 w Least Stitchwort flowers. 30.C89—29.900 | 59—20 N.E. = 775) |RSS Gs PAO RSs 27). || Ol. 105
16 Ta Gromwell flowers. 30.141—29.820 52—42 S.W. 02 | & 5/55 6] 1 4] 28 | Oaf9} 106
17 F Royal Hort. Soc. incor. 18° 9. | 29.824—29.795 59—35 W. = jm 8? 5) (RO7iee Gs | eee 29 |} 0 24 } 107
18 Ss Dr. Darwin died, 1802. B. 29.869—29.785 57—45 S.W. Ol | 1 5/|58 6G] sets | @ | 0 38 168
19 | Scn 2 SunDAY AFTER EASTER. 29.810 —29.799 59—48 S.W. _ Iv. vir. | 58 8 |} | 0). oT 109
20 M Oslip flowers. | 29.953—29 917 61—38 S.W. _ 57.4 7 2 10 2 | re 110
1 \ t

METEOROLOGY OF THE WEEK.—At Chiswick, from observations during the last thirty-six

years, the average highest and lowest

temperatures of these daysare 57.7° and 36 1° respectively. The greatest heat, 77°, occurred on the 19th, in 1854; and the lowest cold, 20°,
on the 16th, in 1847, and 19th in 1852. During the period 154 days were fine, and on 98 rain fell.

WERING ORCHIDS.

- ITHIN the last two or three
years I have been repeatedly
told that there was a fine
well-grown collection of my
favourite tribe of plants cul-
tivated at Pendlebury House,
near Manchester, the resi-
dence of J. A. Turner, Esq.,
M.P.; and as I was desirous
= to inform new _ beginners
what species bloom at a
= season of the year when
Flora’s gifts are few and far
between, I made up my
mind to see the collection
referred to above, surmising that I should find seme still
in flower. Accordingly on the 27th of last month I took
adyantage of an omnibus to Pendleton, which is two miles
from the centre of Manchester, and Pendlebury is nearly
two miles further on the road to Bolton.

The country thereabouts is undulating but gradually
rising. I found the house pleasantly situated on an
eminence, embosomed amongst fine trees, chiefly Beech,
showing that the smoke of Manchester, and the tall
chimneys of its factories, had not destroyed all the trees
in that district.- In fact, many gentlemen’s seats I ob-
served were surrounded by apparently healthy, large
forest trees ; whilst on the side (south-east) where I live,
the trees are mostly scraggy starved specimens, owing
to the subsoil being a strong, wet clay, and the top soil
thin and poor. Indeed, any observing person may judge
of the soil and subsoil of any district of country he passes
through, by noting the state of the hedges and trees
there growing.

A mere list of the Orchids at Pendlebury House would
not occupy much space, and would not convey much in-
formation ; so I will add a brief description of each, espe-
cially such as are not common, and consequently are not
generally known.

Ansellia africana is not rare, but here is a truly noble
specimen with strong pseudo-bulbs 5 feet high, and so
many that the plant measured as much through.

Brassavola glauca.—This was growing on alarge round
block. There were two varieties, one much larger and
handsomer than the old variety. The flowers of both
are large and striking.

Cattleya Warczewiczii.—Rare. A delicate flower ; large
and beautiful rosy purple sepals; lip a deep yellow,
large spot in the centre margined with blush.

Celogyne ocellata.—Medium size; inside distinctly
edged dark, spotted with light colour.

Cypripedium Fairrieanum.—A beautiful dwarf species,
with pure white sepals, and petals richly striped with
dark maroon; lip or slipper greenish-yellow, veined with
dark-coloured lines. ‘This a real gem among Lady’s
Slippers.

Cyrtochilum maculatum. — A good old species, free-
flowering and very handsome.

No. 107.—Vot. IV., New Segtes,

WINTER-FLO

ns

Dendrobium nobile-—Too well known to need describ-
ing. A splendid specimen 4 feet by 4. Very densely
flowered.

Calanthe vestita tardiflora—Pure white sepals and
lip, the centre of the latter has a spot of dark maroon.
The flowers are more densely placed on the flower-stem,
and are of a more compact form. It flowers at least two
months later than the species, and so far is a desirable
variety.

Dendrochilum glumaceum.—Small flowers, of a straw
colour. They are numerously and densely set on a
drooping panicle. There were twelve spikes on the plant.
Though not a showy species, it is very desirable on
account of its elegant habit.

Epidendrum aurantiacum—A species with golden
flowers. Not rare.

Epidendrum verrucosum major.—A fine variety, with
dark flowers spotted with white.

Tonopsis paniculata. — A pretty little white-flowered
species. Well worth growing.

Oncidium Cavendishianum.—One of the large-leaved
section of Oncids, with large bright orange flowers on
a lofty branching flower-stem. Handsome and showy,
and easily cultivated.

Oncidium leucochilum.—A handsome well-knownspecies,
flowering almost all the year round.

Odontoglossum bictoniense.—A handsome species. Use-
ful a3 a winter-flowerer.

Phalenopsis grandiflora—This is a beautiful well-
known species, with large moth-shaped flowers, blooming
when strong nine months out of the twelve.

Phalenopsis Schilleriana—A new and rare species,
with medium-sized flowers of a delicate rose colour. The
flowers are handsome, and, in addition, the leaves are
beautifully variegated. There were two plants here:
one had made a new leaf nearly 9 inches long. I valued
the two plants at fifty guineas, but was informed that
a nurseryman had thirty-five guineas for the larger

lant.
: Vanda cristata.—A noble plant,with large, rich, crested
flowers. d

Zygopetalum hirsutum.—This is a pretty dwarf species,
with a large hairy lip of a purplish colour.

The above list proves that an Orchid-house may be
gay with flowers even in the dead of winter, though m
this district very little of what we understand by winter
weather has been experienced; as a proof of which, I
saw the other day a Pear tree and also a Plum and an
Apricot tree with fully expanded blossoms.

This collection of Orchids is extremely well grown.
The gardener, Mr. Tate, is an Exeter man, and fully
understands his business. He has adopted cocoa-nut
fibre dust as one material to mix among the usual com-
post. He pointed out to me how the Cattleyas were
rooting amongst it. In all my experience I never saw
such a quantity of young, healthy, strong roots pushing
freely out and around every pseudo-bulb. I said if my
friend Beaton saw them he would be in ecstacies. No
man has done nearly so much as he has to bring this

No. 759.—Vot. XXIX., OLD SERIES.

+272

valuable substance into repute as an addition to our com-.

posts. du

Let all Orchid-growers throughout this empire procure\it as
soon as possible, and mix it among sphagnum moss in the pro-
portion of two parts moss and one part fibre. I feel so con-
fident of its usefulness, that if I had a large or a small collection
of Orchids under my care I would immediately use the fibre
in preference to any other substance. I think the fibre would
not do by itself. It would be too open and dry too quickly,
especially during the warmer months of the year. I conclude
the paper by mentioning some of the rarer plants in Mr. Turner’s
collection.

Cattleya Leopoldi.cSeveral plants large and healthy. Mr.

» Tate told me almost every plant was a different variety.

Cattleya citrina.— This species, which is somewhat difficult to
grow, is well done here. Wach plant is fixed to the under side
of the block,

Dendrobium formosum giganteum.—The flowers of this rare
vaviety are double the size of the original species.

Dendrobium aggregatum major.—This variety has flowers of
much larger size than the species. It is showing eighteen spikes
of flowers, and is grown in a pot.

Lelia Turneri.—A remarkable species, with stems 2 feet high.

’ It belongs to the two-leaved eection. Each leaf is a foot long,
and 3 inches wide.

Cattleya lobata.—This is said to be a shy flowerer, but here it
flowers freely every year.

Lelia xenthind.—An orange-coloured Lelia, much superior
to L. cinnabarina.

Cypripedium hirsutissimum.—A fine specimen of this rare and
beautiful species.

Cypripedium Hookeri.—A plant that ranks under the class of
Beautiful-foliaged plants ; the leaves are dark green, spotted’and
barred with pure white,

Angracum superbum.—A plant 5 feet high, with leayes 2 feet
long, set on each side of the stem as regularly as the bones from
the spino of a herring.

' rides nobile.—A fine specimen of this rare species.

Airides odoratum purpurascens.—A distinct variety with more
and larger purple spots on each sepal, petal, and lip. A good
plant.

Vanda teres.—A large busly plant 6 feet high, and 5 feet
through. Mr, Tate says it is a distinct sort known as Hast’s
variety. Flowers freely annually.

Epidendrum bicornutum.—There I noted a large healthy plant
of this, which is one difficult to grow. It is cultivated in a pot
in the usual compost, only it is vaised high in the centre.

I might have extended this list considerably, but I fear I have
trespaesed already too much on your valuable space. I must
close by saying that this is the best-grown collection of Orchids
I have seen for many years. They are in houses of ihe usual
form—that is, span-roofed, and they are so arranged that you
can step out of India into America merely by passing through a
glass door, yen the potting-place is glazed and connected
with the houses, so that in manipulating the plants they are
neyer exposed to ungenial weather at amy season of the year.

T, APPLEBY,

IN MEMORIAM.
THE REV. GEORGE JEANS, VICAR OF ALFORD.

RaReny has my humble pen undertaken a more melancholy
task (so selfishly, alas! do we regard the ways of our Heavenly
Father), than in conveying to many who have benefited by
his remarks, or who have known his name as intimately con-
nected with gardening pursuits, the news that my valued friend
whose name heads this notice has gone from amongst us. How
little did I think, when alluding to him in the notice of the
Warden of Winchester’s garden as the friend who had told me
to visit Mr. Weaver, that I should so soon have to number him
amongst those whom one had known rather than as one atill
present with us.

It is now some years since that the cause of one of our great
religious societies in which I was interested led me to visit
Alford as its advocate. I was then a stranger to the Vicar, but
had been assured that I should meet with a hearty welcome.
In this I found that my information had been correct; my
‘work’s sake was sufficient to insure me that.

On the following morning, taking, as is my wont, an early
‘stroll, I espied in the garden a frame of Auriculas then coming

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

(April 1471863.

into bloom. This soon led us to touch upon another subject
on which we had common sympathies. And as each recurring
year led me to Alford, and other opportunities of meeting one
another were afforded us, our acquaintance ripened into friend-
ship; and I have for many years esteemed it a great privilege
to number amongst my friends one who was so fine a type of
an English gentleman, a ripe scholar, and a Christian pastor, as
my late revered friend. ;

Distinguished in early life, when scientific pursuits were not
80 much in vogue as they are now, for his attention to philo-
sophical inquiries, astronomy (on which he published an excel-
lent and most readable treatise), geology, chemistry, &c., found
in him one who appreciated their value and could bring them
practically to bear. hese studies henever allowed to pass out
of sight. He eagerly read all that was really valuable in con-
nection with them ; and no way led astray by injurious theories
which had no foundation better than a “hypothesis,” he was
yet by no means opposed to whatever new light advanced know-
ledge on these subjects from time to time produced. He was
not one of those who believed that God’s words ard God's.
works are contradictory. He did not consider it derogatory to
Science to regard her as the handmaid and not the mistress of
Revelation ; and works of a contrary tendency were regarded by
him as huriful to the cause of truth as well as of ecience.

His transit instrument on the lawn, his geological specimens,
and lectures delivered only last year, clearly showed that these
earlier pursuits had still their charm for him; while his con-
versation on these and kindred subjects showed how fresh were
still his though‘s and feelings. But if is-as connected with
floriculture that his mame will be especially regarded by the _
readers. of THE JOURNAL OF HorTICULTULKE, Por many years
under his, nom de plume of “Tota,” latterly, since his friend
Mr, Hdward Beck’s death, exchanged for his real signature, he
contributed largely to yarious gardening publications. His phi-
losophic mind could only view eve floriculture:in this aspect;
and I have always felt that it was something for florists to be
able to number amongst them one who did not think flowers,
despised by many scientific persons, as unworthy of his notice.
When Mr, Beck in 1848, disliking the tone that then pervaded
gardening literature, determined on starting a periodical in
which a better spirit should prevail, he summoned to his aid, for
the columns of Zhe Florist, the Vicar of Alford; and I may
be excused for referring to a notice in the volume of that ‘work
for 1861, prefixed to a touching notice, written at my request,
of his friend’s death—all the more so as he has so soon followed.
him :—“It would ill become us to add anything to the very
interesting account that he has given of the life and character
of his deceased friend; but we may say that which his modesty
forbids him saying himself—that the pages of the ‘Florist’ in
those days to which he refers owed.a great portion of their
attractiveness to his own writing. ‘Page after page bears the
evidence of his clear and graphic pen, eyen where his signature
appears not.” ;

While the wide field of information cver which my friend’s
discursive fancy could roam, enabled him to grapple with many
subjects co: nected with gardening, it was of the Auricula he
chiefly delighted to write. It was his pet, par excellence, and
a collection unsurpassed for variety testified to the energy with
which its cultivation was carried on, His judgment was sound ;
for a3 a thorough florist he admitted no restriction of: rules,
ruthlessly consigning to the border flowers unworthy of the
stage; end when admitting varieties that were not excellent in
their character to. place in his frames, assigning jas his reason
the real cause of his doing so. In the proposition of a National
Auricula Society he was deeply interested, and, when I first
proposed it, was one of the first to weleome it by his promised
aid; and when the project was taken up by Mr. Douglas and
carried out, he gave his earnest support. The last paper I think
that he wrote was a short one for the Floral Magazine, in
which -he alluded to the forthcoming Hxhibition at York, and
expressed his wishes for its success, Of late years he had more
frequently contributed to other periodicals; and some most
reliable notes on his favourite flower will be considered by con-
noisseurs as a favourite authority.

He will be, indeed, a great loss to the gardening community,
and will be long remembered as one of those who have given a
healthy stimulus to floriculture. And I.cannot forbear saying,
that when, some years ago, through the carelessness of an old
man whom Iemployed, my embryo collection was lost, and Thad
determined fo abandon their growth, it was he who urged ame

April 14, 1863;]

not 16 do'so; and by his-own liberality and that of others whom
he interested I was enabled to begin again; and whenever he
could do so he always was ready to add to it some choice sort
of which he had a small piece to spare, for a more liberal florist
T never knew.

T am sure that I shall be excused if I add a few words of
what I knew of him as a Christian and a pastor. Hndued with
powers of mind of no common order, it was his delight ever to
preach the simple Gospel of the Lord Jesus. His heart was
large; and whenever he recognised a love to the Saviour, there
he was ready to acknowledge a brother. Placed in a parish of
which the emoluments were a mere nothing, and where neglect
had long prevailed, he endeayoured to raise the standard of
religion and morals; and having buils a parsonage, was engaged
in plans for the restoration of his church when death put an end
to them all. His life was all in accord with his teaching; and
that best of all teaching—example—in him was thoroughly
carried out. Over all that concerned his domestic life I must
draw a veil. It will readily be believed that one who so
thoroughly lived the life of a true Christian would shine in the
home circle; and as a husband, father, or brother, there are
those left behind who with tears can bear witness to him in all
these; while as a friend, there are many who will be ready to
feel that his loss cannot well be replaced.

I little thought, when writing to me a few weeks ago, this
passage occurred—“TI never worked harder in my life, but it
will not be so for long,” how it was to come true in another
way than he himeelf anticipated. But ‘‘ marvellous are Thy ways,
O King of Saints!” I may use his own words in allusion to
Mr: Beck :—“It was floriculture that brought us together, bat
the Gospel of Christ cemented that friendship.” As he was a
man of prayer, we may well believe that He who answers
prayer will watch over his dear ones left behind, and that the
remembrance of his loving Christian life will cheer them on in
their future journey.—D., Deal.

TREE MIGNONETTE,

THE following minutiv, it is hoped, will meet the case of
others as well as that of “A StpscRIBER,” who has been
‘“ trying in yain to raise such trees.”

In March or April, better the middle of the former, select
rather more of nice clean 60-sized pots than you wish for speci-
mens of Mignonette trees, to make allowance for a few not
turning out so well as the rest. Drain these pots, and fill them
to within a quarter of an inch of the rims with rich light loam,
such as might be made with two parts of brown hazelly loam,
one part of very decomposed sweet leaf mould, half a part of
heath soi!, and less than half a part of silver sand; then drop a
few seeds—say four—in the centre of each pot, covering them up
nicely. The common Mignonette answers very well. The large-
flowering Mignonette will produce stronger stems and larger
trusses; but we think the old common sort blooms in general

more profusely—but either kind will bloom abundantly if well |

treated. When sown the best place for the pots is the back of a
Cucumber or Melon bed, where the pots can be plunged, and

air given to the young plants as soon as they appear. In such |

circumstances they will not be long before they make their ap-
pearance.
As soon as the plants are half an inch in height examine those

in each pot narrowly, and select the one that seems tlie most |

bold and luxuriant, either pulling the others out, or, what is
better, cutting their stems below the surface with the point of a
penknife, so as not to injure the roots of the one plant left in
each pot. Were it not for this power of selection, and the'cer-
tainty of getting a good plant, it would be as well to sow only
one good seed in a pot at once. By the time the plant is an
inch in height, any side shoot that offers to come should be dis-
budded, picking it ont, but allowing the leaf next the stem to
remain. When the centre shoot is from 2 to 3 inches in length,
a little twig should be set against it, and the little stem tied to
it to encourage it to mount, nipping out every side shoot that
shows, but allowing the leaf to remain, as that adds strength to
the stem, and, besides, gives it a more furnished appearance.
The little twig stake should be 1 or 13 inch from the stem; and
in the process of growth, as a larger and stouter stake becomes
necessary, the lesser stake should be carefully taken out and the
larger one inserted in the same hole, so as to run as little risk
as possible of injuring the roots.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

273

As soon as these little pots are getting full of roots, and
before the roots meet the sides of the pot, shift each plant into
a large 48-sized, and plunge the vot, and keep training the main
stem and disbudding all side shoots as before. As soon as that
pot is filled, shift into a 32-sized pot, and let the soil be a little
rougher, and give a little bottom heat as before. If the main
shoot go on without showing flower it will be all smooth sailing,
the disbudding of all side shoots being the principal thing ; but
if the leading shoot show bloom it must be nipped off, and then
the best-placed shoot that comes you must train on as a con- -
tinuation of the first stem; and sometimes if you want a tall
stem, you may have to do this several times before you obtain
the desired height. Whatever the height of the stem before the
head forms, be it 1 foot, or a couple of feet or more, no flowers
should be allowed to remain until the stem is as high as desir-
able; nor eyen then until the head of the tree is pretty well
formed. :

When the 32-sized pot is about full of roots, I prefer placing
the plants in their flowering-pots, and a pot of 12 inches in
diameter and depth will support a very nice specimen. In this
last potting—and the pot may be larger if an extra-sized speci-
men is desirable—the drainage must be well attended to, and the
soil chosen of a more lumpy eharacter, so as to avoid anything
like stagnant water; and to help this still more, a few additional
pieces of fibry heath soil, and some bits of charcoal the size of
beans, may with advantage be added to the compost. This
rough material should be squeezed together pretty tight, and
the surface covered all over with fine material to the depth at
the sides of at least half an inch, which will prevent the air
entering the soil too freely. In all such shiftings, care must be
taken that the soil in the pot is moist, but not deluged, before
shifting; and this will be best secured by watering thoroughly
four hours or so before repotting. After this final repotting, if
the pots can be partly plunged in a mild heat for a fortnight or
so, it will be all in their favour; but by July they will stand
well in any pit or house where they can receive moderate atten-
tion. In such places the plants will do better when the pots
stand on a shelf, or on the bottom of another pot reversed ; as
when the pots stand on the ground the drainage is apf to be
injured, and the exhalations that rise from such wet ground are
not at all in their fayour.

Until the head is formed it is advisable to have a frill of leaves
all along the stem, but uo side shoots; that, as above stated,
not only furnishes clothing, but gives strength to the stem.
As the head swells in diameter, the leaves on the stem will most
likely be robbed, and will then fall off. In general it would be
best to have the shortest-stemmed plants for winter-blooming,
and the tallest for spring-blooming, as the former may be sup-
posed to perfect their heads sooner. In both cases the treat-
ment is much the same, as the plants should not ouly be kept
airy, buf in a temperature of from 45° to 48° or 50° in winter,
with a rise from sunshine.

In training, many contrivances may be adopted, with wire, &e.,
for supports. I will describe a very simple mode. I will sup-
pose that the stem is high enough for the lower branches of the
future tree. Well, the plant is held carefully, the old temporary
stake removed, and a stout one, fully half an inch in diameter,
is inserted firmly in the same place, and as much higher above
the lower branches as we wish the point of the tree to be—say
some 15 inches above the lower branches. Well, after tying the
stem securely to the stake, the next operation is to make that
secure in the pot, so as to carry the weight of the future head ;
and no simpler plan exists than taking two pieces of wire at
right angles from the stake across the rim of the pot, and fasten-
ing them there. Then two holes at right angles a little apart from
each other about the level of the lower branches—say i8 inches
from the pot—wil! do for putting through two stout wires like
the spokes of a wheel. A wire fastened to the points will form
the circumference, and lesser wires between will furnish the means
for tying the branches. Six or § inches higher up other two wires
should be inserted for a smaller circle, and thus the ovbicular
pyramidal head may be easily secured. here must be regular
stopping and training, and nipping-off of all flower-buds until
the head is formed, and then each shoot may bloom as it likes.

When the head is forming, and also when in bloom, clear
manure water, and not too strong, may be pretty freely used,
except in very dark weather in winter. To keep the plants long
healthy and producing abundance of bloom, no bloom should
be allowed to remain when it is old or showing signs of seeding.
One truss with seeds swelling will injure the plant more than a

274

score of half-opened trusses. This continued pruning-away of
every flower when past its best, even though the point should
be fresh, is the secret for keeping plants long in health. By
such means we have seen a plant of common Mignonette grown
in the common way, or hanging over the pot, very good alter it
had been in the same pot seven years. When these tree Migno-
uette plants are a full mass of bloom at one time, this thinning of
Mowers must be done freely if the plant is to keep on long alter-
wards. By this free thinning, stopping and training in summer,
aud fresh surfacings of good soil, the same plant will continue
~for years ; but there is so much trouble in keeping the soil in a
healthy state in such large pots through the winter, that gene-
rally it will be the best plan to sow and grow one season for
biooming during the earliest part of the next.

When I was fond of such plants I used to grow some as
pyramids—that is, the base of the cone on a level with and
falling over the rim of the pot, and the plant gradually lessen-
ing in width to the apex. Such plants from 15 to 20 and
24 inches in height are very pretty. The main features of
management are the same, with the exception of securing the
necessary and right-placed side shoots; and to produce them
the stem had sometimes to be stopped, as there was little risk
of that not getting up.

The above remarks, however, apply only to what are generally
ealled tree Mignonette plants. There is but one little point
concerning them which I have overlooked, and that is careful-
ness in watering if the last shift should bo a large one. In that
ease only the new soil in proximity with the ball and the ball
itself should be watered, and the bulk of the new soi! at the sides
of the pot should not be deluged until the roots are working in
it. This rule applies to all large shifts, as otherwise the soil is
apt to become soured; and ifso, the Micnonette trees will not
fonrish. R, Fisu.

THE FLAVOUR OF FRUIT.

In writing of the Warden of Winchester’s garden, “D.,” of
Deal, tells us that Mr. Weaver, ‘‘like most practical men, has a
contempt for fruit trees in pots,” and that “the fruit is poor
in comparison with that grown on trees planted out.’? When
will there be an end of these baseless opinions given by soi
disant “ practical men?” Ah! when?

I have a great respect for the abilities of Mr. Weaver, and for
his character generally; but I cannot resist telling him that I
am also a practical man, and that 1 know his opinion as given
above has no foundation whatever. Why is ‘‘ Mr. Rivers, of
Sawbridgeworth,” excepted, when writing of failures in orchard-
houses? There are hundreds of gardeners*much more clever,
practically, than he is, and able to do what he does.

He has, however, one quality which carries, and has carried,
Englishmen through many ill-organised plans and many scrapes,
and made them triumphant in so many quarters of the world—
the most dogged perseverance; and if the principle of any mode
of culture is sound, perseverance must in the end triumph.
Thus if is, that in spite of the prejudices of many men, orchard-
house culture is annually spreading and triumphing.

I am quite aware that I need not tell such men as Mr,
Weaver that the flavour of fruit, barring extreme sunless
seasons, is entirely under the control of the gardener. A clever
man can command flayour; a dull man, when he finds his fruit
flavourless, makes idle excuses, which should never be listened to.

During last summer I had numerous French fruit-growers
visiting me, and they were all struck with the (to them) new
idea—the culture of Peach frees in pots, and, I may add,
equally delighted ; for although in the greater portion of France
Peaches do not require the summer climate of the orchard-house
to ripen their fruit, ii was the immunity from spring frosts,
often so destructive in their country, that delighted my French
friends. Well, they were, of course, anxious to taste the fruit.
i remember gathering some fine specimens of the Noblesse
Peach from a tree in a pot, which they declared exquise, and
equal, if not superior, both in size and flavour to any they had
ever eaten in France. I had, in truth, commanded them, as it
were, to be good, and they were good—-and why so? Because
they had been thinned severely. ‘This is the controi I have
alluded to.

Ifa tree trained to a wall be allowed to ripen—say ten dozen
of fruit, when five or six dozen only should have been left, they,
although they may be of a fair size and colour, suffer in flayour
fo an extent scarcely credible. It is the same with potted trees :

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ April 14, 1868,

they are in most seasons, and more particularly this season,
crowded with fruit. Now, if a Peach tree five or six years old
be suffered to bring to maturity five or six dozen of fruit when
only three dozen should be left fo ripen, their flayour will be
most inferior; and then men who when prejudiced look only at
the surface of things, ery out, ‘“‘ How can you expect good fruit
from trees in pots?” Such are thy ways, O Prejudice!—the
peculiar attribute of the cultivators of the soil, and 1 fear also of
some of the cultivators of the arts and sciences. If is like
‘the old man of the sea,”—it clings to us, it will not be shaken
off. In the case of Sinbad the more he was shaken the closer he
clung to his victims, aud nearly choked them by entwining his
legs round their “throttles.” In like manner does prejudice
too often strangle the working of our brains.

To return to our fruit. How often has the gardener had
occasion to complain of his Pears not being good, although
produced by fine trees trained against walls? He complains of
the season; but it is in most cases owing to the trees being
allowed to bear just double the number they ouzht to have done.
Itis the same with Plums and Apricots, and, indeed, all kinds
of fruit, as well as that of orchard-house trees. I could illustrate
this by several cases, but one will do,

In 1861 I had a very thin crop of a favourite sort of Plum, of
which a large number are annually preserved. During the
winter of that year, and till late in the spring of 1862, these
preserved Plums were very frequently on the table, their aroma
on a tart or pudding being opened was most delicious. Last
year the crop of these Plums was so abundant as to hide the
leaves. Thinning was not thought of, as the trees were 80
numerous. The usual quantity were preserved, and have
been in use up to the present time. They are perfectly sound
and good, but the fine aroma peculiar to them in seasons when
they are thin on the trees is entirely wanting. The following
ought to be inscribed on every wall, and in every fruit and
orchard house:—By thinning you make indifferent fruct good.
By crowding you make good fruit bad,

With regard to trees in pots, and trees planted out in orchard-
houses, I have charming specimens of both. I like both modes
of culture, but the perfect control exercised over trees in pots by
the facili:y of removing them to force or retard them, or the
great pleasure of placing a tree or trees full of fine fruit in the
entrance-hall, so that your friends may see the fruits of your
labour, is so gratifying that no caviller can once arrest the pro-
gress of pot-culture. Whe oddest thing is that men who oppose
this description of culture have never gone into it, but have
merely skizmished; and, after a faint attempt at a charge, have
been repulsed by their old and cherished friend Prejudice, who
always keeps his bayonet fixed and pointed at their brains, ready
for action if they try and release themselves from his shackles,

A few words more about thinning fruit and I have done. If
very fine and high-flavoured fruit are wished for, a tree capable of
bearing three dozen of medium-sized Peaches should be allowed
to bear only twelve or fifteen. This thinning is terrible work for
the amateur—it is like drawing a tooth, and every fruit that falls
to the ground creates a pang; butit must be done. A small
sharp penknife is the best implement to employ, and is much
better than tearing off the fruit with the finger and thumb. A
well-formed Peach or Nectarine tree, be it bush or pyramid,
with its fruit properly thinned and nearly ripe, is one of the
most beautiful objects the skill of the cultivator can produce.
No Camellia, or Orchid, or Rose tree can be more so. Yet this
is an object for which some gardeners “‘ feel contempt !”

What “a heap of words” has that paragraph written by
).,” of Deal, called forth! I have only to apologise for my
attempt to show that contempt ought not to be felt for anything
in nature that the skill of a persevering good gardener can make
interesting and beautiful.—R.., of S.

SauE or OncHIps.—On the 8th Mr. Stevens, at his Auction-
rooms, King Street, Covent Garden, disposed of a very superior
collection of established Orchids, some the property of a gentle-
man, and others recentlyimported. All the lots, 195 in number,
realised good prices, but we can only afford space for par-
ticularising a few of them :— Vanda Lowi, strong plant, £9 lds. ;
A@rides Schroederi, very fine young plant, £16; Cypripedium
caudatum, good plant, £7 10s.; Phalsenopsis Schilleriana, fine
young plant, £11; Cypripedium hirsutissimum, good plant,
£5 10s.; Cymbidium eburneum, true, fine plant, £15 10s. ; Sac-
colabium species noya, Philippine Islands,£5; Cattleya Triansi,

April 14, 1863. ]

extra fine, £5; Cypripedium Stonei, new and rare, £5 15s.;
Cypripedium species nova (Veitch), very rare, good plant,
£10 10s,; Europedium Lindeni, fine plant, £6; Trichopilia
suayis, strong plant, £6 ; Trichopilia crispa, the finest of all the
Trichopilias, splendid plant, £25 10s.; Dendrobium lituiforum,
strong plant, undoubtedly one of the finest Dendrobiums in
cultivation, £26.

LIST OF ANNUALS.

Brina a grower of annuals, &c., for a London house, I beg
to add a few more names to the list of your correspondent
of Newport, in the Journal for March 31. They are annuals
which I think are well worth a place in any garden.

1. Aster, cockade or crown. 27. Lupinus nanus and othérs.

2. ranunculus-fowered, 28. Nemesia compacta elegans.

3. Acroclinium roseum 29. Nigella hispanica.

4, Calandrinia speciosa. 30. double Roman.

5. discolor. 31. Obeliscaria pulcherrima,

6. Calliopsis tinctoria. 32. Gnothera Drummondi.

7. Callirhde pedata. 33. bistorta Veitchiana.

8, Cerinthe gymnandra. 34, Lamarckiana.

9, Centranthus macrosiphon. 35. Oxalis rosea.
10, Chzenostoma polyantna. 36. Petunia, Buchannan’s blotched.
11, Clarkia elegans rosea, double. 37. Podolepis gracilis.
12, pulchella integripetala. 38. chrysantha,

13. Collinsia bicolor, pure white. 39. Poppy Carnation (in six varieties,
14. Collomia coccines. double.)

15. Cosmidium Burridgeanum, 40. Sanvitalia procumbens.

16. Datura ceratucaulon. 41. Scabious, fine German mixed.
17. Didiscus coeruleus. 42 stellata.

18. Erysimum arkansanum. 43. Sedum azureum.

19, Helichrysum macranthum, 44. Sphenogyne speciosa.

20. brachyrhynchum. 45. Statice Bonduelli.

21. Hibiscus africanus major. 46. Suitan (three varieties).

22. Thunbergi. 47. Valerian, garden (two varieties).
23. Larkspur, branching tricolor. 48. Verbena aublietia.

24. double white. 49. venosa.

25, Lobelia gracilis compacta. 50.
26. Linaria bipartita.

8 and 31 are more curious than pretty, but I think are worth
growing ; and 16 for its beautiful scent in the evening, a long way
off. 3, 19, 20, 42, 45, are all very pretty ; also noted for dried
flowers for winter bouquets. 43 is very pretty on rockwork ;
18, very showy, more so than H. Peroffskianum.

You say that 41 in your correspondents list from Newport, you
are not much acquainted with. It (Oxalis troproloides), makes
a very nice edging for beds, &c., having very dark brown foliage
and small yellow blossoms ; but once get it in the bedand you
cannot destroy it, it seeds so heavily. 49 is very handsome, but
so very delicate that a shower soon spoiis it. 15 is a compact
plant with small golden flowers.

I should like to see annuals grown more widely; I think
there are so many really very beautiful and easily grown. They
do not require that nursing that many of our flowers in beds at
the present time demand.—S., South Weald.

Whitlayia grandiflora.

THE FIRST IMPROVER OF THE PANSY.

I PRESUME that your respected and practical correspondent,
Mr, Robson, has not grown grey in his profession, as in his
paper on the subject of the Pansy, No. 105, March 31st, he
says, “‘ It is impossible to say at what precise period the parent
of our garden varieties of the Heartsease or Pansy first attracted
the attention of some zealous and far-seeing Aorist.” I have
been an amateur for more than fifty years, and can well remem-
ber the introduction of the Heartsease.

The Heartsease, though a native of Britain, was never cul-
tivated in order to render it a florist’s flower, till taken in hand
by Mr. Thomson, of Iyer, Bucks, and by him was brought into
admiration ; and from his original stock have all the beautiful
varieties of the flower been produced, and in the south and west
of England he was called the father of the Heartsease.

Mr. Thomson was gardener to the late Admiral Lord Gambier,
who resided at Iver, Bucks, near Uxbridge; and Mr. Thomson
Says, In @ paper now before me, that in 1813 or 1814, Lord
Gambier brought him a few plants collected in the fields near
the mansion at Iver. They were the yellow and white, and his
lordship requested him to cultivate them. ‘ Having done so, it
was soon discovered that a great improvement was effected in
the flowers, and this led to as many other sorts being collected
as could be discovered in the neighbourhood. About four years
after this commencement I had raised many seedlings from the
Originals ; and one which took Lord Gambier's fancy waa named

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

275

Lady Gambier, another George 1V., a third was called Ajax.
The first good-shaped flower was named Thomson’s King.”

At the time Mr, Thomson was making these improvements in
the Heartsease, I resided some six or seven miles from the place,
and often and great was the pleasure to go over his seed-beds
and watch his colony putting forth their beauties for future fame,

‘TI can conjure them up before me while I am now writiag, even

at this distance of time.

At that time the only mark in the eye of the Heartsease was a
few dark lines, and the dark eye which is now considered one of
the chief requisites of a first-rate flower had never been seen, or
even contemplated. Nor did Mr. Thomson take any merit to
himself for this peculiar property ; for one day having a chat
with him on the subject, and complimentirg on the same, he
said, “It was entirely the offspring of chance. On looking one
morning over a collection of Heaths which had been sadly neg-
lected, I was struck (to use a vulgar expression), all of a heap,
by seeing what appeared to me a miniature impression of a cat’s
face steadfastly gazing at me. It was the flower of a Heartaease
self-sown, and hitherto left to ‘waste its beauty’ far from
mortal’s eye. I immediately took it up, end gave it ‘ a local
habitation and a name.’ This first child of the tribe I called
Madora, and from her bosom came the seed which after various
generations produced Victoria, who in her turn has become the
mother of many even more beautiful than herself.”

Thus the origin of the cultivated Heartsease; and so* many
varieties did Mr. Thomson raise, that he has told me he was
often foreed to go to Shakspeare for a name for them. Since
his time so many persons have carried on the cultivation that
the varieties are now almost endless.

It is now more than twenty years since I have heard of
Mr. Thomson ; but, if etill in the land of the living, I hope he is
receiving the reward of his perseverance and industry.—Daut,
Manchester.

[Soon after Mr. Thomson had thus improved our native
Heartsease, Mr. Archibald Gorrie adopted this pretty flower as
a pet. He has recorded that about 1824 he received two varieties
from Mr. Brown, of the Kinnoul Nurseries, with an injunction
to pay attention to their culture. He raised many varieties from
them, and the names of some of the best will be found in Loudon’s
“ Gardener's Magazine” for 1832. Mr. Gorrie was the first, we
believe, to obtain for the Pansy admission to the rank of a
florist’s flower, and with great difficulty he secured its introduc-
tion into the schedule of the Perthshire Horticultural Society.—
Eps. J. or H. |

THE TRUE GILLIFLOWER.

Havine heard sometimes the Stock, and sometimes the
Sweet William, called ‘ Gilliflower,” would you tell me which
is the “trae Gillifower?” Also, what is the botanical name of
the common Wormwood ?—A Novicz.

(The true “ Gillifower”’ is the Carnation. The Stock, it has
been said, was called the “Stock Gilliflower,” because it was
sold chiefly in “ Stocks Market,” the old herb-market in Buck-
lersbury ; but Dodonzus states that in Holland it was called
the Stock Violet (stemmed Violet), and that certainly had no
reference to the English herb-market. It seems more probable
that the term “Stock” was applied to distinguish it by its
habit of growth from the Carnation or Gilliflower. We never
heard of the Sweet William being called the Gilliflower. The
botanical name of the common Wormwood is Artemisia vulgaris. ]

IS NIEREMBERGIA GRACILIS HARDY?

I nore for a reply in the affirmative, knowing as I do
that it will stand any moderate winter in a partially sheltered
border entirely unprotected out of doors. Indeed, I never
could have brought myself to the belief that this small, graceful-
habited plant could have assumed so etriking an appearance had
I not seen it. et the reader fancy to himself a plant of this
bright little plant, some foot and a half in diameter, covered.
with a mass of fully expanded blooms, in the moderately heated
rays of the sun upon a forenoon in early June, and count side
by side some eighteen or two dozen of the same. I can truly
say that the effect is most pleasing.

It may be worth while to try this upon 4 moderately dry
sheltered spot. Seen as above, they were planted in ene of

276 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND, COTTAGR GARDENER,

those narrow borders fronting a stove; trained against the low,
front wall of which were nice plants of some of our most shy-
blooming 'Tea Roses. Could the Belladonna Lily be grown in
the same border? How it would enhance the appearance of
the flowers if their naked ilower-stalks were partially hidden amid
the gracefully growing foliage of this charming little plant.
W. Hariey, Digswell.

APRICOTS IN ORCHARD-HOUSES.

I PROMISED to give the result of an experiment with Apricots
under glass.

Some of your readers will recollect I suggested trying the
effect of sprinkling the shoots and blooms of Apricots early in
the day with water from the fine rose of a watering-pot, thinking
it might be beneficial. I selected several trees, and watered
them almost every day before and during the time they were in
bloom. Now for the result. They are neither better nor worse
than those which haye neyer been sprinkled. ‘There is s0 much
fruit on all the trees that a large proportion must be pulled off.
Mr. Brown, of Lenton, near Nottingham, who has been trying
the same experiment, says he is quite satisfied that an occasional
sprinkling has proved beneficial to his trees; I have only proved
it is not injurious.

I hope Mr. Robson will not consider me influenced by in-
terested motives alone in advocating orchard-houses. I can
assure him there is such a thing as riding a hobby for pleasure
as well as profit. I haye taken more interest in my fruit trees
in pots, and derived more pleasure from their managemcnt than
in any other culture.

Last year was the only season when I had a partial failure
with Peaches and Nectarines, and two of the best gardeners in
this neighbourhood—Mr. Ingram, of Belvoir, and Mr, Speed, of
Mansfield—said I had as good a crop as could be expected
on the average. Even this partial failure was partly accounted
for, many of the trees having been lifted from the borders of an
old orchard-house, in which they had been growing for two
years, and potted only five months before they came into bloom.

f Mr. Robson will pay me a visit I will try and make it a
pleasant one to him, and do not despair of making him a con-
yert to orchard-house culture. If my fruit from potted trees
are as good as usual, he will not call them small (I weighed one
last season, 74 ozs., a Walburton Admirable), and I am sure he
will not find fault with the quality.

In 1861 a nobleman’s gardener made me an offer of 7s. per
dozen for my Peaches, but I did not sell them, as I wished those
who came to see them to have an opportunity of tasting. From
fifty to a hundred dozen of Peaches and Nectarines have been
eaten annually by my visitors and friends, and I never yet met
with more than one person—a gentleman who had resided at
the Cape, and who was, perhaps, very thirsty when he ate
Peaches there—who ever pretended they had eaten better, whilst
scores have declared they had no idea of what a Peach ought to
be before tasting one in an orchard-house,

I think those who speak against growing Peaches in pots can
have no idea how many persons differ from them in opinion.
T appeal to any of the great nurserymen if the sale of Peaches
and Nectarines has not doubled at least since orchard-houses
were erected. I know that we sell far more than double; and,
whateyer some persons may think, I haye no doubt twice as
many trees will soon be required.

Now, Mr. Hditor, please tell us, who believe in the orchard-
house, what more can we do to convert the infidels? We ask
all to come, and see, and taste. We refuse to sell our specimen
trees, because persons would say they had died and had been
replaced, so we keep the same trees we commenced with: can
we do more?

In conclusion, let me say Pears are not grown in my house,
because they were never good with me, The few Plums grown
bear very constantly and profusely, and are little different in
quality from those grown in the open air. Apricots have been
rather uncertain bearers; they have never totally failed, though
they nearly did so last year. They have often been a full crop.
The quality has always been greatly superior to wall Apricots,
80 much so that if they were more uncertain they would be
worth growing. I never fear a failure in Peaches and Necta-
vines, as the crop was a good one in 1861 in spite of the sun-
less summer of 1860; and the worst spring for fruit-blossoms
ever known perhaps, that of 1862, was, followed by a half crop
of firat-rate.quality,. :

[ April 14, 1863.

If I live, some of my Peaches shall find their way to the.
Fruit Committee and receive a, verdict from the honourable.
members. And. if Mr, Robson pays me a visit, which I hope he
will do, he will not find the pots fast to the ground!—J, R,
PEARSON.

[We recommend Mr. Robson. to aceept the: invitations of
Mr. Rivers and Mr. Pearson, and to dine with each in the
height of the Apricot season; for we can promise him that he
will find first-rate Apricots on their tables from their orchard-
houses, and we can promise, his, hosts that they will find their
guest anything but a man obstinate and prejudiced.

We have cultivated Vines, Peaches, Nectarines, and Apricots
in an orchard-house, and succeeded with all. Certainly finer
Black Hamburgh and Champion Grapes and Moorpark Apricots
we never desire to haye upon table. Of course the produce per
tree was*small.—E ps. ]

MERITS OF ORCHARD-HOUSES.

As “D.,” in his letter in last week’s JouRNAL or Horticux-
TURE, says that most practical men haye a contempt for fruit
trees in pots, and follows up by a sneer at orchard-houses and
their originator, perhaps you will allow me a few lines to give
you. my experience of their success, at least as regards Peaches
and Nectarines, and I think Ishail show that they are by no
means such failures as he would intimate them to be.

In the summer of 1859 I built an orchard-house of clay-
lump at an expense of about £28, 20 feet 6 inches by 12 feet,
with the border returned at the further end. I should build
another one somewhat cheaper and with various slight improve:
ments. I stocked it from the Sawbridgeworth Nurseries at an
expense of £6 1s., with sixteen Peaches and Nectarines, four
Apricots, three Plums, and one Cherry ; to which I afterwards
added four Vines—on the whole too much by a quarter for the
house.

The Plums, Vines, and Cherry I may dismiss at once, with an
acknowledgment that I could get no blossom to set on the
Plums and Cherry, and but few bunches and those very poor on
the Vines. The Apricots haye not donewell. I haye never had
more than six or eight on a tree, those, however, large,;and well-
flavoured. The Peaches and Nectarines have, however, been a
great success. The first year I ayeraged somewhat more than a

dozen on each. In 1860, when there was a large quantity of _

wall fruit out of doors everywhere, but utterly flavourless from
the continued wet, I had an average of about two dozen on
each plant—far better flavoured than out of doors, as I had the
regulation of the water-supply in my own hands, :

Then came the fearful winter 1861-2, which in this neigh-
bourhood killed-down many exposed trees, while those which
did survive bore no fruit on their badly-ripened wood. I, how-
ever, in the orchard-house had a supply somewhat larger than
the previous year, no tree having been at all damaged by the
frost. Last year I gathered from these sixteen trees nearly five
hundred Peaches and Nectarines, one-third, perhaps, smaller
than they should be, but the remainder of good size and flayour.
In the latter point I can, in average years, perceive no difference
between out-door and in-door fruit, nor in the former point
where not more than—say, thirty fruit are allowed to swell ona
moderate-sized tree.

I think, then, that as far as these trees are concerned they are
by no means a failure, but decidedly a yery great success. But
“D.” will say, “ You have a clever man whom it pays to give a
large income to” (I quote his own words), I am, or waa till
six months ago, my own head-gardener, and no experienced
amateur either, but till I had my plants and Rivers’s book I had
never pruned a Peach, nor knew the difference between a leaf-bud
and flower-bud; and I may say in passing, that it is a great
pity that trees will never grow according to the descriptions and
diagrams by which the tyro is instructed how to prune them,

My aide-de-camp was one of those hybrids between groom —

and gardener, whose qualifications consist in knowing. very little
of either business. However, he would do as he was bid. —

In conclusion, I would strongly advise every one who wishes
for a certain crop of good fruit and cannot afford much space,
nor the expense of a large wall, and does not wish to wait for
his crop for four or five years to build such an orchard-house
as he can find room for, to. bay Rivers’s book and set: to: work
by it, putting-in only Peaches and Nectarines. ‘Ten; minutes)

in the morning and -half ‘an: hour in. the evening, with one :day-~

April 14, 1863. ]

in the autumn, and another—or say two—in the spring, are the
attendance it will require. He cannot know less about fruit
trees than I did when [ began; and if he fails, some people are
very clever at failing, let him not come to me for sympathy, as
T shall certainly tell him it is his own fault.

Tt is foreign from the main object of’ an orchard-house to
enlarge on its convenience as a harbour for plants not quite
hardy—Rhododendron ciliatum, Vallota purpurea, Tea-scented
Roses, Fuchsias, &c.; but I have found it exceedingly useful for
such purposes. i :

My trees—with one exception, overdosed with Gishurst and
not likely to set more than a score of fruit—are now masses of
blossom, and the Apricots setting better than they have done.—
DUcEWING, Rectory.

RATING NURSERY GROUNDS.

Ixy No. 104 you very kindly gave us some valuable informa-
tion as to the liability, or, rather, non-liability of nurserymen’s
greenhouses and hothouses to be rated. Will you now give us
a few words as to ground employed for raising trees ?

My case is as follows :—I haye some land planted with young
nursery stock without buildings of any kind on it. It is bounded
on the north by arable land, and on the west by land of the same
description, divided by the usual fences of the country hedge
and ditch. This arable land is occupied by farmers, and is
assessed at—say, in round numbers, 30s. per acre. The Assess-
ment Committee of the parish, much impressed with the value
of my stock, wish to assess my land at £4 10s. per acre, or
200 per cent. more than the land adjoining. This I resist,
and say, I think, justly, that although my land has been im-
proved by deep digging so as to be worth to any ordinary tenant
10s. per acre more than the adjoining land under the plough, it
ought not to be assessed at the high rate they name, the neigh-
bouring land being of exactly the same nature as mine, both in
surface and subsoil. I am well aware they have no business
with my stock, but it seems they are impressed with the idea
that I get a much larger profit from my land, and that, con-
sequently, it ought to pay more to the poor’s rate.

‘With respect to the land on which my glass houses stand, one
acute reasoner suggested that a greenhouse or hothouse should
be considered as a manufactory ; and that as a manufacturer, on
building a factory and placing in it a steam-engine to be em-
ployed in his business, would be at once rated for it, so in like
manner a nurseryman building a propagating-house and using
hot water to propagate plants, was a manufacturer, and his
house or houses should be rated as factories. This is a new
idea not likely to hold water, but ingenious, and worthy of one
of “the wise men of the east.”

The gentleman who ushered it into the world ignored entirely
the precedents you quote in No. 104. A few words from your
experienced pen will at the present moment be of great service
to many of your readers.—A NURSERYMAN.

[No mistake is more commonly made by parish officials than
concluding because A makes more profit from an acre than is
made by B from an acre of the same land, that therefore B
should not pay so much as A; the absurdity of which is at once
further shown by the consideration that if such were the law,
then a man’s skill and industry would be the measure of rating.
Such, we think, is not the law, and we further think that
“A NURSERYMAN’S” ground, as described, can only be legally
rated at what it would let for toa neighbouring farmer after all
the nursery stock was removed.

The rule for rating manufactories and town trades is not at
all applicable to cultivators of the soil, and has long since been
so determined.— Eps, J. oF H.]

A FEW DAYS IN IRELAND.

LYONS.
(Continued from page 263.)

Havine felt much interested in the state of the first vinery
we entered, we obtained the following details, which show that
often much may be well done, and yet the good be neutralised
by some trifling misconception orerror of judgment. The strong
character of the wood showed there was plenty of nourishment.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTLAGEH: GARDENER, 277

The ‘tendency to luxuriance, rather than extra fruitfulness, and
the liability to shanking and imperfect colouring, led to the
conclusion that the roots were too deep, or in stagnant moisture
more frequently than was good for them; and yet almost
everything had been done, and done very well, to prevent such
athing. A drain 7 or 8 feet deep went along beneath a walk in
the front of that border; and at a depth of from 30 to 33 inches
the bottom of the border had been securely flagged to prevent
the roots going down into ungenial soil, but with no open
rubble between the soil and the flagstone. To make matters
more sure, and, as if flagstenes were of no cost, there were some
9 inches of stiff soil beneath that flagstone, then another flag-
stone bottom, then a good depth of open rubble beneath that,
and most likely other floors of flagstone—enough to have done
many borders, if flagstones were deemed essential; and we have
nothing to say against them if on a slope, and rubble above
them, so as to prevent water lodging on them. Well, how
was it possible that the Vine roots should be exposed to extra
moisture in such an expensively-made border? From several
trivial causes. The drain had been securely built with mortar, and
the better the mortar the less free access would the moisture of
the border have to it. Then, again, as if to secure this closeness
properly, a bank of rather stiff clay had been packed between the
drain and the border, and no direct openings whatever existed
between the border and the drain. The bulk of the roots
were close to the flags, and many had penetrated the wall of
ents and had descended and run along the surface of the close
rain.

The roots being carefully lifted, we might have been satisfied
with placing small drain-tiles on the flagged bottom, communi-
cating directly with the close drain, and covered these and the
flags with from 6 to 9 inches of rubble; but Mr. Lind did more
than this—he broke through the bottoms of flags every 4 feet or
so, took four-inch drain-tiles right across into the main drain by
openings, covered these cross drain-tiles with 2 feet of open
tubble, covered the flags with 9 inches more, and put a good
thickness of stones over the main drain, so as to let moisture
down freely to the openings. He then, in partly fresh soil,
replanted his Vines nearer the surface, the border being from
18 to 21 inéhes deep, as forming fresh roots quickly was a chief
object. The soil used was without manure ; but with such drain-
age manure water may be used to any extent in summer. The
results in handsome fruit, well coloured and free from shanking,
and good firm short-jointed wood, are everything that can be de-
sired. The earlier such lifting and replanting are done in autumn
the better, even if shading and syringing should be resorted to, to
prevent the leaves flagging. The heat of the soil should also be
kept in by covering early with litter ; and in the following season
Mr. Lind farther encouraged root-action by stopping several
joints beyond the fruit, and encouraging more laterals than usual,
until the balance between roots and branches was thoroughly
restored.

We might detail other more simple modes of bettering the
condition of Vine roots, such as making openings in such a close
drain, and filling up with rough stones to near the surface after
moving the clay bank; or we might describe another case, where
Vines were planted in the front of the house inside, where little
or no attention had been given to drainage, and where, from the
tops of the arches for letting the roots out being 18 inches
below .the outside surface, the roots had chosen to march right
down instead of going outside at all; and how these Vines were
wonderfully improved by lifting these deep perpendicular roots,
removing the sour soil in the arches, raising the openings so as
not to have the arch more than 6 inches below the surface of the
border, and taking the roots through at the top of the heightened
arch and packing them in fresh soil. But we pass these with less
regret, as there has been no end to reiterated advice on such
matters, and great stress laid when planting inside, not only
that the openings for the roots should be near the surface, but
that the inside border be higher than the outside one.

Although it was getting dark, the impression of the glass
houses conveyed to our mind was, that the same care was not
bestowed upon their external appearance and condition as was
observable in other departments of the demesne that came
under our notice. This, however, is far from being uncommon
in many large places, where, if a glass house is put up, it is
supposed to need no more looking-after for a generation; and
if we blue aprons do say anything about drippings and inun-
dations from worn-out or imperfect glazing, we are set down
as a grumbling lot that nothing will satisfy; and in truth we

278 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ April 14, 1868.

‘are not easily satisfied, and many more little things might be
done to satiefy our desires, but for an idea that gentlemen have,
that if they admit so much as our little finger they may make
up their minds to let in our whole hand. i

The main range is 175 feet in length, consisting of Peach- |.
house, stove, small greenhouse, and three vineries. The height
of these houses at back is 123 feet, width 11% feet, and height
in front 33 feet. There are also a very nice fofcing-pit 36 feet in
length, and a Melon-pit 44 feet in length; and though last, not
the least valuable, there is a capital span-roofed orchard-house
80 feet in length, 20 feet in width, 10 feet in height from floor
to ridge, side walls 43 feet in height to the eaves, with venti-
Jators about the middle of the sides. There is a door in the
centre of each end, and over the doorway a ventilator 1 foot by
2 feet, and that with the openings in the sides is found quite
sufficient. The house inside has a bed slong the centre 7 feet
wide, divided into two by a cross-walk, where there is a cistern
for water and a force-pump. There are also a border on each
side, 2 feet 10 inches wide, and a walk 3 feet wide all round.
These borders are raised above the pathways 16 inches. On
each central bed are two large Peach trees planted out, and the
rest for filling-up are grown in pots. On the side-beds several
trees of Peaches and Plums are planted out, and the rest are
retained in pots, and all were looking very promising. When
red spider makes its appearance at all, Mr. Lind generally uses
the sulphur and lime remedy recommended by Mr. Rivers, but
says it must be used cautiously, and that the leaves, &c., caunot
well be too dry. Asa wash for fruit trees in a dormant state,
he uses a solution of lime fresh from the kiln and flowers of
sulphur, and is seldom troubled with any insects. The wash
crumbles and peels off during the season, and no insect likes to
come near the dust that is left. Weshould not wondenif, after
after all our fine mixtures, we go back again to some of the oid
and simple ones.

The mode of heating the houses is well deserving of notice.
It is not by common flues and furnace, nor by any system of
hot water or eteam, nor yet by any combination of Polmaise, or
any modification of the hot-air chamber of Mr. Kidd, or of the
killogie once propounded by that natural genius, Mr. Alexander
Forsyth, who seems cf late to be keeping his light under a
bushel. No, by none of such means, but simply by old-fashioned
flues heated by limekilns. Under Mr. Lind’s eupervision the
System answers admirably ; the plants in the stove, &c., looked
in excellent health, and Peaches are generally gathered in the
beginning of May, and Grapes cut in the begiuning of June;

Strawberries, &c., being obtained proportionately early, though
they could also be had earlier if required. _- ;
A great deal of lime is wanted on the estate, and the system
has been adopted as one of great utility and economy, it being
believed that the houses are heated much more cheaply than
hey otherwise would be, and that the lime is a substantial gain
esides.

The annexed isa section of one of the limekilns, which are only
used when heat is wanted for the houses, showing the open shed
over it, and the flue passing at first underneath the ground level.
The * marked on section represents the place where the workman
wheels his fuel and limestone, and tilts them into the kiln, Each
kiln is 7 feet deep, tapering to a narrow base at bottom, where
the eyehole is placed for removing the burnt lime with a shovel
in the usual way. The middle of the kiln ia 3} feet wide, some-
what egg-shaped, and the top is 23 feet wide, and coyered with
a stout iron griddle cr lid 1 inch thick, The sides of the kilns
inside are lined with firebrick, which is supposed to last at least
four years without any repairs, When heat is wanted the kilns
are never out, unless when such repairs are needed, and Mr.
Lind spoke of one that had been worked continuouely for three
years, and never been out, and to all appearance might work
on ever so much longer without any repairs being necessary.
When heat is not wanted in some of the houses in summer, the
kilns are allowed to go out, the object being to make the lime
only when heat is wanted. From November, when more heat
is required, the lime is very good, and used solely for building
Pre On sn average each kiln produces six bushels of lime
per day.

The fuel used is cinders and ashes from the mansion, culm,
and inferior coal from Queen’s County, abounding in sulphur,
slack, small coal from the depét, and braize or refuse from the
Dublin gas works, which answers better than any of the others,
but cannot always be obtained. The lime:tone is brought from
an estate of Lord Cloncurry’s, and is carted to the canal bank
for 2s. per ton. From thence the limestone and fuel have to be
carted half a mile to the garden. At the canal bank the culm is
obtained at 12s., the slack coal at 12s., the braize at 8s. 6d., and
the limestone at 2s. per ton. Mr. Lind kindly furnished us
with the following data, as a means of judging of the power of
the different kinds of fuel, and the value, economically, of the
whole process :—

One ton of culm at 12s., will produce 31 barrels of lime.

One ton of slack at 12s., will produce 27 ditto.

One ton of braize at 8s. 6d., will produce 35% ditto.

The barrel is a local measure holding 11 stone avoirdupois,
we think, of lime. The price of lime delivered ulso at the canal
bank, is from 10s. to 11s. per ton. By taking the price of lime-
stone 2s. per ton, the price of braize 8s. 6d., and the value of the
thirty-five and a half barrels of lime, at eleven stones per barrel,
it will be no difficult-matter to arrive at a conclusion on the
economical aspects of the question, so as to be worthy of the
consideration of those who can obtain plenty of limestone or rough
chalk without costing much except the labour.

As to the management, Mr. Lind stated that the kilns were
rather troublesome in windy weather, but that otherwise he
would as soon have them as common furnaces and flues, and
that when managed regularly by one person they constituted a
source of ecarcely more anxiety than heating houses generally
does. It isexpected that when at work the kilns will be in good
order—that is, the fire well up through them at five o’clock in
the afternoon or soon afterwarde. Suppose this to be the care,
the houses will want looking to about seven, and most likely the
heat will want regulating by the damper. At ten o’clock the
houses will be looked to again and the heat regulated for the
night, which generally leaves the house just warm enough in the
morning, as when this attention is given the heat is yery regular.
If the heat is too much the damper can be put in for a time,
and the cover to ihe kiln moved partly or altogether, just 25 in
a similar case in a furnace we would open the furnace-dcor. In
either case, of course, the extra heat is lost, but in each slike the
damper is the regulator when there is exccss of heat. Our
friends who so strongly contend for hot water in all cases, may
rest assured there are many modes of heating effectually, if the
operators, as in the present case, bring intelligence and a spice
of enthusiasm to bear upon the subject.

With darkness in the gardens, and a cheering cup of tea from

1. Open shed over each kiln,
2. 2, Sutiioene work, Mrs. Lind, and a pleasant converse afterwards, terminated one of
eae ae most delightful and instructive of days in a gardening point
of view. eM

5. Flue passing below the floor of the houses to be heated.

April 14, 1863. ]

Some friends and unknown correspondents have thought proper
to call in question the heading of these sketches, ‘“‘ A Few Days
in Ireland.” But they are quite correct and consistent, as may
be judged from this single day’s work. We left Dublin early and
spent the morning at Hamwood, the forenoon at Carton, the after-
noon at Straffan, and the evening at Lyons.- No such amount
of work could have been gone through but for the kindness of
Mr, Robertson, of Mary Street, Dublin, who not only planned

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

279

the routes, but prepared for us in almost every case a most
warm and friendly reception. With all that, however, we were
tired enough on getting to Dublin; nor is it to be wondered at,
that, in our snug room at the Verdun, very sound sleep was pre-
vented by visions of columns and towers, Italian gardens, halls
of shells, endless lakes, and the blowing-up of forcing-houses by
gigantic limekilns. R. Fisz.

FLOWER-GARDEN PLAN.

Dinipg-room Windows.

12

¢ DESCRIPTION OF BEDS,

1, 1, Tom Thumb Geraniume.
2, 2, Madame Vaucher.
3, 3, 3, 3, Purple King Verbena, edged with Yellow Calceolaria.

Tue following remarks are relative to a flower-garden plan
sent us by S. E. L. :

We admire your arrangement chiefly for its great elegance
and simplicity, and heartily wish the mere strivers for variety
would take a lesson out of your book. There is only one fault
we notice, and that is your large basket of Roses in the centre.
Tt will dull your whole figure in the autumn. Just think of the
effect of a ringed bed, orone of Alma witha lilac border. Allyou
can do now is to have a good border round the Roses, and plant
a few things among theza. For the 3-beds you will, of course,
use a low Calceolaria. In the long eight beds, perhaps, accord-
ing to your arrangements of Mangles’, Christine, and Lobelia,

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, To be planted mbbon fashion in three rows:—
Ist row, Mangles’ Variegated; 2nd, Christine; 3rd, blue Lobelia.
12, 12, 12, 12, scarlet Verbena Foxhunter.

it would be as well to haye Christine in the middle, because
Mangles’ will pin down so nicely to suit the Lobelia. All these
eight beds will be relieved by the planting of the 3’s and the
blaze in 12’s; and we should like to see the whole in perfection,
to be, if possible, more convinced that a few colours well managed
will do wonders. Leaving 4, 5, 8, 9, as above, you might for
variety have a little difference in 6, 7, 10, 11—such as Tom
Thumb or Boule de Feu, centre; Christine, middle, or Flower
of the Day; and Lobelia Paxtoniana, or Verbena pulchella, or
Charlwoodii for outside. We notice this, however, merely for
variety, convinced that your plan of haying all the eight. beds
alike will look quite as well.

GISHURST COMPOUND.

May T suggest to your correspondent “8. P.” that instead of
‘condemning Gishurat altogether he should, next winter, try,
-instead of the eight-ounce solution he used, one of half the
strength? This I tried on some of the more susceptible sorts of
‘trees this season in January after the buds had swelled much,
with the result of their neither browning nor falling, I think,
after the paragraph giving the Van Mons Society’s experience,
which immediately followed “S. P.’s” note, that the medicine
may still be considered valuable, though the dose may have
proved too strong in the cases of particular patients. I use
8 ozs. because I find my trees the better forit; but after find-
ing, even in exceptional cases, that the eight-ounce solution had
pee too strong, I recommended half this strength.—GzoRrGE

ILSON.

THE ROYAL BOTANIC SOCIETY’S SECOND
SPRING SHOW.

Tuis took place on Saturday last, and the display, especially
of Azaleas, was excellent.

Those from Mr, Turner, of Slough, were admirable examples
of cultivation, being regularly-grown pyramids, and covered with
a profusion of bloom. They consisted of Rosy Circle, Prince
Jerome, Admiration, Criterion, Iyeryana, and Holfordi, He had
besides in the class for new sorts, Perfection, a bright rose spotted
with crimson; President, rosy salmon; and Duke of Saxony.

Messrs. Ivery & Son, of Dorking, had also a nice vollection,
consisting of Criterion, Baron de Vriére, Iyeryana, Louise Mar-
gottin, and Adelaide de Nassau.

Mr. Cross, gardener to Sir F. Goldsmid, Bart., and Mr, Tod-
man, gardener to R, Hudson, Esq., Clapham Common, had
excellent specimens in the Amateur’s Class.

Hyacinths did not afford a great display. ‘Those from Messrs.
Cutbush, of Highgate, and Mr. Carr of the same place, were by
far the best; and among them were some very good spikes of Van

. Speyk, Macaulay, Von Schiller, and other kinds which have been
frequently noticed in these columns during the present spring.

Cut Roses were again shown in great perfection by Mr. W.
Paul, of Waltham Cross, and Messrs. Paul & Son, of Cheshunt.
In Mr, W. Paul’s collection, which consisted of eight boxes,
were some beautiful blooms :—Teas, Luise de Savoie, Hliza
Sauvage, Niphetos, Vicomtesse de Cazes, Devoniensis, and Gloire
de Dijon ; and of Hybrid Perpetuale, Beauty of Waltham, Pauline
Lanzezeur, Lonise Peyronny, Olivier Delhomme (of a glowing
purplish-red), and three lovely blooms of Victor Verdier, two
of which were just opening. In Messrs. Paul & Son’s seven
boxes, among the moat striking were Narcisse, Eliza Sauvage,
Madame de St. Joseph, Louise de Savoie, and Madame Willermoz ;
and H.P.’s John Hopper, Victor Verdier, Maurice Bernardin,
Jules Margottin; and H.B. Charles Lawson, the last a lovely
bright colour and very large and full.

Of Pot Roses the only exhibition came from Mr. W. Paul,
who had Senateur Vaisse, with its beautiful bright red flowers ;
Victor Verdier, large and fine; Catherine Guillot, very fine; and
among dark colours Cardinal Patrizzi and Triomphe de Lyon.

Of Begonias there were several collections shown, the ex-
hibitors being Mr. Cross, Mr. Fox (gardener to R. Gibbs, Esgq.,
of Highgate), and Mr. Webb (gardener to J. Lu. Latham, Esq., of
Highgate). The whole of the plants were well grown, but among
the kinds shown there was nothing remarkable for its novelty.

Several collections of foliage and flowering plants were shown.
Messrs. Lee, of Hammersmith, had in their’s Hedaroma tulipi-
ferum and Cyathea Smithii, the handsome lively green fronds of
which were seen to great advantage between the more sombre
foliage of a fine Alocasia metallica and a handsome spegimen
Epacris grandiflora rubra.

Mr. Williams, of Holloway, also exhibited an excellent col-
lection, in which was\a lovely plant of Cattleya Skinneri in full
bloom, and handsome plants of Cordyline indivisa, and Gleiche-
nia dicarpa, and Qyathea excelsa. He had besides Azalea
-Empress'Eugénie; which, though a handsomely-shaped plant, and
‘well covered with bloom, had lost many of its flowers, probably
from rough carriage,

Good collections were likewise exhibited by Mr. Bull, Messrs,
Henderson & Co., F. & A. Smith, and Mr. Cross.

OF other objects exhibited, collections of Amaryllids came
from Messrs. Cutbush and Mr. Parker, of Tooting; British
Ferns from Messrs, Ivery and Miss Clarkson ; and from Messrs.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

- ([ Apeil 14, 2868,

‘Perkins'and Sons, of Coventry, Verbena Lord Leigh, with large
trusses of crimson ‘scarlet flowers with a white eye,and which
are well represented in the Florist and Pomologist for March.
The same firm had likewise a pretty Cineraria called Rey. 9.
Widdrington. Stands of cut Camellias were shown by Messrs.
A. Henderson & Co. and Messrs. Lee; and of Pansies, among
which were 3ome pretty dark selfs, by Mr. Bragg, of Slough,
A batch of variegated Geraniums, as Sunset, Mrs. Pollock, and
Countess, were shown by Messrs. E. G. Henderson & Son;
also Coleus nigricans, with blackish-purple foliage; Genista
prostrata,a handsome trailer, with yellow flowers ; and Cupressus
Lindleyana, with white variegatione. Mr. Williams also exhi-
bited Phalenopsis Schilleriana and amabilis, Dendrobium agere-
gatum majus, Tradescantia odorata, with dark red leaves, some-
what resembling those of Dracena ferrea; a species of Aralia,
with long, narrow spiny leaves of a blackish-green, and blotched
at the spines with paler green; the variegated Aralia Sieboldi,
Gleichenia dicarpa, and some other plants. Lastly, Mr. Bull,
of Chelsea, had a large batch of seedling Zonale Geraniums,
among which were several pretty unnamed varieties, of the
merits of which we shall doubtless hear in due time, and several
new Petunias, likewise unnamed; whilst Mr. Paul had Magnolia
Linné, with large flowers, rose tinged with violet on the outside.

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY'S MEETING.

Tue March Meeting of the Entomological Society was held
on the 2nd inst., F. Smith, Esq., the President, being in the
chair. The Secretary announced a considerable list of donations
to the Society’s library, from the Royal Society, the Entomo-
logical Societies of France, Stettin, and Vienna, the Society of
Arts, the Royal Society of Nassau, &c., including an extensive
series of the “ Annales” cf the French Entomological Society.

A number of minute species of British Rove Beetles (Staphy-
linide), belonging to the genera Mycetoporas, Bryophorus, and
Homalota, were exhibited by Mr. G. R. Waterhouse, with
relative notes and descriptions.

Professor Westwood read descriptions of two new Australian
species of Lucanide, one in the collection of the British Museum,
and the other in that of Dr. Howitt, who had forwarded a very
beautiful drawing of it for description.

Mr. F. Bond exhibited a species of the true Polyommatus
Dorylas, one of the small blue Butterflies which, although long
ago figured by Lewin as a British species, had for many years
past been rejected from the British lists as a doubtful native.
Mr. Bond had received it as a variety of P. Adonis, taken with
other insects in the west of England. The name of P. Dorylas
had also been misapplied by Leach to the common blue Butterfly,
P, Alexis,

The President read a memoir on the various species of Honey
Bees exhibited, together with their nests and honey, in the
Brazilian Court of the International Exhibition of 1862. Al-
though the European Honey Bee, Apis mellifica, had been in-
troduced and become naturalised in North America, no other
species of Apis was indigenous in the New World; but in South
America their place was taken by stingless Bees, composing the
genera Trigona and Melipona, to which another genus had been
added by Saint Fargeau under the name of Tetragona, but this
genus was not considered by Mr. Smith to be tenable. All these
South American Bees are stingless. They vary very consider<
ably with reference to the quality of the honey which they
make ; and Mr. Smith, by an examination of the organs of their
mouths (four only of the species having toothed mandibles),
showed that the different species must necessarily be appropriated
to very different classes of flowers. No fewer than 120 species
of these American Bees had been described; and in the col<
lection exhibited in the Brazilian Court, eleven out of the fourteen
species of Trigona were new to science, as well as both the
species of Melipona. It had also long been affirmed that several
species of Wasps of the genus Polybia, including the Licheguana
Wasp were honey-makers, and several species of this genus were
contained in the collection; but Mr. Smith, from an examina-
tion of their nests, appeared to doubt whether they were really
collectors of honey, but thought they were rather robbers, which
had stolen it from the nests of Melifers,

D. Moorz, Esq., Pu.D., M.R.I.A., &c.—It is with very
sincere pleasure we learned that Mr. (now Dr.) Moore, the very

April 145 1863, ]

able and much respected Director of the Glasnevin Botanic
Gardens, has had the degree of Doctor of Philosophy conferred
on him by the Senate of the University of Zurich, the Athens
of German Switzerland. Dr. Moore has been selected for this
by-no-means common honour, by reason of his many and valu-
able contributions to the advancement of the natural sciences,
more especially in that whose fair domain it has been his pri-
vilege to put the sickle, and garner a plentiful harvest.—(Dublin
Agricultural Review.)

WORK FOR THE WEEK.

KITOHEN GARDEN.

Tur advantage of applying manure in a liquid state to
kitchen-garden crops is so great, that it becomes an important
duty to see that none is wasted. A tank in the dungyard or
frame-ground would be most useful, and into this tank should
be conducted ail the drainings of hotbeds, heaps of fermenting
dung, green refuse, &c. This will form an excellent dressing
for Cauliflowers and Celery, for pouring over Sea-kale and
Asparagus beds, Artichokes, and a diluted portion over the roots
of Peas in dry weather. Indeed, almost every kind of crop will
be benefited by it when in a growing state. None, therefore,
should be wasted—a waste which, by the way, is far too common
eyen in this enlightened age. It is grievous to see all the
drainage of dungheaps running away and finding an entrance
into the earth wherever it can. Sooner than allow this
it would be advisable to dig a hole to stop it, if time could not
ke spared to carry it to the kitchen garden to make the Cauli-
flowers larger and whiter and the Celery finer and crisper.
Beet, Silver, sow where it is required. Broccoli, make a sowing
of the various winter and spring varieties. Celery, attend well
to the pricking-out of the early sowings, and sow more, both on
heat and in the open ground, for middle and late crops. Celery
is best if kept in a rapidly-growing state, the manure to be rich
and to haye frequent applications of liquid manure, with a small
portion of salt dissolved in it. Cauliflowers, keep the surface
deeply stirred amongst the open rows, and look out for slugs.
Continued hoeing and surface-stirring is a great disturber of
such vermin, and will now be required for all kinds of advancing
crops. Harth-up those which have stood the winter beneath
hand-giasses. Cardoons, the seed may now be sown in trenches,
where the plants are to remain. The trenches to be about 4 feet
apart, and a few seeds dropped in at intervals of 18 or 20 inches,
See that Chilies, Capsicums, Basil, Tomatocs, and Knotted
- Marjoram are in a proper state of forwardness for planting-out
at the proper time. Carrots, the seedlings just coming up, as
also the seedling Onions and Parsnips, to have the teeth of an
iron rake passed through them to loosen the surface. Kidney
Beans, sow in a box of sandy soil placed in # cold pit or other
conyenient place for protection, to be transplanted after a time.
Potatoes, water and earth-up those in frames. If the main crops
are not yet in, lose no time in getting them planted. Nasturtiums,
gow some seed at the foot of a fence where the plants can do no
injury by their rapid growth. Savoy, another sowing may be
made for late crops. The present weather is very favourable
for getting in crops whero the soil is of a stiff wet nature, and
it will generally be found that by waiting till the ground is in
good tilth, the crops are equally early and far superior to those
sown when the soil was saturated with wet. As the heads of
Broccoli are cut remove the stumps, as they only harbour slugs
and snails,

FLOWER GARDEN.

Make another sowing of hardy annuals on the borders; at the
same time sow a little of each in the reserve-garden to supply
yacancies in thesuntmer. All empty flower-beds to be frequently
forked over during this month and the early part of next, and add
some charcoal or charcoal dust, especially if the soil be stiff; if
neither of these can be had, use burnt soil as a substitute. See
that Fritillarias and Narcissi are properly attended to as regards
staking and tying. ‘The daisy-rake will now be required upon the
lawn once a-week. Proceed with the planting of hardy climbers
against walls, trellises, and verandahs. Select some of the most
showy species—as Wistaria, Bignonia, Caprifolium, Clematis,
Tecoma, &e. If it is desirable to have some disagreeable object
hidden from view, the following Roses are suitabie for the pur-
pose—viz., Rampant, Donna Maria, Triomphe de Bolwyller,
Madame d’Arblay, Garland (W00d’s), Queen of the Prairies, and
Baltimore Belle; to be turned-out of pots at this season, The

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGH GARDINER.

281

above Roses are rapid and’ strong growers, and abundant.
bloomers,
STOVE.

Make cuttings of any stock that is wanted whilst the propa-
gating-frames are at work, not forgetting the old Vincas, the
Thunbergias, Plumbagos, Justicias, &c.; these, although old-
fashioned, contribute much to the general effect. Pay due atten-
tion to watering, shifting, stopping, &¢, of stove plants in
general. See that growing Orchids have abundance of atmo-
epheric moisture, with a circulation of air in the morning, shut-
ting up close betimes, and taking care to observe moderation in
the use of fire heat, in order that a pure atmosphere for the
night may be insured. Growing Dendrobiums will now require:
liberal supplies of water, and let plants on blocks be frequently
syringed.

GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY.

With the increased circulation of air, which the present mild
weather will sanction, there will be a more evident necessity for
increasing the supply of water to repair the loss which must
ensue from a rapid evaporation. During strong solar light the
paths of the houses may be damped, which will produce a gentle
moisture very grateful to exhausted plants, many of which,
having lately been shifted and made some little growth, will

. suffer from any deficiency of moisture. Proceed with the staking

and tying-out of plants requiring such assistance, but if our
former directions were carried out relative to growing plants
with short-jointed wood, stakes may be generally dispensed with ;
but some will be necessary to give the plant its desired shape.
Turn each plant frequently round that it may not become one-
sided. Planted-out things will require thorough waterings.
The larger specimens in tubs or pots, if any, to have a liberal
supply if the drainage is complete. This is the period for the
use of liquid manure, but take care that it is clear and not
over-strong. Large Orange trees are very fond of it.

PITS AND FRAMES,

These will want, not only daily, but hourly attention. Pro-
pagating, pricking-out, potting, hardening-off, with shading,
syringing, &c., will be the order of the day for three weeks longer,
by which time a thorough supply of stock will be provided for
both summer and winter for out-of-doors and in-doors.

: W. Keane.

DOINGS OF THE LAST WEEK.

KITCHEN GARDEN.

SarrreD the soil among Cabbages and Cauliflowers, and soused
with manure water. Dug, trenched, and turned over vacant
ground for Peas and late Carrots, and main crops of Beet, &e.,
which will be sown about the end of the month. Sowed suc-
cession Turnips, Radishes, &c., and attended to things in general
as described in late weeks. Looked over and nipped-in Cucum-
ber shoots, and thinned fruit. Sowed rows of Dwarf Kidney
Beans in front of orchard-house, where Parsley stood for the
winter. Sowed others in boxes and pots for transplanting under
protection. Sowed Scarlet Runners also in boxes for transplant-
ing, as they thus fruit rather earlier. Planted out Broad Beans
from boxes, and sowed others, and scattered burnt earth over
séed-beds and young plants, to keep worms and slugs from
them, Planted more Lettuces, &c.

FRUIT GARDEN.

Regulated Strawberries. Planted out a lot of those that had
peen forced earliest. Pots being an object, they had been turned
out close to a north fence, the balls placed close together, and a
little rough leaf mould strewed in between them. ‘They are now
being planted in a well-dug border, but without breaking the
balls at all, the earth being placed firmly against them. From
such we generally get good gatherings in September and October,
and heavy crops the succeeding year, when the plants are past
their best, the second summer’s crop being inferior to the first.
Being scarce of frames, set lots of plants in the orchard-house
to succeed those taken from the forcing-houses and pits. The
earliest vinery is now of no use for such a purpose, there being
too much shade to permit of flavour to the Strawberries. If
the plants are brought on a little gradually they do better than
when taken from out of doors into a forcing-house at once.
Thinned Grapes, disbudded Peaches in houses, and thinned
fruit. In disbudding prefer doing it at different times, instead
of leaving only the number of shoots at once, as that in our.
opinion, though involving less labour, has-a tendency to arrest

282

root-action at a critical time. Used all the thinnings, bruised,
put in a tub, and covered with boiling water, to syringe the trees
with when the water was cool, poured through a cloth and other
water added ; so that a bushel of such shoots bruised, and that
is easily done, would make about eighteen gallons of cold weak
prussic-acid tea, which no insects like, and which at that strength
most stone fruits like over their foliage, and the houses alter the
syringing will smell as sweet a3 a confectioner’s shop. Watered
Figs, and stopped and regulated shoots, and will soon have to
move the Scarlet Geraniums beneath them. Planted out more
Melons. Potted Vines in pots, &c. Those who grow Pines
must water carefully; and instead of overwatering, it will be best
to shade in these very bright days, so apt to be succeeded by
dull, cloudy, and wet ones. Extra moisture at the roots is apt
to make fruit showing come deformed, and with huge unwieldy
crowns.

We notice in page 265, first column, a good plan for getting
good Grapes in a frame, by Mr. Keane, and we have often been
surprised it was not more adopted. When we used to try it we
did not make any slit in the boxes to let in the Vines, but merely
brought them in through the dung beneath the bottom of the
box ; and if a lot of roots ran ultimately into the dung from the
stem, we did not trouble ourselves in removing them. Also, we
generally allowed the stems to lie either close to or only an inch
or two from the dung, before they were broken 2 or 3 inches in
length, and then by some simple means, as sticks or trellis, they
were elevated within 12 or 14 inches of the glass. When the
bed was covered with slates or tiles, these were painted with
sulphur and lime, if the foliage was at all thick, and with sulphur
and a little soot if the foliage was rather thin. The stems not
in the box were wrapped round with haybands to prevent sudden
extremes of temperature. :

We have also seen good Grapes against a wall by placing
sashes that were to spare against them, something in the Pax-
tonian fashion, and perhaps the very best were thus managed.
The wall was about 7 feet in height, the Vines grown ex the
long-rod system—that is, the stem that fruited was cut out every
year, and a young one grown in summer to take its place. Unless
in very severe weather the Vines were exposed all the winter. In
the end of February they were pruned, painted with sulphur,
and laid down at the foot of the wall, with just a slight sprink-
ling of straw over them, which kept them from frost, and also
tended to make them come later, and induced them to break
regularly, which they seldom did until the end of April. ' They
were then fastened to the wall, and the sashes put against them.
This also was done in a very simple way. Stout iron brackets
stood out a foot from the coping of the wall, and to these were
screwed a batten of wood all the way, 2} inches square. ‘To that
batten in turn the tops of the sashes were screwed by two screws
in each sash; this left room between the batten-slip and the
wall of more than 9 inches, in which a nine-inch board, lying
flat, moved easily, and the space being 30 feet in length, two
fifteen-feet boards just filled it. There were no hinges or any-
thing of the kind; but a small ladder stood at each end, and
the board could be moved to givean inch of air, or set up against
the wall to give fully 8 inches, just as was desirable. The bottoms
of the sashes rested on a flat rail supported by posts 9 inches
from the ground. When the sash was set on the rail, a stout
nail in the rail in front of the sash kept it in its place. The
loose board did for air in front, but unless in very hot days was
seldom used. If the house were shut up at night, very little air
‘was always given early in the morning, to prevent the heat accu-
mulating too fast, and much of the success we attributed to the
comparatively cool temperature at night, and the high tempera-
ture, but with air, in hot sunny days. We recollect seeing the
thermometer between 90° and 100°, and yet the Vines and Grapes
stood it well. The temperature at night would range from 45°
to 60° at these times. The one end was covered with stout calico,
and a door, also covered with calico, instead of wood, was at the
other end. ‘I'he sashes were used for salads and bedding plants
from the end of October to the end of April, The rail for the
sashes was 3} feet from the back wall.

ORNAMENTAL DEPARTMENT,

Rolled lawn preparatory to mowing. Would like to cut Box-
edgings, but will put the cutting off for a time, fearing we yet may
have a frost, as, when fresh cut, Box turns black and looks un-
sightly for some time afterwards. Dug over beds as opportunity
offered, doing this roughly in all cases where planting and sowing
Were not contemplated. In beds and borders, where planting and
sowing were to be done, dug and made fine. In borders, regu-

JOUBNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ April 14, 1863.

lated herbaeeous plants; planted Heartsease, Pinks, Carnations,
&c.; examined Hollyhocks and Phloxes, firming the earth about
them, and placing round them some burnt rubbish to keep
sluge, &c., at a distance. Ranunculuses, Anemones, &c., should
be well firmed round the necks of the plants, and protected
from deluges of rain and sharp frosts if they come; and the
game may be said of Hyacinths and Tulips. To have fine strong
flowers of Ranunculuses, a good plan, after firming the soil
round the plants and the ground all over, is just to stir it half
an inch deep or s0, and then cover the ground with half an inch
of fine riddled old cowdung, which will keep the tubers moist
and permit of nourishing waterings when rains come or the
watering-pot is used. Most of the hardy annuals may now be
sowed. In cold soil it will be as well to defer Mignonette until
towards the end of the month ; but if wanted early out of doors,
a lot may be sown in pots to be transplanted, placing these pots
under protection. All the half-hardy annuals used for bedding
should also now be sown in a slight hotbed ; or the bed may be
as much as 18 inches deep, with 3 inches of old dung on the
top, and as reuch of fine soil to sow in if you do not have
glass to cover with. Stout calico is a capital covering for such

a purpose, but it is dear this season. We had a picce not stout

the other day, about 13 yard wide and 103d. the yard run, which
not so long ago might have been had for 5d. or 6d. per yard
run. We trust that calico willyet be more reasonable, and that
more for the sake of our Lancashire friends than eyen gardening
purposes, though for the latter it is very useful for makeshift

workings at this season, as nothing can equal unbleached coarse
calico for hardening-off bedding plants. Another substitute
will, no doubt, be obtained when thoroughly demanded. Frigi
domo, 2 yards wide and 1s. 6d. per yard run, is a good pro-
tection ; but it is too thick and dingy for hardening-off bedding

plants. Many half-hardy plants will lift in patches from such

a bed as the above, hardly feel the moving, and do much better
than those sown in pots and coddled in houses.

We must stop, aud wish we could stop or find more room for
cultings of bedding Geraniums—among others, Cloth of*Gold,
which seems to strike very fast; Ageratums, Verbenas, &c.,
which must be done now wholesale. Have filled all our earth
pits with bedding plants, and haye nearly filled the old cabbage
ground with wide Celery-trenches (5 feet), and these, too, are
being filled with Geraniums planted out of boxes or turned out
of 60-sized pots, that the pots may be washed and filled agaia
with smaller things, so as to give them a better chance. Plant-
ing-out at once is the best for all things that make bunches of
fibrous roots. Such plants as Verbenas we plant separately early ;
but after this season those struck in half-circle drain-tiles are
turned out of the tiles, and planted in rich soil just in lumps as
they are. By this means no check is given, and when taken up
to plant they separate easily, as the fresh roots do not get too
far away. Thisia also a good plan with the Variegated Alyssum
if the young plants cannot be kept in pots. If you turn out
little plants into a temporary bed as a Celery-trench, they will
rise badly, because the roots may wander too far; but when
pots of cuttings, or tiles of cuttings, are turned out, and planted
in a piece as stated above, the new roots do not wander so far
from home, the plants grow freely, and when raised up with a
fork in a piece they will plant-out nicely, and scarcely show a
flag of distress. If we can spare a frame or two we will make-
up a slight hotbed for Verbena-cuttings, cover with 3 inches of
rotten dung, 2 inches of rough riddlings of soil, and 2 of finer
on the top, with half an inch of drift sand over all, plant the
cuttings about 2 inches apart, and in May these would rise with
nice balls of rough soil and dung adhering to them. Such
methods might not do in a commercial establishment; but
something of this kind must be done when the most is to be
made of limited means.—R. F. .

EnBatum.—At p. 246, second column, 19th and 20th line from top, the

words ‘‘pit”’ and “pits” in the respective lines should be ‘*pot” and
«6 ”
pots,

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

AzaLEAS DYING AFTER FLowerinc (J. McN.).—As a precaution, it
would be well to be certain that the plants are thoroughly soaked to the
centre of the balls, either by placing the pots for half an hour in a tub of
water, or making a number of small holes a good depth into the soil with
a stout pointed wire, and then watering. ‘The plants should also be kept
cool for a week or two after flowering, and be syringed overhead.

Drawine Frower-seps (W. W.H.).—There is no book upon the sub-
ject. We hope to begin publishing a series of communications upon -
geometrical drawings, &c , next week.

April 14, 1863. ]

APpLe-TREE SHoots Diseasep (P. J.).—The roots haye descended pro-
bably into an ungenial subsoil; and this, combined with the deficient
warmth of last summer, has caused the outoreak ef canker and the shrivel-
ling in the shoots. If the subsoil is heavy or wet it should be thoroughly
drained; but whatever the subsoil may be, we recommend a trench 2 feet
deep to be dug on one side of each tree, and then the earth picked away from
beneath it, so that all descending roots may be cut through. Then return
the earth, and keep the surface slightly manured and mulched in summer
to induce the roots to grow nearer the upper stratum of soil. Do not let
this be dug, for such digging compels the production of roots lower down.

Prize-Takino Garpexers (4 Foung Showman).—Never mind what
©. R.” or any one else says about gardeners exhibiting, but go on.
Everybody writing in favour ot his hobby is liable to use strong expressions
without intending to offend.

STaLks AND Fauit or Green Gages Toaninc YeLLow (Amateur).—
There is no doubt that the roots have descended into a soil that is ungenial.
Serve them as we have recommended another correspondens to serve his
Apple trees, but do not do so until the autumn. At present the best treat-
ment will be to remove the soil until you come down to the roots nearest
the surface, and cover these with some thoroughly decayed manure, and
‘water with tepid water. Cover the roots thus a distance of 3 feet from the
stem allround. The absence of bees will not injure the crop.

Bops or Appre Trees Derorusp (Mrs. W.).—The information you now
gend fully accounts for the diseased and decrepid state of the trees. “* Sub-
soil yellowish gravel; ground has been cropped close up to the very trunks
of the trees.” The surface roots have consequently been destroyed, the
trees compelled to root down into the gravel The remedy is precisely the
game as we have recommended to-diy to another correspoudent whose
Apple trees are affected in a somewhut similar way. You have justly
abolished the cropping, and you must now cut away the Cescended roots
and encourage surface roots. The deformed shoots we should prune away
‘by degrees. a

FLOWER-GARDEN Pxan (Sarak).—If Tom, Jack, or Harry had sent us
‘such a pian, we should have been tempted tu eng.ave it, just to show what
an amount of labour and worry some peuple would take to make a lot of all
sorts of figures in a flower garden, some of them hideous enough, and
haying no possible connection or balancing with each other. There is
scarcely a figure in the two large groups but might be surpassed by another
still more ugly, and that without disarranging in the least the general effect
asa whole. As it is “Sagan” who asks our advice, why we can only
remind her that disjointed variety is fatal to beauty, and that the planting
intended will be far superior to the forms of the clumps, and the effect will
be far better than the colouring with which she has kindly given us an idea
‘of what the appearance will be. We would recommend her to carry out
the proposed plan‘ing this year, with,such little modifications as may be
suggested; and next year, after reading all the notes on Hower gardens,
‘ut up her large flower garden into several distinct groups, so as to give
to the whole more light and shade, as well as distinct features. At present
there are two groups, one on each side of a walk to the greenhouse, which,
qvith the exception of the centres, seem to have little similarity or balancing
with each other, and yet our correspondent ‘“‘SaRzan”’ has fair ideas of
grouping and balancing. Thus on the left-hand side there is a centre of a
Targe figure that might be considered a star with large rounded points, and
that is to be filled with mixed Verbenas, which scarcely any planting can
make look ill. Then round that there are three circles and three large
‘oblong beds alternately, the circles being filled with Aurea floribunda Calceo-
laria, which also will, no doubt, look well. The three oblongs, all varying in
form, but near enough ta ovals with blunt rounded ends to suit our purpose,
are thus planted :—'The side next the Verbenas blue Lobelia, the centre
Christine Geranium, the other side Lady Plymouth, white variegated-leayed
4eranium. The colours of the bed put down are blue on one side, pink in
the middle, and white on the other side. A good frieud told us the other
day that really we must put a bridle on our fancy—the illustration of the
ory chaise in the sketch of Straffan was really outrageous. Well, let him
and “Saran” settle it between them. There, as any body may see, is the
pink body of the pony chaise with one wheel charmingly blue and the other
wheel as delicately white. With this exception the balancing system is
pretty well maintained, 10 and 12, 9 and 13 doing well as counterparts,
though, from the large size of these and the remaining beds, they would
ave done well for broadedgings. We also thiuk 14 should balance with 8.
Qn the right side of the walk the centre and the six beds round it are the
game as on the left side; but here balancing ends and the beds opposite
each other on the two sides of the walk come im as contrast rather than
dn uniformity, as Trentham Rose and Heliotrope, Manglesii Geranium and
Purple King Verbena, &c. We find no fault with this: it is just the
Question of the pair of horses—matched or dissimilar? We do not know
the size of the beds, but we judge they must be rather large, and therefore
such as would be improved by edgings, and pretty broad ones. On the
Whole, though conyiuced that *‘ SaRan’s » labours are greatly increased by
the form and arrangement of her beds, we have no doubt the effect of her
planting will be far superior to the colouring on paper.

Sgepiinc Crxersria (A. K.).—Showy, but nothing more, so far as we
‘ean determine from two withering pips. The truss and habit of the plant
have to be considered.

DenpRopies NopitE (A Subscriber).—Too much dryness at the roots
and a moist warm atmosphere are apt te make this Dendrobe break, as you
describe, ‘‘ freely along the bulbs, but not from the bottom.” If you dislike
the appearance, you had better take the pieces off and form with each a
fresh plant. For Mignonette Trees, see article in another page.

Bornt Eartu For ViINE-porDers (Q. Q.).—The rougher part of the
burnt earth would answer well for the Vine-border. A few bones in
addition would be advisable, as the burnt earth will act chiefly in a
mechanical manner for keeping the soil open.

Prants BETWEEN Rows oF GLapioxr (Idem).—Why should you have
plants between rows of Gladioli at all? The Orach will answer as well as
‘any other, and by pruning and nipping you may have it just any height
you please, from 6 inches to 6 feet.

Gorpex Cuan GERANIUM (Jdem).—The yellow edge of Golden Chain
varies much according to exposure and growth. It is generally nearer
three quarters of an inch than one-eighth of an inch, but frequently there
as less green than yellow. There is no accounting for such things. With
Us Brilliant Geranium flowers nicely; but we never have s0 much white
at the edges as many of our neighbours,

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

283

CAMELLIA Exrura (A Subscriber).—A double-centred Camellia flower is
not of usual occurrence, but we have seen two or three similar instances.
aa occurred, as yours seems to haye occurred, on a robust well-grown

FLOWER-GARDEN PLAN (Diffidence).—We will publish a drawing of your
plan next week, with a few notes.

VINES THE SEASON AFTER Prantine (J. C., Halifaxr),—If not experienced
you would haye acted wisely to haye let your Vines break naturally,
merely keeping frost from them, giving them a lift with a little fire heat in
dull cold weather in summer, and ripening the wood carly by a little dry
heat in autumn. We know of no fruit tree so suitable for training under
the ridge of a cool greenhouse as a Vine. If you fancied such a fruit,
however, the Passiflora edulis would do very well, anc would fruit in the
second or third year. The fruit is purplish-coloured, and about the size of
ahen’segg. Some people are very fond of the fruit, as it is very peculiar
in flavour and luscious. We think Henfrey’s “‘ Rudiments of Botany ’”’
would suit you to commence studying.

_ VINES FROM Evers anp From Layers (JV. If).—We know of no supe-
riority possessed by Vines raised from eyes in comparison with those
raised from layers. They are usually raised from eyes or from cuttings,
because more can be so raised from the shoots pruned off, and because iv is
not often that layering is convenient.

PoaTsBLe Manures (J. Picard).—As a general manure guano will suit
you. Rake your mossy lawn, and give it a dressing with finely-sifted coal
ashes and a little cubic petre. For a kitchen garden you will require more
than one package, and had better send a post-office order. A manual will
shortly be published at our office, entitled ‘‘ Manures for the Many,” which
will give instructions for their application.

Tropxotum Srepiines (TZ. C., Yorkshire).—Both are too ragged to be
of much use while there are so many good forms of the Lobbianum breed.
No. 1 is pretty, and from your description of its habit may look yery well
in a bed; but of that, of course, we cannot judge.

Tom THuws GERantum LEAVES TURNING WHITE (A. R.).—We fear your
plants receive too much water, or are in the shade too much. Many of the
Tom Thumb breed of Scarlet Geranium become blanched-looking in the
foliage in winter, but recover as the spring advances, and we hope yours
will do soalso. Keep your plants more dry, and if they have been in the
shade remove them gradually to the light ; and if you keep the placea little
warmer it would be better. We fully expect shade and moisture are at the
bottom of the evil, and that a contrary course will remove it.

Twenty Harpy Annvuais (A Subscriber).—The following will succeed
well in most places if sown on an open border :—Clarkia pulchella, Erysi-
mum Peroffskianum, Iberis grandiflora, some Larkspurs, Leptosiphon
densiflorum, Schizanthus pinnatus, Viscaria oculata, Saponaria calabrica,
Calliopsis (may be late), Collinsia bicolor (good and hardy), Nemophila
insignis, Conyolyulus minor, Stocks of Ten-week breed, Marigolds of the
orange or old English class, purple Jacobsea, some Lupinuses, and Enotheras
or Godetias; and if the soil and season be favourable Asters and Chrysan-
themums do pretty well sown in the open border. To these we may add
Sweet Peas, Mignonette, and Nasturtium, all useful annuals in their way,

Names or Prants (Quercus).—l, Rhamnus alaternus; 2, Amelanchier
botryapium; 3, Ruscus aculeatus; 4, some Cypress, not to be recognised
from a scrap. (An Old Lover of Flowers).—Your ‘Australian zilac”’
is Hardenbergia monophylla, formerly Kennedya, and in an early volume
of the “Botanical Magazine” is drawn and named Glycine bimaculata.
(A Subscriber).—The flowers of Rhododendron Maddeni are white. The
leaves you enclosed look like those of R. arboreum. (A. R. C.).—Habro-
thamnus elegans. (H.H.J/’.).—1, Pilea serpyllifolia; 2, Onoclea sensibilis,
a hardy, not a stove Fern; 3, Woodwardia, or Doodia media.
a nl

POULTRY, BEE, and HOUSEHOLD CHRONICLE.
Ce

THE POULTRY CLUB.

To make a good donkey race every competitor should ride
his neighbour’s donkey ; and if the proposed rules for judging
are carried out, we would suggest that every man’s pen shall be
judged by one of his opponents. Eye is no longer required ;
gift is all moonshine ; practice is nothing. There are the rules,
and a first-prize pen must possess the qualifications that are
put down. No. 6 condemns No. 5 in Hamburghs because the
tail is not pencilled, and No. 5 condemns 6 because the hackle
is spotted. No.3 condemns 4 because there is a loose comb,
and No. 4 condemns 3 because the pike is down instead of up.
This is not so ridiculous as it may seem. Rules are to do away
with discretionary power and awards, which form the ground-
work of all complaint, and to inaugurate the golden age by
informing exhibitors what they must breed, and by what rules
they will be judged. ; : :

There will be something quite touching in the resignation
with which a whole class of exhibitors will submit to be told
that none of their pens are perfect or come up to the standard
as settled by the Club. It may be that one ill-conditioned

person will ask to have the money returned, as no prizes are

awarded; but, of course, an appeal to his better feelings will
How beautiful

cause him to admit the injustice of his conduct. rb
the spectacle will be of a score of disqualified exhibitors all
perfectly satisfied, studying the points, admitting their short-
comings, and wondering at the folly that permitted them in
past times to take prizes they did not deserve! —
What a good example will be set by the President, Secretaries,
and Council if they give the cups they have gained to decorate

284,

the club-room, and to show. their sincerity. Judges: and exhi-
bitors will be all agreed’; the: latter will not wait to have faults
pointed* ont—they will proclaim them. When things are pro-
perly understood, and the rules are properly digested, it will not
be difficult to find exhibitors who will judge their own classes.
Fancy, at.a small exhibition, one of those little Poland or White
Cochin classes where there are three competitors. The three
walk gently up to the class, together they examine each other’s
pens, there is a short reference to the book; conviction steals
over them, and the senior shakes his head, while he says,
“Brothers, brothers, we are all wrong.” The advantage will be
immense; no erratic judgments; no possibility of crotchetty arbi-
tratore; no generalities to shield ignorant or knavish awards ;
all fair sailing according to the book: Then, after a time, know-
ledge will be diffused; since all that is necessary can be learned
from a book, all will be alike well informed, and the exhibitor
with the Judge will stand in the position of the ’coon with the
Curnel. “Don’t shoot, Curnel, I will come down.’ You need
not judge, I will give in. I see I am beaten.—Cnrro.

BATH AND WEST OF ENGLAND POULTRY
EXHIBITION.

‘Your correspondent “J.,” in his remarks upon the above
Society’s regulations as to poultry, forgets the fact that the
poultry department is but one of many, and that in the general
arrangements of the Exhibition of the Bath and West of Eng-
land Agricultural Society a necessity exists (under the recent
decision of the Council to open five days to the public), for an
earlier arrival of the birds than when the Show extended only
over three days. ;

I quite agree with him in thinking it desirable to shorten the
period of confinement as much as possible. With this yiew I
have obtained the sanction of the Council to admit specimens
as‘late as Saturday evening, the 6th of June, instead of Friday
morning. To accomplish this we shall adopt the system of
Open judging on Monday; as will be the case in all the other
departments. Exhibitors who like to see their own birds jadged
will have the opportunity of witnessing the duties as discharged
by our Judges. I trust, as the system has succeeded so well at
Battersea Park and Hereford, it may also in poultry at Exeter.
At all everts owners will see that their birds are not passed over,
and that judges do take trouble to inspect and decide to the best
of their ability.

As to the complaint of another correspondent, that many
classes are omitted, I can only remark that we have, after ten
years’ experience, come to the conclusion that it is better to give
good prizes to all the leading classes rather than to divide into
more numerous and give small rewards to all. Large as £160
seem fo our Council—and it is the largest sum given by any
agricultural society in either England or Scotland—when divided
into smaller sums for the various classes, it is truly not sufficient
to bring all to our yard. The Stewards, therefore, determined,
whether wisely or not the general public must judge, to leave
what I may call the more exceptional classes, most deserving of
all support and honour, to the Crystal Palace and Birmingham
Shows, that have larger funds to deal with; and to stimulate
exhibitors to send us as good an exhibition as possible of classes
more generally kept throughout the kingdom.

We have striven in vain for some years past to induce exhibi-
tors to send many of the classes mentioned by your correspon-
dent.. I thank him still most heartily for his remarks, and haye
to the best of my ability done what I could to prSmote an in-
terest in poultry exhibitions. If he could have sat at the Council
Board with me for the last ten years, he would have felt that it
is a task of no common labour to induce an agricultural body to
give the support which the Bath and West of England Society
has to the poultry department. When the Royal Agricultural
Society abandoned their exhibitions, their evil example might
have been followed; but such, I am proud to say, has not been
the case—upwards of £1500 has been distributed during the
past ten years.—S, Prraan, one of the Stewards of the Poultry
Department,

MALAY FOWLS.

WHex your correspondent the Dotter at Devizes first made
his remark, ‘‘Some Malays were there conspicuous’ by their
iness,” I must confess to a most overwhelming warlike feeling
of opposition to one who could. thus designate my favourite

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND! COTTAGE GARDENER?

place of thc imaginary evil. Up springs friend Fo:
a fine cou:=2 of inquiry and reply, and consequent i
so that our hitherto-almost-isolated are now ma
a grand show in the columns of the “ Poultry Chronicle,” anc
aseuming their true position—viz., important members of the
aristocracy of poultry.

breed of fowls; but a little patience, and here comes the goc din

In reply to the spirited letter of Mr. J. J. Fox, you give us
“your notion of what a Malay should be;” and I feel bound to

aay that it is the best description I have ever known giv
any rate, it is in strict conformity with
therefore, it is not surprising that I should dub it Al. j
Friend Fox says that when doctors differ patients suffer; but
differ they will for all that, and Mr. Ballance is not the only ones
who differs-on this subject. In 1860 a Poultry Diary was pub=
lished, to which was appended, “The proposed basis for unifor-
mity of judgment at exhibitions of poultry, submitted by the
Amateur Poultry Society of Dublin,” and amongst the rest was
the Malay described thus:— Hap, beak horn’ colour; eyes,
orange red, sunken beneath a projecting brow (we like pearled

en 3

my own ideas; and,

eyes); comb, low and indented; wattles, very small, more pro-

perly folds of the skin of the throat than wattles; ear-lobe, rudi-
mentary; face, brilliant crimson; eck, orange red; back,
maroon ; #ing, shoulder maroon, steel-blue bar across;
Seathers, bay ; breast, black with irregular b27 markings; tail,
seanty, drooping; legs, olive brown:

By comparing this with “your notion” and Mr. Ballance’s

=

y

*

‘

letter, we find that our Hibernian friends differ with us on various,
points, and a-e not set on yellow legs. Some of the best birds:

I ever had o> saw had pale olive or willow legs. My present

stock have yellows. Ishould not mind if they were olive. I”

certainly sho .id prefer pale olive or willow to white.

I cannot azree that legs of any other colour than yellow could
not be shown i1 a Malay class, I have seen pale willows take a
Birmingham ficst prize.

I also feel assured that a true Malay, however fine in
ought to have the “red jacket” bare and exposed fore and aft,

“i

as mentioned in your “notion,” and I really think that of late —

years more than one exhibitor has tried to breed for more
feather than the MalAy fowl should have, because other persons.

who have noi perfectly understood the breed have looked upon —

this real end essential property in a wrong light, and have givers |

encouragen:cat to the more full-feathered specimens.

Mr. Ballance fears that some judges have lost sight of “‘ perfec-

tion of plumage, and have awarded prizes to birds of good blood
though wretched in feather.”

did aud I never wish to dispute the decisions of Judges ;” but I.

really do venture to think that when mistakes have been made,
it has more often been in fayour of the over-feathered sort than
their more scanty and close-eut brethren ; and I quite agree with
you that there are but few judges of Malays in England.

I cannot exactly understand your correspondent the Dotter at
Devizes. First he says they were conspicuous for their ugliness ;
secondls, he admired Mr. Fox’s as much as any; thirdly, some
young birds provoked him because they had not the brighter
colours of adults; and fourthly, Mr. Fox’s birdswere too handsome.
But, never mind, he winds up with a warm eulogium on the
characteristic of the Malay, “ especially the featherless strains ;”
and glowingly describes his peculiar defiant air, and how cool.
the bold fellow takes any endeavours to intimidate or ruffle him,
a compliment none the less sweet because well merited. For
this I, as the friend of Malays, sincerely thank him, and beg to
assure Lim that ell the overwhelming warlike feelings are ‘‘ aban-
doned, buried in oblivion,” &«.—Jouyx Rumsey.

P.S.—When the Poultry Club have a wish for subscribers, it
is to be supposed they will advertise where circulars, &., are to
be obtained.

TOMTIT AND HIS ASSOCIATES.

Or the Tit tribe there are seven species natires of these islands,
which may be briefly enumerated as follows :— ;
First, the -ireat Tit or Tomtit, known elzo by the names. of
Ox-eye, Jce Sen, Chinker Chinker, and Billy Biter. He hasa
very dark biuish-black head, whitish cheeks, yellowish breast with
a black stripe running down the throat, and the upper parts of

the body are bluish-grey.

The second is the little Blue Tit, known also by the sppel-
lations of Billy. Blue, Blue Cap, Titmouse, or Non. ‘This.
species is much smaller than the before-mentioned: it is devoid

I say with Mr. Fox, “I never

4

;

April 14, 1863. ]

of the black on the head and throat, but has some fine azure
i ite on the head, the general plumage being of a dingy bluo
colour. H

Third, the Coletit. This bird is about the size of the pre-
ceding, but is not nearly so blue in plumage, being more of a
brownish-grey. ‘he head is black. Where is some white about
the cheeks, and a whitish mark divides the black at the back of
the head, and by which it may be readily distinguished from,

Fourth, the Marsh Tit. This bird is intermediate in size between
the first and the others; it is slighter made. The head is all
black, the general colour being brownish-grey, so {hat it bears
considerable resemblance to the Black Cap Warbler; and it is
not improbable that this likeness may have caused this bird to
be blamed for the other’s fruit-eating.

The fifth is the Long-tailed Titmouse, sometimes also called
Bottle Dit, on account of the form of the nest which it builds.
It is the smallest of our Tits, pied black and white, with a very
long tail in proportion to its size. hey are very active little
birds, and usually live in small communities through the winter,
the few that survive pairing-off in spring.

The two remaining species of Tits—namely, the Bearded Tit
and the Crested Tit—are yery local birds, nor do I think they
are sufficiently common to require the gardener’s notice; and,

as I have not seen them alive, I can give no account of their

habits.

Of the five species previously enumerated, their habits are so
much alike that one description will serve for all.

Tam well aware that with many fruit-crowers and gardeners
there is a strong prejudice against the whole fraternity of Tits ;
and I must therefore be somewhat particular in describing their
habits. Let us suppose a pair to have eked out the scanty fare
of the cold winter months, when they had to subsist principally
on the insects which they could pick out from their retreats,
among the moss, in the cracks of the bark of trees, or in the
chinks and holesin walls and such-like places, by picking up a
few stray crumbs or bits of fat, overhauling the horse-droppings
on the road, or even by a sly visit to the butcher’s premises, in
order to pick a little suet. Having thus escaped starvation the
pair betake themselves to an orchard, andghere they set diligently
to work to pick off the eggs of moths that have been laid in

, Yings round the twigs, aud which are ready to hatch as soon as the
leaves are forward enough to provide the young caterpillars with
subsistence. There is also a weevil that lays its eggs at the base
of the buds or among the scales, and the ‘Tits are busily engaged
hunting the young larva as soon as if commences eating the
bud; it is now that the ire of the gardener is first raised
against the industrious Tits for pecking the buds, though their
doing sois only to feed on the destroyers that have been overlooked
by man, but not lost sight of by the birds, and which if not
killed at this time would do irretrievable injury to that crop of
fruit, besides becoming the progenitors of devastating thousands
in years to come.

The buds in spring being fairly opened, the yet tender green
leayes are preyed on by all those caterpillars hatched from the

~ eggs overlooked by the Tits, and these now form their chief
food ; of which also the Sparrow, Chaffinch, and several other
birds partake la.gely, particularly during the time they are rear-
ing their young ones. As summer advances the old ones, fol-
lowed by their merry troop of young, fly from tree to tree
picking-out all they can find that haye now spun their cocoons
or laid themselves up for the chrysalis state; they search, too,
for those caterpillars that wind themselves up in the leaves,
small beetles, weevils, carwigs, and other insects, either in the
ege, grub, pupa, or perfect state. Whenever they can find them
_ they eat them up, and thus prevent their doing any further
injury, giving them no chance of bringing forth a numerous
progeny, which they assuredly would do if left unmolested.
There is scarcely a tree but has some insect that preys on its
leayes, fruit, or even the wood. Is it a weevil that deposits its
ege in the young nut while the shell is soft? omtit is there to

- pick out the egg, to catch the old insect, or, when the nut haying
grown, the maggot grown too by feeding on the kernel, and
boring for himself a way out that he may transform in the

ground, Tomtit is there to look for him; but, being in such
Suspicious proximity, he is often accused of doing that which he
has tried his best to prevent. There are other insects that
deposit their eggs in the young Plums, Pears, and Apples. All
fruit-eaters must be well acquainted with the excavations and
borings of these depredators, and Master Thomas Tit is very
fond of their plump and well-fed carcases ; yet, when he attempts

JOURNAL OF HORTIOULTURE: AND COTTAGH GARDENER.

285

to enlarge the hole to fetch them out, and thus prevent their
ever being the parents of another generation, the hue-and-ery
is raised, “ The Lomtit is pecking my best fruit!” It is a pity
he cannot change his name, for at present he has such a bad one
that few will believe any good of him, and all. manner of damage
is laid to his charge, of which, as generally happens, if properly
looked into he would be found innocent.

_But time flies, and I am-already taking toomuch space. As the
nights become chilly and insects are less plentiful, he will come
to the garden for Sunflower and Poppy seeds, and during the
cold of winter he will exhibit his predilection for insect food even
undey difficulties, by tapping at the entrance of the bee-hives and
picking up the bee that ventures to answer hissummons. But
are the Tits all to be persecuted for doing this that may be easily
prevented? A little piece of netting stretched in front of the
hives will keep him at a proper distance; while gathering the
seed when ripe will prevent his appropriating them to his own
use. As to his bud-pecking and fruit-eating, it is far too insig«
nificant in comparison to the immenee good this tribe of birds
do, esuld it be but viewed in its true light, and without prejudice ;
for, if these bud and fruit-destroying insects were not killed by
the birds, how much fruit might we expect to ripen? I fear the
quantity is now much Jess than it might be.—B. P, Bren.

WHICH OWL DESTROYS GAME?

Your correspondent’s excellent remarks upon the various
insectivorous ‘Garden Helps” in last week’s Journal, contain
opinions as to the propensities of the owl which I think will be
found to be erroneous.

He considers that none of our owls are destroyers of game.
Now, I have heard of the débris of game of all kinds—hares,
partridges, &c., being found in immense quantities in the haunts
and nests of at least one of our owls. I am not naturalist
enough to remember which, but I think it is the brown owl.

If you would insert this, no doubt it would meet the eye of
many a correspondent who is in a position to give some interest-
ing information on the subject W. H. Brapon.

MEETING OF GERMAN BEE-KEEPERS AT
POTSDAM.
(Continued from page 197.)

THE next subject taken into consideration was :— ;

Ill. Of what practical value is a drone-breeding queen in -
spring ? :

Herr Vogel, by whom this question was proposed, introduced
it by stating that a drone-breeding queen produced early in
spring drones to impregnate any young queens which may then
exist, keeps the bees at work, and when added to an artificial
swarm, the bees are satisfied, and may even be placed beside
normal stocks without returning to their old hive, and her
presence encourages them to defend themselves from robbers.

Herr Weitzel on the other hand declared that such a queen
has for the rational bee-keeper no value whatever (cheers).

Herr Hubler advised, amidst general cheering, that any one
who had a drone-breeding queen should take her between his
fingers and mercilessly crush her head.

IV. Why are artificial swarms to be preferred to natural
swarms, and how may the remaining royal cells be certainly and
safely used in the same apiary ? Pe

ae Dzierzon said, This question presupposed that artificial
swarms are, without exception, to be preferred to natural awarms,
Thia, however, L should not assert. One may often do just as
well with natural swarms. Artificial increase by means of
driving is preferable when natural swarms do not issue in good
time, especially in countries with an early pasture, which, how-
ever, lasts but a little while; for natural swarms, perhaps
might not issue till about the end of the honey-harvest, ani
then both young and old must meet the winter destitute of
honey. Where, however, the bee-pasturage lasts as late as
September—where eyen swarms which issued in August may
still become good stocks, and where also, as is generally the case
in such countries, the pasturage lasts a long time, sufficient
(perhaps more than one wishes) swarms issue naturally —there
would driving be superfluous, and no man of sense will en-
deavour to attain by artifice what nature gives yoluntarily in

sufficient quantity.”

286

Pastor Kleine said, ‘I do not claim any particular advantage
for artificial over natural swarms, nor will I allow that artificial
swarms are in any respect inferior to natural ones. All depends
upon setting to work in a sensible manner—on going hand in
hand with nature so as to make artificial equal to natural
swarms, and even to secure to them important advantages. It
cannot be denied that in bee-keeping, according to Dzierzon, they
have obtained a degree of certainty which obviates failure. In
respect to the second part of the question, I may be allowed to
communicate my mode of procedure which enables me safely to
use all royal cells in one and the same apiary. About eight or
ten days before I begin to make artificial swarms, I choese one
or several stocks to rear young queens. According to the number
of begun and disposable queen-cells, I make artificial swarms,
inserting brood-combs and giving to every swarm a sealed royal
cell, so that it may come into possession of a young queen with
as little loss of time as possible. However, I always insert the
queen-cell where the bees naturally make their chief seat—thus, at
the top or middle of a brood-comb in order that the nymph may
not lack the warmth necessary for hatching, even if the bees should
not collect themselves about it. Thus it very seldom happens
that one of the inserted royal cells fails to hatch. But in order
also to provide against this contingency, I always leave in the
queen-rearing stocks a few superfluous royal cells, especially
those which have been made on the surface of the combs, and
the cutting-out of which, moreover, would damage the comb.
Tn order, however, that the young queens confined in them may
not be tor out, I protect the sealed cell by means of a very
simple apparatus, by a queen-cage, which by its simplicity and
practical usefulness distinguishes itself as much from the trap of
the heath bee-keepers, as from the Dzierzon queen-cage and the
various imitations of it. This queen-cage is nothing but a
tobacco-pipe cover made of wire, such as is frequently used by
smokers, and which one may buy for a few pence at every wire-
worker’s. Such a cover I put over the queen-cell and press it
into the comb as far as the partition-wall, so that the bees may
not be able to gnaw through under the edge of the cover and
destroy the cell. If I have also some cells which have been
made at the edges of the combs, and which on account of their
position cannot well be protected in the above way, I cut them
out, fasten them separately in flat-pressed pipe-covers, which I
close from the access of the bees with thin pieces of wood, and
hang each cell near the top between two combs. All royal cells
treated in this way generally hatch, and it is easy thus to
arrange a regular breeding-cage, as four or five cells may be
conveniently inserted in one passage.”

Count Stosch said the honour of introducing the tobacco-pipe
cover belonged to Dr. Donhoff.

Herr Weitzel said, ‘‘In Wurtemburg we have had experience
and are convinced that artificial swarms are in all cases to be
preferred to natural ones. Ina country where natural swarms
issue freely and in good time, it is of course superfluous to make
them artificially.” He then described his mode of making
artificial swarms, which differs little from that already described
in these columns by—A D&VoNSHIRE BEE-KEEPER.

(To be continued.)

THE DISTANCE BEES FLY.

In Vols. VII. and VIII. of THe Corrack GARDENER you
will find some obseryation on this head—it depends much upon
the season. In the month of June, when the fields are covered
with flowers, I do not think that the flight of bees exceeds from
800 to 1200 yards. Then, again, bees will take long flights
when the lime trees are in full blossom; these blossoms seem
immense favourites with them, for the bees will dash through
heavy showers in an unusually fearless manner, and to the dis-
tance of a mile and a half, to wallow in the fragrance, and there

is certainly a way with these insects of communicating intelli-
gence to each other where bee pasture is to he found.

In your Journat of HorgTIcuLTURE mention was made that
hive bees were frequently seen on the Bass Rock, in the county
of Haddington (East Lothian), between Dunbar and Haddington.
T have visited the Bass Rock, which is three English miles from
the main land, and I enjoyed a pleasant day’s shooting at the
Gannets, or Solan geese. No bees are kept on that beautiful
and romantic little rocky island.

Bees will also fly a great distance late in the summer to find
heath or white cloyer (Trifolium repens), but they are more

JOURNAL OF HORTICULIURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ April 14, 1863.

excited and busy when that sweet exudation called “ honey-dew””
is plentiful. This happens only about every third or fourth
summer on an average of twenty years. :

No doubt, as stated, much depends on the quantity of bee
pasture, and the nearness to the favourite flowers, and the fine-
ness of the weather ; but where a great variety of bee flowers are
to be found, from the end of May to the first week in July, the
flight of bees is not above half the distance it is at other times.—
H. W. Newman, *

BEE-FEEDING.

Asa cannie Scotchman, I wish to say a few words to your
correspondent “B. 1.8.” upon feeding. I had thought that
we as a nation were the only party that had become addicted
to the use of the bottle; but it appears that there are some
apiarians across the Tweed becoming addicted to the use of
it also, For this I am sorry; and as a bee-keeper of some
years’ experience I would suggest to “ B. 1.8.” the propriety of
his not adopting the bottle, as was done by our grandfathers,
who threw it aside years ago. Let “B.1. 8.” adopt the system
of feeding below, as approved of by your correspondent ‘“‘ Up-
WARDS AND ONWARDS,” giving from 2 to 8 ozs. of syrup every
night in tins shaped like razor-strops. Remove in the mgning.

Weigh once a-week, and see that the weight increases. Adda —

little extra covering as long as the nights are cold; and should
he have a fertile queen, we will warrant plenty of bees to take
advantage of the white cloyer when it comes in bloom.

By adopting the above plan “ B. I. 8.” will also find that he
will manage to feed six hives in the time that he would take to
feed one with the bottle, and run no risk of chilling the brood.
Let those who advocate the bottle try this plan of spring-feed-
ing, and I am convinced that they will throw the bottle from
them as being unworthy the advocacy it has received.—AN
AYRSHIRE BEE-KEEPER.

otR LETTER BOX.

PrEsERviNG Eces (L. T. B.).—Dipping the eggs in melted fat and storing
them in a dry cold place will preserve eggs as long as any mode of treat
ment. We have known them thus keep good from May until Christmas,

Yarp For Fowts (7, P. Ramsden).— You may keep a cock and six
hens in your enclosed yard. As it is gravelled have a shed at one end with
6 or more inches in depth of sand on the surface for them to busk in; and
a heap of limy rubbish for the hens to obtain material for their egg-shells,
Supply them with as much green food a3 you can, such as grass-mowings
and lettuce leaves. You will have an enclosed roosting and nest-house of
course. Buff or Partridge Cochin-@hina, or Brahma Pootra pullets, will
supply you best with eggs in winter.

Eces not Hatcuine (C. H. H. D. A.),—The eggs in question are clear
eggs—i.e.,, they are not impregnated in any way.
life in them, and, consequently, if a hen were to sit on them for a year no
change would take place, That which has never lived cannot die. The
clear eggs if covered with butter, or put in Jime when laid, will retain all
the delicacy of a new-laid egg for months. That which spoils a good egg
and renders it rotten is, that a hen should sit for three or four days till
life has begun, then desert for some hours, causing death, then sitting
again closely, the heat that would have brought the life to maturity merely
putrefies the dead chicken. Boiled rice is better than raw, and if boiled in
milk so much the better. Itis very well as a change now and then, but

They have no germ of —

as food it is poor stuff. For animals, as for human beingsin our climate, —

it is only fit to be an auxiliary.

Begs (EZ. Fairbrother).—There is no particular management required for
obtaining fertile queens. You will have seen what Mr. Newman says
about the distant flight of bees. There are very few flowers from which they
do not gather honey; but clovers, heaths, lime trees, beans, &c., &c., are
wholesale pasturage for them. You have seen the drawings of Mr.
Woodbnry’s hives, and you must consult a carpenter how best to alter your
Taylor's hives.

Day’s Game Paste (Hamburgh).—You had better try it. It is said to
prevent, as well as cure, both “gapes”’ and ‘‘roup.”” It certainly has

testimonials in its favour from several gentlemen in various parts of —

England.

LONDON MARKETS.—Aprztz 13.

POULTRY.

Good young poultry is getting scarce. The mild weather has caused
much that would have remained tender to become hard. The winter
stock is exhausted, the spring stock is not ready. Prices have advanced in
some instances; and, but for the lack of trade and demand, poultry would
be very dear. :

s. d. gs. d. s d@ 8s. @
Large Fow]s .....100+4. 3 6 to 4 0O| Guinea Fowl........... 0 Oto3 0
Smaller do,. 2 6 ,,3 O| Hares .... FOO, |, 10.0
Chickens. . 2 6 5,8 O| Rabbits . 14,1 5
Goslings . . 6 0,,6 6 08,09
Duckings 263 675, 40 08,0 9

April 21, 1863. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 287
WEEKLY CALENDAR,
| | ly? F | Wearurr nEar Lonpoy A als | ;
Deen) Day | WEATHER NEAR LONDON IN 1862. apoon Clase |
of | of APRIL 21—27, 1863, | , rasta Sa Sun Sun Rises |Moon’s}| after | Day of
M’nth Weck. | Barometer. |Thermom.} Wind. Tchr Rises Sets. jandSets| Age. Sun Year.
| ; | degrees. |m. h.| m. h.| m. bh. | m. 8. |
21 | Tu Sun’s declin. 11° 47’ n. 29.950—29.948 64—37 S.W. _— 54af4 | 3af7 | 57 10 | Genial ale) yb
22 | WwW Alder Buckthorn flowers, 29.731—29.543 | 60—42 S.W. ld BPC ig ices 3a 4 1 29 112
| 28 | TH | Gooseberry flowers. 29.8 .628 | 61—39 S.W. | .01 60 4] 6 7 | mom Gk eat 113
24 J/0GR R. P. Knight died, 1824. G. 29.96 864 | 69—37 Ss. +09 48 4/ 8 7 | 23 0 6 1 53 114
| 25 | 3S Sr. Mark. Princess Avice born) 29.862 834 76—43 S.W. 12 46 4/10 7/56 0} thie |W ae 115
26 | Sun | 3 Sunpay arrer Waster, [1843,| 29.871—29.846 67—35 8.W. O4 cee CN | al DY) |) Be oe 116
a7 | M Wild Tulip flowers. | 30.026 —30.015 70—S1 W. =_ Be a LS 7a a Greed 9 2 24 117
MeTroROLOGY oF THE WEPK.—At Chiswick, from observations during the last thirty-six years, the average highest and lowest
temperatures of these duysare 58.2° and 36.6° respectively. The greatest heat, 80°, occurred on the 25th, in 1840; and the lowest cold, 18°,
on the 24th, in 1854. During the period 139 days were fine, and on 113 rain fell.

FERTILISATION OF ORCHIDS.

ILLINGLY, ac-
- cording to Mr.
Darwin’s request,
I forwarded him
a few seeds of the
abortive Cattleya
crispa flower re-
ferred to, and also
a few seeds from
a capsule that set
spontaneously on
Celia cinnabari-
na, with the view
of institutmg a
comparison upon the reproductive tendency of a perfect
and an imperfectly developed flower. The results of his
analysis will, in all probability, be already in your hands.

T also sent by the same post afew of each of the above
seeds to Mr. Gosse, who, after a careful microscopic
examination, embodies the results of his views and ex-
periments in a form which cannot fail to be generally
interesting.

I may state, in addition to what I have already said,
that the more I examine the positions of the organs of
reproduction in Orchids, the more £ am astonished at
their power of producing seed-capsules without insect or
other agency. At all events, it seems inconceivable why
the pollinium of a perfectly enveloped flower should find
its way to the stigmatic surface so as to produce even
2 per cent. of fertile seeds.

Mr. Darwin speaking of Dr. Cruger and Mr. Scott
haying observed the emission of pollen-tubes from the
pollen-masses, brings to my recollection seeing the long,
white, stringy, clastic tubes, which have, in several in-
stances, been faintly discernible to the naked eye when
the pollen-masses were irritated with the sharp point of
a pencil. All those who have tried their hand at Sikkim
Rhododendron crossing will have observed the same
stringy masses, although on a much larger scale, by irri-
tating any of the stamens. There is, therefore, not much
anomaly in a perfect flower producing fruit with little or
no artificial agency ; although I am strongly of opinion,
after a series of trials, that the germinating power of
these pods that have had, so to speak, a spontaneous ex-
istence, is exceedingly weak.

It appears to me that bees are not such useful agents
as moths, especially in the hot climate of our Orchid-
houses, for probing the orifices of this wonderful and
beautifully constituted genus ; for although we have oe-
casionally seen bees in the interior of the houses, we
were never sensible of their making an attempt to seek
nectar from the flowers, as they seemed quite uneasy at
their close confinement. There is a species of insect,
however, which is one of the worst pests to be found in
an Orchid-house, that is edmirably suited, with its long

proboscis, for all the requisites of promoting fertilisation ;
and it may be, for anything I know, an agent in this
No. 108.—Vot. LV., New SErizs.

capacity. The insect I refer to is also exotic—a species
of cockroach bearing the name of Blatta orientalis.
They delight to feed upon the young roots and flower-
shoots of all epiphytal Orchids, and require to be hunted
down, else they would make such raids upon these valu-
able plants as to seriously deteriorate their value. Their
time of working is at night; and although I have killed
dozens of them upon the flowers, I have no mode in
candlelight of discovering whether they ever detached
the pollinia. In fact, we have all along only been too
anxious to deal summarily with them.

Four out of the seven great divisions of Orchidacee
comprise the greater number of plants cultivated for
their ornamental appearance in our plant-houses; and
out of these four the Vandee form by far the most im-
portant division. It is a curious fact, if we except all
those under the Brasside subdivision, not a single one of
them, but the comparatively recent introduction Sar-
canthus Parishii, has offered to set a seed-capsule. Of
course, since I set about cross-breeding I have induced
several to do so; but before I ever tried anything of the
sort, none of the Vandas, Airides, Phalenopses, Sacco-
labiums, Maxillarias, Zygopetalums, &e., made what I
have, rightly or wrongly, called a spontaneous effort.
The Epidendre, on the contrary, have been conspicuous
in seed-setting ; and I only mention the fact for such
scientific men as Mr. Darwin to ponder over and explain.

Cattleyas often produce seed-pods, and cecasionally
Lelias, Chysis, Hpidendrums, Phaius, Schomburgkias.
We had a plant of S. crispa imported from Trinidad
among some other things. J is the least ornamental
of all the tribe, producing ten or twelve dingy-coloured
wavy-edged flowers on the top of a stem about 5 feet
long. These flowers cnly remained expanded about a
day, or at most two days, and every one of them pro-
dueed a seed-capsule, which goes a certain way to corro-
borate Dr. Cruger’s observations.

Dendrobiums are the only representatives in the Ma-
laxew division that haye formed pods spontaneously. In
the Cypripediz I have only in my experience had one
attempt at seeding, and that was the rare and beautiful
superbiens vel Veitchii; but it was a feeble attempt,
ripening-off prematurely, which was never the case with
me in any other species.—_Jas. ANDERSON, Meadow Bank,
Uddingstone, N.B.

MICROSCOPIC OBSERVATIONS ON SOME SEEDS OF ORCHIDS.

The following observations may possess some points of
interest for the readers of THE JourNaL or Horricux-
TURE. They were made on samples of seed sent to me
by Mr. James Anderson—viz., that of a Lelia cinnaba-
rina, which had set spontaneously from a perfect flower ;
and that from the pod which was produced by an abortive
flower of Caitleya crispa, referred to in his communica-
tion, JouRNAL or Horticuntuns, p. 207. I have added
some notes on seed of another Cattleya. The obser-
vations were all made with a power of 300 diameters.

Laura cinnaBartna.—About 20 per cent. of the whole-
contain an embryo; the remainder consist of the empty

No. 760.—Vou, XXIX., Oxp SEnizs.

288

seed-coat. The former may be distinguished under the micro-
scope by being much more plump, and by the central portion
being of a pale olive hue, but quite pellucid. This colour marks
the embryo, which is of an ovate form, filling the seed-coat as to
its transverse diameter, but coming short of it in length. Its
boundary lines in this direction are dimly visible, but may be
well enough seen by focusing.

The dimensions of the fertile seeds, from an average of several
carefully measured with a micrometer, are .014 inch in length
by .0065 in width; those of the embryo, .01 in length by .006
in width. The unfertile empty seed-coats are generally much
smaller, or about five-sixths the length of the fertile seeds, and
not more than half their width, with no swelling. They are
clear and colourless, except for the reticulation.

The seed-coat forms a loose sack-like envelope, widely open
at both ends, considerably larger at one end than at the other,
but not spindle-shaped. It is composed of what seems an open
network, of which the meshes are five times as long as wide,
apparently formed by flattened cells. Hach sack is twisted, so

as to make from one-quarter of a turn to a whole turn in its.

Jength. The netted texture is most advantageously seen in the
empty ones. If I rightly understand the nature of this enve-
lope, its meshes are only in appearance—there are no real aper-
tures; what seem to be such being in truth composed of two
laminz, the two surfaces of the flattened cells.

CarrnEya cRisPpA,— A far smaller proportion, not above
2 per cent. (3 in 160) of these seeds are fertile. heir general
appearance is as in Lelia, but their form is longer, more slender,
and more spindle-shaped, one end brought to a point, occasion-
ally drawn out, the other end open. Their dimensions are .0187
in length by .0042 in width ; those of the embryo .0084 in length
by .0038 in width. The empty ones agree with the fertile in
measurement. The network is much finer than in Lelia, the
meshes closer and much longer, the length being nearly twenty
times the width.

It may be interesting to compare with the above details the
results of similar observations made on seed from a fine apple-
like pod produced by a cross between Cattleya labiata and C. in-
termedia, The impregnation was in this case made by Mr.
Dominy, who stands in the van of the infant art of raising
Orchid seedlings, and to whose politeness I am indebted for the
opportunity of making this examination.

About 80 per cent. of the seeds contain an embryo, which it
requires a little practice to discern, since the well-filled seeds
are scarcely less translucent than the empty seed-coats. The
slight yellowish tint, however, betrays them; and then, by
focusing, the outline of the embryo can be traced. By means
of graduated pressure with the compressorium, while on the
stage of the microscope, the pulpy contents of the embryo
(which, according to Lindley, “Vegetable Kingdom,” 2nd ed.,
p- 174, is “solid, fleshy, without albumen’”’) are pressed out.

The form of these seeds agrees with that described above as
belonging to those of C. crispa, except in being a little plumper
in the centre, measuring about .0180 by .0060 inch.

An extremely curious and interesting phenomenon I observe
in connection with these seeds. In many there is seen project-
ing from the obtuse end of the seed-coat, which is the open end,
a short, wrinkled, opaque, blunt point, while in others this is
wanting. If a drop of water be introduced into the compresso-
rium, in which the seeds are, without touching them at ‘rat,
and then, by turning the screw of the compressorium, the drop
be gradually flattened so as to reach and embrace the seeds
under the observer’s eye, the phenomenon I allude to takes
place. At the very instant of contact the little opaque point
runs out into a long tail of brilliantly hyaline cells, arranged,
except near the end, in a double linear series, and each furnished
with a nucleus. If the observer’s eye be upon one of the seeds
in which no projection was visible, the effect is still more start-
ling ; for the tail of cells is then seen in 2 moment to start out
from the open end of the seed-coat to a distance of about one-
third of the entire length of the latter. By a little mancuver-
ing I was enabled to discern the origin of this singular filament.
On pressing with the nib of a pen on the upper glass of the
compressorium, the elasticity of the thin glass enabled me to aug-
ment or lighten the pressure by turns more delicately than could
be effected by screwing the instrument. As I did this the
embryo worked to and fro in the envelope; and, as it did so,
projected and retracted the cellular filament, which was now
seen to be a process of the embryo itself, springing from its
extremity by an enlarged base. I suppose this filament to be

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

[ April 21, 1863.

the radicle. Its extreme affinity for water, and the sudden
vitality manifested by it in contact with that element, struck me
as curious; and certainly to witness the phenomenon is highly
interesting. I ought to add that it needs some degree of skill
in the use of the microscope to exhibit it.

This seed from Mr. Dominy’s cross I sowed on the 19th of
March in a thumb-pot plunged in moss in a fiye-inch pot, the
surface thinly covered with living moss, and a plate of dimmed
glass set across the outer pot, which was then embedded in coal
ashes over a hot-water tank in a temperature of about 80°. In
ten days I examined a few of the seeds with the microscope,
comparing them with those remaining in the sample unsown.
The embryo had become opaque, of a bright green hue, and much
plumper, its transverse diameter having nearly doubled. I was
surprised that I could find no trace of the cellular filament,
which I had supposed, perhaps erroneously, to be the radicle.

At the present time, about ten days later still, I find the
embryo still more swollen, so as to be in some cases quite
globular; no other change perceptible; no emission of fila-
ments. ‘The earliest process, then, appears to be the absorption
of water by the embryo, and the diffusion of formless chlorophyll
through the parenchyma.

The results, so far as the production of good seed extends, of
these three experiments will stand thus :—

Cattleya, abortive............. «+. 2 per cent.

Leelia, self-impregnated ....... .. 20 per cent.

Cattleya, impregnated by hand, 80 per cent.
—P. H. Gossz, Torquay.

THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY’S
AZALEA AND ROSE SHOW.

Tus took place on Wednesday last, which was one of those
bright sunny days of which this year Spring has stolen so many
from Summer. ‘The flowers, too, were dazzling in their bright-
ness—so much so that the eye, after looking at the masses of
colour which the Azaleas presented, was glad to rest on the
foliage plants by way of a relief. The general features of the
Show, as well as some of its particular parts will, doubtless, be
fully described by our able coadjutor “D.,” of Deal, who was
busily employed note-book in hand. ’

Class 1, was for Azaleas of nine distinct kinds; and here
Messrs. Veitch took first with, it is almost needless to sey,
beautifully-grown plants of Comte de Hainault, rose; Magnifi-
cent, white; Iyeryana, white with carnation stripes, some of the
flowers deep rose ; Herzogin Adelheid Von Nassau, red, and
crimson purple upper petal; Roi Leopold, pale salmon; Rubens,
deep red; and Souvenir de l’Hxposition, lilac and white.

In Class 2, which was for Amateurs, Mr. Lodman, gardener
to R. Hudson, Ezq., Clapham Common, had the first prize for
exceedingly well-grown plants of Coucinna, Dr. Mivingstone,
deep rose; Iveryana, not well out; ‘the Bride, pure white ;
Duchesse Adelaide de Nassau; Roi Leopold; Model, bright
rose with crimson spots; and Rosea Alba, lilac edged with
white. Mr, Higgs, gardener to Mrs. Barchard, Putney Heath,
came in second, his plants being Beauty of Hurope; Trotteriana,
magenta; The Bride; Triumphans superba, rosy crimson 5
Louise Margottin, white; Marie and Iveryana, neither of them
up to the mark ; Wellington; and Magnifica.

The next Class, 3, was for six kinds, and open both to nursery-
men and amateurs; and here again Mesers, Veitch carried off
the first honours with Apollo ; Queen Victoria, white striped with
lilac purple, very fine; Triumphans; Splendens; Iyeryana, a
handsome specimen, and Petuniieflora, deep rose. : "

Mesers. Ivery & Son, of Dorking, took second with Model,
very fine; Crispiflora, rose; Baron de Vriere, salmon pink ;
Louise Margottin; Criterion, palesalmon, with white edges and
crimson-spotted upper petals; and Gem, scarlet. sai

The third prize was awarded to Mr. Todman, for Dr. Living-
stone, Optima, Preestans, Coronata, Novelty, and Hulalie, blush
pink with crimson spots. , “

There were also several very fine exhibitions of Azaleasin the «
Miscellaneous Class. Those from Mr. Turner, of Slough, were
magnificent specimens, forming dense masses of bloom. ‘They
were in 13-inch pots, on which account they could not be
entered in the nurseryman’s class, otherwise they must have
carried all before them. hey were shown in two collections,
one of which occupied the end of the exhibition-room, forming
an object which at once arrested the eye on entering, and were

April 21, 1863. ]

arranged with Mr. Turner’s invariable good taste as regards
colour. They consisted of Rosy Circle, rosy pink; Vesta,
white ; Prince Jerome, deep salmon, with crimson spots ; Ivery-
ana, a beautiful compact mass of bloom; Perfection, bright rose
with crimson spots; Holfordi, rosy purple; Standard of Per-
fection, bright rose ; Criterion, Gem, Roi Leopold, and Sinensis,
rich deep yellow. His other collection consisted of some of the
above sorts, with the addition of Duc de Nassau, rosy purple ;
Duchess of Nassau; Rosalie; Trotteriana, very fine ; Model;
Admiration, white, striped with crimson; General Williams,
salmon rose; and Chelsoni, orange scarlet, very fine. Messrs.
Lane & Son, of Great Berkhampstead, had likewise a good
collection ; among which were Conspicua purpurea, with very
large flowers of a lilac purple, with crimson spots; Juliana,
salmon scarlet, with crimson spots; fine plants of Roi Leopold
and Preestantissima, rosy salmon ; and Chelsoni.

Altogether the Azaleas, exclusive of Mr. Turner’s collection at
the far end of the room, occupied 25 yards of stage; and they
formed the grand feature of the Show.

In Roses, which will be specially commented on by another
hand, Mr. Turner had the first prize for six in pots, which were
Général Jacqueminot, Victor Verdier, Baronne Prevost, Coupe
d’Heébé, Souvenir de la Malmaison, very fine; and Tea Souvenir
dun Ami. Mr. W. Paul was second with Cardinal Patrizzi,
Madame Damaizin; Anna Alexieff and Madame Boll, both very
fine; and Teas Souvenir d’un Ami, and Madame Willermoz.
Messrs. Paul & Son, who came in third, had Charles Lawson,
with large and very fine blooms; Paul Ricaut and President
being also well worthy of note.

Tn the open Class, 6, for four Roses in pots, Mr. Turner had
President ; Queen of Denmark; Comtesse de Chabrillant, very
fine, as, indeed, it generally is; and Comte de Cavour, which
is much in the way of Général Jacqueminot, but larger and
deeper in colour. Messrs. Paul & Son had also a very good
four, of which Général Jacqueminot and Victor Verdier were
the fizest.

Messrs. Lane & Son exhibited in the Miscellaneous Class twelve
Roses in pots, among which were Louise Margottin, a beautiful
delicate pale rose; I'urenne, glowing colour but loose; and
President Lincoln, deep velvety red, a good deal in the way of
Senateur Vaisze.

Cinerarias made a tolerable show, though there were not so

many exhibitors as might have been expected in the case of a
plant so useful for conservatory decoration, and of which their
culture is so well understood. The specimens exhibited were,
however, very creditable.- The first prize in sixes was awarded
to Mr. Lamb, gardener to Captain Cahill, of Southall, for Adam
Bede, vivid purplish-rose and covered with a profusion of
flowers ; Queen Victoria, rosy crimson with white ring; Lady
Seymour, white, deep blue edge; Mrs. Livingstone, rosy purple
with white ring; Zingaree; and Loveliness. The second prize
was awarded to Mr. P. Lamb, for Blue Bonnet, Lady Seymour,
Admiration, Pilot, and Masterpiece; and third prizes to Mr.
Holland, gardener to R. Peak, Esq., Isleworth ; and Mr. Turner,
of Slough.
__ Prizes were offered for greenhouse Acacias, but they did not
induce competitors to come forward, although several good
specimens were shown among the miscellaneous collections.
With regard to Auriculas, Polyanthuses, and Pansies, their
return to the exhibition tables seemed to give satisfaction to a
considerable portion of the visitors, judging from the interest with
which the flowers were examined; and the feeling expressed in
the remark which one old lady made in our hearing, “ Well, I
am. glad to see these old flowers back again,” was probably very
generally shared. The principal exhibitors of these flowers were
Messrs. Turner, Butcher, James, and Holland; but it is unne-
cessary to enter into detail here, as the merits of the different
objects exhibited will be amply discussed in another column.

Of Cyclamens, those from Mr. Holland, of Isleworth, were
remarkably fine both as regards the size and colour of the
flowers ; the varieties, however, were unnamed. To these the
first prize was awarded; and an extra one was given to Mr.
James, gardener to W. Watkins, Esq., for herbaceous Calceo-
larias, of which he showed several fine varieties.

Miscellaneous collections of stove and greenhouse plants came
from Messrs. Veitch; J. & C. Lee, of Hammersmith; Bull, of
Chelsea; F. & A. Smith; and Cutbush, of Barnet. In Messrs.
Veitch’s collection were two Acacias, grandis and Drummondi,
the latter a fine specimen plant; Rhododendron jasminiflo-
rum; also Sesterianum with large and beautiful white flowers;

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

289

several Azaleas; Hedaroma tulipiferum; Eriostemons; Tetratheca
ericwfolia, a very handsome specimen covered with bloom;
Dendrobium densiflorum album, with several fine spikes of
bloom; rides virens; and Anthurium Scherzerianum, the
brilliant scarlet spathe of which always calls to mind the ancient
Roman standard, For this collection the first prize was awarded.

Messrs. Lee, who had a second prize, likewise exhibited an
excellent collection, among which were a fine specimen Hpacris
miniata; Azalea Leeana, a handsome plant with large white
flowers; Broughtoni; and several other fine Azaleas; Erios-
temons; Heaths; Saccolabium retusum, with o beautiful raceme
a foot long; and Airides roseum, with two good spikes of its
pretty rose-coloured flowers.

Mr. Bull likewise contributed an excellent collection, consist-
ing almost exclusively of foliage plants, such as Pandanus elegan-
tissimus, Gleichenias, &c., noticed on previous occasions.

The collection of Messrs. F. & A. Smith was composed of
foliage plants as Cyanophyllum and Alocasia; some Azaleas,
Eriostemons, Erica affinis, &c.; and that of Mr. Cutbush, of
Barnet, was chiefly made up of Azaleas, with Tetratheca ericsefolia,
but nothing equal to Messrs. Veitch’s plant of the same kind, an
Aphelexis, an Hriostemon, and one or two other plants.

Of other objects not coming within the scope of the schedule,
S. Glendinning & Sons sent two trees of Fortune’s rose-flowered
Peach, a highly ornamental double variety, brought some years
ago from the north of China. Mr. Bull exhibited the same
groups of Geraniums and Petunias as shown at the Regent’s
Park on the previous Saturday ; while Messrs. E. G. Henderson
and Co. brought forward a group of perennial plents for flower-
garden decoration, among which were Sunset and Mrs. Pollock
Geraniums ; white-foliaged plants, as Centaurea candidissima ;
a variegated Daisy called Aucubefolia, the leaves of which were
prettily variegated with yellow, as in the Aucuba japonica, and
which would make a pretty edging plant ; also Govenia albicans,
with ornamental yellow flowers, and a variegated form of Arabis
alpina. Hyacinths were shown in good condition by Messrs.
Cutbush and Mr. Carr, of Highgate, the former having also six
showy varieties of Amaryllis ; Hardy Ferns by Messrs. Ivery
and Son; and six fine pans of Lycopods by Mr. Higgs. A fine
mass of the mauve bracts of Bougainvillea glabra came from
Mr. Daniels, gardener to the Rey. C. Ruck Keene, Henley, and
speciosa in small pots from Mr. Turner, of Slough, and Mr. Bull.
Lastly, there were boxes of beautiful cut Roses of all the leading
kinds from Mr. W. Paul, and Messrs. Paul & Son.

A BRILLIANT day, an excellent collection of flowers, and a
goodly company, conspired to make this the most successful of
the Spring Shows. But (why always these “ buts” where the
Royal Horticultural Society is concerned?) there were some
drawbacks. In the first place the fout ensemble of tne Show
was completely spoiled by the flowers being separated in two
of the corridors, or dining-galleries; for, as it had been wisely
determined not to put the plants down both sides of the room,
and thus to allow more ample sweep for the crinolines, this of
necessity led to the separation of the flowers, and spoiled the
appearance of the Exhibition. And, then, no precaution had
been taken to wet the floors, either the previous night, or the
morning of the Exhibition; and the consequence was that a
cloud of dust, which would not have disgraced Rotten Row, was
continually kept in circulation by the sweep of the ample
dresses of the ladies. Over and over again I heard ladies say,
looking into the room, “ Dear me, what a dust!” and uncon-
tentedly leave. One cannot but ask why, as the Society must
ultimately look to its exhibitions for a good portion of its funds,
they should seem to have only a secondary place in the arrange-
ments of the Council. ‘The arrangements for these Spring Shows
have been a series of makeshifts, and so every one has felt them
to be.

And now fo our special matter—the florists’ flowers.
Auriculas we were rejoiced to see are once more becoming
pepular. I have done my little best to make them so; and
although, owing to the wretched arrangements of the South
Eastern Railway, my own plants which arrived in London at
noon on Tuesday were not delivered till nearly four and twenty
hours afterwards—too late for the Show, I was myself unable to
compete. I none the less rejoiced to see that several “new
hands” too, although old growers, had come forward this time,
and that there is every probability ere long of this beautiful
spring flower resuming its old position around the metropolis.

290

Mr. Turner had, in our southern taste, some marvellously
fine plants and flowers; and, although no competitor entered
the lists with him, one may very safely say that it would
haye required something super-excellent to have beaten him.
His twelve were, Duke of Cambridge, Pizarro, Mrs. Sturrock,
Sir C. Napier, Am. Smith, Lovely Anne, Glory, Mary Ann,
Catharina, Perfection, Apollo, and Smiling Beauty.

Amongst Amateurs, Mr. Butcher was first with Hliza, Badajoz,
Duke of Wellington, Glory, Sir J. Moore, Pizarro, Favourite,
and Privateer. Mr. James was second with Duke of Wellington,
Bliza, Bright Phoebus, Lady Jane Grey, Duke of Cambridge,
Mary Grey, Lady Blucher, and Robert Burns. Mr. Potts was
third; and Mr. Holland exhibited some rather promising seed-
lings. Besides these Mr. Turner had a collection of twenty-
eight varieties, amongst which were Ashton’s Prince of Wales,
Blackbird, Spalding’s Metropolitan, Formosa (a most lovely
shade of colour), Mary Gray, Eclipse, Lady J. Grey, Bellona
(somewhat rough), Countess of Dunmore, &c¢.—altogether a very
pretty show, and one which was evidently appreciated by many
of the visitors.

Mr. Holland sent six Alpines, two of which I should not have
considered to belong to that class.

A box of Pansies was sent by Mr. James; and also Fancy
Pansies in pots. It is, however, somewhat too early in the season
for them. We observed amongst Mr. James’s flowers Lord
pee) Telegram, Rey. H. H. Dombrain, Maid of Bath, Canary,

Ce

Two collections of cut Roses came from the two 2rms of the
brothers Paul, and were considered of equal merit. Amongst
the newer varieties we noticed Beauty of Waltham; Madam C.
Wood, very large; Hugéne Lebrun, dark and well-filled; Jean
Goujon, dark, not very full; Olivier Delhomme; John Hopper ;
Louise Margottin ; Maurice Bernhardin, dark crimson and fine ;
Le Baron Rothschild, very brilliant and shell-like ; Cornelia
Kock, pale citron Noisette.

Besides many of the older flowers in good condition, the pot
Roses were excellent—not the great gawky things one sees at the
great shows supported by a forest of stakes, &c., but neat,
natural-looking plants, especially those of Mr. Turner, who has
taken the place I was sure he would do, beating in Sixes his o!d-
established competitors, the Messrs. Paul. His six were Souvenir
de la Malmaison, Baronne Prevost, Coupe d’Hébé, Général
Jacqueminot, Victor Verdier, and Souvenir d’un Ami. Mr. W.
Paul was second with Cardinal Patrizzi, Madame Damsizin, Anna
Alexieff, Madame Boll, Souvenir d’un Ami, and Madame Wil-
lermoz. Messrs. Paul & Son were third with Paul Ricaut,
President, Madame de Vatry, Jules Margottin, Charles Lawson,
and Madame Dambizin.

In Four Roses the same gentlemen were first with Jacque-
minot, Souvenir d’un Ami, Belle de Bourg-la-Reine, and Victor
Verdier. Mr. Turner was second with Souvenir de Comte
Cavour (beautiful), Comtesse de Chabrillant, President, and
Queen of Denmark. The first-named was most beautiful, fine
in shape, and brilliant in colour. Mr. Wm. Paul was third.
Messrs. Lane had also a nice collection, not for competition,
among which was President Lincoln, a promising flower; and
Mr. Turner had a nice plant of that beautiful Tea-scented Rose
L’Enfant Trouvé.

The Cinerarias I shall not attempt to speak of, farther than to
say that I think there is a great mistake in the mode of exhibit-
ing them. On the home-stage they are very pretty, but on an
exhibition-table, tied-ont and staked as they generally are, they
are to my mind anything but ornamental.

There wasa large collection of Hyacinth blooms sent by Messrs.
Krelage, of Haarlem, which did not give one a very exalted idea
of Hyacinth-growing on the Continent, containing nothing of
novelty, except a curious-looking flower called L’Hnfant de

alice.

There can be no doubt that these Spring Exhibitions greatly
stimulate the growth of flowers; and another year will, I hope,
lead to a more agreeable arrangement than the present season
has witnessed.—D., Deal.

Rep Camomie to Destroy Inszors.—The Journal d’ Hor-
ticultwre de Belgique states that a powder made from the flowers
of Red Camomile (Pyrethrum roseum) emits “an odour so strong
and penetrating that it kills all the insects and all the vermin
He _ until now no certain agent of destruction has been

ound,

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGH GARDENER.

[ April 21, 1863.,

NIEREMBERGIA GRACILIS.

like your worthy correspondent Mr. Harley, I admire this:
pretty and intéresting plant; but I fear 1 cannot youch for its
hardiness, although twice during the last fifteen years I have
had beds of it that stood the winter pretty well. Strange to say,
the most of the plants that I left in a bed the past winter are
dead, though the situation is by no means a damp one, and
the winter was unusually mild. JI have been led to regard
damp as more fatal to it than cold, as the parts of the plants
now alive seem to be the extreme tips. I have, however, had a
bed that stood through the winter, and flowered early and well,
and it continued to do so the whole season, Such, however,
was not the case with Calceolaria-beds that had stood and
flowered in like manner; for they bloomed very abundantly early
in the seasou, aud, dry weather setting in soon afterwards, the
after-bloom was anything but plentiful. This was in the summer
of 1851, and the same thing has occurred once since then.
Latterly, excepting for some special purpose, I have preferred
destroying Calceolaria every season rather than run the risk of
the uncertainty mentioned above—J. Ropson.

ORCHARD-HOUSES.

** Oh, wad some power the giftie gie us,
To see oursels as others see us,
It wad frae monie a blunder free us,
And foolish notion.”’—Burns,

Tr is amusing to see with what pertinacity some people will
ride their hobby. No sooner is an insinuation made against
orchard-houses, or, more properly, fruit trees in pots, than up
startsrthe champion, “ R., of S.,” who tells us in THE JOURNAL
oF Horticunture of last week, that “he has one quality which
carries, and has carried, Hnglishmen through many ill-organised
plans and many scrapes, and made them triumphant in so many
quarters of the world—the most dogged perseverance.” But
perseverance would be more commendable in well-organised
plans, which would save him from many scrapes. Can the gar-
dener or amateur be sanguine of success when he is told in the
Journal of the same date, by “ Duckwine, —— Rectory,” that
“the Plums, Vines, and Cherry I may dismiss at once, with an
acknowledgment that I could get no blossom to set on the
Plums and Cherry, and but few bunches, and those very poor,
on the Vines. The Apricots have not done well. Ihave neyer
had more than six or eight on a tree?” This communication
was headed, “‘ Merits of Orchard-houses.” If suchis the merit,
I should think the demerit would be prodigious. Mr. Pearson
also tells us in the Journal of the same date, that ‘‘ Pears are
not grown in my house because they were neyer good with me.”

Weare also told that Peaches and Nectarines are the only
trees that have done well: therefore, “orchard-house” is a mis-
nomer, it should be called the “ Peach-house.’”

Gardeners should bear in mind the adyice giyen in the pre-
face to the “Theory of Horticulture.” ‘ The difference between.
failure and success, in practice, usually depends upon slight cir-
cumstances, very easily overlooked, and not to be anticipated
beforehand, eyen by the most skilful; their importance is often
unsuspected till an experiment has failed, and may not be dis-
covered till after many unsuccessful attempts, during which
more mischief may be done by extensive failures than the result
is worth when attained. No man understood this better than
the late Mr. Knight, who tells us in the following pages that it
is the duty of gardeners to put in practice that which they have
learned ; and having to expend the capital of others, they ought
to be cautious in trying expensive experiments, of which the
results must necessarily be uncertain; and, I believe, a very able
and experienced gardener, after haying been the inventor of the
most perfect machinery, might, in yery many instances, have
lost both his character and his place before he had made himself
sufficiently acquainted with it, and, consequently, become able to
regulate its powers.” , J 4

It was a wonder, by-the-by, that Dr. Lindley did not think
of this advice when he endeavoured to goad gardeners into an
advocacy of the Polmaise system of heating.

Amateurs may try experiments, and blame themselves for
failures; but if a gardener undertakes them he is responsible to
his employer. ‘Che coiling-system of growing Vines in pots was.
strongly advocated by the late Mr. Mearns, at Welbeck; but of
five hundred grown, fifty were fruited for exhibition, and when
many gardeners lost their places, depending by. limited means,
ona few for success, my esteemed friend Mr. R, Fish exploded

April 21, 1863. ]

the whole in his correspondence on the subject. Whether he
will give a coup d’etat to the orchard-house question, time, after
a little more investigation, will most probably tell. .
The question resolves itself into the old epigram of the town in
danger.
** A currier, wiser than all put together,
Says, ‘Gentlemen all, you may think as you please,
But there is nothing like leather.’ ”

—WiuM Keane.

ROSES.
MR. WILLIAM PAUL'S NURSERIES, WALTHAM CROSS.

THE great pleasure derived from a visit made a fortnight since
to Mr. Wm. Paul’s Nurseries induces me to remind amateurs
and others, that a short railway trip by the Eastern Counties to
Waltham Cross at the present season will afford them much
gratification. Although the Roses were my special attraction, I
cannot refrain from noticing the extensive and superb collection
of well-grown Hyacinths then in perfection. Mr. Wm. Paul’s
success in the cultivation of this lovely spring flower is well
known to the floricultural world; and the Hyacinths exhibited
by him at the spring meetings at the Royal Horticultural Gar-
dens, South Kensington, and the Royal Botanic Gardens, have
been highly spoken of in the reports of these Exhibitions. The
names and colours of the leading varieties have been fully de-
scribed ; and those who intend to grow Hyacinths next year
would do well to procure Mr. Paul’s catalogue of bulbs, 1862,
and make notes of such flowers as have merited distinction.

But the Roses were my special attraction. It is impossible
to describe the feelings which were excited on finding oneself in
the last week of March standing amongst a vast group of well-
grown and abundantly-flowering Roses. The peculiar brightness
and vigour of the spring-green foliage with the brilliant and
exquisitely scented flowers transferred me into Fairy Land. It
is only of recent date that the luxury of early-flowering Roses
has been indulged in. Ths treatment required is so simple and
inexpensive ; and the result attending the culture, which is
generally so successful, furnishes a strong inducement for those
who have space and opportunity to devote a crystal palace for
the spring residence of the queen of flowers. A visit to the
garden at Waltham Cross would verify these remarks; and any
information desired on the subject will be always most willingly
and courteously given. I shall send the names of some of the
most striking varieties, whose merits I shall not attempt to
deseribe; but most earnestly recommend all admirers of the
Rose, and more particularly those of early-forced flowers, to lose
no time in judging for themselves how easy a thing it is to enjoy
the privilege and pleasure of having Roses in the highest state
of perfection at this season of the year.

The following were among the varieties in bloom at the time
our visit was made; but many others have since unfolded their
lovely flowers, and among them will now be found onenamed after
Mrs. W. Paul, the excellent form and surpassing beauty of which
I will not venture to depict :—Charles Lefevre, Maurice Bern-
hardin, Eugéne Bourcier, Monte Christo, Modéle de Perfection,
Vicomte Vigier, Duc de Cazes, Louis XTV., Comtesse de Cha-
brillant, Gloire de Santenay, Comte de Falloux, Louise Darzins,
Prince Léon, Francois Lonvat, Gloire de Dijon, Tea Madame
de St. Joseph, and Tea Comtesse de Bartha, and many others.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
: Apri 15.

Prorat Cownrrer.—aAnother meeting of the above Com-
mittee was held in the Gardens, South Kensington, on Wed-
nesday last, on the day of the third Spring Exhibition, which
was especially appointed for Azaleas and Roses. Many very
interesting specimens were brought before the Committee, and
several certificates were awarded.

Mr. W. Paui, Waltham Cross, exhibited a very handsome
Magnolia Linné, with large conspicuous puplish flowers. This
plant was much admired, and received a »rst-class certificate.
He had also a very promising bright carne Perpetual Rose,
Lord Herbert, which was requested might be seen again.

Mr. H. Page sent a white Cineraria, Snowflake, of dwarf habit
a second-class certificate was awarded.

Messrs. Veitch sent Alocasia zebrina, a plant with large green

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

291

foliage on mottled stems: first-class certificate was awarded.
An interesting though small Fern, Cheilanthes Borsigiana, the
under side of the frond densely covered with gold: first-class
certificate was awarded. Browallia species, with yellow flowers ;
Azalea Marie Vervaene, bright salmon, sometimes striped;
Azalea Madame Verschaffelt, a showy decorative variety: second-
class certificate was awarded. Azalea Madame Dieudonné Spae ;
also a half-hardy plant, Valdivia Gayana, with deep pink bell-
shaped flowers ; foliage not unlike a primrose.

Mr. Ivery, Dorking, sent Azalea Beauty of Dorking, a white
flower striped with pink, of excellent form: a second-class cer-
tificate was awarded. Azalea indica striata, and Athyrium
Fieldii pumilum, an interesting dwarf variety, but resembling
closely Athyrium Fieldii Iveryanum.

Mr. Bull sent Gloxinia Florette, an erect-flowering variety,
with white flowers, tinged or shaded with lavender. Anthurium
sp., South America, a plant remarkable for its thick leathery
leaves: a label of commendation was awarded. Greensvia
aurea, an old plant brought again into cultivation, forming a
very handsome specimen, with bright yellow flowers, which were
well displayed above the thick Sedum-like foliage: a first-class
certificate was awarded. Trichomanes membranaceum, not in
condition, requested to be shown again. Uropedium Lindeni, a
yery curious but well-known Orchid, with yellow and greenish
flowers, remarkable for its long brown thread-like appendages.
Three small pots of Bougainyillea speciosa, in full flower: a
special certificate was awarded.

Mr. Turner, Slough, also sent a small plant of Bougainvillea
speciosa, in full flower. This, as well as Mr. Bull’s specimens,
were struck from cuttings last autumn by Mr. Turner. The
appearance of the small flowering plants of the Bougainyillea
caused quite a sensation among the Committee. So much has
been written about the successful cultivation of this plant, and
the acknowledged difficulty in making it produce flowers, a
special certificate was awarded Mr. Turner for his great achieve-
ment. Azalea Louise Yon Baden, an exquisite white flower, of
great substance and good form, the finest Azalea exhibited: a
first-class certificate was awarded. Mr. Turner sent also two
Auriculas—Ensign, a fine grey-edged variety, was awarded a
second-class certificate ; Supreme, an alpine, dark maroon border,
with a bright circular yellow centre—a label of commendation
was awarded. Pansy Exquisite, large flower, white ground,
belted with violet, good eye—label of commendation. Pansy
Feu de joie, a Fancy flower, upper and side petals white, ground
shaded with mulberry, a large dark maroon centre—label of
commendation.

Mr. Bragg sent a white bedding Pansy Desirable, flower not
of suificient substance. Messrs. Downie & Laird, a Tree Car-
nation, Souvenir de Malmaison; the flower a monster in size
and monstrous in form. Mr, Parsons, Cineraria Malvoisa, a
deep magenta.

Mr. Standish, Ascot, sent Kerria japonica variegata: a label
of commendation was awarded. Also a pale pink, semidouble-
flowering Cherry from Japan, which was awarded a label of
commendation.

Messrs. Henderson, Pine Apple Place, sent Camellia Giardino
Santarelli, a beautiful and promising flower, but, as exhibited at
the last meeting, not in condition; Troprolum Ball of Fire,
a yery bright scarlet-flowering variety, which was requested
to be shown again to be compared with other Troprolums in
cultivation; Retinospora leptoclada—first-class certificate was
awarded ; and Cupressus Lindleyana.

Mr. Mills sent cut specimens of his Rose, Pet—a useful Rose
for forcing, not very unlike China Rose Archduc Charles.

Mr. Hooper, Covent Garden, exhibited cut specimens of a
very dark double Polyanthus, an improvement on the old variety,
the bright yellow base of the petals rendering the flower more
conspicuous.

Messrs. Smith, Dulwich, sent again Azalea Surprise, which
om comparison very strongly resembled (as had been remarked
on a previous occasion), Azalea Madame Verschaffelt.

Fruit Comsirrer.— Mr. Edmonds in the chair. Prizes
were offered for the best three dishes of dessert Apples, for
which there were four competitors. Mr. Cox, of Redleaf, sent
remarkably fine specimens of Golden Knob, Rosemary Russet,
and Formosa Pippin. In regard to appearance, both as to size
and colour, they were much superior to the other exhibitions ;
but on cutting them they were all found to be passed and the
flavour gone. Mr, Whiting, of the Deepdene, sent Herefordshire
Pearmain, which was of good flavour but not fine; Mickleham

292

Pearmain, which bears a very close resemblance to Formosa
Pippin was also pretty good; but Court-Pendu-Plat were as
fine; both in regard of appearance and flavour, as could be
desired. Mr. Hall, gardener to Captain Tyrrell, Fordhook,
Haling, cent Bess Pool, which was rather mellow, but of good
flavour; Cluster Golden Pippin, hard, acid, and without any
flavour; Golden Russet, inferior. Those exhibited by Mr.
Harley, of Digswell, were Sam Young, Court of Wick, and
Cockle Pippin, all inferior in size and flavour. ‘The first prize
was awarded to Mr. Whiting, and the second to Mr. Hall.
Altogether the collections exhibited were not of a high order, not
any of the specimens possessing the flayour desirable. The two
best were Court-Pendu-Plat and Bess Pool, both two valuable
Apples.

ar Class B, four kitchen Apples, Mr. Whiting sent an un-
named variety, Royal Russet, and Devonshire Buckland. Mr.
Earley sent excellent specimens of Hertfordshire Codlin, Norfolk
Beefing, and Dumelow’s Seedling; and Mr. Hall sent Norfolk
Beefing, Dumelow’s Seedling, and Yorkshire Greening. The
first prize was awarded to Mr. Hall, and the second to Mr.
Harley.

Te the best dish of Strawberries there was only one exhibi-
tion, but a fine one. Mr. Barnwell, gardener to EH. Mills, Esq.,
Bisterne Park, Hants. The sort was represented to be Keene’s
Seedling, but it appeared to us to be more like Sir Harry from
the great size and very dark colour. ‘Che first prize was awarded
to Mr. Barnwell.

Mr. Hill, of Keele Hall, sent five bunches of very beautiful
Black Hamburgh Grapes, large in size, and fine in colour, being
portectly jet. hese were exhibited as specimens of what Mr.

ill has been cutting ever since the beginning of March. A very
nice collection of salad plants was exhibited by Mr. Terry, gar-
dener to Lionel Ames, Hsq., The Hyde, St. Albans; it consisted
of Cos Lettuce, Endive, Chervil, Tarragon, young Onions, Water
Cress, Celery, Beet, Corn Salad, Long Radish, Turnip Radish,
Mustard, Cress, and three young Cucumbers. The Strawberries
exhibited by Mr. Barnwell formed part of a very neatly arranged
box, containing some handsome Cucumbers and kitchen Apples.
He also exhibited three remarkably fine heads of Broccoli,
beautiful spring Cabbage, Spinach, and a fine dish of Mushrooms.

A seedling Apple of Jarge size was received from W. B. Ty-
ringham, Hsq., Dyringham, Newport Pagnell. It is a large
handsome Apple, roundish, and in size and shape like the
Alfriston, and, like it, is covered with tracings of reticulated
russef; but itis of a fine deep yellow colour, and has a blush of
redon one side. The eye issmall and closed, setin a narrow and
rather deep basin. ‘The stalk is very short, almost imbedded in
the broad and russetty cavity. The flesh is yellowish, tender,
and fine-grained, and with a very excellent flavour and delicate
aroma. This will be useful either as a kitchen or dessert Apple,
but principally for the former, and it is said to keep till June
and July. It was awarded a first-class certificate.

Mr. Ferguson, of Stowe, sent a seedling Apple the flavour of
which was destroyed by haying been in contact with some sub-
Stance like moss.

Mr. Turner, of Slough, sent fruit of a seedling Strawberry
called President, which had not much flavour. It ‘evidently
belongs to the race of Scarlets, and is a handsome-looking fruit ;
but the flavour will, doubtless, be improved later in the season.

1. B. Horesfall, Hsq., M.P., Bellamour Hall, near Rugeley,
exhibited a very large bunch of Musa Cayendishii.

Mr. Ingram, gardener to His Grace the Duke of Rutland,
Belvoir Castle, sent a dish of Beurré de Rance Pears, which
were very fine in appearance, but they lacked flayour.

A PLEA FOR THE OLD FLUE—A GOOD
BOILER ASKED FOR.

As the subject of heating horticultural structures is very pro-
perly attracting the attention of your readers, I beg to make
some further remarks on the matter, and in the present instance
I confess that it is as much with the view of eliciting inform-
ation as of imparting it to others. Before proceeding further
with the subject, I must thank those correspondents who have
kindly come forward. and given their opinion on the utility of
the old and much-despised flue, as well as the more modern
hot water.

The letter of “E.,” at page 211, sats forth in a plain practical
way the economy of the flue in places where coal is cheap, and

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ April 21, 1863.

all intending builders of glass houses would do well to read his
article. A heating apparatus capable of warming a house 40 feet
long by 15 feet wide is put up for 50s. while the cost for fuel
for the winter may be set down at 10s. or 12s., or less, and
assuredly these figures are small enough for the most rigid
economist.

In confirmation of the easy and useful working of the flue, the.
letter of Mr. Harris, at page 223, is equally valuable, and it states
that Pines, Vines, Peaches, and plants can be forced or grown
as well in houses heated with flues as with hot water, and as
Mr. Harris has had experience in both, he may justly be allowed
to have given an unbiased opinion. Contrasted with this is the
letter of “J. E. L.,” at page 258, who says, with one or two ex-
ceptions flues are a dead loss as compared with hot water, as
flues are always out of repair, let the smoke out, cause nasty
smells, and are accompanied by a dozen other annoyances. ‘This
is rather strong language on the part of “J. BH. L.,” whose after-
remarks are also hostile to the old flue, and in praise of hot
water. Now, I believe there are few people indeed who would
not prefer a well-arranged system of hot-water-heating to the best
smoke-flue in the world, were the cost of erecting the two some-
what alike; but I ask “J. H. Li.” and all others what sort of a
hot-water-heating contrivance could be put up even at four times
the cost, or £10, which will heat such a house as our correspondent
“*H.” mentions, and be it remembered, that hot-water Pipes are
liable to mishaps as well as flues, and such accidents are more
difficult to rectify. Any one can daub a little clay or mortar on
a leaky flue, and it will go on for weeks as well as before, but it
takes some time to replace a split boiler, and yery often such
misfortunes happen at the most unlucky time, as during the
period of a sharp frost, or in the early spring forcing time, and
the injury and inconvenience need no comment. I once hada
boiler that broke down about Christmas, and the new one that
replaced it gave way in less than a week after it was fixed, so
that altogether about a month was lost, to the entire destruction
of the permanent plants in the house. I do not remember of any
such mishap befalling a flue in any part of my practice, although
at one time I had upwards of twenty flue fires to manage. In
saying this I by no means deny the likelihood of accidents with
flues, but it is alwaye easy to find a man capable of mending a
flue, while the hot-water-pipe man is too often far ‘away, and his
Operations are of a far more costly character than those in the
other case.

Having given my views in a general form in a former article,
T have but little to add now, excepting to repeat that I am by
no means an opponent of hot water; but when the heat required
is simply that sufficient to keep out a frost, or when, say, a tem-
perature of 40° is wanted, the cheaper the heating contrivance
that will accomplish that object, so long as it is effective, the
better it is. Our correspondent ‘E.”? has shown that a house
40 feet by 15 can be heated with a flue for one-tenth of the
sum that would be required for hot water. In his case, there-
fore, it would appear that he might haye another small house
for the amount he saves; at the same time it must be borne
in mind he lives in the coal country, and some little allowance.
ought to be made for that. A hot-water apparatus is very
defective indeed if a ton of coals will not command more heat
by its means than by the flue; and when coals are 25s. instead of
2s. per ton, economy in them is of consequence. I wish in every.
instance to treat the matter impartially, and will, therefore, state
that when the heat wanted is a continual temperature of not less
than 55°, and fuel expensive, hot water may be more advisable.
This, I believe, I fully explained in my former article, and the
merits of flues being admitted by the correspondents alluded to,
and as their utility ranks back at least a century prior to hot
water, it is likely they may yet continue for a long time in use.

As “J. E, 1.” advocates hot water so strongly, perhaps he
will give me some advice on the following points. Like Mr.
Pearson, at page 257, I am far from certain that the best con-
structed boiler has been yet before the public, and, accordingly, T
am far from being biased in fayour of any particular one. The
cage is this:—My employers are about to erect a new lean-to
house 68 feet long by 15 feet wide inside, and as it will be mostly
devoted to forcing it will be heated with hot water, but not
being connected with the other houses must be heated by a
separate boiler. Now, I ask, Whichis the best boiler? Eyery-
one understands the condition which this question conveys; bub
I confess being anything but sanguine as to the best-constructed
one yet out being any way near perfection. I was once called
on to look at a boiler in working order which was said to be

April 21, 1863. ]

doing its work well, while the waste of heat was so great that a

paper might be lighted at the top of the chimney. Econozy of |

1 must, therefore, be one of the requisites. I may add that we

haye in use three conical and two rather large corrugated saddle |

boilers, all of them tolerably good, but all, I think, capable of
improvement. Another boiler of a different construction is less
satisfactory, while Perkins’s coil of pipes in use at the mansion
is not adapted to gardening purposes.

Tf the house in question had been only intended for green-
house plants, I would have been contented with a flue such as
was described in a former article; but more heat being wanted,
in what way is that to be effectually and economically obtained ?
Withoat being in the least prejudiced, I have rather a dislike to
patents. They fetter rather than improve what originally existed,
and in more eases than one that I could mention, they have
proved losing affairs to those who took them out. This, how-
ever, is foreign to my subject, as i simply ask which is the best
hot-water-heating contrivance at present in use. I shall be
glad to have the opinion of practical men on the subject, and
the question is one well worth discussing in the columns of THE
JOURNAL oF Horticuttcurr. A few plain suggestions on the
heating of a given space will suffice, and if we take as an example
the house in question, which will contain a volume of 260 or
270 cubic yards of atmospheric air, might I ask for what coulda
hot-water apparatus be obtained that would efficiently heat that ?
and as a contrast between this and flues, it will be as many
pounds as our correspondent “BH.” said his cost shillings.
however, I leave for others to say. At the same time those who
have a shallow pit heated well by somebody’s boiler, must make
some calculation of the small volume of air it has to work upon,
and not too hastily pass any eulogium on its merits. To econo-
mise heat to the utmost is one of the best qualifications of a
boiler, and whether this is already done in any of the boilers we
now have or nof is more than I can say. At all events let us
determine which is the best. J. Ropson.

THE BARBADOES POTATO.

I HAVE not as yet been able to discover this valuable variety.
Many people have fancied that they had it; but on examination
their specimens, although somewhat resembling the old sort, have
differed in the most important features. 5

This Potato is something like a Yam in shape, is often a foot
in length; it has a skin as smooth as satin; it is very mealy
with a rich flayour, and very prolific. It is also one of the
earliest sorts. There has been no crop of itin this neighbour-
hood for seventeen years. Has this variety become extinct 2—
A Constant READER.

[- Messrs. Peter Lawson & Son, Nurserymen, Edinburgh, may
haye this Potato. They thus describe it in their “ Agriculturist’s
Manual :”—“ Height of stem 2% feet, rather upright; foliage
loose and light green ; flower light purple ; tubers oblong, whitish,
straight, much flattened, rather small, skin sometimes slightly
tinged with red near the point. Increase ten-fold. Rather waxy,
goodish flayour, pretty healthr, 672 grains troy of starch in
1 Ib. of tubers.” —Eps. }

GARDEN HELPS.
THE “helps” I have in my garden are the elder children.

.I get them up in good time in the morning, and then again after

school-time. The exercise is healthful, and reward sweetens
labour, as I give them id. per hundred for slugs and snails, and
13d. per hundred for caterpillars—D., Neweaséle.

[The “yellow reptiles” are centipedes, and we believe not
injurious to plants. We always consider that they consume
decayed organic substances.—Ebs. ]

SPARROWS DESTRUCTIVE TO LETTUCE.

T aw fond of Lettuce, nothing to my mind being more refresh-
ing than a nice White Paris Cos, fresh from the garden, with the
usual et-ceteras. But the sparrows are also fond of their salad
—a similarity of taste by which I have lately been a sufferer.

Last Friday I planted out a smell crop, the plants used being
rather young and tender; on Saturday they remained uninjured,
but on Sunday the attack began, and I observed several sparrows

This, |

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COLITAGE GARDENER. 293

busily engaged with the green leaves. I determined that the
bed should be protected by twine as soon as Monday came, but
by that time every green leaf was gone. Not haying any more
plants I have had to sow again.

Having said this much against sparrows, it is but just to state
in their favour that they were also busily employed in picking
up insects on the adjoining new-dug ground. A market-gardener
of great experience lately told me that, though troublesome at
times, he considered the sparrow was the most useful bird we
have.—Tyro.

PORTRAITS OF PLANTS, FLOWERS, AND
FRUITS.

CG@:LOGYNE LAGENARIA (Plask-shaped Celogyne).—Nea¢é. ord.,
Orechidacee. Zinn., Gynandris Monandria. Native of the
Himalaya, bloomed at Messrs. Jackson's Nursery, Kingston-on-
Thames. Flowers white, lip blotched with crimson. Unfortu-
nately the leaves do not appear at the time of the fowers.—
(Botanical Magazine, t. 5370.) ;

ENCEPHALARTUS HORRIDUS, var. TRISPINOSA (Lhree-toothed
Encephalartus).— Nat. ord., Cyeadacee. Linn, Diwcia Poly-
andria. Native of the Cape. The species has been called
also Zamia horrida—(Zbid. £. 5371.)

Cobonopsis corDATA (Heart-leayed Cedonopsis).—Naé. ord.,
Campanulacer. Zinn., Pentandria Monogynia. Native of moist
woods in mountains of Jaya, at elevations between 3000 and
8000 feet. A gracefully climbing plent with sickly-green flowers.
—(Ibid., t. 5372.)

LycIopLesiuM PUBIFLORUM (Downy-flowered Lycioplesium).
—WNaé. ord., Solanacee. Zinn., Pentandria Monogynia. Very
handsome and coming from near Chiloe, probably hardy. In-
troduced by Messrs. Veitch & Sons through their collector Mr.
Richard Pearce. Flowers purple, and remind one of the Fox-
glove —(Zbid., ¢. 5373.)

CYRTANTHUS LuTESCENS (Yellow-fowered Cyrtanthus).—
Nat. ord., Amaryllidacee. Zinn., Hexandria Monogynia. Cape
bulb. FPiowers graceful and very fragrant, produced in a warm
greenhouse during February. Introduced by W. W. Saunders,
Esq.— (Zoid., t. 5874.)

CataNTHE VEITCHIT HYBRID, (Veitch’s Calanthe).—A garden
hybrid. Flowers pink. Obtained by Mr. Dominy, in Messrs.
Veitch & Sons’ Nursery at Exeter, by fertilising Limatodes rosea
with the pollen of “that variety of the white Calanthe vestita,
which has a purple spot at the base of the lip.” —(Z2id., ¢., 5375.)-

FREE-FLOWSRING MoxocHzrum,— Introduced by Messrs.
Smith, Nurserymen, Dulwich. Flowers deep pink. A variety
of Monochsetum sericeum.— (Floral Iagazine, pl. 141.)

Dis5-sHAPED NEMOPHTLA.—A variety of Nemophila maculata,
raised by Messrs. Carter & Co., High Holborn. Corolla white,
with the entire base of the disk deep purple.—(Zdid. pl. 142.)

Srrrprp JAPANESE CHRYSANTHEMUM.— Exhibited by Mr.
Standish, Royal Nurseries, Bagshot’and Ascot, who received it
from My. Fortune. Florets some red and some white, with
others striped longitudinally red and white.—(Z6id., pl. 143.)

Varieties oF Care Heatus.—Messrs. Rollisson, of Tooting.
“Eriea profuse (pink with white disk), raised between Zriea
Wacnabiana rosea and £. aristata major, the former being the
mother plant. Hriez affinis (lemon-coloured), raised between
E. Cavendishiana, also Messrs. Rollisson’s seealing, and 2. de-
pressa, the last-named being the mother.’’—(Zbid., pl. 144.)

CHEYSANTHEMUMS, raised by Mr. Salter. Talbot, “a deep
rosy lilac with silvery tips,” bead close and full. Princess Alex-
andra, “cuter florets deep blush-lilae on the outer surface,
ereamy within, and the central florets lemon-coloured,” heads
incuryed and well filled-out.—(Hlorist and Pomologisé, il., p. 42.)

Apnicot CANENO GROSSO— An Italian variety, from Canino,
in the Papal States. Introduced by Mr. Rivers, Nurseries,
Sawbridgeworth. Fruit larger than the Royal, melting, es-
cellently flavoured, and peculiarly high-coloured ; orange and red
on the sunned side. Tree hardy and free-growing.—(Zdid.,
p- 48.)

PROPAGATING MOST EASILY THE WEIGELA
ROSEA.

Havine noticed the question often asked, How to propagate
the Weigela? I am induced to give the most ready way i have
yet seen by which any quantity of it may be propagated with
the utmost ease.

294:

T admit that a most ready way, where at all applicable, is the
old method of layering any shoots long enough for that mode;
but such length of shoots we all know, where the stock in kand
is small, is not at all times commandable.

I would, then, advise that cuttings of the Weigela be put
out in precisely the same way, time, and otherwise, as are the

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGH GARDENER.

[ April 21, 1868,

cuttings of Roses, dibbling them in as thickly and as quickly as

we generally do the latter; giving them more room the following

winter by transplanting, and making more bushy plants by

judicious pruning. No plant we are acquainted with is more

useful for spring forcing, or under proper treatment blooms more

freely—certainly none with less trouble—W. HARmEY, Digswell.
‘

RHODODENDRON SEED, HYBRIDS, AND MANURING.

I sre through you to return my best thanks to ““D. C. M.”
for the paper of Rhododendron seed, from which I shall have
much pleasure in raising plants. JI presume that they are not
seeds of the Sikkim varieties, or even of hybrids from them; but
of the hybrid varieties raised between arboreum, ponticum, and
catawbiense. Might I venture to ask of your correspondent
another question, Whether he has attempted with success croases
between Rhododendrons and Azaleas? J am aware that some
hybrids have been raised between the former and Azalea pontica,
but has any attempt been made to breed between the Rhodo-
dendrons and Azaleas of the indica type, some of which have
proved in several situations quite hardy ?

I quite agree with “D. C. M.” on the question of manure for

Rhododendrons. I habitually apply it to my plants, and with
success. I remember one of the foremen at, I think, Messrs,
Waterer & Godfrey's gardens telling me that manure was also
very beneficial to many of the Pinuses in spite of the common
prejudice on the subject. Of course, in this case, as in every
other, very much depends upon the character of the soil.

As I am also a lover of spring flowers, I congratulate Mr.
Browne on his acquisition of the double blue Periwinkle, which
[have never seen. I have plants, or a plant at least, of the
double purple variety you name; but I have never prized it in
comparison with the blue or white. I fancy this variety is by
no means rare; but should it be so, I shall be very glad to
impart some of my stock to other amateurs.—J. N. M.

FLOWER-GARDEN PLAN.

1é

| eH
<S- \

4

if
79

Vee sabe
eae

1, Geranium Golden Chain, edged with blue
Lobelia.
2. Balloon Trellis, covered with small white
ose.
8. Calceolaria Victory.
4, 7. Verbena Firefly.
5, 6. White.

§. Gazania splendens.

12, 14, Lantana Sellovii.

WE do not think that you, our correspondent “ DrrFIDENCE,”
have any reason to feel yourself in difficulty. The main body of
your geometrical garden consists of three parts—a centre and two
wings, or they may be treated as three distinct parts, and yet
forming a harmonious whole. Thisis the system of your proposed
planting : Your centre is a circle with four beds round it, square
on all the sides, except the inner one swept out by the curve of
the circle. The circle you plant with Alma Geranium with a
verge of Lobelia speciosa, and in this respect we like your arrange-
ment much better than the Roses of “S. EH. L.” The four beds
round are in cross pairs of Admiral Dundas Verbena and Purple
King Verbena. Then each wing is centred with a diamond and
surrounded with four figures; the outer lines square and at right
angles, the inner line partaking of the character of the lines of
the diamond. Both diamonds are filled with Calceolarea Aurea
floribunda, and one is edged with Baron Hugel, and the other
edged with crimson Minimum Geranium. ‘Thus far the wings
are balanced. Of the two Geraniums we think Minimum will

, be the most telling. The wing on the left-hand side has the four
beds round the diamond crossed in pairs, two consisting of
Lantana Selloyii and two of Brilliant de Vaisse Verbena; and
if the Lantana is on peat and does well, the group will be very
nice and come in well with the centre. On the right side the
four beds are also crossed in pairs, two beds consisting of Prince
of Orange Geranium and two of Heliotropium peruvianum.

9, 10. Geranium Christine.

11, 15. Verbena Brilliant de Vaisse,

13. Calceolaria Aurea floribunda, edged with
Baron Hugel Geranium.

16, 19. Verbena Purple King.

Se

{ 17, 18. Verbena Admiral Dunéas.

20. Geranium Alma, edged with blue Lobelia.
| 21, 25. Heliotropium peruvianum.
23. Calceolaria Aurea floribunda, edged with
crimson Minimum Geranium.
22, 24, Geranium Prince of Orange.
1

This planting may be defended on the’principle of haying three
centres and three different combinations of planting. The centre-
and-balanced-wing principle has, however, been kept up so far
as the planting of the diamonds is concerned, and therefore we
would have liked better if the four beds round the right-side
diamond had been planted in colours similar to those on the
left-hand side, so as to balance thoroughly, Besides these main
features, what constitutes a charm of this garden are five beds
clustered on each side, owing to an open semicircular space
opposite the circle-centre in the main garden. Now these
accessory wings are so nearly balanced on each side, that we
would be inclined to do it completely, and balance the main
wings also, and use the same materials as you haye. The
largest beds on these subsidiary wings are Wirefly Verbena,
which we presume to be a bright scarlet. Very well; take the
plants intended for these two beds, and use them in the right
wing in the beds marked for Heliotropes, and bring the Helio-
tropes to the Hirefly-beds. Then fill the little circles, Nos. 1
and 2, with Prince of Orange Geranium, and in place of them
in the right wing have two crossed beds of pink Verbena or
pink Ivy-leaved Geranium, &c., and then moye your Golden
Chain from No. 1 to the two little beds marked white, This
would balance the whole; but we have no doubt the group
would look well as you propose. Our opinion, however, is that
the change would be more satisfactory.—R. F.

April 21, 1863. ]
GEOMETRY APPLICABLE TO GARDENING.

NEARLy a century and a half since—namely, in 1718—one of
the best practical gardeners of his period, Stephen Switzer, ob-
served, that amongst the several businesses to which mathematics
is applied, no where and in no case is it more useful than in
laying-out of gardens and large estates. Extensively as the word
Geometry is now applied, it was at first no more than the measur-
ing-out, distributing, and fixing the boundaries or enclosures of
the large demesnea, and the lesser or more immediate decorations
of the noble villas and granges of the most ancient and most
polite part of the world. ‘

Wo change in our style of gardening has occurred since Switzer
penned that passage rendering geometry less useful to the gar-
dener. On the contrary, the bedding-out system requiring forms
of geometrical figures and proportions ; the discoveries relative
to light rendering desirable accuracy of angle in the roof of a
glazed plant-house ; the easy determination of geometric curves
in the designing and plotting of walks, roads, and the outlines
of plantations; the designing of terraces, levelling, and other
work, all falling occasionally upon the gardener as a part of his
duty, and which he can only execute with certainty aided by a
knowledge of geometry, we adopt this resolution of Switzer.

‘J shall then apply what I have here to set down as necessary
to be learned by all young surveyors and layers-out of ground,
not mixing or confounding it with those many rules and pro-
blems that are contained in other books of mathematics, out of
which it is not easy for a beginner, nor, indeed, for many gar-
deners of some standing, to collect what is useful and necessary
to be known.”

We shall partly republish what Switzer placed before his
brethren, but we shall have the whole revised by a superior
authority of our own time.

THE DEFINITION OF A LINE,
The line is a length without breadth, made by the motion of a
point, and is of several kinds, as it receives difference of motion.
The right or staight line is that which is equally comprised
within its extremities, as A B.

A B

The curved line, is as plainly made from the round motion of
a pair of compasses, as C D.

Pace

\

The crooked line is that which turns or wanders from its ex-
tremities by one or more turnings-aside, as E F.

5 Oa

The composite or mixed line, is partly crooked, and part]
straight, as is the line a H. : ; Pe

H
G

The spiral line, called otherwise the volute, is described m N oO.

M

(Zo be continued.)

VULCANISED INDIARUBBER TUBING.

I HAVE a splendid lot of young trees in my garden, as Plane,
Sycamore, Mountain Ash, and such like, for the purpose of
forming a shrubbery, and yesterday they were all I could have
wished, being very forward and full of leaf; but to-day they are
quite changed.

The foliage seems completely ruined and as if burnt by fire.
The leaves on the upper surface have turned quite brown, and
hang drooping from the bough.

Pe LeAnn

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER, 295

The only way in which I can account for it is this: Last
night I had out my indiarubber tubing for the first time this
season, and gave all the trees a good watering excepting two,
which I remember escaped, as it was nearly dusk when I did it ;
and now all but those two are in the condition above described.

I should be glad to know that I am mistaken in supposing
that the injury was caused by the tubing, as I have gone to great
expense in providing sufficient for my garden, and, therefore, I
beg to ask you if you can enlighten me on the subject. :

L remember noticing the same appearance upon the foliage last
year, which I attributed to blight, and grieved I was to lose so
many fine young trees. I am now disposed to think that it may
have been the tubing and not the blight. The water is supplied
from the cistern through a gutta-percha tube-—Mountain AsH,

ORCHARD-HOUSES—POT-CULTURE or FRUITS.

Every one who happens to be in favour of the culture of
fruit under glass will hail with pleasure such emanations as
those from the pen of “TT. R.,” written as they are in a strain
of good humour, and with a thorough appreciation of rural
sights and sounds mingled with the skill of the horticulturist.
The delightful picture he has drawn not only savours of the
highest enjoyment, but is highly complimentary to the gardening
profession. People of the most strictly sabbatarian views could
hardly find fault with it, for there is no need to connect the
Sunday contemplation of the contents of an orchard-house or
a greenhouse with the necessary work of the week. Although
such houses are to me the scene of weekday toil, still I can as
agreeably pass the leisure moment in contemplation of the plants
and flowers as though they were entirely fresh to me. In this
respect I think the gardener possesses an advantage over men
of other callings; and such notes as those of “'T. K.” are likely
to confirm this view of the case.

I see no reason to doubt that Mr. Robson is both attached
to his profession and a warm advocate of the garden in its
utilitarian and decorative aspects, and I think he will not turn
a deaf ear to the exhortation of “T. R.” if he really see any
eause for repentance. But it does not appear to me that Mr,
Robson bears any animosity towards orchard-houses, or that he
would discourage the practice of having fruit trees under glass.
What he seems to imply is, that orchard-houses have as yet
failed to realise all that has been promised concerning them ;
and that, although success is possible, yet failures have been
very numerous. But then so they have been in other depart-
ments; and in the generality of cases where failures have been
traced to their causes, they are found to result rather from the
misapplication than the application of the principles on which
the system is founded.

Tt is not a natural condition for any plant or tree to have its
roots cramped in a pot, and yet most of the plants in cultivation
are brought under that condition ; and no one can doubt that
however removed from nature that condition may be, there are
few plants so treated but what seem to thrive, or, at least, are
made to thrive under it; and there are plants which seem better
adapted for cultivation in pots than in the ground, or in any bed
of earth that could be made for them—as, for instance, many
of the Cape Heaths, and other hardwooded hair-rooted plants.
We see them grown to a state of the highest perfection it is possible
to conceive in pots; but I never yet saw them grown well ina
bed of earth—in fact, they appear to me to be so expressly
adapted to pot-culture, that no other condition seems to be
applicable to them. At any rate, I am not likely to try them by
turning them out of pots.

To talk of any particular class of subjects being totally unfitted
for pot-culture, is, I believe, contrary to all acknowledged rules, for
what plant or tree is there worth cultivating at all that will not
submit to have its roots brought within the compass of a pot or
tub? Nor are we influenced in any way on this point by the
natural habitat of the plant itself, whether it be from the
mountain side where it is exposed to bleak winds, or from the
low marsh, from the burning plain, or the rocky dell, from the
running stream of water, or suspended in the air ; we have plants
under cultivation in pots which represent all these conditions of
humidity and temperature, and all seem to adapt themselves
kindly to the circumstance, provided their natural conditions of
air, light, heat, moisture, and soil, are afforded. Still, as
before mentioned, there are some plants which seem better
adapted to pot-culture than others; and while I for one would

296 ‘

rather grow fine-rooted plants, as Cape Heaths, in pots, I should
prefer a bed of earth for the Cucumber and the Melon; and
though I have known them grown well in pots, yet a bed of
earth either in a frame or Cucumber-house, seems to be the
best and most natural method, and I certainly prefer it.

Then, with regard to the Pine Apple. Many grow this fruit
in beds of soil, dispensing with pots altogether, and say that
time and trouble are saved; but whether this is really preferable
to pot-culture, there is, I believe, reason to doubt, for those who
dispense with pots do not always find the course of Pine-culture
run smooth. ‘hen, again, with regard to the Vine: it is natural
to suppose that when Vines have a good border to root into,
they are more likely to produce a yearly crop of fruit with less
labour than if grown in pots. Nevertheless, the pot-cultiyation
of the Vine has its advantages ; and as good Grapes can be grown
in pots, and large numbers of Vines are raised every year for the
purpose of fruiting in pots, there is no likelihood of the practice
being discontinued.

Now, I consider it is just the same with Apples, Pears, Plums,
Cherries, &c., as itis with Vines. We naturally look for abundant
crops of these fruits from trees cultivated in the usual way, and
the principal supply for the markets must certainly be from
orchards; but if our orchards never failed to yield their yearly
supply of fruit, there would be one advantage in having orchard-
houses, and that is for an early supply. But then fruit-cul-
ture in the open air is subject to many vicissitudes. The pre-
ceding season may have been wet and cold, consequently the
wood has failed to ripen; or the blossom-buds are eaten by birds ;
or the flowers are beaten off by storms of wind, hail, or rain ; or
if the fruit set, it is eaten when in a green state by grubs, and
when ripe by birds. Sometimes the yield happens to be abundant
in spite of all these obstacles; but very often the trees are obliged
to succumb, and the owner looks in vain for his return. Now,
it is just in order to evade all theseimpediments that orchard-
houses are built; and if a suitable border is made, and the trees
planted in it, all well and good, They may be kept dry in order

’ to ripen the wood at the proper season, and the buds, blossoms,
and fruit, are protected from birds, blighting winds, &. The
chances of obtaining regular and certain crops are therefore
increased ; but then, many are not satisfied with this, and like to
have their trees in a more portable styie. They are, therefore,
put in pots. In this condition they can be moved about at
pleasure. The roots need not be cramped, if the pots only be
proportioned to the size of the trees; nor need they be starved
for want of nourishment, since it may be supplied to them in
the form of liquid manure. If just enough of thisis given as
the tree requires it, the roots will show no disposition to ramble,
even though they may have the chance, in search of nourish-
ment.

That orchard-houses are often failures as regards the supply
or the non-gupply of fruit is undeniable; but then is it because
orchard-houses are altogether on a wrong principle? or is it not
rather that in individual cases the trees are not managed ona
right one? Among several different collections of potted trees
that I have seen, I have failed to distinguish any indication of
skilful manipulation. The relative proportions of the pots and
the trees seemed to have been totally disregarded. ‘The latter
appeared to have been roughly dug out of the ground, bundled
into the pot in the most careless manner, and the pot filled to
the very brim with the very coarsest soil, then the collar would
stand 6 inches above the top of that, and anywhere but in the
centre—altogether when finished the tree having anything but
the appearance of a well-balanced pyramid. Why trees should
be treated in this way, and then expected’ to bear fruit and do
well, I carmot imagine. The same gardener who treats his
orchard-house trees somewhat in this way, behaves very diffe-
rently towards his flowering plants. These are carefully and
neatly potted, the pots being proportioned to the plants as they
advance. Why cannot the same treatment be applicable to pot-
grown orchard-house trees? Surely the old maxim, that what
is worth doing at all is worth doing well, is applicable to these;
and I fancy that those who are successful with orchard-house
trees, are really as careful with them when young and as they
grow up as one would wish to be with the choicest greenhouse
plant. And wherein consists the greater claim of the latter to
such unremitting attention ? A well-grown Azalea or Chorozema
is a beautiful object when in bloom. So is a well-grown Peach
or Apple tree even in a pot; but in the case of the latter there
isa great advantage, for after the blossom falls the tree is still
an object of interest on account of the fruit. When that is ripe

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ April 21, 1863.

_the tree is again an object. of beauty not only to the eye, but

offers its luscious burthen for the gratification of other senses,

particularly that of taste.

No one who has successfully cultivated fruit trees in pots, or ever
seen good crops of fruit so cultivated, would ever offer a word
in opposition to orchard-houses, unless circumstances should
render them altogether superfluous. If Mr. Robson is not par-
ticularly favourable towards them, it does not follow of necessity
that he should be strenuously opposed to them. In a district
so favourable to the cultivation of fruit as Kent, the advantages
derivable from orchard-houses may be trifling, that of earliness
being the chief, while the time and attention required are increased
very much. But there are many districts where the fruit crop
is far more uncertain than it is in Kent—where, in fact, some of
the more tender kinds seldom produce crops of good size and
flavour. It is insuch places that the advantages of the orchard-
house are seen by contrast, where it is a mere matter of certainty
of the in-door in contrast with the uncertainty of the out-door
crop, and then the management of orchard-houses and their
inmates becomes of double interest. Many are content to cul-
tivate fruit under glass who would not care to cultivate flowers
alone, or to build houses for them; and orchard-houses have
certainly been a means of stimulating the love of horticulture,
and giving it a wider scope than it would have otherwise re-
ceived.

The question may be asked, What zs the successful manage-
ment of orchard-houses? The amateur who merely amuses
himself with a small house and a few trees, is delighted if two-
thirds of them bear fruit im one season, and is content with one-
twentieth part of the fruit that might be produced on a tree
covering the same space as his orchard-house. ‘This is not the
case with the practical gardener; he is content with nothing
short of the same amount of fruit, or even more than would be
produced on the same surface, supposing it were covered with
healthy bearing standards, the earliness and greater certitude of
obtaining regular crops being considered equivalent return for
the necessary outlay.

If regular and early crops are to be obfained by means of
orchard-houses, then certainly these advantages are indisputable ;
but how is that regularity of bearing to be arrived at? and this,
probably, is just what amateurs would like to know, Well, it
just amounts to this: Induce your trees to make fruit-bearmg
wood, and when it is made, harden it and ripen it well. The
former is to be done by encouraging a kindly root-action during
the growing season; a proper heat and humidity both at top
and bottom will do this, and everybody knows what fruit-
bearing wood is when they see it. To ripen the wood retard
root-action, but not suddenly, by keeping the roots cooland dry,
and well expose the wood as much as possible to the sun. On
these points success mainly depends. The next in importance
is, I consider, to let the fresh air have free access to them, and
let them break gradually, so that the new growth is strong and
healthy. Many trees drop their buds and first leaves from
being started too hastily by being kept close. There are other
essential points, as giving them suitable soil, repotting when the
wood is ripened, thinning the fruit and the young shoots, &e. ;
but if amateurs would give proper attention te making and
ripening the wood, their trees would be productive, and there
would be few complaints of failure.

Experienced growers are in the habit of discussing technical-
ities, taking the main points for granted. The inexperienced
amateur catches at these minor matters, and follows them to the
letter. He measures to an inch the size of the pots, toa day
the time of potting, also to an ounce the proportions of loam
and dung of which the soil is composed, or is very particular
about washing off the blossoms when the fruit is set, if it should
set, and other small matters which come naturally enough in
their season; but that plodding, untiring watchfulness on
which success depends is not to be thought of, so that the trees
receive only a fair share of attention when they are most at-
tractive. To the ordinary observer success in any particular
branch of horticulture speaks of elevernessand skilful handling ;
but to the gardener if also indicates hard, plodding industry,
and a watchfulness that in any branch of industry would not
fail to bring success.

This brings me to a point in “T. R.’s” letter which appears
to reflect on the customary practice of exhibiting specimens of
horticultural skill, which is certainly done by the majority of ex-
hibitors with the view of taking prizes. Doubtless the reflections
of a man of genius differ widely from those of the mere prize-

April 21, 1863. ]

taker; but does it follow that every exhibitor is a mere prizetaker ?
What I have experienced in the way of exhibiting has been only
as a subordinate—that is, I have merely assisted in growing the
plants, taking them to the shows, &c.; and it is nearly a dozen
years ago since I had anything to do with shows, so that I
cannot conscientiously have much to say concerning them. I
haye formed opinions ayerse to showing, because I have known
those who have made it a profitable trade and who regarded
their plants merely as objects for obtaining prize-money, and
who would deny that any plants were worth growing for which
prizes were not offered. But then it is not fair to assume that
these are the views of all but a very emall proportion of exhibitors.
I believe that in the majority of cases it is from a laudable
desire to show what can be done by perseverance and knowledge;
and that while some real and tangible momentum is given as
acknowledgment of various degrees of excellence, by far the
most gratifying result is the fame thus obtained.

Apart from the motives that actuate exhibitors, it is un-
questionable that horticultural shows have done more than any-
thing else to bring gardening to its present high position.
They have given rise to competition, and stimulated men to
endeavour to excel each other in producing specimens of superior
skill in that useful and decorative art which is ever progressive.
—F. Cuirrr.

THE VAN MONS THEORY OF FRUI?T-RAISING.
EXPERDYENTS IN ILLINOIS.

Tue following facts have been elicited from correspondence
with H. P. Brayshaw, of DuQuoin, Illinois. The experiments
were instituted by his father many years ago to test the truth of
the so-called Yan Mons theory of the improvement of fruits by
using only the first seeds.

Mr. Brayshaw quotes from memory chiefly, having kept no
record. Thirty-five years age, in 1827, his father procured
twenty-five seedling trees from a nursery, which may be supposed
to have been an average lot grown from promiscuous seed.
These were planted, and when they came into bearing, six of
them furnished fruit that might be called “good,” and of these
“four were considered fine.” One of the six is still in cultiva-
tion, and known as the Illmois Greening. Of the remainder of
the trees, some of the fruits were fair, and the rest were worth-
Jess, and have disappeared.

Second Generation The first fruits of these trees were se-
lected, and the seeds were sown. Of the resulting crop, some
furnished fruit that was “good,” but they do not appear to have
Ierited much attention.

Third Generation.—From first seeds of the above one hundred
trees were produced, some of which were good fruit, and some
“even fine,’ while some were very poor, “four or five only
merited attention.” So that we see there was a retrogression
from the random seedlings, furnishing 25 per cent. of good fruit,
to 4 or 5 per cent. im the third generation that were worthy of
note.

Fourth Generation—A crop of first seed was again sown,
producing a fourth generation; of these many were “good
culinary fruits,” none, or “very few being of the poorest class of
seedlings ;” none of them, however, were fine enough “for the
dessert.”

fifth Generation—This crop of seedlings was destroyed by
the cut-worms, so that only one tree now remains, but it has not
yet fruited. But Mr. Brayshaw appears to feel hopeful of the
results, and promises to continue the experiment.

Second crops have also been sown from some of these trees,
but a smaller proportion of the seedlings thus produced were
good fruits than when the first seeds were used—this Mr. Bray-
shaw considers confirmatory evidence of the theory, though he
appears to feel confidence in the varieties already in use, most of
which have had almost an accidental origin.

He thinks the result would have been more successful had the
blossoms deen protected from impregnation by other trees, and
recommends that those to be experimented with should be
planted ata distance from orcharde so as to avoid this cross-
breeding, and to allow of what is called breeding in-and-in. If
this were done he feels confident that “the seedlings would more
nearly resemble the parent, and to a certain extent would
manifest the tendency to improvement; and that from the
earliest-ripened fruits, some earlier varieties would be produced;
from those latest ripening, later varieties; from those that were

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

297

inferior and insipid poor sorts would spring; and that from the
very best and most perfect fruits we might expect one in one
thousand, or one-tenth of 1 per cent. to be better than the
parent.” This diminishes our chances for improvement to a
beautifully fine pomt upon which to hang our hopes of the
result of many generations of seedlings occupying more than
lifetime of experiments.

Mr. Brayshaw, citing some of the generally adopted axioms of
breeders of animals, assumes that crosses as of distinct races will
not be so likely to produce good results as a system of breeding
in-and-in persistently carried ont. This plan he recommends,
and alludes to the Quince and Mulberry as suitable species to
operate upon, because in them there are finer varieties, and
therefore less liability to cross-breeding, and a better oportunity
for breeding in-and-in. He also reminds us of the hsppy results
which follow the careful selection of the best specimens in garden
flowers and vegetables, combined with the rejection of all inferior
plants, when we desire to improve the character of our garden
products ; and he adopts the views of certain physiologists, which,
however, sre questioned by other authorities to the effect that
violent or decided crosses are always followed by depreciation
and deterioration in the offspring.

The whole communication referring to these experiments,
which are almost the only ones, so far as I know, which have
been conduct:d in this country to any extent to verify or con-
trovert the Van Mons theory, is very interesting; but it is easy
to perceive that the writer, though apparently very fair and
entirely honest, has been fully imbued with the truth and
correctness of the proposition of Van Mons, that the first ripened
seed of a natural plant was more likely to produce an improved
yariety, and that this tendency to improvement would ever
increase and be most prominent in the first ripened seeds of
successive generations grown /rom it.

The theory of Van Mons I shall not attempt in this place to
controvert, but will simply say that nothing which has yet come
under my observation has had a tendency to make me a convert
to the avowed views of that great Belgian pomologist ; while, on
the contrary, the rumours of his opponents, that he was really
attempting to produce crosses from some of the best fruits, as
our gardeners have most successfully done in numerous instances
in the beautiful flowers and delicious vegetables of modern horti-
culture, have always impressed me with a colour of probability,
and if he were not actually and intentionally impregnating the
blossoms with pollen of the better varieties, natural causes, such
as the moving currents of air, and the ever active insects, whose
special function in many instances appears to be the conveyance
of pollen, would necessarily cause an admixture, which in a pro-
miscuous collection, like the “school of Yan Mons,’ would at
least have an equal chance of producing an improvement in
some of the resulting seeds,

The whole subject of variation in species, the existence of
yarieties, and also of sports which may perhaps be considered as
still more temporary variations from the originals than those
which come through the seeds, is one of deep interest well
worthy of our study, but concerning which we must confess
ourselves as yet quite ignorant; and our best botanists do not
agree even as to the specific distinctions that have been set-up as
characters of some of our familiar plants, the most eminent
authors differing with regerd to the species of some of our most
familiar genera of trees and plants.— From a paper by Dr. J. A.
Warder, read before the St. Louis Horticuliural Society.—
(Prairie Farmer.)

DISTRESSED LANCASHIRE WORKINGMEN
BOTANISTS.

Atnow me to thank your numerous readers for their kindness
in sending me the means to help some of England’s worthiest
sons and daughters, in spite of the bad name we have through
the late unfortunate riots. ;

I am happy to say that the older operatives were thoroughly
dissusted with the hubbub that was kicked up by some foolish
lads and lasses; yet owing to those riots I neyer expected to
receive another penny for my little flock.

I am happy to say, however, that the kind-hearted Lady
Nerill has sent me her usual donation of £1, and H. B., 2s. 6d.
T also omitted 2s. I had received for six cuttings of “Little
Dot.” —JouN Hacuz, 36, Mount Street, <Ashton-under-

Lyne.

298
WORK FOR THE WEEK.

EKIQCHEN GARDEN.

Wuere Broccoli and Winter Greens are coming off, the
ground should be deeply trenched, the stems being laid at the
bottom and quicklime strewed over them ; also, if the ground is
intended to be again planted with any of the Brassica tribe, it
should haye some manure incorporated with it, but it is beat
at all times to change the crops as far as practicable. Capsicums,
repot the plants of the larger varieties intended for turning out
next month. Harden them off when they have taken fresh root-
hold. The small sort generally called Chilies, should also be
potted in rich soil as they require, and to be kept ina stove or
warm house. Carrots, the frames may be removed from the
early-sowing if required for other purposes; thin and water
them when necessary. Cauliflowers, keep the ground well moved
about them, and also about the Cabbages, and lose no oppor-
tunity of destroying slugs. Oelery, some of the earliest-sowing
that has been pricked into boxes may now be planted in a frame.
Wo artificial heat is required ; but the lights should remain on in
cold wet weather. Prick out the successional sowings. Dwarf
Kidney Beans, sow on a warm sheltered border; also, a few
Scarlet Runners and Haricot Beans, but these succeed so well
transplanted that it is best to provide for contingencies by sowing
them in pots or boxes, and germinating them under glass. When
well up remove them to the open air, and cover at night, and
transplant them about the beginning of the second week in May.
They will come into bearing more than a week before those sown
in the open ground, and will continue to bear quite as long;
add to this the certainty of a crop, and the facility of protecting
them in the earlier stages when they are so apt to be nipped by
the spring frosts. Lettuce, forward the spring-sown plants where
there is a scarcity of autumn-sown ones. Water them in dry
weather and keep the soil loose about them. Sow seed of the
Black-seeded, Bath, and Paris Cos. Onions, thin out the antumn-
sowing. The plants drawn out may be replanted into beds.
After they are thinned-out to regular distances loosen the soil
between them, Peas, earth-up and stick the advancing crops.
Before earthing use soot for the purposes we have before re-
commended. Radishes, make a sowing of Turnip-rooted kinds ;
water those in frames when dry, to preserve their tender and
mild qualities. Red Beet, sow a full crop towards the end of
the week. New Zealand Spinach may be sown in heat for trans-
planting in May; and Vegetable Marrows and the Ice Plant
where the latter is required for garnishing.

FLOWER GARDEN.

Attend to the pruning of evergreen shrubs. Remove all dead
branches. Hoe, rake, and stir the surface of flower-borders, and
remove all decayed leaves and stalks of plants which have done
flowering. Thin out early-sown annuals in open borders to from
four to six plants in each patch. Give standard and dwarf Roses
a good soaking with manure water, which will excite vigorous
growth and insure an abundant bloom. Autumnal-flowering
Roses, especially, delight in such treatment. Put out alpine plants
on rockwork. Shade Auriculas coming into bloom. Pot Carnations
and Picotees for blooming, and protect from heavy rains. Plant
out Pinks if not done. Make new beds of Pansies, and propagate
from side suckers under hand-glasses, shading them until rooted.
Plant out beds of Stocks, and sow German and other sorts for
autumn-blooming. Continue to propagate Dahlias, and shift
those previously struck, giving air freely to prevent drawing.
Divide and pot Lobelias, and start them in heat.

FEUIT GARDEN.

All trees on walls should now be looked orer, and have their
wood thinned while in the bud, taking-off with the finger and
thumb all foreright buds, and others that are not properly
situated for laying-in. Thin also the young canes of Raspberries
to the number necessary for next year’s crop. By this means
the canes will be stronger and ripen better. Also remove all the
foreright shoots from Apricot trees, and a portion of the side
shoots ; but endeavour to distinguish those which are likely to
form short fruit-bearing spurs, which must always be left.

GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY.

Repot growing plants as may be necessary. Regularly shift
tender annuals, stake them, and give water in large quantities
as they advance, using liquid manure to the strong-growing
Kinds. Forward Calceolarias and Cinerarias, and keep them
clear of insects. Water Camellias freely with weak manure water,
but do not let the water hang about their roots ; keep the shifted

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ April 21, 1863.

ones close and warm. Heaths and New Holland plants to have
abundance of air, and to be watered very carefully. Shift Pelar-
goniums wanted to flower in autumn, and propagate desirable
sorts. Keep all climbers, whether in pots or otherwise, regularly
trained. Keep the conservatory as cool by day as is consistent
with the health of theinmates, This will keep the plants longer
in bloom, and be more enjoyable for parties inspectimg them.
Shading must be resorted to in this bright weather.

STOVE.

Give a final shift to the early-flowering Achimenes, Cleroden-
drons, Gloriosas, Gesneras, Begonias, &c,, and keep them close
for awhile, and water free-growing plants generally with weak
manure water. The last succession of Achimenes, to flower late
in the season, should now be placed in heat. Employ pans or
broad shallow pots for their general cultivation, and as they
require an abundant supply of moisture when they are in flower,
let the drainage be as efficient as possible in order that they may be
freely watered without stagnating and souring the soil. Orchids
are now progressing fast, and will require attention in shading
daily and gradually increasing the humidity of the house, so as to
keep pace with the increase of solar lightand heat. If the roofis
covered with the creepers a little management in training them,
to effect a judicious shading of the plants beneath, will save
much trouble with external shading, which will only be needed
on very bright days, and add much to the appearance of the
house.

PITS AND FRAMES. Z

Clear out some of the hardier bedding-out plants which have
been under glass during winter, place them in some sheltered
situation, and where they can be readily protected in case of
frost or cold cutting winds. This will make room for some of
the young stuff potted-off some weeks ago. Ww.

DOINGS OF THE LAST WHEE.

KITCHEN GARDEN.

Srarzmye Peas, manure-watering Broccoli, Cabbage, &c., turn-
ing and banking-up linings of Cucumber-beds, liming Radishes,
TVurnips, &c., and taking lots of the Greens tribe to the rubbish-
heap, as we do not want to make a disagreeable smoke with
charring just now, and when covered over with rough earth
the stalks and tops will be good compost before the middle of
the winter. Threw dung, leaves, &., together for a small fer-
menting-heap, and after this begin to be more independent of dung
for artificial heat, as the mowings from the lawn come in, as these
can be made to give a good heat for temporary purposes. General
work much the same as the last and previous weeks.

FRUIT GARDEN.

Turned out all the Strawberry plants done fruiting, and planted
them for autumn and next year. Thinned Grapes. Average
temperature 60° at night, and 75° to 85° during the day when
the sun shines, Second vinery coming strong at a lower tem-
perature; will regulate it as soon as possible, as all the rods are
not yet in their placzs, as we were obliged to bend some to cause
them to break regularly. Late vinery has all the wood close to
the front of the house, and is kept as airy and cool as possible ;
but we have nof been able to keep it from breaking, so that
we shall have to tie up to prevent rubbing off young shoots
and fruit, though to all appearance there will be plenty of the
latter to spare. We should like to keep them quiet as much as
possible for some time yet, so that the fowering would come on
in the hot weather, as after that time there should be less of any-
thing like a check; and if this simple principle is kept in view,
amateurs may have pretty early Grapes in autumn with the
smallest expenditure from the coalheap. The shutting-in the
sun’s rays is the best of all heat; and the economist’s motto, with
a combination of safety, should be, “ Give air early in the morn-
ing, and take it away early in the afternoon.” If coal is no object
leaye air on constantly, but a rather close atmosphere at night is
less dangerous if air is given early in the morning ; and small
openings soon change the atmosphere of a house. Nipped the
shoots of Figs when necessary, making sure of some stumpy
pieces to stand over the autumn, and watered them at the roota,
the crops being extra heavy. Thinned ont any shoots to spare
in the Peach-house, and must thin the Strawberry-pots on
shelves ere long, as they tend to darken the house too much,
Laid out Melon-runners on the plan described last season.
Sowed a few more for late crops, haying plenty in good-sized

pots to turn out as soon as room can be obtained, and had |

April 21, 1863. ]

another cleaving at the trees in the orchard-house, having had
an extra supply of the brown or black beetle, the larve of the
Aphis Persicm, last Sunday.

Aphis Persice.—We are sorry that “ X. Y. Z” has this pest
in his orchard-house—at least we judge it to be so from his
description, and still more sorry that smoking with tobacco,
dusting with snuff, hellebore, &c., seem to have no effect upon
it, That is contrary to our experience. The pest is easily killed
if you catch it, and do not mind the appearance it gives to your
fingers. We have never found it to stand a good smoking, nor
dusting, or other modes; but then, though you kill all you see,
and you think you have conquered him, lo and behold, the story
of the Phcenix is a trifle to this beetle, as, if you leave a single
one in hole or cranny, in the soil of the pot, or running round on
the outside of it, you will not have to wait long until you have
your thousands, or it may be millions, to again slaughter and
destroy. We are also a little more unfortunate than “ X. Y. Z.,”
as we have had the experience of last season us well as the present,
and we believe it must haye come to the place by some Peach
plant or other, and heartily will we wish it good-bye when it
takes its departure. In close houses where smoking can be
resorted to, that we believe is the best mode for settling the plague.
In a very close place, and where only a few plants are infested,
bruised laurel leayes put in the place will not leave a single one
alive. In an open orchard-house neither of these modes can
be resorted to with anything like economy, unless either the
whole house is covered, or individual trees are covered-in with
a cloth which will keep in the smoke. In such a case, washings,
and syringings, and dustings with powder are chiefly to be
depended on; but nothing will do but constant watchfulness
and perseverance, and with these the pest, if not thoroughly era-
dicated, will be kept down so as to be harmless; but the great
thing is to be at him whenever he shows himeelf.

Besides this letter of “ X. Y, Z.,’ we have several other letters
complaining still more bitterly, and we fear if the pest becomes
common it will give work enough. Most of these tell us the
separate washes that have been used, such as old-fashioned clay,
tobacco juice, sulphur, lime, and soft soap, Parmentier, Gishurst,
3 ozs., some more and some less to the gallon; and yet with
all that trouble there is the enemy in black phalanxes ready to
dispute the ground with them. We are sure a short article
on the natural history of the imsect, and some hints as to its
destruction, would be useful. Although we have already given
an outline of the treatment of these pests, we think we may
shortly repeat it in order that it may be supplemented.

About this time last year the insects made their appearance ;
but they were kept down, and towards the autumn we could
scarcely find a trace of them. ‘To make assurance doubly sure,
a8 soon as the leaves were falling we burnt sulphur in the house,
thinking the fumes would kill everything alive and search into
every hole and cranny. ‘This killed some green points of shoots,
which we expected, as we have long known that sulphur-burning
will kill everything soft and green, but that it will have no effect
on the buds of well-ripened wood if used in moderation. After
this, when all the leaves, &c., were removed, several times during
the winter the trees were well syringed with soap water as hot
as the man could bear to use it with a cloth round the syringe.
Then the trees were all washed with a brush and soap and water.
The surface soil to the depth of 14 imch was carefully taken off,
and afterwards the floor was watered with water not far from
boiling, and in afew days stirred up and covered with fresh soil ;
then the trees were painted some time about Christmas, Gis-
hurst, clay, and sulphur forming the paint, and working it well
into every hole and joint and sluicing it among the buds, which
were thus sealed up so far from the air for several months in the
winter. One would imagine that such a doctoring would have
found out eyery live insect, and most likely it did; but then we
doubt if even very hot water will kill the vitality of eggs, and
there is no doubt that, though these pests are produced in vivi-
parous fashion, like ropes of onions in summer, shoals of eggs
are laid in autumn, so that they may escape the casualties
which would destroy the lary in winter. ‘Vhe whole of our
washes, when trees are in a dormant state, have proceeded on the
principle of sealing-up the eggs from air, aud have, no doubt,
thus done good ; but until there is enough of heat to bring the
principle of vitality into action, it is doubtful if the eggs are not
as safe without air as with it, and the expanding of the buds
will so cause the coating matter to crack that air will thus find
its way to an egg if any such should be left. On this account,
in some cases we have found a thin solution of glue one of the

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGH GARDENER.

299

most complete settlers for insects. Be this as it may, we saw no
trace of our enemy until the buds and shoots were expanding,
and, of course, a good portion of the paint in which they were
enveloped had dropped off. Of course, the pest was attacked as
duly reported.

On the trees we noticed two or three shoots rather bad on last
Friday week; these were either remoyed or cleaned. On Mon-
day these trees had a dingy black appearance, so thick were
the insects scattered on the leaves and shoots. A decoction of
tobacco-water and Gishurst and soft brushes were used, making
sure that the wash was strong enough to settle the insects if it
touched them, and not so strong as to injure the foliage. In
washing, the kand was held as much as possible below the
affected part to prevent the pests from dropping. Some, how-
ever, would do so, and as the work proceeded the ground was
syringed with hot water. On Tuesday evening the trees were
syringed heavily all over with laurel tea water in a clear state,
being passed through a cloth, and the water heated to about
130°, the fruit being as much set as we believed rendered them
free from danger. With water at this temperature, we have
cleared away myriads of green fly ; but, of course, it must not
be so hot as to injure the plants. On close examination on
Wednesday, among myriads of slain there were a few solitary
specimens to be found in a sickly state, so at night another
heavy syringing was given with clear sulphur-lime water at about
the above temperature. This strong acid water is thus made :—
One pound of flowers of sulphur and 14 1b. of quicklime are
boiled half an hour in a gallon of water, say nearer five quarts.
This when settled is as clear as sherry, and a quart of it was
used fora barrel of thirty-six gallons of water, and that is pretty
strong.

Po-day (Thursday) we have not seen one alive, and to-night
we will give another good syringing with clear water, and con-
tinue sprinkling as wanted. In such cases we would rather
vary the means used than otherwise. We have more faith in
perseverance, the use of the fingers, and constant watchfulness
than in any one nostrumas a cure-all or kill-all in these matters,
It is not seldom that we haye seen men’s names appended as
testamentary evidence to the efficacy of certain mixtures in
eradicating all sorts of insect enemies, and yet you could not
walk through their houses without having your clothes encrusted
with filthy insects that, of course, you never expected to find
there. In closo houses tobacco-smoking, with or without a few _
laurel leaves or capsicums mixed with it to make it more pun-
gent, with the assistance of the syringe, we have no doubt will
at last conquer this pest’; but then the expense in large houses
will be a consideration, and frequent applications will be
necessary in order that too strong a dose may not injure the
plants or bring the fruit rattling on the fioor.

ORNAMENTAL DEPARTMENT.

Conservatory.—Re-arranged this, taking out lots of Chinese
Primroses and Cinerarias; moving Azaleas in bloom more to the
back to be slightly shaded, taking Pelargoniums to the front
where they will have plenty of light, and placing lots of Cine-
rarias_ in bloom nearer the back, where they will be slightly
shaded. When convenient, Cinerarias and Calceolarias will do
better if set on damp moss, or if in saucers if the saucers are
filled with moss. Next to freedom from frost, moisture and cool-
ness are the great essentials of success and freedom from insects.

Potting. — Camellia-buds Dropping.—Many complaints have
appeared during the season of Camellias dropping their buds, and
in almost every instance we should be inclined to say that it
avose from dryness at the roots, even though watering was given
in the most systematic manner. Inmoving some Camellias from
the conservatory to a vinery there were several that had not the
right appearance, and the flowers were smaller than they ought
to have been: we attributed it to dryness in the ball, and yet
when the pot was well thumped with the knuckles if emitted a «
dull sound, as much as to say there is plenty of moisture there.
Still the weight of the pot convinced us that the ball could not
be wet enough. On turning the balls out of the pot we found
this to be the case. No water had penetrated the centre for
many a long day, never much from the time they had been last
shifted. There are two little matters that young gardeners are
difficult to be convinced upon—the first is, that young tender
plants can be injured by taking them to a cold shed, shifting
them in cold soil, and leaving them there an hour or two in the
cold before taking them back to their warm place. The second
is, the importance and necessity that every plant should be well

300

watered an hour or two before it is shifted into a larger pot, and
more especially if the ball of the plant is but slightly broken or
merely a little ruffled at the sides to let the roots out freely.
Hyer and anon men will be sure to stick ary balls into larger
and fresh pots, and no amount of watering will ever saturate
them afterwards, The water will pass through the fresh soil,
avoiding the dry ball as if it were rolling froma cabbage-leaf or
trickling from the wing of a duck. The only modes of moisten-
ing in such circumstances are either boring holes with wires in
the ball, and filling these with water, or setting the pot over-
head for half an hour in a tub of water. These Camellias we
probed and brought out the dry dust from the centre of the
ball to show there was no mistake in the matter, and before
repotting them the ball was soused overhead for a couple of
hours in chilled water about 80°, and then allowed to drain
before repotting. When any danger in this respect is appre-
hended the soil should not only be well firmed, but that next
the pot should be rather the highest, to send the water over the
bulk of the ball. We would advise in the case of all plants that
throw their buds, or do not please in the flowering, that they
should be examined in this respect, and care taken that the
main part of the ball is not dry. There is just another fertile
source of Camellias casting their buds, and that is the pots
being cooled much by frost before the plants are housed. ‘The

roots are much more easily injured when expanded in a pot than
when planted out,

FRESH SOIL.

_We have potted-off a good number of Golden Chain Gera-
niums spring-struck, as we think that small young plants pro-
duce the best foliage. There is something rather tender in this
still-general fayourite. This winter our general stock has been
kept in rather a low temperature. ‘To have them nice they
should rarely be below 45° in winter. They did not look so
nice as we wished, or, being mostly in 60 and 48-pots, we would
have turned the older plants into trenches with a piece of calico
over them. On examination the plants seemed to haye made
few roots; and the soil being about them all the winter, it was
not likely that it would be so sweet as to entice them to do so.
Our intended treatment, therefore, was altered. A slight hotbed
was made, chiefly of tree leaves. ‘The plants were shaken free
of the old soil, and replaced again in small pots in light soil,
consisting of equal parts loam, leaf mould, peat, and sand, and
plunged in a mild heat. In less than a week the fine white
roots axe getting to the sides of the pot, the leaves are increasing
in size and yellowness, and in a fortnight they will stand any-
where and be fit to go out, and we feel confident in a favourable
season they will do well. We are just as eure, that if kept in
the pots in which they had been too much starved in winter,
and in which the soil, owing to that coolness, had been slightly
soured, the plants would have done little good until the ground
had got warm in summer, and perhaps not even then. Most
likely, too, they would have been as deficient in rich yellow as
those mentioned by a correspondent the other week. This re-

potting, and a hitch on for a fortnight, will make them all that
we wisli—at least we hope so.

BEDDING PLANTS.

We have gone beyond limits; but we crave a few lines more,
80 that no mistake may be made, as it seems some misappre-
hension exists as to planting-out into temporary beds, which is
4 most economical plan where glass room is scarce, and would
be advisable as a saving of labour up to the beginning of April,
and putting the plants out singly. ‘To amateurs, however, who
either can pot singly or keep all they have in pots, we would
advise them to do go after the middle of April is past. We
have no plass for bedding plants, except what we use for other
crops; and as we never think of potting a twentieth part, the
earth-pit and the Celery-trench are our resorts after March,
turning out the hardiest first. One fine feature of this system
is, that instead of watering once a-day, once a-fortnight or once
a-month is nearer the mark; and when the plants are to be
moved short distances, we actually think the plants carefully
lifted do better than when eramped in pots. After this 16th
day of April, however, we would plant singly only such plants
as form nice fibry roots. For instance: on a north border
to-day we have pricked out a good many hundreds of the double
white Feverfew, grandiflora, which is very hardy, but we like
young plants best; and we cannot plant it out where it is
wanted until we do so with Ageratums and Scarlet Geraniums,
&c., when these plants will lift with nice balls singly. But now

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ April 21, 1863.

after this time, unless we could give glass protection and a little
help beneath the roots, we would not single out in a bed pots
full of rooted cuttings of Verbenas or Geraniums, as they would
receive a check, and would scarcely get well established in time.
For all such things, however, we need the room they occupy,
and most likely will need the pots several times over : and there-
fore, though it was only for a fortnight or a month we would
turn them out into rough lumpy soil of which leaf mould formed
a part, breaking the ball of the cluster of plants little or nothing.
By this mode the fresh roots keep near home, the plants grow
on without check, and a very little care at planting time enables
you to divide the mass and plant separately ; and individually
they will suffer the moying but little. ‘When obliged to econo-
mise room, means, labour-power, and command of water, many
shifts must be resorted to; and the plan of turning out at this
time lots of struck things just as they are is one of the best for
us. Had we plenty of room under glass and pots, most likely
we would pot a good many separately,—R. F.

TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED.

C. Turner, Slough. General Spring Catalogue of Florists’
Flowers, Bedding Plants, fe. :

Lucombe, Pince, & Co., Hxeter. Descriptive Catalogue of
Roses, Softwooded Bedding Plants, &c., 1863.

J. Scott, Merriott Nurseries, Crewkerne. Descriptive Cata-
logue of Bedding Plants.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.
*,* We request that no one will write privately to the depart-
mental writers of the “Journal of Horticulture, Cottage
Gardener, and Country Gentleman.” By so doing they
are subjected to unjustifiable trouble and expense. All
communications should therefore be addressed solely to The
Hiditors of the “Journal of Horticulture, Sc.,” 162, Fleet
Street, London, B.C.
also request that correspondents will not mix up on the
same sheet questions relating to Gardening and those on
Poultry and Bee subjects, if they expect to get them answered
promptly and conveniently, but write them on separate
communications. Also neyer to send more than two or
three questions at once.
cannot reply privately to any communication unless under
very special circumstances.

AMERICAN GoosERERRY (HW. Chinnick).—It is the Cape Gooseberry,
Physalis edulis. ‘The postage stamps were received. :

Currant-branca Gros (J. 7. Jones).—This is not at all an uncommon
assailant. It is the larva of the Currant Sphinx (Zrochilum tipuliforme).
Not only the extremity but the entirety of a branch is destroyed by the
grub eating the pith throughout its length. The brown grains are not
eggs, but excrements. ‘Ihe parent moth, not the grub, lays the eges,

Lxcoropiums (4. H. #.).—There is a work devoted to Lycopodiums,

AUSTRALIAN Frora (Zasman).—A work on this Flora is announced by
Mr. Lovell Reeve as about to be published, the author being Mr. Bentham,
President of the Linnwan Society.

Stove Ferns, &c. (P. H. G.).—The work is now printing. The plates
are very humerous, and require great care. You can obtain the Ailanthus
Silkworm eggs by writing to Lady Dorothy Nevill, Dangstein, Petersfield,
Hants. The fronds of the Gold and Silver Ferns must not be sprinkled
with water at all.

VENTILATING-PANE (S. W,, Bacup).—There is no difficulty if a projecting
lap of leac is fixed on the rafter over the upper half of the pane, anda
similar flap is fixed on the lower half of the pane,

Harrrins For Peccine Prawrs (B.).—If you require a large quantity,
you had better apply to some wholesale house at Birmingham.

Oxute (J. W.).— Whether it be an Oxlip or Polyanthus we cannot tell
from seeing merely a truss of the flowers. Whichever it is, the limb of the
corolla is larger, deeper in colour, and more sweet than any we remember.

CaLapium zesrinum (WV. TW. W.).—We conclude that the plant you
have under this name is Alocasia zebrina, If so it requires stove culture,
is a native of the Philippine Islands, and was imported lust year by Messrs.
Veitch.

Pear Sow (H. B.).—If you live near London, apply to Mr. Kennard,
Swan Place, Old Kent Road. If at a distance and you require a quantity by
rail, apply to Mr. Short, Reigate Heath, Surrey, You will see their adver-
tisements in our Journal last week.

Dwanrr YELLow CALCEOLARIA AND GERANIUMS FOR CHAIN-BORDER (4
Midland County).—We have not seen any Calceolaria we like better than
C. Aurea floribunda, The dwarfest Scarlet Geranium we have is Little
David. One of the prettiest variegated varieties is Queen’s Favourite,
Dandy is the dwarfest, but itis a poor thing. Golden Chain is perhaps as
good as any—certainly it is better than Golden Fleece. The white-edged
class are so numerous that it is no easy matter to particularise. Countess
of Warwick is admired by some, but we like Jane, Bijou, and Alma
quite as much.

We

April 21, 1863. ]

PROPAGATING Ficus ELASTICA, &c. (A Reader).—By cutting downa plant
and cutting up the shoots into lengths of two eyes each, one to be under
the sandy soil of the pot and the other above it, and keeping the cutting-pots
in a warm frame, they will doubtless all strike. Iberis corifolia and dwarf
Cistus may be both struck from cuttings in like manner if the cuttings
were taken off when the young shoots are about 3 inches long. Linum
grandiflorum coccinium comes best from seed. :

PerrwINELE (Garnons Gardens).—Not the same.
other is double blue.

Ivy Prunrxe (J. S. Chorley).—Never clip Ivy; the cut leaves become
brown and distigure the plants. Have the shoots shortened-in as needed
by the aid of a pruning-knife. Now is the best time for the operation.

PoINSETTIA PULCHERRIMA PROPAGATING (A Subscriber).—Cuttings of two
joints, one joint in the ground and one out; will strike freely in a hotbed,
‘and the best time we have tried them is the end of July, as the plants then
do not get so leggy as they do when put in earlier. Keep them warm all
through the growing season, and it is only after the crimson head is formed
that the plant may be treated as a greenhouse one.

Fries Fauurnc-orr (A Subscriber).—Most likely your Fig trees in pots,
standing, as you say, under the shade of Peach trees, either lack the
Necessary sun required to perfect the functions of impregnation, which in
the Fig is different from that of other fruits; or, if the plants may have
at any time lacked water, the same result will follow. Your remedy with
the succeeding crop lies in trying to avoid these evils, Hard forcing at the
particular time that impregnation is going on is fatal to the Fig; but the
economy of the plant is wrapped in more mystery than that of most
others. We may also say that in the growing season abundance of water
is wanted, and neglect of this will occasion the falling-off you complain of

PEacHES nov SETTING (A Siz-years Subscriber).— We can see no cause,
unless extra dryness in winter and extra soaking when coming into bloom,
which will frequently make the buds drop. From what you state, how-
ever, we incline to think that the trees were over-luxuriant and the wood
not thoroughly ripene?. We have had much the same happen with an
Apricot tree. It was lifted two years ago; but last year the wood was
vigorous, though not over-strong. When cutting it this spring we foretold
the bloom-buds would do no good, and almost every one has fallen. There
was no strength in them, for though large and flourishing in appearance,
their attachment to the branch was very slender, and in most cases the
germen or young fruit was wanting. We would advise you to pinch the
wood more this season, and in September either litt and replant or root-
prune, so as to secure more thorough hardening of the wood.

ProPaGaTING-HovsE (J. P.).—A place 7 or 8 feet wide and 40 in length,
or say 10 feet wide and 30 long, would suit you. Now, this might either be
a lean-to or a span, and both would be economical according to your
material. If you had bricks, the cheapest would be—wall at back 8 feet, in
front 4 feet, fixed roof, ventilators back and front. For bedding plants
strike everything in autumn, and you would need merely a small fiue to
exclude frost. If you want to propagate in spring, perhaps it would be
best to have hot water all round fcr top heat and below one bed at least
for bottom heat. If we knew more of your needs and the materials at
disposal, we might advise better.

DestRoyine SLues anv Worms—Pine Leaves Decayine (A This-years
Subscriber).—In. the garden in the open places you might use a dusting of
salt, enough just to whiten the ground, but a good liming would be the
best remedy. Watering the lawn with clear lime-water would be the best
and safest remedy. We think the brown spots on your Pine Apple leaves
either have been caused by bruises by tying-up, or they have hed a check
of extra cold or damp, or both, in winter.

Puants FRoM CEyLon (S. A.).—You can neither have the Anwctochilus
nor the bulbs from Ceylon and Sumatra without trouble. We should be
doubtful of the An:ctochilus unless taken up carefully and packed in a
thick-glassed Wardian case and carefully attended to on the passage. The
bulbs, too, must either be sent home with balis growing, or, what would
be much better, marked where they grow and taken up when in a dormant
state, in which condition they would come with leasttrouble. The more at
test the Anzctochils are the safer will they come, but without care on the
passage we should imagine there would be little chance of their doing much
good afterwards.

LoBELIA KERMESINA—BEDDING-ouT (Q. Q.).— This Lobelia is generally
stronger-growing than Lobelia speciosa true. It will do well for pincushion
beds, either with Golden Chain or Cloth of Gold, or even such white
yariegated ones as Manglesii, Bijou, Alma, &c. See what Mr. Fish said
last week about pricking-out struck bedding plants in temporary beds. All
‘autumn-struck are better for being pricked out separately. It is amazing
what a difference the fresh soil does. After the middle and end of April
Mr. Fish prefers turning out into such beds cuttings struck in pots just in
lumps instead of singly. They thus receive less check, grow freely, and can be
divided at planting with less care and trouble than by any other mode. If
you could pit them, keep them under glass, and give every encouragement,
of course, that would be better than planting-out under a rough protection,
but then that suits the amateur who wants a few hundreds. Were some of
‘Us to do so we would need a Kelso for ourselves and a good village of glass
houses. Much of your success, too, will depend on what your Vine shutter
as. If it is board or thick canyass, we can account for its not answering—
it would not be near so good as a piece of calico. If glass, the plants ought
to have done better. We think the Golden Chain, when it does well, is
‘still the best; but Cloth of Gold is much freer-growing, and has a fine soft
feel, as it were, to the eye, and the flowers are a brilliant scarlet. See
“Doings of Last Week.”

List or ANNUALS (Jdem).—1, dwarf pot Poppy ; 2, Schizanthus pinnatus ;
3, Clarkia integrifolia; 4, Chrysanthemum Burridgii; 5, Calliopsis
pygmea; 6, Portulaca, mixed ; 7, [ce Plant; 8, Collinsia bicolor; 9, Oxyura

santhemoides; 10, branching Larkspur; 11, Erysimum Peroffskianum ;
12. Gaillardia picta; 13, Gilia tricolor ; 14, Delphinium Ajax humile; 19,
Calliopsis bicolor; 16, Calliopsis cardaminifolia; 17, Phlox Drummond.
Asyou want to know how these transplant, we may say that 1, 2,3, 4, and 5
transplant tolerably well; 6, indifferently; 7, medium; 8 and 9, well;
10, very badly; 11, 12, and 13, pretty well; not so, however, 14; 15, well;
16, we do not know the variety ; 17 likes a damp and rather peaty soil.
Moist dull weather will enable you to transplant the whole with tolerable
success, excepting the Larkspurs, which are best sown in small pots and
transplanted whole.

Yours is purple, the

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

301

EVERGREEN TO CovER A WALL (P. S. 0.).—The wall being 3 feet high
and in a damp place, we think that Escallonia macrantha is about the best
plant that we know of for the purpose, as fast-growing plants are unsuit-
able. The place being damp and shaded, prevents many of the more showy
shrubs being planted. Some of the Berberises might do ; or a Cotoneaster
looks not amiss, but best when allowed to ramble where it likes. With
regard to perennials for a small garden, some of our Numbers for last year
contain select lists of plants of this kind, which may, perhaps, suit your
purpose. We are also promised an article on this subject from a corre=-

spondent.

One FURNACE For TWO Frves (R. A.).—You can do as you propose
with one furnace and dampers; yet we would rather have a separate
furnace close to the other one for the separate flue. You may manage them
together admirably yourself, but your stoker may not be so attentive.

Vines BREAKING PremaTuRELyY (J. Mackenzie).—In such circumstances
we would allow the Vine to run without stopping, and give more expansion
to the laterals. There is no rule without exceptions. The directions of
Mr. Thomson are admirable, but in extreme cases he would vary them.
It is of little consequence the few buds breaking ; the shoots will yet get
pretty strong, and will form good buds. We should not like Musa
Cavendishii to be subject to a lower temperature than 50° in winter.

FLOWER-GARDEN PLAN (D. O.).—The left-side group will look very well,
with one change. In 1 place Perilla in the centre and Cineraria round it.
We think the other side would look better if balanced in colour with the
left side. There is no attempt to do this, and we think there will be a
wearisome monotony by having all the beds filled or edged with light
colours, as Flower of the Day, Gnaphalium laratum, variegated Alyssum,
and Mangles’ Geranium. We cannot do better than tell you to takea lesson
from the left-hand side. The ribbon-border will do well.

Frowers OF SALVIA PATENS FaLuine (G. D.). — Were it not for the
flowers of this beautiml plant falling with the least rain, it would be in-
valuable for the flower garden, as we have no other blue-tlowering plant to
equal it. Heavy dews late in the season have the same effect as rain.
There is one or two other blue-Howering Salvias less disposed to shed
their flowers than this one, asS. Grahamii and another ; but they are much
inferior to S. patens in beauty ; in fact, they are no better than some ordi-
nary Veronica. We fear we cannot suggest a remedy.

Lerruce SEep (G. A.).—Thanks. The seed has been sent to the parties

you directed them to.

Manure WarTeER For Roses (Idem).—As you say farmyard manure water
is not to be had, the next best is sewerage, which may be laid on tolerably
strong, as the roots of Roses run much deeper than those of herbaceous
plants, and consequently the sewerage is much filtered ere it reaches them.
In default of sewerage, guano water will do. Generally speaking, Roses
benefit much by a good dose of manure water after flowering, as it helps to
restore them from the exhausted condition a heavy crop of flowers leaves

them in.

Paint For Posts (A. Q.).—Nothing preserves either the end of posts
inserted in the soil or tne inside of plant-tubs, so well as charring them.
Creosote would be as good as linseed oil in the mixture you mention. We
should mix two gallons of hot (not boiling) coal tar witn one gallon of
creosote. The latter is poisonous.

Acacra Propacatina (B. B.).—A. armata, Drummondi, grandis, and
others strike freely from cuttings taken off the young wood when about
2 inches long and put into sandy soil in ahotbed. Many of the species also
seed and reproduce themselves that way. The specimen you send seems to
be A. Heisterii. The greatest enemy to Acacias is the white scale, which
is very difficult to exterminate. If it be confined to the old wood a slight
coating with sweet oil, laid on with a camel’s-hair brush, is the best remedy
we have tried, as it improves rather than deteriorates the appearance of the
wood. Your Cinerarias were not better than many others already in culti-
vation.

ALoE FLOWERING AND OUTGROWNG THE House (F. F.).—If you could
turn the plant out and erect some covering vhat would shelter the flower
from rain end extreme sun, and at the same time not shade the plant, it
would continue in flower much longer than if fully exposed. The plant
will bear all the cold we are likely to have; in fact, it is all but hardy.
But if you wish to preserve the bloom in a state of beauty as long as
possible, it must not be exposed to all weathers.

Wuuite Variety oF Vinca MINoR (Sible Hedingham).—It is mentioned
in “‘ British Wild Flowers,” published at our office. It is not uncommon.

Insucr iv ORCHARD-HOUSE (X. FY. Z.).—See “* Doings of Last Week.”

Names oF Piants (Constant Subscriber).—No. 1, Stellaria holostea ; 2,
Caltha palustris; 8, Viola canina; 4, Arum maculatum; 95, Polypocium
vulgare. (J. C. H.).—1, Ribes sangnineum; 2, some Berberis, but the
leaves are imperfect; 3, leaf only. (J. D., Forfarshire).—1, Petasites
vulgaris; 2, Mercurialis perennis ; 3, Nepeta glechoma.

POULTRY, BEE, and HOUSEHOLD CHRONICLE.
—— eee OO

POULTRY-JUDGING IN PRESENCE OF THE
PUBLIC.

Prstic attention seems at the present time more than usually
directed to the judging of our general poultry exhibitions, and
among the many new arrangements that have for a time been
adopted and then proved useless, perhaps nothing has been
suggested more fraught with objections than that of awarding
the premiums in the presence of contending exhibitors. The
principle is based on ground the most open to produce conten=
tions of any hitherto known; for it would indeed be a matter
of difficulty to devise a plan so well calculated to sow broadcast
the very elements of dispute as the one just referred to.

I was present a short time back at a meeting where the system
was fairly tried, and it was by no means an easy matter for any

302

casual bystander to determine who were the most deserving of
commiseration, the Judges themselves or the disappointed com-
petitors. Grouped within a few feet only of the arbitrators
followed a throng, not only of parties curious to know the result,
but still more so by those whose actual contending interests were
strongly implicated in the decisions. It must be evident on the
slightest reflection that where so conflicting desires for mastery
exist, the usual routine of consistency will not be very rigidly
adhered to where openly spoken and timely suggestions are
hoped to warp the opinions of those officiating.

‘The impropriety of competitors requesting Judges to “ re-
consider” before making their final awards was thrown aside as
useless etiquette, and the matter was at length so extravagant
that cheers or murmurs followed the affixing of almost every
card, whilst a corresponding measure of dispute and abuse not
unfrequently broke out among the respective owners themselves,
and in these latter cases blows seemed imminent.

I find that about five years since the same plan produced pre-
cisely the same result; when reduced to practice, though then
tried in very far distant localities. ;

I have not ever seen anything so productive of wrangling and
dispute among exhibitors, or so utterly objectionable to arbitra-
tors; nor would it be necessary to encroach on your pages had
not application been made to several committees to adopt the
plan complained of. Surely the awards at any exhibition should
be so conducted as not to permit for a moment any interference
with the officials, on whose deliberate and unmolested scrutiny
so much depends. It ia, therefore, in the hope to bring the
matter more fully under the consideration of those interested in
the perpetuity and welfare of poultry exhibitions that these few
remarks have been indited by—An AMATEUR.

POWTERS—A HINT.

Every lover of pets, whether of Bantams, Rabbits, Pigeons,
or Hawks, or of the “smaller deer” Doves, singing birds, or
white mice, residing in or near to Bath, any time between the
beginning of this century and a few years since, knew “ Old
Hobbs, bird-dealer, No. 1, Trim Bridge,” in that beautiful
city. Perhaps my mention of this old man may revive in some
of your readers the memory of a friend of bygone days. How-
ever that may be, I knew the old Hobbs but of some ten years
ago. Far gone was he towards eighty—a thin, bent, small old man,
with sharp piercing eyes, and aquiline nose, quaintly clad in
short jacket and fur cap. He lived among his birds eyery day,
and all day long, and so bird-like had he grown—to my eye, at
least—that if I had found him some day in one of his larger
cages quietly feasting on hempseed I should have been scarcely
surprised. Poor old man! his life had been no path of roses.
Sorely vexed was he, too, by intrusive boys who would hang
over the half-door of his shop, and somewhat angrily did he
rate them; powerless anger, alas! for the next minute they
returned, eyeing the little shop all over, and criticising its in-
habitants. A little short, and curt, and crusty was he also to
new customers, but he had seen better days, to which, after I
had become a crony of his, he was wont to refer with sadness:
hence I held him excused, and I daresay every thinking person
would.

“Such a pair of Pigeons, sir,” he would say, “I used to sell
for 30s. a-pair, and now I don’t get 10s. for them; but no
gentlemen keep the birds now, only schoolboys;” and then he
would add bitterly, “and they make presents of them, There’s’
no trade now-a-days.”

But to my tale. I pitied the old man, and asked him to spend
a day with me in the country, and never shall I forget his
softened.look. ‘Thank you, sir; very kind of you, but I can’t
leave them;” waying his hand towards his feathered and furred
family. Forthwith we were friends; he always let me know if
he had anything choice, and welcomed me with a smile. Now,
I never knew old Hobbs’ equal in knowledge of Pigeons. One
day, standing before a cage of fine Blue Powters, I said, “ Pity
they wo’n’t bring up their own young ones; for it makes keep-
ing them so troublesome.” "7

_ ‘Nonsense, sir, they will if there ’re only fed properly. Now,
listen to me, sir; feed them on beans, and they will rear their
young as well as any Pigeons.”

It happened that a friend of mine bought these very Powters ;
they had several pairs of young ones, none of which they reared.

He then fed them on beans, and I saw them some months after-

JOURNAL OF HORTIOULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ April 21, 1863.
|
wards with several pairs of young ones parading im front of my |
friend’s house. This, then, is the hint I beg leave to give to
your Powter-loving readers. I myself have not been a breeder
of Powters for some years. Hven if the plan of bean-feeding
does not answer with every pair, still, if ib does with some, here
isa gain: and if your knowing readers already know it, and
smile at my want of knowingness, still, on all hands, I hope my
motive for communicating this fact (a fact in one case at least),
will be my full apology.
I the more readily send this, as mM none of the Pigeon-books
I possess, neither the old ones nor the two newer works, not |
even in that admirable and exhaustive one by Mr. Brent, “‘ The
Pigeon-Book”—the only one I know up to the present day—is
the necessity of feeding Powters on beans mentioned.— WiLT-
SHIRE RECTOR. |
P.S.—Just let me add that a son of old Hobbs carries on, not
unworthily, his father’s business.

KEEPING DUCKS.

Ip is said that a nobleman on coming of age once asked in
despair, on being told.he had £50,000 per annum, “ What
could a man do with £50,000?” Many of our readers—and we
hold the same opinion ourselyes—think a great deal may or
might be done. It takes our breath away to think of such an |
income, We fancy we would do nothing but good; we would
restore the golden age to the place fortunate enough to be our
residence ; we would encourage virtue, put down vice, and keep
lots of poultry. This puts us on our feet again. It isa common
thing to hear thé owner of a thousand acres lament his inability
to keep more than one breed for want of convenience, and regret
that he cannot keep Ducks because he has not a piece of water.

We have six poultry-houses on an acre of land. It is an |
orchawd, crowded on two sides with trees. Hach house is 12 feet
long by 6 wide, 6 feet high in front, with a slated roof, slanting
to 4 feet in height at the back. .An enclosed space in front of
each house is 21 feet long by 12 wide. Hach house has aseparate
breed for tenants, and each has the run of the orchard for two
hours every day, This involves no trouble. ‘he fowls look for
their liberty, and return cheerfully to their confinement. Of |
course the breeds are selected. hey are Oochins, Spanish,
Brahmas, and Créve Cours. We should not expect Dorkings to |
do as well. It is impossible for any birds to be in higher con- *
dition than these are. heir food 1s ground oats twice per day,
whole corn given sparingly at midday, Indian corn once per
week. :

Now for Ducks. People imagine that a lake is almost a
necessity for half a score of Ducks. Itis a mistake. We keep |
a great many, and, protected by our incognito, we do not blush
to say they have in the way of water only a ditch, This is.
perhaps, 18 inches deep in places. his isall that is necessary.
They enjoy it very much, they are in perfect health, they lay
and breed well. The plain and sober truth is, that Ducks do
not live on the water because they can swim, any more than
birds live in the air because they can fly. Ordinary Ducks and
Geese seldom take to the water except asa refuge. It is wanted
for the condition and comfort of their plumage, it has much to
do with their health ; but for all necessary or useful purposes a —
puddle is sufficient, if it be 18 inches deep.

LARKS AND WAGTAILS.

AnrHougH the Larks, Pipits, and Wagtails have by natu-
ralists been separated into three orders, still I think there is
even more similarity between them than there is between .some |
of those birds classed in one order as Finches.

Of the Larks proper’ we have only two species common in
this country—the Skylark and the Woodlark ; the Crested Lark,
common on the Continent, is only a rare visitant to England.

Of Pipits we have more species, all of which are frequently |
confused under the common title of Vitlarks, The commonest
is the Meadow Pipit or common Pipit Lark, which, like the |
Skylark and Woodlark, remains with us all the winter. The
next is the Tree Pipit, which is the true Ditlark of the London
bird-fanciers—a delicate bird much prized for its song, and
which is migratory, passing only the summer months in this
country. We have also the Rock Pipit or Shorelark, a rather”
local bird, more frequently found on the seacoast, and one or
two others occasionally met with, but which can scarcely
called English birds. sy

|

April 21, 1863. ]

Of Wagtaila we have three species :—The Yellow Wagtail or
Woolwhite, a tender migratory bird, which is not very common,
and leaves us in autumn for a warmer clime; the Grey Wag-

tail, which has some yellow in its plomage and is often confused
with the preceding, and which is more frequently met with,
and remains all the winter ; as does the common or Pied Wag-
tail, whose black, white, and grey pied plumage is well known,
as well as its common names of Paddy Wash Dish, Dishwasher,
or Water Wagtail. Ali these birds run on the ground—they do
not hop. They are insect-feeding. Their legs are long, and the
feet ill-adapted for perching. ‘Whe tertiary feathers are long,
_ forming a covering for the wings, in which respect they slightly
resemble the Waders. The gradations of variation from the
Skylark, through the Pipits, down to the common Pied Wagtail,
are very gradual.

The Skylark is a very ‘useful bird in the destruction of insects
| ‘of many sorts. Wireworms are largely consumed by him, and
hhe prefers the open fields, where tree-perching birds are less
"frequent. When hard pressed in cold weather he will eat a few
small seeds and even oats when he can find them, if insect-

food is scarce; but as his billis not formed for seed-shelling,
it is a great labour for him to extract the kernel from the husk,
which feat he performs by pinching the oat at the base and
beating it on the ground till he knocks it out. He will also eat
"8 few blades of grass or leaves of clover : and hence some farmers
foolishly blame the birds, never considering the great good they
do in the destruction of insects that would damage an immense
; proportion of the crops, while the injury done by Larks is in reality
| a mere trife. The Woodlark is more a bird of the waste and
| wild parts, though it often comes on the arable land. In food
he is even more strictly insectivorous. His song is considered
the mest plaintive, wild, and flute-like of all birds, and by the
fancier is even preferred to the merry carol of the Skylark.

Pipits are also useful birds, frequenting the commons, downs,
meadows, and fields, and feeding on insects all the year round.
The Tree Pipit or Titlark, however, prefers enclosed fields where
trees or high hedges are handy, from which they collect cater-
pillars to feed their young on, and from which they spring into
the air, rising a)most perpendicularly to some height, when,
stretching out their wings, they again descend, singing as they

come down. Their song Is appreciated by bird-fanciers, though
Tam not aware that they regard that of the other Pipits.

Wagiails are rarely kept in cages. They may be said to feed
everywhere; but seem to prefer short pastures, where they play
round the grazing cattle, catching the flies and insects disturbed
by them, or along the margins of streams, where they catch the
gnats and other insects which there abound. No fault can be

_ found with these merry active birds that take neither grain nor
fruit, and they should be always protected and encouraged.
No wanton nest-destroying should ever be allowed by those who
cultivate the soil. Birds are sent each in their respective place
to keep in check insects that would otherwise entirely demolish
all crops. What would then be our condition?

IT am much ‘in hope that the time is not far distant when this
subject will receive the attention it deserves. At present insects
_ are far too numerous, and often are complaints made of their
_ Yayages, and the failure of crops through their agency ; and little is
‘said of the thinning of many crops by agents which are, perhaps,
often not even suspected, because they work under ground or

_ unnoticed.

| Birds are man’s great allies, sent to feed on these his foes ; and

_ I feel that they have but small credit for their services, which are

_ yery great—quite incalculable, while if they doa trifling injury,

or cause some annoyance, they receive an exaggerated amount of

"blame. Yee, even when seen looking for some insects they are

" not unfrequently blamed for the damage done by the very insect

‘they are im search of. Being accessories after the act, or in

Suspicious proximity, is often suificient condemnation. I must,

therefore, use my pen in pleading the cause of the birds—not
that I would deprive the schoolboy of his bird-nesting, or
check the young naturalistin the bud. I see but little cruelty
in taking the ezgs from the nest while yet fresh laid if any use
can be made of them; such, for instance, as a collection where

Care is taken of them, and only a few of each species arerequired,

or it may be a poor child may take the fresh eggs to boil or to

make custards of, or put ina cake or pudding. Im such cases I

See no more cruelty in the act than that of using the eggs of

domestic poultry. But when boys, or even men, ruthlessly destroy
every nest they find, whether hardzet or containing young, then

I consider it a wanton cruelty that should be checked in every

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

303

way. Or if an epicure likes Larks or Wheatears, or such small
fry, I am not one of those who would object to his eating them
in moderation. Tsee no wrong in a person killing a pair of each
sort to form a stuffed collection, or catching them to keep a
living one, to enjoy their song, or watch their habits. I believe
that all things are given for man’s use; and if boys like to catch
Sparrows to convert into a pudding, I would not say them nay.
But wholesale destruction of birds for the mere sake of killing,
vindictive poisoning, and indiscriminate nesting, I think shows
a cruel and ignorant mind which calls for reprobation.

Few birds, even those thought to be destructive, do a tithe of
the injury laid to their charge ; for an ignorant person, annoyed
at some frifling loss which a little forethought might have saved,
often, I fear, retaliates on the birds for his own neglect. Such
an one will use poison or advocate indiscriminate bird-murder,
and he assuredly will cause greater loss another season to him-
self and neighbours by the rapid increase of insects. These
proceedings are what I wish to deprecate, and I fear they are
too common. To say the least of it, such a course is “ penny
wise and pound foolish.” It is here I must apply to the preju-
diced. If they could but perceive the loss they bring on them-
selves, and perceive the cause and effect, the breeches-pocket
account would bs the most convincing argument.—B. P. BRENT.

BEE-FEEDING..-

Ts “Aw AyRsuire BEE-KEEPER” right in hinting that our
friends on the north side of the Tweed are so addicted to the use
of the bottle that they begrudge it to their bees? Never having
crossed- that famous stream, I cannot myself determine the
question ; but this I can say, after a most fhorough trial of the
bottle, it is the best bee-feeder ever contrived. During the last
three bad seasons I must have administered upwards of a ton of
food by its means without the slightest accident, or the least in-
convenience. Recent observation in a friend’s apiary leads me,
howeyer, to advise that in all cases where a wwide-mouthed bottle
is used, a piece of perforated zinc should be interposed ; as if this
be omitted, and the top of the hive be net perfectly level, the
food is apt to run out.—A DEvoNsHIgE BEe-KEEPER.

MORTALITY OF HIVES.

As in the communities of men so in the communities of bees?
the influences which affect their welfare, either for good or evil,
often date long prior.to the results which flow from them. The
year"1862 was notoriously the most adverse for bees which has
been experienced for along period back, while the two preced-
ing years were scarcely much better. A series of unpropitious
seasons thus following each other in close succession, the autumn
of 1862 witnessed a state of matters lamentable to contemplate,
and which the experienced apiarian knew well would in due time
be productive of those dire evils and calamities which are now
being felt with such awful severity throughout the whole length
and breadth of the land. And what was the state or condition
of the great majority of hives at that season? Why, they were
in eyery respect in the most unsatisfactory state possible. They
lacked what I consider to be the three great and essential requi-
sites which constitute a thoroughly good colony—namely, suffi-
ciency of bees, sufficiency of food, and a perfectly and permanently
prolific queen. The consequences are that from one or other of
these causes the mortality of hives this spring is immense.
Whole apiaries, in many cases, have become completely extinct,
while here and there in every bee-keeper’s garden may be seen
the sad evidences of disaster and ruin; and such has been the
unfavourable nature of this season up to the period I write
(10th April), that unless good weather set in without delay, a
third of those which still survive will droop away and die, or
become eventually good for nothing. One of your correspon-
dents prophesies in No. 106, that “we shall have a fine
summer for honey if only we have a dry and cold six weeks
before us.” All I can say in regard to this prophecy is that if
the fine honey season in prospect cannot be had without the
preliminary six weeks of cold, I fear we shall haye few bees to
enjoy it, and that the opening flowers of the looked-for summer
will be doomed, so far as the bees are concerned,

‘To blush unseen,
And waste their sweetness in the desert ait.”

But let us hope for better things. A speedy change of weather

304 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE

will prevent this evil, while a continuation of the present cold
dry weather will be utter ruin to many weak hives still holding
out hopes of recovery.

One of the reasons which I have above assigned for the ruin
of not a few hives this spring refers to the imperfect fecundation
of the queen. One form or manifestation of this abnormal state
is alluded to by your correspondents “B. & W.” and “ A Dzyon-
SHIRE Brx-KrEPER’’ in the Journal of April 7, in the case of
such queens as produce only drone-brood. Whether we refer this
abnormal condition of the queen to the Dzierzonian doctrine of
* parthenogenesis ” or the Huberian theory of “retarded impreg-
nation”’ is of little consequence so far as results are concerned ;
for I suppose we are all agreed as to the uselessness of such queens.

I observe that both of the correspondents alluded to intend
to avail themselves of the drone-brood thus produced as helps
in the process of artificial queen-rearing. If I might pre-
sume to give an opinion in the matter, all I can say is that I
would have very little faith in such questionable helps. I do
not know what sort of drones are produced in the apiaries of
these gentlemen by such conditioned queens, but those which I
have seen produced in like circumstances are generally extremely
puny and often malformed from being bred in small cells; and
if the followers of Dzierzon, like their master, look upon the
most perfect of the drone species, even as imperfect creatures,
“for the production of which,” as Dzierzon says, “ fewer con-
ditions and forces are necessary than for the production of the
more perfect beings the females,” then certainly such puny-
looking things as are generally produced by drone-breeding
queens must be held as perfect monstrosities. But be this as it
may, I should not, I repeat, put much reliance upon their aid
in queen-rearing, and I suspect that little benefit will result from
preserving them, if, indeed, they can be preserved so long; and
that experience will show that towards the attainment of the
object desired with respect to queen-rearing, there is something
more required than the mere presence of such suspicious-looking
and questionable agencies.

I shall, perhaps, at some future time, enter more minutely into
a consideration of the three points I have mooted above as con-
stituting the three essential requisites of a good colony of bees.
Each of these is important in itself, and if the apiarian would
only properly appreciate the importance of each of these requi-
sites and foresee the evils the want of any one of them is sure
to produce, he could with greater reliance in the autumn set
apart such well-conditioned hives for stock as would, in all
probability, not only survive the perils of the winter but the
greater and more trying perils of the spring.—J. Lowe.

®

UNITING BEES.
I commencen bee-keeping last season, my stock comprising
a Nutt’s wooden hive (two years old), one square wooden box,
and one straw skep. ‘The three hives being very heavy and full

of bees, by September my stock had increased to eleven, and on
the 8th of that month I weighed them, including the footboard.

- OZ8.
1

lbs. ozs. ibs. ozs.
No. 1 «. 834 0) Showing a /16 8
No. 2. ... dead | decrease
No. 3, ». 26 6} in weight | 5 10
No. 5,, .. 8l O| during the} 9 0
NOWS Oran aeee .. 25 8) 7 months. \10 0
leaving me four hives (besides Nutt’s) immensely strong,

Proving the folly of destroying the life of these valuable insects.
—A Guiprorp Brz-KEEPER.

AND COTTAGE GABDENER. [ April 21, 1863.
DO LIGURIAN BEES SUCK THE RE |
CLOVER? ;

I am informed that it has been stated, that where the Italian}
species of honey bee has been introduced, it has been found that.
they suck the common red clover which, it is well known, is com=
monly neglected by the ordinary hive-bee. I shall endeavour |)
myself to determine the point during this season, but as red
clover is somewhat scarce in my immediate neighbourhood, I}
shall be very glad of the assistance of other observers where the
Ligurians have been established. One caution is, however,
necessary, since it is stated that after the clover is cut the flowers
of the second crop are a little shorter than those of the first,
and, therefore, common bees can suck them ; also, the flowers)
of the second crop (and, perhaps, those of the first), are very |
often perforated near their bases by Humble bees, and they are
then sucked by hive bees, so that it is necessary to note whether
the bees suck at the base or at the mouth of the flowera,—A
DEVONSHIRE BEE-KEEPER.

BEE FOOD.

Coup any of your correspondents inform me if ever they
have tried the feeding of their bees with infused hops? I have
fed them these number of years with them, and consider it a
great improvement. The quantity I use is about +oz. to 1 1b.
of sugar. ‘The bees take it readily, preferring it to sugar alone.
—W. T. Buanryee.

Carror Sour.—To seven pints of soft water put one pound
of lean beef cut thin, half a pint of split peas, one large carrot
cut into pieces, one or two turnips, some celery, and a large
onion. Boil all together until the liquor is reduced to one-half
the quantity, then strain it through a coarse hair-sieve. Have
ready three or four large carrots, half-boiled and grated fine,
put this into the soup; boil it with pepper and salt to your
taste. Just before it gets to the last boil, take a little fresh |
butter, about the size of a walnut, rubbed in flour, and put into
the soup. Serve it up with fried bread. Ifmoresoup is wanted,
all the ingredients must be doubled, with the exception of the
grated carrots ; and, if they are large, six will be found sufficient
for a good-sized tureen,

OUR LETTER BOX.

Worx on Picrons (H. F. B., Castleton).—You can haye, free by post, f
Brent's ‘ Pigeon-Book” from our office if you send your direction with
twenty postage stamps, It fully describes the different kinds, and gives a
woodcut of most of them. q

Incubator (A Young Amateur).—You might obtain one, perhaps, by |}
advertising for it, We know ofno maker now. Stable-manure varies very —
much in the ten:perature to which it gives birth, and the duration of that
temperature, 1t is too uncertain for hatching purposes, as a regular tem-
perature of 105° or 106° is required. Your Duck egg is probably double- |
yolked, and the occurrence is not unusual. i)

|
Lameness In Ducks (J. H.).—We attribute the lameness principally to fi
the brick floor. It is bad for all animals with long nails at the end of theit |
toes. All Gallinaceze and Game straw does not help much. Doaway with
it, and substitute loose gravel 4 or 5 inches deep. ‘Therunin grass is good, |
especially when the dew is on it in the morning ; but a thorough wash is”
wanted at times. You need not make a large and expensive pond, but |
you may sink a washing-tub, and that will give all the water that is
absolutely necessary. They cannot do without that.
§
,

Dock Ece-zounp (An Amateur Duck-breeder).—She is too fat, and the
egg-passage is indamed. Give her nothing but mashed potatoes mixed
With a little barleymeal as food; and a tablespoonful of castor oil, and a
pill containing two grains of calomel and one-sixth of a grain of tartar
emetic every second day, until the symptoms subside.

ADVERTISEMENT (Colchester).—The charge would be 3s. 6d.

Purcuasine Bers (F. Davis).—You had better buy a swarm of some
bee-keeper in your own neighbourhood. Prices vury considerably in |
different localities. 4

RosELLE PAROQUETS NEARLY FEATHERLESS (M. G., Croydon).—If your |
birds have neither cold, nor are tou fat, nor have been fed on animal or
greasy food, the cause of their losing their feathers from the breast and #
other parts is owing to their blocd being overheated, which causes an —
irritation of the skin, and consequentiy the birds nibble their feathers off.
We would recommend you to endeavour to wean them off the hempseed, —
and give oats, soaked overnight, and canary seed; also a little soaked —
bread, with plenty of fresh watercress, but no animal or greasy food of any _
description. Take care that the birds feed, as you will lave some difficul 7
in weaniug them from the hemp, which should be done by degrees. With
a fine-rose-headed watering-pot give the birds a bath twice a-day when the —
weather is mild, taking care to have the water lukewarm; also place a
pan of water in he cage, |

|
|

305

April 28, 1863. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND OOTIAGE GARDENER,
WEEKLY CALENDAR.
WEATHER NEAR Lonpon IN 1862.
Day | Day Be Moon Clock
of of APRIL 28—MAY 4, 1863. ; Rain in| SU” Sun Rises |Moon’s| after | Day of
M'nth | Week. Barometer. |Thermom.} Wind. aches Rises. Sets. jandSets| Age. Sun. Year,
- —— |; |
degrees. m. h.| m. h.| m. h. m. 8-
28 | Tu | Star of Bethlehem flowers. 30.124—30,017 | 74—82 W. — | 40af4}15af7} 7 2) 10 2 34) 118
29 WwW Harebell flowers. 30.247—80.027 | 69—34 E. == 88 4/16 7/27 2 11 2 43 119
30 TH Wagner born, 1641. B-. 30.085—29.924 74—43 5.E. 208 36 4/18 7) 47 2 12 2 62 120
1 F S. Pun. & Jas. P. ARtHuR B.| 29.913—29.900 | 79—50 §.E. 02 35 4/20 7| 8 3 Damen Se. (0, 121
2 s Abercrombie died, 1806. [1850.} 30.162—30.078 65—35 N. _ os 4 [21 7 32 3 14 3.7 122
3 | Stn 4 SUNDAY AFTER EASTER. 30.146—29.796 59—45 E. _— 31 4/23 7] mises. oO 3 14 123
4 M Bonpland died, 1858. B. 29.776—29.673 | 78—50 Ss. 12 29 4/24 7] 39a 8 16 3 21 124

METEOROLOGY OF THE WEEK.—At Chiswick, from observations
temperatures of these daysare 61.2° and 38,7° respectively. The greates
lowest cold, 18°, on the 29th, in 1861. During the period 158 days were

during the last thirty-six years, the average highest and lowest
t heat, 81°, occurred on the 28tll, ‘in 1840, and 4th in 1833; and the
fine, and on 94 rain fell.

GARDENERS’ BENEFIT SOCIETY.

LTHOUGH gardeners are a long-
lived class, yet their labour being
heavy and their exposure to sudden
vicissitudes of temperature very
frequent, they are among the
classes who are most liable to
rheumatism and other illnesses
temporarily incapacitating them
for labour.

Gardeners, therefore, from
these causes, and from the generally
low rate of wages they receive, are of
the number who especially require
occasional money aid; yet being also
especially liable to change their situations, they are con-
sequently restrained from becoming members of local
Friendly Societies.

Other societies, usually called benefit clubs, are chiefly
beneficial to the landlords of the inns where they hold
their meetings, and too often induce some of the members
to spend as much in drinking and smoking as they have
to contribute to the club. Nor is that the only objection
to such clubs ; for being founded on erroneous principles,
or upon no principle at all, the funds too often fail, and
the contributor’s money has been expended without any
benefit to himself.

The usual principle, or rather no principle, of such
clubs is, that all the members pay an equal weekly sum
to the fund. The unfairness of this to the younger
members is demonstrated by the indisputable fact, that
the older members are liable, on an average, to exactly
twice as many days of sickness in the course of a year
than are the younger members.

Mr. Finlayson, Actuary of the National Debt, made a
report to the House of Commons upon this very point,
and after examining and comparing the returns made
from all the Friendly Societies throughout the kingdom
to the Registrar appointed by Act of Parliament, he states,

“Tn the case of heavy labour the average amount of sickness
is :—
In the first twenty-five years of labour, from
the age of 15% to 40% . 189545 days.
In the next twenty-five years, )
of 403 to 654 b 6 - 391,6; days.”
Other results from the light-labour classes coincide
with this, and Mr. Finlayson concludes by saying, “‘ These
results indicate a law on this point, and to establish the
conclusion that the sickness undergone during the first
twenty-five years of working life, is the exact half of that
undergone during the second twenty-five years.”
Therefore, as regards the individual, it is clear that
where a member included in the first period pays Is. to
secure a sick allowance, a member included in the second
period must pay 2s. to derive the same allowance and
sustain the funds of the Society.
Although for the sake of arriving at this valuable statis-
No. 109.—Vot. IV., NEw SERIES,

from the ag

‘

tical information, the subscribers to Friendly Societies
have been divided into only two periods of twenty-five
years each, yet the returns from the kingdom’s societies
from which that information is derived, shows that every
year of labouring life averages a different amount of sick-
ness, gradually increasing as age increases. Upon those
returns Mr. Finlayson has calculated a set of most trust-
worthy tables, showing the monthly payment a man
engaged in heavy labour ought to make, commencing at
any age after 14 years, to secure to himself an allow-
ance of 10s. weekly during sickness until he has attained
the age of 70, 65, or 60 years.

Taking the limit as 70 years, then if he becomes a
member at 15 years of age, he would have to pay 1s. 2d.
monthly ; if he begins at 30, then 1s. 6d. monthly ; and if
at 45,then 2s. 1d. monthly. This is omitting fractions
of a penny,and making no allowance for the expense of
managing the Society.

That management requires care and circumspection.
Diseased and broken-constitutioned members have to be
excluded, and unfounded claims have to be checked.

When the age of 70, 65, or 60 years, whichever of
those three periods a subscriber has selected, has been
attained, then another aid of a benefit Society is avail-
able, which provides a weekly payment for the remainder
of the subseriber’s life. This is quite independent of
the allowance-in-sickness fund, and requires an entirely
separate subscription.

Mr. Finlayson from the source of indisputably sound
information above referred to, has returned to the House
of Commons a set of tables, showing for what monthly
payments a pension of 5s. per week can be secured, to
commence at the age of 70 years, 65 years, or 60 years.

If the gardener, for example. wishes, to secure such a
pension when he attains 70, and begins to contribute for
it at the age of 15 years, he must pay 6d. per month; if
he begins at 30 years, ls. per month; and if at 45 years,
2s. 6d. per month.

Consequently, in such a benefit society a gardener be-
ginning when 15 years old to pay to its funds ls. 8d.
a-month, may secure 10s. per week during sickness until
he is 70; and 5s. per week for the remainder of his life.
Tf beginning to subscribe when 30 years old, 2s. 6d. per
month will secure to him the same payments; and if
beginning to subscribe when 45, then 4s. 7d. must be his
monthly contribution.

The preceding are the chief objects of a Gardeners’
Benefit Society so far as its members are concerned in-
dividually ; but there is another function employable by
such a Society for the benefit of the community, whether
they be gardeners or the employers of gardeners.

Such a Benefit Society could only be managed by a
Board of Directors and a Secretary. Those Directors
should be men identified with gardening, and in whom all
gardeners have an entire confidence. Those Directors
might have periodical meetings for the examination of
any gardeners who chose to appear before them, and to
whom the examiners might grant a first, second, or third-
class certificate, according to a previously announced

No. 761.—Vot. XXIX., Oxup SERizs,

806

standard. A register of all euch certificated examinates to jhe’) haying been/attested by two Auditors, and countersigned by the

: kept at the Society's office; the value of a power to refer to

whick would beapparent both to the employer and the employed. '
‘© Having thus ‘particularised the objects as well as the foun-
dation on which 2 Society so desirable should be established, with |

2 certainty of its being permanent, we will next consider the

form and rules which we consider it should adopt. :
“As a trustworthy guide in this, we have selected for a basis

| the Hampshire Friendly Society, which, founded as long since jas

1825, is now prospering, and after during thirty-eight years,
meeting all claims upon it promptly and liberally, has now

imvyested in public securities more than £31,000.

PAvRON.
Vicn-Parron.
PRESIDENT.
Vicr-PRESIDENT.
TRUSTEES.
DIRECTORS.
ARBITRATORS.
AUDITORS,
Hoyorary Prysicran.
Honorary TREASURER.
SECRETARY.

Rule 1.—The object of the Gardeners’ Benefit Society shall
be'to raise, by the coritributions of its members, a fund for the

- velief of its benefit members in sickness and old age.

‘Rule 2.—The Society shall consist of benefit and honorary
members resident in the United Kingdom.
‘Rule 3.—Benefit members shall be those who contribute

' either for themselves or others, in order to obtain any benefits

for which provision is made by the tables of the Society.

Rule 4.—Honorary members shall be those, who, not being
benefit members, contribute not less than £5 by donation, or 5s.
by yearly subscription.

Rule 5.—The Society shall be under the management of a
Central Board, which shall consist of the following officers: the
President and Vice-President, who shall be honorary members,
five Directors, three of whom shall be benefit and two honorary
members, eight Trustees who shall be honorary members.

Rule 6.—The other officers of the Society shall be a Treasurer,
a Secretary, four Auditors, and an Honorary Physician.

Rule 7—The President, and, in his absence, the Wice-

" President, shall preside at all meetings of the Society, of the

Oentral Board, and of any Special Committee; and shall have a
casting vote in addition to his own. In the absence of both
President-and Vice-President, a chairman elected by the mecting

_ shall preside with the same powers.

Rule 8.—The Trustees shall from time to time inyest all
monies which may not be required for the current expenses in

“zeal or Government securities; or, with the consent of the

Central Board, in such other ways as are in accordance with the

‘provisions of the act 13 & 14 Vict., c. 115; and such funds may

be transferred, or withdrawn, as the Board may direct, for the

use and benefit of the Institution, upon the authority of not less

“than two Trustees, whose signatures to that authority shall be

duly attested.

Rule 9.—The Treasurer shall be responsible for such sums of
‘money as may from time to time be placed in his hands on
account of the Society, and for the investment and application of

»them under the authority of the Central Board, or Trustees, as

the case may be, in such manner as not less than two of them,
whose signatures shall be attested by the Secretary, shall m
writing direct, He shall balance his cash accounts quarterly,
and supply the Secretary with a duplicate thereof.

Rule 10.—The Secretary shall transact the business of the
Society under the direction of the Central Board; he shall

“attend all the meetings of the Society, and ofthe Central Board ;

he shall keep all the books, of which, together with all

“documents, he shall have charge. His salary shall be such as

shall be fixed by the Board.

Rule 11.—The Auditors, any two of whom shall be competent

to act, shall examine the accounts of the Society quarterly, and

yeport the same to the Trustees and Central Board ; they shall

Prepare a general statement of the funds and effects of the

Society up to the 31st of December inclusive in each year,

Specifying in whose custody the said funds and effects shall be
.then remaining, together with an account of all sums of money
j#eceived and expended by, or on account of the Society since the
publication of the preceding report.

Hyery such statement |

Secretary, shall be presented at the general annual meeting,
together with the report of the Central Board; and this state-
ment and report, if approved of by such) meeting, shall be
printed, and every member shall be entitled to a copy free of
expense, t

Rule 12.—The Honorary Physician shall examine and report
upon all Medical Gertificates referred to him by the Central Board.

Rule 13.—The Dreasurer, Secretary, and Local Agents shall
give such security as the Central Board may require, pursuant
to Act of Parliament.

Rule 14.—An Annual Meeting of the members shall be held
at London on the third Wednesday in April, at which every
member who is not in arrear of his contributions, fines, or
subscription, shall have one yote; due notice shall be given of
such meeting in two at least of the London newspapers, and
two at least of the London gardening journals. At this
meeting, the members shall consider the financial statement of
the Auditors, and the report of the Central Board. They shall

elect for the ensuing year, the President, Vice-President, and
Directors; they shall also appoint the Auditors, and fill up °

vacancies among the Trustees; and take into consideration any
other matter connected with the welfare of the Society.

Rule 15.—The President, or Vice-President, on a requisition
signed by ten members, shall summon a Special General
Meeting of the Society: in each case five days’ notice shall be
given by circular, which circular shall state the object of such
meeting; and at such meetings no business shall be transacted
except that specified in the notice. At all meetings of the
Society, general or special, except in the case of alteration of the
rules, five shall bea quorum.

Rule 16.—Dhe Central Board, three of whom shall be a
quorum, shall meet at London every Saturday. ‘hey shall
appoint the Treasurer, Secretary, and Honorary Physician.
They shall accept or reject the proposals for payments in
sickness, which shail be transmitted to them; and provide for
the payment of all sums due from the Society. They shall, on
the second Saturday in every month, examine the books and

accounts of the Society, and decide upon all other questions »

that may be referred to them; and ‘they shall, ‘every quarter,
take into consideration the Auditors’ Report.

Rule 17.—If within half-an-hour of the time appointed for
holding any meeting of the Society, or of the Central Board, a
sufficient number of members to constitute such meeting be not
present, the Secretary of the Society shall have power to adjourn
the meeting to such time as to him may seem expedient.

Rule 18.—Any person wishing to become a benefit member
of the Society, shall satisfy the Directors as to his character,
obtain the recommendation of two benefit members, fll up the
forms adopted for the admission of members, and make a
deposit of one monthly contribution, which shall be returned to
him if he be not admitted. He shall give such proof of his age
as the Directors shall think fit, when the payment required
from him is governed by it; and if his proposal be for an
allowance in sickness, he shall produce a certificate of good
health from a surgeon: provided always that when he is
unknown to the Surgeon, he shall produce an additional certifi-
cate from some other medical man who is acquainted with him
and his family ; ‘but if there be none such, then from such other
person or persons asthe Directors may consider competent to
give one,

Rule 19.—The monthly contribution of a member shall he
due on the day on which his proposal is dated, and on the first
Monday in every succeeding month. If all contributions be not
paid within a month of the day when due, he shall pay a fine of
sixpence for every month they shall continue unpaid ; and, if
at the end of three months, such contributions, with all fines
due, shall remain unpaid, he shall forfeit all claim to the
insurance for which the contributions are due. But if such
arrears shall have been occasioned by absence from the United
Kingdom, the member may, on discharging within six months
after his or her return, all arrears with compound interest
thereon at £38 5s. per cent. per annum, be again enrolled at the
same. rate of insurance as before; provided that every such
member, if insuring an allowance in sickness, shall haye no
claim for such allowance on account of any sickness occurring
during hhis absence, and shall, before his re-enrollment, prove
the goodness of his health in the same manner as on his firs
admission into the Society. : }

Rule 20.—Every member shall, in addition to his monthly

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. {L April 28,'1868. :

:

|,

April 28, 1863. ]

contribution, pay for management, the sum of 2d. a-month, or
2s, annually at Michaelmas, Every member insuring for sick-
pay, shall also pay, if required by the Directors, but not other-
wise, 4d. a-month, or 4s. annually at Michaelmas, to insure for
medical attendance and medicines: and those members who are
nof so required by the Committee, shall pay 2s. 6d. at entrance,
to the Society’s Medical Officer for his certificate. Nevertheless
it shall be competent for the Directors, if they shall think proper,
to make arrangements for the payment of their own Surgeon
and Agent; provided always that no benefit member shall in
any case be called upon to pay more than 6s. a-year in all for
Surgeon and Management.

Rule 21.—All honorary subscriptions shall be considered due
on the Ist of January for the year ensuing. They shall be
appropriated annually towards the redemption of the payments
for Surgeons and Agents due for the current year, and all
surplus shall be for the general expenses of the Society.

Rule 22.—That if any dispute shall arise between any
member or person claiming under or on account of any
member, and the Trustees, Treasurer, or other officer of the
Society, or the Directors thereof, it shall be referred to arbitra-
tion, 10 Geo. IV., c. 56, s. 27, 28. At the first meeting, of the
Society after these rules are certified by the Registrar, five
Arbitrators shall be named and elected, none of them being
directly or indirectly beneficially interested in the funds of the
Society; and in each case of dispute the names of the Arbitra-
tors shall be written on pieces of paper and placed im a box
or glass, and the three whose names are first drawn out by the
complaining party, or by some one appointed by him or her,
shall be the Arbitrators to decide the matter in difference. In
case of a vacancy or vacancies, another or others shall be elected
at a General Meeting.

Rule 28.—If any member shall be convicted of felony, or
shall resort to any grossly immoral practice for a livelihood, or
shall heve wilfully imposed on, cr attempted im any way to
deceive or defraud the Society, or shall be aware of any such
attempt on the part of another member, and not communicate
the same to the Directors, he shall be expelled from the Society,
and thereby forfeit every claim upon it, unless on an appeal to
the Board they shall direct otherwise.

Rule 24.—No member who is a minor shall be capable of
holding office in the Society.

Rule 25.—2Phe Rules of the Society shall be printed, and
every member on his admission shall purchase a copy, for which
he shall pay threepence.

Rule 26.—All assurances for sick-pay shall be contributed for
according to the rates laid down im the following tables. Nos. I.
and IT.

[Wedo not insert the tables because they ure lengthy. |

Rule 27.—A member claiming sick-pay shall give notice in
Writing to the Directors, who shall provide him with a form of
medical certificate, to be signed by the Surgeon attending him.
The sick-pay shall become due one week after the date of the
Surgeon’s certificate, and be payable upon the production of the
sick-pay paper, to be also furnished by the Agent, and to be
signed weekly, on the day or days of their visiting him, by the
Surgeon and by one benefit member, if the sick member be at
the time residing within any district of the Society. When a
member is not entitled to the attendance of the district Surgeon,
he shall obtain the attendance of some duly qualified medical
practitioner, and the certificates shall in such case be counter-
signed by the officiating clergyman of the parish, or by 2 magis-
trate of the county in which such member resides.

Rule 28.—A member shall be entitled to full pay when he
shall be wholly unable to work, and to half pay when able to
earn a little, but unable to follow his customary employment:
provided always that any member who during the course of
twelve successive months shall have received twenty-six weeks’
full pay, shall then be reduced to half pay, and shall not be
entitled to full pay again during any further sickness until he
has for twelve successive months ceased to receive sick-pay at ell.

Rule 29.—Sick-pay shall not be due to any member who has
not been such for nine calendar months, unless he shall pay
down an entrance fee equal to six monthly contributions, when
he shall become free immediately; or to any member whose
contributions or fines are in arrear ; or to any member whilst he
is suffering from any disease or infirmity with which he may
haye been afflicted at the time of his admission into the Society,
or which may have been contracted afterwards by profligacy,
drunkenness, quarreling, or any act whatsoever contrary to law ;

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

307

or to any member whilst confined in any gaol or bridewell,
except it be on account of debt, and thén one-half of the sick-
pay which would have been otherwise due to such member shall
be allowed to him; or to any member whilst at sea, or beyond
the limits of the United Kingdom ; or to any member who shall
allow his sick-pay to remain unclaimed for six weeks ;, or to any
member who shall refuse to answer any questions respecting his
health or employment, put to him by any officer of the Society,
or be seen to do any work whilst claiming full sick-pay, or be at
any public-house or beer-shop, or leave home without the consent
of the Surgeon, or shall by any wilful act or misconduct prevent
or delay the recovery of his health.

Rule 30.—No person shall insure for sick-pay which together
with any sick-pay imeured in any other benefit society shall be
greater than 20s. a-week, or more than his average earnings.

Rule 31.—No person shall be admitted to insure for sick-pay
whose employment in the opinion of the Medical Officer tends
to induce disease: and should any member who is insured for
sick-pay change his employment, he shall give notice of the
same to the Agent within a month; and if the Medical Officer
shall be of opinion that the new employment has more than a
common tendency to induce disease, then the Directors shall
require him either to leave such employment or change his
insurance to another table; and if he refuse to do either, the
Directors shall haye power to adjudicate on the case, and, if
necessary, expel him from the Society.

Rule 32.—All insurances for annuities shall be contributed
for according to the rates laid down in the following tables :—
[We do not insert the tables for the reason above specified. |

Kule 33.—No person shall insure for an annuity which
together with any annuity insured in any other benefit society
shall be greater than £30 a-year.

Rule 34.—Annuities which are due weekly may be paid
weekly, monthly, or quarterly, at the discretion of the annui«
tant ; but if any payment be unclaimed and left in arrear for a
twelyemonth it shall be forfeited.

Rule 35.—Any member to whom an annuity is payable
shall forward to the Secretary proof of his identity, according to
the form provided by the Society, signed by the officiating
minister of the parish, or by a magistrate of the county in which
he is residing.

Rule 36.—That a book or books be kept in which all monies
received or paid on account of any particular fund or benefit for
which the rules of the Society provide, shall be entered in a
separate account, distinct from the monies received and paid on.
account of any other benefit or provision. 9 & 10 Vict., c. 27, s. 4.

Rule 37.—The accounts of the Society shall be laid before an
Actuary every five years, or oftener, if thought advisable by any
general meeting. If the report of the Actuary show a nett
surplus, the interest of such surplus shall be applied to the
expenses of management in such manner as the Central Board
may direct.

Rule 38.—The returns of the rate of sickness and mortality
required by law to be sent by every Friendly Society at inter-
vals of five years, shali be sent to the Registrar of Friendly
Societies in Hngland, according to such form as shall be
prepared for that purpose by the said Registrar, under the
direction of one of Her Majesty’s principal Secretaries of State ;
and with every such return shall be sent a report of the assets
and liabilities of such Society.

Rule 39.—The Treasurers, Trustees, Stewards, or other prin-
cipal officer of every such Society, who by the rules of such
Society are or is bound to prepare, or cause to be prepared, the
yearly general statement of the funds and effects of such Society,
shali be the persons who shall be respectively bound to make,
or cause to be made, and to send to the Registrar of Friendly
Societies the said returns of the rate of sickness and mortality,
and the said report of the assets and liabilities of such Society ;
and every such person who shall refuse or wilfully neglect to
make, or cause to be made, or to send the said returns of sickness
or mortality, or the said report of the assets and liabilities of
such Society, af the time and in the manner prescribed by the
said Acts, or this Act, shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding
the sum of £5, to be recovered, with costs, before any two
justices of the peace having jurisdiction where such Society shall
have its place of meeting, and, on non-payment thereof, the
same, with the reasonable costs of conviction, shall be levied by
distress and sale of the goods and chattels of the offender or
offenders, by warrant under the Hand and seal of such justices.
9 &10 Vict., ¢c. 27,3. 6.

308

Rule 40.—This Society shall not be dissolved otherwise than
with the consent of five-sixths in value of the then’ existing
members, and the consent ofall those receiving or entitled to
any benefit agreeably to 10 Geo. IV., c. 56, s. 26.

Rule 41.—That in case of any alteration in the place of
meeting or dissolution of this Society, notice shall be sent to the
Registrar of Friendly Societies in Hngland, seven days before or
after such removal or dissolution, signed by the Secretary or
other principal officer, and also by three or more of the members
of the said Society.

Rule 42.—No alteration of the Rules shall be made, except at
a general meeting of the Society specially called for that purpose,
pursuant to 18 & 19 Vict.,c. 63, s. 27, notice of which, specifying
the nature of the intended alteration, shall be given twice at
least in two or more of the county papers.

WE have thus detailed our opinions relative to the need there
is for a GARDENERS’ BENEFIT SOCIETY, as well as the basis and
rules on which it should be established and by which it should
be regulated. In conclusion, we will only add that we shall be
giad to receive relative communications and suggestions ; and if
gardeners will also inform us of their willingness to become
members, we will take steps to have the Society organised so
soon as we have a sufficient number of such communications to
justify the inference that the Society has the approval of the
gardening community.

PLANTING FLOWER GARDENS.

How seldom we see a flower garden which really pleases the
eye and satisfies the mind at the same time.

I have often trod with pleasure a beautifullawn, and regarded
with admiration and delight the fine specimens of trees and
shrubs growing around me, the soft carpet under my feet. The
beautiful variety of cool and quiet-looking green foliage, has
produced a feeling of tranquil enjoyment and refreshing pleasure
I have seldom experienced in a flower garden.

Tet me ask what is a flower garden such as is generally seen ?
Drive or walk to the nearest nobleman’s seat in your neigh-
bourhood, and what do you find? a number of formal beds,
each filled with plants of the same colour, producing, if well
arranged, a brilliant effect, and the gardener who shows you the
place tells you how many thousands of Calceolarias, Geraniums,
&e., he plants per year.

' I cannot tell what effect this produces on others, but after the

first sensation of pleasure, my eye tires of the bright colours,
my mind wearies of the sameness, and I begin to speculate on
the cost and trouble incurred in propagating and growing so
many tender plants which will so soon be dug up and sent to
the rubbish-heap. I should no more think of looking long at
such a garden than I should continue to gaze through a kaleido-
scope without giving a single turn to the instrument.

Perhaps, in the same garden you see a long, broad bed planted
in what is called ‘the ribbon fashion.” Here, at first sight,
there appears more variety; there is not the same mass of op-
pressively bright colour to fatigue the eye ; you are astonished,
delighted at first, but after walking a few yards feel that there is
really no variety, it is a beautiful carpet, nothing more—one
square of the pattern is enough.

Perhaps, in spring you pay the gardener of some rich neigh-
bour a visit, and you find the beds filled with expensive bulbs,
which haye to be purchased each season, and are considered
valueless after their beauty is passed. Does it not strike you as
savouring of ostentation this waste of beauty? Would nota
few clumps of beautiful Hyacinths give you more pleasure than
this evidence of wealth and extravagance?

“What would you have?” says my friend. ‘Are we to go
back to the old mixed borders, where you see a plant in bloom
in the midst of a bare space of earth well hoed and raked to
keep down weeds, and surrounded at equal distances by other
plants, some in bloom, some just appearing above the ground,
and some the beauty of which haslong since passed away? Is
that your idea of beauty?”

Well, I cannot say that is quite my eau idéal of what a
flower garden should be; but I should much prefer it to one
filled with masses of bedding plants. ‘There would be a chance
of meeting a long-lost favourite, which would recall scenes and
faces long since passed away; plants which grew luxuriantly in
the home of my childhood, or in the garden of my friend. I

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COITAGE GARDENER,

[ April 28, 1863.

might meet a little plant once gathered on a romantic spot
visited for the first time in company with those from whom I
have long been separated by distance or death, and though the
little plant may give rise to recollections at once sad and pleasing,
it would be to me ‘a sadness not unpleasing.’” '

But ara these kinds of gardens the only ones? Oh! dear,
no.There are polychrome gardens, such beautiful gardens, little
beds of flowers divided by walks formed of broken bottles, broken
spar, broken bricks, broken tiles, &c. ; walks never intended to
be walked upon, such beauties! Ah! well, 1 am not cockney
enough to admire them.

Now, I will tell you what does come up to my idea of what a
garden should be. I would have a gardon like that at Belvoir
Castle, in the spring, or, indeed, at any time of the year, but
particularly in early spring. here all the ground is covered by
plants which touch without growing into each other; there the
plants are all in bloom, or coming into bloom ; there are masses
without sameness as in nature, where as your path winds
amongst the trees you come upon a mass of Wood Anemone, or
blue Hyacinth. You have variety and effect combined, yet
without extravagance—lovely little plants, rarely met with,
peeping here and there amongat their showy sisters. i shall
never forget the effect produced by Hyacinths of different colours
growing through a mass of Arabis caucasica. wt

But, pray, ye Editors, send some one capable of describing a
garden to Belvoir in the spring, and let your readers know how
to manage a garden so as to be always in full beauty, so that a
place can be found for every favourite, old and new ; 4 garden
which does not require an acre of glass to furnish bedding plants
by the thousand, or the purse of a duke to keep it up, but is
equally adapted for a prinoely place like Belvoir, or the modest
garden of the curate. y ;

I have not the gift of description, and despaw of conveying
any adequate idea of the effects produced by Mr. Ingram, with
materials within the reach of any person of moderate means. If
Mr. Ingram would find time to tell others how to manage a
garden as he manages the one under. his care, he would be con-
sidered a public benefactor.—d. R. PraRson, Chilwell.

ORCHARD-HOUSE, FRUIT.

A BRAVE and faithful knight is “R., of S.,”—mnot more chi-
valrous was he of La Mancha when prepared to do battle for
the charming Duicinea ; for will he suffer one word of detraction
to be uttered against the peerless Orchardinar Do not her eyes
shoot out such coruscations, that one is repaid all the outlay to
sit and smoke one’s cigar beneath her boughs as the house sends
out its brilliancy of colour? Is there a bloom on any cheeks
so lovely as hers? And then when once—coy maiden that she
is—she rewards you with a taste of her sweetness, oh! who
dare say that there are any lips as sweet as hers? And will
he not—nay, does he not—with vizor down (for I remember
how he unseated some poor wight who would not allow him his
incognito), and sledge-hammer uplifted (for he disdains a lighter
weapon), advance to the charge against all who cannot see with
his eyes or taste with his palate?

Here am I, a poor halting serving-man, for I dare not even
call myselfa knight, suffering from grievous bodily hurt inflicted
by this trusty champion, because 1 ventured to fire off a little
popgun, and to hint a slight expression of doubt as to the su-
perexcellent character of the fair damsel whom he delights to
honour. Alas! I have oftentimes been compelled to bite the
dust; and every one who is not contented to go on in a quiet
jog-trot way, and who will occasionally utter his own opinions
without tacitly submitting to be guided by others, must lay this
to his account. But I generally try to shake off the dust, and,
if I have a little breath left, to try and say a word to show that
Tam not “kilt outright.” IY hanes

I think perhaps I ought to have used one word of limitation
—namely, most practical men ‘whom I have met,” and with
that limitation I still hold to my former statement; and how-
ever glad to find that there are some whose acquaintance I have
not the honour of haying think otherwise and have experienced
success, although I quite agree with Mr. Keane that “ Duox-
WING’s” success is a very qualified one, I must still hold that
they are exceptions, unless, indeed, there be some circumstances
not known which would alter the case. :

I happened to meet the other day at Kensington © practical
man,” (and I think my acquaintance with such is not of a

April 28, 1863. ]

limited character), and who knows as much about fruit (I will
not say as “R., of S.,” for I stand in bodily fear of him), as
any one, I believe, in the three kingdoms, always excepting
“«T. R.,” and his word to me was, “ You are quite right ;” and
then we had a little talk as to the native habitat of the Peach,
and the scorching baking weather it has to endure when it is
ripening, and how impossible it seemed to be to obtain in an
orchard-house such a temperature. But whatever may be the
theory of the matter, I never yet saw an orchard-house pur et
simple—i. e., with the trees in pots without heat, and I have
seen a good many, where the fruit was worth a “dump.” I
only have been unfortunate, but such is the fact; and I can
only saythat if I had it in my power to erect one 40 feet long
to-morrow, I would prefer to have a house half the size and heat
it, so as to get a few really good and palatable fruit. But all
these are assertions pro and con., and I think it would be very
desirable to have something decisive on the point.

I am not a fruit-grower, nor do I pretend to know much
about the subject; and so perhaps “R., of S.,” will say, ‘ Ne
sutor ultra erepidam,” and let me stick to my last. I have,
however, an interest in the matter, and would willingly see
something more than mere assertions. To gain this end I would
propose that a prize be offered for the best six Peaches and six
Nectarines; and that size be not considered a material point,
but the merits to be entirely in the matter of flayour; that
**R., of S.,” send his very best, and let them be put into com-
petition with the same numbers of fruit grown ina Peach-house;
and that five members of the Fruit Committee be requested to
adjudicate at some period, if possible, when the fruit can be
procured from both sources. If those who are interested in the
matter think this is a proper way of deciding, I shall be very glad
to contribute my quota towards making upthe amount of the prize.

Mr. Keane has so well put the matter in last week’s JoURNAL
or HorricuLtur®, that I do not think it necessary tu add more
than this—that had the advocates of orchard-houses been con-
tent with moderate assertions we might well have borne with
them; but it is the extravagance of their statements that has
made practical men—I again use the term, though “R. of S.,”
says “‘ soi disané practical men ”—so strong in their statements.
—D., Deal.

FRUIT-GROWING—ORCHARDS OK ORCHARD
HOUSES ?

Berne one of the parties of whom the advocates of orchard-
houses haye made particular mention as being opposed to their
views, I should not have again entered on the subject had I
not found that some of my views were imperfectly understood ;
while the courtesy of Mr. Pearson and the gentlemanly tone of
his letter alike call fora reply. Although we maj still differ in
Spinion on the subject of fruit-growing, the manner in which
Mr, Pearson has put forth his views disarms opposition of every-
thing personal or hostile ; and although I fear I cannot promise
myself the pleasure of partaking of his hospitality at the time
his orchard-house fruit is ripe, nevertheless I am willing to
believe it is good. But supposing I admit that orchard-house
fruit often is good, and I have no doubt that it is, can any
impartial judge say that better fruit has been grown in pots than
has been grown in the ordinary way?

My argument hitherto has been that the system is very
‘Sexpensive and uncertain,” not that fruit cannot be so grown;
for, as I said in my former letter, I believe that good Wheat
and Barley could be grown in pots as well as Pears and Peaches.
But is it expedient to do so when other and better ways exist,
whereby corn and fruits can be had in greater abundance and at
infinitely less cost ?

Mr. Pearson’s letter, however, calls for further remarks bearing
on the subject of trees in pots; and although I haye no doubt
but the very able writer in THE JougNaL oF HoRtTICULTUEE,
“D.,” of Deal, will reply to those who haye found so much fault
with him and the worthy gardener at Winchester, I will explain
a few of the reasons which have led me to take the view | now
do on the subject of growing fruit trees in pots.

I believe I haye, in a former article in this periodical, stated
that my first acquaintance with Peach trees in pots was made
upwards of thirty years ago. A gentleman, extremely fond of
gardening pursuits, and one of the first to introduce the curyi-
linear iron-barred hothouse into general use, took a fancy to try
Peach trees in pots, and being ably seconded by his energetic
gardener, they produced and ripened their fruit in exactly the

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

309

same manner as they ripen now—sometimes plentifully and
moderately good, and sometimes a failure would occur. I am
unable to say how many years this had been done before the
time I speak of, but it was not new by any means in 1832,
This was, however, the first successful attempt that I had seen
at growing fruit trees in pots, and ripening the produce.

Some few years after that, an intimate friend of mine came as
gardener to a gentleman fond of such novelties, and, amongst
other features, there was a glass house set apart for a certain
purpose in August ; and, to make the most of that house during
the early summer months, Peach and Nectarine trees in pots
were introduced, and crops of fruit obtained in greater or less
abundance, as the season and other circumstances determined.
These trees, be it remembered, were all in pots, and were of
different shapes and sizes; some of them were trained flat to fix
against the back wall as dwarfs, and others as riders or standards
at the same place, while some were simply kept in bush-fashion
to occupy the floor or body of the house. Here, then, more than
twenty-five years ago, was an “orchard-house”’ in the sense
in which that term is now applied; but at that time a less
ambiguous name was given to it.

Continuing the narrative, I may say that when the time came
for removing these trees out of doors, which for other reasons it
was necessary to do immediately after the fruit was gathered,
they were placed in a sheltered but sunny corner, and the pots
were carefully wrapped round with hay or straw bands somewhat
after the fashion of the foreign liqueur spirit-bottles. This wrap-
ping-up prevented the sun from heating the pots and injuring
the roots, and the pots were sometimes 80 wrapped round before
taking them out of the house, as it was found that plunging
them always encouraged rooting-through, and was hurtful when
the trees had to be removed.

Having had an opportunity of seeing these trees almost weekly,
and sometimes oftener than that for two or three years, I could
speak as to the result; I had, however, lost sight of them since
1841, when I accidentally met my old friend last summer, under
whose care the trees in pots had continued some ten years or
more, ending, I think, in 1847. When the subject of the trees
in pots was mentioned, “ Ah,” he said, “they were a great deal
of trouble to me; they were the worst things I had to manage,
but I often had fair crops, considering the trees were cramped
up in pots.” ‘ But,” I asked, “how did the produce bear com-
parison with that of an ordinary Peach-house?” My friend
shook his head, and replied that he would much rather manage
four Peach-houses haying the trees planted and trained in the
usual way, than the one with the potted trees in it ; and the pro-
duce of the latter in the best season he ever had fell far short
of what ordinary-trained trees ought to have borne in the same
sized houses, while in general the crop, taking quantity and
quality together, was less than one-fourth what a good Peach-
house would have been. f

This is the practical experience of one who had tried the
matter fairly for a number of years before the high-sounding
title of ‘orchard-house” was bestowed on structures intended
for this class of horticultural produce. I should much like my
friend to have given to the world his views on the subject, but
the above are the main particulars. It thus appears that Peach
trees in pots are not by any means a recent introduction, while
the plan of growing such trees in bush-fashion under glass, but
planted in the ground, is much older still, The first Peach-
house I ever remember having anything to do with in this way
was some thirty-five years ago, and the trees were then old ones;
they were much less manageable in every point of view than
traimed trees, and the fruit were no better. "

I believe that I related much of the above in a former dis-
cussion on the merits of the orchard-house system of growing
fruit trees in pots; I also mentioned having at some time of my
life had a few trees in pots myself. The last of these, however,
was some fifteen years ago, and finding they did not produce
anything like the quantity of good useful fruit that could be had
by planting them out, I adopted the latter plan. I have, how-
eyer, not been an indifferent spectator of what has been going
on in that way ; but like our able and accomplished writer “D.,”’
the usual tale in July or August when the fruit ought to have been
ripening was that some awkward apology had to be made for its
“falling-off” some time before; the trees had bloomed beauti-
fully, and set well, and all went on well until “ somehow or
other the fruit took to falling-off, and nearly all are gone- > Such
is the story one often hears, and I ask Messrs. Rivers and Pearson
if they haye not often received similar complaints?

310

One of the most fortunate growers/of Peaches in pots’ candidly’
told. me that his: success; entirely depended’on his)allowing his
trees every year to root into the ground, which roots he partly
cut: back the following winter, thereby following outa system of
annual “root-pruning.” But I ask, Is this growing the fruit)
in pots? I am willing to believe that Mr. Rivers and) Mr. Pear-
son each grow some good fruit on trees in pots, and I am glad
the latter intends to submit someiof his fruit to the test of a
public show. The complimentary approval of individuals) who
may be kindly treated by an hospitable host ought not to be
taken at more than its worth; itis always much more pleasing
fo speak favourably than otherwise, and few would act) the
uungracious) part! of finding fault with what was kindly placed
before'them. But even assuming it to be proved (which, by-the-
by, has not’ been yet done) that a fruié grown im a pot is as
good as one grown against an open wall, it is only like proving
that a silver spade is’'as good as a steel one); for the: costliness
of theone mode of growing fruit as compared with the other is
about on a par with the relative price of the two tools, The
advocates of the silver spade may call Mr. Weaver and myself
prejudiced, antiquated, and so forth, because we cannot see the
merits of the silver tool, but that does not prove that the silver
tool is best. This simile I will, however, further explain, so as
to’ place the relative trouble of attending to plants in pots, as
compared with those planted out, in a true light.

On the terraces at Linton we have been in the habit of placing
groups of plants for display during the summer season. These
plants are all in pots, and consist’ mostly of Scarlet and other
Geraniums, Lobelias, Huchsias, and such: like, to the number of
about a thousand, and they are all in pots. Now, though we
have a great many thousands of the same kinds of plants planted
out in the beds, the attention those in pots on the terrace require
during the summer months, in watering and so forth, very far
exceeds all that is given to the others; for although I did not
record how often the plants in pots were watered, it could not
be less than eighty or one hundred times from the early part of
May to the end! of October. Now; plants of the same kind
planted in beds had water only once—viz,, at the time of planting.

This is one example of the difference in trouble between
plants in pots, and those in the ground, and it may very appro-
priately be applied to fruit-erowing. The) simile will bear itself
out’ pretty well, but those who dislike such a comparison I will
meet on their own ground, and give another example.

This time we will take Pears, which I see Mr. Pearson does
not patronise, but My. Rivers does. Well, last summer I went
to see some trees in pots that belonged to a gentleman who is
ardently fond of gardening, and which had been received some
time before from’ a) famed establishment for such things: On
Plums, Peaches, and’ Pears, there was, however,’ very little fruit;
but one Pear tree, a Maric Louise, had three fruit upon it, and
the gentleman seemed in high glee at his success. Some time
afterwards he sent me word that they had all three ripened.
This was about the time that I had some of the same kind ripe
also, and I sent him half a dozen specimens to compare them
with his own, and he candidly sent me word that mine were the
better flavoured. Now, the three fruit the gentleman produced
on his potted tree cost him long and close attention in watering
and the like, and this was the most successful tree in about
forty, taking all kinds together, while those I sent him were
taken indiscriminately from a batch of thirty or’ forty bushels of
the same kind which had been grown on open standard trees in
grass orchard, and the gathering, of thefruit when it was ready
was all the attention the trees had’ received the whole’ year.
Now, this case might have many parallels, but I merely place it
before the general reader as bearing on Pear-growing. TD may,
however, mention another circumstance connected with this
Pear, which may not be generally known. ‘The trees on which
thoze in question were grown, were’ ordinary standard trees,
middle-aged, and which only received a pruning or thinning of
the branches once in five or six years, and in) some seasons they
have been more prolific than last year. ‘Now, we have the same
kind of fruit on a wall with an east aspect, and the Pears be-
come much larger, but bear no comparison with the fruit from
the open standard’ in respect to flavour. The latter have a
more russetty appearance, and attain a nice size for table. ‘The
above is a good example how necessary’ plenty of air is to perfect
our hardy fruits, as’ other Pears as well as this one are better on
the open standard than'on the wall, and I can hardly conceive
how'any fruit ripening under glass can be as good as: the same
kind is when ripened in) the open air, Observe, I say ripened,

JOURNAL! OF HORTICULIURE AND COTRAGE GARDENER.

[ April 28, 1863,

IT do\ not mean starved into apremature perfection, or rather im-
perfection. Strawberries forced: are inferior to the same ripened
in the) open air, and the same may be said of Peaches and Nec-~
tavines generally, and to improve the flavour of the latter they
are invariably treated to the greatest circulation of air the house
will admit of. Such, however, is the general way of managing
those im Peach-houses. In orchard-houses the treatment is much
the same. i 6 iy

Havivg carried the above remarks to a greater length than I
intended, I have only space to reply to’ your correspondent,
“R., of S.,” who says, “that the flavour of fruit is’ entirely
under the control of the gardener.” I will; however, ask him
the simplest of all questions, one possibly benéath his contempt.
How are Gooseberries to be grown near London so as to be‘of
as good flavour as those produced in Lancashire? I am not
too/old to! learn, and would like to know much more: about the
flavour of fruit than Inow do, and certainly would consider
myself a very clever man if I had it under my own control. I
would waive all opposition to: orchard-houses, and give “R.,
of S.,” the credit of being an oracle, if he would only put mein
possession of this secret. With regard to the articleof “ Ducx-
WING,” it is needless to say much, since the drift of his argu«
ment is on the side of ‘*D.,”” Mr. Weaver, and myself, for he
acknowledges failing with four out of the six kinds of fruits he
attempted to grow; but as he candidly acknowledges knowing
only the orchard-house cultivation, and thinks himself successful
by managing two out of the six fruits: he commenced with, it
would be ungracious to deny him the amount of credit he
deserves, At the same time: would just say, that before he
again decides on the merits of contending objects, he ought to do
something more than merely make himself acquainted with one
of them only. The readers of THE JourRNAD of HorricuL+
TURE most likely have heard plenty of this orchard-house dis-
pute, and certainly any article on this subject loses much of its
value if the writer does uot give his own name and address.
—dJ. Rosson.

ORCHARD-HOUSE. TREES.

«JT do not like thee, potted tree,
The reason why I cannot see—
But I don't like thee, potted tree.
I like thee dearly, Prejudice,
Thy narrow path is very nice—

I love thee dearly, Prejudice ! ’”

As Mr. Keane dabbles a little in poetry; I am tempted to give
him the above paraphrase from Wordsworth, which: I haye no
doubt he will think apposite and interesting.

But to go to the matter of fact of orchard-houses. I could not
help feeling some little surprise on reading Mr. Keane's: last
article on the subject, for I cannot see why he should have taken
the trouble to write several paragraphs without giving us a par-
ticle of information. He has, it is true, given us three quotations,
one poetical, one doggrel, and one prose—all most remarkable
for their bearing on the subject; but why does Mr. Keane, who
is one of your constant contributors, and whom we, your readers,
think bound to give us sound information, why should he ems
ploy that unsatisfactory phrase, ““we are told?” He may just
as well insert in his weekly calendar, “‘ We are told that at
Brentford Melons are grown in mud.in the openaiz* Would
not your readers say, Why not go and see? andso Tsay, Why
not go and see? Sawbridgeworth is but one hour’s ride, and
there he may see Apricots, Plums, Pears, Cherries, Peaches, and
Nectarines, all growing in a climate apparently well adapted to
them. i

* We are told’? may do very well for a reporter to a news«
paper, but no writer on gardening should employ it, unless it
relates to something extraordinary—such as, for instance, “ We
are told that in the moon Melons are grown in boiling water,
and are always| remarkable for their tender flesh.’ Well, we
should let that pass, because’ we now know that a journey to the
moon, if we may dependion Mr, Glaisher’s experience, would’ be
a cooler to/a lover of tender-fleshed Melons. a

With regard to perseverance being based on well-organised
plans, referred to by Mr. Keane, the culture of trees in pots is
moat firmly based ; for who that has travelled with them eyes,
and, aboye all, their minds open—not walking in) the narrow;
“nice” path of English prejudice—could avoid deducing from
Orange-tree culture in tubs, the trees kept in vigorous health’ by:
annual) top-dressings for hundreds of years; for the Orange
tree at Versailles’ is four’ hundxed years old, and many othera

April 28, 1863. ]

upwards of two hundred; I say, who, with eny activity of mind,

would not have at once asked himself—If one species of fruit

ee can be thus cultivated with success, why should not all
inds P ‘

Again: besides Orange trees, the observing traveller may see
am all parts of the Continent, except the extreme south, Pome-
granates, Loquats, Bays, Laurustinuses, Myrtles, and many
others, all of great age, but still full of health and vigour, and
all growing in tubs, and kept in luxuriant growth by surface-
dressings.

The truth is, there is no limit to this mode of culture. Potted
fruit trees seem to increase in health as they increase in years.
‘My Apricot trees in pots, some of them now twelve years old, are
more robust and fruitful than ever; and in the year 1883, when
they are being viewed, the young gardener of that day will say,
“Ts it possible that this mode of culture was objected to by men
ofa decent calibre of intellect?” and they will surely believe
that Jasper Standstill, M.P. for Dulltown, had numerous sup-
porters among the gardeners of 1863.

I must, however, candidly confess that I fully excuse Messrs.
Keane & Co. for their peculiar mode of thinking. I have
imagined myself to be a thoroughbred and competent gardener,
and I have, in imagination, placed myself in what is called a
first-class place; walls covered with well-trained trees ; every
shoot in its place, and all under my sole direction. Well, in
the course of time, the system seeming quite perfect, my mind
becomes so thoroughly imbued that I listen to a plan of growing
Peach trees as bushes, pyramids, and half-standards, without
training them flat to a wall or a trellis, as some kind of romance
(like Dana’s adventures in Marquesas, truth-like, but not true),
for I find it impossible to tolerate the idea of growing Peaches
without crucifying the trees against walls. Such I believe to be
the mode of thinking of many good and clever men: their walls
have enclosed their gardens and their minds, so that their
gardens have been to them a sort of happy valley, in which, if
Johnson could have known them, he would have placed Rasselas.

Thope I have shown that there is really no credit due to the
originator of orchard-houses. The idea is hundreds of years old,
and he must have been very dull not to have caught it up on
the continent. ‘The only wonder is, that such men as Mr.
Keane, Mr. Robson, and many others were not in the field
before him. It seems almost incredible that they should have
Seen trees cultivated in pots and tubs by surfaco-dressings for
years and years, and yet not have promptly extended the system
to all kinds of fruit trees.

The author of the ‘ Orchard-House,” therefore, may think
himself a fortunate man to have escaped such rivalry ; for who
knows, the book instead of now being on the eve of its eleyenth
edition (eleventh thousand), would, perhaps, after the first have
been forgotten P

Mr. Keane can, perhaps, inform us if any pamphlets were
published on Polmaise heating and Vine-coiling, and what success
they had. TI only seem to remember those matters as the little
charlatanisms of theday. I have, in common with many others,
many thanks to render to Mr. Keane for his ‘‘ Out-door Gar-
dening,” a capital book which is always on my table, and without
which I should not know when to sow Cabbages or even Spinach.

TI observe that Mr. Keane has used a famous political phrase—
coup @etat. This is, undoubtedly, a clerical error ; he intended
to have written cowp declat, which is much more apposite.
Following Mr. Keane’s example I must conclude with a doggrel
rhyme—

x “ Whene’er you write on knife or spade,

Confine yourself unto your trade.”

—R., of 8.

BLOWER DROPPINGS.

Some time ago I read a question in this Journal about the
qualities of what goes here by the above name. Blower
droppings are the refuse of Cotton seeds and scales of Cotton
seeds, along with other vegetable substances, which come from
the Cotton in its first process of manufacture. I have used
much of it, and know many more in this neighbourhood who
have used it rather extensively.

One friend says, that mixed with a little soil and a good layer
of it put under the mixture, it will grow better Harly Radishes
than anything else. Another friend, who is no mean gardener,
Says it is equal to cocoa-nut fibre refuse, and he has tried both.

I have used it in a mixture of soil, ma.ure, and sand, in

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

311

about equal quantities, and I find it very good for Stocks,
Asters, and Calceolarias. Used half-and-half with manure, if
makes a first-rate compost for growing Celery.

It is very plentiful about here at present, on account of there
being so much Surat Cotton used at such mills as are working.

Tt heats well, but does not retain its heat a long time.

I have a farmer friend, who says that, mixed with manure, it
will produce twice as much grass as manure will by itself.

It can be had cheap enough, and I must say it is very useful
in any garden, especially where the soil is short of vegetable
matter.—JoHN Haaus, Gardener, Gridby Lodge, Ashton-under-
Lyne.

THE BROWN PEACH APHIS.

Were I inclined to make an assertion without having made
use of my eyes to gain experience, as too many writers are apt
to do, I should say this aphis must be a recent importation, but
it has, very probably, been with us a long time. Of late years
the cultivation of Peach trees under glass has increased to an
enormous extent, and this species of aphis seems to have in-
creased in proportion.

It differs from the Peach aphis of the various works on gar-
dening, for that is described as being green; and another dif-
ference exists—the green aphis attacks the young shoots in spring
and summer only, but our brown enemy is often found on the
bare young shoots of the Peach tree in November and December,
and this was why the Gishurst compound was recommended as
a winter-dressing. It is certainly a most effectual remedy, and
kills the aphides and their eggs; but owing either to its being
made of different degrees of strength, or from some other cause,
it has undoubtedly been occasionally productive of mischief in
weakening the blossom-buds and causing them to drop off: much
caution should, therefore, be used in applying it. In 1858 and
1859, 6 ozs. to the gallon of soft water were mfused, and the
mixture was applied freely. Its effect as an aphis-killer was
excellent, for not an aphis or an egg was left, and the trees were
clean all through the ensuing summer; but in December, 1860,
and again in the same month in 1861, with an infusion of the
same strength, the trees remained perfectly clean, but a large
number of blossom-buds dropped off: whether this was owing
to any inequality in the strength of the compound or from what
other cause I have never yet been able to understand. It shows,
however, that caution should be used in applying this excellent
aphis-killer,

The month of December, when the buds are quite dormant, is
the most advisable season for washing Peach trees under glass
with it, and 4 ozs. to the gallon of water the proper strength.
Last December, 1862, my trees were so clean and healthy that I
did not dress them as usual with the compound. Their blossoms
this spring have been strong and beautiful, and have set well,
but within the last fortnight the brown aphis has made its ap-
pearance on many trees. Its increase, as stated by Mr. Wish, is
almost magical; for in one night a shoot on which none could
be discovered the day previous will be a brown mass of aphides.

I inquired to-day of the young man who has charge of my
large orchard-house, 100 feet by 24, in which there are some
hundreds of Peach trees, if he could keep the brown aphis down
without fumigation. He said, “Yes, by looking over the trees
rigidly.” The following is the remedy applied—it is most satis-
factory, and has not the least injurious effect either on the young
leaves or young fruit—4 ozs. of quassia chips boiled ten minutes
in-a gallon of soft water, and while cooling dissolve in it 4 ozs. of
soft soap; the mixture applied with a small painter’s brush.
So efficacious was this found last year on trees out of doors
infested with aphides, particularly Plums and Cherries, that this
season I have ordered 56 Ibs. of quassia chips from a wholesale
druggist. As Mr. Fish suggests, a few lines on the natural
history of this apparently new species of aphis would be of
much interest.—T. R.

THE SEASON IN THE LotHTaNs.—What a splendid spring
we have had here! Apricots on open wall are as big as pigeon
eggs.—D. THomson, Archerfield.

Harty Porarors From Cornwatt.—Several parties are now
(April 23) busily engaged drawing (digging-up) Potatoes in
the neighbourhood of Penzance for the London market, and the
crop is said to be above the ayerage.—W. P., Cambourne.

312

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

[{ April 28, 1863.

_FLOWER-BORDER.

PLAN FOR RIBBON-BORDER UNDER A WALL.
$2 feet 6 inches.

GRAVEL

1, Perilla nankinensis, 1 ft. broad,
2, Variegated Mint, 4 ft. broad.

4, White Candytuft, 1 ft.

** MuppLER’s”” questions are—What do we think of the form
of the border? what of the planting in unfavourable circum-
stances? and what improvements can we suggest ?

The main features of the curved lines of the border we cannot
but approve, asin borders more than ten times your length we
have followed something of the same plan for two years. This
season we think we shall revert to straight lines instead, for a
change, though it does not.look so artistic. As far as effect is
concerned, there is not much difference in the two systems. The
curved lines are, perhaps, the best as you walk along the side of
your border, and show more intricacy and contrast of colour
in whatever direction you look; but then they do not tell so
well when you stand at either end and look along them as
straight lines do, even if all is done well, and the heights are
properly arranged. If there is a fault in the arrangement of
heights, it will be bad enough to look at it from the sides of the
walk; but it will be a perfect jumble if looked at from either
end. ‘This, however, has nothing to do with the mere ground
plan of your proposed lines and two circles in front, with which
we are very much pleased, as it shows how many tasteful ways
there are of doing the same thing. ‘The sweeps at the ends and
the circles in front give an artistic charm to the waved or
serpentine lines of colour. There is just one thing which we think
would improve your plan, on the system you have adopted, and
that is a straight line in front, and a straight line at back, to
harmonise with the straight line of your walk and the straight
line of the wall. If you had not room otherwise for this, we
would make one waved line the less. It would give a complete-
ness to the design, which it at present wants, and more especi-
ally if there is any space for path or otherwise between the wall
and the triangular waved spaces at the back, marked 5, These
straight lines would be the setting for your picture—the frame,
so to speak, which would make you independent of trusting for
that either to the wall or mere edging at the walk. For instance :
there are your curved sweeps, 2, that touch the walk, filled with
variegated Mint, and there are triangular pieces between them
and the circles, 3, planted with Lobelia speciosa, which, except in
the curves in front of the Mint, will do admirably ; but then just
think of a straight line of the Lobelia taken all the way, if Box-
edging is next the walk, or Cerastium tomentosum, if of grass,
and you will perceive what a completeness would be given to
the setting. Mind, that is only our opinion. Some people
might like it better as it is.

Now, we are well aware of your difficulties in making a very
showy border on a north-east aspect ; but if you have tried the
Perilla and Lobelia, and find them answer, we have no doubt
that Calceolarias and Scarlet Geraniums in pots would flourish
tolerably. We must say, however, that we like the plan of your
border better than the proposed planting. Without taking ob-
jection to the proposed colourg, there is but little attempt made
to regulate them as to their heights. Last year, in some of

the fine borders aud clumps about’ London, the outsides were
the highest, and the insideor centre rows were the lowest; and
some good friends, and ladies amongst the number, have told us
how nice they looked, and that they would imitate them next year.

8, Lobelia speciosa, 4 ft. broad.

5, Nothing. 7, Box-e2ging.

6, Roses.

Our own opinion is, that in these cases which were thought of so
favourably, the planters had been disappointed, and that they
were rather vexed about what other peoplein search after novelty _
looked upon as an attraction. Now, if such be your views, we
can see little wrong in your planting. But if you have any idea
that in a border in front of a wall the rows, to be seen, should
have a suitable relation to each other in height, then we do not
see how your proposed planting is to be defended, unless you
make everything of much the same height by layering, pegging,
&c. One incongruity we may likewise mention, and that is the
perpetual character of the Roses in No. 6, whilst all else would be
only of temporary duration. Looking on the two circies, No. 6,
as main features, and presuming that they are to be filled with
low-growing China Roses, they will not only look well, but your
surrounding them with the belt, 2, of variegated Mint, will give
a completeness to them, and remove the objection to the centre
bed of “S. EH. L.,” the other week. Then, as already stated,
the triangular waved spaces, 3, of Lobelia speciosa, are all right
enough, and so would be your waved line, 1, of Perilla behind
all these; and we should not greatly find fault with the waved
line, 2, variegated Mint behind the Perilla, because we could
prune down the Perilla, and let the back row of 2, Mint, grow
to overtop a little the Perilla. But how are we to manage the
back row of 3, of Lobelia again behind these, which naturally
will not rise above a few inches? and then, again, the broad
line of white Candytuft will be a blaze while it lasts, but it will
seed about July or August, and leave nothing tolook at. You
think it will be a foot in height, but then to give it its due, 2
and 1, the Mint and the Perilla should not be higher than the
Lobelia, and thus much of the interest of the sprigs of the
Periila would be gone. Besides, with the exception of, we may
suppose, crimson Roses in No. 6, the whole of your border
will consist of cold colours, blue, purple, white, and white and
green. ‘

Now, on that principle we would allow 3, 2, 1,2, counting
from the walk, to remain as they are, only the back, 2, to grow
taller to overtop the Perilla, and then the 3 behind we would fill
with dwaff blue Ageratums, and 4: with double Heverfew; and
5, unplanted, we would fill with strong crimson Roses, or
simply with masses of Lobel’s crimson Catchfly, or Lobelia
cardinalis.

But, again, were we to please ourselyes more, we would do
6, 3, 2, 1, as proposed, and keep down the 1, Perilla, make the
second 2 behind it not Mint but yellow Calceolarias, or yellow
Chryseis or Eschscholtzia ; 3, behind it, Ageratum, dwarf, or
Delphinium formosun, planted thickly, and half of the plants cut
down to a few inches in height; 4, white double Feverfew done
the same way, and allowed to grow to the full height ; and 5, and
row all along, Salvia fulgens. This would give you gradation in
height as well as change of colour. If such things as Catchfiy
are used, it would be well to sow in patches now, and again in
June, and thus the bloom might continue to the end of the
season. Lobelia cardinalis, well dunged, would also be brilliant
for 5, or even a row in addition all the way at the back. All
such borders should be changed every year.—R. F.

April 28, 1863. ]
GOMPHOLOBIUM BARBIGERUM.

(BEARDED-KEELED GoMPHOLOBIUM.)

Class, Diadelphia. Order, Decandria. Nat. Ord., Leguminose.

Geyeric Cuanacter.—Calyx, five-parted, nearly equal. Carina of two
concrete petals. Vexillum, broad, spreading. Stigma, simple. Legume,
many-seeded, nearly spherical, and yery blunt.—(Mag. Bot., vol. xii., t. 19.)

Sprciric CHAaRAcTER.—Plant, an evergreen shrub. Stem, erect. Branches,
angular, Leaves, alternate. nearly sessile, trifoliate; leaflets linear, rather
acute. Pedicels, jurnished with minute bracteoles. Flowers, about
inch in length, handsome, golden yellow. Keel, bearded along the suture,
Vexillum, large, longer than the calyx and keel. Pods glabrous.

In is recorded in botanical catalogues that Gompholobium
barbigerum was introduced to this country in 1824; but it is
questionable whether, if this be correct, it was not again soon
lost, as we have no account of it until about three years ago.
But however it may have been with respect to its first intro-
duction, it has certainly now found its way into many collections.
It is a native of New Holland.

Under cultivation nothing beyond the treatment bestowed
upon greenhouse plants generally is required. It is a robust
grower, particularly when compared with G. polymorphum, and
some others. Plants in very fine condition were exhibited in
London in 1847, by Messrs. Lucombe & Pince, of Exeter, who
are said to have been the first to introduce the species to this
country. A specimen grown by them had become a large bush,
and was profusely decorated with its fine yellow blossoms. It
is easily increased by cuttings.

Mrs. Lawrence's extensive and famous collection of plants, at
Haling Park, furnished in the spring of 1850 the specimen
from which our engraving was prepared.

The soil requisite for it'is a mixture of sandy loam and peat,
and the plant must stand in a light airy greenhouse, like other
New Holland plants, and receive a liberal supply of water during
summer, but in winter must be watered with care.

The generic name is derived from gomphos a club, and lobos
a pod, in reference to the shepe of the seed-pods.—(Pazton’s
Magazine.)

MANAGEMENT OF SPRING BULBS AFTER
FLOWERING.

As most amateur gardeners desire to make the best use of
their flowering bulbs m future years, may I ask you how they
should be treated after removal from the house to the garden?
It is a story you have often told, so you may be loth to burden
your pages with such elementary work.

The plan I have alweys adopted, and which you, I believe, have
advocated, is, after the beauty of the flowers is over, to cut of
the fiower-stalks, and carefully to plant the bulbs in some spare
ground; then, when the foliage is completely dead, to take them
up and to store them in bran or sand, that in the autumn they
may be put into the border, A friead, who is a very successful

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

313

florist, told me that I was wrong in thus placing them where
their growth might be prolonged ; that the roots spent all their
second growth, and would rot away ; and that after their flowering
was over they should be gradually dried-off, and after a while
the earth shaken from them. He, moreover, gave as a reason
that the future blossom was forming while the bulb was at rest.

Now, I presume the physiology is, that so long as the leaves
remain green and vigorous the roots are in action, and storing
up materials for future growth, that the longer the leaves con-
tinue in vigour the better is the promise for the future. There
can be no doubt that the finest blooms of the larger Narcissus
are to be gathered from those roots that have not been moved
for years ; the bloom is larger and more vigorous, though later
than when the roots have been potted. ‘The same rule obtains
with the Crocus, with Gladiolus, and the common Narcissus ;
whether it is applicable to Hyacinths I do not know, as they
were removed to make way for other plants.

Acting on your suggestion, last autumn I put some of my
Hyacinths into a heap of mould, and when the bloom was quite
large I carefully lifted them into pots, using one-third cocoa-nut
fibre refuse and two-thirds maiden leam ; they did not flag at all
by the removal. This spring having been so exceptionally warm
and free of frost has rendered this more applicable than in ordi-
nary seasons. The blooms of these have much surpassed those
more carefully managed in pots, and covered with ashes before
they were brought into the house.—B. J. 8.

e

GEOMETRY APPLICABLE TO GARDENING.
(Continued from page 295.)
Tne line also receives various denominations, according to its
position and properties.
A perpendicular is a right line, that is made or expressed by
the fall of a plumb, or by the elevation at right angles of any
line upon the middle or end of another, as is 4, B, and Cc.

¥

A A

z i Gy :s
A line horizontal, is a line of an equal poise, which inclines
equally on the one part and the other, as Dr. In gardening it
is generally understood to be the basis or bottom of a terrace,
slope, &c., though it is properly any level line, and may as well
signify the top of a terrace, or any other plane, or dead level.

D. = a SS E.

An oblique line is neither horizontal nor perpendicular, but
sloping as @ H, and may be more or less steep, as seen in the
slopes of ramparts and terrace walks. ‘This line is called the
hypotheneuse, when we speak of artificial triangies. Every slope
from rampart or terrace is formed by a triangle, though the
horizontal line and the perpendicular be unseen. G H is the
hypotheneuse or slope line; 8B, horizontal; 4, perpendicular.

Ine

ip 59} ae ic

Lines parallel are those that are of equal distance from eacli
other, which, though they are extended never so far, are neither
nearer nor farther off from each other, as are the lines F.

EF EF

These lines are all demonstrated in the accompanying figure
taken from a celebrated author to show one form (and we think

314

an unfortunate one), of a terrace. A, is the unseen though not
legs real perpendicular line. ¢ 3, is the natural or made hori-
zontal line, on a plane with the horizon. 8 'B, are parallel lines.
B1 may be supposed to be @ level horizontal line raised artificially
as the stirface of a terrace. GH is a sloping hypotheneuse line
in the form of a bank on one side of that terrace ; ¢, an archi-
tectural perpendicular line bounding the other side of the terrace ;
E, a continuation of the horizontal line 8, either natural or made
artificially to give relief to the perpendicular 0; D, a natural
slope of the ground forming the irregular hypotheneuse line to
another triangle.

We have said that this figure, though illustrating these lines,
is as to the position of a terrace unfortunate. ‘Terraces are most
commanding when they join a mansion, and when the ground
slopes trom them instead of down to them. In such cases earth
for the purpose can easily be obtained, and the whole of the
excavations for foundations and ¢ellarage, even if there are no
offices below ground, can be rendered effectual for this purpose
instead of being carted away.

A terrace walk will also be very effective when made horizontal
along the sloped line of a hill, with a steep ramp, as ¢ H, in
front of it; but we should think it rather strange if for forming
it we were to dig a ditch, as at u, behind it, out of the rising
ground Dp. Wor what these lines represent we can see no place
whence the earth to form the terrace is to come from, except
from the small space'above =, as represented by the dotted lines
CD. Suppose that a terrace is made in such a position, there is
nothing for it but carting from a distance and using the foun-
dations and cellarage of the mansion for such a purpose. A
terrace should never be commenced without calculating the yards
of solid hard-rammed soil that will be required, and whence that
soil can be easily obtained. If the soil at any one part should
be raised from a yard to two or more yards in height, it matters
little what, the bottom layers may be—brickbats, rubbish, clay,
anything provided it be well rammed, and if flower-gardening
38 intended, there be from 18 to 24 inches of good soil on the
surface. | If grass only is wanted, then the half of that will be
enough. he layers of soil should never be above 4 inches thick
before being well beaten, and the more they are wheeled and
carted over, and rolled heavily as the work goes on, the better
will the ground stand at the desired level.

Unfortunate as we judge the position of the line B Las the top
of a terrace, there are many such to be found, and much admired
by their possessors and friends; and no doubt they will always
yield dry walks at all times and seasons. Two of these have
already been noticed in these pages: one of them is between the
lawn and the park in front of a palatial residence. Carry the
horizontal line @ ¥ farther back through level lawn to the man-
sion, and carry the line & horizontally almost into the park, and
you have one of these terraces. Det FG, G H, B 1, stand as they
are, but change the upright o into a slope like G H, and extend
= to a good wide level as pleasure ground, and you haye an
exact resemblance of the other. What they could have been
made for, unless for getting rid of foundations and cellarage, we
never could make ont. xcept for securing a dry wide walk,
they are every way out of place in the circumstances. Suppose in-
stead that the mansion was built on the sloping ground D, and
that the upright o was a balustrade in front of it, how different
would be the effect of B1 and the slope G H. Here, too, we
could see whence much earth would come for the formation of
the terrace, and that close at hand. If such were the position of
the house, then, though the sloping bank G # would do well
enough, or be made more artistic by a steeper slope, a much better
artistic and architectural effect would be produced by doing away
with the slope, and having a perpendicular wall as atc, On the
other hand, if the front of the house extended upwards from the
perpendicular A, and the perpendicular o in front of terrace
as now, and the upward sloping park as atD, then the horizontal
E should not be wider than necessary for security, and as little
would be done as possible to prevent the eye of a person on the
terrace at A resting complacently on the park scenery at D.

To be continued.)

Sane or Ozcurps.—Another sale of these took place at Mr.
Stevens’s rooms, King Street, Covent Garden, on Wednesday
last, when the total amount realised amounted to nearly £500.
The following are some of the prices obtained :—Atrides Shree-
deri, £16 10s. ; Cypripedium Lowii, £20; C. villosum, £6 10s, ;

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ April 28, 1863,

Cymbidiym eburneum, £15 ;/Saccolabium enrvifolium,£12 12s. ;
Sobralia superba, Woolley’s variety, £10 10s. ; Oattleya superba
with twenty-two bulbs, £6 6s.; another plant of the same, £5;
Rodriguezia secunda major, £5 5s.; Phalenopsis amabilis,
£5 15s.

ORCHARD-HOUSES.

I cannor allow the controversy respecting orchard-houses to
close without striking one blow in their defence. In 1860 I was
advised to build an orchard-house, but 1 had so great a preju-
dice against trees in pots that I demurred. In the autumn of
that year I went to see Mr. Pearson’s houses at Chilwell, near
Nottingham, and, although expecting little gratification, I was
charmed. The famed gardens of the Hesperides with their golden
fruit, which we read of in our youth, and the gorgeous descrip-
tions of the “ Arabian Nights,” never warmed my imagination
half so much as the reality of Mr. Pearson’s orchard-house show.
My scepticism vanished, and I became a convert at once, andia
disciple of Pearson. '

My house is 60 by 20 feet ; it has no artificial heat, and the
climate is, therefore, always pleasant, and one can walk in it with-
out the, to me, disagreeable sensation which artificial heat com-
municates. My wife, and a labourer who knows nothing of
gardening, but who has sense enough to follow Mr. Pearson's
directions, are the staff. In the early spring we have a flower
garden in the varied bloom of each description of fruit; and the
bees we introduce to fertilise the bloom, work and hum away
without annoying any of us. We watch the growing fruit with
never-failing interest, and the only alloy of our pleasure is the
gathering of it; for we can hardly help wishing that in all its
beauty it might hang on the tree for ever.

When the summer is not entirely sunless we think the flavour
of the fruit superior to that grown out of doors, because un-
chilled by frost, or too rapid changes of atmosphere, and it
escapes the coddled flavour so general with fruit grown by
artificial heat.

As regards quantity, the first year we had a fair crop, though
many of our trees were small, and some of them maiden plants.
Last year, notwithstanding the sunless summer, we had a good
show on the trees, many of them bearing three dozen—they were
thinned down to that number—fine fruit, and the sxaaller trees
from one to two dozen each. e

In size our Peaches were from 7 to 10 inches in circumference,
and a Stanwick Nectarine we measured was 8 inches. We
exhibited six of our trees full of fine fruit at our Horticultural
Show last August, and they surprised and pleased both pro-
fessional gardeners and amateurs. This year the fruit has set
well, and there is every prospect of a good crop.

Into the mercantile part of the question Ido not choose to
enter; but if any one wishes for an enjoyable spot let him set up
an orchard-house, and from the beginning to the end of the
year it will afford him a never-failing source of interest.

I say ‘we,’ because I speak also for my wife, who is my
head gardener, and joins me in all my loveand praise of orchard-
houses, and ina yote of thanks to My, Rivers who first introduced.
them, and to Mr. Pearson, who has spread the taste for them
through the midland counties.—ApBRaM Bass, Moat Bank,
Burton-on-Trent,

SEAWEED AS A MANURE FOR ASPARAGUS,
SEA-KALE, AND POTATOES.

Av page 258 of Tur JouRNAL OF HoRTICULTURE appeared
a brief account of the good effects of seaweed as a winter-
covering to Sea-kale, and also the query whether. a similar ap-
plication to Asparagus would be attended with equally good
results. My own experience in the matter enables me to say
that if the soil is dry and porous it may be used ad libitum and
with none but good results. The finest Asparagus I ever saw,
whether as regards size, quantity, or delicacy of flavour, was
grown in a soil three-fourths sand, and this resting on a gravelly
bottom. The beds had a thick covering of seaweed every
winter, and had occasional doses of the draimings of the dung-
hill in summer. This with a slight stirring of the surface of -
the beds in spring after the covering was removed, was all the
management they ever had.

T have also used it as a, winter-covering for Sea-kale in ‘a way
similar ‘to that spoken of by “IT. W. B.;” only I had thevsea-

April 28, 1863. ]

weed removed from off the crowns of the roots early in March,
‘and old barrels or Sca-kale pots put over them—a plan which
I think is superior to that of your correspondent: firstly, be-
canee the Sea-kale is much more easily got at; and secondly,
because it keeps the Sea-kale nice and clean, neither are the
Kale shoots so likely to be broken, as from: their crispness they
are very apt to be.

Tn strong soils, however, especially if they are at all retentive
of moisture, I should be very doubtful of its euitability as an
application to Asparagus. I have never had an opportunity
myself of experimenting with it in soils of this kind ; but a gentle-
man, an amateur friend of mine, informs me that he had
his Asparagus-beds thickly covered with it cne winter, and the
result was anyihing but satisfactory. The beds were very thin
the following spring; and upon examining them large num-
bers of the crowns of the roots were found to be rotted to a
perfect jelly. The soil in this case was a deep loam, not wet,
but moist rather than otherwise, It is probable that a surface-
dressing with seasand would be more suitable for Asparagus-
growing in strong soils, as has been suggested by the Hditors.
However, as it is only conjecture, perhaps some of the readers
of THE JovRNAL oF HorricuntuRE who have had an oppor-
tunity of testing its value will fayour us with the result.

One thing, however, is pretty certain—namely, that seaweed
should always be used as fresh as possible, as there is a positive
loss of nutritive matter if it is allowed to remain in a heap and
ferment.

In dry soils it is also an excellent manure for Potatoes. I have
had first-rate crops of this vegetable by the use of seaweed alone,
and where it can be had in plenty, it may be dug into the
ground for general crops.—J. Dunn.

THE ROYAL BOTANIC SOCIETY’S THIR
SPRING SHOW.

Tuts, the last of the Spring Shows for the season, was held
on Saturday the 25th inst.; and the display, as on former
Occasions, was excellent. ‘The weather, too, so important a con-
sideration in connection with a flower show, was highly fayour-
able; the day having just enough of sun to make shade agree-
able, and just enough of breeze to keep the atmosphere from
becoming languid. Roses, cut and in pots, together with the
miscellaneous collections of flowering and foliage plants, consti-
tuted the principal features of attraction; to which Cinerarias.
Pelargoniums, and Azaleas lent no unimportant aid.

Roses in pots were in the highest perfection, especially those
contributed by Mr. Turner, of Slough, Mr. William Paul, and
Messrs. Paul & Son. Those from My. Turner were Souvenir de
la Malmaison, Madame de Cambacéres, Paul Ricaut, Paul Perras,
and Chénédolé—all of which, as regards size and abundance of
bloom, could not have been surpassed. Mr. W. Paul’s collec-
tion of six were likewise magnificent, consisting of Madame
Boll, Empereur de Maroc, Anna Alexieff, Paul Ricaut, Souvenir
@un Ami, and Charles Lawson, the last particularly fine. The
same distinguished cultivator had also a nice collection of ten,
among which Beauty of Waltham, Comtesse de Chabrillant,
Senateur Vaisse, Victor Verdier, and Lelia caught the eye; but
the remainder were almost without exception equally fine.

In Messrs. Paul & Son’s collection were fine plants of
Madame de St. Joseph and Souvenir de la Reine d’ Angleterre ;
whilst in that of Messrs. Lane and Son, Paul Perras and Paul
Ricaut were fine examples of those highly esteemed varieties.
Mr, Cross, gardener to Sir F. Goldsmid, Bart., Regent’s Park,
likewise contributed a collection, in which Souvenir de la Mal-
maison and Général Jacqueminot, standing side by side, were of
striking beauty.

Fine boxes of cut blooms, comprising nearly all the leading
varieties, came from Mr. W. Paul, Lane & Son, Messrs. Paul
and Son; and Mr. Treen, of Rugby, was likewise an exhibitor.

Collections of foliage and flowering plants came from Messrs.
A. Henderson & Co., among whose plants were a large Dracena
ferrea and Jacaranda filicifolia, remarkable for its elegant fern-
like leaves. Also from Messrs. Lee, of Hammersmith; F. & A.
Smith; Cross; and from Mr. Smith, gardener to the Duke of
Northumberland, at Syon House, who had a magnificent
Maranta zebrina, an enormous Matania borbonica, Azalea
Triumphans (a splendid pyramid of bloom), Caladium bicolor
Madeira, also large and fine, and Acacia grandis.

. Mr. B, 8. Williams: exhibited two collections, one: being of

JOURNAL OF HORTIOULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

315

mixed foliage and flowering plants, the other of foliage plants
exclusively. Among the former we noticed a magnificent
Cyanophyllum and a remarkably fine specimen of Theophrasta
imperialis. Gleichenia flabellata, Vanda suavis, with two fine
spikes of bloom, and a nice pryamidal plant of Azalea amcena,
in full bloom, were the most striking of the remainder.

’ Of Cinerarias there were several excellent exhibitions, the
best coming from Mr. Lamb and Mr. Turner. Those from Mr,
Smith, of Syon, and Mr. James, of Isleworth, were also very
good.

In Pelargoniums, Mr. Wiggins, gardener to W. Beck, Esq.,
Tsleworth, had Multiflora, Beadsman, Alma, Pline, Virginie, all
of which were in good bloom; also, a group of Beck’s seedlings,
of which Princess Alice seemed the finest. Mr. Turner, of
Slough, had fine plants of Clarissa, Spotted Gem, Phebe,
Hl Dorado, Vestal, and Pescatore ; and Mr. Cross was likewise
a successful exhibitor.

Of Auriculas, the finest were from Mr. Turner, the kinds
being Spalding’s Metropolitan, Oliver’s Lovely Anne, Maggie
Lauder, Cheetham’s Lancashire Hero, Meteor Flag, and Dick-
son’s Duke of Cambridge. Mr. Turner had also a very interest~
ing collection of sixty pots of the best varieties. In the col-
lection of six sent by the Rev. H. Dombrain, which was also
excellent, Meteor Flag and Campbell’s Pizarro were, perhaps,
the finest. Good exhibitions of this flower also came from Mr.
Holland and Myr. James, of Isleworth, the latter of whom had
also six Alpines.

Pansies in pots were contributed in fine condition by Mr.
James, who had also twenty-four cut blooms; whilst Mr. Bragg,
of Slough, had a stand of twenty-four, and two stands of thirty-
six each, as well as a pretty seedling called Vesuvius.

Of miscellaneous objects the most conspicuous was a group of
seven magnificent Azaleas from Mr. Turner, of which Barclay-
ana, Holfordi, and Chelsoni were particularly remarkable.
Messrs. Perkins, of Coventry, again exhibited their truly unri-
valled Verbena Lord Leigh. Gloxinias, both of the drooping
and erect kinds, came from Messrs. F. & A. Smith; and one
hundred blooms of different varieties of Verbena from Mr.
Treen. Mr. James had fine herbaceous Calceolarias; Messrs.
Dobson & Sons, Snowflake, a fine white dark-centered Cineraria ;
Mr. Turner, Bougainvilleea speciosa, flowered in small pots; and
Mr. Bull, of Chelsea, a large collection of new and rare plants,
among which were a fine specimen of Pandanus javanicus varie-
gatus, Acer Negundo variegata, with very ornamental white
variegations; Rhododendron Victoria Regina, with very fine
white flowers with yellow spots; a handsome red-veined Pteris ;
Pogonia discolor, from Java; and Serissa fcetida variegata, the
small deep green leaves of which were nicely edged with white.
Lastly, Messrs. A. Henderson & Co., had Rhododendron Edge-
worthi, the large white flowers of which perfumed the tent;
and several nicely-filled flower-baskets, flower-vases, and pots
of potteryware in various designs.

NEED NEW FLOWERS BANISH OLD
FLOWERS?

ACCORDING to some writers, it would appear that the modern
system of bedding-out and massing bright colours in the flower-
borders engrosses the attention of the whole gardening world,
and that the old-fashioned method of planting the borders with
a heterogeneous mixture of herbaceous plants arranged in
picturesque confusion has altogether died out. Those who
entertain that opinion should inspect suburban gardens, and
they will find numerous small gardens managed on the old-
fashioned principle.

The amusing account given by “TowN-BRED,” of his first
exploit in the study of old-fashioned garden lore, has brought to
light two important facts :—First, That there are intelligent
people in the world who are willing that old-fashioned border
plants should not entirely die out; and, secondly, that the gene=
rality of modern gardeners seem to take very little interest in
them.

There are many so-called gardeners who gird themselves
with a blue apron, which gives them the appearance of knowing
something about gardening, and who discourse eloquently on
“ Gereenums,’”’ “ Hllytropes,” “ Verbinias,” &c., but who are
blissfully oblivious of such border plants as Geums, Potentillas,
Saxifrages, Veronicas, and the like, and who would hear for the
first time of such things’ as the Fraxinella, Trollius, Gentiana,

316

and the Hepatica. ‘These plants are not fashionable now, and,

as a matter of course, are not to be attended to: consequently
there are few gardeners who are likely to know them by sight.

The only advice I can give “‘TowN-BRED,” is to invite all
the gardeners and plantsmen in the neizhbourhood to look at
his plants, and, if possible, to name them fur him. One may be
able to tell him the name of one, and a second of another, till in
time he may learn the names of all; for each would be willing
enough to impart what he knows, if only to show that he does
know something; otherwise there is a work to be had which
bears what I consider a high price, yet is not a dear work, it is
**Loudon’s Encyclopedia of Plants.” ‘There is alao a work by
Curtis, the title of which I forget. These would aid him con-
siderably, if not effect all he desires.

What I should like to know is, the reason why the border-
plants of other days are put aside for the sake of the more gay
bedders. Are not some of them, at least, useful for massing?
Cannot the same thing be done in the flower-borders as is often
done in the kitchen garden—that is, can there not be crop and
crop between ? Supposing a border is to be planted with ribbons
_of different colours, when they can be put out with safety, why
should the ground lie bare till the end of May? Could not a
narrow ribbon of the Wood Anemone, and Anemone apennina,
be planted, of course to remain? Their tops would die down
in the summer, and the ordinary bedders would close over the
spaces, They would come up and flower early in the spring,
and take off that bareness from the ground whichis the most
disagreeable part of the bedding system.

There are, I believe, among herbaceous plants many that are
‘adapted to massing, if not for the flower, at least for the foliage,
or for their earliness, as in the case alluded to, but I cannot
call them to mind at present. Yet I do happen to remember
many a gay bed of Primroses which bloomed for three months
in the year, and kept in good foliage during the rest; the same
with Pansies and Daisies, and Polyanthuses and other dwarf
plants, which bloomed in a style that would not disgrace the
gay beds of half-hardy plants of the present day.

“ Ihave a great fancy for the common Anemone, and haye seen
masses of it that were worth going miles to see, and that in the
open ground without any shelter. In fact, the name Wood
Anemone seems misapplied here in Worcestershire, where it is
now blooming profusely in the open fields, along with the pretty
Celandine. ‘This, I believe, is the case with several plants which
may be found sometimes growing in woods, but which flower
better and last longer without any shelter from trees, or,
at least, evergreens, and this ought to be taken some notice of
in making plantations of them.—F., Currry.

NEW BOOKS.

SELECT ORCHIDEOUS PLANTS.
By R. Warner, F.R.H.S. Cultural Notes by B. S. Williams.

Parr IY. is now published, and fully maintains the high
character we haye previously given the work, both as to the
extreme beauty and faithfulness of the portraits, and the fulness
of the directions for cultivation.

The present Part contains—1, Epidendrum nemorale majus,
“without exception, the finest of all the Epidendrums in our
gardens,” and commonly, but erroneously, named E. yerrucosum.
2, Saccolabium violaceum, “a magnificent plant, native of the
Philippine Islands.” 3, Oypripedium hirsutissimum, “imported
about four years ago from India, and firat flowered at the
Paradise Nursery, Holloway.” 4, Cattleya Dawsonii, “a very
rare plant,” which “may be a wild hybrid between Cattleya
labiata and C. Mossie,’ originally from Brazil. It is justly
observed by the authors that it is difficult to keep pace with the
rapid rate at which this genus is increased; but we echo their
hope that they will “yet be able to bring some other fine

acquisitions to its ranks within the compass of the present
volume,”

THE SCIENCE OF WINDOW-GARDENING.

A Lecture delivered by Walter H. Bosanquet, Esq., at the
National School-room of St. George, Bloomsbusy, March
31st, 1863. Published by request.

_, ANY one who from the title of this pamphlet anticipates that

it is an abstruse descant on the sciences applicable to plant-

culture will have arrived at a yery erroneous conclusion, So far

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

{ April 28, 1863.

is it from being abstruse, that it is a series of good directions
how to grow successfully plants in pots, with the addition of in-
telligible explanations of the reason why each practice is needful.
It is well calculated for the use not only of town window-gar-
deners, but for other amateur cultivators of plants in pots.

As an evidence that the lecture is practical, we quote the
following :-—

“The first. thing with which you must supply yourself is, of
course, a fower-pot; and the first question that suggests iteelfis,
What size is most suitable and convenient? I think you will
generally find a four or six-inch pot—that is, one which measures
4 or 6 inches across the top inside the rim, to be the most con-
venient. There is no adyantags in using a new flower-pot; but
if you use a new one, you must be careful, before making any
use of it, to dip it into a pail of water, and allow it to dry. This
is done in order to expel from the pores the dry air, which
would absorb moisture from the mould, and cause it to shrink.
Ifyou use an old pot you must be careful to see that it is per-
fectly clean both inside and out. At both the Flower Shows
which have been held in this parish, I noticed that many of the
exhibitors had given their flower-pots a coating of bright red on
the morning of the exhibition. ‘his no doubt adds yery much
to the smartness of their appearance, but it by no means con-
duces to the well-being of your plants, On the contrary, the
lighter the colour of the exterior of the pots, the better will the
roots inside them fare, as the light colour will insure a more
equal temperature. A pot of a medium colour—that is to say,
something between white and red, will, perhaps,_be more agree-
able to the eye than the former, and more suitable to the plants
than the latter. You may, if you like, paint your flower-pots
green, or, better still, of a stone colour; and if you adopt the
latter colour, and desire to make them look asif they were made
of stone, you may achieve your object by sprinkling the paint,
while wet, with silver sand. Be careful, however, if you paint
your flower-pots, not to make any use of them until the paint is
dry.” :

CRYSTAL PALACE.

Tue Directors of the Crystal Palace have issued their pro-
gramme of arrangements for the tenth season, commencing on
the 1st of May. The matured attractions of this popular and de-
lightful place are now in their fullest perfection, and will amply
maintain its prestige as the most fayoured resort of all loyers
of natural and artistic beauty aud refined recreation. Hitherto
the price of season tickets has been either one guinea or two
guineas ; the holders of the former class being required on days
of special fétes to pay 2s. 6d. extra for admission. For the pre-
sent season it has been determined to issue only one uniform class
of ticket, at one guinea, and this is to admit the holder to the
Palace and park without any further payment, on all ordinary
and extraordinary occasions. ‘he Directors have merely re-
served to themselves the right of excepting three days during the
year, should they hereafter think fit to give some special féte or
fétes which may render a separate charge for admission on those
days justifiable,

Among the other arrangements for the forthcoming season
are the Great Flower Show on Saturday the 23rd of May and
the Rose Show on Saturday the 27th of June. These Shows
as conducted at the Crystal Palace, always constitute leading
features of the London season, and have the important advantage,
as the Crystal Palace has at all times, of being thoroughly enjoy-
able in any kind of weather, ae ican

Last year, notwithstanding the attraction of the International
Exhibition, 2,020,219 persons visited the Crystal Palace, and
with its varied features and the increased facilities above referred
to, an equally large attendance may be fully expected in the
ensuing year.

WORK FOR THE WEEK.

KITCHEN GARDEN,

Noruine gives a more finished appearance to the kitchen
garden than clean well-rolled walks with neat edges. If these
edges are of Box they must be kept regularly clipped during the
growing season. Box-edging is, however, at all times a great
harbour for slugs and other vermin, and, therefore, preference
should be given to permanent edges of slates, bricks, or some one
of the many patterns of Rosher’s edging-tiles, if these could be

procured. With ordinary care any of these will lgst for many

April 28, 1863. ]

years, and if well laid down in the first instance no further

‘trouble is required with them, Beans, earth-up the early crops,

and where they were put in the ground the latter end of last

‘year, they should be dug between with a fork. Make another

Sowing. Broccoli, all the late sorts to be sown. Cauliflower,
raise the hand-glasses and loosen the soil between the plants,
after which give them a good soaking with manure water. Some
of the forwardeat of the early-sown Cauliflowers and Cabbage
plants will now be in a fit state for final transplanting, which

should be done the first favourable opportunity, and in the
event of dry weather continuing they must be kept well sup-

plied with water. Celery, proceed with the pricking-out of
young seedlings, as also the young seedlings of Brussels Sprouts,

Sayoys, Broccoli, &c., as they become large enough to handle.

Lettuce, water the early ones if necessary, and plant out some of
the plants raised in the frames or houses. Tie-up for blanching
a few of the largest Bath Cos that have stood through the
winter. These to be kept well supplied with water during dry
weather in order induce rapid growth, which is essential to the
production of that tender crispness so prized in this variety.
Zeeks, transplant from the seed-bed as soon as they are large

enough, in rows 18 inches apart and 9 inches plant from plant.
~The soil cannot be too rich. Peas, make another sowing of two

or three different varieties according to the consumption. Con-
tinue to earth-up and stake the earlier crops ; but previous to

_ earthing-up let them be well thinned-out if too thick. This is a

more important consideration than is generally allowed. We
often sow thick in order to insure a crop, but if all come up
and are left, they will grow certainly and bloom and pro-
duce a number of small pods, but after a gathering or two they
are gone: whereas, if well thinned out a greater weight of finer
Peas is produced and they will continue to grow and bloom so
as to produce a succession. Potatoes, hoe between the early
crops as soon as they are above ground. Scarlet Runners, sow
full crops, and also Dwarf Kidney Beans. Spinach, make another
sowing the latter end of the week. Attend to the thinning of
the early crops. Zurnips, where there are any grown in frames
they will require watering in dry weather, which will prevent
them becoming hot and hard. The present dry weather is par-
ticularly favourable for the destruction of weeds, and it should
not be lost sight of; for, be it remembered, the destruction
of one weed now is destroying what would shortly be the parent
ofmany. ‘The same may be said of insects.
FLOWER GARDEN.

The bright, beautiful, and varied hues of lovely green now
worn by trees and shrubs, the fresh verdure of the lawn, the
choral harmony of the feathered tribes, the bursting buds—all
contribute to render this a delightful and most enjoyable
month. To the gardener, whether amateur or professional, it is
full of promise ; aiready in his mind’s eya he views his gay and
odoriferous parterre, his trees replete with lascious fruits; and
while expressing 2 devout wish that Flora and Pomona may
reward his zealous care, he feels some misgiving as to those
blasting visitations of destructive insects vaguely denominated
blight. He recollects that his fairest Roses may have “the worm
i’ the bud,” and trembles when he remembers that the aphides
sometimes produce sixteen generations in one season. Leet all
preparations be made for the busy time of bedding-out ; deter-
mine your plans as to heigkt and colour; pay particular atten-
tion to the arrangement of the latter. A flower garden may be
richly furnished with plants, but be very ineffective if the colours
are badly arranged. For producing brilliant effects in masses
Teject particoloured flowers ; such are never effective. Use pure
and decided colours—such as brilliant scarlet, pure white, deep
purple, bright yellow, &c. Take care not to mix plants which
are of doubtful duration when in bloom with those of a more
permanent character, remembering always that the beauty of a
formal flower garden depends upon its being in all its details a
work of art in which no blemish should occur. There must
be high keeping, symmetry, judicious arrangements of colours,
traceable to fixed principles, or it will not form a satisfactory
whole.

FRUIT GARDEN.

Proceed with the moderate disbudding of Peaches and Apricots.
Plums will now require a share of attention in this way by re-
moving all the foreright shoots from the young wood, taking
care not to leave more than can be kept well nailed-in without
crowding. Continue to remove all superfluous wood from Vines.
Stir the surface of the earth well amongst Strawberry plants,
and if in a very dry state, give them a liberal supply of water.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

317

GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY,

Continue the necessary attentions to Fuchsias and other soft-
wooded plants, which will be required for the conservatory ;
also, the plants that are now making active growth should be
liberally supplied with water. Those growing in prepared borders
to be examined to see that the roots are kept sufficiently moist.
Take the opportunity of an early hour in the morning to give a
good washing with the syringe to everything excepting the plants
in bloom. Kemove decayed leayes and flower as they appear.
Young specimens of greenhouse hardwooded plants to be kept as
moist and warm as can be done without inducing weak growth.

STOVE.
Attend to the training the shoots of twiners as they advance
in growth, and do not allow them to get entangled before giving
attention. Also, attend to the stopping and training of other
plants, and afford free-growing subjects plenty of pot-room.
Persevere in keeping down insects, which, if allowed, will pro-
gress with great rapidity. Proceed with repotting Orchids as
they may require it. Do not use the syringe too freely among
those starting into growth, but keep the atmosphere thoroughly

moist. W. Keanr.

DOINGS OF THE LAST WEEK.
KITCHEN GARDEN.

PROCEEDED with staking Peas as opportunity offered. Some
of these having between them two rows of Broccoli not yet
finished, cut off a number of the leaves and bent the plants
slightly to each other to relieve the rows of Peas. Forked the
ground slightly before staking, and as soon as the Broccoli and
other Greens are wholly removed will fork the ground ali over to
let sun and moisture freely into the soil. Watered those fit to
gather in orchard-house, and the earliest succession of dwarfs at
the foot of walls. Sowed succession of Broad Beans and Peas.
The ground being rather rough and poor where the latter were to
be sown, dug it well again, incorporating some rotten leaf mould
and leaving the place hollow so that rains may be retained, and
waterings given if necessary, whilst the deep stirring will dis-
pense with stagnant moisture—one fruitful source of mildew.
Though the Peas will thus, when covered, seem to be in a
shallow rounded trench, they will be covered no more than
usual—say 2 inches, as we have no faith in deep covering. A
shrewd practitioner was resolved to have early Peas, save them
from the frost, and get rid of all the trouble of earthing them up,
by sowing them from 9 to 12 inches deep; and in the two latter
objects he succeeded admirably, as he was never troubled with
them above ground at all. ; Bic :

Sowed Scarlet Runners, covering them slightly with light soil
mixed with burnt charred earth and lime to keep slugs and
worms from them. Sowed Dwarf Kidney Beans in boxes, to
be transplanted, as the soil is not warm enough for them
out of doors yet, and the weather though fine is getting
colder. Expected rain after the high winds of Wednesday,
but little or none has come. In about a week will sow the
main crop of Beet, and a succession of Carrots. The ground
being dry on the surface, neither the first-sown Carrots, Par-
snips, nor Onions, are yet rowed clearly enough to admit of
hoeing. If rain do not come soon will slightly roll the Onion-
quarter to firm the earth about the young seedlings. A slight
surface-hoeing afterwards will make them loose enough. Sowed
succession of Onions, Lettuces, &c., for salading, and find the
warm weather has brought Lettuces and Cucumbers into demand.
Pruned and regulated the latter in order that the plants bearing
freely should not éxhaust themselves by haying too many fruit
at a time.

Watered Mushroom-beds in Mushroom-house. Will prepare
some rough stuff for beds out of doors under a thatched roof,
and open in front, as described last year. Planted out last
lot of Potatoes on a poor piece of ground. Planted out Cauli-
flowers that had previously been pricked out, lifting the nice
plants with balls so as not to feel the moving ; and though this
takes more time than using the dibber, there is no flagging and
welting after planting. Took pots of herbs that had been sown
under glass to harden-off, and beat up rows and beds of herbs
always in demand—as Sage, Mint, &c. The best time to make
a fresh bed of the latter, is when the fresh shoots are about
2 inches high. These, slipped off 1 inch below the ground and
planted in well-pulverised rather rich soil, about 4 or 5 inches
apart, will make a fine green bed in the autumn for late Peas.
In many soils Mint soon dies out, and, therefore, it is wise te

318

fresh plant.one or two beds every season. ‘But for the trouble|

and unsightliness there is no better plan of blanching Sea-kale) f
at this season than covering the plants a foot or 15 inches thick!
with leaves. When pots or boxes are used, a little light is apt)
to get in, unless the pots, &c., are covered all over with earth.|
Pricked out Celery; sowed in succession. Pricked out Chilies,
&e, Potted succession Cucumbers, and sowed for ridges, and,
Vegetable Marrowa for gencral crop, as the plants do better!
when not stunted or knocked about before planting.

FRUIT GARDEN.

Run the hoe through Strawberry-beds and borders, which are
now showing their trusses strongly. This will kill incipient
weeds, keep the'ground from cracking, and let rains go in nicely
when they come. Had we such a thing at command we would|
now give the plants a slight dressing with soot or lime, or both.
together, as the first will tell on the quality of the crop, and
both will keep slugs and worms at a distance,

Some time ago we told of making patent ventilators in the
front wall of a Cucumber-pit, the’ openings being the size of a
half-brick, and these were fitted with wooden plugs in the wedge-
shape, so that we could give very little air or take out the plug
as we liked. As the openings ate against the hot-water pipes no
plan could answer better for securing a sweet hot atmosphere.
But there are few advantages without some countervailing dis-
advantages; and the disadvantage in this case is that these open-
ings being, a little above the outside ground level, mice have
got in, and soon let us know they were there. Close to the
back wall and the glass of this narrow pit is a shelf of Straw-
berries that were, if anything, extra promising and just taking
their second swelling, In a night or two they cleared them so
well that it is not worth while keeping the plants. We should
have been apt to have forgiven the mice if they had eaten what
they liked, and left the remainder; but the shelf and the surface
of the pots were covered with fruit not half swelled which they
nipped-off and strewed about for their diversion, after selecting
a few of the half-ripened seeds. We trust, as they have cleared
away since phosphoric paste and poisoned wheat, that they have
been punished for their misdeeds. Fortunately they have not as
yet troubled Strawberries ripe or green cisewhere. In using

/ manure water even now for Strawberries, care should be taken
that it is clear and not too strong, or it will do more injury than
good. The same rule applies to all fruit trees in pots. The
amount and the strength of the manure water should depend
not only on the wants of the plant, but also on its condition.
A plant in full growth with vigorous shoots and swelling fruit
will like an amount of nourishment in the shape of strong
liquids that would next to glut and render sickly a plant merely
swelling its buds or opening its blooms.

Thinned Grapes, tied-up Vines in late house loosely, keeping
them. still a good way from the glass to guard against sudden
extremes, as we do not wish to give them any or much artificial
heat at present. Shut-up one orchard-house early in the after-
noons, so that it may succeed the Peach-house sooner. In such
a case one fruitful source of mischief is not giving air soon
enough in the morning. In this house we placed an old iron
stove that was lying about after being turned out of some part
of themansion ; and though we have had little occasion to light
if, this season, our previous experience with it and what we have
seen.of brick Arnott’s stoves leads us to the conclusion, thet for
Places where a high temperature is not needed no other plan is so
simple and economical. So far as fuel is concerned, a small shoyel-
ful will often do more than a bushel either by common flue or hot
water, if people would take a little trouble with simple matters.
Of course we are glad to see all experiments tried, and we haye no
fault to find with those who for some little pet greenhouse will
have an expensive boiler and a hot-water apparatus which, after
all, they find consumes a yast deal more fuel than they were
given to believe. Nothing is so nice as hot water for a fine
finished greenhouse; but there are many houses where the ex-
treme of nicety is not at all desirable—where keeping plants and
fruit and working comfortably amongst them, and a moderate
degree of neatness are more wanted than the extreme of elegance
and refinement ; and in many such places we have not a doubt
that a healthy temperate atmosphere may be maintained by a
stove with large evaporating-pan for years for something like
the expense that would be required to set a hot-water apparatus
fairly going, yen for starting the idea of brick stoves Mr,

iyers deserves the thanks of all humble amateur gardeners.
With all this we should never think of having anything but

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

‘for moderate-sized houses to
will be just as safe as the boiler and the

‘chimney instead of many.

[ April 28, 1868,

hot water ina large establishment, as combining in such cireun-
stances ease of management with general economy. h
Having said this much, we hope that the discussion about
flues and boilers and the best boilers, suggested by our friend
Mr. Robson, will be attended with some valuable results, though

|

|

| We are not very sanguine on the subject. As to the mers eco-

nomy of fuel, having had considerable experience with flues and
the various kinds of boilers, the result of that experience is, that —
be heated singly by a flue or singly —
by a boiler, and where a somewhat regular high temperature is re- _
quired, the flue will be the moat economical, and if in good order —
pipes. When several such
houses are to be heated’ by one boiler, then economy in fuel’ will
be on the side of the hot water, as there is only one wasting —
The chief drawback against this
system is that the boiler may fail at a very critical time, and
whole crops be ruined before it ‘can be mended’or a fresh one f

putin. At such times the discarded and slighted’stove and even _

unhealthy open pans of charcoal have had to be resorted to.

BOILERS BURSTING,

As we have alluded to the subject we should also, like Mr.
Robson, wish for facts as to the wearing-out qualities of cast-
iron and wrought-iron boilers. We have heard of a good many
of both kinds giving way within these two years. In our own
practice the wrought-iron have been’ by far the least lasting.
From what old men tell us there are two cast-iron boilers here
that have had rough treatment, and must have been worked
for at least thirty years. We have had two wrought-iron ones
worn out into holes and to the thinness of a wafer in about fifteen
years. Both of these gave way in critical times—the first in -
the terrible frost of Christmas, 1860; and the second, which
heats three pits, gave way early last year, when all the places
were filled with plants needing heat. ' >

This reminds us that we have never answered some half adozen
letters as to how we ‘doctored-up this boiler, so that, bad as it
was, if is doing’its work well now; and we suppose we must
let it do xo until it collapses again. The boiler was saddle-
backed, and some 15 inches deep on the side. On examining
the side where the water streamed out into the flue, there, for —
the space of a foot, the iron was so worn out that we could stick
our fingers through it. The'dread of haying to wait for a fresh
boiler made us resolve to tinker it in the simplest manner, ‘The
old scaly iron was scraped off, and the side dried, and then well
smeared all over where holed and thin with a mixture of red
and white lead. An iron plate, some 17 inches by 10 inches,
was similarly daubed, and then placed against the side of the
boiler, and driven tight home by four pieces of iron being placed
across’ and driven down tight between the plate and the brick-
work on the opposite side of the flue. ‘Dhis held the plate
firmly against the side of the boiler without rivets or anything
else. To make assurance more sure, a row of bricks was laid on
the bottom of the flue on that side, holding the plate if anything
still more firmly, and with the disadvantage of taking off that
much from the depth of the flue, and thus preventing the heated
air acting on so much of one side of the bottom of the boiler.
Not a drop of water has leaked since, though the boiler has been :
almost constantly at work; and we suppose that now we will go
on with it until the other side give way. Of course, if the
leakage had happened in summer, common prudence would have —
said, “Have a fresh boiler at once;” but at the season. if, oc-
curred we must have’ lost many things before the boiler could
have been taken out and a fresh one put in and fhe connections
made. All the top-arched part of the boiler was as good as ever
it was. We feel sure that our fresh-plated part though merely
squeezed on will be the last to give way,

This patching may be interesting to some onein a similar diffi-
culty, and! we have no doubt such patching could often be done if
the wornout or defective part could be got at, which opens) up
the whole question of exposed boilers, and on that, too, much
information is wanted—such as how best to work them so asito _
secure all the heat they give off, and yet feed them from outside |
the house.

ORNAMENTAL DEPARTMENT,

Proceeded with potting and planting much the same as last

week. Out of doors the chief work was rolling the lawn, and
chiefly the sides of walks, mowing these especially, and cutting

afresh with line and edging-iron the sides of the walk, as if done —

well now the shears will do all that is necessary during the —

season, and much more easily from the cutting now; but taking

-

April 28, 1863. ])

off as little as possible, a straight line and not a raw edge being
the object. In addition turned over the soil of beds, and nearly
finished digging flower-borders.—R. F.

TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED.
F. Boshell, 86, High Street, Borough, London.—Deseriptive
Catalogue of Dahlias.
A. Verschaffelt, 50, Rue du Chaume, Ghent.—owveantés pour
1863. |

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Axemone (Subscriber, Dublin).—It is Anemone hortensis miniata, or
Red-fowered Garden Anemone. The species of which it is a variety,
A. hortensis, is a native of Italy, and has striped petals.

Grass SEED (Jesse Carter).—Not knowing anything about the Grass, and
not being able to foretell whether seed will be scarce or plentiful, we can-
not say what the value is. You had better send full particulars and a
sample to some wholesale agricultural seedsman.

Heatiye By Gas (@. 4).—Either plan will answer for heating the little
boiler by gas; but we haye great doubts of such small pipes giyiug you the
heat you require, or of the boiler and pipes all of tin lastmg any time. We
would have as much faith in the heated air from the gas passing through
one-inch pipes. If you attended to it yourself, we have no doubt you would
make your yery ingenious plan answer. For economy and certamty we
would prefer a small stove close to the back wall. It would cost a trifle in
comparison of the gas and pipes.

REPOTTING ORANGE TREES (Subscriber).—We would repot the Orange
trees with the frnit on them as soon as convenient if they require it, and
keep them in the vinery for a few weeks afterwards. 80° would be high
enough for them, and they must be hardened-off by degrees to the tem-
perature of the greenhouse or conseryatory. They will root best ina high
temperature.

Vine Leayes Sporren (A Wew Beginner).—We should think from the
leaves that the roots of the Vines are too moist, and that little sun strikes
the soil in which they grow. We hope that your border of 3 feet deep is
drained ; if not, it would be advisable to drain it next season, or even this ;
but perhaps it weuld be best to raise the Vines early in the autumn and
put a foot of rubble below the roots, which would leave 2 feet for soil—
quite enough. We see no reason why the Vines should not do; but
care must be taken not to sodden the border with water from the plants

standing over it. It wou!d be well, especially in winter, to have flats or |

pans for such plants. Vines will do very well planted against such back
wall, and trained down under the roof; but the more sun strikes against
the soil at the back wall, the better will the Vines do.

Hot-waTer PIPES UNDER OR OVER A Doorway (B. C. W.).—If your
Kitchen boiler had been against the back wall of your greenhouse there
would have been'no difficulty ; but being near the wall on the opposite side
does away with most of the economy of the affair. The boiler beimg raised
considerably above the floor of the kitchen, and the floor of the kitchen
and the couservatory being on the same level, also increase the difficulty.
If the top of the boiler had been sunk a foot beneath the kitchen floor, all
would have been smooth sailing. The position of the pipes in the green-
house are below the level of the boiler, and you cannot heat in that manner.
There will be no difficulty, except the inconvenience, in getting the pipes
through the kitchen, if the lowest pipe in your greenhouse is higher than
the top of your boiler. You may then take a flow-pipe from the top of

your boiler into a cistern on the same level as your present supply-cistern, |
| apt to conjure up ideas of a well-dressed salad.

or as much below it as you like, provided it is higher than the top of your
Doiler—5 or 6 feet will do very well—and from that take your tiow-pipe,
descending to any suitable level, provided it is higher than the top of your
poiler. This pipe may go round the house, or return; but the lowest pipe
also should be as high as the top of the boiler, and irom that lowest point
the return-pipe may descend and pass under the kitchen oor, and rise to
the bottom of the boiler, and thus avoid the doorway, having an open air-
pipe at each of the bends. But though this might answer, we should prefer
that the return-pipe from its lowest point should go through the wall, go
round the wall of the kitchen on that level, above the level of the boiler,
and then descend at once to the bottom. The pipe, if desirable, when
going round the wall of the kitchen, could be boxed-up. This would be
Detter than sinking below the boiler.

SrEpunes (4 Young Subscriber near York).—Good border flowers, but
not superior to others already in cultivation. Nothing novel about them.

Yuoca FILAMENTOSA NOT FLowerinc (EZ. H.).—The last three years
have not been so favourable for Yuccas blooming as the three preceding
seasons, and we fear your having removed your plant lately will not fayour
its blooming this season, although it is likely it will facilitate its doing so
another year. We have had as many asa dozen spikes of Yuccas out ata
time, and no flower that we are aequainted with looks more noble. The
spike of ¥. filamentosa is about 3 feet or more high, and thickly set with
cup-shaped bloom of a creamy blush colour. Yucca gloriosa, aloifolia,
and recurva are much larger, spikes of 8 feet and upwards being not un-
usual. The individual blooms are much the same in colour as Y. filamen-
tosa, but more bulky and numerous. They flower best in a dry sunny
situation and on dry or chalky soils. Tuere is no fixed time for their
flowering, for we have had flower-spikes rising in October, and, of course,
rwere cut off in winter, and we have had them early in May. Where there
is a number of plants they flower at irregular times. We should think that,
unless the bloom-buds of your plant were formed during the fine
weather of last autumn, your shifting it lately will prevent its blooming
this year; but it may be otherwise. Hot dry summers and autumns suit
this plant, and you will doubtless be favoured with a bloom from it in due i
time. The plant in bloom you send is Phlox setacea; the other not in
loom seems a Saxifrage, and most likely S. hypnoides or S. tridactylites.

FLOWER-GARDEN PLAN (An Amateur, Fareham).—The only change we
would recommend is to cross your colours at the sides of the diamonds,
instead of haying all warm on one side and all cold on the other. Thus
make 9 and 19 Gazania, and 10 and 18 Lobelia, or dark Calceolaria, and |
go on.

JOURNAL OF HORDICULIURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

319

Dovnte Purrite Perrwm«Kie (M, S.).—Yours is the double variety
usually met with. We cannot tell whether our Worcester correspondent
would exchange some of his double blue for some of it.

DovusLE AND SINGLE VioLets (Z. H.).—After the double Violets have
done flowering, scatter a little sifted leaf-mould amongst the shoots, which
will encourage them to root, when, some time towards the end of May, the
self layers may be taken off in showery weather and planted in some
suitable place. ‘The old plants may be trimmed back into tufts somewhat
larger than they were the year before. This trimming, however, had
better not be done until the growth of the season is nearly completed, after

| which the blossom-buds will be formed, and they may at the same time be
| treated to judicious doses of liquid manure.

t The name of your plant No. 1
is lost, but No. 2 is Coronilla glauca.

Curtinc Back PEacH AND NEcTARINE TREES (J. H.).— Although the
blossom has not set, it would not be advisable to cut them much back if
they are in a vigorous condition and no fruit on them, or they will pro-
duce wood much too gross to expect much fruit next year. At the same
time, if last year’s wood was not sufficiently thinned, a part may now be
cut away with advantage. The great thing is to balance the number of
shoots of the enrrent year with the support afforded them by the root, so as
to insure healthy well-ripened wood of a uniform size in all parss of the
tree, and none of it too gross and succulent. A too-severe cutting-in may
induce the latter if the trees be vigorous, while, if otherwise, they will be
benefited by a timely pruning.

Turips on Cucumbers (An Old Subscriber, Mrs. E. T.).—Heut and dry
atmosphere are the delight of the thrips; successivesmokings with tobacco,
and frequent syringings and a moist atmosphere the chief cure. We would
remove a good many of the infested old leaves and burn them ; but at this
season we would raise young plants in another place, and when strong get
rid of the old ones. There are many modes of keeping them down, as
catching them with a moist finger, but they are difficult to get rid of. The
advantage of having a canvas blind is the using it only in bright sunshine.
We would leave it off at night, and evenings, and mornings, before the sun
became strong.

FLOWER-GARDEN Pians (H. D. C).—You i
you have attempted to colour your beds in. The first group is very nicely
arranged, as to ground plan, there being a hexagon for centre, six pointed
ovals round thut, and six rounded triangles round them, the points coming
in in the openings between the ovals. Such a group is just made for
balancing ; and if, after what has been said on planting flower gardens
generally, it pleases you to have all these thirteen clumps different, why
you haye a perfect right to please yourself. You would also see what has
been said of Roses for a centre lately; but you could relieve yours
by Stocks and Asters; we would have the Stocks outside instead of the
Asters. The outside of the six ovals, being of Cerastium, will give an idea of
sameness; but they will be 2 considerable distance apart, and that will
relieve them. Four of these beds are to be filled with Verbenas, one with
Heliotrope, and one Carrots and Phlox Drummondii mixed. The other
six beds are also all different, and on the system you have adopted we
think the result will be very good, though every separate bed is distinct and
different, there being no pairing or balancing. We cannot say, however,
that we like the idea of Carrots in a flower-bed, however pretty the foliage.
There is such a difference in admiring the merely beautiful, and thinking
of the accompaniments of boiled beef. We do not like the plan of No. 2
nearly so well, there is too much likeness in form to the first. The two
No. 3’s seem also to be offshoots, destroying the regularity of the figure or
group: and, then, it has no centre to fall back upon as it were, otherwise
we like the system of balancing better; and as you have done this with
1,1, 2,2, 8,3, so as, We are sure, to look well, we would carry this system
out in all this figure by pairing 4 and 6, 5 and 7, and 8 and 9. The two
groups will be planted then on two systems. We have no doubt your
ribbon-borders of four rows Punch Geranium, Red Beet, Calceolaria Aurea
floribunda, and Cerastium and Lobelia mixed, will please many. For our
part we would prefer purple Spinach or Perilla to the Beet. It will be so

deserye credit for the mode

Insects (W. Hallett).—The black insect is the destructive Otiorhynchus
sulcatus, which must be sought for after dark, a cloth haying been pre-
yiously spread under the Vine. On the approach of a light it falls to the
ground, and wust be destroyed. The pale-coloured insect is the common
Cuckoo spit insect, Ophrophora spumaria. It is only an accidental yisitor
to the Vine.—W.

Names or Pranzs (WW. Taylor).—Erythronium dens-canis, or common
Dog’s-tooth Violet. (Anne).—The blue flower from the wall is Linaria
cymbalaria; but, not being magicians, we cannot tell the name of an
Acacia from a single leaf. (Novice).—1, Edwardsia microphylla; 4, Per-
nettya mucronata. The other specimens are not even in leaf! (An
Amateur, Londonderry).—Muscari moschatum. 1, Polystichum aculeatum
lobatum; 2, Lastrea emula. We do not know that the variegated Japan
Honeysuckle has been tested, but the species of which it is a variety is
generally considered hardy enough. (Alumnus).—The numbers were nearly
all displaced. The box contained not Primula elatior, but P. vulgaris um-
bellata, P. veris, Adenandra uniflora; 4, Doronicum, perhaps plantagineum,
but you have not sent root-leayes ; 5, Ranunculus amplexicaulis ; 6, Arabis
albida. (Z. M., Sandymount).—Ribes speciosum. (A. Z,).—Berberis aqui-
folium, Pyrus or Cydonia japonica. The tirst would do in a shaded border ;
the other is more suitable for a wall or trellis.

POULTRY, BEE, and HOUSEHOLD CHRONICLE.
OUIL TB, Moy tees LD ln See

WHICH OWL DESTROYS GAMEP

Your correspondent, W. H. Beadon, inquires which owl
destroys game. Mr. Warren the head gamekeeper here
(Thornham Hall) informs me that he has seen the horned owl
take away young pheasants, and also that he saw the barn owl
with a young rabbit in its clutches on the branch of a tree.
The above facts are, I think, sufficient proof that owls like a
taste of game; and why should such beautifel specimens of the
feathered tribe be deterred from tasting some of the good things
amongst which they dwell? What can be more lovely than to

320

rise between 4 and 5 amM., and to listen to the beautiful
musie of the feathered tribe?—the blackbird, with its rich
mellow notes, trying to out-do all its neighbours; this black-
feathered gentleman is particularly fond of a good feast of
Strawberries, and richly he deserves it. Let us therefore be
“true protectionists,” and preserve both birds and fruits, not
forgetting to leave a few for the poor blackbird.

Old towers, summer-houses, and such places are much fre-
quented by owls; and many a would-be-destroyer of this noble
bird has been caught with a pail of water.JoHN PERKINS.

VIRGIN QUEENS CAN CERTAINLY PRODUCE
PERFECT DRONES.

Mz. Lowe is quite correct in stating that the progeny of
virgin queens are generally extremely puny from being bred in
worker cells; but this is also the case with the male offspring
of impregnated queens when produced under the same disad-
vantage. I know not whether “ B. & W.” may have adopted a
similar precaution ; but in my own case I have taken care to
supply the virgin queen referred to in page 270 with drone-
combs, and the result is that she breeds as large and handsome
drones as can possibly exist under any circumstances.

With regard to the doubt expressed as to the value of such
drones in queen-rearing, I have already proved beyond question
by careful anatomical investigation that the progeny of virgin
queens are perfectly capable of propagating their species. As to
the details of this examination it is unnecessary to repeat them
here, since Mr. Lowe may readily refer to them in Nos. 30, 31,
and 37 of the new series of Tar JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE.

In conclusion, I can fully indorse all that he has stated with
regard to the apiarian disasters of the past winter and early
spring. I believe that in many districts bees have become
nearly extinct.—A DEVONSHIRE BEE-KEEPER.

BURYING BEES.

THE year before last [ procured a swarm of bees, and placed
them in one of Neighbour’s cottage-hives. This hive stands in
@ wooden receptacle constructed for it, and faces the south. Al-
though the bees worked well apparently during the autumn,
they yielded me no honey. During the winter I fed them, and
last year they threw a swarm, which I hived and placed along-
side the first-named one. From neither of these hives did I get
any honey. In November last a friend advised me to bury the
two hives in the ground, and assured me that the bees would
require no feeding, and commence breeding much earlier than
they would do by any other treatment. I resolved to try the
experiment with the “‘ Neighbour’s hive,” and accordingly buried
it about a foot underground. On digging it up about the be-
ginning of March, I found that the hive was filled with dead
‘bees, most of themin a state of decomposition, and the comb
quite spoiled. Supposing that my ill-success arises from my
own mismanagement in some way, may I ask you to inform me
how lerred? That burying the bees, though not, I believe,
‘generally practised, proves in some cases successful, is clear from
this paragraph cut out from a newspaper this week. It is the
only authority I can refer to in print, though I have on other
occasions heard the practice recommended.

“Bury your Brxs.—In the fall of last year, Mr. John Fin-
Jayson, of Cumbernauld, who had experienced great difficulty in
preserving hives of bees during the winter, resolved to enter on
‘an. experiment with the most weakly hive in his stock. This he
‘buried beneath a foot of earth in his garden; and though the
bees in the other hives, which were protected in the ordinary way,
all died, those in the buried one were on their disinterment on
Tuesday last, found to be alive, and at once commenced to buzz
about.”—( Scottish Farmer.)

I have now one hive (last year’s swarm), but the bees are not
very active. It is fortunate for me that I did not bury both
hives. How ought I to proceed to make this one hive pro-
lific ?—_N. Craypon, Lowick, Lancashire.

[Many years ago several of our contributors tried the experi-
ment of burying bees, and generally with the same result as in
your case. Very few survived, and those were in a very weak
state. Such newspaper paragraphs as you enclose do infinite
mischief to vhe inexperienced by recommending what has long
been exploded. Burying bees is quite unnecessary in this cli-
mate, and where it is habitually resorted to in order to elude the

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

[ April 28, 1863.

intense cold of northern winters the pile of hives is only par-
tially sunk beneath the surface, the projection being well thatched,
and every precaution taken to keep them dry by thoroughly
good drainage and ventilation. ]

OUR LETTER BOX.

FERTILISATION OF EcG (Eliza).—The probability is that the next day
but one after running with the Brahma Pootra cock, the egg would have
been available for sitting; but certainly all after that date may beemployed.

ReaRinG SitveR PHEASANTS (J. 7”.).—The best bird for rearing Silver
Pheasants is a small hen. We do not depend on a Silver hen to sit on her
own eggs. They will not always do so, nor are they careful mothers. We
have one at the present time sitting close on nothing : she has been thus
employed for more than a fortnight. As soon as some of our hens begin
laying again we intend to treat her to three or four eggs, but our experi-
elice i8 not much in favour of her rearing poults. We, however, think her
a better bird as a sitter than a common hen in confinement.

CHICKENS REMAINING WITH THETR MotHER (C. Z,.).—In the winter
chickens should remain under a rip with the hen longer than in the spring
or summer. In the spring six weeks are long enough. In the summer
still less time will do. The hen is wanted principally at night to cover the
chickens and keep them warm, and as the nights become short and warm
chickens are less dependant on the mother. Yours will therefore do very
well. Chopped pieces of cooked meat are very good. Instead of putting
the hen with ducklings under a coop, shut her in an old pigstye or some
such place, and she will do very well. Ducklings are not active enough to
be under a rip, and webbed feet are not favourable to confinement. ‘hey
willnot do by themselves atthree days old. Cochin pullets under favourable
circumstances lay at from sixteen to twenty weeks old; Game and Dork-
ings from six to eight weeks old.

Lice on Fowts (/. P.).—Yours seems a singular case, We have never
known one in which dust did not destroy these pests. If you will put heaps
of dry dust, the finest you can, add thereto black sulphur at the rate of
141b. to the bushel, and place the whole so that the heap shall be in the
sun, we think you will be free from torment. It is the law of nature that
all birds shall use the bath—some water, some dust—but both for the same
purpose, to rid themselves of yermin. If you know of a spring that runs
across a lane in a tolerably quiet neighbourhood, and winds and frets its
little way over, around, and among gravel stones, you will in the middle of
the day find it full of small birds washing with might ana main, till at last
they are all a like colour, disappearing in the thorough wetting. If you are *
a sportsman, or if you are an observer of the habits of birds and fond of
natural history, you will find at midday, on the dusty banks, pheasants
and partrieges basking, with ore wing up and their feathers open. They
are not content with half measures; they tidget and scratch and twist till
they are half buried. When you lave disturbed them you will find each
was half buried in the finest possible dust, and the clouds that fly from them
asthey take wing will show how thoroughly they enjoy their bath. It is a
necessity, and it accomplishes for them that which you want for your
chickens. In a very wet season, when there is hardly a dry place to be
found, all these birds are infested with lice; and if there be a beetling bank
intersected by the roots of old trees, you will see by the works they have
found it out, and, although no sun penetrated, they have dusted there. If
the remedy we have suggested fails, then lime-white the houses thoroughly,
especially the corners, new gravel the floors, and close them against the
poultry. Let them for a time seek fresh roosting-places and scatter them-
selyes about. If that will not do oi! their feathers on the crown, under
their wings, and on the back. ‘his is the last remedy, as it spoils the plu-
mage for atime. Feed them lightly on ground food, and if you have used
rice or meat discontinue both.

CaickEns Dying Susprenty (7. G. § Co.).— Your chickens pick up
something that kills them. We know no disease that would kill them as
rapidly as you describe.

Hens with Wounpvep Backs (@. Y.).—Separate the cock from them
until their backs are healed. Dress the wounds with merely a Jittle lard to
exclude the air.

Poutrry Losine THEIR FeaTHers (Z. JT. B.).—We are afraid you are
like many of cur friends—you are killing your fowls with kindness. The
Spanish lose their feathers either from internal heat from over-feeding, or
from diseased insides: they pick the feathers one from the others. The
origin of the Dorking disorder is the seme. As these things exist in your
yard, and as we will engage the nearest farmyard is free from anything of
the sort, we advise you to do as they do, Cease to overfeed; that disorders
the birds, and from repletion they do not seek the natural fuods and medi-
cine the earth teems with on its surface. Do not take so much care of them.
Let them rough it, forget to feed them sometimes, and give teir meals so
that they must seek tuem. If they haye been fed from any vessel, remove
it at once and le: them pick everything from the ground, If one hen in
particular pecks the feathers of the others remove her, as they soon acquire
bad habits.

Apis porsa1a (W.).—Except as a matter of curiosity, it would be absurd
to import this Indian honey bee even if it were practicable, as, unlike our
domestic bee, Apis mellifica, it is very confined in its geographical range,
requiring an Indian climate.—W.

FaLLen Comps (2. G. P., Sudbury).—The best plan would be to invert
the hive duriug the middie of a fine day and replace the combs in their
original position, supporting them on either side, and at their original
distances apart, by inserting strips of old comb about half an inch wide
between each. Then lay three or four strips of the same material, cut
sufficiently thick to keep the combs in firm contact with the top of the hive,
transversely across them; and, covering the whole with the floor-board,
invert it and put the hive in its place. If you cannot manage this the
fallen combs must be taken away and the stock liberally fed, in order to
enable the bees to supply their place as soon as possible.

UnpbuLaTep EvpHemia (A Great Lover of Birds).—Canary seed is the
usual food for yeur birds. When they have young add boiled ege, millet
and maw seed, and let them have a bunch of long grass, when in seed, hung
up. Place in the cage, at one corner near the top, a small box about
5 inches square and 4 deep, witb the nest already shaped, composed of dry
moss, grass, and wool, similar to what canaries build with, with some loose
in the cage. See our Journal, New Series, No. 50, ‘*he Breeding of the
Australian Grass Paroquet in England.’’

May 5, 1863, ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 321
WEEKLY CALENDAR.
z R NEAR LONDON 1 1862.
Day | Day aus ie Moon | Clock |
of of MAY 5—11, 1863, i Rainn Sun Sun Rises | Moon’s | after | Day of
M’nth | Week. _ Barometer. |Thermom.| Wind. Toles Rises, Sets. jandSets| Age. Sun. Year.
degrees. m. h.| m. h,| m. h m. Ss.
5 Tu | Speedwell flowers. 29.932—29.922 | 79—52 8. = Q7af4 | 26af7 | 12 10 7 3 27 125
6 Ww J. Gesner died, 1790. B. 80.043—29.894 | 84-52 | N.W. | .46 25.4) 28) 7) 8 12 18 3 32 126
7 TH Meadow Orchis. 29.919—29.735 61—44 S.W. 80 2464/29 7) 54 11 19 3 37 127
8 F Lavoisier guillotined, 1794. 29.888—29.782 65—43 S.W. 60 22 4/31 71! morn 20 3 41 128
9 Hardy Orchis. 29.636—29.481 641—44 S.W. 31 20 4/32 7/)|30 O 21 3 44 129:
10 | Scn Rogation SunpAy. 29.634—29,582 | 65—40 8.W. 10 18 4) 34 7/;59 O ¢ 3 47 130
ii M T. A. Knight died, 1838. G. 29.686—29,588 | 62-43 W. +04 WZ 4/36 7]; 23 1 23 3 60 131

METEOROLOGY OF THE WEEK.—At Chiswick, from observations during the last thirty-six years, the average highest and lowest
temperatures of these days are 61.5° and 39.5° respectively. The greatest heat, 81°, occurred on the 6th, in 1830; and the lowest cold, 21°,
on the 8th, in 1855. During the period 147 days were fine, and on 105 rain fell.

ANNUALS.

oe Rae ;
RS ON Merah O obtain a fine show cf bril-
\( “92+ liant colours at but little
SX, trouble and expense, there is
no plan that can compare
with growing a good selection
of annuals in the flower-beds and
borders. This subject has been
brought before me rather promi-
nently, by a letter from a gentle-
man, wishing to know how he
may fill up the gaps which he
sees he will have in his beautiful
flower garden this season. He
wishes me to tell him what sorts
would do to sow now in the end
of April and the beginning of
May in the open ground, so that
he might expect them to keep on
gay for the most of the season.
‘With the exception of those sown
in autumn, or very early in the
spring, this is the time when I generally sow those I wish
to bloom through the autumn. To suit other inquirers
besides our correspondent, I will divide my lists into
several sections, with a few running remarks on each.
1. Annuals sown in April and the first week in May,
to keep on for the season.

Alyesum maritimum (Sweet Alyssum), 9 inches.

Atriplex hortensis rubra. For mixing or edgings.

Amaranthus—Prince’s Feather, Love-lies-bleeding.

Bartonia aurea, 1 foot. Golden poppy flower.’

Calliopsis tinctoria, atropurpurea, marmorata, nana, and lots
of others. Drummondi makes a fine bed, and so does Burridgi,
and indeed all of them. From 2 feet to 2}, except nana, which is
about 1 foot.

Callirhée digitata and pedata, very pretty, rose and white,
1% foot.

Campanula speculum, 1 foot; and Lorei, blue and purple,
1 foot.

Clarkia pulchella (rose), alba (white), integripetala, and others,
1 foot. Very pretty ; require pruning seed-pods.

Collinsia grandiflora, purple, 6 inches. The only one that
will stand.

Chrysanthemum tricolor and aureum, 1} foot.

‘ convelrulus minor, dark-striped; monstrosus, good for edgings,
‘oot.

Convolvulus major. Varieties for climbing.

Delphinium, blue and purple, and variegated branching Lark-
spurs, 2 feet.

Hschscholtzia californica (yellow), 1 foot; crocea (orange),
I foot; tenuifolia, 9 inches, pale, showy, poppy-like flowers.

Eutoca multiflora, viscida; rough, but the colours fine, 2 feet.

Godetia roseo-alba, Lindleyana, rubicunda, very fine, 2 feet.
Will keep on to September. To prolong blooming half the
plants should be nipped over when 4 inches high, or the seed-
pods picked off.

Helichrysums, white, rose, yellow, 3 feet. Everlastings.

Kaulfussia amelloides, blue and white, 1 foot.

No. 110.—Vou. IV., New SEnres.

Lopezia racemosa, miniata, 6 inches, rose.

Lupinus nanus, 1 foot, blue and white; Menziesii, yellow,
14 foot; mutabilis; Cruikeshanki, blue and white, 4 feet; and
many others, such as Dunnetti, and superbus, besides the blue
and yellow annual Lupines, the last standing well.

Malope trifida, grandiflora, purple and crimson, very gay,
3 to 4 feet in height, and better than the varieties of

Lavatera, white and lilac, but which look well in back rows,
3 to 4 feet.

Mimulus, mixed varieties, from 6 to 18 inches.
moist, shaded place.

Nemophila, of sorts, if sown again in the end of June.

Malcomia maritima (Virginian Stock), red, white, and pink,
if sown repeatedly.

(inothera micrantha, 1 foot, yellow; Drummondi nana,
1 foot; bistorta Veitchiana, 9 inches, neat, and pretty orange
colour.

Perilla nankinensis, purple foliage.

Sanvitalia procumbens, } foot, yellow and black.

Saponaria calabrica (pink), alba (white), marginata (pink and’
white). Fine for dwarf beds and margins.

Schizanthus pinnatus, Priestii, pulchellus, about 22 feet ; rosy,
pink, white, and lilac.

Reseda odorata (Mignonette).

Schizopetalon Walkeri, white, a few inches high, makes a
pretty edging.

Silene. The various coloured Catchflys about 18 inches in
height, and such low species for small beds and edgings as pen-
dula (pink); alba (white); pseudo-Atocion (pink) ; pulchella,
ditto ; rubella alba, and Schafta (rose and pink).

Sphenogyne speciosa, 9 inches, pale yellow, upright growth,
and fine pinnated foliage. ‘This and the Silenes will require the
seed-vessels to be pruned away.

Tolpis barbata (Yellow Hawkweed). Makes a fine bed or
edging. ;

Tropwolum majus. The strong-growing kinds for fences,
stakes, or covering the ground amongst Dahlias or shrubs; the
dwarf and Tom Thumb varieties for beds and edgings, as Tom.
Thumb Scarlet, Yellow, Pearl, Crystal Palace Gem, &c., well
disleafed, will equal Geraniums. Canariense is also fine for
fences, chains, running over trees, or may be trained as fine
yellow edgings.

Lathyrus odoratus, or Sweet Pea, will also do well as back
rows, but it would be as well to sow again in front of the first,.
in the middle of June.

Viscaria oculata (pink), Dunnetti (white), about 18 inches, and
nana of both, about 6 inches. These will want the seed-vessels
to be nipped off.

In fine, pulverised soil these may be sown any time,.
taking care not to bury the seeds. Small seeds should just
have a sprinkling of soil to keep the fierce sunlight off them.
In harsh, cold, clayey soils, well dug, but rather rough,
a shower would shatter it like lime; then break it fine,
and draw ruts for the seeds in proportion to the depth
wanted. In such circumstances we would draw the little
ruts double the depth wanted. Scatter the seeds rather
thinly, and if the ground is dry water the places with a
fine rose, and then cover, if with a little fine soil all the
better, but leaving the little ruts only half filled, which
will be found a good plan if a future watering should be
desirable, or if a little rough charred earth and lime
should be found necessary for throwing among the seed-

No. 762.—Vou. XXIX., Oup Skxizs, ~

Do well ina

322

lings to keep slugs and worms from them. ‘The chief drawback
to this plan will be the birds, which, if they do not eat; will be apt.
to scratch the seeds, and thus spoil the unity of your arrange-
ment. ‘The remedies are covering the seeds with pots, with tree
branches, or with nets, until the seedlings are well up. _

Hyen then, however, there will likely be some vacancies ; and,
therefore, asa reserve, it would be well to adopt the plan of a
correspondent, and sow in pans or pots under glass. Hor myself
T would prefer placing 3 inches of rough soil and leaf mould on
a hard bottom, and 3 inches of light fine soil’ over'it ; sowing the’
seeds rather thickly, covering with glass until they were well up,
hardening them off by degrees, and lifting them in patches ‘to
where they are wanted.

The greater part of these annuals might also be sown m
March and the first days of April; but, as a rule, they will not
come up 80 regularly, nor will they bloom continuously so late.
When it is desirable to have them as early as possible, and the
late-flowering is a matter of less moment, then make up a slight
hotbed in the middle of March, cover with rotten dung and soil

» as stated above, dig and pulverise the ground well, and plant |

‘out in patches about the end of April. The best beds and
margins of annuals we ever had were so managed, and though

they bloom, sooner, they will not continue in the autuain like |

those sowm now in the open ground or under a little protection
and transplanted.

2, Selection of annuals to bloom early in spring, by sowing in |

the third week of September, either where the plants. are to

stand or thickly on a border, hard below with about 4 or 5,inches |

of vather poor stiffish soil, which will lift in lumps early in the
spring, or in the beginning of winter after the beds are cleared,
well dug, &e.

Alyssum maritimum (Sweet Alyssum), white.

Anoda purpurea, 1 foot.

Cacalia coccinea aurea, 1 foot.

Calandrinia speciosa, rose, 6 inches.

Callichroa platyglossa, yellow, 9 inches.

Calliopsis, all the best, as mentioned above, except Drum-
mondi, which rarely stands the winter,

Campanula, all the dwarf kinds, Venus’s Liooking-glass, &c.

Clarkia, the whole of the varieties ; the pulchella group is |

hardier than’ the elegans varieties.

Collinsia bicolor, bicolor alba, bartsiefolia, and bartsizefolia
alba, grandiflora, marmorata, and all the species and varieties.

Collomia coccinea and grandiflora, red and saffron, 1 foot.

_ Delphinium, dwarf Rocket Larkspurs.

Hschscholtzia, all mentioned in previous lists.

Gilia, all from 1 to 14 foot in height. The varieties of tricolor
are best; but all the varieties of achillesfolia and capitata are
also good ; the latter in good soil will reach 2 feet. Is a little
rough.

Godetia, all previously mentioned, and as many more as may
be deemed advisable. These sown in autumn might be planted
thinly in beds, and bedding plants placed between them to fill
up when the first were done blooming. G
., Iberis, all varieties of annual Candytufts.

Leptosiphon androsaceus and varieties, aureus, densiflorus,
luteus, &e. ; low-growing pretty plants.

Limnanthes Douglasii and others, as grandiflora, rosea, low
things with yellow and rose flowers.

Lopezia coronata, rose, 1 foot.

Malcomia maritima (Virginian Stock).

Nemophila, all are suitable.

Nigellas, all varieties, but best sown in spring.

Nolana, all varieties, best sown in April.

Papayer (Poppies), best in spring.

Sanvitalia procumbens, best in spring, black and yellow,
4: inches, trailing. ;

Saponaria calabrica, all varieties,

Silene, ditto, as already mentioned,

Viscaria, varieties.

Tolpis barbata (Yellow Hawkweed), best in spring.

Venus’s Looking-glass of colours, blue, blush, white, &c.).

These will need the protection of a few evergreen branches
amongst them in severe weather in winter. The next best plan
with these would be tosow in the open ground early in March ;
but they will bloom much Jater'than those sown in autumn, A
better plan to secure early and uniform beds in spring and early
summer from spring-sowing, would be to sow in a mild hotbed
_ £arly in March, with rotten dung below and fine soil above then
harden. off and fill, the beds or rows, not with solitary plants but

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ My 5, 1863.

| with patches, rooted in and adhering to the rotten leaf mould
and soil.. The transplanting will promote dwarfness and free-

blooming. - Where there is the convenience of # few sashes
early inthe spring, this plan will often secure fine beds with
less trouble than sowing in autumn. Autumn-sowing is the
best plan for early blooming, where such conveniences as sashes
cannot’be had in the spring.

3. Annuals that require the assistance of heat and glass to
give them a chance of forming a prominent part in the adorn-
mentiof the flower garden. We shall divide: these) into’ two
classes—those that are bestsown in pots, and those that may be
sown in boxes or on a mild hotbed. ‘The first will also be the
better of more heat than the second, and both will need pricking
out as soon as they are large enough, unless sown sufficiently
thin at first.

Those best sown in pots, are such as

Abronia umbellata, rose, 6 inches.

Acroclinium roseum, rose; and album, white. Hyerlastings.
1 foot.

Ageratum, chiefly the mexicanum varieties, as nanum, which
is) dwarf ; odoratum and ccelestinum are next best. -

, _Alonsoa grandiflora, Warczewiczii, scarlet, 2 feet.

Amaranthus bicolor, tricolor, 14 foot.

Anagallis grandiflora, Breweri, &c., blue ; and other varieties,
_zed, lilac. ‘

Arctotis grandiflora, argentea, silver leayes, yellow flowers,
dwarf and creeping. ;

Browallia varieties, chiefly for greenhouse.

Calceolaria varieties. ;

Cheenostoma fastigiatur, rose, low, a few inches.

Cineraria maritima, silvery foliage. ,

Cleome brachysperma, white, 18°to 24 inches.

Clintonia elegans, pulchella, &c.; resembles Lobelias of the
‘dwarf kinds,

Cobcea scandens, strong climber.

Cucumis, ornamental Gourds.

Cuphea of, kinds,

Datura chlorantha, Wrightii, &c.

Dianthus, of the Heddewigi and laciniata group.

Hucuida bartonioides,, yellow, 1 foot.

Heliotropium, varieties. iT

‘Humea elegans, for centres of beds and greenhouse; does best
sown in small pots and potted on before planting. =§-

Tsotoma axillaris, blue, 1 foot.

Linum flavum and grandiflorum, &e.

Loasa of kinds, dangerous climbers.

Lobelia speciosa, and many other kinds.

Martynia fragrans, 2 feet. i

Maurandya of colours, for pillars, climbers.

Mesembryanthemum of kinds and colours. ;

Nemesia floribunda, versicolor, and varieties, pretty low plants,
white, yellow, and blue.

Nirembergia gracilis, intermedia, the first light lilac, the
second purple, 1 foot or rather 9 inches in height.

Nycterinia selaginoides and varieties, pretty low plants, lookin
like Lobelias at a distance, pinkish, bluish, white.

Oxalis rosea, a few inches high. f

Perilla nankinensis, to have it strong. fr

Portulaca Thellusoni, and many varieties.

Primula sinensis varieties, for greenhouse. mT (7

Rhodanthe. Manglesii, maculata (Everlasting flowers), rose,
crimson, and yellow, 1 foot. ,

Ricinus of kinds, for fine foliage. _

Solanum capsicastrum, for greenhouse, chiefly for the fruit.

Verbena venosa, Aubletia, and all varieties generally. . The
sooner they are sown the better they willbloom, sss

In the case of most of these, and especially as regards all the
small-seeded ones, as Lobelia, Calceolaria, and Portulaca, we
‘would fill the pots half full with drainage, then rough soil, then
fine soil, gently pressed, water well a day before, sow the seeds
on the slightly-dried surface, put a, square of glass over’ the pot,
and.shade until the seedlings begin to appear. For all such small
seeds the slightest covering of fine sandy soil should be given.
Tn pricking-off, we often do so in little patches instead of jsingle
plants, which is easier done. None of these small. seedlings
should be watered overhead, but when dry, if not soiled as
above described, the water should be poured in'on oneside; such
as on an oyster-shell, so-that the soil may be moistened without
wetting the tops, or beating them down from the rose of the
watering-pot, as that will make themdamp-of to a certainty.

May 5, 1863. ]

Larger seeds will require more common treatment ; but from want
of attention to minutie, we have known seeds saved from the
same plant distributed to several people, and some would raise
plants from almost every seed, and others would not succeed in
obtaining a plant.

Annnals to be sown in a gentle hotbed, hardened-off, and
finally transplanted.

Antirrhinum majus and varieties will bloom in autumn,

Argemones, of species, must be planted young.

Blumenbachia insignis, blue.

eereashenums annual varieties, as tricolor, aureum, Bur-
ridgii. 4

Dianthus, as chinensis, and varieties of Indian Pink, &c.

Gaillardia, such as picta, nana, &e.

Helianthus, double Sunflower. ‘

Holeus saccharatus, for foliage.

Impatiens, garden Balsams, which thus treated make fine
bushes.

Lophospermumn, of sorts. Climbers; better, however, in pots.

Myosotis palustris and azorica, common and Azores Forget-
me-not.

Nolana sub-ccerulea and other varieties.

Mathiola, the best German and large-flowering Ten-week, and
other Stocks.

Pentstemons, different species and varieties, as gentianoides,
Murrayanus, which thus will bloom as annuals.

Phlox Drummondi, many varieties, all beautiful.

Salpiglossis, many varieties. Make telling beds. About 2 feet
in height.

Salvia coccinea and Reemeriana are the chief kinds that will
bloom freely the same season from seed.

Zinnia elegans, varieties, would make beds or rows of them-
selves ; and the scarlets, crimsons, and purples, are exceedingly
beautiful. To these may be added the Peony and Chrysan-
themum-flowered French Asters, and the Quilled German Asters,
African and French Marigolds, and German Wallfowers, which
come mostly double and semidouble, to flower in mild winters
and the succeeding spring. Most of the above should be sown in
the beginning of April, and a batch of them are a good resource
to fall back on when a vacancy occurs.

Ihave taken up so much space that I must be satisfied in
thus referring to some of the best annuals for ornamenting the
flower garden, leaving those for the greenhouse for some other
opportunity. The article, written by snatches, has many short-
comings; but I shall be glad, if by its perusal some of our
enthusiastic gardeners in small places receive any hints as to
how certain annuals may be best used for definite purposes. In
general, when sown on the ground the plants are left far too
thick. R. Fisu.

EARLY ARCHERFIELD MUSCAT.

I ForwarD for your inspection (April 24th) a sample of
this Grape, which I think you will find to be quite ripe and
fit for table. It is cut from a Vine which, as Dr. Hogg saw,
has been forced under the following disadvantageous circum-
stances.

On the 12th of November I put a bed of warm leaves on the
border of a Black Hamburgh-house, preparatory to its being
started for the supply of Grapes about this time. The plant of
Early Muscat from which the sample sent is cut, is growing in
the house next to this early Hamburgh-house. Being anxious
fo put its early qualities to the test by trying it against the
Hambargh, I removed a pane of glass from the division which
separates the two houses, and introduced the rod of the Muscat
through the opening. This was done cotemporaneous with
putting the hot leayes on the Hamburgh-border both out and
inside the house. The Muscat-house, in the border of which the
roots of the Muscat had to act its part against the Hamburghs,
was kept open at both top and bottom, as I did not want to
start it till nearly two months after the Hamburgh-house. To
preyent the cold current of air from acting more immediately on
the stock of the Early Muscat, I wrapped a hayband round it ;
but in all other respects the house and border in which its roots
are, remained as cool as it could be kept till the 31st of
December, when the house was shut up and warm leaves
applied, the same as was done in the case of the Hamburgh-
honse on the 12th of the previous month; so that in the matter
of heat at the root the Hamburghs had about seven weeks of
an adyantage over the Muscat.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

323

On the 24th November the Hamburghs had fire heat applied,
while the house in which the roots of the Early Muscat were had
no fire heat till the 20th January. Under these circumstances the
race has been run. On March the 28rd the first faint sign of
colouring was discovered in the Black Hamburghs, and on the
30th of March I have the following entry in my diary:—
“Noticed Early Muscat changing soft and yellow.’ The
Hamburghs are now fit for table, and the first will be cut on
the 28th Apri, while the Muscats are as the sample sent, and
which I send for your opinion as to ripeness. I have no
hesitation in saying that this variety of Muscat will force as
well and as early as the Black Hamburgh.

I may state that it is my intention to send a sample to the
Fruit Committee which is to meet on the 5th of May. Probably
I may send two bunches; and if your acute correspondent and
able pomologist Mr. Rivers, or any other whose opinion is of
value, could be present it would be gratifying, as I am not aware
that in the ordinary course of forcing, Muscat Grapes of any
variety were seen so ripe at so early a season.—D. THomson,
Archerfield Gardens.

[Zhe specimens to which Mr. Thomson refers were received
on the 25th of April, and were perfectly ripe examples of a pure
form of Muscat of Alexandria. |

THE AURICULA IN 1863.

Hayine received several communications publicly and_pri-
yately relative to my favourite flower, I must take this medium
ef answering my correspondents, while at the same time I am
enabled to have a chat on our prospects with regard to it.

To our two great Societies we Auricula-growers are much
indebted for the stimulus that has been given to their growth,
the results of which are abundantly evident in the increased
number of exhibitors and the better quality of the plants pro-
duced at the spring shows. This applies especially to amateurs ;
Mr. Turner still holding the place of solitary grandeur and
dignity as the only exhibitor amongst nurserymen. When we
find that in one year only the number of amateurs exhibiting
has been more than doubled; that plants which two years ago
might have received a first prize are now to be found nowhere;
and that other flower-lovers are evidently preparing for the
battle, we may assuredly congratulate ourselves on the progress
that is being made. Nor is this all. Some of the most expe-
rienced plant-growers 1 have seen lingering over the collections
exhibited, and expressing their unqualified approbation ; while
ladies, to whom the flower has been a stranger, have so stopped
to gaze at the exquisite beauty and novelty of the flowers, that
it has oftentimes obstructed the thoroughfare—no difficult matter
in these days of distended garments—not that I think at first it
is a popular flower with the gentler sex; there is not, perhaps,
enough of that gracefulness of appearance which they ever Jook
for as a size qué non in Flora’s domain, but if is one that is
sure to win upon them ; their neatness and refinement appealing
to their love of all that is elegant, and they become after a while
its most enthusiastic devotees.

The demand for the Auricula has so greatly increased that
neither at Slough, Falkirk, nor in Lancashire, has it been possible
to obtain plants of any size; forthe Auricula isnot a plant that
can be propagated as one likes, you must bide itsown time. All
these circumstances combined tend to make me believe that we
ate on the eve of seeing the old days of poor John Dixon revived;
and that in and around our metropolis Auricula-growers will
soon be as numerous as they used to be in “days when I was
young,” and “The Horns,’ Kennington, used to be the scene
of many a pleasant meeting.

The opinion that I ventured to express, and for which some
northern growers were almost prepared to give me Lynch law—
that a National Auricula Show wonld never be again held, is,
T think, likely to be more near the fact than our northern friends
believed. They this week hold one called such; and although
their rules haye been somewhat modified, and three-legged Manz
Auriculas are not to be exhibited, yet few if any of the really
southern growers will yenture so far north, or, indeed, as 8
general rule, would they be able to exhibit at a time so far
adyanced as the last day of April: and hence I imagine the
Show will be to all intents and purposes a northern one; but
I hope and believe that ere long we shall be enabled to see a
southern or metropolitan exhibition. There is already a South
London Auricula Society, where the flowers are exhibited without

324

any charge and without any money prize, solely for the purpose
of making the flower more popular. This may very well be
enlarged by-and-by; and I am quite sanguine as to the practi-
cability before long of attempting something of the sort.

“ What has become of the Alford Auriculas?” In answer to
numerous inquiries on this point I may say that the whole col-
lection has passed into the hands of Mr. Charles Turner, of the
Slough Nursery. My late and ever-to-be-lamented friend pos-
sessed the most varied if not the most extensive collection of
any amateur in England; and, indeed, I hardly suppose that
in the whole kingdom there was one which combined 80 many
varieties. ‘These, added to Mr. Turner’s already noble “stud,”
will make his the finest collection in the world. As I know the
circumstances of the purchase I may just say that it was made
without the smallest hesitation; the terms proposed by Mr.
Turner being such as his liberal mind suggested as a fair value,
and such as the representatives of my dear friend felt few but Mr.
Turner would have made. And now those pets over which he
had spent many a pleasant hour have changed their home, and
he who was looking on to see their opening beauties has left us
for ever! Few Auricula-growers who knew him but will, in
looking over their stock, think of him. Well indeed will it be
for us if, like him, we have thoughts such as he had of higher
and better things,

“Can any better frame than that described in the Cottage
Gardener's Dictionary as Dr. Horner’s be recommended for
them?” Yes, most decidedly. The very best frame that Auri-
culas can be grown in is one planned by my friend the Rev. J.
Bramhall, Mr. Jeans’s brother-in-law, fully described and figured
in either the Horist or Gossip for the Garden; while Mr. Jeans’s
own notion of an Auricula-frame is given in the Florist for 1861,
page 273, My own opinion and experience, however, aré in
favour of growing them in common garden frames, taking care
that the glass is large, so as to prevent drip, and then to have
an Auricula-house for blooming them in, auch as I myself de-
seribed in the Florist for 1860. Since that time I have had one
made for myself; it is now full, and a prettier sight in the way of

Ko = -- 5 -~=~--- 9, Peel ----—----3--->

SS ——_

are

a ae a7

fiowers I would not desire to see. Being placed on a level with
the sight, the plants can be seen without the trouble of stooping

over them. The front sashes can be drawn up s0 as to give air

without allowing the cold wind to blow upon the plants; and if
care be given to ventilation and shading, they may remain in
this blooming-house during the summer. It may be, perhaps,
objected that this is only suitable for a large collection; but if
the house be made small at first, it can always be added to.
“Will it hurt Auriculas to let them have gentle summer
showers?” My own practice is never to allow them to get rain,
not that I think that gentle rain would hurt them, but I con-
sider it to be safer to lay down this rule, called out so mnch as
I necessarily am by professional duty, that my frames should
always be down on the least approach of rain. People are such
bad judges of what a shower is that I cannot trust to the judg-
ment of others, and by this means I preserve my stock from

being saturated with heavy rains. WerelI at home, and could

run out and cover them when they had had enough, it would

be a different thing. But careful watering with rain water when |

it is to be had, or, at any rate, with water that has been tem-

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENE3.

SaaS SS

[ May 5, 1863.

pered by exposure to-the air, I consider nearly as good for them
as a gentle summer shower; but by all means let them have all”
the air possible. Si ;

‘Where can good plants of the leading kinds be obtained?”
Happily the demand. for them has so increased, that this becomes
a difficult question to answer. Mr. Turner has made a large
addition of nearly five hundred plants to his stock, and as many
of them are, doubtless, such as he has already, plants may be
obtained from him. Mr. Lightbody, of Falkirk, has also a very
fine collection, and there are other growers about there. Messrs.
Holland & Bayley, of Chadderton, near Manchester, can, I
believe, execute orders for some kinds, although, unfortunately,
I could not obtain what I wanted from them; but I would
advise all who wish to purchase to be sharp about it; it will be
next to impossible to obtain plants by-and-by. Where persons
are intending to commence their growth, our advice is to procure
some of the cheaper kinds at first, and then when one finds that
he can manage them, to go on by degrees to the more expensive
sorts.

I have thus run through most of the points on which my
opinion has been asked, and cannot forbear saying that I hope
no one will be deterred from growing them through any supposed
difficulty of culture. They require care, but not so much ag
Carnations and Picotees, and some other flowers. The diffi-
culties have been greatly exaggerated, owing, I think, in a great
measure, to the nasty messes that used to be considered necessary
to grow them in. Attention to cleanliness and good wholesome
food will do as much for them as these will for ourselves, while
over-excitement will act isjuriously on them as well as on us.
Nor, again, are they s0 expensive as some would suppose. You
may, of course, give high prices, but then if you wish to part
with them, you can obtain the same. ‘Ihere are kinds such as
Maria, Lycurgus, George Lightbody, &c., which will command
their price for years to come, while the commonest sorts growers
for sale will always be glad to purchase, I might, had I been
so disposed, have over and over again sold mine, and that at
good prices. This can be said of few florists’ flowers. Tulips are
quoted at high prices, but to sell them is another matter.
Altogether, taking them in their various aspects, consider-
ing their extreme beauty, the comparative scarceness of good
collections, and their success commercially (if one may
allow such a mean notion to enter into the growth of
flowers), I still hold by my first love, and after five and
twenty years of constant affection, maintain that no florists”
flower is more worthy of general cultivation than THE
AvricuLa.—D., Deal.

INVITATION TO MR. ROBSON.

I HAVE amused myself for some weeks past in writing
articles in reply to your contributors. It is now time to
finish the argument and unmask myself, although to a larga
portion of your readers I feel if is no unmasking. Mr.
Robson persists in referring to old recollections. All he
says is, doubtless, true enough, and his friend when he
“shook his head,” was also truthful. The fact is, he had
not discovered the modern simple method of growing Peach
and Nectarine trees in pots. But why do I sa dern ?
Loudon tells us in the “ Gardeners’ Magazine,” that Peach
trees in pots were grown for twenty years with success by
merely giving them surface-dressings. The thing is not new,
but the method is simplified and systematised, if such a grand
word may be applied to a very facile mode of culture.

To end this discussion, which has given me great amusement—
for I am always amused with platitudes advanced with sober
seriousness ; I fear it is the remains of a love of mischief which
when a boy I was famous for—I hereby invite Mr, Robson to
come and see me, and my trees, and my houses, and my various
“dodges” which I carry on from year to year, and which I
hope to do till the “‘must-be” comes. I shall be happy to
receive him with a cheerful welcome, and show him Peaches and
other trees in pots standing on a hard clay floor—fed merely,
and amply fed, by surface-dressings ; others planted out ; others
on a loose surface to root in; in short, I will show him all that
Ihave. The trees are now full of young fruit not yet thinned,
with the exception of the Apricots, of which many thousands
haye been consigned to tarts. He should come now—it is but
a day’s journey—and again in August, and then we can taste
and argue about flavour just as two old gentlemen should do.

May 5, 1863. ]

With regard to the flavour of Gooseberries, I haye Mr. Rob-
son “onthe hip.” No Lancashire Gooseberry or Gooseberry
in Lancashire, and I have tasted many, ever equalled a Red
Champagne or Warrington Red grown in the south of England,
leaving the White Fig Gooseberry and some others out of the
question.

If Mr. Robson will not come to see me I shall say he is a
firm-minded old gentleman, who, “if convinced against his will,
will be,” &e, (cide “ Hudibras”); but I trust he will favour me
with a visit, all I ask is s day or two’s notice. The Harlow
Station is the most convenient for my house.—Txos. R1vEss.

ADIANTUM MACROPHYLLUM.

Even at the present time, possessed es we are of beautiful
Berns of the Pteris tricolor, argyrza, and albo-lineata stamp, I
think there are few who will feel disposed to differ from me as
to the beauty of the fronds of really lovely hue of the old Jamaica
Bern introduced some seventy or eighty years ago—the Adiantum
macrophyllum.

Generally, and save when in a small pot, I have been in the
habit of considering this Fern difficult of culture, a rather
milly subject, acknowledging yery reluctantly the rule of those
of the blue apron; and yet it will under some, and those the
most simple ways of treatment, adapt itself to the wishes of the
cultivator.

I commence bysupposing that the operator has a thriving young
plant tolerably well established in a 4S, or, better still, 32-sized
pot, say in February ; the fronds of last season’s growth are
decaying. I would take this plant, and giving ita shift into a
=+sized pot, place it upon an elevated pot, slate, or stage, near
the cooler end of the stove, moderately supplying it with water.
it may remain in this position about a month; when, if from

the necessities of the store plants generally, in the same com- |
partment, the heat is not then advanced about 10°, the Adiantum |}

should be removed so as to obtain that temperature. Probably
about this time young fronds will have pushed. If there should
be from eight to twelve with the pinne expanded in part, then
cut away the whole of the old fronds of last season. Divested
of its old fronds it will make a stronger start, and must now
receive a slight increase of temperature. I would let it remain
in this eituation about another month, gradually watering it
more frequently.

The above treatment would bring it on into April, when the
days are long enough fora further advance of heat. I would
now, in a shady situation, give it 60° by night, from 75° to 80°
by day; and an essential point is that the pots be so plunged
in moss around the pipes, or in a gentle hotbed, as to insure
the Toots being in a temperature of 70°. From thenceforward,
until the plant has done growing, deluge it well with water, and
gently. The influences of these combined inducements will
show themselves in the form of numerous fronds arising from
the plant.

hus continue each season; and in the following February I
would give the plant a liberal shift into, say, a 12-sized pot,
giving if a six-inch the following year, when it should be a fine
specimen compared with what we meet with generally—say a
ye diameter, and having fronds all fresh in their beauty, and
attaming some 14 inches long, sucha pot averaging some seven’
enna: ps a E> P eraging ty

Care must be taken that no particles of water be allowed to
stand on the fronds; otherwise they very quickly fade, and at
times even rot or fog-off.

The soil it appears to like best I compound of some good
rubbly charcoal, not pounded too small; rough little squares
of a fidry sandy peat, having the weightier part sifted out; some
good fibrous loam, with a fair proportion of silver sand, and
added to these a fair proportion of small potsherds.

In potting I half fill the pot with charcoal and potsherds, and
intermixed with these a few of the finer lumps of fibry peat. The
Istter should be placed in carefully, packing each as closely as
possible without breaking them. Then, before the old ball is
placed upon these, take off all old substances where practicable
without injuring the roots; and fill up with the mixture
generally, taking care to finish off at the surface with some of
the finer material —W. Esrtsry, Digswell.

Earty BLoomine oF THE Hawrnorx.—aAs a proof of the
forwardness of the sesson, I beg to state that yesterday, April

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

325

25th, I gathered a piece of Hawthorn with the blossoms fully
expanded from a hedge near this village. I have once gathered
iton the 27th of April, but I never before saw it so forward as
it is this year.—Ropekt S. STEDMAN, Shambrook, near Bedford.

HARDY ANNUALS.

Is Toe Journst or HortrovrtvreE of 31st March I have
read a list of garden annuals, at the foot of which is a suggestion

for other ideas to be thrown out on the sudject.

The following I

know to be good showy things in that way, and such as may be

grown by any one.—b. H.

Athanasia annua, 1 ft., yellow.

Bartonia aurea, | tt, yellow.

Brachycome iberidifolia, 1 ft., grey-
ish blue.

Clarkia pulchella flore pleno, 1 fé.,
rosy purple.

Chrysanthemum Burridgeanum, 2 ft.
white and crimson.

Calliopsis bicolor, 2 ft., yellow and
brown.

€. Drummondi, 1 ft, yellow and
brown.

C. coronata, 13 ft

Centranthus macrosiphon nants, Lift.,
pink.

Collinsia bicolor, 1 ft., lilac and white.

Convolyulus tricolor splendens, 1 tt.,
purple.

Dianthus chinensis, 9 in., mixed reds-

D. chinensis Heddewigi, 9 in., mixed |

reds.
Erysimuia Peroff:kianum, 1 ft.,
orange.

| E. Arkansanum, 1 ft, yellow.

Feverfew, double, 1+ ft., white.

Godetia rubicunda, ~ ft., purple.

G. Schamini, 2 ft., white.

Helichrysum compositum maximum,
2 ft., mixed.

Iberis umbellata ssnguine3, 9 in,

Lasthenia californica, 1 ft., yellow.

Lavatera, red and white, 2 tt

Leptosiphons, various, 1 ft.

Linum grandifiorum coccineum, lft,
crimson.

Lupinus, various, 2 ft.

Malope granditora, 2 ft., crimson.

Nasturtium, dwarfts—Cattell’s erim-
son; Tom Thumb scarlet, ditto
yellow, ditto Beauty ; Nasturtium
Dwarf Spotted.

Nemophila insignis, 6 in., blue.

Oxyura chrysanthemoides, 9 in,
yellow,

Petunia, mixed.

Phlox Drummondi, mixed.

Poppy, Dwarf French, 2 ft., mixeds

Savonaria calabrica, 1 ft., pink.

Schoria californica, 6 in., yellow.

Schizanthus, mixed, 13 ft.

Silene pendula, 9 in., pmk.

Sphenogyne speciosa, 6 in., yellow.

| Tropzolum Ceroline Schmidt, scarlet

T. Brilliant, scarlet.

T. Schultzi, scarlet.

T. Barkeri, mixed.

T. Scheurmannianum, buffand brown

T. Scheurmannianum carneum, but
and red.

T. Lauderi.

‘T. canatiense.

| Ipomsea Burridgi, rosy crimson.

| the collar),

crimson,
I. coronaria, 9 in., white.

Viscaria, mixed, 9 in.
Zinnia elegans, 15 ft. mixed.
I. atre-violacea, purple. (Climbers).

ROSES IN THE SUBURBS.

Tx continuation of my former papers for suburban Rose-
growers, I shall proceed to give the results of the past winter
with me as exhibited in the behaviour of several favourite kinds.
OF course they may not correspond with the observations of
others ; but it is only by the comparison of various experiences
that reliable data can be established. From October last to the
present time we haye enjoyed a singular immunity from severe
or continued frosts; yet we have not been without two or three
sharp spells, which have left their effects upon my limited rosery.
This has been particularly the case with small plants on their
own roots turned out of pots during the last summer, several
of which have succumbed to the influence of cold or damp.
Damp in the early spring months is extremely fatal to young
plants, which dwindle and go off between “wind and water,”
as the gardeners term it; and the method by which I hoped to
counteract the enemy (by placing a mulch of charcoal round
has not in all cases proved successful. H.P.’s Anna
de Diesbach, Due de Cazes, Princesse Mathilde, and Eugéne
Appert on their own roots are among the sufferers ; the first-
named, especially, seems really delicate in that form; the others,
thongh usually considered hardy, have followed in its wake.
Perhaps when the last frosts occurred they were too forward
and full of sap. Upon the Manetti the case has been quite
different with the same varieties, except Diesbach. ‘They are
flourishing and even in bud: hence I conclude that for ama-
teurs, whose space only allows them to cultivate limited collec-
tions, the Manetti is the most advantageous stock. B.’s G.
Peabody, Aurore du Guide, Comice de Seine et Marne, George
Cuvier, and Madame Helfenbeim (similar kind of plants to the
H.P.’s), are also among the departed; as well as Teas, Mélanie
Oger, Goubault, Viscomtesse de Cazes ; Noisette, America; and
C., Mrs. Bosanquet. These young plants appear to require more
bottom heat than is natural to the ground in spring to start
them at that period. I get on yery unsatisfactorily with those
beautiful Roses General Washington and Madame Furtado.
They neither grow nor open well, and I fear will not do for us
townsmen.

What will be the consequence of s continuance of the present

; 326

weather upon the Rose shows I am at a loss to imagine, In
my little plot there are upwards of a dozen varieties of estab-
lished plants in full bud, to be cut off, I fear, by late frosts, or
to be worthless from premature development. Their enemies
also keep pace with them. The pernicious black grub is in its
old haunts, destroying the embryo flower, and the aphis is
becoming rampant. 1 can, however, effectually keep it down.
T shall name the kinds so forward here, as they may be con-
sidered early varieties, and worthy of notice on that account
under fayourable circumstances. H.P.’s, Anna Alexieff, Jules
Margottin, Victor Verdier, Madame Domage, Madame de Cam-
bacéres, Triomphe de Paris, Triomphe des Beaux Arts, Général
Jacqueminot, Pius IX., Reine des Violettes, Duchess of Norfolk,
Senateur Vaisse; and of 1862, Monte Christo and Madame
C. Joigneaux; Bourbon, Catherine Guillot; and of Teas, Gloire
de Dijon and Madame Willermoz. The latter, on its own roots,
seems very hardy and robust, haying withstood the same adverse
conditions under which so many others have failed. Of 1862,
Madame C. Wood, Notre Dame de Fourviéres, Sonyvenir de Comte
Cavour, Charles Lefebvre, Maréchal Vaillant, F. Lacharme, and
Louise Darzins are all very vigorous and forward; and I think,
as I have said before, that 1862 will have given us an unusual
number of superior Roses. Perhaps the plan I have adopted
of hanging a breadth of tanned netting, about 6 feet high, round
the garden may have had something to do with their early de-
velopment. loses like plenty of air, but cold draughts do not
agree with them better than with the human species.

Knowing how eagerly scraps of information respecting novelties
are sought after by enthusiastic cultivators, the following re-
marks upon what I haye seen of them at Messrs. Frasers’, Wm.
Paul’s, and Paul & Son’s, may not be without interest. Your
able contributor, “D.,” of Deal, gave us an interesting descrip-
tive list of the forthcoming competitors for popular approval in
a number of your Journal towards the close of last year. Of
course the produce of the forcing-house is no criterion of ulti-
mate results ; still, if a variety does well there, it may be assumed
likely to prove a success. The most promising of those I have
seen are B., Louise Margottin, a beautiful kind of a delicate and
desirable colour, somewhat in the style of Louise Odier, as most
of new Bourbons worth anything are; H.P.’s, Jean Goujon,
Baron de Rothschild, Le Rhone, Madame Wm. Paul (a purplish-
crimson flower, very double, and appears to be an acquisition in
its line), Madame C. Kogq, not particularly novel, and Duc
d’ Anjou.

It is somewhat surprising that Rose-amateurs do not more fre-
quently avail themselves of the floral treats within their reach.
The first-rate nurseries are always cheerfully opened to respect-
able visitors, who will nsually find plenty of choice varieties, to
say nothing of other objects of interest, in bloom in the forcing-
houses at this time of year; and those who wish to extend or
complete their collections will now have the choice of the frames
for plants in pots to turn out during the month. A word of advice
respecting the best method of doing this. Besure the soil is light
enough. The young roots require some free and open, though
rich stuff, to deal with the first season, and if is a great assist-
ance towards establishing them, to protect and shade the plants
by means of a large flower-pot, or something of the kind turned
over them for a few days, leaving it off gradually, first by day,
and then altogether.— W. D. Prior, Homerton.

THE PANSY.

I cannot remember so far back as can your correspondent,
“Dant, Wanchester,” but I knew Mr. Thomson well, having been
a neighbour of his some yearsago. I regret to tell “ Dan,” that
Mr. Thomson has been dead about six years. I have never seen
since I left Iver any collection of Pansies that equalled Mr.
Thomson’s. If I send for seed saved from first-rate flowers L
never raise a seedling worth zaving.—_ Go. Hormes, Woodchester.

_ Excounscement to Pranters,—The late Sir Watkin Wil-
liams Wynn planted between 1814 and 1819, on the mountain-
ous lands in the vicinity of Llangollen, situated from 1200 to
1400 feet above the level of the sea, 80,000 Oaks, 63,000 Spanish
Chestnuts, 102,000 Spruce Firs, 110,000 Scotch Firs, 90,000
Larch, 30,000 Wych Elm, 35,000 Mountain Elm, 80,000 Ash,
and 40,000 Sycamores. The profit arising from the thinning of
these trees haye already far more than paid for the expense of

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE. GARDENER.

([ May 5, 1863.

lanting and fencing ; while the crop remaining is valued to pay
e aaah higher rent for the land, from the period of pest
final clearing away, than could have been got for it any
other purpose to which it could have been applied.— (Dublin
Agricultural Review.)

FLUES versus HOT-WATER PIPES.

I witx call your attention to that part of “E.’s” article,
page 211, which Mr. J. Robson advocates. Unluckily “E.”’
has omitted giving the length of the flue, the height of chimnies,
size of fireplace, &c., and the last two would make a great hole in
50s. ; for want of which information, I hope he will not take it
amiss if I try to show the actual cost per yard, leaving the fire-
place and chimnies for the present.

Now, the sides are formed of bricks laid fiat, 12 inches deep
inside. These would require sixteen each. Again, he fails to
inform us as to what the bottom consists of, May I, therefore,
allow sixteen bricks for the surface of the bottom? andas it will
require to rise as if extends, we will say two layers, which makes
thirty-two for the bottom. Wenow want three firetiles 18 inches
by 12, which will be 10d. each, making with the cost of the
bricks a total of *3s. 6d. per yard.

For my part, in the formation of a small flue, I would haye
tiles put on two bricks, placed edgewaysso as to allow the air to
circulate under the flue, for a bottom; bricks placed edgeways
for the sides, as the fiue will then give out more heat at the sides
than in ‘E.’s” plan, who has nearly all his heat from the top.
I should then require firetiles 12 inches by 12, at 6d. each, which
would make a total of *2s. 6d. per yard. :

So much for fines; and I will now proceed to investigate the
price per yard of water-pipes to heat a house a little larger than
“is.” For this purpose I would choose three-inch rain-
water pipe, which 1 can procure easily at 1s. per yard; the
return-pipe being reckoned, makes it 2s., and the average cost
per yard for joining the pipes together with hemp and Portland
cement, 3d., in all *2s.3d., leaving 1s. 3d. per yard in my
favour as compared with “E.’s.” Now (for materials, labour
of setting the boiler, and building chimney I shall cancel, by the
building of fireplace and chimnies in “Es” case), there
only remains the boiler, a small one, which may be had for much
or little. I will only add that I can obtain more heat in less
time, with less trouble in cleaning, and a great saying in fuel.
These things speak for themselves.

The Polmaise system was, and is, I dare say still, in favour
with Professor Lindley. I am very much surprised it did not
meet with a better reception after all that has been spoken in its
fayour. The best to work that I ever saw is at Messrs. Lanes’
Nurseries, Berkhampstead, which is the same one so minutely
described some few years since in a contemporary. They omitted,
though, to state the enormous quantity of fuel consumed by it in
-one day, compared to what would have been required had there
been hot-water apparatus fixed instead.

By-the-by, I see no reason why I should not try to correct a
common error made in fixing hot-water pipes. Many people
fix their flow-pipe on a dead level, allowing the return to sink
gradually from the extremity to the bottom of the boiler. Now,
we know that if a pipe leaves the summit of the boiler, rises per-
pendicularly, say for 20 feet, and sinks at once to the hottom of the
same, we obtain a superlative circulation ; but the more the pipes
decline to the horizontal position, the less rapid the circulation,
and the less heat do we obtain. Now,why do we not have the pipes
to rise at an angle, say of 10°? Simply because, if carried to any
distance, the pressure on the bottom of the boiler and flow-pipe 1s
s0 great, owing to the height of the water, that something must
give way unless everything is made proportionately strong. I,
therefore, advocate, a rise, according to the distance the pipe is
required to go, of for twenty yards 1 inch in three yards, for forty
yards half an inch in three yards, and for a hundred yards three-
eighths of an inch. By so doing you obtain a ready circulation,
and ayoid misfortunes similar to Mr. J. Robson’s (see page 292.)

I recollect M. Louis Van Houtte, nurseryman, Ghent, relating
an incident attending the fixing of a hot-water apparatus in a
very large conservatory at St. Petersburg. He received a letter
requesting him to go there at once, as the severe weather was
coming on, but they could not get the water to circulate, bei
obliged to pour the water in at the boiler end, and actually
pump it out at the other, so as to keep the frost out! Being

* These prices are the lowest I can get the work done for in the country.

May 6, 1863. ]

unable to leave his business, and suspecting the cause, he at once
wrote to them to make the flow-pipe rise so much in such
a distance, which when done was found to answer better than a
dozen pumps.

Might I ask “EH.” what it would cost to heat witha flue a
house 60 feet long by 18 broad? Also, the quantity of fuel con-
sumed in a week, and the heat he could obtain in a given time?
Tf not too low in cost, I will try to have hot-water pipes to
ead the same for less than four times his expenditure.—J. B. L.,

UNE. f

HYBRIDISING RHODODENDRONS AND
FUCHSIAS.

I Bue to thank your correspondent, H. H. Glenville, in your
Number, April 7th, for haying corrected me in replying to an
inquiry the preceding week on Rhododendron culture. At the
same time I think I have been misunderstood in the views I
took on hybridising, and possibly when I further explain the
matter our opinions on the subject may be found both alike.

I stated that seedlings from hybrids having some affinity to
each other, were more likely to do well than when the cross was
between parents differing widely from each other, and I cited
Fuchsias as an instance of failure; but in doimg this I by no
means denied the likelihood of success between such varieties as
Clio and Queen of Hanover, for although I am not acquainted
with one of them, I conclude they are fashionable varieties of
the greenhouse class. Cross-breeding as it is called isa misnomer
here, the relationship between the varieties rendering such a pro-
ceeding comparatively easy; but try across between two distinct
species, as Fuchsia corymbiflora and FI’. microphylla, and if that
succeed then there is cross-breeding in the full sense of the
word. It was extreme crosses like this that I thought would
not answer in Rhododendrons—say, for instance, a cross between
R. catawbiense and R. ferrugineum, or any other widely different
species. These were the crosses that I said were not likely to
furnish a useful progeny. I am glad, however, that Mr. Cox
has given us his experience on the Sikkim kinds. No one that
I am acquainted with is better qualified, and I hope he will
fayour us with other notices on plants cultivated at Redleaf.
No doubt in a short time the Rhododendrons there as well as
elsewhere will be magnificent. I am glad to hear of their
doing so well in Ireland. ‘There, are, however, some places
where they will not succeed unless earth suitable for them be
obtained elsewhere, and that sometimes at long distances, and
even there they can hardly be said to be so much at home as
when in a soil natural to the place.—J. R.

PETUNIAS FROM NEW YORK.

A EInpD friend to horticulture, whose name is appended below,
having sent a package of plants to our worthy coadjutor, Mr,
Beaton, who, all lovers of gardening will be sorry to hear, is
suffering from a long continued illness, the plants haye been
kindly consigned to my care; and I can only thus publicly
convey my thanks to the donor, and append his remarks on
the plants, which our worthy transatlantic cousin gives in a
humoursome style everyway becoming the profession he patro-
nises.

Although the plants sent are named after individuals who
figure prominently before both the Old and New Worlds, and,
consequently, call forth political feelings of a party nature foreign
to the peace-loving profession our periodical so truly advocates,
it must, nevertheless, be conceded, that amidst all the tumult of
party feeling, irritated now and then by events taking place else-
where, our New York friend writes with a tone of humourous
playfulness, and does honour to an antagonist of his country,
which we are not always disposed to do at home. Whether his
prediction of the future governors of the far west be true or not,
the absence of asperity in a letter (half gossiping, perhaps in-
tended), itself speaks of the candour of the writer, who amidst
the strife of civil warfare still finds time to follow out the more
humanising calling he is evidently so great an ornament of. It
will be best to give his own introduction to the Petunias, which,
as will be seen, were in a letter intended for Mr. Beaton, who
had some months back given a favourable opinion of them, from
a plate that had been sent him. Writing from New York, our
correspondent says—

JOURNAL OF HORTIOULTURH AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

327

all thatyou desire. I haye now great pleasure in attending to
your request, by sending you the two honourable gentlemen, the
‘ Presidents,’ and algo some of our military celebrities, by which
you will readily perceive that we are at present a warlike people,

“No. 1, Abe Lincoln, President of these United States,

“No.2. Jeff. Davis, present President of the Southern
Confederacy.

“No. 3. Gen. Iu‘Clellan, our next President that is to be.

“No. 4, Little Mac. We will presume he is the son of the
General, further comment is unnecessary in his behalf.

“No.5. The Zouave. This isnot the original, ashe has nearly
disappeared from constitutional debility. Having sprung on the
paternal side from rather a slender race (Nierembergia intermedia),
still his blood circulates in the veins of all this strain of Petunias,

“‘ Now, my dear Sir, I have said about enough, and complied
with your request to the best of my abilities—put both Presidents
into your hands, with the apparent succession and his supporters,
which you can harmonise at your leisure in your own garden, on
the banks of the Thames, without the trouble of a disagreeable
passage across the Atlantic. I sincerely trust they may all reach
you alive, that you may be enabled at some future day to report
progress how they succeed under your benign influence.

“The two M‘Clellans are double flowers; the elder very
double, the junior half-and-half (that, would do as a sign for the
“Hand and Flower” at Hammersmith). The others are suchas
you see on the plate.

“T have put in the package two of our native Ferns, Lygo-
dium palmatum, and Asplenium rhizophyllum, as I know you
are fond of such not-very-plenty things.

“J will shortly have the pleasure of calling to your notice a
new yellow Rose, a seedling off Tea Saffrano, much the same in
habit of growth, and equally free in flowering, only a little more
double, of a deep canary colour, and strongly Tea-scented. This
is altogether the best yellow Tea Rose that I have seen.

“T will send youa plate when it is figured. Trusting this may
reach you in the enjoyment of good health, and fully prepared
for the season of the grand exhibitions,

“ Believe me, my dear Sir,
“ Yours very truly,
“ISAAC BUCHANAN.”

Our worthy correspondent will, no doubt, be pleased to hear
that the plants came safely to hand; and although one or two
of them haye succumbed to an ordeal so trying to small, half-
succulent plants like Petunia, in thumb-pots, still by the
duplicates sent all the kinds are alive and doing well, as like-
wise are the two Nerns: and it is only fair to bear this public
testimony of the admirable packing by which a small case of
plants so young and tender have endured the long confinement
of a transatlantic voyage, and some delay after reaching England.
Of their merits, it is, of course, too early yet to venture any
opinion, but I will at a future occasion do so, and I have no
doubt but they fully bear out all that has been said. about them.
At the same time our New York friend, if he has not been in
England lately, must bear in mind that improvements have been
going on with the Petunia here as well as with him, that the
varieties held in high repute three or four years ago, have been
succeeded by others much their superiors, the double ones
especially being much improved. Nevertheless, due justice
shall be done to our far-travyelled specimens, and we hope the
warlike feeling which has called into existence the names given to
the innocent flowers noted above, may have entirely subsided ere
the report of their successful flowering here has been wafted
across the Atlantic. Their merits, nevertheless, shall be duly
recorded ; and I believe the readers of THE JouRNAL OF HoRTI-
CULTURE will be exceedingly glad of communications from the
other side of the water making their appearance from time to
time in its pages. The present is, therefore, we hope not the
last from the party who has forwarded the above communication
together with the plants he has sent.—J. Rosson.

THE MERITS OF AN ORCHARD-HOUSE. |

Tue discussion as to the value of orchard-houses has been
renewed lately, and a good deal has been said in their disparage-
ment by those who think unfayourably of them ina remunerative
point of view. ‘To try the question on this issue alone might,
probably, turn the scale: against them, as there are, perhaps, not

“T am certainly highly gratified by your complimentary | many (Mr. Rivers and a few others excepted) who are skilful
notice of the plate of my Petunias, which I trust will turn out | enough to have year after year their trees in full bearing.

328 |

I know I am repeating what has been stated by many of your
correspondents when I say that the real ‘value of the orchard-
house to the cultivator of limited means is the opportunity thus
afforded him of growing a greater number of different kinds of
fruit trees than he otherwise could have room for, the protection
against spring frosts, and the facility with which he is enabled to
place the different sorts in the soil most suitable to their various
requirements.

I have a lean-to orchard-house 15 feet by 8, without artificial
heat, and it is thus filled—viz., two Figs in the’ border, trained
to the back wall, three Vines in the border in front; three Peaches,
two Nectarines, five Plums, and one Mulberry in pots. The
Figs are Angélique and’ Brown Turkey, and have about a dozen
and a half of fruit on each, already of good size, which will, no
doubt, ripen well. Only two of my Vines are in bearing, the
other being too young; the kinds are Purple Fontainbleau and
Muscat St. Laurent, which bear and ripen admirably, the former
especially is a most prolific kind, and the latter has a true Muscat
flayour. Contrary to the experience of ‘‘ Duckwine” in your
paper of the 14th ult., my Peaches and Nectarines are, upon the
whole, this year,‘afailure. Although they blossomed moat beauti-
fully, one tree, the Shanghae, is an exception, and is well studded
with fruit fairly set. ‘The Plums, however, are and have always
been with me a decided success.

My garden soil is of a loose friable nature, and though Plums
generally blossom profusely they very seldom yield acrop. I, how-
ever, fill my Plum pots with soil, half of which is the strongest
clay I can get, mixed with garden soil for the other half. It
generally cakes pretty stiff, and the fruit set beautifully; I have
two Reine Claude de Bavay (a most exquisite fruit), one Joffer-

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

[ May’5, 1863)”

{ son, one Coe’s Golden Drop, and one Green Gage, with as much
peas.’

fruit set as they can ripen, and now of the size of small
Let “ Duckwine” try this, and I think he will succeed with
Plums.

The greatest enemy to be contended with is a small caterpillar,
which, begins to make its nest in the leaf as soon as it begins to
unfold, and to this it attaches the nearest embryo fruit, which it
soon eats into and destroys. The trees require to be daily gone
over by hand for a week or two when the fruit is setting and the
worms destroyed. ©

I have been unsuccessful in cultivating the Mulberry in the

open ground, but I have a nice compact tree between 3 and
4 feet high, in a pot, which bears regularly every year. The
fruit is hardly developed yet, but appearances indicate from
five to six dozen berries—no preat quantity certainly, but sufii-
cient to furnish a bonne Gouche occasionally. I may mention that
although the tree has been in bearing for several years it has
never yet shown male blossoms, and the fruit is, consequently,
seedless.

I had almost omitted to say that I have besides the above, for
ornament, two double-blossomed Chinese Peaches, from which
I sometimes obtain a few fruit, and a Clematis lanuginosa and
C. azurea grandiflora, which prolong the gay appearance of the
house now that the fruit-blossom is over.

I certainly sympathise with the genial feelings so well expressed
by Mr. Rivers in his communicéation of the 22nd of March; for,
independent of the fruit to which the cultivator looks forward,
he has in the spring the finest floral display any greenhouse can
furnish, besides many accompaniments of a delightful kind to a
lover of nature.—J. F., Haddington.

GARDEN PLANS.

THE accompanying drawings illustrate two designs which have
recently been furnished by Mr. J. W. Chapman, of Richmond,
Surrey, for Mrs. Millett-Davis, of Garston Lodge, near Liver-

PLAN. No. 1.

pool. It may be observed of the first, that had there been
room this design would have looked well if the circle had been
complete.

1, 1, &c, Specimen half-standard Roses.

2, 2, &c. Beds of dwarf hardy Heaths.

3, 3. Beds of Rhododendron hirsutum, ~

4, Perilla nankinensis, edged with Geranium Golden Chain.

5, 5. Sovniiey Madame Vaucher (white), edged with Verbena Firefly
scarlet).

6, 6. Geranium Princess of Prussia (eoarlet), edged with Verbena

Reine Blanche or Snowflake,

| 10, 10,

Petunia Geant des Batailles (purple), edged with Lantana Doris
yellow).
. Calceolaria Aurea floribunda, edged with Verbena Purple King.
. Werte se Maid (mauve), edged with Calceolaria ‘Gem.
ronze). f Babi fi
Lobelia racemosa or erinus grandiflora (blue), edged with Lan-
tana crocea superba (orange). ¥ . ,

May 5, 1863. }

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

329

PLAN NO. 2.

1,1. Specimen Yucca recurva.

2, 2, &c. Specimen Andromeda floribunda.

3, 8, &c. Beds of dwarf hardy Heaths.

4, 4. Beds of scarlet and white hybrid Rhododendrons.

5. Centre of bed Perilla nankinensis, second row Geranium
Vivid (scarlet), outer row Verbena Mrs. Holford (white).

6, 6. Verbena Lord Raglan (scarlet), edged with Petunia Alba Magna.

7, 7. Verbena Violacea Superba, edged with Calceolaria Yellow Dwarf.
8, 8. Geranium Golden Chain, edged with Heliotrope Etoile de Mar-
seilles or Napoléon IIT.
9, 9. Geranium Bridal Wreath, edged with Heliotrope Souvenir d’un
Ami.
| 10,10. Stachys lanata or Gnaphalium lanatum, edged with Geranium
Countess (orange salmon).

KEENS’ SEEDLING STRAWBERRY NOT BLOSSOMING.

In looking over such of my Strawberry-beds as consist of
runners of last year’s growth, I observe a very marked difference
in the per-centage of truss-bearing plants. Of Keens’ Seed-
ling, not one in a hundred shows sign of a blossom, whilst of
Princess Frederick William scarce one per cent. of the plants
are barren. Between these two my other sorts range irregu-
larly, but none of them are nearly so profitless as Keens’, which
is, however, a most abundant bloomer with me in the second
year.

All the runners were strong and well rooted, and were planted
in their new beds within less than five minutes from the time of
their removal. Should I haye better success with Keens’
as a fruit-bearer during the first year, if I allowed the smaller
radicles to dry up before being planted? or woud it, perhaps,
be preferable to apply root-pruning, and cut off, eay, one-third
of the roots with the view of forcing the formation of fruit-buds
by checking the growth of the plant ?

Princess Frederick William and some other sorts are quite
@ success with me treated as annuals, or rather as biennials,
planted of course very thickly.

Liebig’s new work on the “Natural Laws of Husbandry,”
throws some very interesting light upon Clover and other agri-
cultural plants bearing some analogy to the Strawberry in their
biennial or perennial character. When reviewing the work, your
readers will gladly hear something as to the carrying-out of his
theory in gardening practice.—FRUIT-EATER.

[It is difficult to account for the absence of blossom on the
popular variety mentioned above, as usually it is the best of
all kinds as a general cropper; and ifit was treated the same
as the other kinds which are flowering well, we can only
account for it on the supposition that the runners must have
been either extra strong, and, consequently, expended their
strength in producing sub-runners, or if very weak and late in
planting they had not time to perfect their crowns so as to
insure a good bloom in embryo. It is seldom, indeed, that
healthy vigour impairs fruitfulness in an herbaceous plant like

the Strawberry, although it often enough does so in a shrub or
tree.

We cannot see any particular advantage in cutting the roots;
on the contrary, it may do harm. It might be better to layer
the runners into pots another season, and plant them out if you
be certain the non-flowering arises from over-luxuriance. At
all events we would not advise anything being done to check
the growth, as with that the formation of healthy flower-buds
keeps going on. It is also possible, although it is vnlikely, that
the situation is not favourable to Keens’ Seedling. In many
places it is almost impossible to make the British Queen
grow, let alone succeed well. Is your bed of Keens’ Seedling
shaded by trees or buildings, or in any other way less fayoured
by the character of the ground than the other kinds are? We
can hardly suppose the variety to be in any way deteriorated
by its long cultivation (some thirty or forty years). In most
places it is still the most popular kind grown, and it generally
succeeds well.

Your beds of Keens’ flowering so abundantly this second year
is a proof that the situation suits them, and it also confirms the
fact, that extreme luxuriance tends to fruitfulness, as we will
readily expect the plants to have been vigorous the season there
was no fruit onthem. Planting a few runners another season
on poorer ground will show if a more retarded growth tends
more to fruitfulness; but in many places it is difficult to get
them to make growth enough, and even then their blooming is
anything but satisfactory ?—Kps. J. or H.]

Tur Crops In Cornwatt.—All the crops, whether fruit or
vegetable, give promise of a very abundant season. The Apple
trees are covered with bloseom. Peaches are to be seen as large
as marbles. Cherries, Plums, Nectarines, &c., all well set.
Gooseberries are thick and early, and are selling at half-a-crown
per quart. Wheat and other grain look yery fine. 276
baskets of Potatoes have this week been sent to London from

330

Penzance. Onions are in a yery flourishing condition. Peas
are in blossom; indeed, market-gardeners generally say that if
the weather continue fine, there will be as good a season as
there has been for many years past.—W. P. Jun.

BARBADOES POTATO.

THERE is a kind of Potato in this part of the country which
may, perhaps, be the Barbadoes Potato, which your corre-
spondent “Constant READER” inquiresabout. It was brought
over from California this time last year by a neighbouring
farmer, and gave a large return.

The tubers are of two kinds, one red the other white. The
largest specimens I saw were about 8 inches long and about
2 broad. The shape round, not flat. The skin is smooth, but
the whole tuber is covered over with knobs. It very much
resembles a kind of Potato I haye seen in the south of France,
but vastly exceeds this latter in size. The man who brought it
over desired me to plant the sets 2 feet apart, said that it grew
very tall and branching, and had very striking blossoms of four
different colours; he also represented it as exceedingly prolific.
It does not seem to be a very early kind, as all our early kinds
are far ahead of if.—Q. Q.

A GOOD BOILER.

As I observe that one of our recognised authorities on garden-
ing matters, Mr. Robson, requests the particulars of a good
boiler, it will enable all of us who may be interested in such details
(and, perhaps, we are each individually too prone to imagine that
whatever succeeds best under our own supervision must be the
best ofits kind) to arrive at some practical opinion on the point,
if Mr. Robson will kindly favour us with his judgment after
considering the different plans that may be described. I haye
made use of most of the different methods of heating, and with-
out saying that my present arrangement is the best, I will de-
scribe it and its work, and leave it to Mr. Robson to decide.

The boiler is an upright one by Truss, 2 feet 6 inches high
and 1 foot 8 inches in diameter, placed at the end of a lean-to con-
servatory-house, 27 feet by 10, 11 feet high; 6 feet of the
back is wall, the upper 5 feet thin boards with ventilating win-
dows. The main flow and return pipes pass through this house,
heating if more than is required, on ‘their way to the upper-
terrace house (span, glass all round), which is 12 feet above the
level of the boiler. This house is 30 feet long, 10 feet wide,
and about 8% feet high, divided into three—a coach-house, a
greenhouse, and stove.

In'the stove the pipe heats a propagating-tank of 7 feet long,
and on its return makes a eircuit in the Cactus end before join-
ing the main flow. The water then descends to the lower level,
and before returning to the: boiler ‘heats a large open-air tank
covered with slates, 8 feet long by 3 feet 6 inches wide, and
about 2 feet deep, which can be used for propagating or growing
Camellias under tall hand-glasses.

The fire, if attended to properly at half-past ten at night, is
still alight at six A-m., and the water im pipes and tanks quite
hot, All last summer we only used the cinders and breeze of
the house ; but in the winter months I have used coke as well—
about 1% chaldron per month. In the lower house the venti-
lators haye been necessarily kept open almost always day and
night during the past mild season, or the temperature would
have been too high.

The boiler is not a patent, though the pipes are those of
Truss & Co., of Gracechurch Street, advertised in your columns ;
but it is an honest and deserving patent, enabling any gardener
or amateur to take out and replace any length of pipe that may
be defective, and with the advantage that the whole apparatus
may be removed at a moments notice.

Should Mr. Robson come’ into my neighbourhood it would
afford me much pleasure to show him the whole of my limited
arrangements, and to thank him personally for the many hours’
Soar ae and knowledge that I haye gained by perusing his
articles. © ;

Before sending this off 1 inquired of my gardener, who, although

wh fo ai ft PUA LTOO GHA FAUT IID H Wes. TA
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

not a scientific man, has had many years” experience, and he says |

t our present mode of heating consumes less fuel, and gives
Tess. trouble than any of the various modes that he has had under

[tay 6, 1068:

be alight after eleven or eleven and a half hours.—C. M. Masor,
Cromwell House, Duppas Hill Terrace, Croydon,

[We have read over the statement. There is little doubt of
the heating in the circumstances; but the conditions required
by Mr. Robson are not given—expense of heating, material, and
consumption of fuel for the space to be heated. ‘The only singular
thing, and a most capital idea it is, is bringing the return-pipe
through a cistern of water out of doors, so as easily to get heated
pure water.—Eps. J. or H.]

CHEAP FLUES.

Av page 211 of Tor JourNat oF HoRTICULTURE your cor-
respondent ‘‘E.” represents that he heated two houses, each
20 feet long and 15 feet wide, by means of a smoke flue at a cost
of 50s. A gentleman who saw this statement, and who is erect-
ing a vinery 90 feet long, came to consult me as.to the practica-
bility of his heating it at the same rate of cost. I at once told
him that I had no idea how it could be done; that all flues I
had ever seen had a furnace front and cast-iron bars, and gene-
rally a damper, and that flues required foundations—arches, in
fact, if in a vinery, for the arrangements for the roots of the
Vines to be what they ought to be—and that 50s, would go a very
short way in providing the above. That portion of the article
appeared yery much like an advertisement to the effect “there
is nothing like bricks,” “‘ BH.” being a vendor of that very useful
commodity.

The matter has, however, now assumed a different aspect when
your highly intelligent correspondent, Mr. J. Robson, accepts
and puts forth “H.’s” statement with his signature across it 5
and to prevent misunderstandings with those who have such
works in progress I consider that either “ H.” or Mr, J. Robson
should give the full particulars, with the cost of the various
items; for I am convinced something has been forgotten in the
estimate. ; 1

For Mr. J. Robson’s information let me say that I took an
estimate froma bricklayer fora flue to heat a vinery 110 feet
long. ‘The flue was to be along the whole length, and both ends
of the house ard on arches, so that the Vine roots could run
under it. The cost of the place was to be £19 10s., and for that
sum I erected a hot-water apparatus, boiler, and everything
complete. There are only two rows-of pipes along the front and
one end. The house is a late vinery, and that extent of pipe is
found ample. Theapparatus has been up six years, and has not
cost’ sixpence since its erection ; whereas the least’ that could be
allowed for cleaning-out the fue would be 5s, annually.—W.
THOMSON.

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY’S MEETING.

THE April Meeting of the Entomological Society was’ held on
the 5th inst., the President, F. Smith, Hsq., being in the chair.
Valuable donations to the library received from the’ Royal and
Linnean Societies, the Society of Arts, the Reps Agricultural
Society, Dr. Schaum, and Messrs. Saunders, Hewitson, &c., were
announced; and Professor Lacordaire, of Liege; Dr. Hagen,
of Konigsberg ; and Dr. Leconte, of New York, were elected
honorary members of the Society. ,

General Sir J. B. Hearsey exhibited a box of handsom:; Lepi-
dopterous insects belonging to the family Noctuids, from India,
including several new’ species. '

Mr. G. R. Waterhouse exhibited a new British species of
Staphylinide, Aleochara inconspicna, remarkable for the great
length of the terminal joints of the antenne. \

The President made some observations on the economy of the
curious parasitic Beetle, Claviger testaceus, which he had found
in Ants’ nests in some numbers near Croydon, and which he had
kept alive by offering them sugar dissolved in’ water upon blotting
paper, which they had readily sucked: Specimens had also been
found in the nest of the common garden Ant at Folkestone. It
was generally in Ants’ nests’ concealed beneath flat stones that
these little Beetles were to’ be found. : te

Mr. J. Lubbock made some inquiries relative to the two
species of Moths, Acronycta Psi and tridens, which although so
similar in the perfect state as to be’ scarcely distinguishable, are
produced from larve very different from’ each other. ~ ;

Mr. Lowndes read’some notes on the habits of different species
of Ants collected by him in Australia, One species he had

Tis care; and that if carefully fired and made up at night it will | observed ranged over an area of at least a thousand miles with-

May 5, 1863. ]

out any variation (a fact of some importance in reference to the
geographical modification of species), He had also observed
that when its nest was built under stones of a black colour the
stone was left uncovered, but if the stone were white or light
coloured, it was covered with charcoal or other dark material,
the object of which, as suggested by the President, being the
inerease of temperature arising from the dark colour. The
species of the genus Polyracha make their nests of leaves, the
margins of which are glued together by the insects; but one

ies forms burrows in the stumps of the Eucalyptus, which
is so hard and heavy that it sinks in water. The species of
Myrmecia are of large size and very formidable for their stings,

the poison of which is, however, of a very transitory kind. Their |

lary when full grown form a cocoon which is by no means 4
common character in the Myrmecides, to which division of the
family the genus beiongs. One of the species, M. nigro-cincta,
is able to leap to a distance of 2 or 3 feet, although the legs are
not apparently dilated or formed otherwise than for running.

A letter was read from Mr. C, A. Wilson, of Adelaide, giving
an account ofa recent exploration across the interior of Australia,
with notices of some of the insects observed. In the splendid

family of Beetles, Buprestide, not fewer than 150 species had |

been collected by Mr. F. G. Waterhouse.

Mr. W. C. Hewitson read descriptions of two new beautiful
exotic species of Butterflies, from Bogota, one named Morpho
Alexandra, in honour of the Princess of Wales; and the other
Papilio Burehallii.

Mr. Rowland Trimen sent descriptions of three new species of
Butterflies captured in the neighbourhood of the Cape of Good
Hope, specimens of which had been forwarded to the Society in
a post letter.

Herr Vollenhoyen, of Leyden, also forwarded a notice of the
great work on which the Dutch Government is at present
engaged, containing an account of the zoological productions
of the Dutch settlements in the Eastern Archipelago, the first
entomological part of which is nearly ready for publication.

THE TOAD,
DOES IT HABITUALLY CONSUME WORMS?

Towanns the close of one of those wet misty days usual in
the autumn, my attention was drawn last year to one of my
noble friends, a toad, seemingly in a stooping position, or with his
head down. As I had never seen him in such a position before,
Iwatched hismovements. On perceiving me he resumed his erect
position, and I then saw protruding from one side of his mouth

of a worm, in size evidently above the medium; the so-
called head of the worm being within his mouth, whilst the
opposite extremity struggled hard to release itself from the
firmly-closed mouth of its captor.

TI stood quiet, determined, if possible, to watch the issue; but

my patience exhausted, I moved t hen the toad moved | : 3
eee also, a a ae dite ay Se eee Hoead ihe ween | at the top of the stock. As the state of the soil and weather is

It seems to be probable, that the toad habitually does consume
worms. This idea is strengthened when we take into con-
sideration the amount and frequency of its excrement generally,
which certainly is decidedly opposed to the idea that the more
minute insects which it is known to catch during the day, are its
only sustenance.— W. Ear Ley, Digswell.

WORK FOR THE WEEE.

KITCHEN GARDEN.

THE recent heayy rain will render the operation of continual
surface-stirring necessary ; a light thin-tined fork to be used,
as it enters deeper into the soil and makes more effectual work
than any other implement. Small crane-necked hoes are useful
for stirring the soil amongst seedling crops. By all means avoid
treading on the soil after the operation is performed, especially
if the soil is at all wet. Continue to trench up all ground re-
Maining or becoming yacant. Asparagus, the beds are now
coming into full bearing. The practice of allowing the shoots to
grow longer out of the ground before cutting is becoming more
generally adopted even by the market-gardeners, and ought to
be universal : an inch or an inch and a half below the surface is
quite enough. Do not permit any to run up at present, not
even weak ones, and give the beds occasionally a good supply of
Manure water with a little salt dissolyed in it. Basil, as also
Capsicums and Chilies, should now be undergoing the process

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGH GARDENER.

331

of hardening previous to planting out. A portion of them to
be retained in heat for an early supply.. Beans, make another
sowing of Longpod, or Green Windsor, or any other approved
sort. Earth-up the early crops, but if the weather is dry give
them a good watering previous to doing so. Broccoli, the seed-
beds to be frequently sprinkled with soot, wood-ashes, or dust
of some kind, to protect the young, plants from the attacks of
What is commonly called the fly, The young seedlings some-
times disappear without any apparent cause ; but if they were
looked over about ten o’clock at night with a lighted candle, the
cause would appear in the shape of slugs. Two or three doses
of quicklime sprinkled over them will prove effectual for their
destruction. Carrots, if the main crop has failed, sow seed of
the Early Horn immediately. Cabbages, continue to plant them
out from the nursery-beds, and also the Cauliflowers as they
become large enough, and keep the earth well stirred about those
advancing. Cauliflowers and Cape Broccoli may still be sown
for a Jate supply, but there must be no delay. Parsley, thin
the early sowing as soon as it is up. Peas, earth-up and stick
the advancing crops, but before doing so they should be watered
if the soil is dry. Make another sowing. Potatoes, hoe and
stix the soil between the rows of the early out-door crops.
Radishes, sow every ten days, and Lettuces every three weeks,
and Mustard and Cress every four or five days; all in quantities
proportioned to the demand. A few of the earliest Radishes to
be left to seed, the pods for pickling. Scarlet Runners, make a
sowing in the open ground to succeed those that may have been
forwarded in boxes, and which will be ready to plant out the
latter end of the week. Turnips, thin the advancing crops, and
make another sowing of Stone to come on in July and August.
Vegetable Marrows, towards the end of the week have a ridge
prepared for turning them out on, and also Cucumbers under
hand-glasses. There is no better way than the usual one of
throwing out a trench 3% or 4 feet wide filling it up with ferment-
ing matter and returning the soil, but if the soil is not of a light
nature, it is advisable to get some light prepared compost laid
where the glasses are placed. Where any main crops have

| failed no time should be lost in putting in more seed.

FLOWER GARDEN.

The late rains will be favourable for recently-planted shrubs, and
now the soil is damp no time should be lost in completing what-
eyer in the shape of planting remains on hand. The herbaceous
ground to be well cleaned and neatly raked over; this cannot well
be done sooner, in consequence of many species being late in vege-
tating. See that standard Roses are secured against high winds.
Those which were budded last season to be again gone over, and
all the buds and suckers which proceed from the stock to be

| removed: the inserted bucs which haye made shoots to be

stopped back to three joints, which will cause them to take a
firmer hold of the stock, and will increase the size of the head.
From those which are intended for budding upon this season,
rub-off all the buds with the exception of three well-placed ones

now favourable for commencing with the bedding-out stock, a
start to be made with the Calceolarias, Verbenas, and similar
plents, reserving Heliotropes, Ageratums, and the more tender
kinds of Geraniums for the latest planting when the danger from
frost of any severity may be supposed to be over. Branches of
evergreens are easily obtained about most places, and a sprinkling
of these stuck into the beds after planting will be of great ser-
vice in protecting the plants from the drying effect of bright
sunshine, and will also help to ward off frost.

FRUIT GARDEN.

Moderate disbudding, or, rather, thinning, the shoots to be
persevered in, but they must now be removed with a sharp
knife, and not broken oif,as the shoots are acquiring consistency.
Some of the strongest shoots of Peaches intended to remain will
require to be tacked-in. Stop the strongest shoots of Vines a
joint beyond the fruit, and commence nailing-in. Apricots being
generally used for tarts fo be left until they are large enough for
that purpose. Pay attention to the destruction of insects on
fruit trees, in order to afford the young shoots a fair chance to
make healthy growth. See that recently-transplanted trees are
not allowed to suffer through want of water. Look after the
caterpillar on the Gooseberry trees.

GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY.

Where a large quantity of hardy shrubs is annually forced,
either to decorate the drawing-room or conservatory, it is not
desirable to pot a fresh stock each season, for a number of the

332

deciduous shrubs—as Roses, Lilacs, Honeyauckles, &e.—may by
proper treatment be made to bloom for several successive seasons :
select, therefore, the most suitable plants when removed from
the houses, and give them some Kind of temporary shelter to
gradually harden their foliage. Those cramped for poroom to
be shifted into pots a size larger in rich turfy loam ; towards the
end of the month plunge them in an open situation that the
wood may ripen early; those plants, from haying been pre-
viously forced, will bloom earlier than the new stock, of which
8 portion each year should be potted to replace such as become
useless for further work. As goon as cold frames and pits are
clear of bedding stuif they should be occupied with young stock
of hardwooded plants, for the summer growth of which they are
better adapted than large houses. Wuchsias for late blooming
must not be kept too warm, they should be placed in a moist
shady house where they will grow much more freely than in a
high temperature. Conservatory-beds will require water, as
also all large plants in tubs—Camellias, particularly, being in
active growth will require a liberal supply ; 2 watering of manure
water will be advantageous. Cnt down and place in a cold frame
the choicest Cinerarias for suckers, and put in a stock of Chry-
santhemum cuttings for autumn display. The different Tpomzas
and Thunbergias being subject to red spider should be well
syringed, to prevent the pest gaining ground. Have an eye to
the propagation in due time of stock for succession or winter
flowering. ‘Take care to secure cuttings of such plants as Clero-
dendrons, Poinsettias, Hranthemums, Erythrina, and of those
useful winter-blooming plants Huphorbia jacquinieflora and
Gesnera bulbosa. W. Keane.

DOINGS OF THE LAST WEEK.
KITCHEN GARDEN.

Sarit cold winds, a low barometer, and only threatening rains,
which now, in moderation, are much wanted. Run the Dutch
hoe antong all advancing crops, to cut-up young weeds and pre-
vent cracking—such as among Cauliflowers, Cabbages, Potatoes,
Onions, &c. A little hail and snow and a low barometer are
signs that we shall get some rain ere long. Expecting it to come,
have had all our watercourses cleared that we may preserve
what we can for watering purposes, as water is scarce with us.
Gave Caulifiowers a little manure water, to cause the heads to
come strong and dwarf. We had set our hearts on having a
tank made with divisions for different kinds of manure water,
near fo a large tank that takes the water from the roofs of certain
glass houses and sheds, but we did not succeed in our aim, and
did no better as to securing some large old casks; those we have
used for the purpose being old oil-casks, and in use for the best
Pant of twenty years, but now so worn-out as to be unable to hold
water.

Well, a3 we could not have what we wanted, we made shift with
what we could obtain; for to be destitute of clear lime and soot
water, and manure water well fermented, appeared to us to be
almost as great an inconvenience as for a fish to attempt to get
comfortably along with a scarcity of pure water. Two modes pre-
sented themselves involving only a little labour, and little but the
expense of the labour. The first was to make a large trench or pond
with sloping sides, and cover the bottom and sides with stiff
puddied clay and tar, and some rough gravel beat into the sides of
the clay. This would have taken more.time than we could spare,
and it would have required us to have waited until the tar dried,
or the water might haye had too much of it. The second mode
was to sink the old ricketty barrels, that had seen such long
service, in the ground, and make them waterproof there; and
that was the plan resorted to.

A deep trench was dug, deep enough for the top of the barrels
to be level with the surface, and wide enough to leaye at
least 9 inches all round them. ‘The surface soil was removed,
but the clay below was saved for repacking round the barrels.
Hach barrel in turn was handled as carefully as possible to pre-
vent it falling to pieces. The bottom was then thickly painted
with tar outside. The place where it was to stand was pre-
pared with soft clay mixed with tar, so that when set up there
was no chance of water getting out by the bottom. We would
have tarred the inside, only we could not afford to wait for the
tar drying. The outside of the barrel was, however, examined,

and all rents, fissures, and deficiencies filled up with stiff clay
putty, and then tarred heavily all over; and, as the clay was being
rammed firmly againat the barrel, at every layer of 4 inches or

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

[ May 5, 1863.

so a little tar was trickled round the barrel,'so that when the:
wood of the barrel is moro thoroughly rotten and decayed the
openings between the sides will still hold water. The surface of
the ground round the top of the barrels was of clay well beaten,
covered with a thin layer of tar, and then with a layer of sand,
which will become hard and firm. The whole looks so nice, and.
the barrels are so much more easily filled and emptied, that we
are surprised we did not sink them yearsago. The only disadvan-
tage is that we must place hurdles round them to prevent four-
footed or two-legged animals falling into them, if they should
go ina dark night where they have no business.

Whilst on this subject we may hint that those who use liquid
manure made from sheep, deer, cow, or horse droppings would
act safely in pouring boiling water over them, and covering them
up with a lid some hours before filling up with common water.
The boiling water will scarcely leave anything alive in the drop-

ings.

E General routine with Cucumbers, Dwarf Kidney Beans, Peas,
&¢e., much the same as last week. Moved Tom ‘'humb Peas in
orchard-house that had done good service to the foot of a wall,
where they will come as often and as quick as wanted. Although
Peas are Peas we never thizk that those gathered under glass,
however open, and cool, and airy, are quite so good as those
obtained in the open air. Put small stakes to those planted out
in front of orchard-house now in full bloom. Watered Dwarf
Kidney Beans behind them to cause them to come regularly.
Those in boxes will need planting-out soon.

FRUIT GARDEN.

Planted-outStrawberry plants that had been forced and the crop
gathered; removed breastwood partially from Peaches, Apricots,
and also Pear trees; kept houses at much the same temperature
as previously stated ; thinned shoots and stopped shoots on fruit
trees in houses; drew a hand quite dry on sunny days over
bunches of Muscat Vines in bloom; watered Figs, and planted-
out more Melons as room could be had for them.

PLANT DEPARFMENT.

Shifted Geraniums, a few Ferns, Fuchsias, &c.; moved more
Cinerarias and Primulas from conservatory, and replaced with
Fuchsias and Pelargoniums ; potted Fancy Geraniums for beds ;
made cuttings of, and divided Dahlia roots; planted a number
in a slight hotbed, giving them about 3 inches square, and
leaving only one stem to each; potted Gloxinias, Begonias,
especially fine-foliaged ones, also Browallias, Baisams, and pricked-
off numbers of Lobelias, and other small things. Turned out in
Celery-trenches great quantities of fresh-struck Verbenas, Gera-
niums, &¢c, putting them in sandy leaf mould and hardly
brezking the balls, for reasons previously given ; watered Calceo-
larias and Geraniums formerly turned out, as the weather has
been so dry and parching.

FLOWER GARDEN.

Rolled, mowed, cut up Daisies with a long-handled double-
bladed daisy-knife, worth a dozen of daisy-rakes. Dug down beds
in flower garden ; and asin some parterres thai wish to be
level, the ground had got considerably above the grass, took a
lot away, to secure the level character, and used it to dress
borders which are rather low, or to raise beds which we wish
to be in the pyramidal form. Calceolarias are now mostly
exposed night and day in their earth temporary beds.—R. F.

TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED.

F. & A. Smith, Dulwich.— Retail Catalogue of New and Rare
Plants.

Blondeau-Dejussieu & Co., Beaune (Cote d’Or). — Notice
sur des Arbres, Arbrisseaux, Arbustes, &c., précieux ou nouveaux.

Henry May, Hope Nurseries, Bedale, Yorkshire.—Spring
Catalogue of Dahlias, Pelargoniums, Fuchsias, ec.

Fairhead & Son, 7, Borough Market, London.—Catalogue of
Dahlias for 1863. .

TO CORRESPONDENTS. f

*,* We request that no one will write privately to the depart-
mental writers of the “Journal of Horticulture, Cottage
Gardener, and Country Gentleman.” By so doing they
are subjected to unjustifiable trouble and expense. All
communications should therefore be addressed solely to The
Editors of the ‘Journal of Horticulture, &c.," 162, Beet
Street, London, E.C.

May 5, 1863. ]

We also request that correspondents will not mix up on the
same sheet questions relating to Gardening and those on
Poultry and Bee subjects, if they expect to get them answered
promptly and conveniently, but write them on separate
communications. Also never to send more than two or
three questions at once,

We cannot reply privately to any communication unless under
very special circumstances.

SEEDLING PETUNIA AND VERBENA (Jnquirer).—Send them to the Floral
Committee of the Royal Horticultural Society, Kensington Gore, directed
to the Secretary, T. Moore, Esq. The next meeting of that Committee is on
the 5th of May.

SgrEepLING Geranium (Hortus).—Too much depends upon the habit of
the plant for us to give an opinion upon it as a bedder. In colour it is like
Christine. Cannot you induce your near neighbour, the Rey. H. Dombrain,
of Deal, to look at it?

VERBENAS, PLANTING OUY FROM CuUTTING-PAN (JV. P.).—You may plant
them out of the cutting-pot with perfect safety at the proper time and in moist
weather; but they will be later than those which have been potted-off and
established some time in small pots. When, however, space is scarce it is
often necessary to plant direct out of cutting-pots.

AZALEA INDIcA—CortTinc Down Op Prants (IW. P., Camborne). —If
your plants are old and unsightly naked, it would be better to plant them
out of doors in some favoured spot and procure some young ones, as they
rarely do well by cutting down; whereas by planting-out they may possibly
make good useful shrubs in a few years.

CrinERARIA, CurTiInc Down anp Sow1ne SExrp (JV. P., Camborne).—
If Cinerarius be allowed to ripen their seed, many of tthe plants wi'l die
afterwards. Thus itis better to cut down the plant before the flower be
entirely faded, and by the appearance of the collar of the plant you will see
if there be any suckers rising; if not, the plant will likely die. It is, there-
fore, better to sow a quantity each year, and the earlier in May the better.
Sow in a pan of sandy soil made somewhat firm, and place it in a shady
situation; prick the plants out when they are large enough to handle,
and pot when required.

SrepLines (VM, Errington).—Your seedling Cinerarias and Tropxolum,
though good flowers, are not sufficiently novel and distinct from other
varieties in cultivation.

MELON-LEAvVES Srortine (An Harly Melon-growcr).—Are you sure the
leaves are affected by disease, and not by scalding, by haying a powerful
sun shining on moist foliage, and air rot given early enough?

ARRANGEMENT OF STAGES IN GREENHOUSE (4., Glasgow).— We would
certainly narrow the front stage to 2 feet, and make the back one 43 feet.
You could have that flat, or raised in a series of four or five steps to the
back wall. If the floor is paved, large pots would be best for the climbers,
otherwise you might have a border at back for the purpose.

Heatine A Pir For BEDDING PLants (W. Cobb).—The best would be
hot water and pipes, The cheapest to be effectual would be a brick Arnott’s
stove lighted from the outside, placed in the middle of the pit near the
back. Itisa pity you cannot make the pit a foot or two wider.

CAMELLIAS NoT Frowenine (ZZ. Y. G.).—Your Camellias, we presume,
are all right. Continue the same process, and give more light and air in
July and Augnst. You do not expect them to bloom now, surely. Noy-
ember and January would be early enough.

Phu GARDEN Puans (A Novice, Yorkshire).—Both borders will look
well.

MOorzs IN VINE-BORDER—CIssvs DISCOLOR LosinG 11s Leaves (Constant
Reader).—We should not like moles in our Vine-border—they would be apt
to cut the roots that came in their way. If the top of the Cissus is alive,
it will break in heat and moisture. Syringe it well, and do not water
heavily untilit break. Ifthe top is dead and the bottom alive prune it
back, and give but little water until it break. Then shake away part of
the old earth, repot, and give bottom heat if possible.

Fungus on PeArR-LEAvVES (D., Wewcastle).— There is a fungus on the
leaves, the result of imperfect root-action, and, we think, rather much
moisture or deficient drainage. Stir the surface soil to let the air into the
soil, and water only as wanted.

AMARANTHUS MELANCHOLICUS—ZELINDA DAHLIA (Q. Q.).—The Amaran-
thus melancholicus is not so hardy as Orach, nor does it break so well. It
will bear nipping if the season is warm, and will mix well with Bijou if it
grow freely enough; but we didnot get on well with it. Ours needed no
pegging-down. We think it needs a warm place and a hot season, but we
would wish to know the general result last year of those who tried it.
We would not stop Dahlia Zelinda. You cannot get the flowers tco early.
If at all much taller than you want, plant sloping, or peg the plants down.
The leaves were much injured; but the one with the most yellow we should
say was Golden Chain and the other Golden Fleece, but cannot be sure.

CINERARIA MARITIMA TREATMENT — BEDDING PLanrs (S., Hampton
Court).— For the Cineraria maritima seedlings, nip the points out by all means,
You can do nothing to increase the silvery appearance, except, perhaps,
by growing them in poor soil, ‘They will be more silvery as they get older
towards autumn. Then we would advise you to keep the best plants over
the winter, and propagate from them by cuttings instead of by sowing seeds.
Seedlings will not compare with plants so raised, though they will look
very well if you have none of those raised from cuttings of the old plants
near them. The Sultan Calceolaria is a better pot than bedding plant. In
a bed, for a month or six weeks it will be everything that you could wish;
but in most cases, unless great care and attention are given, it will be
patchy afterwards. Your edging with Flower of the Day Geranium, and
bounding with Lobelia speciosa, will do well. Were we to depend on
Sultan we would plant thickly, say 7 or 8 inches apart, and when the plants
were growing freely we would cut over every other one so as to obtain a
succession of bloom. It is doubtful what the beginning of May may bring with
it. Instead of planting out at once we would plunge the pots, or rather
turn them out, without breaking the balls, into a sunk bed anywhere where
you could give them a little shelter if necessary. If you can do that in the
beds you may plant at once; but having things thick together enables
protection and watering to be easily given. See ‘‘ Doings of Last Week.’

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

333

SEEDLING PotyanTuus (W. W.).— Not knowing the habit of the plant,
or whether it is an abundant bloomer, we cannot give a decided opinion on
its worth as a bedder. Polyanthuses generally are not good for the pur-
pose, and such a combination of yellow and crimson renders it still less
decided in tint for bedding.

Borritne Goosesernigs (A. W. A.).—Gather the fruit dry and when
little more than half grown; pick clean, put into wide-mouthed bottles,
and shake gently down till the bottles are full. Cork these tightly, put
them in a moderate oven, and let them remain till heated through. Beat
in the corks tightly, cut off the tops, resin them over, and keep in a dry
cool place. Wood-ashes form an excellent manure. For the best mode of
using them consult ** Manures for the Many,’’ which will shortly be pub-
lished at our office.

Harpy Annuats (7. G.).— You may sow in pans, and keep close,
warm and dark until the seedlings appear, and then give light and air by
degrees. We would sow some in this way, and sow the rest in the open
air, as the ground is now getting warm. In sowing Portulacas and Mesem=
bryanthemums, it is best to water the pot, let it dry a little on the surface
Sow the seeds, then sprinkle with sand or fine soil, press down, put a square
of glass and a piece of paper over the pot, or the paper alone, and allow the
paper to remain until the seedlings appear. So managed, they will generally
come up without watering. If you have occasion to water before or after=
wards, soil the pot instead of watering overhead. The easiest way to do
this is to hold the pot in a pail of water, allowing the water to rise from
below to the surface. Zinnias require an ordinary amount of water. Todo
well they must have no stoppages in their growth. For more particulars
we refer you, ‘‘C. W. H.,’’ **G. 'I.,” ** N. O.,”? **X, Z.,” and others to an
article to-day on Annuals.

ScIENCE OF WINDOW-GARDENING (A Subscriber, Swansea).— Mr. Bosan~
quet’s work is published at our oftice, price 6d., or free by post 7d.

Sea-KaLE.— Would our correspondent “* T. W. B.,’’ whose communication
appeared in No. 106, oblige ‘* W. M.”’ by stating in what month he covered
his Sea-kale with seaweed, and the date of his first gathering ?

Kania LATIFOLIA Bups nor Orentna (Constant Reader, Dublin).—
This may be owing to the check caused by your plants being taken up and
planted in a balcony; or perhaps their rooty were very much reduced to
get them into pots. This, we know, will occasion the flower-buds to refuse
to open, and manure water wili not repair the injury done. ‘The buds of
Rhocodendrons open more easily, as it would appear that the effort required
on the part of the plant to expand them is much less than that necessary in
the case of the Kalmia, and unless the plant be in health it is unable to do
so. When growing in tne open ground, it sometimes does not open its
flowers as you describe.

VerBena Currincs Farnine (Constant Reader, Dublin). — We cannot
well account tor your cuttings damping-off, after being in about three
weeks, in March and April. ‘hey are often ready to pot-off in that time,
and the sooner that is done the better after they are sufficiently rooted. If
they are very much drawn, and then sudaenly exposed to cold chilly
blasts, they will succumb; but, generally speaking, nothing does better
than Verbenas in spring. Write us more particulars, and we will give you
more advice.

WELLINGTONIA TuRNING Brown (Ada).—If your Wellingtonia exhibits
greater brownness than it has done during former winters, and if there are
evident signs of weakness in its growth, treat it as you say with fresh loam
and leaf mould.

Names or Puants (A. Fylde Fulmer, Slough).—-Helleborus viridis.
(W. O.).—1, Helleborus foetidus ; 2, some Canna; 3, Boronia polygalefolia ;
4, Dolichos speciosus. (#. G. S.).—You must send better specimens. 1,
Ajuga reptans; 6, Luzula pilosa. ‘The rest nothing but leaves. (1. J.).—
Eutaxia myrtifolia, and apparently Dacrydium_ excelsum. (Flora).—
Apparently one of the Holboellias, but the specimen was insufficient to
determine which. Perhaps H. acuminata. (A Reader, Dumbartonshire).
1, Cheilanthes pteroides apparently, but there is no fructification ; 2, some
Marchantia. (4. &. C.).—1, Myrtus pimenta, or something very neur it ;
2, Rhynchospermum jasminoides; 3, Polygala myrtifolia; 4, Aphelexis,
without foliage ; 5, Hovea Celsi; 6, Eriostemon scaber. (J. G. Tierbutt) —
The leaves are those of Myoporum acuminatum. The Fuchsia is not equal
to many others in cultivation.

POULTRY, BEE, and HOUSEHOLD CHRONICLE.
:

COMING POULTRY SHOWS.

TuHosE who have bred good and early chickens this year, and
we believe they are many, are beginning to view them with
reference to their capabilities as exhibition birds. A may be
convinced he has better birds than B; but it is satisfactory to
have his judgment strengthened or endorsed by the awards of
acknowledged judges, and he likes to see them fairly pitted
against all comers. osu

All do not care to enter for the blue ribands at Birmingham
and the Crystal Palace. They rather seek shows of less pretention
and shorter duration. We would say to such there is an
agricultural Show at Basingstoke at the latter end of May. It
is held in connection with the Show of the Hampshire Agricul-
tural Society. ‘Full particulars can be had of Mr. Downes,
Secretary, Basingstoke. It is near London, and the birds are
only two days absent from home. { in

Then we have the Agricultural Hall Show at Islington, and
the Bath and West of England in June. The latter is always a
pleasant Show. It is held in summer in a lovely part of the
country, and is a general holiday. Temporary avenues of trees
are planted in the streets; flowers and evergreens stretch from
window to window ; all the bands of music in the country are '

334

put in, requisition; guns, and eyen cannon are discharged, and
the:Show isa {éte,

There is'one thing we do not understand :—there is to be
open judging on Saturday 6th. What is open judging? Are
the awards to. be made in presence of, the public? if so, we do
not: envy the Judges, nor do we think they can do justice to ex-
hibitors. Nothing requires privacy so much’ as judging, and
where competition is close it is absolutely necessary,

MALAY FOWLS.

’ IT Hap no expectation when I sent you my first letter on the
* Oharacteristics of Malay Howls” that it would haye induced
s0 much correspondence.

In the first place, I thank you for inserting my letter and for
your observations thereon ; in the next for observations made by
correspondents on this interesting subject. We havenow, | think,
pretty clearly elicited what points we should aim at in breeding
Malays; and it may be expected that in a few years perfection
will be arrived at in this breed of poultry.

Your correspondent “Y. B. A. Z.” is pleased to designate my
fowls as “‘too handsome.” ‘They were considered by many per-
sons living here as much finer and more beautiful than those to
which the first prize was awarded ; but, like myself, these friends
of mine knew but little of what constituted a good Malay; we
were all mistaken. This circumstance may probably illustrate
some of the disputes which occasionally arise between exhibitors
and judges; the former thinking their fowls ought to have had a
prize, when, in fact, they were, like me, not aware what were the
essentials to constitute a good fowl.

Tam free to confess that if I had been appointed to judge
birds like those exhibited at Devizes, without, of course, knowing
who were the exhibitors, I should have given the prize to my
own pens; and I am now, after this correspondence, quite con-
vinced I should have done wrong.

T have never disputed the decision of any judge; I consider it
would be a reflection, not only on the Judge in question, butialso
onthe Committee who appointed him. All committees, I believe,
do their best to secure persons to act im this capacity who are
esteemed competent and whose integrity is unquestionable: under
these circumstances, therefore, exhibitors would do well to forego
their feelings if they should consider that justice hed not been
done to them, remembering that we are all fallible creatures, and
Bs best of us may possibly err sometimes.—Joun Jamus Fox,

evizes.

RULES FOR POULTRY-JUDGING.

Ave the new rules for judging. to be adopted at the Show at
Islington? If they are, where can I procure them? Will you
exert your influence in ‘this matter? I and others are now
breeding and selecting for exhibition in the autumn and winter.
The Poultry Club is' tolerably certain of carrying its point and
haying a voice at most shows. As there will be no getting away
from the hiéera seripta, we ought now to know what we are to
try for; otherwise the efforts of the Club will end in placing
usin the position whence they say they wish to extricate’ them-
selyes—viz, that of exhibitors who know not what to exhibit.
I think if the rules are not ready for publication now, their
application to'shows should be deferred till next year. What
causes the delay P—ONzE IN THE Dank.

A PRAYER FOR BIRDS OF PREY.

Tue destruction of birds of prey has been of late years so
indiscriminate and so universal, owing to the very strict pre-
servation of game, that many are extinct where they formerly
abounded; and I yenture to invite the attention of your readers
to a list of birds formerly not rare, but which now do not exist
in this district, some of which might, if a merciful consideration
were extended to them, still enliven our country lanes and woods,
the toll levied by them being a very unimportant tax on the
produce of the races which supply them with food.

_ The district in which the birds enumerated have been seen is
in the west of Hssex, extending from Waltham Abbey to
Dunmow, including the valley of the Stort. The list has been
prepared and given to me by Mr. Daniel French, of Sawbridge-
worth, who has through a long life never failed to give the most
aeute attention to birds and their habits. I send it to you

JOURNAL. OF HORTICULTURE, AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

[ May 5, 1868,
precisely as it has been given to me. Cannot the proprietors of

woods and coverts be induced to order their keepers to abstain —

from such unremitting war as they wage on these classes ?—
1). F. K., Sawbridgeworth. ‘ 4
“BIRDS OF PREY—(FALCONIDR).

“Royat HAGtE.—Was shot twenty years ago on ‘Tukely
Forest, Essex, and I remember one being shot at Waltham
Abbey in the marshes. é

“ OsprREY on FisHinG HaGrE.—A very fine one once lived
two or three years about Latton and Netteswell. I have some-
times been very near to it. I do not know what became of it at
last. One has since been shot at Pishobury, Sawbridgeworth.

“Kirn.—Formerly at Great Parndon, used to breed in Parndon
woods; they are all destroyed. ;

“Moor Buzzarp.—There used to be a tract of boggy ground
extending from just. below Latton Mill down to Burnt Mill with
several woods. I have there seen this rare bird two or three
times, but have not known it to continue there.

“Common BuzzaRrp.—This was so frequent that I have seen it
alight on the barn where I lived, and it used almost continually to
be sailing over the meadows; they bred im Latton and
Netteswell woods, not one now remains. .

“GosHAwxE.—Used to breed in Jyde Hall wood, Sawbridge-
worth.

“Sparrow Hawk.—This active and interesting bird is now
very seldom seen, if used to be frequently so; if the farmers
execrate the Sparrows they should preserve this Hawk, as its
food consists almost exclusively of Sparrows.

“ Lanner.—I once suw this large Hawk in) Hyde Hall wood,
Sawbridgeworth, and I have seen it both in Harlow and Tatton
Park woods; but it has always been very rare.

“PEREGRINE FAaLcon,—This has been shot in Stansted Marsh,

‘Hertfordshire, in Gilston Park ditto, and I have seen it in

Epping Forest.

“ KestrEL (the Hovering Hawk).—This beautiful and interest-
ing little bird that used to enliven the country by his pretty
hovering and his plaintive note, is now almost exterminated by.
the keepers; it meddles with no sort of game, and no bird is of
more use to farmers. Its food consists if not exclusively of mice,
very nearly so. It enters barns and other out-buildings when
not too public in the same manner as Owls, Wherever a nest
used to be found which was generally in the old nest of a Crow
or Magpie, it was invariably found to be lined with the skins of
mice; but in spite ofall its services and its beauty it is gone!
destroyed by rascals.

“ Hopsy.—This small Hawk was more rare than either of the
two last-named, aud appeared to prey mostly on the larger
insects, as it was generally hawking round trees or darting very
rapidly along; it kept secluded in woods.

“ Murrin.—This is the smallest of the native Hawks. I once
knew a nest with two young ones to be faken in Ongar Park
wood, Hasex; I had the care of one of the young ones for some
months. One a few years’ since chased a Sparrow into a preen-
house at Sherring, Hssex, and, of course, was ’killed by the man
who caught it. ;

“This is all the species of the Falcon tribe I have been
accustomed to know.—D. FRENncH.”

Naztvrat Hisrory.—We saw the first Dottrell on Wednesday
last. We have seen but one,

SWARM OF BEES IN APRIL.

On the 26th ult. we had a swarm of bees here (Linton), from
an old hive which, in company with two others, had never been
fed all winter.

As it is unusual for bees to swarm in April, I record this
instance as the first that has occurred with me; but I believe,
three or four years ago, one of my neighbours had a swarm on
the 28th of the month. This season, owing to the bright sunny
weather, I have no doubt but there may have been several swarms
during the month, especially where the bees heve been fed, and
the situation a favourable one for their doing well.

Last, year was by no means a good honey season, but I at-

tribute my bees doing pretty well to the fact of there being so.

few bees in the neighbourhood. The wet season)of 1860; and
subsequent hard winter, were fatal to many stocks which have not
yet been replaced: hence there was a wider field for those re-
maining, and they consequently did’ better.—d. ROBSON. ~~

ue

——s

May 5, 1863. ]

B. & W.’s APIARY.
(Continued from page 270.) ;

To keep your apiarian readers “ posted-up”’ in my proceed-
ings I will now recount the events of the last three weeks in
order. The operations recorded at page 269 took place March 21
—a venturesome time to compel bees to begin artificial-queen-
rearing. The plan sketched out there was pretty closely adhered
to—that is to say, on the 30th I “made a swarm of D by
driving it into a box well stored with comb and food.” 2ndly,
**D, when cleared of its adult population, was placed in the
room of A, after shifting into D the Italian queen and population
of A.” 3rdly, “A with its Italian brood was put in place of F,
setting F over it after catching and destroying its drone-breed-
ing queen.” Thus far on the 30th and 31st. I found a large
number of drones in F, hatched and unhatched, which have
survived, and are now (April 18th), flying in and out in full
vigour. Some of them are well marked, but the greater number
differ in no respect from common English drones,

On Saturday, the 4th of April, I took off top F,and expelled
-the bees, compelling them to return home to the lower box,
and a good deal of drone-brood was sacrificed. The bees were
yery savage, as, indeed, they have been throughout all my opera-
tions this spring; nor was there any difference between the
temper of the Italian and English bees. The most surprising
' thing, however, was that the bees of F had made several royal
cells amongst the drone-brood, and at least one of them was
occupied by a grub floating in royal jelly! Had the bee dragged
up an egg or young Italian worker-grub from the hive below,
or was this a case of mistaken instinct? Anyhow I thought it
fortunate that I had taken off this box in time, as there must
still have been Italian brood in the hive below of an age suitable
for rearing a queen. But this set me'thinking that, perhaps, B
was in the same predicament : accordingly the same day, exactly
a fortnight’ after the queen of this stock had been destroyed and
brood given to them, I examined B, and found the Italian
brood-comb with most of its bees hatched, but no royal cell in
it. There was one, however, sealed up among the drone cells !
Great curiosity did I feel to examine it, but prudence prevailed,
and I restored it to the hive, making all snug again as before,
in the hope that they might have carried a worker-grub thither,
and that in due time a queen would issue from the cell. On the
10th of April, however, I discovered the bees in B in a state of
Violent agitation, as they always are when their loss of a queen
has been perceived. If they had not been so savage I should
have taken out their royal cell again to inspect it; but the life
of every bee is precious at this season of the year, and the hive
was thinly peopled. Assuming, therefore, that no queen was
hatched and that the bees had lost hope, I proceeded to the
fourth and fifth operation (see page 270), and drove HB, queen
and all, into an empty box full of comb, and placed E with its
brood over B. Inavery short time the lower hive was deserted,
and peace reigned among the agitated bees.

The long and short of all these changes is that I am still
uncertain whether I have succeeded in gaining even one addi-
tional Italian queen. The queen of B, should the bees rear one
after all, will be almost pure English, but she may be impreg-
nated by a pure Italian drone. Such are some of the difficulties
which attend the establishment of the Italian race of bees in
this country.

All the hives, however, appear to be doing well. They now
stand as follows :— ~

‘AS B. Cc.
Pure Italian queen Bees in process of rearing Vacant.
(ow strong). a@ queen out of English
brood (strengthened).
ny

D. EB. c
Hybrid Italian queen English queen Bees rearing a queen

(strong). (strong). out of Italian brood
(strengthened).
G, H. I.
Vacant. English queen (straw English queen (straw
A hive; strong). hive; weakish),
—B. & W.

FEEDING BEES.

Dors “An AyrsHIRE Bre-KenPEr” not find his mode of
spring-feeding described at page 286 impede the ventilation by
partly stopping-up the entrance, and bees descending from off
the brood to feed during cold frosty nights get as well as it
chilled, and consequently perish? ‘These evils do not apply in

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGH GARDENER.

335

the bottle or other top plan ; besides it seems more natural, the
food being supplied ‘as near as possible to where it is to be

“stored.

‘As this seems to be an open question, it would be interesting
were some of your many experienced contributors to express
their opinions. Would “An AyrsHIRE BEE-KEEPER” say if
it is by this mode, or how he administers his autumn or main
supply ?—AN InQuimeEr.

A DESERTED HIVE.

I am obliged to “ An AyrsuIRE BEE-KEEPER” by the notice
he has taken of the communication to your Journal by one so
completely a novice in bee-keeping as 1 am. Allow me to ask
how the narrow tins he recommends can be used below? How
are they to be introduced into the hives? They cannot be
admitted through the ordinary opening in the floor-board, and I
presume the hive has not to be lifted each time, as thereby the
bees would be much disturbed ; moreover, the comb comes too
near the floor-board to allow even a razor-strop to be introduced
unless a groove to receive the feeding-trough were made in it.
Were this plan adopted, when it was not in use the trough
might be reversed, and so the floor-board might be refitted to
its ordinary level.

But alas! these schemes are to me visionary, for my hive that
on March 4th appeared to be doing well was deserted by its
occupants about a fortnight afterwards. My neighbour told
me that he noticed the bees weak and scarcely able to return to
their hive at midday. On examining the hive I found it empty
of living bees and with very few dead. I looked most carefully
for the queen, but could not find her. There were bee-bread, a
few young bees in the comb, some just issuing from their cells,
but no honey nor stored sugar. JI could not at all account for
the desertion, unless the opening at the top where the feeding-
trough was placed had made the hive too cold and draughty for
hatching the young, and so they went to look for a more genial
home. My hives were in a compact wooden bee-house, so that
they are not much exposed to any alteration of weather, and are
quite protected from sun, wind, or rain. When I begin again I
must hope for better fortune.—B. J. 8.

{Yours may be a case of desertion similar to one we haye
just witnessed in our own neighbourhood. Although ample
food was presented to them in a trough on the top of their
hive, the bees refused to ascend into it, and deserted their
habitation and young brood in all stages to seek their fortune
elsewhere. We believe the same food would haye been accepted
without scruple if offered by means of an inyerted bottle, and
that in all probability the result would have been very different. }

REPLY TO MR. FAIRBROTHER’S INQUIRIES.

Wire regard to the query of Mr. Hdward Fairbrother, page
236, “What is the best method of insuring a succession of
fertile queens?” it is certainly not easy to answer, for one that
may be prolific now may be the reverse next year, from circum-
stances not easily explained. The best method I know, is to
have a thorough knowledge of all the stocks in autumn, and
to keep those only that have already proved themselves prolific,
and young queens and combs, although I have had a queen
seven years old, breeding well in all these seasons, which did as
well the last year as the first. Another remarkable circum-
stance was, that I never saw it breed more drones in a season
than about fifty, but I do not think that any advantage.

‘* Are there any facts determining the flight of bees in search
of honey ?” I have never been able to come to a definite decision
on that point, for I never was in a district where bees were further
from each other than six miles. I have seen them working often
midway between the two places. In 1858 I had a hive that made
201bs. of heather-honey, from at least three miles distance, in
ten days. Of course, this was scarcely the half of the weight
that those made which were placed in the immediate vicinity of
the heather. I have proved that bees when within one mile of
an abundance of the flowers that they work on, will make ina
good day exactly the same weight of honey as there is weight
of bees in the hive.

[We think there must be some mistake with regard to a. queen
bee living and continuing fertile during seven years. Also, with
respect to bees returning from six miles distance. We once had
two apiaries about two and a quarter miles apart, and although

336

we frequently shifted stocks from one to the other during the
height of the working season we never saw one come back. Will
Mr. Fox who has, or had, four different apiaries within moderate
distances of each other, fayour us with his experience on this
point 7}

I once knew of some hives that were removed six miles to the
heather, and in the evening when the proprietor visited the spot
where his bees had stood, was astonished to see large clusters of
bees hanging on the posts. Of course, this might arise from
the bees flying to the same direction they used to stand in, and
their coming to the place where they used to work would naturally
lead them to their old stand. If spared in health I hope by the
end of the summer to be able to come to a decision as to how
far they fly, from watching the Liguriang, as I think there will
be none in this locality but my own.

With regard to the honey season, the bees in this locality
commence carrying pollen on an average about the 9th of
February, but no honey tiil about the second week of April.
They then begin to get a little honey from the blossoms of the
gooseberry, &c., always increasing in quantity as the blossoms
come out, but never in larger quantities than what is barely
sufficient to carry them through with their labours till about the
first week of June, or, according to the seasons, varying from
the first to the third week ; and they continue from two to three
weeks working on the white clover flower, or blossom of the
bean and charlock, or wild kail (I do not know the botanical
name of the last-mentioned), close to their proximity. So that
if that time is wet they produce nothing beyond, perhaps, a few
well-peopled hives, but void of honey or combs, as has been the
case in 1860-1 and 1862, but in good order for the heather harvest,
as we often find the bees producing greater numbers in showery
weather than in bright sunny weather when much honey is to be
had. The only honey harvest I have had these three years was
in 1862, at the heather ; it lasted from the 13th July till the end
of August, when my hives made from 40 to 50 lbs. of honey,
besides keeping themselves during that time.

As to their increase and decrease of weight-at different periods,
T have all along weighed my hives at different times of the day
—thus : if we weigh a hive in the morning that is likely to make
weight during that day—suppose it makes 5 lbs.—wengh it the
following morning and you will find it about one-sixth lighter
than what it was the preceding night; and, again from their
great decrease at certain periods—viz., perhaps after one week’s
fine honey weather when the hives were fast increasing in weight
and well filled with young brood, &c., the weather breaks and,
perhaps, continues broken for along time. At this time, perhaps,
a hive weighs 50 or 60 lbs., one-third, perhaps, consisting of young
bees and liquid stuff for their sustenance, so that the honey is
immediately sealed and their labours now past on account of the
weather. They allow all the young bees to come out and not
replacing others, and by the extirpation of the drones, &c., all
tending to lighten the hive which truly astonishes many ; but
if carefully watched and understood it is easy to understand the
cause of some hives making more and losing more at one time
than another.—A LANARKSHIRE BEE-KEEPEE.

ASPECT OF BEE-HIVES.

Mr. Bryan Fox has given his opinion in what aspect bees
ought to be placed, and no doubt if we had a climate the same
as Italy he would be right. I dislike moving bees from their
original site, unless to a great distance; but if the hives during
winter and spring were merely turned on their stands to the
north, it would save a great many bees from being chilled to
death in cold weather, particularly when snow is on the ground,
and the sun’s rays begin to reflect more than usual heat.

In former Numbers of THE JournaL or HorricunrurEe I
have advocated a south and south-eastern aspect as the best, and
in the changeable climate of Great Britain, with our hot sum-
mers “so few and far between,” I am still of opinion something
near the south is the best.

I once visited an Oxfordshire bee-keeper who changed the
aspect of his bees every autumn, and also moved at least half a
dozen of his hives several yards. On examining these last im-
mediately after, the bees were fighting desperately, having mis-
taken other hives for their own, and this continued for at least a
week, to the great decrease of their numbers.

Virgil recommends very properly a sheltered situation, and at
midday heat a little shade. But in the last three summers
(1860, 1861, and 1862), what shade has ever been required eyen

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[May 5, 1863.

in the southern part of England? Nevertheless, I have seen
terrible effects froma neglect of shade by careless bee-masters,
such as the honey running out at the entrance of hives, the bees,
in a state of almost madness, fiying at every one who came near,
and certain destruction by one-half or more of them being
suffocated in their own sweets, by the melting of the combs.
Early swarms are destroyed first, as the combs melt much
sooner than those of old stocks.

Those hives placed under high walls are generally affected by
heat first, and the real safeguard against being surprised in one
of our hot summers, similar to 1846, or July, 1859, is a wooden
bee-house, which shades all the hives at noon; and these bee-
houses have their disadvantages also, by harbouring spiders and
other troublesome insects, and also being, in fact, too much
shaded in our cold, wet summers. :

On the whole, the best safeguard is constant attention, and

bees require constant looking-after. In the spring and autumn
the worst enemies are those of their own species which acquire
predatory habits and fly a long distance to plunder their weaker
neighbours, and this propensity to plunder is one of the few
bad qualities they possess, and most difficult to be overcome,—
H. W. Newman, Hillside, Cheltenham.

Cooxtne Hams.—A ham of 10 Ibs. should be boiled slowly in
a pot without a cover, and that for the space of nearly two and
a half hours. To ascertain if sufficiently boiled, try if the skin
will come readily off, and if go, it is fit for use. Before sending
it to table, the ham is generally subjected to a little ornamental
dressing. We do not refer to the ornamenting and covering of
the bone with a net or cut paper, but the browning where the
skin has been removed. There are two ways of doing this. In
the one, you cover the surface with bread crumbs, and keep it in
the oven until it attains the proper colour. In the other, you
sprinkle sugar on the ham, and pass a red-hot iron over the
surface, and thus impart to it that rich glossy brown which so
many admire.—(Scottish Farmer.)

OUR LETTER BOX.

SHancHAE Hens Dyine (D. B. Shirley).—There is no doubt about the
case. The hens going on to the nest, anc dying without laying, is always
an unmistakeable intimation that they are what is termed “ egg-bound.””
The egg-passage is in such cases usually encumbered with fat, the passage
is rendered by the pressure too narrow for the egg to pass, and inflam-
mation and death ensue. You will see in our Number for April 21st how a
Duck ought to be treated under similar circumstances. Treat your hens
the same and reduce their food now, for prevention is better than having
to cure.

Incugator (A. A.).—We know of no make- of incubators now. An
advertisement might bring one forward. Gas or argand burners con-
nected with a hot-water apparatus were employed in them. They were
expensive, and soon given up by those who bought them.

PIGEONS IN A GaxERET ( Woodpigeon).—Keep Pigeons in a pigeon-house,
and not in the garret of an inhabited house; they cannot fail to be dis-
agreeable. Pigeons of different varieties do breed togethe:

Ferpine Begs (A Reader, Dumbartonshire).—Wh ihe holes in the
perforated zinc become closed it should be removi d a clean piece sub-
stituted ; but we have never found this to be the case whilst regular feedmg
is in progress and the bees take the food freely. If there be sealed honey
in a weak hive feeding is, of course, not absolutely required, but may be of
service in the spring by promoting egg-laying. In early spring bees appro-
priate syrup bur slowly, and in very cold weather leave it quite untouched.

Prortectinc BEuL-ciLAssEes — UNITING Stocks (Gardenia).—Bell-glasses
require to be kept warm by being enveloped in flannel or some other good
nonconductor, but need not be fixed with putty or any other cement. We
advise you to write to Messrs. Neighbour & Son, 149, Regent Street,
London, respecting your second query. In any case killing bees is a
wanton waste of valuable life, since, by means of driving, the inhabitants
of condemned stocks can always be advantageously employed to strengthen
those intended to stand the winter.

Cxorce or Hives (J. W. P., Derby).—For ordinary bee-keeping a flat-
topped straw hive, with central aperture for feeding or supering, in other
words, one of Payne’s improved cottage-hives, which are supplied by
Messrs. Neighbour at half-a-crown, will answer as well as any. But for
experimental and scientific purposes we recommend the Woodbury frame-
hive, which may be had in straw at a moderate price.

LONDON MARKETS.—May 4,
POULTRY.

Strong chickens are comparatively plentiful, and afford proof of the mild
winter we have had. Fowls are, and will be scarce, but we think there is
every prospect of a good supply during the season.

s. d. 8. d. : asads da
Large Fowls .......:00 4 0to4 6] Guinea Fowl... . 4 0t00 0
Smaller do, . 3 0,,3 6] Hares ..... ~ 00,0 0
Chickens, . 2 0 4,2 6| Rabbits eeUkO® 4g VS
Goslings , . 5 6 4,6 0| Wild do. wa O 84 @ 9
Duckings ~ 3 0 458 6| Pigeons wre 0 8 yO 9

May 12, 1863. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER, 337
WEEKLY CALENDAR.
} 5 < “7 c 7 9 |
eel Day WEATHER NEAR Lonpon IN 1862. | es Wormer
of of MAY 12—18, 1863. — = in| Sun Sun Rises Moon’s| after | Day of
M'nth Week. Barometer. Thermom. | Wind. Heat | Rises. | Sets. andSets Age Year.
degrees. | }m.- h.] m. b.| m. h. m. s-
Tu Helleborine flowers. 29.866—29.572 ee somiin EX |) — l5af4 | 37af7 | 44 1 24 Bisz 132
Ww Tilli died, 1740. B. 29.858—29.836 61-33 | N.E. — 14. . 4/13 shite 25 3 453 133
Ta | Ascension. Houy Tuurspar. | 29.866—29.850 | 57—42 NE. SE) 12 4| 40.7) 28 2 26 3 53 134
F Bryony flowers. 99.889—29.756 | 60-46 | S.W. | 46 ll 4 45287, (507s 27 3 53 135
s Cotton-grass flowers. 29.908—99.813 | 67—40 | SW. | — 9 4) 48 7/18 34-28 3 53 136
17. Sun SUNDAY APTER ASCENSION. $0.100—30.045 | 76—41 | S.W. | — § 4}45 7| sets e@ 3 52 137
18 ; M Purslane flowers. } 80-42 | NW. | — 6 4/46 7/| 49af8 1 3 50 138

30.113—30.003 |

MsgrzonoLocy oF THE WEEK.—At Chiswick, from observations during the last

thirty-six years. the average highest and lowest

temperatures of these days are 64.5° and 414° respectively. The greatest heat, 86°, occurred on the 15th and 17th, in 1835; and the lowest

cold, 25°, on the 15th, in 1850. During the period 147

days were fine, and on 105 rain fell.

|

ORNAMENTAL LEAVES FOR GARNISHING
THE DESSERT.

= 1
)
N PSS 11 R N) T }
hs catch the |
hare and
then cook it,” is |
an old adage. The |
gardener must |
conform to the|
rule by first pro-
curing seeds and |
plants, and then |
cultivating them |
in order to have
thenecessarysup- |
ply when wanted. |
The cook as well |
as the gardener |
would be of but |
little use in their |
way of business |
without having |
‘ the proper ma- |
terials necessary to carry on their various operations.
What, for instance, can be more tantalising to a gar-
dener than to sit down and read, “So-and-so” is ad-
mirably adapted for such a purpose, and “such and |
such” will give a charming effect to “so-and-so,” when
at the same time, perhaps, the chief in command has |
little if any of the things recommended? This, then, |
being a good time to procure seeds or plants from which
ornamental leaves can be obtained, a list of the plants
which have been used here with good effect may not be |
out of place. |
First, then, I would recommend all gardeners io secure |
a good supply of the Poinsettia pulcherrima: indeed |
it is almost an impossibility to have too much of this |
truly useful plant. Having ourselves last season upwards
of two hundred plants we found that we were not en- |
cumbered with one too many. The richness which the |
searlet bracts of this plant give to almost any kind of
fruit can scarcely be conceived, especially if arranged on
white china and a few Fern fronds intermixed. Next in
importance are the beautiful crimson leaves of the Bar-

that these latter produce prettier foliage when grown in |
pots. Coleus Verschaffelti and Ampelopsis hederacea
(Virginian Creeper), also produce pretty foliage; also
Copper Beech, Mahonia aquifolia, Begonia Lowii, and other
yarieties. Caladium: of this tribe there are some kinds
yery pretty and exceedingly useful, especially the small-
leayed varieties. Some kinds of Pear leaves are very
ornamental in the autumn months. Centaurea and Cine- |
Taria maritima will give a somewhat frosted-silver appear- |
ance and make a nice contrast to high-coloured leaves. |

No. 111.—Vou. IV., New Srnrs, :

I have no doubt that many additions might be made to
this enumeration; but with the above and a tolerably
good supply of Fern fronds, Ivy, Moss, and similar
green materials, a very fair show can be made.

When very large dishes are used on which a miscel-
laneous collection of fruit is required, some of the follow-
ing may be employed with good effect :—Gourds, of which
there are many very ornamental kinds admirably adapted
for the purpose ; one or two Tomatoes, Capsicums, Shad-
docks, and Oranges with a leaf or two attached; and the
Pyracantha, Cotoneaster, Berberis. and Cape Gooseberry
are also useful in their way for smaller dishes. Most
gardeners have access to fruit and flower shows, and yet
few see any other arrangement of the dessert than that
for which they have to provide.

T have noticed many times. and not without a consi-
derable amount of grief, bunch after bunch of Grapes
piled up one above the other in order to gain height; but
why should the gardener be ai all the trouble and anxiety
of obtaining fine and well-bloomed bunches of Grapes, part
of which are to be hidden from view? Cannot some of our
great china-dish manufacturers produce something more
light and elegant on which to affix bunches of Grapes?
Surely something of a branch-like form could be invented

| with, say, four or eight branches from a centre stem ;

Grapes suspended from the ends of these branches, would
T am sure, have a more natural and elegant appearance,
and the attainment of that great point in Grape-growing
—yiz., securing a fine bloom, would be much more en-
couraged.—Joun Perxins, Thornham Hall, Suffolk.

FORTHCOMING NOVELTIES.

I wave no wish to be classed with weather prophets,
and racing prophets, and that numerous tribe of prog-
nosticators and clairyoyants who are very bold in their
assertions generally, but would rather not be held to
any particular utterance that may test their powers too
closely. There are always little disturbing causes, as
Admiral Fitzroy calls them—little ifs, which, inconsider-
able as they seem to be, do most marvellously interfere

| with all our calculations; and even when we have the

apparent safe ground of past experience to guide us,
make them not to be depended upon. Of this a trifling
instance occurred to me only yesterday. Amongst the
Verbenas I received last year from many quarters, there
was a continental one named l’Ayenir de Billaut, which

> be: | struck me as being particularly worthy of general culti-
barossa and Wesi’s St. Peter’s Grape Vines; we find >

yation. This opinion was shared by my friend and neigh-
bour, Mr. Banks, of Sholden, to whom I gave some cut-

| tings, as he was anxious to grow it for seeding from.

He has this spring several plants of it, and they have
sent up the most miserable trusses possible, and in its
present state no one would desire to grow it. But this,
again, may be an exceptional state, and it may by-and-by
come to its former fine condition. Jt is an imstance,
however, of the extreme difficulty of forming decided
opinions, especially on yearling flowers, and ought to
moderate both our praise and censure.
No. 763.—Vot. XXITX., Oxp Series.

.a)

As I have mentioned VERBENAS, it may be as well to say 4
few words on the many candidates for public fayour appearing
this spritg from various parts, and this notwithstanding: that it
Was said that we were not to see so many novelties| as usual
this year. Hrom north, south, east, and west they come. Suf-

. folk, Norfolk, Dorsetshire, Kent, Leicestershire, Sussex, all send
their quota; and this not single examples, but whole collections,
many of which are unknown as yet beyond the limits of the
place where they were raised. At present, then, we must only
take the raisers’ description, and he must bea very calm and un-
prejudiced man who can take a just view of his own children, can
see their defects, and moderately praise their excellencies. We
must wait for time to prove whether their descriptions are over-
drawn or not. Amongst the lot let out by Messrs. Low & Son,
and raised by Mr. Miller, of Upway (the raiser of Foxhunter),
there will be found, if I mistake not, some flowers of real merit.
Ruby and Hozsalie are novel in their colour, besides being large,
and of a good habit of growth. Purple Emperor, too, when I saw
it, looked well, and was the best of a large number of the same
shade of colour, all the others having been discarded.

Messrs. Hi. G. Henderson & Son advertise several very desirable

' govts, amongst which is White Lady, stated to be far superior to

‘ Mrs. Holford, more free in flowering, and much purer in colour.
‘This will be a most: decided acquisition. They also announce
other bedding varieties. The distinction between bedding and

- exhibition sorts ought always to be kept in view. A bedding
variety ought to be short-jointed in its habit, and free in flower-
ing, and should be entirely of one colour. If straggling the
result is, that the centre of the plant is bare, and the extremities
only furnished with bloom—a very ugly thing ina bed; and

_ when there is a large yellow or white eye it detracts from that
uniformity of tint which is absolutely necessary for effect. Of
course, where a flower is to be cut and placed in a stand the
ease is entirely altered, although we think that a mixture of the
one-coloured varieties with the auricula-looking serts is even
there desirable.

Mr. Charles Turner lets out this year some of Mr. Perry’s

' seedlings of the same strain as his former fine exhibition varieties.
A new white, too, he announces to us under the title of Grand
Boule de Neige, from the west of England. This, too, is de-

‘ elared to be very fine, There is also another White Lady from
Mr. Knight, of Battle, said tobe verygood. Of Lord Leigh sent
out by Messrs. Perkins & Co., of Coventry, it is unnecessary to
speak. They have exhibited it at the spring shows in consider-

_ able quantity, so that many of the flower-loving public have had
a good opportunity of seeing it. It is of the Foxhunter style of

_ flower, and very fine. Downie & Co.’s Lord Craven, promises

‘to be a good bedding variety, as it is said to be of the’ style of
Purple King, larger and fuller, and lighter im colour. I saw
but one truss of it last season. Of the other collections I know
nothing; but of this there can be no question, that if they are
really as meritorious as the raisers consider them to be, we shall
hear something more of them by-and-by. rom the Continent,
too, several are announced, but we have learned to be very
cautious in our admiration of the importations from France and

. Geymany. They seo things with such a roseate hue, that it ia
oftentimes hard to think their opinion of what is superbe,
magnifique, charmante, &c., agrees with what we think to be
good; and few really good Verbenas have come to us from
thence during the last two or three years,

There is every encouragement to raisers of seedlings to cry
“Forward.” We want many colours for bedding ptrposes—blues,
whites, pinks, &c., and I hope that we shall this year see much
progress. There is so widespread a love for flowers now that a
teally good thing is sure to be successful, and there is sueh op-
portunity of judging of the various productions, that no power
exists now of pooh-poohing what is really valuable.—D., Deal.

LADY GARDENERS.

I woricep in your Number of April 28th the remarks of Mr.
Bass, of Burton-on-Trent, upon the subject of orchard-houses:
Like a good kind husband, he gives his wife the whole credit of
his success in growing fruit trees in pots. And let me observe,
how often do we see lady gardeners excel in the cultivation and
arrangement of flowers when they pive it their attention,

Some of your readers, no doubt, have visited Richmond during
the summer months, and may, perhaps, have noticed a good:
sized brick house on the other side the river. Now, this house

‘338 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ May 12, 1868,

is occupied by Mr. Justice Halliburton—the “Sam Slick” of
literary notoriety.

I paid a visit to these gardens about two years since on the
occasion of a fancy fair given for some charitable purpose, and
never do I remember to have seen bedding done so well, or so
choice 1 collection of plants brought together in a place of so
limited an extent. I was given to understand by a florist of
some celebrity, who was present, that the arrangement of the
beds and collecting the plants were in the hands of the lady
oceupier herself,

Their taste for the harmonising of colours I consider natural
in all women of refined education, only unfortunately most of
them display their taste in decorating themselves more than in
ornamenting their gardens.

But if ladies were to follow gardening more usually than they
are apt to do, how much oftener we should see the cheek re-
semble the Rose in place of the Lily; and how soon, also, we
should perceive the lighter tints made use of in decorating: the
inside of the bonnets. They would soon be aware that glaring
colouring was not suited to their complexions so well as the
more subdued shades. ‘

Moreover, God has given us health that we may enjoy the
blessings He sends, and depend upon it, that where a lady
gardener resides it is there the physician’s carriage reldom stops.
—A FRIEND TO FLORICULTURE.

A CHAPTER ON HERBS.

WE are told that a garden of herbs was whati the Israelitish
king of old intended to have made of his neighbour's vineyard
which he coveted; though whether he eventually turned it into
that purpose after he had so unserupulously obtained possession
we are not informed, neither are we told the deseription of herbs
in use at that early time. There is, nevertheless, reason to
believe that the list was far from being @ meagre one, as it is
probable some plants disregarded by us were im. favour at that
time, and even the term “herb” is not fully understood at the
present day; for I remember not long ago, thatthe dudges at a hor-
ticultural show (myself being one of them), were ealled/im question
for awarding a prize for the best collection of Herbs to. one in
which there was a bunch of Rosemary. <A cottager called us 1o
order, insisting that the collection im question ought to have
been disqualified, Rosemary being more a shrub than an herb.
Without, howeyer, entering upon this knotty point, I will take
the liberty of including such plants as this in our present
category of herbs, which, in fact, is understood to comprehend
most plants more or less scented, and used in some culinary way,
or in some other manner which renders it advisable to cultivate
then, more or less extensively, as they may happen to be wanted.
Tt will not, however, be necessary to go into the details of every
individual plant, but it will be sufficient to arrange them in
groups, so that the treatment of one may im a_gzeat! measure
suffice for others in its class.

Annuat Hzrps.—Basil, Sweet Marjoram, Summer Savory,
Chervil, Borage, and others, are in ordinary use, and all more
or less ripen seed and require resowing year after yean. The
first three are better sown in a pan or slight hotbed, and
afterwards planted out in May. Chervil, being less delicate, is
seldom treated to such indulgence; and Borage frequently
ripens its seeds and sows itself in much the samehardy manner
that Mignonette does in other places. This is also a nearer
approach to a perennial, or, at least, a biennial, and in some
districts is rather a favourite with those haying bees. Its use
dates back a very long time, and, after experiencing a long period
of neglect, is likely to become fashionable again.

Phere are several other plants in more or Jess: repute: that
might’ be added to this class, as Caraway, Purslane, Coriander,
Marigold, Ice Plant, and it may be Nasturtium, and even
Tomatoes; but these last-named plants: deserve to: be noticed
in a separate article: therefore, I will pass onto another and
much more important section of garden herbs, which ‘is, both
numerous, and some of them highly useful.

PrrEnnian Herps.— Of this) class we have several which
botanist would not willingly call herbs, as some of them contam

hard woody matter, which does nof die down in winter, as

Hyssop, Sage, Winter Savory, Lavender, as well as Rosemary,
previously mentioned. All these may be classed as evergreen

"shrubs of low growth. But it is not the purpose here to raise
"that question; they are all regarded as herbs, and form important

May 12, 1863. ]

items in the herb-border or garden. Their treatment is all much
thessme; they are all propagated by cuttings, which, if put in
during damp weather in early summer, strike root freely.

Sage is, perhaps, the mest delicate of this class, and requires to
be grown on dry ground. In-very cold and exposed situations
in the fur north it is Hable to be out off in winter. Dry, gravelly,
or stony ground seems to suitit best ; and whetherit be sheltered
or not, it is always advisable to make new plantations every
yoar, as the old plants ave liable to die-off at the collar. Hyssop
is more hardy, but less used, as likewise is winter Savory. La-
‘yender neay last four or five years perhaps, but seldom longer.
This, too, likes a dry gravelly soil, as passengers travelling on
the Great Northern Railway may have inferred from observing
the fields of it near Biggleswade and elsewhere, and which when
in flower scent the neigkbourhood with the odour, and rival the
best flower-bed in the parterrefor colour, ‘ILhyme also possesses
a hard woody stem, which lasts as long as the plant lives, which
may be regarded. as three years, perhaps—certainly not more in
general. ‘his plant, however, seeds and reproduces itself
abundantly, and is very accommodating as to situation ; never-
theless, it prefers a dry one, and when grown in such its aromatic
principle is no doubt stronger, and, in fact, this is the case in
almost everything eo grown.

Differing from the above in the woody principle is Fennel,
which I believe thrives best on the rocky promontories by the
seashore. Its absence in early spring is scarcely less regretted
than that of Parsley when a hard winter has told upon it.
Tt is, however, a true herbaceous perennial; and but for the
severities of along winter, and the unsuitableness of certain
situations, its duration may extend for very many years. On
stiff wet soils it is, nevertheless, liable to dic-off after seeding, in
which case I have known some wild place amongst the shrubs
had to be sought over for some plant that had accidentally been
carried there, and nestled itself amongst the claws of the tree
it had taken shelter under, and which had braved the winter by
being less gluttonously fed. ‘ansy is also a herb of somewhat
similar habit, only requiring a stiffer soil and moister place; and
while mentioning these two plants, I may point them out as
possessing foliage of as great beauty as any I’ern we know of.

Angelica also, likes a stiff soil, while Tarragon must be
humoured with one of a contrary description, or there is a
chance of losing it, although it is far from being a tender plant.
Rue attains the character of a shrub; and some cottagers,
anxious to cultivate it for sale, have grown it advantageously
against a wall to the height of a dozen feet or more, cutting off
the front breastwood every year. Rosemary, before alluded to,
may be treated in like manner, dry situations suiting them both.
Opposed to both these in habit, and in general utility second to
none, is Mint, which delights in a rich damp situation, but
requires replanting every two or three years at farthest. A slight
covering of fresh soil or leaf mould in winter is good practice.
Lemon Thyme is of much longer duration, but require a drier
place. Iam far from certain whether Pennyroyal likes a dry
or damp situation; most likely a medium one suits it best, as
also Camomile, which, however, requires replanting every second
year, or even every year, and that, too, upon fresh ground, as,
in fact, all herbs ought to be planted. The flowers of double
Camomile have been in great repute for some purposes for a long
time, but whether the double contains the useful principle in
greater abundance than the single is more thanI can Jewrn, A
bed of Camomile, however, is always an interesting object.

There are several other plants occasionally included in the
herb-bed, as Burnet, Chives, Vervain, Garden Balm, and Balm
of Gilead. The last-named is scarcely hardy. Garden Balm will
speedily run over everything else, and is more robust than
useful. One or two kinds of Sorrel are also cultivated there
occasionally, but they are more in the character of salad plants
than herbs in the usual sense, Some collections also contain
wild plants, as Agrimony and Betony, and one or two poisonous
plants not unfrequently find a place here; but as the most
useful and common ones haye been enumerated, it remains only
to describe in general terms the position the herb garden ought
to haye, when taken in conjunction with the positions of other
plants cultivated in the kitchen garden and elsewhere.

It is too much the fashion now, when recording the usefulness
of a plant, to insist on its having the best place in the ground,
and by-and-by something else is brought forward with the same
claim to pre-eminence. Thus, indifferent positions are rarely
recommended at all, although we all know places of that kind
abound alike in the garden of the prince and in that of the

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

339

peasant, and it would be wrong to assign everything the first
place in the garden. Useful as are the greater number of herbs
mentioned in the above list, it is nevertheless true that other
things in the list of every-day necessaries ave of more conse-
quence, 80 that the herbs must give place to their more useful
brethren. A» outside border in many gardeis, called the slip,
will in general do for the herbs; taking care, wherever they are
planted, that those in most esteem have the best place, that the
proportion of those most wanted be the largest, and that those
kept merely to meet any sudden demand may be in such small
quentities and in the least favourable situations that their sup-
posed claims to notice may entitle them to. As regards those
occupying the more prominent position, some little regard might
be had so as to give them as nearly as possible the different soile
they require in order to succeed well.

Generally apeaking, a medium soil suits all, but some require
alittle more sun than others; and some, as Mint and Penny-
royal, do tolerably well in the shade; while Sage deserves one of
the best places at command, as likewise does Tarragon,

The rotation of cropping is also as necessary here as elsewhere ;
and a due regard to propegating at the right season such plants
as want it, will do much to maintain the uniform neatness of
the cropping that is advisable everywhere. Though the herb
department is less really useful in supplying the table with the
materials necessary to fill the dishes, it is to the botanist and
lover of plants a place of more interest, the number of species
cultivated being greater; and differing as they do in many
respects from each other, and from those cultivated elsewhere,
who, then, can say that the “garden of herbs” is not desery-
ing of more attention than it often receives? And when neatly
arranged it may be kept in a manner that would render it a fit
connecting link between the kitchen garden and dressed grounds,
and an interesting feature in an establishment, to which company:
might be invited in order to study the various puxposes in social
economy to which the many interesting plants there collected.
are applied. J. Rozson..

ORCHARD-HOUSE TREES.

“J do not like thee, ‘R., of S.,’

The reason why I cannot guess,

But yet I really must confess

I do not like thee, ‘R., of S.,’

I like thee better ‘D.,’ of Deal,

And think you are a clever ‘ chiel.’”’

As the controversy on orchard-house trees has now reached
a new phase by the introduction of both poetry, prose, and
doggrel by the combatants on each side, will you kindly allow
an old gardener to give in your pages his notions on the
subject? I believe that both Mr. Robson and Mr, Keane are
right in all they advance respecting the cultivation of orchard-
house trees, and that it is not possible to have fruit so large and
fine in pots as on planted-out trees in the borders of houses or
walls. At the same time, Mr. Rivers and Mr. Pearson deserve
credit for the fairness and pertinacity they show in defending
their hobby when attacked. Orchard-houses when understood
and well managed are useful structures in such a variable
climate as ours, and to the amateur and gardener who have only
limited means, they are a source of great satisfaction if not of
profit. On this precious morning (the 1st of May), the ther-
mometer denoted 6° of frost in the locality from which I
write, and Apricots on the walls where unprotected are frozen as
black as one’s hat, although they are nearly as large as black-
bird’s eggs. Now, the orchard-house pot-tree-grower knows
that his fruit is safe in such seasons, and so far he has a great
advantage. Some ill-natured cultivators may insinuate that it
is greatly to the interest of Mr. Rivers and Mr. Pearson, who
are growers for sale of fruit trees in pots, to puff up their pro-
ductions ; but as they invite all interested to see them and taste
and try, I do not see what they can do more. One thing I do
know is, that until the management of orchard-houses is better
understood, the sale of pot-fruit trees will be greatly increased,
for the murder of these by bad ventilation and houses wrongly
constructed as to the heating, is greatly on the increase. ¢
I now mean to try and break a lance with the “brave and

faithful knight, ‘R., of S.,’ of orchard-house celebrity.” In his
earnest endeavour to cry*up all the uses and advantages of
orchard-houses, I think he tries to prove too much, and is like
the great man in the play—

**T am Sir Oracle,
Let no dog bark at me.’

340

His attack on Mr. Robson, Mr. Keane, and all practical gar-
deners who do not subseribe to his notions on orchard-houses,
by declaring that their “walls have enclosed their gardens and
their minds,” is rich in the extreme.

Mr. Keane may not, perhaps, be able to inform “R., of S.,”
how many pamphlets were published on Polmaise heating and
coiling Vines, and what success they had. It is, however, satis-
factory to know, that those systems when first promulgated were
successfully exposed by practical men.

As “R., of S.,” winds up with a scrap of poetry, I shall do
the same with a couplet written by a famous hand at composing
dogerel rhymes— \

« Whene’er you write on potted trees,
No ‘ Keane’ remarks make, if you please.”

—P., of Q.
OLD VINES VIGOROUS BUT UNFRUITFUL.

I HAVE an old-fashioned vinery heated with a flue and planted
with Black Hamburgh Vines (now very oid), and for years past
I have had a capital crop of Grapes. The winter before last
I made « hotbed with stable-dung in the vinery, but it was too
powerful for the Vines. I was obliged to cut them down to
the bottom of the vinery. They then broke and made capital
‘wood to the top of the house. I gave plenty of air and the
wood became quite ripe and looked in first-rate condition ; those
who saw them said I should be sure of a good crop this season.
“However, I am greatly surprised and disappointed to find I
‘have only a very few bunches at the top of the yinery, and all
those gone, or going, blind.

The vinery has been kept at a regular heat, not above 65°,
‘with air occasionally. The Vines are making first-rate wood this
Season, except one shoot that is about 24 feet long in the middle
-of the vinery, and the foliage is all going like the leaves enclosed.
I have discontinued fire heat since I found out I should have no
“Grapes.—H. H. C.

LL have glanced over your case and should have liked your
statement to have been more explicit as to time of firing the
vinery ; and as to the leaves sent, if they belong exclusively to
‘the weak Vine. If so, lose no time in haying it out at once. It
is smothered with fungal spots, the result of unhealthy root-
-action ; and I am greatly deceived, though the leayes are much
dried, if there is not also an incipiency of the dreaded mildew,
and the plan you are now adopting of giving air occasionally and
Shutting off the fires is the best means for causing it to spread
all over the house,

Now, first, it would be interesting to know when you put into
the house the stable-dung that was too powerful for the Vines.
Of course, if you took dung that was rank and fresh from the
stables after the Vines broke, then I can conceive how the Vines
were injured; but I cannot see how they could have been so
injured by a mere hotbed if the manure was sweet, as I have
seen many such hotbeds in houses. Neither do I see how the
Vines could haye been injured by rank manure being brought
in when they were in a state of rest, as though I have no oppor-
tunity of doing such a thing now, I have had a yinery such a
mass of pungent steam for three weeks that you could scarcely
gee your finger at an arm’s length; but then care was taken to
have the huge heap sweet enough for Cucumbers before the
Vines broke, and care also was taken to keep the sweltering hot
heap at a respectable distance from the stems of the Vines. I
know successful cases of this mode of using unfermented litter,
and I have known of cases in which there was mischief done
from being too venturesome and keeping the houses too close,
-and if “H. H. ©,” has no particular reasons for the contrary, it
-would be instructive to know how the mischief was done, as I
‘have a strong belief that a failure rightly used is quite as in-
‘Structive as a success, only it requires a little more moral courage
to let all the causes of a failure be known—that is to say, if we
do know them ; for the most corroding thing is to find the failure
and be at sea wholly as to the causes.

I had a note the other day about Vines cut over a few inches
below the soil, and because the proceeding has next to failed,
without telling me anything of the plans adopted I received a
genteel hint that I must have had wonderful magnifying spec-
tacles on when I saw the Vines at Woodstock. Fortunately for
my own eyesight, I received by the same post the simple state-
ment that these Vines so cut over seem to be the best this
season at Woodatock. Now, the plans adopted in the case of
jailure would be instructive, and as no one can describe a case

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ May 12, 1863.

of success so well as the manipulator, I trust that when he has
time Mr. McDonald will himself tell us the particulars of his
treatment of those Vine-stems which he so unceremoniously
sawed across. ‘‘H. H.C.” would also be doing good in telling
us the why and the how he injured his Vines.

Second, I should also have liked, as already stated, to have
known the time when the Vines were injured, as then we would
have been more sure of the cause of the want of crop this season,
which I certainly attribute to a want of ripeness in the strong
wood made last season. Did I know that the Vines broke afresh
—say in March, or later, that the fires were left off early, and
air occasionally given, then I would be certain that I am right
in my surmises. I am more convinced of this from the fact of
the Vines being very old, as in that case unless the border is
flagged or concreted, the roots or part of them would be apt to
run deep, and thus be more likely to produce luxuriant rather
than well-ripened wood. This extra-luxuriance would be kept in
check so long as there was a good regular crop of fruit, which
of itself would absorb so much of that vigour, and leave the less
for mere wood development. In such circumstances I should
have given air freely during the day, left air on in smaller pro-
portion all night, except in very cold nights, and I would have
used fire heat, unless when not wanted by the heat of the
weather, until the wood was as hard as oak, and the leaves
began to turn yellow; and the high temperature and the dry
atmosphere would evaporate the mere watery particles from the
sap of the wood, and make every bud left fruitful. If I am at
all right in my conclusions, I would adopt exactly the same
course now, preparatory for next season, as a cool temperature
and a close moist atmosphere will be apt, unless the summer
and autumn are bright, to produce wood too unripe to be
fruitful, with the chance of mildew and other evils in addition.
But, of course, I may be wrong in my conjectures, but I think
they are rather likely to be right.—R. Fisu. ]

A COTTAGE GARDEN anp 1rs OLD-FASHIONED
FLOW ERS—DERBYSHIRE.

THERE fragrant Roses, white and red,
And Mint and Lad’s-love grew,

And Lilies with their petals white,
And spikes of Speedwell blue 5

Carnations, Pinks, and Gilliflowers,
The purple Columbine,

And Honeysuckles round the porch
Their trailing tendrils twine.

Sh tad flowers! whose very names

A Yragrance seem to yield!

Ye mind me of my childhood’s home,
A cottage half conceal’d

?Mid Fir trees dark, and Poplars fall,
Where now a stranger dwells,

And playmates’ names, to memory dear,
The moss-grown tombstone tells.

we

I love ye better far than all
The modern flowers so rare—
The glaring, gaudy, scentless things
That deck the gay parterre.
I love the Primrose in the wood,
The blushing Dog Rose wild.
I love ye all the more because
I lovy’a ye when a. child ;

For well do I remember how
(A long, long time ago),

I wander’d forth a thoughtless boy
Where yellow Cowslips grow ;

With meadow-flowers of brightest hue
I wove a garland gay,

And blew the Dandelion ceeds
To tell the hour of day.

Thus fancy roams ! and o’er me steals
A vision bright and clear.
A mother’s smile I seem to see,
A sister’s laugh to hear.
The springtime comes, and summer flowers
Bloom brightly as of yore;
But sister’s laugh and mother's smile
Will come again no more.

Glossop. C. DANIEL.

Tur BirmineHam RoszE SHow.—Our readers will perceive,
on reference to an advertisment appearing in another column,
that Thursday and Friday, the 16th and 17th of July, are the
days fixed for holding the next Show. It is also announced that
the prize list and regulations are now ready, and may be had
on application to the Secretary.

|
:

May 12, 1863. ]
THE CALABAR BHAN.

TI am yery anxious to obtain the Calabar Bean—a vegetable
substance just brought before the notice of our profession, and
likely to prove of the greatest value: can you give me any
information respecting it >—ANn Hosprran SuRGEON.

[The botanical name of the plant which yields the Calabar
Bean, or Ordeal Bean of Old Calabar, as it is usually called, is
Physostigma venenosum (Balfour), a large leguminous climber.
Plants of it were raised some years ago in the Botanic Gardens
at Kew and Hdinburgh; but those at the former have since
been lost. We have never heard of its flowering in this country,
and do not think it is a plant likely to be cultivated in our hot-
houses for its seeds.

The Bean has not yet, so far as we are aware, become an
article of commerce; but we believe that it is occasionally
brought to the drug markets as a curiosity. We recommend
you to apply to Messrs. Allen, Hanbury & Co., of Plough Coutt,
Lombard Street, who are likely persons to possess it.

The current Number of the “Journal of the Pharmaceutical
Society’ contains a notice of its application as an opthalmic
agent; and further particulars regarding its singular properties
are to be found in vol. xiv. of the same work. ]

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
May 5TH.

EXursition or Scurprure.—This is now to be seen at the
Kensington Gardens. In the conservatory the statues are very
effective, and so are the large groups on the turf before its front.
The ranges of busts, &c., in the arcades are not so satisfactory.
For instance, the busts are in groups of three, and we observe a
very beautiful head of our Saviour placed between busts of Sir
Dunean McDougal and Lord Chancellor Truro. There is some-
thing incongruous in this. The head of cur Saviour on a some-
what higher pedestal, between two such figures as “‘ Purity” and
The Peri,” would have seemed to us a more harmonious
association.

There are some beautiful specimens of our native sculptors’
art, and they are well worthy of inspection; and so is the very
artistic arrangement of the conservatory-beds.

Froran Commirrer.—The Committee held a meeting this day
te examine new plants, florists’ flowers, &c, Several interesting
subjects were brought before them, and the following received
their respective awards :—Mr. Standish sent two new handsome
Clematises from Japan, one of which produced large, double,
globose, creamy white flowers, about 4 inches in diameter,
resembling a fully-expanded rose, with a very delicate perfume,
the most superb variety yet seen. The other Clematis has a
large, single, deep purple flower, which, although not so perfect
in form as some other varieties in cultivation, is decidedly an
acquisition. Both of these plants were awarded a first-class
certificate.

Mr, Wm. Paul exhibited a flower of a new Hybrid Perpetual
Rose Lord Macaulay, with remarkably handsome foliage, and of
great merit. A first-class certificate was awarded. Messrs.
Veitch sent several interesting new plants, among them Cassiope
fastigiata, a hardy plant resembling the Hricas both in habit
and flower; Ourisia Pearcei, also a hardy plant of dwarf habit,
with bright crimson flowers in form resembling the Pentste-
mons; Steneogastra sp., an interesting plant bearing white
terminal clusters of flowers, well suited for a specimen plant ;
Sarmienta repens, a very pretty flowering plant with bright red
flowers; and Rhododendron Picotee rosea, one of the hand-
somest early-flowering varieties, with deep purplish-carmine
intensely spotted flowers, and very free blooming. These each
received a first-class certificate. Browallia sp., which had been
exhibited at a previous meeting, from its improved appearance
and the exquisite specimen shown had a second-class certificate.

Mr. Bull sent a very interesting and new form of Athyrium
Filix-foemina, which was renamed sagittatum from the form of
its fronds—one of the most interesting of the endless forms of
this British Fern; also Mimulus Marvel, a seedling hybrid
between the old Mimulus Gaiety and Mr. Veitch’s Mimulus
cupreus. We cannot speak too highly of the result of this
cross. A first-class certificate was awarded to this and the
Athyrium.

Mr. Batley, Rugby, sent a box of cut Roses, whieh received
a special certificate,

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

341

Mr. Sherratt, gardener to J. Bateman, Esq., sent specimens
of six varieties of Moutan Peonies, of first-rate quality, and of
which the pure white were much admired ; and with them a
handsome spike of Ccelogyne pandurata, to which a special
certificate was awarded.

Mr. Treen, Rugby, sent a box of cut Roses in very fine
condition. Among them were some remarkable specimens of
Tea Roses, particularly of our old favourite Deyoniensizs. A
special certificate was awarded them.

Many other plants were placed before the Committee. Mr.
Kinghorn sent two Azaleas—a double white, with small, compact,
but greenish flowers; also a seediing resembling Criterion. Mr.
Harley, of Digswell, sent a specimen of Adiantum macro-
phyllum, also Athyrium informe. Mr. Standish, a small Japanese
plant, Rhaphiolopsis elegans, very promising, and when again
exhibited it will doubtless receive a high award. Mr. Watson, of
St. Albans, sent four seedling Dracenas, one of which was named
Veitchii, but not, differing from other well-known varieties.
Messrs. Veitch sent two species of Scutellaria, a rose and a white
coloured variety; Calceolaria punctata, a novel form of this
family; and Rhododendron Mrs. Buller; Ourisia coccinea,
much surpassed by Ourisia Pearcei; and Mr. Treen, Rugby, cut
specimens of Verbenas, among them a fine seedling Dr. Temple.
Mr. Bull sent six seedling Zonale Pelargoniums, among them
Spark and Radiancy, promising kinds; also a Petunia The
Bride, and Thuja occidentalis globosa; and Mr. Watson, a
seedling Zonale Pelargonium Advancer, very similar to Mrs.
Milford.

Fruit Commirrer.—Mr. Nash in the chair. Prizes were
offered for the best three dishes of dessert Apples, the first of
which were obtained by Mr. Hall, gardener to Captain Tyrrell,
Fordhook, Ealing, with Bess Pool, Golden Russet, and Cluster
Golden Pippin; and the second by Mr. Green, gardener to Mrs.
Honeywood, Mark’s Hall, Kelveden, with very fine specimens
of Cockle Pippin, Ashmead’s Kernel, and an unknown and
worthless variety.

A seedling Melon called Golden Gem was exhibited by Mr.
Rodgers, gardener to J. Noble, Esq., Taplow. Its great merit
is its earliness, and it will no doubt prove a valuable sort; but
the fruit had been too long cut, and the flayour was passed. In
Cherries, Mr. Freeman, gardener to the Harl of Derby, Knows-
ley, and Mr. Slater, gardener to the Harl of Cawdor, Stackpole,
Pembroke, both sent fine dishes; but as in both instances it
was desired by the exhibitors that the fruit was not to be tasted,
no award was made. JHxhibitors should bear in mind that at
the Fruit Committee meetings it is essential that all fruit should
be tasted, and that every member present should partake of it.

Mr. Thomson, of Archerfield, sent a bunch of the Archerfield
Early Muscat all but ripe. It required about another week to
be perfectly so. The Committee considered this excellent variety
still maintained the high character that they have always given
it whenever it has been before them.

Messrs. Downie, Laird, & Laing, of Sydenham and Edinburgh,
sent three fine large heads of Broccoli, said to be a hybrid
variety; but the Committee considered it was not superior to
other late varieties in cultivation.

WINTERING NIEREMBERGIA GRACILIS.

I quire agree with Mr. Robson in considering damp to be
more fatal to this plant than a moderate degree of cold. I have
never, however, seen it survive the winter out of doors, and
unprotected it will not do so here, even in mild winters like the
last. A number of plants that were left standing in the beds
where they had flowered the preceding summer are quite dead.

For the last two winters our plan has been to winter the Nie-
rembergia out of doors under a shelter of Privet hedge. A shallow
trench is first dug out, in length and breadth proportioned to the
stock of plants; the trench is then filled with finely-sifted coal
ashes, and in this the pots (60's) containing the plants are
plunged a little below the rim; a row of Spruce Fir branches
is next stuck along in front of the plants, and here they remain
from November till March. Since adopting this method we lose
comparatively few of the plants, which cannot always be said of
those wintered in cold pits and frames, the damp confined air of
those structures acting most injuriously on the plants, denuding
them of their leaves, save a few at the extreme tips of the shoots,
and not unfrequently killing large numbers of them outright.
The list of killed and wounded is thus sometimes considerable,

342

Occasioning a serious reduction in the stock, more especially
after such a mild open winter as the one just gone.

In consequence of the extreme mildness of the past winter
our stock of this fayourite plant is unusually fine this year; the
strongest plants are, at the present time, literally covered with
a profusion of their beautiful pale lilac flowers—J. Dunw,
Harrock Hall Gardens, Wigan.

GARDENERS’ SOCIETY.

THE able communication of “G. A.” on the formation of a
Gardener’s Company, or general society for the mutual improye-
ment and benefit of gardeners ss a body, has, doubtless, met
with general approval, for there can be no real objection to the
formation of such a society, nor can there be. any doubt as to
its feasibility. It must also be admitted, that the project is one
calculated to prove greatly advantageous both to the profession
and the members of it. Granted this much, I trust the subject
will not be allowed easily to drop, and that the pages of THz
JOURNAL OF HorticuLruRE will be open to a free discussion
on all matters relating thereto. This I have no doubt will be
the case, as the Editors haye shown themselves favourable to
the scheme. Nothing is more likely to elucidate the matter than
a full discussion, for although the main scheme will most likely
be generally approved, there are matters of detail which must
and will cause some little contention before anything like an
amicable arrangement can be arrived at.

For my own part I consider that any restrictions with regard
to the exclusion of any particular class ought to be avoided
rather than otherwise ; for if a body of men are to actin concert
for the benefit of all parties concerned, the main object ought to
haye precedence over all others, and the farther removed any
mere distinction of class or grade is from the one grand object,
the less consideration should it receive at the hands of those
who have to frame the rules and regulations of the Society. For
instance: A man may conform to all the rules laid down for ad-
mission as a professional gardener, and yet be one in name and
appearance, more than from any real qualification he possesses
for filling such a position beyond a good personal address, which
is often a passport into situations which the possessor is in no
way qualified to fill. He may be a successful exhibitor, not
because he is a skilful cultivator, but because his subordinates
are (for instances are not wanting where the head gardener has
obtained credit for what he is no way entitled to, his right-hand
man being the real manager, without whom the head gardener
could do nothing), in fact, from his position he is admitted as a
first-class member, while a utilitarian who has, probably, studied
hard and grounded himself in the general science of gardening, is

still a utilitarian: consequently he must be debarred from euch |

privileges as fall to those of a more elevated position in the
gardening world.

I simply put this in order to show that a man’s position is no
real guide as to his abilities or acquirements, and where the re-
strictions are too severe, there is a possibility of the right man
being excluded from the right place. ©

If a society is expected to be successful, it ought to be con-
structed on the most liberal principles, however unpleasantly it
may jar against the feelings of an educated class that others of
an inferior grade are to be admitted on equal or nearly equal
terms. Still to a certain extent it ought to be borne with.
Some distinctions are admissible, and, perhaps, advieable; but
they ought to be such as are easily surmounted ; for if the society
is to benefit all clesses of gardeners, a large body of them,
probably the most numerous, will scarcely deem it a fayour to
be admitted on terms that will place their so-called inferior
position ever before them.

Such a Company as that referred to will, I truet, eventually
be formed; and I still further hope, that the rules and regula-
tions will be framed more with a view to benefit and satisfy all
classes of a profession in itself both liberal and progressive, than
with any view to show up the various grades and distinctions
of its members and votaries. If this is done, the entrance fee
and the subscriptions may be high or eyen extravagant, but they
will be paid more cheerfully than if the subscriptions were low,
and the great body of members had no vote and scarcely a
hearing, but must submit to the dictates of the favoured few, who
in consequence of paying higher subscriptions would retain the
government of the whole affair.

Tam at a loss to understand why “G. A.” would require the
subscription of employers to be so much ‘higher than that of

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ May 12, 1866,

others. Doubtless, the majority of them wonld be willing to
subscribe as he intimates; but the question might be asked,
What benefit are employers likely to derive in proportion to the
amount of their subscriptions? ‘True, there would be the in-
creased facility for obtainmg a competent gardener when one is
required ; but is this likely to occur so often as to justify the
amount? Hmployers I believe would enter into the project
willingly, not on account of the benefit derivable from it, but
for the same reason that they form horticultural societies—that
is, from an interest in the science and practice of horticulture.
Should employers take up the matter and thus give an impetus

.to the formation of a Company it would not otherwise receive,

this would lay the foundation ; and with the amount of entry-
fees and subscriptions, as ““G. A.” sanguinely explains, the
Society would be fixed on a popular because solvent basis. But
then in whose hands should the government of the Society be
retained ? Certainly not entirely in the hands of employers or
any other class. This, perhaps, is the most delicate part of the
affair ; for although every division should be fairly and equally
represented, the question is, how is this to be done? TI should
be inclined to recommend that the subscriptions of all classes of
members be pretty nearly equalised, that all should be allowed
to vote freely at the election of officers, &c., and that the offices
be open to all classes where men are likely to be found of com-
petent ability to fill them, although it is evident that such are
most likely to be found among the educated. Whether there are
many in the gardening fraternity who are of my way of thinking
in this matter I do not know; I merely give expression to my
views, which are opposed to framing a society’s rules with one
eye directed to caste and the other to the pocket.

However inappropriate it may appear to discuss the laws of a
society yet unborn, it is far from being without a purpose, for
in this way some useful hints are likely to appear that may be
of service to those who may have the framing of them at some
future time. But then before this takes place it must be known
how far the gardening world would take up the matter in right
good earnest, so that were a body of men to form a nucleus
they might know what support to expect. Could not every
reader of Tar JOURNAL oF HortIcULTURE who is fayourable to

the formation of a Company, send his name and thatof as manyof _

his friends as are also favourable, and who are willing to be enrolled
as members, to the Editors, who, I doubt not, would kindly
keep an account of the number, and, perhaps, make it public, so
that we may all know how far the proposal of G. A.” is likely
to meet with that favour it deserves ?—F, Currry.

MRS. GAINES’ PLANT SALE, SURREY LANE,
BATTERSHA.

Ox Monday, April 27th and three following days, the whole
of the stock of plants belonging to this once-celebrated nursery,
were disposed of by auction.

The sale on the whole brought very satisfactor ces, and
was numerously attended by persons far and ~<ar. Messrs.
F. & A. Dickson & Sons, Nurserymen, Chester, purchased some
of the largest specimen Azaleas, which realised five guineas each.
Miss Macpherzon Grant, of Craigellachie, was also a buyer of
specimen Azaleas and paid high prices. Amongst other large
buyers were Mr. Bennett, gardener to G. 8. Foljambe, Hsq.,
Worksop; Mr. Pullenger, gardener to — Rust, Hsq., Mitchem,
who purchased the Rhododendron Aureum, for five guineas, so
many times exhibited by the late Mr. Gaines ; also, many other
valuable lots. A gentleman from Newcastle was also a large
buyer. Thus it will be seen the lots are well scattered about
the country. '

It is with feelings of regret that we should have to record
the last of this celebrated nursery. Neither would it be just
to let it pass away without a remark. For many years this

mursery in the cultivation of florists’ flowers stood almost un-

rivalled. The Auricula, Pansy, Dahlia, Calceolaria, and Gera-
nium have each been cultivated there to the highest degree of
perfection, and no person in the flower market ever had more
respect chown her than the late Mrs. Naney Gaines, who fora
period of exactly fifty years was attendant at Covent Garden
Market, and whose name for perseverance and uprightness will
be remembered for many years yet to come. Thesame respect
is due to Mrs. Gaines the present occupier of the nursery, who

may be termed 2 model obliging woman of business.

Of late the nursery has been used for marketing plants. The:

:

Nursery, Bagshot.

May 12, 1863. ]

late Mr, Gaines, finding he was so surrounded with new buildings
that specimens could not be successfully grown for exhibition,
turned his attention to cultivate almost entirely for market.
Thus we found the class of plants very different to what we
should have seen sixteen years since.—E. BENNETT, Osberton.

NEW BOOK.

A Practical Treatise on the Oultivation of the Grape Vine. By
William Thomson, Gardener to his Grace the Duke of Buc-
cleuch, Dalkeith Park. Third Edition. Blackwood & Sons,
Edinburgh and London.

Ta is sufficient to say of this admirable work that it has
already reached a third edition, and in this edition the author
has made such alterations and additions as another season has
added to his already large stock of experience.

PORTRAITS OF PLANTS, FLOWERS, AND
FRUITS.

Axocasta Lowi (Mr. Low’s Alocasia).—Vat. ord., Aroides.
Tinn., Monecia Monandria. Introduced from Borneo by
Messrs. Low & Son, Clapton Nursery. Flowered in a stove
during January. Chiefly decorative by its strikingly white
ribbed leaves, rendering it “‘ unquestionably one of the most
desirable of the Alocasias for cultivation.”—(Botenical Uag.,
#, 5376.)

SaxreraGa Fortunet (Mr. Fortune's Saxifrage).—Introduced
from Japan by Mr. Fortune, and cultivated at Mr. Standish’s
Flowers white.—(Zdid., ¢. 5377).

HiZMANTHUS NATALENSIS (Natal Hemanthus).—aé. ord.,
Amaryllidacee. Zinn., Hexandria Monogynia. “A charming
greenhouse plant,” discovered by the late Dr. Pappe, at Natal,
and blossoming in the Cape-bulb house at Kew in February.
Bracts rich crimson-purple; stamens and styles bright orange,
sheathing scales beautifully coloured and dotted with crimson.
—(Zhid., t. 5378.)

Scinba NaTALENsts (Natal Sqnuill)—Waz. ord., Liliacer.
Liinn., Hexandria Monogynia. Introduced by M. Van Houtte,
frem Natal. Pedicels of the same soft pale blue as the corollas.
—(Tbid., t. 5379.)

HETEROTROPA PARVIFLORA (Small-flowered Heterotrope).—
Wat. ord., Avistolochies. Zinn., Gynandria Dodecandria. Sent
from Japan by H. EH. Hoey, Hsq. Flowers purple edged with
green. Leaves dark green, marbled in the centre with a lighter
green.—(Zbid., ¢. 5380.)

IMANTOPHYLLUM MINIATUM (Orange-coloured Imantophyl-
lum).—Wat. ord., Amaryllidacee. Linn., Hexandria Monogynia.
Sent to this country from Natal by Mr. J. Backhouse, of York.
Flowers orange, but white and lemon-coloured inside at the base.
Desirable and easily cultivated.—(Floral Magazine, pl. 145.)

Rosn, Francois Lacnarwe.—A French-raised flower intro-
duced by Mr. Turner, Slough Nursery. ‘One of the finest
flowers of last year,” being “a dark Jules Margottin.”—(Zbid.,
pl. 146.)

CaMELLIA, DucHESSE DE Brrrt.— Certainly the finest of
the white Camellias grown.”—(Zbid., pl. 147.)

PELARGONIUMS.—Seedlings raised at Clewer Manor. Impr ove-
ment, lower petals rich purple; upper petals maroon-blotched
with purple margin. Censor, crimson purple. Souvenir has
“ yichly-painted crimson and black lower petals, black top and
bright margin.” —(24id., pl. 148.)

DELPHINIUM ALOPECUROIDES.—A double variety of Larkspur,
raised by Mr. Wheeler, of Warminster, who “called it alo-
pecuroides, doubtless from the close brush-like form of the
principal part of the spike.” It is very hardy, and propagated
by division, as it never produces seed—(Florist and Pomologist,
ii., 57.)

Pear, Novvette Funvir.—* Admirably pourtrayed by Mrs.
Dix.” It was raised by M. Grégoire, of Jodoigne. A melting,
finely perfumed, and richly flavoured Pear. Ripe in January
and February.—(Zbid., 64.)

FOUNTAINS.
By H. Nort Humeureys, Esq.

THE most highly wrought effects produced in garden archi-
tecture have been those effected by means of fountains; of this,

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 343

the well-known gardenesque waterworks of Versailles and St.
Cloud are sufficient evidence.

Sir Uvedale Price says:—‘‘ With respect to fountains and
statues, as they are among the most refined of all garden orna-
ments, so are they the most liable to be introduced with impro-
priety. The effect, however (especially that of water mixed with
sculpture), is of the most brilliant kind. Some have asserted
that fountains are unnatural; but natural jets d’eau, though rare,
do exist, and are among the most surprising exhibitions of
nature, which, in Iceland and other volcanic regions, have struck
the traveller with wonder.

But though we find natural fountains in the wildest scenes of
nature, it is not, however, necessary, in making artistic use of a
natural law that produces a jet d’eau, to surround the artificial
jet with the circumstances that surround it in nature, any more
than if is necessary that the architect, in building with stone,
should imitate in his work the rude form of the quarry from
which it was taken. On the contrary, as fountains produce
the best effect near buildings, and in combination with statuary,
architects and sculptors like Bernini, says Sir U. Price, would
not think of inquiring what were the precise forms of natural
waterspouts ; but knowing that water forced into the air must
necessarily assume a great variety of beautiful effects, which,
added to its native clearness and brilliancy, would admirably
accord with the forms end colours of statues and architecture,
would use it accordingly.

Nature and art are more closely allied than appears at a first
glance ; for all art is founded upon the development of some
natural Jaw, which Shakespeare perceived when he makes Po-
lixenes, in the “‘ Winter’s Tale,” say

“This is an art
Which does mend nature—change it, rather: but
The art is nature’s self.”

Under ordinary circumstances, the scenic features that sur-
round garden fountains are such that the impression one receives
on seeing water forced into the air is, that art has been employed
to produce the effect: therefore, while still water finds its more
appropriate locality in the lower portion of the grounds, foun-
tains may be more properly placed in the higher levels of a
garden, as their evidently artificial character seems to find its
appropriate situation in a position where water would be highly
desirable and ornamental, but where it could only be brought
by scientific and artistic means. Here, then, the display of art,
even to a degree of ostentation, becomes legitimate ; and foun-
tains of elaborate character and complicated architectural design
find their most imposing station at the extremities, or centres,
of elevated terraces, and places of similar character, where the
gardenesque and semi-architectural character of the surrounding
scene, is all in artistic harmony with them.

Very few good fountains have been as yet constructed in Eng-
land ; the two in Trafalgar Square—which our national Charivari
(Punch), very aptly and cleverly compared to “ two saucers sur-
mounted by a bottle of ginger beer ”—being signal failures ;
and the one erected at Brighton, though on a more ambitious
scale, almost equally unsuccessful. Into the region of “art,” in
the treatment of fountains, we have not yet penetrated; but in
eimpler forms of fountains—that of a simple jet issuing at once
from the level of the main water—greater success has been
attained, as mere “‘ dimension” is the great quality in this un-
adorned natural effect. The scale is, in fact, everything; and
so far, the jet at Chatsworth is highly successful—indeed, mag-
nificent ; but all the other attempts at fountain-work, all the
minor squirtings, including the two celebrated “ water-trees,” are
beneath notice; and still more worthless, in point of art, are all
the fantastic failures called fountains at Alton Towers.

Modern Italy is the classic land of fountains. Long before
Le Notre and his cotemporaries and collaborateurs constructed
the celebrated waterworks of Versailles, the magnificent fountains
of the Villa d’Hste, and those of the Villa Aldobrandini, were
well known and justly celebrated works, especially the building
called the “Saloon of the Winds,” where water is made to pro-
duce rushing sounds characteristic of the four winds, the per-
sonifying deities of which form sculptural groups, among which
the play of waters has a very grand effect. Still more elaborate
is the work of Giacomo della Porta, the celebrated Mount Par-
nassus, with the deities playing on different musical instruments,
the sounds of which are imitated by the water in a manner,
which, if not entirely successful, is yet sufficiently approaching
the desired effect to be very astonishing. These wonders of the
villas of the Sabine Hills, in the region of Tivoli and Frascati,

344 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GAR DENER. [ May 12, 1863,

are, however, among the over-wrought effects of hydraulic science [| and imposing. These, with the great fountain of Trevi, have
and art. More simple, and more artistically grand, are some of | afforded Madame de Staél subject for some of her most eloquent,
the fountains of Rome; that, for instance, which introduces the | descriptive passages in her admirable noyel, ‘Corinne, ou
acqua Paola to Rome—a supply named after Pope Paul Y., the | l’Italie.”

founder of the Borghesi family, who repaired one of the ancient No. 1 is a small, and, of course, inadequate representation of
aqueducts, and so one of the foun-
united a magnificent tains of St. Peter’s.
stream of water once No. 2, that of Pa-
more to Rome, after lazzo Fornesi ; and
centuries of severa- No. 3, another
tion, in consequence grand and simple
of ruinous portions example of the
of the aqueduct al- ' fountains of Rome
lowing the stream to —that of the Court
waste itself uselessly of Belvidere.

on the Campagna.

Tousher this restored tains the abun-
supply of the pre- dance of water al-
ciouselementinto the ways forms the
“ Hternal City ” with grandest feature—

@ mere squirt is but
@ caricature in com-
parison, for, to cite
@ passage recently
quoted by Emerson

due “pomp and cir-
cumstance,” a mag-
nificent architectu-
ral composition was
erected on the slope

of the Janiculan Hill, in his ‘* Represen-
between the columns ‘tative Men,” “ A
of which three grand- é single drop of sea-
ly designed apertures —— ———s water ‘possesses ajl

SSS the chemical pro-
=

appear, from which
three torrents, for no yo
other term will suffi- = : z => ocean of which it
ciently express the ; : 2 on AT RN Ge me ==— is a part, but it
bulk of water—fall are ES is incapable of re-
with a deafening presenting the phe-

— j 7,
sound, amid a cloud ERS cede esl Ca nomenon of #

of spray, into three gigantic fazze, from which conduits carry { storm.” ‘Thus we see that magnitude must inevitably form
the water to supply many of the greater, and an endless | a great element in the sublime, and that dimension, as well as
number of the lesser fountains of Rome. ‘The fountains on the | design, are points to be considered in the construction of objects
Piazza San’ Pietro are, perhaps, the finest detached specimens of | intended to produce a certain effect of grandeur.

purely decorative fountains in existence. They are the work of | In places, however, where an enormous supply of water would

No. 2.,—Fountains of the Palazzo Fornesi. No. 3.—Fouztain of the Vatican, in the Court of the Belvidere.

Carlo Maderno; and such is the magnificent character of this | be impossible, very pretty effects, approaching eyen the grand,
simple design—the quantity of water thrown up, and falling in | may be attained by judicious management. ‘The water, by the
clouds of spray, in which, ab a certain hour, one or more rain- | assistance of special contrivances, being made to appear more
bows are distinctly seen— that, even immediately in front of St. | plentiful than it is, and by the aid of moveable heads, fittmg on
Peter’s, one of the largest and most imposing buildings in the | the pipe of supply, a great variety of effects may be produced,
world, their effect so far from being insignificant, is most grand | but these should only be used on certain occasions, the simplest

In these foun- -

iS _ —__—perties of the great _

eS

May 12, 1863. ].

possible form being the one in which the action of the fountain
should be commonly seen.

My examples from the fountains of Rome have not been
selected to exhibit the vast scale and magnificence of the greatest
of those works, many of which occupy great apace; being, in
fact, complicated sculptural tableaux, in which a great number

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

-—(Gardeners’ Mag. of Bot.)

345

of statues are required to complete the composition. I have
rather selected such examples as might be applicable to practical
purposes.

e

dans J’air s'enflammant au feux d’un soleil pur,
Pleuvoir en gouttes d'or, d’emeraude, et d’azur.”
Deitte, “ Les Jardins.”

PHILODENDRON SIMSII.

Nat, ord., Aracew, 3 Caladiew. ZLinn., Monecia Triandria,

GENERIC CHARACTER.—PHILODENDRON, Schott.—Spathe convolute at the |

P. Sivsur.—Kunth.—Caulescent; rooting; leaves shining cordate-sagit-

base, straight, closed after flowering. Spadix continuously androgynous; | tate, acute; petioles roundish, slightly flattened on the upper side; spadix

rudimentary reproductive organs below the stamens; no sterile appendix. |

slightly contracted below the middle, then tapering gradually to a point ;

Anthers two-celled, distinct, 2-7, placed back to back in areolw ; the cells | spathe cylindrically hood-shaped above, constricted in the middle, inflated

hidden within the connective, open at the apex. Ovaries many, crowded,

free, 5-15 celled. Ovules several, ascending from the central angle of the |

cells, orthotropous; style very short or wanting ; stigma capitate, truncate,
or with imperfect radiating lobes. Berries distinct, many-seeded.—(Endl,
Gen, Plant.)

| below, a little longer than the spadix.

Synonymy.—Philodendron Simsiii—Kunth, Enumeratio _Plant., iii., 48.
—Caladifolium, Sims, in Bot. Mag., t. 2643 (not of Jacquin). C. Simsii,
Hooker, in Bot. Mag., p. 3345.

Drscription.—A fine stove perennial.
into a stem, rooting.

Rhizome elongated
Leaves cordate-sagittate, very large, the
blade 2 feet long, shining; petiole roundish, more and more
flattened on the upper side upwards, elongated (80 inches),
closely marked with fine, deep-green, interrupted streaks ;

petiolar sheath very short. Spadix about 8 inches long, cylin-
drically hood-shaped, convolute at the base, contracted in
the middle, and attenuated above into a fine point, white, and
marked about 2 inches below the contracted portion with an
oblique crimson band, shaded off above and below. Spadix
nearly as long as the spathe, thickened below, slightly contracted
below the middle, and tapering gradually up to the rather acute
point ; the first inch from the base occupied by the numerous
distinct ovaries, the remainder presenting a smooth surface,
with reticular lines indicating the boundaries of the groups of
sterile and fertile stamens. Rudimentary staminal groups below
the fertile. Stamens consisting of distinct sessile, two-celled
anthers, arranged 2-7 in a polygonal group, back to back, in
close contact, the cells of the anthers concealed within the con-
nective, opening at the apex. Ovaries numerous, crowded, but
free, conical, many-celled ; styles almost none; stigmas capitate,

flattened on the summit, and with slightly markedjradiating
lobes. Ovules numerous, orthotropous, ascending from the
internal angle of the cells. Berries? ee Hass}

Hisvory.—This plant is a native of Demerara, and is not
new to our gardens. It was figured by Sims in the “ Botanical
Magazine,’ under the name of Caladium grandifolium; Sir
W. J. Dooker subsequently showed, in the same work, that it
was not the Arum grandifolium of Jacquin, and named it
C. Simsti. It belongs to the genus Philodendron of Schott,
under which name it is included in Kunth’s “ Enumeratio.” Its
large, glossy, deep-green leaves, and broad crimson band in the
white spathe, give it a striking appearance.—A. H. — +}

CururEe.—The Philodendron figured in our plate is a free-
growing stove plant. It should be potted in rough, porous
compost ; and, from its large size, requires a large pot, which
must be well drained. The old stems push out roots, which
hang about the pot without striking into the soil, and, no doubt,
contribute, like the aérial roots of Orchids, to the support oi
the plant. It is increased by separating the shoots which, from
time to time, branch out from the old stem. The species is
more curious than ornamental.—(Gardeners’ Mag. of Botany.)

346
FRUIT TREESIN POTS.

Tue subject of growing fruit trees in pots, which has) been so
freely discussed in the columns of THE JouRNAL or Hortr-
CULTURE, must, if not very instructive, have certainly proved
very amusing to most of your readers. The subject 1 confess
is interesting to me, as I have had under my care for the last
few years a collection of upwards of three hundred fruit trees
in pots, consisting of Peaches, Nectarines, Apricots, Plums,
Cherries, and Figs. :

T believe I may say that I am considered to have been toler-
ably successful in the cultivation of them. This season most of
the trees are covered with fruit; and although some of them are
not so, yet all are healthy, perfectly clean, and well-formed trees.
Visitors call them magnificent trees, but visitors will some-
times be complimentary. My employers appear to like them,
and I rather like them myself, and of course, I consider myself
in duty bound’ to do-all I can to cultivate them successfully ;
but at the same time, from what'T have already eaid, it may be
supposed that, in my own homely way, I may have come to some
conclusions upon the subject. I admit that I haye done so,
and in as few words as possible I will state them.

I am convinced that good fruit may be and has been obtained
from trees growing in pots; and I am aleo convinced that better
fruit may be and has been obtained from trees planted out and
trained in the usual way, and if time and labour be reckoned as
money (which they ought to be), the fruit from trees planted
out is obtained at least 100 per cent. cheaper.

I admit that a fruit tree in full bearing and growing in a
flower-pot is a curious and yery interesting object, and so are
Mushrooms growing in flower-pots. I have seen the surface of
some two or three dozen nine-inch pots completely covered with
snow-white Mushrooms arranged on the floor of a dark cellar—
a sight I can assure your readers worth lighting a candle to
look at.—G.

[We have omitted the last paragraph in your note because, on
second thoughts, we are sure you will agree with us that amode
of culture so interesting, even if not profitable, does not deserve
ridicule. You have alluded to one’ fact on which you would
oblige us by more information—growing Mushrooms in pots.
We had heard of this being done, and should be glad to know
more of the mode of culture pursued.—Hs. J. or H. |

METEOROLOGICAL NOTES.

“WHat a remarkably fine season!’ is an observation we
hear on allsides. Fruit trees are laden with blossom in one place;
and in another we hear of it being set and the young crop swel-
ling with unusual rapidity. There is no doubt, however, that
we shall hear complaints by-and-by ; and even now, in the begin-
ning of May, the weather is too fine for some.

On all sides we hear of its being a very dry spring.
Water is said to be scarce and the ground dry and hard. ‘Three
months ago the story was what a bad season it has been, so
accustomed are we to run fo extremes. However, taking it for
granted that the early winter months were wet, they were not
more 80 than is usual at that time; but the last three months
have been unusually dry—drier than any similar period I have
any record of, excepting the spring of 1858, when the rainfall
was less for the winter six months than it has been this year.
This will be seen by the following table, which exhibits the
rainfall in inches for the winter season mentioned, commencing
with the let of November and ending with the last day in April,
as compared with the rainfall for the corresponding six months
for the last eight years :—

trectsseceeeseoe TAiNfall, 12.40 inches.
. 10,72

7 th)

2 6.93 ”
” 9.01 ”
sos CLAY aa
Bee LOLGB cues
16.82

1862-63

The wettest month during the above period was November,
1861, when 6.10 inches of rain fell; the driest was February,
1857, when only 0.27 of xain fell. Nevertheless, singular as it
May appear, and probably at variance with the popular notions of
long droughts and long wet periods, I have no record in the years
above given of there ever having been more than fourteen con-
secutive days without any rain, while seventeen consecutive wet
days without a dry one is the longest period of an opposite

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

. thorn in his flesh. It is a lady!

[ May 12, 1863.

character. I need hardly say that small, almost inappreciable
quantities of rain sometimes divide long periods of dry weather,
so as to leave no greater number of days without rain than is
given above. Even in the month that is past, though an unusually
dry one, less than three-quarters of an inch of rain falling,
that was distributed over ten days, being the 4th, 7th, 8th, 11th,
12th, 16th, 22nd, 28th, 29th, and 30th. :

With regard to the progress made by vegetation, the present
season may be justly regarded as an early one up to the end of
April, but a period of dull and ccld weather will easily reduce it
to the level of ordinary seasons. With me some Apple blossom
was out on the 16th April, being three days later than it was
in 1859 ; but, in general, vegetation was certainly farther advanced
at the end of that month this year than it was at the same
time in 1859. Asparapus, however, has been earlier in years’
gone by than it is this season; and, on the other hand, the fine
weather sent that harbinger of spring, the cuckoo, amongst us
earlier than I ever knew it. I heard’ it several times: on the
13th, and some assert it to have been heard the day before. The
other tokens of spring I need not go into, as it is with regard to
the amount of rainfall that I beg to call the attention of your
readers. I confess I look with some degree of alarm to the pro-
bability of wells, ponds, streams, and other sources of supply
being exhausted before summer is over. Whether this may prove
to be the case or not remains to be seen; certainly if these
reservoirs depend on the winter’s rain to feed them for this sum-
mer’s work, there is much reason to fear that a deficiency will
follow.

In regard to the absence of all sharp frosts, the past winter
has also shown us that some of our ideas were erroneous about
the tillage and pulverisation of the soil, for in many instances
where the ground was dug up in time and received the benefit
of the dry weather in February and March, it works pretty well
—better than it sometimes does after frost when the latter is
followed by a season of wet weather. Of the well-doing or other-
wise of crops it is premature to speak; but at present all is
hope, and in many instances the promises are flattering.

J. ROBSON.

BARBADOES POTATO.

Ir does not appear that this Potato has been grown to any
extent for the Jast seventeen years. orsome years before this
period it was considered in this neighbourhood the finest sort in
existence, one Potato being sufficient for a dish. I have made
inquiries in all directions. From one quarter I was informed
that 10s. were offered for a tuber. There are no knobs on the
Barbadoes Potato, as stated by “ Q, Q.,” to exist in the varieties he
mentions, and it has but very few eyes. It is an early sort, and
the haulm, although branching, is not very tall. Many thanks
to those who have endeavoured to throw some light upon this
subject.—A Constant READER.

WHAT ARE GOOD i ee VISITING
A FRIEND'S GARDEN?

I HAVE a neighbour who comes to see me several times a-year,
and whose visits I have hardly grace enough to endure. He
has a smattering of horticultural knowledge, and he owns a
country place, which he thinks is the very pink of perfection.
“ Now, I want you to go around and show me your grounds.”
Well, while I am trying to do so, he struts loftily, and talks
about his own establishment, his English gardener, and his fast
horses. Am I pointing out a fine specimen of the Huropean or
Siberian Silver Fir, he breaks in, “Oh, yes, I’ve several like them,
only bigger; the pedlar of whom I got mine said they, called
them Balsams down in the swamp.” Show him a Delaware or
Rebecca Grape, and he will admit they are tolerably good, but
smaller and less fragrant than the Charter Oak and Northern
Muscadine. A Japan Lily is passable, but then he has several
other kinds, yellow, red, and white, lots of them! Amd so he
runs on about his arbours, and his’ terraces, and his serpentine
walks, and his statues of Venus and Neptune, and much other
gimerackery with which his pretentious place abounds. When
he has sufficiently disparaged my place, and lauded his own, he
goes home. I pray you, Mr. Hditor, happen this way some
time, and bring him down from his high horse.

A friend of mine, who is a fond planter of trees, bas also a

She looketh not well to the

May 12, 1863. ]

ways of her household, but, neglecting her children, goeth about
to talk of cats, dogs, horses, and flowers. Her mind is good, so
far as it goes, but its scope is not wide. When she visits my
friend, she never notices the rare trees which are his joy and
pride, nor the velvet lawn, nor the antique vases, nor the fine
outlooks into the surrounding scenery, which he has opened
with so much artistic skill; but she begins at once to harrass
him with talk about some petty detail, generally of her own
experience. Now she chatters away about sowing flower-seeds,
then how to cure a sick cat, how to strike cuttings, how to poul-
tice a felon, how to save seeds; and she dwells on each point
with a minutencss and long repetition, that—that “ beats the
Dutch.” And all this sort of talk while walking through one
of the finest gardens in all this region of country! She finishes
up each visit by begging a few cuttings and a few seeds, and
then, with a curtsy and a bewitching smile, bids adieu.

The question now returns Mr. Editor, which is the proper
way to make a horticultural visit? It strikes me I should not
make it an occasion for disparaging my friend’s garden and
extolling my own. It is not best to waste his time, and tax his
patience, by chattering away about some trivial details, or such
matters as can just as well be discussed elsewhere. £ should
leaye my garden at home when I go to visit his. Instead of
pulling at his button-hole, and engrossing the time with my sage
observations, I should listen to him, in a receptive state of mind,
desirous to see and learn, and enjoy all I can; and, when my
visit is ended, I should thank him for the pleasure he has
afforded me.

And, sir, I gladly testify that I do receive such visits now and
then. Some persons show at once that they appreciate what
they see; instead of criticising, or making invidious comparisons,
they heartily admire, and express their pleasure without stint.
Others walk along more quietly, confessing their ignorance of
gardening in its higher forms, but begging me to tell them the
name of this and that, and the origin of the other; and they re-
ceive all that they see and hear with evident satisfaction. It isa
great pleasure to receive such guests.

And, now that we are on this subject, let me add a few words
more on another branch of it. The middle of the day is nota
desirable time for visiting gardens; for then the light falls verti-
cally, and the shadows of trees and shrubs are almost impercep-
tible. If, too, it is midsummer, the heat of noon is so intense
that the visitor puffs and sweats, and feels that he is pursuing
enjoyment under difficulties. Half the poetry of a garden is lost
by viewing it under a broiling sun. Go, rather, in the morning,
when the dew is sparkling on tree and grass, and when the birds
are musical; or, go at evening, when the shadows fall aslant,
when the heat has abated, and the cool air is fragrant.

[You have hit upon a suggestive theme, and painted it in life-
like colours. We are sorry to say that just such ill-bred persons
do own country places; but how painfully plain it is that they
were not educated for them, that they are strangely out of place,
that neither is fitted for the other any more than jewels are
fitted to adorn animated pork. Oh that these men would learn
the wisdom of silence! Few things are more painfully annoying
than a yisit from a man full of pompous pretension: he will
neither enjoy anything himself, nor let you. No matter how
well grown or beautiful your plants may be, he always has
something better at home: no word of praise or commendation
ever escapes his lips, be it ever so wel! deserved. He runs his
round of stereotyped depreciation, departs, and you feel as if you
had been relieved of some hatefulnightmare. We can remember
with satisfaction more than once haying knocked the stilts from
under such men, and precipitated them to their proper level.
We never fail to do it when we can; for a man has no right,
moral or otherwise, to be unamiable at his friend’s house. The
world is no better for such men, but quite the reverse. We
would reason thus with them: When you enter a friend’s garden
do try and leave at the gate all egotism and selfishness, and
resolye to please and be pleased. Remember with how much
care your friend has collected the plants about him, and how
much enjoyment he finds in them. Remember that,they are all
beautiful, some more, some less: this you cannot help feeling,
though you may not acknowledge it. Remember, above all,
that they are the handiwork of Infinite Goodness, and speak
not contemptuously of them, even to heighten the praises of your
own. If you want to hear your own plants praised, ask your
friend to come and see them; and if he is barely a sensible man,
with a heart alive to the proprieties of life, and a nice appreciation
of the beauties of nature, you will hear enough to make a reason-

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGH GARDENER,

347

| able and modest man content; for how much better it is that

another should praise us than that we should praise ourselves,

Having disposed of the man, what shall we do with the
woman? We fear we shall have to put on a pair of soft kid
gloves. The treatment in this case must be gentle and soothing,
When she begins to talk about cats and dogs, tell her, as she
seems to be so very fond of them, you will send her a good litter,
which you must forthwith do. Send a fresh litter every time
she broaches the subject, and in time she will take the hint, and
carefully avoid the mention of cats and dogs in your presence.
In like manner treat other inapposite subjects—for instance,
when she talks about a poultice for a felon, say to her, ‘‘ Well,
well; but is that poultice good for the Black Knot?” You
will be able to manage her in this way. Fortunately, there are
only about three such women in the world; and the rest of
them are such dear delightful creatures, and love flowers so
fondly, flitting about among them like butterflies, sucking sweets
from each, that you can well afford to bear with the three that
ara full of cats, and dogs, and felons, and what not.

You have a just and proper couception of what a horticultural
visit ought to be. When we make such visits, we go for the
purpose of learning and enjoyment, and to make our friends as
happy as may be. Horticultural intercourse often is, and always
might be made, a source of the purest enjoyment. Where is
something in horticulture that tends strongly to develope and
expand man’s social qualities; the only drawbacks to this are
the selfishness and egotism of unregenerate human nature.
What a delightful thing it is to receive a visit from one who
knows the full value and beauty of your plants, and has the
manliness to say so. We see you understand this perfectly.
You are altogether right in regard to the best time to visit the
garden. It is surprising how few think of this, and yet a whole
chapter might be written about it. !—(American Horticulturist.)

GARDEN HELPS.

ALTHOUGH on various late occasions I have perused with great
interest the numerous contributions respecting “garden helps ”
inserted in your valued periodical, I purposely abstained from
remitting my present communication until now, because the
period of the year is closely approaching when young birds of
the kind desired will be easily procurable at a very moderate cost;
and again I fancied a word in season the meat appropriate to
insure a trial among those of your readers who feel interested in
such matters. Permit me to preface my remarks by stating that
a walled garden is indispensable, otherwise, most probably, dis-
appointment will ensue.

When I recall the incidents connected with the great variety
of “ pets” kept many years back by my late sister and self, and
in respect to which it was difficult to determine which of the
two felt the deeper interest in those hobbies, I believe our tame
lapwings afforded us the greatest amount of pleasure and benefit,
and for some six or seven years they prospered exceedingly.
Our birds at the outset were casually brought to us by a country
friend, and, if memory is not defective, were five in number.
Tt is sufficient for present purposes to say that two males and
a female were reared to maturity. When we first received them
they were only partially feathered, but were strong healthy birds.
We then fed them on the large dew-worms, expressly collected
for their use, and, to increase the supply of food at the least
amount of personal exertion, small strips of raw lean beef were
added, although they gave a decided preference to the living
worms. Ina fortnight or so we turned them altogether on their
own resources in the garden, and they still throve even more go
than previously—in fact, they received no particular care or
attention; but it is justice to say that the quantity of snails,
worms, in fact insects of every kind, they daily devoured was
beyond credence.

The benefit to the damp garden we at that time occupied
was of course commensurate ; for, after their introduction, the
crops never suffered as previously from the “slugs,” through
the ravages of which our gardener said, “it was impossible te
grow anything:” consequently, he at length acknowledged them
as some of “his best friends,” though at the first sadly averse
to their introduction. A point of considerable importance is
that they never interfered, to the best of my knowledge, with any
crop whatever; and taking into consideration the fact that they
fed almost exclusively on insects and worms, the excrement was
not as offensive to the eye as would be anticipated—so much £0,

348 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE

that had the premises been larger, my opinion is it would have
been scarcely noticeable. They moulted into adult feather at
autumn, and then became as brilliant in plumage as the lapwing
when enjoying its perfect liberty. Of course they had been long
previously carefully pinioned, and the outer gates of the garden
had been so arranged as to close instantly after all comers,

It will be seen the difficulty of rearing was trivial, and thus some
of the most beautiful and interesting objects connected with the
garden were obtained with little forethought or trouble, and at
an expense not worth even the mention, As winter approached
we found, however, that we were compelled to find additional
nutriment, particularly during frosty weather ; and, to compen-
sate for this deficiency of natural food, bread-crumbs, chopped
cheese, with eggs boiled hard, served every purpose. At spring
the two males were no longer sociable, and at length carried
their animosity to such a point as compelled us to give the one
toa friend, Strange to say, at once it proved equally tame with
him as with ourselves who reared it. This particular bird fell
a prey to a large tom cat, to the great annoyance of its owner,
who saw the bird killed. He told me a week afterwards, some-
what gloating, the death of his bird caused Mrs. ——’s cat to
“evaporate.” From what cause evaporation ensued others must
determine. With ourselves the pair of remaining green plovers
became wondrously familiar, so much so that in the depth of
winter they would come and stretch themselves on the kitchen
hearth, first obstinately driving both dogs and cats from thence,
as we always checked resistence on their part. In general the
lapwings passed us without any recognition whatever, and it
was only when warmth was desirable and the cats seemed dis-
inclined to be aroused whilst enjoying their customary nap that
any interference of our servants was required.

But to revert to summer time. None but a close observer of
the habits of these birds could imagine the amount of insectile
food they consume, nor would accredit the careful manner in
which they quarter every nook and cranny within their range. On
grass plots they are at once most beautiful and advantageous ;
it is there, perhaps, they appear to greatest advantage, though,
T believe, their utility is eyen still greater on the ground gsub-
jected to spade culture. Plovers will, particularly at eventide,
stand perfectly motionless, awaiting the first glimpse of any
lobworm, as it appears partially exposed on the surface. They
then, with a few hurried and stealthy paces, approach within
reach, seize it greedily, and rarely fail to drag it out at the first
effort; but occasionally I haye seen them first pull very care-
fully to prevent the worm breaking in pieces by the unusual atrain,
and then put the foot on the part extracted to permit the oppor-
tunity of taking a second and firmer hold with the bill, so that
eventually the worm has been withdrawn entire. To any of
your readers conversant with the tenacity of hold exercised by
the dew-worm, if an attempt is made to withdraw it with the
fingers, the force requisite on the part of a bird so small as a
plover to remove it thus forcibly may be easily imagined. But
I have seen the bodily strength of our fayourites so severely
tested that after pulling for a minute or more only a half of their
prey was secured, The “peewit,” as the plover is frequently
called, is not only one of the most graceful and brilliant-plumaged,
but also one of the most extraordinary birds in its gait of any of
our British birds. Their quick motions and the elegant appendage
of crest render them novel to the eye, and every motion of the
bird is strongly pourtrayed. They must be supplied with shallow
water to wash themselves—a habit they daily indulge in. We
reared others with equal kindness, and they became equally
familiar, though they were mostly impatient of strangers; but
even this peculiarity was an advantage when understood, as, by
their repeated cries, they never failed to draw attention when
encroached upon, howeyer protracted the interference, during
night or daytime, though becoming at once silent and satisfied
when either myself or sister spoke to them.

Although one particular pair remained with us more than half
a dozen years, these birds neyer evinced any propensity to nest-
ing; for it is certain they neyer laid at all, or their eggs would
have been met with.

From the lightness of the plovers themselves, and the slight
construction of their feet, they never did damage by oyerrunning
the growing crops ; and I confidently believe that any one taking
the trouble to raise a pair for his own purposes will agree with
me it is not a trouble thrown away ; nor would I haye extended
my remarks to the particulars I have done had I not wished
that every attempt to rear them that may ensue from reading
Our method of management may insure success to the less

AND COTTAGE GARDENER, [ May 12, 1868.

experienced. I will merely repeat the present is about the time
of year when young plovers are procurable.—HDWARD HEWITT,
Sparkbrook, Birmingham.

WORK. FOR THE WEEK.

KITCHEN GARDEN.

THE weather is now favourable for carrying on the various
operations of planting and sowing. Where any main crops
in the kitchen garden have failed more seed should be imme-
diately sown; where they have partially failed, procure plants,
if possible, to fillup. Now is the time to destroy slugs late at
night and early in the morning; they have their hiding-places,
and may be destroyed by thousands with quicklime, which
should be strewn over every part of the garden several nights or
mornings running. It should be done in the morning by three
or four o’clock, and at night not before nine. By persevering a
short time a garden may be entirely cleared of this pest. Beet,
thin the plants to a foot apart while they are small; fill up
vacancies with those drawn out, they will produce plants equally
good with the others. If the first crop has altogether failed it
is not yet too late to sow another. Broccoli, make another sow-
ing of both early and late sorts, the former to comein in October
and November, and the latter late in the spring. Cabbage, earth-
up those that were planted early in the spring ; tie-up the leaves
of a few of the most forward cf the autumn-planted, to cause
them to form hearts for early use. Celery, continue to prick-
out seedling plants. In planting-out a second time, before finally
transplanting into trenches, make a bed of equal parts of rotten
dung and loam, about 4 inches thick, on a piece of hard ground,
so that at the time of planting the whole of the earth and dung may
adhere to the roots after the trowel is passed between each of the
plants. A few trenches should now be got ready for the earliest
Celery. On soils with a wet bottom the trenches should not be
made too deep, so that the plants may be nearly on a level with
the surface of the ground; a dry bottom with deeper soil may have
deeper trenches: in either case, give the rows a good width because
the Celery should never be earthed-up until it has nearly attained.
a size fit for use, and, therefore, the intervening spaces may be
cropped with Lettuces, Harly Dwarf Cabbages, and Cauliflowers,
all of which would come off before the final earthing. Cucumbers,
the ridge recommended last week will now be in a proper state
to receive the plants, let them be got in without delay, and shade
the glasses for a few days. At the same time a few glasses may
be sown with seeds of Vegetable Marrows and Cucumbers for
succession and for Gherkins; for the latter purpose on warm
soils seeds sown in the open border will suffice; but on colder
soils it is better to forward them in pots, and have a sloping
bank thrown up facing the south; plant them near the top, and
train the bines downwards, stopping them occasionally. Dwarf
Kidney Beans, plant-out those that were sown in pots or boxes
in rows 2 feet apart on a warm border. Another sowing should
also be made. Zeeks, make a sowing, to plant-out for winter
use. Peas, stop the early crops as s00n as toot blossoms are
well set. Parsnips, they require to be thinned to 9 inches or
more apart if the ground is rich. Tomatoes, plant them out in
light compost under a south wall, also Chilies, Capsicums, and
Basils, in doing which, if they are at all pot-bound, let the roots
be gently loosened and spread out.

FLOWER GARDEN,

Push forward late propagated stock, and endeayour to keep
the whole healthy and growing slowly in the pots, It is a
common but erroneous practice to allow bedding stock to remain
in very small pots, exposed to the sun and wind and very
scantily supplied with water until it is almost dried up, and
such plants are considered to be hardened-off. ‘They should be
exposed to the weather as freely as circumstances will admit,
but never to such an extent as to brown the foliage and dry-up
the tissues. Now is the time to establish a firm and even sward
or lawn. The roller and scythe will be in frequent request, and
much labour is involved im these operations properly carried
out. See that the edgings hitherto neglected are put in order
for the summer ; do not edge beyond the original boundary, and
keep the walks filled with gravel, Jet the roller be passed
frequently along the edges in order to level them down to the
walk, this takes away the harshness of the outline.

FRUIT GARDEN.

During the process of nailing-in the shoots of Peaches, Necta-

rines, and Apricots examine if there are any nails so placed as to

May 12, 1863. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE

be likely to injure the swelling fruit, and remove them, Use
strong cloth shreds cut to a sufficient length to allow plenty of
room for the wood to swell; such short shreds are sometimes
used and bound close round the wood, so that at the winter prun-
ing many of the shoots will be found to have au indented ring,
and very often a large piece of gum. Vines will now require
constant attention in stopping and nailing-in. See that the red
spider does not get a-head on wall trees, nor the caterpillar on
Gooseberry bushes.
STOVE.

All here is growth, treat them, therefore, liberally both at root
and branch. Keep a brisk growing temperature, with plenty of
air, Take care to pot such things as require it in time. Stepha-
notis, Gloriosa, Allamanda, Dipladenia, and other climbers will
now be showing bloom; keep the branches from becoming en-
tangled, but there should be no hurry to train them until the
flower-buds are of a good size.

GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY,

Look well after young stock, especially that for the ensuing
winter’s work. The early-sown Chinese Primroses and Cinera-
yias should receive frequent and careful attention, these will
bloom in October and November. Another sowing may be
made shortly for spring decoration. Continue successions of
Achimenes, &c., from the rest stock. The Chrysanthemum cut-
tings may be put out immediately ; these will do without bottom
heat. Choose the short-jointed wood, they will strike freely
under a hand-light, to be shaded from the sun. Achimenes to
be placed in either of these structures when more air can be
given; stake out neatly as the shoots advance. Gloxinias, like
the above, require a partially-shaded situation and moist heat.
Gesneras may be treated in the same way, with the addition of
more light. Amaryllis, &e., to be removed to the conservatory
for blooming, where they are a great acquisition. Although a
slight shade is necessary on the forenoons of bright days, this
must be used sparingly when the weather is unsettled ; for with-
out abundance of light flowers never colour properly, and they
soon fade if kept in too shady a position. Where it can be con-
yeniently accomplished watering should be done in the morning,
in order to dry up the superfluous moisture before evening
so as to ayoid night-damps. The New Holland twiners, when
done flowering, to have their shoots well trimmed-in before
growth commences. W. Keane.

DOINGS OF THE LAST WEEK.

Tr is rather tantalising to hear from different parts of the
country of the fine rains that came just when they were wanted.
Now, on this, the 7th of May, we have yet had no rain, though
several times we were sure if was falling some miles away. In
these circumstances, as we depend almost entirely on rain water,
we have had to be very careful in watering, and could not give
some things anything like the quantity they ought to have had.
Many crops we have eyen partially shaded to prevent the
ground getting too dry; and among many of them we stirred
the surface to keep it loose, and from cracking, and thus pre-
vented the heat entering, which would have been acceptable
enough but for the dryneas from evaporation that would have
accompanied it. With this dryness there have been several rather
sharp frosts, which did little damage, as the air was so still
and dry. Having seen no bad effects, we began to be rather too
secure, and were partially caught on the morning of this day
week, the frost having blackened the Potatoes, and injured very
heavy crops of Gooseberries, and they would have been more
injured still but for the thickness of the foliage. All the fruit that
were at all exposed were blistered at least on one side. A little
rough hay shaken along the rows of the Potatoes, and very gently
onthe tops of the bushes, would have saved them nicely, and also
the blooms of some early Strawberry plants on a south border.
For want of it every open flower was dyed black in the centre
where the fruit should,come. A few Calceolarias covered with
thin calico were also a little injured where the cloth touched
them, whilst those a few inches beneath it were safe, and also
some standing exposed in sheltered places. Walnuts, &c., in the

neighbourhood were much injured, and, as it may be interesting
to some to know, in these and other cases where trees were
affected the lower branches were most injured, whilst the loftier
and more perpendicular branches escaped. The why may afford
occasion for thought and investigation.

AND COTTAGE GARDENER, 349

Emptied a frame over a shallow hotbed that had been filled
with cuttings, tured the manure over, placing fresher at tHe
bottom, and raising the bed at the sides and ends for the frame
to stand upon, leaving the space open in the centre for soil, so
that the soil should be below the level of the bottora of the
frame, and as the soil was soon warm enough, planted-out strong
plants of Cucumbers. Our frames are generally about 18 inches
at back, and 10 inches in front. When deeper they are lumber-
ing to move about, and the advantage of a frame over a pit is,
that it may be easily moved where most needed. ‘This depth is
not enough for Cucumbers, if the frame is set over the bed in
the usual way; but by making a wall or ridge of sweet manure
some 16 to 18 inches higher than the centre of the bed, there
is plenty of apace left for soil and foliage, and the bed being so
much shallower in the centre than at the sides, there is little
chance of the roots being burned or overheated.

Put about 15 inches of rough littery material having a little
heat in a shed for a Mushroom-bed; beat and trod it firm, and
covered with a couple of inches of good horse-droppings. This,
alter five days, has emitted a nice gentle heat of about 80°, so
spawned it over in the usual way, placing pieces of the size of
hes over the bed, and with the upper side just

walnuts every 9 ine U
covered with manure or scarcely so. Placed an inch of horse-

droppings over all, and beat firm again, and will leave the bed with-
out earthing to see how the heat goes; as, if still very mild, we
will give an inch more of droppings before earthing-up. The
side of the shed being open to the west, broke the current of air
there with bundles of pea-stakes. Straw-thatched hurdles may
be used in the hottest time of the summer. The reason for
making such a shallow bed is that we do not want to wait long
for Mushrooms; and if the bed had been thicker or of better
materials we must have waited longer before we could spawn
and earth-up with safety. The reasons why we wish to hurry
on this bed are twofold—first, because we wish the old beds in
the Mushroom-house to be had for manure for flower-beds,
&c.; and secondly, because we are & little doubtful of the last,
and a promising bed in the Mushroom-house will do a very
great deal more of good as to crops of Mushrooms. :

Our good assistant in the Mushroom-house was bothered with
woodlice, which he could not trap fast enough, and resolved to
daub and catch them with tar. He poured it down at back and
front of the bed, and there numbers of these gentry were held fast
by something more impassable than birdlime. As soon as we
smelt the tar we knew too well that the Mushrooms in view
would die or be uneatable ; and we are doubtful if those coming
like pinheads will do much good, as the fumes of the tar still
remain, though it was removed as carefully as possible. We might
not have adverted to this fact of the tar, but for two complaints.
One gentleman says that in a lean-to pit with a very white back
wall he found his Cucumbers were blotched and burned, notwith-
standing the air carefully given; and seeing that we recommended
darkening the wall so simply as with soot paint, he thought
he would improve upon it by painting the wall with tar and oil,
and lo and behold! the morning afterwards, there was not a
single healthy Cucumber-leaf in the house. Another gentle-
man has ruined a house of Melons from the same cause, and tells
us he ought to have been guarded against such a fatal mistake,
or why does he pay for Tn JouRNAL OF HORTICULTURE?
Well, we are very sorry for both mishaps, though we hardly
think our serial is much to blame, as, again and again, the ad-
monition has been given to be careful of using tar inside of a
plant-house, and that if used at all the tar should be applied six
months or more before the house was used. We prefer to act on
the safe side, and never use it on the inside at all, as, if much heat
is used, the fumes will be given off months after it seems to be
thoroughly dry; for outside work and dried before plants are
brought near it, there would be no danger. If a place were tarred
inside in summer, and no plants put in until winter, they might
be safe then, especially if air were left on night and day.

Watered Cauliflowers, Peas, Turnip Radishes, and Lettuces.
Sowed successions, damping the soil in the drills, and shading.
Pricked-out Lettuce, Basil, Savory, Chilies, Capsicums, &e.
Potted Tomatoes, and staked Peas, and sowed Kidney Beans
and White and Scarlet Runners. é

‘As sn evidence that our Irish compatriots receive, at least in
some places, their fair share of the gifts of Providence, we may
mention that a valued correspondent informs us that at a show
at Wexford the other day there were good young Potatoes fit
for use from the open garden; and that at the same place
Pexs and Broad Beans were in bloom and pod.

‘850

' FRUIT GARDEN.

Regulated foreright shoots, nipped and disbudded Peach-
‘shoots, and tied, hunted for insects, watered cherry trees, especially
setting their bloom, as » few pots of water then often make
much difference, We have noted how forward blooms of Straw-
berries were injured by the frost of the last day of the preceding
month. Run the hoe through Strawberry-quarters to keep the
moisture “in and ‘to prevent the ground cracking. his will
enable the rain to penetrate more easily too when it comes, and
# good soaking before long would just make all eure for a heavy
Strawberry crop. Turned ont pots of Strawberries from the
houses as soon as the fruit was gathered. ‘Tho crowding now is
not good for the permanent crops cultivated. We will put
in the later houses one more batch of plants that are now in
blossom, and if there should threaten tobe a hitch, we must then
forward some out of doors with lights placed over them.

We have scarcely been beyond the garden walls for along time,
but we saw two long shelves of Strawberries in.a span-roof house
at Luton Hoo yesterday, which we think worth noting, not only
for the excellence of the crops, chiefly British Queen, but more
especially as the method adopted is not only very simple,
but one that we have already several times recommended. ‘The
shelf cannot be simpler. A common board, perhaps, about
7 or 8 inches wide, and on this is placed a turf of about 1 inch
thick, and the same width as the shelf, the grassy side being
turned downwards. On this turf the pots are placed, and the
roots were running into it, and one advantage is, thatitis scarcely
possible with common treatment to over-water the plants, and
another advantage is, that the turf becomes a reservoir alike of
nourishment and of moisture, whilst the latter can never be pre-
sented in such a shape as to make a morass plant of the Straw-
berry. here was another striking feature, Asthe doors were
standing open the shelves on each side seemed to be adorned
with drooping verdure, which gives a cool very refreshing ap-
pearance to the fruit, owing to the grass from the turf being
allowed to grow on each side. Some might have preferred
cutting it off, but in the situation referred to we think the grass
added an attraction to the scene. Some ‘day we shall give an
account of these new houses, meanwhile we regret that we
cannot give the exact position of these shelves, as that we think
has something to do with the success; but we may state from
memory, that the shelf was 2% feet from the apex of the house,
and some 15 inches from the sloping glass of the roof. We may
also mention for the purpose of directing attention to the point,
that in another house with sloped roof and hipped at back, a
shelf was also looking well, but was evidently too near the glass
when compered with the preceding one. The pots being so near
the glass must have been excessively hot in yery sunny days, and
to neutralise the effect of that a very thin slip of wood, and
nearly as deep as the pots, was-slipped in between them and the
sloping glass, and thus the south side of the pot would be little

‘hotter than the north side. ‘This shelf was too near the glass to
‘permit of the turf being used, but My. Fraser proposed lowering
if next season so that the plants should be further from the
glass. We find that when the plants are close to the glass,
though good fruits are obtained, the flower-stalks are much more
stubby, and, of course, they are more liable to feel the effects of
sudden changes of temperature and atmospheric moisture,

We feel much interested in the account “ Frorr-paTEr” gives
of his failure with Keens’ Seedlings. The tiniest little plants
will generally show bloom the first year. he failure of “ Faurr-
EATER” is so much like the caso of a merchant which we described
ayear or two ago, that we donot thoroughly coincide in our good
Hditors’ idea of the barrenness not being owing to extra luxuri-
ance, We think that over-luxuriance, too much manure, and too
much rich manure-waterings in autumn, will keep on growth in-
stead of inducing the forming of fruit-buds. Our merchant friend,
a little earlier than this, was much astonished on beholding our
black looks on taking us to see what people said was the most
‘splendid bed in the neighbourhood; and so it was, if he had
been content with leaves instead of fruit. We saw there would
be few blooms; and we think, instead of several bushels he did
not get above five or six ounces of fruit. As far as we could make

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

[ May 12, 1868.

their ground well without the waterpail, no waterings apining. |
or autumn were given, and the following year there was n
end of fruit-buds and flowerstrusses, Asa general role, though
Strawberries delight in rich feeding, they like extra su pplies best
in spring as the fruit is coming on, and in summer when ex
posed toa powerful sun; rich feeding and manure-watering in
autumn, as in the above case of our merchant, are apt to do
more harm than good. Perhaps a “ FRurn-namer ” may from
this case gain a hint, as it is the only one we know of thatso closely
resembles his own. We suspect that this is also the opinion o
the Hditors. :
One little fact more about Strawbevvies, which is no less a.
fact, though we are not learned enough to give a cleur-enoug!
outline even to please ourselves how it is so, he fact is, that)
Strawberries when forced moderately early, and planted-out in.
the open ground, will give you some nice fruit in the autunan, |
and en extraordinary crop the following year—such a erop as”
would be looked for in vain from any young plants, or even
those rising two years old, if both received the same common |
treatment. We recollect hearing this matter talked over some:
twelve years ago at a festive party, which some of us will
never forget, though several of the brightest ‘spirits there have
gone home since then. Among others,.C. W. Johnson, Esq.,,
well acquainted with gardening, but more ‘distinguished as an
agricultural chemist, could understand :very well how a crop ofa
certain kind could be obtained in autumn, and could not see on HM
what principle, after the exhaustion of two orops in one season,
the plant should have such fruitful energies the following season. |
Well, there is a nut to crack. Many can confirm the fact from
thei own experience, and many can also ‘say that these also
come rather earlier than other plants, the last season’s runners
coming next. When we have repotted such plants, we have.
also had heavy crops, but we never followed that plan up much ;
as, though the fruit was so plentiful individually in pots, the |
specimens were not so finevas those obtained from young plants, |
‘though, no doubt, much might have been done by thinning |
freely, if time had peymitted. |
One fact more as to these forced plants when turned out.
This fine crop the first season afterwards is all that can be urged |
in their favour. When ground is limited they ought not to stand |
after that first year. Every season they remain afterwards there |
will be declension and decline in quantity and quality. 4
ORNAMENTAL DEPARTMENT, |
Much the same as last week, potting, protecting, pricking-out,
atering, and shading, &.—R. FB. ; ‘

TO CORRESPONDENTS. |
*,* We request that no one will write privately to the depart- |
mental writers of the “Journal of Horticulture, Cottage ©
Gardener, and Country Gentleman.” By s0 doing they |
are subjected to unjustifiable trouble expense, All”
communications should therefore beaten solely to The |
Aiditors of the “Journal of Horti ture, ¥e.,” 162, Fleet
Street, London, H.C. |
also request that correspondents will not mix up on the |
same sheet questions relating to Gardening and those on |
Poultry and bee subjects, if they expect to get them answered
promptly and conveniently, but write them on separate —
communications, Also never to send more than two or
three questions at once, Y i
cannot reply privately to any communication unless under _
very special circumstances. ‘
Inseors ON Mutons (2. Hurst),—The insects sent are several species of

small rove beetles (Staphylinidae), which we Generalty considered as feeding
on other insects or on decaying vegetable matter.—W. ‘

Potyanruus Sporr (0. Daniel).—Dhe calyx has become leafy, and the
sport probably will not be permanent, ,

Mowine Macuine (John Boland).—We cannot recommend one maker in
preference to another; you must read the advertisements in our Journal,
and select that which promises to suit you best. If kept in good order, any
one of them will do what you require; but to be worked by one man we
would have it narrower than you mention.

Tenant Removing GARDEN Bornpincs (Clio).—All buildings may be ‘so

We

We

ee a) eee

out the plants were planted in the end of J uly. The ground
' was heavily manured; the plants were thoroughly watered up
to the end of October with soapsuds, drainings from the dung-
hill, &., and the result as above, Part of the plants were
destroyed, and others planted in the same place, which did well.
Part were left, and these were kept thin in summer. Not only
the runners, but even the buds were thinned ; and as they stood

erected asto be removable by a tenant at the end of his term; but we
cannot afford space to enter into details, If the foundation is of brick,
bave a plate of wood fixed to it and to that plate haye the superstructure
attached by screws, The whole superstructure may be then removed. The —
boiler, pipes, &c., may be removed also, J eae
. Work on THE Vine (J. M, MeClellan).—Sandersion the Vine would “g
suityou probably. You can haveit trea by post from our office if yousend
your direction With 5s. 2d., either by a post-office order or in pemy
postage stamps, ae

Moy 12, 1863. ]

_ Tate Trees ror A Brrsp (S. £.).—You will find it no easy task to move
trees 50 feet high with the care requisite to insure their success even in
autumn. You live so near to London that you had better visit some of the

nurséry grounds and select for yourself. We have found, even on a
‘ehalk soil, that the White Poplar established itself the most readily, and
formed a blind in summer the most speedily. We haye answered another
correspondent about iawn mowers.

FLOWER-GaRDEN Pian (K).—We like your flower-garden arrangement.
Whe mixtures will do for the borders if they please you, but we have no
doubt that the plants would look best by themselves—that is, Koniga,
Flower of the Day, and Manglesii, instead of mixed any way with each
‘other. We once saw a variegated border chiefly of Geraniums, but it was
‘@pooraffuir. We thought the plants wasted.

Vazrous (Q. Q.).—Coleus Verschaifeltii may be nipped to keep it dwarf,

joors or ont of doors. We think that out of dvors it will only do well in

Warm, sheltered places. Gazania splendens rather prefers strifish loam ;

but we have seen it thrive in ali manner of soils. We presume your beds

Were too good and rich, and hence the extra lusuriance We would leave

‘the two shoots on the Vine at the spurs in the circumstances indicated—
is to say, if we wished the two bunches.

Use oF a Coup Frame (JV. ¥.).—The best advice we can give you is
to buy and read ‘“* Window-Gardening for the Many,” and if you go no
farther back, read ‘‘ Doings of the Last Week” since January, Meanwhile,
for your encouragement, we would say that you can do all you propose
With your frame 2U inches ut back und 14 inches im front, and consisting of
three lights, but not merely ‘* by putting stable-litter inside of it and shut-
ting if up close,” for that would most likely kill all your cuttings, and
seeds too, as soom as they were above ground, even without puting in
renewals of fresh litter. The rst thing yeu must do is to have your litter
Made sweet—that is, all the dangerous gases that smell somewhat like
hartshorn must be driven off; or, if you use the dung 2 little fresh, you
must cover with old dung, orearth, or ashes, to a sufficient depth to prevent
these gases coming throngh. Now, for such a case as yours, we would
throw some dozen or a score of good barrowloads of litter together,
Watering it where dry. In a week or ten days turn it over, placing the top
to the bottem and the sides to the centre. In another week it wiil be
partly wrought or sweetened, but not enough to put plants among it. For
that, most hkely, ic would require other eight days; but, to save time and
litter too, we will make the bed with it as it is—larger than the frame by
i foct each way, which will leave 6 imches at ends, back, and front.
Place on this < inches of rotten dung or leaves, or 3 inches of earth, and
beat or tread well, and then 3 or 4 inches of cinder ashes. After you set
the frame on the bed, presuming that the dung is ota depth of from 15 to 1S
or 20 inches, the heat will lasta good while after the middle of March, and
you can plunge your plants in the ashes; but even then, to make sure,
leave a little air, though not more tian a quarter of an inch, at the top
atnicht. When the heat declines, and you wish for more, move the ashes
and the rotten dung. Turn the bed over, putting the fresh at the bottom
and replacing the rotten dung or ashes, &c., on the top. If neatness be
your object, you might sink a hole for the dung, and the frame would look
€@sifit stood on the surface. All seeds, seedlings, and all potted plants
Such as yon aliude to—and, in fact, all plants except those needing more
hheat—will be benefited by being plunged in such a mild hotbed, because an
impetus will be given to root-action; but one thing you must look atter,
and that is that the enconragement may not be so great as to lead the roots
through the hole at the bottom of the pot andinto the bed ; and thea, if che
roots have trayelled far, the plants will receive a check when you move
them. To prevent this, after ten days or so you should lift the piunts up,
and do so frequently to prevent them rooting beyond the pot. In fuct,
when they begin to do'so, you could remove the pots where they had no
hotbed. beneath them. Then to the question, ‘*if seeds and cuttings should
haye air and light, or either, or neituer,”? we must just sey that seeds need
no light until the seedlings appear, and they will most likely get air if the
seeds were not buried, and im that case there would be no seedlings. After
the seedlings come they must have zir and light too, or they woula undergo
the fate of our countrymen in the blackhole of Calcutta; but, as they are
tender, che air must be given judiciously, as you would give it to a young
infant, and the light must be proportioned to their breathing power, as 2
Powerful midday sun might shrivel them up, especially when under glass,
and therefore a little shade would be useful in the brightest part of the day.
Then, again, if you take off a cutting with leaves, the more air and light
the cutting will stand the more rooust it will be und the sooner it will
Strike; but if air and light are given in such quantities as to make the
leaves flag and wither, you will either delay the rooting of the cutting or
Killic altogether. Unless we could write a Number to suit your case, we
Must refer you as avove for details, and, perhaps, more especially to the
little book, which you can receive trom the office by post tor ten penny
Stamps,

MELoNS sconcHED (A Constant Reader).—lIf the roots are burned much
you will do more good with young plants. If only a little, water well after
you have put tresh soil on the surface. We haye not much faith in the
Plants doing well if much injured. Remove the soil from the surface of the
Fern plantas dee» as you can weil do. Better repot in fresh atonce. If
you do not like that place some lime on the surface, but remove before you
Water much.

Desmaste Knowxence (D. B.,¢ Young Gardener).—Your letter is very
ereditable, and we will thins itover. It is honourable to wish to know
what most deseives study. In the meantime we would say in all kindliness,
do not plume yourself on your Latin, or any other extra knowledge, but
get thoroughly indoctrinated into the minutiv of gardening, and read the
article by Mr. Fish bearing on the subject some time ago.

Hansa Not Frowerre (4 Subscrider).—If the Kalmia is kept moist
enough in summer, and has plenty of light, there is almost certainty that
- it will form flower-buds.

Hora Cutture (Idem).—The Hoyas require a very open compost, and
plenty of light. We suspect the buds of Paxtoni fall o# from too much
Moisture, or deficiency of drainage. Peat, a little loam, and broken bricks
and lime rubbish grow them well. Hoya imperialis requires much the
Same treatment, and plenty of light, and an average temperature of from
66° to 75°. Rhododendron jayanicum wiildo very well in a cool greenhouse
orcold pit. Such things as a shoot dying will take place, and the best
aye be do nothing but talk asto the reasons, A vinery will be too hot
ani

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

351

BovGarnyittma speciosa (A Subscriber since 1856).—We can only inform
you that this most beautiful creeping plant is a native of Brazil, ana appears
to have been first pourtrayed under that name by Schnitzlein, in his work
entitled ‘“‘Icones Familiarum Naturalium.” The first record of its flower-
ing in this conntry is that it did so in 1853, at Alton Towers, under the care
of Mr. Whitaker, then head gardener there. It has since been bloomed
elsewhere, and the requisites seem dryness and high temperature to the
roots, and training it close to the glass also in a hot, dry atmosphere.

Paxton Horsousrs—Sixkpr RuopopEsprows (An Irish Subscriber).—
We believe those who have tried such houses for common purposes haye
found the ventilation sufficient, when air was given early. We think that
for some things the air would hardly be enough, unless the doors or the
triangular space above them were also opened; but it is easy to obtain any
amount of air by setting the sashes farther apart. We think the chief re-
commendation of the plan is the ease with which the whole can be put up
and taken down and sent from Land’s End to John o’Groats. We are glad
the Rhododendrons do so well with you in the north-west of Ireland; they
seem quite at home in Ireland. The best fime to graft them is just before
the shoot-scion begins to move. The keeping rather close afterwards will
soon cause the union to be effected.

Error.—In my article of May 5th, page 326, you print, ‘*Simply because,
if carried to any distance, the pressure on the bottom of the boiler and
flow-pipe is so great, &c.’? This should be “ return-pipe.”—J. E.L., Jun.

Names or Prants (Ff. C.).—Asphodelus luteus; Spirsea levigata.
(Worthumbrian).—Oncidium pulvinatum. (2. D.).—1, Cheiranthus
ochroleucus ; 2, Saxifraga hirta. (J. F.).—1, Nothochlena chrysophylla ;
2, Erica pubescens ; 3, Pleurandra (apparently) ericefolia.

a ES

POULTRY, BEE, and HOUSEHOLD CHRONICLE.

————————————

BATH AND WEST OF ENGLAND POULTRY
SHOW.

I amt much pleased with your excellent remarks in last
week's JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE, respecting the contemplated
arrangements for the Bath and West of England Poultry Show.
T quite concur with the statement as to the high popularity it
has for many years enjoyed in the poultry world, and very
deeply regret that the rules which have hitherto guided this
Society should be so changed, or at least so complicated, as to
place a real stumblingblock in the way of its future well-doing.
‘@hat all specimens of poultry and pigeons committed to the care
of the managers in years past have received the greatest care
and attention I feel certain no one will deny; but the complaint
has always been raised of the needlessly protracted time the
birds are confined prior to the adjudications. True it is that the
roles, when first issued, fixed Friday June the 5th as the latest
period of receiving poultry, and to meet the above general
objection, an extension of time to the evening of the day
following is consequently allowed: yet this by no means meets
the requirements of those exhibitors who, possessing the best
of specimens, feel a natural reluctance to hazard the possibility
of a delay during their transit that might either place them
beyond acceptance in the showyard at all, or cause them, if
returned, to remain neglected at some roadside station, and
compel them to be forwarded to their respective owners without
any refreshment whatever, solely on account of the next day being
the Sabbath.

This feature will compel many other breeders as well as myself
from feeling as strong an inclination to support the Bath and
West of England Society as we have previously done, although
the prize list is remarkably liberal. It is in contradistinction to
your remarks in last week’s paper, officially stated, the fowls will
not be judged until Monday morning, and that then “open
judging ” in the actual presence of all parties, whether interested
or otherwise, will be practised. On the worse than impolicy of
open judging” I will not add one word to your observations ;
but I earnestly protest against the probable difficulty of poultry
being so miscarried as to be forced to remain without any care
or attention, if by any neglect of the railway the fowls do not
arriye at Exeter at the appointed time, and that for a period so
long as to inevitably insure them permanent injury. If
they were judged on the Saturday all this might be obyiated.—

CocHin.

CROOK’S PATENT PHEASANT FEEDING-
TROUGH.

TrEpx is no doubt that this is a very Ingenious contrivance,
if pheasants will resort to it—they open it by merely perch-
ing on a handle, which they would be tempted to do by seeing
the food through a small glazed aperture in the lid. We feared
that the noise attendant upon the lid opening, and the lid touch-
ing the bird’s breast in opening would drive the birds away, and

352

we wrote to Messrs. Crook expressing our fear. Their reply,
from which the following is extracted, is satisfactory :—

“We are exceedingly obliged by your communication, and
beg to state that a feeding-box of a similar construction has been
in use some years, the cover opened in front like ours. We fix
glass on the cover that birds may see the food, which we think
useful in teaching young birds to find their food. The main
objection to the old make was that in consequence of the action
passing inside the food-chamber it became clogged, would not
work, and remained open, and other animals devoured the con-
tents. Some gentlemen from the north came last week to inspect
them, one of them left an order for twelve; another one sent an
order this morning for twelve, and says he will send a lot of old
ones to alter like ours.’*

CAUTION TO ADVERTISERS.

PERMIT me to caution the advertisers in the Journal against
supplying goods of any description to applicants from Manches-
ter, without the cash or a respectable London reference.

The Long firm hag just fayoured me with a good order, to be
left at the London Road Station till called for. In this instance,
however, the swindlers have only lost their time and postage
stamps.

Nothing comes amiss to these scoundrels. No sooner does a
new advertisement appear than an order is given, which in too
many instances is successful in obtaining goods, the promised
post-office order being never remitted.

Application to the police is in yain, as the matter is merely one
of debt; and legal proceedings are equally useless, as the fellows
shift from one hiding-place to another with the greatest rapidity
—An ADVERTISER,

CLIMBING BIRDS.

THE tree-climbing or creeping birds are of various species, as
the Creeper, the Nuthatch, the Wryneck, and the Woodpeckers.

THE CREEPER or Tree-crawler, is a small dark brown bird
that visits this country only in summer. The bill is long and
slightly curved ; the claws sharp and well adapted for clinging to
the trunks of trees, which they do in search of insects, of which
their food consists. They form their nest usually in a hollow or
hole in a tree.

Tur NUTHATCH remains with us through the winter, hunger
making him bolder, when he is more frequently seen, and may
be occasionally caught and tamed. The male is a rather hand-
some bird, with his bluish cloak and orange vest, a blue mark on
the forehead, and a black streak from the beak across the eye.
The female is not so brightly coloured. They build in holes in
trees and feed on insects, which they collect by climbing the
stems and branches of trees, and in this they are very expert,
surpassing Blondin or Olmar in their gymnastics.

_ THE WRyYNEOK, Snake Bird, or Cuckoo’s Mate, is a delicate
summer visitant, arriving in Wugland about the same time that
the Cuckoo does. They build in hollows or holes in trees, and
have a peculiar manner of writhing or twisting the head and
neck. The bill is straight, rather long, and the tongue is yery
long, by which they are enabled to catch the insects on which
they feed. The feet are formed like a parrot’s—two toes in front
and two behind, so that they can climb easily. The colour is

greyish, streaked and barred with darker shades.

Of WooprEcKERS we have three or four kinds natives of
England. ‘They are known in different districts by various
names, as Woodwale, Yafiler, Gally Bird, &e.

The Great Spotted, the Striated or Lesser Spotted Woodpecker,
and the Green are those generally found in this country. They
have strong beaks, with which they rap the limbs of the trees to
frighten the insects; they thus cause a jarring or vibration,
which makes the insects run owt and expose themselves, so that
they can feed on them. ‘Their tongues are peculiar in form and
they can dart them out to some distance, and thus secure their
prey. Their feet are formed with two toes turned back and two
in front. The tail is short and furnished with stiff points to the
feathers, which assist the bird in climbing, They are all very
useful birds, destroying and keeping in check those insects that
work beneath the bark of trees and thus injure much valuable
timber. In forming a hole for their nest they only bore into a
decayed part, not into sound wood as some suppose, which
would be far too hard for their tools, As they do no injury of

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

|

[ May 12, 1863.

any sort, but are yery useful in preserving timber trees from the
undue attacks of insects, they, as well as the other tree-
climbing birds, should be protected by all growers of wood or
trees ; and it is hardly to be doubted that those trees, of which
we so frequently hear complaints of their dying from insects
burrowing beneath the bark, would haye been sayed if the
Woodpeckers and other tree-climbing birds had had access to
them. :

I have now concluded my articles on small British birds, and
it only remains for me to offer a few remarks on the larger birds
as Doves, Game, Waders, and water birds in my next. }

It may be thought that I have omitted the hard-billed or seed-—
birds—such as the Grosbeaks, Finches, and Buntings; but I
have so recently deacribed them in my series on “The Canary aud ~
British Finches ” lately published in this Journal, that it is un-
necessary to recapitulate; and I have nothing to retract and very —
little to add, except to thank “‘ OnnrrHoLoGisr”’ for his fact in”
support of my assertion that more fruit is set on those trees and
bushes which are disbudded by the Bullfinches. I only regret
that he did not append his real name to his communication, as a
nom de plume rarely carries so much weight in authenticating a
fact as the signing of a correct name.—B. P. BRENT.

BEES TRANSFERRING THEIR ALLEGIANCE. —

A cigcumsTancz took place in my apiary a few weeks ago —
which I deem worth relating, as illustrating Mr. Lowe’s remarks i
in page 61 on the partial deserting of hives, 4

On the 2nd of last month I placed in my garden a strong hive —
of common bees which had come from a distance, and the bees ©
had therefore passed some days in confinement, They rushed
out as soon as liberated, standing in a crowd round the entrance, —
and with vibrating wings, sang loud peans in triumph over H
their recovered liberty. Numbers took wing, and each as it ~
returned added its quota to the universal jubilation, Having
occasion to examine the next stock (a pure Ligurian one), I
thoughtlessly and unfortunately opened its hiye whilst the
excitement was at its height, and the consequence was, that
nearly every worker deserted it and joined the noisy ones,
leaving the poor queen almost “alone in her glory.” Here was
a dilemma! and what was now to be done? Ligurian colonies ©
are by no means to be trifled with, and this one haying a young, ~
remarkably handsome, and pure queen, was destined for the
apiary of “ A RENFREWSHIRE BrE-KEEPER.” Whilst I de- ©
liberated in perplexity, the poor queen, evidently disgusted at ©
the turn affairs had taken, presented herself at the entrance,
rubbed her eyes in astonishment, and attempting flight fell at ~
once to the ground. This brought matters to a climax, and as —
soon as I had secured her (which was not immediately, for she
fell amongst some grass, and I had to hunt for her), I popped
her into a queen-cage with two or fg her remaining ©

!
4
;

subjects, and put her into her hive. So far s¢ good; but what
was to be the next move? ‘To tell the 4ruth matters looked ~
rather unpromising. I thought at first some of the truants ~
might return, or that at any rate those that had gone honey- ©
gathering would come back to their old home and comfort their ©
sovereign in her distress. Not a bit of it. Louder and yet ~
louder pealed the song of triumph next door, swelled now by —
the recreant voices of the traitor Ligurians; and if by chance a
stray pollen-laden bee looked into its old habitation, it was only ©
to depart immediately, evidently impressed with the conviction —
that it did not lodge there, and that it was bound at once to ©
accept the hospitable invitation which resounded unceasingly —
from the portals of the adjoining mansion. Once more I looked ©
into the deserted hive, and took stock of its contents. Food ©
there was in abundance, and good brood-combs; but for in- ~
habitants, only the forlorn queen and her three attendants —
traversing unceasingly their narrow prison. ,
Desperate diseases require desperate remedies; and althoughl |
knew the danger of introducing strange bees under such circum- ~
stances, I had no other course to adopt. Brushing off the noisy _
cluster that had occasioned so much mischief, and disturbing the ~
hive as much as possible till I was surrounded by a cloud of
combatants that speedily exchanged their notes of joy fora cry of |
vengeance, I bore the offending colony to the other side of the |
garden, and substituted for it the abandoned hive. It was
amusing to observe the instantaneous changethat took place. All —
appeared unwilling to enter the deserted mansion; but roamed
disconsolate outside, ever and anon taking wing and returning once |

) May, 1862, it threw off a strong swarm.

_ took place.

- compared to the latter,

the high winds,

May 12, 1863. ]

again after circling round and round in the air in the vain attempt
to discover their lost treasures. Ultimately they entered the hive
and clustered over the brood-combs; but still the doorway
presented a scene of confusion, whilst within a dense knot of
‘would-be regicides clung to the queen-cage with bull-dog-like
tenacity, striving by every means in their power: to wreak fell
_yengeance on its unoffending tenant. During two days did this
‘regicidal mania rage with unabated virulence ; but on the third
day it had so much subsided that I ventured on the release of
| the royal prisoner. Even then it was too soon, for though well
received at first she was soon afterwards imprisoned by the
hostile bees. Having effected her release, I was compelled once
“more to ensconce her in the queen-cage, whence twenty-four
hours afterwards (four days from the commencement of her
incarceration) I had the pleasure of liberating her and finding
her well received by her heretofore-rebellious subjects.
_ The immediate effect of the mischance which I have above
‘related, was to convert a pure Ligurian into apparently a
perfectly black colony, since the Italians almost without ex-
ception stuck to their new colours; but I think the hive rather
"gained in population than otherwise. Before dispatching it to
“Renfrewshire, the Ligurian element had again asserted itself,
whilst the queen laying eggs in abundance gave prom’se of that
"prosperity which I trust may await the hive in its new locality.
_—A DervonsHIRE Bzk-KEEPER.

THE BEST ASPECT FOR BEES.
Inreply to Mr. Fox on the aspect for bees, I beg to state

that from my experience in different places in the west of Scot-

land, I have always found hives facing from south-east to due
north the best. At this moment I have hives standing in all
directions, and those facing the north area long way a-head of
those facing the south, although the former were weak in autumn
and lighter in weight. They were later
but they are now sure to be the
first at work and last to stop: hence their progress. As for the
quarter that most rain comes I do not mind that. Wind isa
greater enemy to them than rain, so that I always try to ayoid
From south-west to north-west are the points
I

in commencing work in spring ;

that the higher winds come from in this quarter. Of course,

speak as if they stood in an open plain, and refer only to where

I have had experience, and it teaches me to avoid the tempting
rays of the sun in spring, and its burning heat in summer. As
a proof, in 1861 and 1862, hives facing the north were the only
ones that swarmed with me.—A LANARKSHIRE BEE-KEEPER.

QUEENS DESTROYED BY THEIR OWN
WORKERS.

T oBTatneD a strong hive of bees in the autumn of 1861. In
Both stocks destroyed
their drones in the first week of July. In February of this year
both hives seemed in good condition, and on fine warm days
were busy in collecting pollen from crocuses and the shrubby
yeronicas. One day I found a queen stupefied on the ground
beneath the parent hive. On warming it in my hand it partly
revived, and entered into the hive, but was expelled again and
soon died. The bees, however, continued to work and carry in
pollen, but after two or three weeks no increase in their numbers
About the end of March I observed a young queen
come out and fly away. She returned in about ten minutes.
On another fine day I observed this take place twice, the
working bees taking no notice of her. The first week in April I
found her one morning dead before the hive. The bees were not
working, but running in and out in confusion even till late in
the evening. This was continued the next day, and two or
three hundred were scattered about dead. Since then the bees
are quiet, decrease in numbers, and only work for a short time
in the middle of the day, seldom before twelve o’clock, or after
three. There is no confusion, they only appear lazy, and have
no young ones. ‘They carry in a little pollen. The other hive
is doing well, as drones appeared on the first of May, and it is
very strong. I presume I shall lose the hive, but shall be glad
of an explanation, and whether anything could have been done.
They did not want food.—J. R.

[The first queen which you discovered on the ground in a
stupefied state, had, doubtless, been stung by her own workers.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

353

The second was a young one which they reared to supply her
place, but as she could not become fertilised at that early season
owing to the absence of drones she ultimately met the same fate
as her mother. We have ourselves lost several valuable stocks
this spring from the same cause, but we are utterly unable to
assign a reason or prescribe a remedy for this suicidal conduct
on the part of the bees. Although we have never seen it noticed
in any English work on the subject, this phenomenon has not
escaped the keen eyes of German observers. Dzierzon says that
when a queen is found outside the “brood nest,” she is always
in danger of her life from the stings of the workers, and he
accounts for these frequent regicides during an unfavourable
spring on this hypothesis. We cannot say that we deem his
theory in this respect altogether satisfactory ; but we know of no
better. The fact is, itis a recently-observed, mysterious, and
very unsatisfactory chapter in the natural history of the honey
bee, which it may be long ere we are able fully to unravel. |

LIGURIAN BEES DO SUCK THE RED CLOVER.

Wire regard to the query propounded in your columns as to
whether the Ligurian bees suck the common red clover, on
observation it will be found that this may be answered in the
affirmative, at least in so far as my observations haye gone.
During last summer there were two fields adjoining my apiary :
one of pasture containing a little white clover, and another of
hay, containing white clover, red clover, and Alsike clover (Tri-
folium bybridum). This variety, which has been largely sown in
Berwickshire of late years, has a close resemblance to red clover
both in stalks and flowers, the petals, however, being all tipped
with white, and probably not quite so deep as those of the red,
but much longer than in the white clover.

During the wet ungenial weather which we had last summer,
I noticed that whenever the bees could get abroad they invari-
ably took to the hay field; and wishing to solve the question as
to which of the three varieties they gave the preference to, on
observation I perceived, contrary to my preconceived opinion,
tbat they were working most anxiously on the Alsike and red
clovers, leaving the white clover almost untouched.

However, it must not be inferred from this that the preference
would be given to either red or Alsike in ordinary circumstances,
as it is a well-known fact that in most seasons they decidedly
prefer to luxuriate in the pasture fields of white clover when
within reach in preference to the others; and we can account
for their somewhat anomalous proceedings on the supposition
of the white clover being opener and shorter in the flower-
petals than the other varieties, consequently the nectarous
juices were the more readily washed-out by the daily drenching
rains which we had during the last summer, whilst the others
retained part of theirs, and the Ligurians found it possible to
extract these juices when favoured with a few hours of sunshine.

DRONE-BREEDING QUEENS.

Supsrquent to the date of my last communication on the
“Mortality of Hives,” wherein 1 expressed my belief in the
practical worthlessness of drone-breeeding queens, I find from a
report of a meeting of German bee-keepers held at Potsdam, as
inserted by Mr. Woodbury at page 270, that one of the subjects
discussed at that meeting was this very question “Of what
practical value is a drone-breeding queen in the spring?” and
that an almost unanimous decision was apparently come to in
the negative—namely that such a queen has for the “ rational
bee-keeper no value whatever.’ Now though this verdict of
the German bee-keepers practically coincides with my own views
on the subject, yet considering that these same apiarians are not
always infallible in their opinions more than myself, I am much
pleased to find that Mr. Woodbury is himself endeavouring to
work out a solution of the problem by instituting, in the
novel form he indicates in No. 109, a fresh inquiry into the
subject. If he should be successful in establishing the affirmative
of this proposition, ‘‘ Are drone-breeding queens of any use to
the apiarian in spring or not?” then he will at all events have
the honour of upsetting the general belief among bee-keepers on
the subject; and as the point is an interesting one, it is to be
hoped that he will not fail to report the results of his present
experiments.

‘Assuming the doctrine of parthenogenesis to be true, ‘and
viewing the subject in that light, there can of course be no

304:

possible ground for doubting that males produced by drone-
breeding queens in proper cells will be as physically perfect as
those produced by normally conditioned queens in the ordinary
way. Certainly it is not for me to express a doubt as to
naturally reared and fully developed drones, by whatsoever
queen produced, being physically perfect creatures and capable
for all the uses which nature has designed them for. No: I
have no such doubts ; but it must be remembered that according
to the strange theory of Dzierzon, in referenee to which I made
the comments on the subject, all drones, even the most perfect
are “ altogether imperfect creatures, for the production of which
s0 many forces and conditions are not necessary, even on the
part of natureas for the production of the queen, and, what is the
same thing, for the workers.”

Independently of the fact, however, to which I before adverted
—that when drone-breeding queens are left to themselves, the
males produced by them are generally reared in small cells, and
that consequently we must consider such males as physically
imperfect upon the same principle that we consider female bees
imperfect because reared in small cells. Independently of this
fact I am inclined to believe that there are other elements of an
adverse nature which will unfavourably operate against Mr.
Woodbury’s experiment, notwithstanding all the helps and
appliances which he has put into requisition in order that folly
developed drones may be secured. Some necessary attending
circumstances may be wanting—some essential conditions absent
in all this artificial process which will militate-against success,
and prove the result not so satisfactory as anticipated. I doubt,
therefore, if Mx. Woodbury will be repaid for the trouble he is
put to, and the injuries caused to his other hives by the ab-
straction of brood-comb from them for the purpose of keeping
up the daily diminishing population of his degenerate colonies ;
and that even should occasional experiments in that way be
crowned with success, it would turn out that in practice failure
would be more the rule than the exception.

As an experiment, however, of rather a novel character, I
shall be delighted to hear of results which it is to be hoped
Myr. Woodbury will not fail to make known in due course.—
J. LOWE,

BEE-HOUSES.

Witt “A. K. H., Westhorpe,’ be kind enough to explain how
he manages to exclude the wind and rain from his hives in his
open bee-protector, while it allows the current of air to pass
freely through? I have no doubt but his method is good; but
judging from its appearance on the diagram at page 179, it
appears to be a high, open, unsightly edifice in an apiary, But
as he has not given a scale of the size one cannot say much
about its merits or demerits.

Will he also explain how he manages to hasten the progress
of the bees in spring by the heat of the sun? how he manages
to keep the temperature the same at night in the hives by a few
hours’ sunshine through the day? From the experience I have
had, the best heat I can get is to put my hives by in autumn well
peopled, and from 35 lbs. to 50 lbs. gross weight, allowing 10 lbs.
for hive and board, and well sheltered from sun and rain in the
bee-houses, the construction of one of which I will try to explain.

It is a square-framed house 6 feet 6 inches long, by 3 feet
3 inches wide, and 5 feet 6 inches high over all, covered with
five-eighth lining. Roof projecting and well ventilated, 1 foot
6 inches to the floor, where the hives stand—a heieht which I
think is quite enough. The hives are all on one level, which is
much better than having one hive above another—a practice
which should be avoided, for the bees of the higher story fre-
quently fall down and enter the lower hives, where they are killed.
I place two hives on each side and one at each end. A door
is cut out at each hive 2 feet by 1 foot’6 inches, and it shuts close
to the front of the hives, preventing the bees lying ont between
the house and hive. I may state that the house is boarded to the
ground to prevent the wind drifting the bees if they happen to
fall when coming close to the hive, as there are more bees Jost in
spring close to their hives than at a greater distance, for the cold
benumbs them at once. To prevent this, I take care to have all
round the hives well strewed with dry ashes, &c.—A Lanarx-
SHIRE BEE-KEEPER,

‘Caré av Larr.—The French are justly celebrated for this
breakfast coffee, which may be made as follows :—Use an infusion,

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ May 12, 1863.

(of double the usual strength, and when clear, pour it into the
breakfast-cups, which have been previously half or three parts”
filled with boiling milk, sweetened with loaf sugar.—(Pyairie
Farmer.) ;

OUR LETTER BOX.

BaTH AND Wxst or ENGLAND Povurry Saow. — Mr. Pitman says,
“Our entries close next Saturday, the 16th. Specimens will be received up
to a late hour on Saturday, the 6th of June, and’jndging commence (open,
under certain restrictions necessary for the comfort and independence of —
those important officers) on Monday, the 8th of June.?? {

Cocuin-CuinA HEN witH DisEAsep Liver (An Amateur).—The lumps |
in and upon the liver were ulcers, and when a bird becomes so organically
diseased we know of ne treatment likely torestoreit to health. Inthecase |
of a very valuable bird being so affected it might be worth while to try —
what a daily dose of calomel would effect.

Hens ror Earty Sirrine (J. W.).—It is not the property of any par-
ticular breed to sit early. It is the result of calculation, and may be arrived
at with almost the same certainty as an ordinary addition.
tion that immediately follows the frequent query as to tlie breed that will
lay best in the winter. That which lays best in the winter will sit earliest —
in the spring. They follow as naturally as manhood and childhood. As
soon as a hen has laid her number of eggs, the course of nature makes her —
anxious to sit. Those, then, who wish to have January chickens will be
careful to keep early pullets of the previous year, which will begin laying ©
in October. They will want to sitin December. This can be done only
with pullets. Their first laying is a question of age, after that they are
creatures of routine and season. Your feeding is bad. Rice is the worst
food there is. Indian corn and meal may do for a change, and may be given
beneficially once or twice per week, but not oftener. No fire or artiticial
heat is necessary for healthy fowls. Dorkings are excellent sitters. Most
fowls sit well, but all are not good mothers,

Eacs Mossy-rLayourep (2. J. H.).—When an egg is first laid the shell
is soft, and capable of transmitting a tas‘e or odour from without to its
contents. Its flavour is also affected by any particular food, as garlic, —
onion, malt. It seems to havea peculiar aptitude for acquiring the taste
and smell of hay, moss, sawdust, and the like, The best bottom for a nest |
isasod of grass, Shavingsare likely to communicate a flayour. It may be
that the taste of which you complain arises from some food they find in the
wood, possibly grubs or insects harboured by the moss at the roots of the
trees. Ifit be so, it will be only temporary, Let your hens have sods of
grass at the bottom of their nests, and we do not think you will have any
lasting complaint against their eggs.

Cocuin-Cuinas’ Feet Tvrnep Inwarps (Olarence).—It is difficult to
assign a cause for the turming-in of the toes.of Cochin-Chinas. Part of it
is natural. They have short toes, ane the middle ones of both feet tm |
inwards. In some eases they are almost web-footed. Avery bard and im- —
penetrable flooring to the house may have its influence, inasmuch asthe |
nails that would enter into the loose earth or grayel,and which turn down- —_|
wards, are compelled to turn sideways. Stones, bricks, or boards will cause
this. The gravelled run may not be altogether guiltless if it is hard-
surfaced like a garden path. We advise you to put up perches within
18 inches of the ground. We have no doubt that will partly cure the evil.

It would not affect the laying unless it interfered with the health of the |

birds.

Bantam Lavine Sorr Ecos (Hibernicus),—Dhe soft eggs ond the ©
feathers shed from the neck, we consider evidence thatthe hen’s food istoo |
stimulating. We should give her a dessert-spoonful of castor-oil, feed her |
for a time on mashed potatoes mixed with a little barleymeal, let her have
plenty of lettuce leaves, and take care that she has free access to plenty
of limy rubbish.

Diszasep Picron (A New Subscriber).— Your Pigeon is “ going light,”
to use the fanciers’ phns:. This depends on some internal organic cause and
is rarely recovered trom. Fantails are especially liableto the inconvenience ~
alluded to. You are right as to the cause.

Canary CrasinG FROM SincING (Old Deer),—The only canses we are
aware of which would account for a bird not singing either being too
fat, having moulted the second time through cold, be#/ig too old, or haying —
been used too often for breeding, is most probably the
case with your bird. :

AUSTRALIAN Parroqurt (Z. IL).—We find that No. 50 is ont of print.
Apologising for the trouble given, we reprint from that Number the infor-
mation you ask. ‘‘fhe Australian Grass Parroquet breeds freely in con-
finement in this country. The cage should be square, of a middling size—
2 feet 6 inches by 2 feet by 15 inches, with wire frontonly. Piace at one r
end arough box about 18 inches high and 7 inches'square, covered with dry
moss torepresent an old stump, and haying a hole large enough to allow _
the birds to have easy acess. Place a tray or half a cocoa-nut shell inside,
containing the nest already shaped, composed of dry moss, grass, and wool,
similar to what Canaries build with, with some loose in the cage. Place the
cage in a retired situation. Feed the old birds on cunarysced; when ~
they have young add boiled egg, millet, and mawseed, and when long grass —
is in seed let them have a bunch of it hung up. The price is about 25s, per
pair. Ido not know of any instance of Love Birds breeding in confinement,
—W.G”

Licurian Brus (J. R., Penzance).—Write to'T. Woodbury, Esq., Mount
Radford, Exeter.

The first-mentio:

LONDON MARKETS.—May 11,

POULTRY. x

We have a good supply of poultry for the time of year, but not more

than an average. ‘l'rade is, however, so bad that it is sold with difficulty
at a slight reduction, ;

Re Gs ssa
Large Fowls 4 0to4 6) Guinea Fowl
Smaller do 8 0 ,,3 6] Leverets......
Chickens 1 9 ,, 2 0} Rabbits
Goslings ... wae 6 0 ,, 6 6) Wild do.,..
Duckings ., 8 0 ,, 3. 6] Pigeons .........

Itis the oues- j

May 19, 1863. ]

JOURNAL OF HORTIOULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

355

WEEKLY CALENDAR.

“WEATHER NEAR Lonpon IN 1862, ‘

Clock |

Day | Day Moon

of of MAY 19—25, 1863. { Rain in| 52 Sun Rises |Moon’s| after | Day of
M'nth Week. Barometer. |Thermom./ Wind. | 7) nes, | Rises. | Sets. andSets) Age. | Sun. | Year.

degrees. m. h.} m. = m. bh m. S- |

19 Tu Lonicer died, 1586. B. 30.052—29.884 80—40 S.W. _ 5af4 | 47af7 | 39 9 2 3 48 139

20 w Woodroof flowers. 29.767—29.613 70—41 S.W. _ 4 4149 7/21 10 3 3 45 140

21 TH Sun’s declin, 20° 9’ N. 29,.646—29.531 63—35 W. 18 2 4/50 71] 55 10 4 3 4) 141

22 F Mugwort flowers. 29.748 —29.492 65—47 S.W. 02 ne RVers abe 5 3 38 } 142

23 Ss Goosegrass flowers. [1819 | 29.756—29.735 66—47 S.W. 04 0 4/53 7/49 11 6 3 33 143

24 | Son | Wuuir Sun. Q. Vicrorta Born,} 29.926—29.895 | 69—40 | N.W. — m. | 54 7] morn. 7 3 98! 144

2 | M Wuir Mon. Ps. Het. B., 1846.) 30,047—29.924 | 67-33 | S.W. — {88 3/56 7/10 0 »)) 323 | 145

METEOROLOGY oF THE WEEK.—At Chiswick, from observations during the last thirty-six years, the average highest and lowest
temperatures of these daysare 66.8° and 44.2° respectively. The greatest heat, 89°, occurred on the 22nd, in 1847; and the lowest cold, 30°,

on the 19th, in 1854 and 1856; 20th, in 1853 and 1856'; and 24th, in1854. During the period 154 days were fine, and on 98 rain fell.

ORCHARD-HOUSE MANAGEMENT, AND
CAUSES OF FAILURE,

OST lovers of horticul-
ture seem to be draw-
ing their attention to
the culture of fruit
trees in pots under
glass, or, as some
people call it, the
“Rivers system of
growing fruit.” That
such a “system’’ is
interesting, no one will
deny ; but few people
seem able to make it
profitable. Iwill, there-
fore, endeavour to
show some of the causes of failures, and to point out to
amateurs several little rocks on which so many have been
wrecked.

As glass is very cheap, a rough but convenient orchard-

house can be put up fora small sum. This, I believe,
has induced many people (a good part of them clergymen)
to purchase Mr. Rivers’ book. In that book they find
pictures of the author’s pet plants beautifully laden with
fruit. This tempts them to get an orchard-house; they
decide on having one. Well, the house is built, the trees
are bought, and now comes the work of potting. And
how is this important operation performed? Very often
in such a manner as described by “ F. Chitty.”
‘ That operation being completed, the trees are, most
Hkely, arranged in their respective places, and the owner
views them with a degree of pride. Perhaps they are
good-sized trees, and have blossom-buds. These as the
‘season advances will be expanding. Then comes the
setting of the fruit—a result almost certain, providing the
trees have abundance of air, and the roots are kept toler-
ably moist.

Perhaps the fruit set very thick, and, if they be Peaches,
Nectarines, or Apricots, will require thinning. But the
amateur does this very sparingly, leaving after the final
thinning perhaps three dozen fruit on a tree not capable
of bringing half that number to perfection. The result
is a large crop of small ill-flavoured fruit.

Thinning of the young shoots of Peaches and Nec-
tarines is to the beginner a rather difficult operation,
though Mr. Rivers would have it appear a very easy
matter. Most people thin them too sparingly, leaving a
mass of young wood, which, unless the weather be very
favourable, cannot be properly ripened. Some, however,
thin too severely, thereby robbing the fruit of its nourish-
ment, and destroying the fruiting-wood for the following
Season.

_ L know some gentlemen who do all their orchard-house

work themselves, and I know others who leave their
No. 112,—Vot. IV., New Sreies.

trees entirely to the tender mercies of their “ groom and
gardener,’ who, as one of your correspondents remarks,
“ knows very little of either business,’ and to whom the
trees are a “great nuisance,’ as they give him extra
work. In such cases the poor trees are likely to suffer
for want of water. Perhaps the man is ordered to give
them liquid manure, and he does it with a vengeance,
bringing it thick and strong from the cow or pig yard
unstrained, and unmixed with anything. The effect of
this is not long in making its appearance. J once saw
some very fine Peach trees which had lost nearly all their
leaves long before the fruit began to ripen. On looking
at the soil, 1 saw they had been watered with strong
liquid manure. This was, undoubtedly, the cause of the
leaves falling so early. ;

Growing too many sorts of fruit in one house is a very
bad practice, and is often the cause of much dissatisfaction.
Peaches and Nectarines will be found to do best by
themselves. Apples, Pears, and Plums may go together.
Apricots and Cherries do well together ; and for all these
fruits (except Peaches and Nectarines), tiffany-houses
will be found most suitable.

A gentleman once asked me to look at his orchard-
house trees, which he said were in avery unhealthy state,
the cause of which he could not discover. I found the
trees as he described them: they were very free from
insects, and the surface soil seemed nice and moist. I
tapped the pots, and the sound produced told the cause of
sickness—the trees were dry at the roots. They had been
potted too loosely, the body of the pots containing only a
few crumbs of dry soil. The watering seemed to have
been performed on the “little-and-often” system, just
to keep the surface moist. And what is the result of all
this mismanagement? A complete failure. Those visions
of fine ripe fruit have never been realised, and the orchard-
house is condemned.

Some, however, are more fortunate. I, for one, have
been pretty successful; but success cannot be attained
without exertion, for every one who has had the manage-
ment of orchard-houses will admit that the inmates re-
quire great attention compared with the same kinds of
trees on the open wall. But the labour is not thrown
away, for the reward will be in proportion to the attention
bestowed.

To those who are about to build an orchard-house I
would say, Have a lean-to, and, if convenient, against a
brick wall. With regard to the shape of trees, close
pyramids are by far the best. When the trees are received
from the nursery their roots should be examined, and if
found at all naked should be cut back pretty close. Some
compost should then be ready, consisting of two parts
the top spit of an old pasture, one part road scrapings,
and one part decayed cowdung. This will be suitable
for most fruit trees.

The compost being ready, some pots should be selected.
The relative proportions of these and the trees should be
considered ; and if they are of the ordinary kind, the
apertures in the bottoms must be enlarged, leaving only
just a bearing for the crocks. These should be long and

No. 764.—Vot, XXIX., Oup SERIES.

356 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE) AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

narrow, and placed so as to leave room for the emission,of the:

roots of the tree. Some rough stuff, such as pieces of decayed
‘turf, may then be placed on the crocks, and then some compost,
and made pretty firm; and over that the tree should he placed,
just in the centre, care being taken to keep the surface roots:
about 2 inches below the top of the-pot. The compost should
‘then be put in a little at a time, ramming it firmly with a stick
asithe work proceeds, finally filling up to within an inch of the
topof the pot. The whole should then receive a good watering,
and the stems (but not the bearing-wood) be washed with a
‘eomposition formed of one pound of soft soap, two ounces of
tobacco, and a little flowers of sulphur, to which must be added
‘as much boiling water as will form the whole of the consistence
‘of paint. j

Supposing the above to be done'about the middle of February
—which is the best time for potting—the trees may be placed in
their summer quarters, and the young shoots cut back according
tothe desired shape of the tree and the strength of the shoots.
After that they will require very little attention till the blossom-
buds begin to expand. Watering must then: be gradually in-
eréased, and abundance of air given; in fact, when the trees are
in ‘bloom, the shutters need not be clozed, except in case of
frost or fog.

When the fruit is set, the trees should be syringed with soft
‘water about 4 P.M, of every warm sunny day, at the same time

sclosing up the front shutters of the houses, but Jeaving an
-apening at the top of each end. As the weather becomes
~warmer the houses must be left open longer, and after the 1st
«of June they may be left open altogether. :

The Peaches, Nectarines, and Apricots will most likely require
» thinning, and supposing the trees old, eighteen fruit may be left

-0n each, these after the lapse of twenty days to be reduced to
nine oneach. The following season double that number may
be allowed. The other hardy fruits seldom require thinning.

When the young shoots of the Peaches and Nectarines have
made four leaves, every third shoot should be removed, and after
another fortnight every fourth shoot should be taken off with a

sharp knife, and the tips of the remaining ones pinched off, as
algo the tips of Apricots and Plums.

It is, however, quite impossible togive directions for thinning
the shoots in all cages, as sometimes the trees make very little
wood, and then allowance must be made. One important point
is, to get the fruit near to the leaves,

The Peaches and Nectarines will soon be making fresh shoots,
and these must be pinched back to the sixth leaf, and so on with
the next. Ihave found three stoppings quite sufficient for the
whole season, as incessant pinching causes the tree to produce a
superfluity of blossom-buds, causing a scarcity of leaf-buds.

Qne stopping of the shoots will generally be found sufficient
for ‘Apples, Pears, Plums, and Apricots, except in very strong-
growing trees. I consider that cleanliness, plenty of air, light,
and moisture, are the chief points to be remembered, for the

._ absence of either of these will cause:a failure. ~

When the fruit is rpe and,gathered, every attention must\be
paid to the ripening of the young wood, by keepimg the house

dry.and warm and gradually withholding water from the roots.
When the wood is ripened the trees may be put close together
in a corner of the house, and the borde=s cleaned to receive
Chrysanthemums, Lettuce, Hndivye, Parsley, and many other
» things that require a slight protection from the frost.

In the latter part of Hebruary.the trees may be arranged for
the summer, and the stems be washed as before directed. The
surface soil should then be removed, and the space filled up with
a dressing of decayed dung. I do so three times during the

<@rowing season.

Ihave not seen any “miniature fruit trees,’ such as Mr.
‘Rivers describes, but Lintend to getisome. In Japan the “art
-of dwarfing trees” is one of the chief points in ornamental gar-
‘dening. When Lord ‘Elgin was in that country, a box was
offered to him, in which were flourishing a Fir tree, a Bamboo,
and a Plum tree in full blossom. Whe.size of the box was
4.imches long, 14. wide, and 6 high, ‘The price asked was about
£100.—G. G., Wells.

WIOLETS.
THE provincial gardener residing at a considerable distance
from the great metropolis, and who visits it but seldom, cannot
Aail being struck’ by the endlers quantity of good articles in the

[ May 19, 1863,

,even in midwinter, or in the spring after an unusually severe
winter, when the outcry far and wide is that everything in the
Broccoli and Cabbage line has been. destroyed. He will see cart-
loads of these vegetables wending their way into the centre, of
the great: city, while vendors of such things scattered all over
the town present the. same in more or less profusion; the price
rather than the seeming scarcity is the only thing that betokens

‘a limited supply. Other things as well as vegetables find their
way into town, and:certainly not the leastattractive of the varied
articles which forma considerable item in the trading transac-
tions of street vendors is the flower which forms the subject of
my present notes, and one which is carried throygh as extensive.
a period as any flower we are acquainted with.

‘Violets, sweet Violets!” is au agreeable cry, the more so as
being heard when the weather and other surroundings are any-
thing but pleasing. Violets have attractions which even in a dull
cheerless November day remind one that other senses as well as
the one which appreciates the beautiful may be brought into
operation. However fastidious the individual may be about
smells, and the writer of this is one of that class, Violets are of
the class of plants which every one admires, and a nice little
knot of Violets is acceptable alike in a lady’s boudoir and on the
mantlepiece of the humblest cottager: it is, therefore, needless
to make any apology for jotting down a few remarks on itg
cultivation.

Too often some out-of-the-way corner is the one assigned to
this plant. Presenting little that is gay at a time when the parterre
is a blaze of beauty, its merits seem forgotten atthe time it most
deserves attention, so that when the season for flowering arrives
the result is not always satisfactory; for though the plant is
yery hardy, and will accommodate itself to most situations, there
are some more favourable than others, and if is to these that we
ought more particularly to direct our attention, and in a few
words detail the practice most likely to produce a good result. At
the same time it must be observed that some situations present
natural advantages which it would be difficult to imitate, yet
much can be done, and the plant, as stated above, is very accom-
modating. ~ Nevertheless, it is not everywhere that it succeeds.
satisfactorily, and a glance at those where it does prosper may
teach us how to manage it so as to procure.a similar result;
and, perhaps, the best way to consider the subject is to trace the
plant to its wild state—the original British one inhabiting dry
banks by the side of lanes and woods, where it blooms profusely
in early spring, a

The best situation both for the Neapolitan and double and
single Russian Violets are those rather stiff soils overlying chalk,
and where the plant has an opportunity of enjoying the free air,
and not overshadowed by trees, especially evergreens. I am not
sure but a slight shading with deciduous trees is bexeficial
rather than otherwise, as the plant is so liableto red spider in
hot summers; and a partial shading from the hot midday sun

induces the dew toremain longer on the foliage, and, consequently,

renders the plants less injured by this pest. A.soilitoo rich is
more likely to produce leaves than flowers,.so that,manuring too
freely is not advisable.

When a new plantation is wanted, itis best to make one as
‘soon as.eyer the plants axe rooted sufficiently to be taken off.
The plant generally produces abundance of runners,after it has
done flowering ; and to induce them to root freely, and quickly
become plants, it is very good practice to sift some leafy mould
or fine soil amongst the shoots, and, if the weather is dry, to
water once or twice. Generally it is the end of May ere the
young plants are sufficiently rooted to’ be taken off with advan-
tage, when, the ground being previously well dug and prepared,
they may be planted in rows about 18 inches apart, and allow-
ing about a foot from plant 'to plant inthe row, ‘This planti:
ought to be done in damp weather if possible; and ‘the ‘little
after-attention required during the summer is simply to.remove
any runners or suckers that show themselves. tis better to
allow ‘them, to, grow a, little, and then eut them off, so.as \to en-
courage the main plant to form, a head.or. exown well set with
flowering-buds for,the ensuing season. It is attention tojthis
that makes a plent tidy-looking, acd retsins it in a conditign
fit to remove with a ballif wanted in autumn, Observe.thata
‘too frequent stopping all laterals or runners is not such good
‘practice as letting them grow somelength and then outing Sa
all back ; for the pruning of the Violet is something like that of
jthe espalier Apple or Pear tree—to cut off every shoot as it is

‘found is more hurtful to the tree than allowing ‘them to: amriye:

_ gardening way which he will see around ‘him in «ill directions, | at nearly their growth, and-then removing,them. to enable allithe

May 19, 1863. ]

energies of the tree to go to the formation of flower-buds (in
embryo) for the ensuing season, The Violet, though an her-
baceous plant, may be treated exactly the same way, and with a
like happy result. ;

Now, the above treatment, simple as it is, is not the only
attention required during summer. ‘The plant being very liable
to red spider, means must be taken to counteract it if possible.
Wor that purpose a mixture of sulphur and soot is about the
best thing that we have tried, and when any of the leaves turn
yellow it is often a sure sign that this pest is at work. A good
watering when the atmosphere is moist will do some good, and
when the plants are dry dust them well with the mixture
mentioned above, The admixture of soot will render the colour
more ‘like that of a healthy plant, and the formation of flower-
buds will go on more prosperously in proportion as the plant is
healthy : by whichis meant, that it is supposed to be maturing
its tissue in proper time and not prolonging the season’s growth,
or becoming what may be called gross and leafy. We need hardly
add that occasionally moving the ground between the rows is
usoful also during the early summer season, afterwards we expect
the plant will occupy it all.

The forcing of the Violet is far from being at all times a suc-
cessful operation. The plant is impatient of forcing as generally
performed. It may, however, be forwarded considerably by
gentle means, not the least being the well and early preparation
of the plants the preceding summer, so as to enable the plant
to have a period of rest ere it be excited again into growth; for
if forced too early, leaves only will be the result. The best way
1s to prepare some plants as directed above, and in October take
them up with e balland plant them in an old Melon-bed that has
a little bottom heat (but very little), remaining. The plants
may be placed tolerably close, and with sufficient soil to enable
the roots to have plenty to live upon while the plant is in the
frame. We need hardly add that they must be near the glass;
and if the position of the frame be one that it is advisable to keep
orderly, the interstices between the plants may be paved with
pebbles not larger than an egg. This will keep the flowers from
being dirtied in the soil. A little watering at the time will be
necessary, but will hardly be wanted afterwards. Violets may
also be taken up and forced in pots, and they do pretty well
that way.

Unlike many of the kinds of plants cultivated for appearance
or use, this one has derived but little accession in the way of
new varieties for many years. ‘True, now and then an improved
tree Violet is offered to the world, but it very often settles itself
down to be the old sort in a better state of cultivation.
Improvements on the single or Russian Violet are also announced
occasionally ; but they too often degenerate into the original.
Therefore, without noticing the names of the great raisers of
such things, a slight allusion to the kinds in most general use
will be sufficient for this article.

First in point of importance is the old dark blue Violet, from
whence one more then usually woody or leggy has been trans-
formed into the tree Violet. This is, perhaps, the prettiest of
all the Violets, and it has the advantage of presenting us with a
few flowers almost during all the summer. It does not flower,
however, so well in the winter; but when well grown and the
plants well and early ripened, it often flowers in March when
sheltered rather than forced. I believe there are improved
varieties of it said to be larger ; but they do not differ in any
material point from the original.

Next to this variety is the Neapolitan Violet, a pale blue
variety; more free of growth and better adapted for forcing.
The: habit of the plant is. more spreading and requires more
pruning:to keep it in order. It is; however, less susceptible to
red: spider perhaps; but is, nevertheless, not more hardy than
the others. It is, perhaps, better adapted to'a light soil, and
80me insist that it is sweeter than the dark one; but this is doubt-
ful. The stalke of the flower are, however, longer and bunch
better, end contrasting with the others it/is better to have both.

There are double-white ones of both-the above varieties; but
the whites are not so generally admired, and the white Nea-
politan isa poor one.

Next, therefore, in importance to the two named, and, perhaps,
‘equal if not superior! in point of utility to them, is the single
Russian, which flowers in:the autumn in the open ground, and
‘through:the winter if the weather be mild. This is, perhaps,
‘the most popular’ of all: the Violets; but, unfortunately, it is
seldom so well cared for as the double ones, although from the

fact-ef its supplying us’ with little bunches of Violets ata season:

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE-AND COTTAGH GARDENER.

367

when they aro not to be had elsewhere, it deserves more attention
than it often receives. Some improved varieties of this have
from time to time appeared, an extensive grower in the weat of
England having issued some new varieties of it. It is very ac-
commodating, and is too often ill-treated in respect to the situa-
tion it is planted in. Its flower-stems are, however, short, as
might he expected from its flowering in midwinter. Never~
theless, with this drawback it is excéedingly useful. I am not
aware of a white variety of this kind, but it is not unlikely that
there may be one, as there is a white amongst the wild ones
which this much resembles,

Besides these there is an old pink variety, double and pretty
but it lacks in a measure that agreeable smell which gives th>
Violet pre-eminence of everything—the Rose only excepted.
There are some other subordinate varieties, but the above
sufficient to give the amateur an idea of what they are, andalso
to enable him to cultivate them successfully.—J. R.

THE ROYAL BOTANIC SOCIETY'S SHOW-
May 13.

Arter a long course of dry weather both farmers and
gardeners were anxiously jooking for rain, and they had their
wishes gratified on the day preceding the Show, when rain fell
in considerable quantity. The advent of rain, however, was not
hailed by all with feelings of unmixed delight—plants had to be
packed on the eyening previous to the Show, and tarpaulin.
coverings for vans, and mackintozhes and umbrellas for man, were.-
in great requisition, whilst dire was the consternation of many. of «
the intending lady visitors at the prospect of a dripping wet »
day that would mar all pleasure, as well as sundry new silks’.
with fine French names, as to the meaning of which we are in a
state of misty uncertainty. But the fates were not adverse, for,
with the exception of one or two heavy showers, there. was
nothing to detract from the enjoyment of one of the finest
exhibitions which have been seen at the Regent’s Park. The-
mass of colour which lay before the eye on entering,the large
canyas-covered space where the exhibitions are held was imposing ;
the green turf gavo relief, whilst one was always-discovering
fresh beauties in nooks and recesses that had escaped the first
glance. The Azaleas were superb, the stove and greenhouse
plants splendid examples of skilful cultivation, and the more
modest-looking Heaths generally well grown,,as-well as very
attractive.

Of stove and greenhouse plants several excellent collections
were brought forward for competition in the different classes.
In that for sixteen Mr. Peed, gardener to Mrs. Tredwell,
Norwood, hada fine evenly-grown Tetratheca ericzfolia, Lepto-
dactylon californicum, Leschenaultia biloba grandiflora, Aphe--
lexis sesamoides rosea and macrantha purpurea, Pimelea specta-
bilis and decussata, Chorozema Lawrenciana, Franciscea con-
fertifolia, Erica depressa, two Azaleas, and some other plants,
all of which were well grown, ‘This collection was considered
the best in the Amateurs’ Class. Mr. Baxendine, gardener to
W. Smallpiece, Esq., Guildford, came next; and among his
plants were Chorozema Henchmanni covered with bloom,. Ste-
phanotis floribunda, Rhyncospermum jasminoides, Hovea Celsi,
Aphelexes, &e. :

Other collections less numerous came from Messrs. J. & J.
Fraser, of Lea Bridge; Jackson & Son, of Kingston; J. & C.
Lee, of Hammersmith; and A. Henderson & Co.; and among:
amateurs from Mr, Green, gardener to Sir HE. Antrobus, Bart;
Mr. Ingram, of Reading ; Mr, Page, and Mr. Wheeler. Among;
these there were excellent specimens of Leschenaultia intermedia
and biloba major, Acrophyllum venosum,. Boronia serrulata,
Eriostemons, Polygala Dalmaisiana, several Azaleas, the beautiful)
Clerodendron Thomsonz, Chorozemas, Erica, Cavendishii
several Aphelexes, Rhyncospermum jasminoides, Hedaromas
Medinella magnifica, Labichea heterophylla, Allamanda grandi
flora, Francisceas, and some other plants which it would be
tedious to particularise. hy)

Azaleas, as already remarked, were superb, those of Messrs.
Veitch and Mr. Green being particularly fine. Among the:
varieties. exhibited by Messrs. Veitch were Iveryana, Feltoniy.
Magnificent, Exquisita, Juliana; and Barclayana; whilst’ Mr,
Green had Alba magna, Chelsoni, Glory of Sunninghill, Trium-
phans, Broughtoni, Juliana, and Magnificent. Arborea pur
purea, from Mr. Turner, was a mass of bloom; Admiration:
Optima, Magnifica, Broughtoni, and, sinensis from the same

358

exhibitor were also very striking. Excellent collections also

came from Messrs. Fraser and Lane & Sons.

In Cape Heaths, of which there were several fine collections,
Messrs. Jackson had the best in the Nurserymen’s Class. The
kinds consisted of Bergiana, depressa, fastigiata lutescens, ven-
tricosa tumida and magnifica, fastigiata lutescens, florida inter-
media, and tricolor dumosa, all of which were handsome speci-
mens. Mr. Rhodes, of Sydenham Park, was likewise a successful
exhibitor with a fine Erica Cavendishii, ventricosa coccinea
minor, Victoria Regina, and nice plants of several other kinds.
Mr. Peed contributed large plants of Cayendishii and florida,
together with coccinea minor and depressa, both of which were
in beautiful condition. Mr. Page and Mr. Baxendine also came
forward with well-grown plants, and were both successful in
gaining prizes.
~ Roses in pots constituted a brilliant feature in the display,

and as examples what can be done by pot-culture were every-
--thing that could be desired, the plants being of great size,

healthy, and covered with bloom. Messrs. Lane and W. Paul
- in particular distinguished themselves, the former with Charles
- Lawson, Comtesse Mole, Baronne Prevost, Léon des Combats,

Chénédolé, Souvenir d’un Ami (a remarkably fine plant), Paul
- Perras, Jules Margottin, Gloire de Dijon, and Coupe d’Hébé;
and the latter with Senateur Vaisse, Paul Ricaut, Lord Raglan,
Madame de St. Joseph, and several of those already mentioned.
Mr. Francis, of Hertford and Mr. Terry, gardener to C. W.
Giles Puller, Esq., M.P., Youngsbury, likewise exhibited well-
grown plants.

In Pelargoniums Mr. Turner, of Slough, took the lead with
twelve large and handsomely-grown plants in eight-inch pots,
aud which were a mass of bloom. TF airest of the Fair in par-
ticular was lovely, and scarcely less so was Sunset. The other
varieties were Ariel, Picnic, Virginie (Miellez), a glowing
scarlet ; Desdemona, Hmpress Hugénie, Rose Celestial, Beads-
man, Sir Colin Campbell, Candidate, and Lilacina. Messrs.

» Fraser, coming in second, had in addition 'to several of those
already named Mr. Marnock, Governor General, Leviathan, and
Osiris ; and in the Amateurs’ Class Mr. Bailey, gardener to T. T.
Drake, Waq., Shardeloes, and Mr. Weir, of Hampstead, showed
nice collections.

Fancy varieties came from Mr. Turner, Messts. Fraser, Mr.
Bailey, and Mr. Weir; and many of the plants were of great
diameter and literally covered with bloom. ‘The principal
varieties were Arabella Goddard, Delicatum, Roi des Fantaisies,
Acme, Queen of the Valley, Clemanthe, Clara Novello, Modestum
(a charming variety), Carminatum, Cloth of Silver, Negro, and
Lady Craven.

‘Cinerarias were not remarkable; indeed, several of the plants,
as far as cultivation was concerned, were unworthy of exhibition.
The best came from Mr. Lamb, of Southall, and Mr. Pointon,

_gardener to C. Perry, Esq., Castle Bromwich.

Orchids were shown in abundance, and among them were
several fine examples of Cattleya Mossix, Lycaste Skinneri, Pha-
lenopsis amabilis and grandiflora; Saccolabiums guttatum,
refusum, and premorsum; Cypripedium barbatum, and other
species; Vanda tricolor and suavis; numerous Atrides, Dendro-
biums, and Oncidiums ; Lelia purpurata and Brysiana. A fine
pan of Orchis foliosa from Mr. Bullen was, however, one of the
most remarkable. The principal exhibitors of this class of plants
were Mr. Baker, gardener to A. Basset, Hsq., Stamford Hill,
who took the highest position for a collection of twenty species ;
Mr. Bullen, whose plants were also fine, but in ugly, open-sided
tubs; and Messrs. Page, Wooley, Peed, Smith, of Syon, and
Wiggins, of Isleworth.

Collections of mixed flowering and fine-foliaged plants came
from Messrs. A. Henderson & O©o., and Lee, and exotic and
British Ferns from Mr. Lavey ; Miss Clarkson likewise bringing
forward a good collection of the latter.

Of cut flowers there was a plentiful display, especially Roses,
of which beautiful masses were contributed by Messrs. Lane,
Paul & Son, end W. Paul; the last showing among others, Lord
Macaulay and Lord Herbert, two new varieties of great merit.

Stands of Pansies came from Messrs. Downie, Laird & Laing,
Turner, Dean of Bradford, Shenton, August, and James; of
Verbenas, from Mr. Treen, of Rugby, and Mr. Turner, who had
also Tulips, and several pots of President Strawberry.

Of miscellaneous objects, decidedly the most interesting was
Napoleona imperialis, a flowering branch of which was sent
from Syon. Mr. Bull brought a large collection of new and rare
plants, including the extremely curious Pogonia discolor, Areca

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ May 19, 1863.

dealbata, and others which will be noticed in another column.
Mr. Standish had two beautiful Clematises, one of them haying
double white flowers of very large size; has been provisionaily
named C. Fortunei; the other, which is single and of fine violet
hue, has been named Clematis florida Standishii. Both of these
are decided acquisitions. Mr. Turner had Louise Von Baden, a
beautiful white Azalea ; Mr. Holland, a very superior white and
magenta Petunia, called Royalty. Messrs. Veitch had Ourisia
coccinea, the crimson flowers of which were very effective; Rho-
dodendrons Mrs. Buller and Princess Alice, the lilac Steno-
gastra multiflora ; Browallia Jamesoni multiflora, from Ecuador,
with numerous orange-yellow flowers ; and a Melastomad called
Melastoma (?) argyroneura, with very ornamental rugose olive
green leaves, which promises to be a great acquisition, Besides
the above there were several seedling Pelargoniums shown by
Mr. Turner, and Mr. Hoyle, of Reading.

AN ORCHARD-HOUSE IN THE HIGHLANDS.

Tux following note from a gentleman who, in conjunction
with, doubtless, a clever gardener, manages his orchard-house
vel will, I trust, prove interesting to your numerous readers.—

RK.

*° Dear Sir,— * Perthshire, May 1, 1863.

*T observe a great discussion going on in THE JOURNAL OF
HorticuntuRE as to the merits of orchard-houses, I have
never wished to draw myself into the contest, and haye, there-
fore, kept clear of it ; but I think it is in justice to yourself to
say that from seeing your houses at Sawbridgeworth and their
success there, that I was induced about six or seven years ago
to put one up, and I may safely say I have never regretted
having done so. I have always had first-rate crops, and that
without any fire heat and in a cold climate. Last year, notwith-
standing the inclemency of the season, I had a most splendid
crop of Peaches, Nectarines, Figs, Grapes (Black Hamburghs),
Tomatoes, and Capsicums, to say nothing of the most beautiful
Strawberries of the highest flavour, and finer than any we can
grow out of doors. The earliest ripen about the 15th to 20th of
May, and with successions of later kinds last till the out-of-door
crop comes on about the end of June or beginning of July. A
gentleman who is a judge of fruit tasted some of my orchard-
house Peaches, and pronounced them superior to any he had eyer
tasted off a wall. Many of them measured over 9 inches in cir-
cumference. This year my trees in pots are again loaded with
fruit, and are perfect pictures of health and beauty. The
average crop I allow is two dozen each tree.

«To show the great advantage of glass without fire heat in a
northern climate, my Vines this season were as far forward on.
the 15th of April as I observed them in the vineyards in the
Island of Fano, near Corfu, on the same date of which I haye a
note.

““T may state that my orchard-house is 50 feet by 15, a lean-
to, with brick wall at back and terraces; the Wigs and Vines:
being on the upper terrace and next the wall—_PERTHSHIRE.”

FLUES versus HOT-WATER PIPES.

In your Number for the 5th, at page 326, “J. H.L., Jun.,”
and Mr. Thomson at page 330, call in question the correctness.
of my statement in page 211 on the above subject. I might»
have been more explicit, but fearing to take up too much of your
valuable space I was as briefas possible. The length of my flue
is 15 yards; the cost per yard, 3s. O3d., as follows :—750 build--
ing-bricks and mortar, and labour, 26s.; fire-brick covers, 20s..
My flue required no foundation, it being built on the solid; and’
although I stated my flue was 12 inches deep, yet near the
furnace it is only 9 inches, allowing a rise at the further end of
6 inches, or 15 inches deep. Taking the middle depth 12 inches,
only allowing a depth of flue 9 inehes, filling up the space with:
rubbish; the heating surface of my flue is as much as can be,
being both sides and top. Any circulation of air underneath:
the flue, as “J. E. L.” recommends, would be injurious rather-
than useful, as the soot and dust settling in the bottom prevent
any heat getting through the tile, and would be very much more
likely to leak at the joints through settling or other causes, and:
would not be at all firm, and be also costly and useless. My
article at page 211 was written to show the difference of cost’ of”
the two plans: consequently, I only gave the cost of flue. The:
furnace, the bars, and door would be about the same as required:

May 19, 1863. ]

for boiler, less of either. My chimnies are built in the back
wall of the house. I think “J. EH. L.’’ would have some difli-
culty in keeping up a proper heat in a house 40 feet by 15, with
only a flow and return pipe of three-inch water-piping. Neither
does he state cost ofstays for his piping, which are always costly.
In further reply to Mr. Thomson, page 330, the above will
answer his question of furnace-bars, &c. Dampers are great
evils in greenhouses or vineries, causing leakages in flues, &c.
From the annexed drawing he will see arches are unnecessary,

=]

n=

D Three-inch space between flue and
border to keep Vine roots from
the hot flue,

as the Vines when they have filled the space inside the house

may find nourishment outside. If I were building a house

110 feet long, I would build furnace, flue, chimney, and all at

pi dee cost than Mr. Thomson estimates.—H., Burton-on-
rent.

B Border for Vines inside house,

A Flue.
© Border outside the house. |

A GOOD BOILER.

In replying to My. Robson’s question for particulars of a good
boiler, 1 imagined that I had given sufficient details to enable
him to judge of the capabilities of my Truss boiler ; and I am
sorry that I did not give a more explicit detail, which I should
have done had I properly contemplated the probability of
appearing in print.

I cannot possibly estimate the cost exactly, as the summer
work was almost entirely performed by the refuse and cinders
from the house. For winter work, as a greater heat and quicker
circulation were required, I have been obliged to use coke, and
from October the 23rd to the end of April I have consumed
eight chaldrons, and the cost has been for twenty-seven weeks
about 4s. 4d.

The cubical contents of the different structures are about
5600 feet, and it has heated a small stove, greenhouse, conserva-
tive-house, and an open-air tank, and with heat to spare. My
boiler has to work under many disadvantages, as the main flow
and return between the boiler and into the upper house, in-
cluding the perpendicular rise of about 12 feet, are only two-inch
Pipes, and there are so many turns and returns necessitated by
my various contrivances that I have no hesitation in saying that
three times the amount of work could be done in a range of
houses on level ground, and for an amateur no boiler can be
more satisfactory. I have often lighted the fire myself—in fact,
I think that I can do it even better than my man, and in less
than an hour the return-pipe to the boiler shows a rapid cir-
culation.

I observe that the printer made a slight error in calling one of
the divisions of the upper house a “coach-house,” which will
appear curious to some of your readers. It should have been
*“Cactus-house.”—C, M. Mason, Cromwell House, Croydon.

PROFUSION oF STRAWBERRY Biooms.—My gardener told me
a few days ago, that he had mentioned to some friends that he
thought some of my Strawberry plants iast year had as many
as three hundred fruit-blossoms on each plant, and that his
friends had laughed at the assertion. I at once took my
gardener to the Strawberry-bed (composed of several kinds),
selected a moderately fair-looking plant in full bloom, and on

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

359

counting the blossoms found that there were four hundred and
twenty-eight! I have no doubt that I have plants with five
hundred blossoms. I merely mention the above in case you
should think it worthy of notice.—J.H., Binstead, Isle of Wight.

HEATING GREENHOUSES.

THERE is not the least doubt but the hot-water system is the
best when there is much glass to be heated ; but for an amateur
who has a greenhouse, say 14 feet by 10 or 20 by 12, I certainly
think that nothing can be better than the ordinary flue or pipes.
I have a house (a lean-to), it is 14 by 9,10 feet high at back,
and 5 feet in front. It is heated by means of a furnace which
is entirely inside (the door of the furnace of course being out-
side), so that every bit of heat is in the house. There are 2 feet
of brickwork from the furnace, and into the end of this brick-
work the first stone glazed pipe is placed ; then follow the other
pipes, which run along the back and out into a chimney at the
other side of the house. The joints of the pipes are mortared.
On the top of the brickwork I place a wooden tray 2 feet square,
3 inches deep, filled with coal ashes, on which I forward different
things for spring cuttings and also seeds. Calceolaria cuttings
will strike very fast in December and January—much better, in
fact, than in July or August.

When the fire is lighted, I always find the pipes are warm in
about five minutes, and in half an hour the house is quite
comfortable. It burns but little fuel—even in the most severe
winter a half-cartload of breeze will be quite sufficient, and it
will keep in from ten at night till seven inthe morning. Cost
of bricks and mortar, 2s.; furnace ironwork, 5s.; seven glazed
six-inch pipes, 4s.; total, 11s.

The pipes if cleaned well out in September, will go till
September again without requiring a second cleaning.

If you think this heating account worth noticing in your
Journal, no doubt some of our amateur friends may be induced
to try my plan, which will no doubt answer their purposes quite
as well as it answers mine.—J. B.

[Perhaps your estimate is fully low enough; but you just
confirm Mr. Robson, and Mr. Fish in “‘ Doings of the Week,”
that small solitary houses are cheapest heated by flues. Of
course, they too will be expensive if built on raised arches and
all the rest of it, with huge tiles for bottoms. For a little
greenhouse we shou!d do as you haye done; or, if bricks all
round, we would have a good concrete bottom on a hard earth
bottom, two bricks on edge, and a nine-inch tile on the top.
We thus heated a small house by running a small flue 6 inches
wide below a floor, the tiles covering forming part of the floor;
and it cost little more in shillings than a gentleman offered to do
it for by hot water in pounds. In speaking of the cost of hot
water, and also of flues, everything should be stated. For
instance : if we go to one of our advertising emporiums, select a
boiler, suitable pipes, &c., and put it up with our own men, the
expense must be and ought to be different from bringing men
from a distance to do the work. |

THE USES OF AN ORCHARD-HOUSE.

Ir may be interesting to some of your readers to know the
routine of culture that has been observed in a house erected by.
me here some twenty years ago, and which may be said to be
the prototype of Sir Joseph Paxton’s recently patented “‘ Hot-
houses for the Million.” My house is 50 feet long, 14 broad,
7 high, and is span-roofed, facing east and west, the ends of
course north and south, and it is properly heated with hot-water

ipes.
i The house is planted with Vines and Peaches planted inside
close to the wall-plate a foot only from the ground. These are
trained in the ordinary way on trellising of wire. But besides
these I grow various other descriptions of garden produce. I
first plant dwarf Peas, sow Lettuce, Radishes, and Onions; plant
Asparagus, Sea-kale, and Rhubarb, and introduce Strawberries on
shelves, the sorts I grow being Keens’ Seedling and British Queen.
As all these things grow they begin to occupy a large amount of
space; but as some require to be consumed, and the Strawberries
when set require greater heat, and as the foliage of Vines and
Peaches becomes too full for the latter, I take out all my Straw-
berries, regard being had to their being well set, into the vinery,
where they swell and ripen well. As soon as my green Peas are
nearly or quite over, my Kidney Beans, first brought forward in

360

60-sized pota, are planted-out,in the usual way where the Peas |
have performed their, office, and by this means I haye, a much |
earlier crop than I.should haye done out.of doors. The Beaus
will not be too much shaded, but bear well. Having disposed
of them, my next proceeding is to introduce Melons in the
common soil of the house, and as long as the sun shines with
sufficient force I gather sweet Melons. Ihave seen them in the
fields in Italy, and: conceived thatiwith the atmospheric heat of
our vineries the soil would be equally warm; and I have: suc-
ceeded without any other stimulus. ‘Cucumbers grow too ‘fast.
T have introduced Mushroom spawn, but obtained few, and I
may say 1 have failed there, and I do not know how it was. I
will add, I have succeeded with Figs and Oranges in pots, as
they both love’ a little shade.—JOHN SnoVvELD, Stedham Hail,
near Midhurst.

WHAT FLOWERS THINK OF IT.
A DIALOGUE BETWEEN MR. HOLLYHOCK AND ‘MISS ROSE.

Horiynock.—Well, Rose, do tell me what is going on over
there. Since Mr. Cuttings banished mefrom the border I can
gee and hear nothing. Summer’s coming, though, and then you
know eight feet o’ertops the fence by two—unless, oh! horror of
horrors! that man decapitates me for exhibition!

Rosr.— Well, stately old friend, I wonder not at your annoy-
ance, once the glory of the flower garden, and now in durance
vile beneath this gawky fence; but we all have our ‘troubles.
There was @ time in which I was held in higher repute before
these bold spindle-shanked hybrids were all the rage, sticking
their gaudy tops above the heads of the dear children. Well;
there’s a grand display on the parterre, as they call it, a,geome-
trical digging (copied from the panels of the hall-door, so a ‘bird
told me), filled with—what ‘do you think?

HortyHock.— Perhaps ‘Roses, and Hydrangeas, and ‘Lilies,
Agapanthus, Carnations, Pinks, Dianthus, Primroses, Wall-
flowers, and Pansies.

Rosz— Oh, no! you speak of times gone by, when the
borders were always new, from Ohristmas Rose) to: Chrysanthe-
mums—right out of Winter's snow to Autumn's golden leaf—
“Ca thing of beauty and a joy’ for ever.”

HortyHoox.—Well, what? Do tell me, Rose.

Rosw.—Prepare yourself for the worst, my dear old friend.
Bach bed is Slled with the same sort of flower, all huddled. so
thick together that nota bit of the rich black mould can be.seen,
and the plants so crowd each other that iall form and contour
are lost.

HoriyvHock.—But what, friend Rose, do they plant in this
way? Only mean things whose foliagam colour and form is a
disgrace to them. )

Rosz.—Well, no. Scarlet Geraniums for one thing—great
blazing patches of blood-red, whose fiery hues lend a double
fervency to the dog days, and'then ere the second frost are a,
black putrid mass. 4

Hotiynock.—Why, what does the squire think?

Rosr.—Oh! I think he’s sickening of the new-fangled notions.
The houses: erammed full of “bedding stuff,’ as they call it,
half the year; and the trouble and fuss of coddling the precious
cuttings from September to May.

Hotiynocx.—Well, I thought that was the squire’s opinion.
Last summer he came this way frequently, and he did me the
honour once to say that Tam “a grand old flower still.’ Of
course, I made him my stateliest bow. But what of the lady?)
Does she take.as)much delight in it?

Rosr.—Oh, no, who'd go walking among a lot of nursery-
beds,:between long rows of Tom Thumbs, and weedy Verbenas,
and Qalceolarias? Why, it would be thought madness, The,
parterre is not meant, for close inspection, ’tis’to be seen only
from ,particular points—the drawing-room windows or the
corner of the terraces, for instance. No, they don’t go nearer)
or the design \is|lost! It’s a great showy advertisement, a sham,,
& monstrous vidlation of common sense, and as such must be in.
divect:opposition to good. taste. Who cares to linger and stoop.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ May "19,1863,

and ribbons, and pincushions, and’ beds to match ;”’ but the
public are getting tired of the thing, and will comeback ere long,
I think, to ask our help. What think you, Rose? ‘abu

Rosz.— Well, friend, you’re warm somewhat. The flowers I
see are brilliant in colour and some of elegant form, *tis true,
though tender things, and not well fitted for our climate ; but
’tis the planting that’s mainly wrong—this system of massing,
as they call it. /

HoriyHocn.—Yes, yes ; but they ’re mean dwarf things gene-
ally, and cannot stand our climate. Why, the beds are bare
iabove six months in the year!

Rosz.—Yes; but you forget the brilliant idea of clinkers and
broken glass, and many-coloured stones!

HottyHocx.—At which our squire is gravelled.

Rose.—And nevergreens. But who cares for the parterre?
Why, all our squire’s family rush along this way. How eagerly
‘they run to Will Haylock’s cottage garden, and beg a bunch of
Wallflowers, Cloves, and Honeysuckles, and now and then a
sprig of his crimson China.

HoriyHock.—Which Mr, Cuttings pooh-poohs, no doubt.
Well, well, this is but the opposite extreme. I once had the
honour of being staged at Sydenham, and was heartily ashamed
of myself, leaning for support like a drunken soldier. ‘The idea
of a Hollyhock’s head stuck in a potful of sand to be gazed at
and admired was only on a par with the barbarous custom of
‘clipping and shaving trees. But what was still worse, a petti-
fogging fellow came with small bone tweezers, and pulled outa
leaf here and there, and exchanged another until you would
scarcely have known me. Florists, you know, have laid down
rules for our growth, and have actually drawn figures of what
‘we ought tobe! Hush! here aye the squire and all the family
this way again; how soon they tire of their parterre! Mr.
Cuttings has it all to himself.

Rosr.—Yes, old friend, they ll:soon: replace us, if I mistake
not. Hush! let’s hear what they say.—T. W., Harrow.

LARGE CAMELLIAS AND ORANGE TREES.

Iv may interest some of your readers to know that the finest
collection of Orange trees, and of ‘large Camellias in ‘Hurope, is
to be sold this:week, andso large is it, that the sale will pro-
bably continue until Saturday. They are the property of
M. Henri Courtois,-who-is giving up his business, in! the Rue de
la Muette, near Pére-la-Chaise. ‘Che Camellias are some of
them sixty years old, and are mostly planted outima large
greenhouse, and look in vigorous health. The sorts, of course,
are old. ‘Yhe Orange trees are some of them‘very fine, and are
all in tubs. Their selling price now varying from '200f. (£8):
a-piece down to 30f., and although the dust of Paris hag
not improved them, yet.they are in‘fine health, and I have no
doubt with more care would soon make noble‘trees. “The con-
stant increase of Paris, and the demolitions consequent upon it,
are by degrees driving the nurserymen away. “We believe one—
the main reason—for the collection being parted with, is the
injury that.is done to plants’ by the rapidly increasing buildings
round them.—D., Deal.

GRAFTING THE WILD OLIVE ON THE OLIVE.

REFERRING to Romans -xi. 17, the wild Olive tree being. grafted
in and partaking of “the root and fatness of the Olive tree,” or
parent stock, 1 have heard it stated that in this respect the
Olive differs from plants we usually graft; but cannot find any
allusion to the alleged peculiarity. Can you give any informa-
tion on the subject ?—S. D. Gorn, Horetown House.

[The words. of St.‘Banl as rendered in our translationare,,
‘Some of the branches, be: broken. off, and thou, being ia:wild
‘Olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them pare
itakest.of the \root and fatness of the Olive tree.” Dhis is.ex
jplained two ways, either of which seems satisfactory. Schleusner,,
(quoting from older writers, renders agratelaios, the Greek ori-
ginal, “unfruitful Olive tree,” instead of “ wild Olive tree,” and

over great “patches of scarlet, and yellow, and blue—scarlet, jithen it is like many other unproductive fruit trees which are

yellow, and blue ad mauseam ?

‘brought into bearing by grafting scions from them on ofher

Horiyso0ck.—Hurvah! but this is not only pandering to the) |\stocks.

rage for display, this sensation, gardening, but: it is bringing dis-

“The other explanation is that agraielaios is the Oleaster

geace and ruin upon the gentle craft. Gardeners. may talk of |jor Hleagnus; and Schulz, in “Paulus’s Collection of Travels,”
skill im arranging colours,and be mysterious about harmonies |\states that branches of it are grafted into Olive trees that are
and management of bedding stuff, or twaddle about edginge, | barren though cultivated, in order that fruitfulmess may be pro-

May 19, 1863.)

cured. Theophrastus, Pliny, Columella, and Palladius all men-
tion this fact, but it will be sufficient to quote the two last-
named. Columella:says—*It often happens although the trees
are vigorous that they produce no fruit. Let these be bored
with a Gallio augre,; and a green graft, or slip, of a wild Olive
tree be put into the hole; thus the tree becomes more (fertile.’—
(De Re Kustica, 1.5,.c. ix.), Palladius, in his poem on “ Gralt-
ing,” 1. 53-4, saya, “Lhe wild Olive renders fruitful the barren
Olive, and teaches that to bear which knew not how.”

But our translation, taken literally, has no obscurity’; for it
only alludes to the fact that the Gentiles were now admitted to
all the privileges previously confined to the Jews, just as the
scion of a wild Olive would partake of the sap (fatness) supplied
by the root of the cultivated Olive if grafted upon it. ]

THE BIRMINGHAM ROSE SHOW FOR 1863.

WE last week drew attention to the fact that the prize list for
the next Show is now ready, and may be had on application to
the Secretary. We have since carefully examined the prize list,
and have much pleasure in submitting to our readers a summary
of its contents.

As was the case last year, there are three classes. Class A is
for Nurserymen. Nos. 1, 2, and 3 (for 96 varieties, singles;
48 varieties and 24 varieties, trebles, respectively), are open to
the United Kingdom. No. 4 (24 varieties, singles), is open to
nurserymen resident in the counties of Warwick, Worcester, or
Stafford only.

Class B is for Amateurs, Nos. 5, 6, 7, and 8 (48, 24, 18,
and 12 yarieties, singles, respectively), are open to the United
Kingdom. Nos. 9 and 10 (12 and 6 varieties, singles), are open
only fo amateurs resident within fifteen miles of Stephenson
Place, Birmingham ; and No. 11 (6 varieties, single), is open
only to amateurs resident within three miles of Stephenson
Place, Birmingham.

Class C is entirely open. It consists of five divisions. No. 12
is for a collection of not exceeding 24 new Roses of 1860-61-62,
single trusses; No. 13 for the best new Rose, 1860-61-62, six
trusses; No. 14, best six varieties, Hoses, single trusses, with
stem and foliage as cut from the tree; each truss to be shown
singly in a yase to be supplied by the exhibitor. No. 15 is for
the best design, basket or vase, of Roses and Rose foliage; and
No. 16 for the best bouquet for the hand, entirely of Roses and
Rose foliage. It is added as anote to No. 16, that it is essential
for the bouquets sent to be suitable for the hand—a much-
needed regulation, for usually the bouquets sent are large enough
to make half a dozen hand-bouquets of the proper size.

Tt will be seen that some considerable changes have been made
in the prize list as compared with the one issued for the Hxhibi-
tion held last year ; and we are inclined to think that the changes
will be also found improvements. The Committee were evi-
dently guided by principle in framing their bill of fare for the
year, and we are of opinion that experience will prove that they
haye been guided by correct principle. While making the prize
list in its main features thoroughly unrestricted, so as to induce
exhibitors from all parts of the kingdom to join in the compe-
tition, some very sensible reservations have been made. These
are to encourage local exhibitors to do their best, not but that
as far as we can judge, all circumstances considered, the midland
counties succeeded in maintaining a very honourable position,
eyen when in hand-to-hand fight with such successful veterans
as Turner, Paul & Son, Cant, Francis, and Keynes, who were all
prizetakers at last year’s Show. We find there were at that
Show exhibitors from thirteen counties—viz., Berks, Bucks,
Essex, Gloucester, Hereford, Hertford, Leicester, Monmouth,
Nottingham, Oxford, Somerset, Warwick, and Wilts. Including
extras thirty-three prizes were awarded, and they went in the
following proportions to the various counties named below :—
Berks, 1 prize; Bucks,5; Hssex, 3; Hereford, 1 ; Hertford, 5;
Leicester, 1; Monmouth, 2; Nottingham, 3; and Warwick, 9.
At the same time the limitations of Nos. 4, 9,10, and 11, will
bring out many small growers; and the proper cultivation of
Roses in suburban gardens—one of the objects which indaced

the establishment. of the Show—will receive a desirable amount

of.stimulation, hy

The endeavour to get exhibitions of Roses grown within
three miles of the centre of Birmingham will, we hope, prove
yery successful. That there are many residents in the imme-
@iate suburbs: of that. and other large towns who are true

JOURNAL. OF HORTICULTURE, AND COTDAGEH. GARDENER.

361

subjects of the queen of flowers is undoubted; but that there
are at present many successful growers of Roses within three
miles of the-centre of any town so large and smoky as Birming-
ham, is, we fear, not very probable; but if the competition in
this division should be limited it will not long continue so.
The Committee of the Rose Show having offered prizes for a:
small number of varieties grown within a short radius of the
central railway station will naturally increase the number of
growers, and the names of the varieties shown in the winning-
stands will be read with interest by all small cultivators residing
near large towns, as the names of those kinds which they may
successfully grow in such unfavourable localities. We would
draw particular attention to divisiow No. 14 in the Open Class,
as one which we hope to see well filled: it is for the best six
varieties of Roses, single trusses, with stem and foliage as cut
from the tree, each truss to be shown singly in a vase. Last
year the six trusses were shown together as a bouquet; but the
plan for the present year will, we think, be found a great ims
provement on that, besides adding several features of interest to
the Exhibition. The regulations seem to be much the same ag
last year, only such slight alterations haying been made as the
experience gained by the first Show has suggested. The amount
of prizes offered is £106 5s., an increase of more than £20 on
the amount paid last year; and in all cases there are to be first,
second, and third prizes—liberality which we hope will meet
with a hearty response from all the leading cultivators.

CHINESE FRUIT-GARDENING.

Mr, Fortune, in his pleasant book “ Yedo and Peking,”
mentions, page 321, the Chinese method of cultivating fruit
trees in pots which he observed in the nurseries near Tien-tsin :—

“Pears are perhaps the most abundant amongst all the
autumnal fruits in Peking. They are exposed for sale in every
direction—in shops, in stalls, on the pavement as well as in the
basket of the hawker. They were of two or three kinds, and
one of them was high-flayoured and melting. This is the first
instance of a Pear of this kind haying been found in China, and
it is a most welcome addition to the tables of the foreign resi-
dents in Peking. Curiously enough this fruit, excellent though
it is, is as yet unknown at Tien-tsin, a place only about seventy
miles distant.”

‘* Apples, Pears, and Siberian crabs are cultivated in pots in
these gardens, and apparently with great success, for the little
trees were all loaded with fruit. The Chinese have, probably,
been doing this for ages past, just as they have been growing
Roses in pots, dwarf and covered with bloom, while we have
only found out very recently that such things could be done.”

It is really true that we have only recently “found out” that
such things can be done, and it is not to be wondered at that
English gardeners, like English agriculturists when threshing
machines were first introduced, should feel that “such things”
are innovations, and to be opposed accordingly. Mr. Fortune
also describes standard Chrysanthemums grafted on a species of
Artemisia, Unfortunately, he has omitted to give the species,
or to say if he has introduced it. We have, as far as my know-
ledge goes, no hardy shrubby Artemisia fit for a standard stock
for Chrysanthemums.—YEDo.

THE TOAD.

Your correspondent, Mr. W. Earley, asks, “Does the toad
habitually consume worms?” I havetwo toads, one in each of
my Cucumber-frames, which I placed there for the purpose of
destroying woodlice, &c.; and now that the woodlice are reduced
to “few and far between,” I, as a rule, feed the toads four or five
times a-week with live worms. I merely place the worms on the
ground before them, when, as-soon as the worms move, the toads
quickly devour them, bnt never till they move; nor do they
touch any kind of food till it moves.—THos. AUSTEN, Ashford.

NATURAL HISTORY.

A Batpcoor was seen with eight young ones on the 23rd
April.

mo Pheasants. were seen with young ones on the 5th of
ay.

362 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ May 19,1863,

CALCEOLARIA TETRAGONA. ‘ :
PossEssmné considerable beauty in itself, this shrubby species | some of their acquired beauty of flower united with a vigorous
of Slipperwort may effect that improvement in the worn-out | constitution and good habit of growth. fics: t
garden Calceolarias which the Cape species of Pelargonium The species was introduced from Peru by Messrs. Veitch, of
brought about in the case of the enfeebled florists’ breed of this | Exeter. It forms a true shrub with a compact and dwarf branch-
latter popular flower. If its properties can at all be brought to | ing habit of growth, and bears oblong-ovate blunt entire leaves.
bear upon the domesticated Slipperwort, we may yet hope to see | The flowers, which form loose corymbs at the ends of the stems,

are large, with a pale-green calyx, and the lower lip of the corolla | some persevering hybridisers will by its aid, revivify the Cal-
forms a broad squarish pouch of a pale yellow colour. ceolaria as a garden flower.

The habit of this Slipperwort being all that can be desiredim | Like the other shrubby species of Slipperwort, the present
an ornamental plant, and being accompanied by clean-looking, | may be increased readily by means of cuttings of the young
ample, shining foliage, and numerous showy flowers, the form of | shoots; and the plants will grow freely in a mixture of equal
which, though not exactly agreeing with the artificial “‘cherry- | parts of turfy loam, peat, and leaf mould. It, of course, requires ~
bob” standard, is not at all inelegant, it is to be hoped that | greenhouse protection.—M.—(Garden Companion.)

DEATH OF MR VEITCH, OF EXETER.

Ir is our mournful duty to record the death of Mr. James| he loved so much, was seized with spasms of the heart, and
Veitch, of Exeter, which took place on the forenoon of Thursday | after two hours’ suffering, expired in the arms of his eldest son,
last, the 14th inst. - j Mr. James Veitch, of Chelsea.

Only a week previously Mr. Veitch sustained the loss of his] The father of Mr. Veitch was-a native of Jedburgh, in
wife, who was buried on Thursday last; and it was on the day | Scotland. At the end of the last century he came to Devonshire,
of her funeral that Mr. Veitch, overwhelmed with grief for one | where he ultimately established a nursery at Millerton, near

May 19, 1863. ]

Exeter, and there the subject of this notice was born on the 25th
of January, 1792. So great was the success that attended the

‘formation of this nursery that, in course of time, Mr. James
Veitch, finding the distance too great from Hxeter, and desiring
to be nearer that city, purchased a large extent of ground on the
Topsham Road, known as Mount Radford, and there were formed
those beautiful nurseries which are now so closely identified with
the botany and horticulture of the nineteenth century.

,

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

363

It is almost unnecessary for us to enter into any particulars
about this and the kindred establishment at Chelsea, which is
presided over by his eldest son, Mr. James Veitch. Our readers
and the public are too well aware of the extent and importance
of both to require any special notice on this occasion. Suffice it
to say that Mr. Veitch has left behind him a name which will
rank high in the annals of horticulture.

GEOMETRICAL FLOWER GARDEN.

THE situation of the design is on a small grass plot at the ,
back of my house, two-thirds surrounded by a low rockery, the |

remainder by a belt of Rhododendrons and Azaleas, and the
dining-room window looks down upon it. Ornamental Minton
tiles are used as an edging for the beds; and the walks, 18 inches
in width, are covered with fine white spar. On making the

design, I had originally intended to use coloured gravels instead
of beds; but I changed my mind, and it has been filled with
spring-flowering bulbs, and the effect has been generally ad-
mired.

Which of the following plans of planting do you prefer ?—
An Inquinze.

Puan No. 1. 4. Ditto Prince of Orange.
land 18. Snowflake Verbena. 6. Bijou Geranium.
2and 12. Purple King Verbena. 8. Golden Chain or Cloth of
Sand 9. Defiance Verbena. [nium. Gold Geranium.

3. Scarlet Horseshoe Gera-

11. Tom Thumb Geranium.

. Calceolaria Aurea flori-
bunda,

7. Prince Albert Petunia,
with white Petunia in
centre.

[If you adopt either of your modes of planting, we do not
think anybody would find fault with you; but we suppose you
will not owe us any thanks if we do not propose an ameadment.
Well, then, considering that your walks are a white spar, we
think there is rather too much white in the beds, and it will be
mostly in a line from the house, as 13, 7,1. Now, we like your
idea of 7 shutting out the white by pink from the walk, but we

_ do not think that Petunias will suit you with their rambling

propensities in such a garden. Our first suggestion then is,
that the centre of 7 should be white Verbena, and the corners of
the star of such a puce or purple, as Clhiar!woodi and Christine
Verbenas, &c. Then we would centre 1 and 13 with Cloth of

Pian No 2. 6. (Christine) pink Gera-
1 and 13. Same as last. nium.
2and 12. Ditto ditto. 8. Prince Albert Petunia.
5 and 9. Ditto ditto. | 7. Centre with plants of Cine-
3. Ditto ditto. ’ | raria maritima, points
ll. Ditto ditto. with Crystal Palace
10. Ditto ditto. | dwarf crimson Nastur-
4, Ditto ditto. tium.

Gold and Golden Chain Geranium respectively, with a band of
Lobelia speciosa—that is to say, if we did not make the whole
beds of Lobelia. Then 8 and 6 we would fill with Bijou, with
a border of Christine, and the rest as stated, or 8 and 6 might
be Christine, with border of Elegans Crystal Palace Nasturtium.
We would prefer the first, as the fine green leaf of Christine will
come in well with the spar, and the centre of the beds being
white, green, and scarlet, will light up that part well. We do
not say that our plan is better than your own, but we think it
would be an improvement ; and however planted we should like
much to see it, as if the beds are well managed the picture will
be a pleasing one.—R. F.]

364.

THE. BEST BOLLER FOR HEATING
‘HORTICULTURAL STRUCTURES.

For several years past I have had the care and management
of sundry kinds of boilers, and I have no hesitation in saying
that the upright tubular boilers are the most powerful and
effective. It is a well-known fact that hot water will flow much
faster in a vertical tube than in one laid horizontally; and al-
though this is the case, most of the upright tubular boilers have
horizontal firebars, and only one communication between them
and the boiler. I think this plan defective. I think there ought
to be as many communications as possible, and this should be
direct ; for 1 am quite certain there is in a red hot furnace.a most
intense heat upon the tubes over the fire, and the faster the
water cau circulate out of them the better.

Twelve months ago last; March my employer had! the vineries
and conservatory refitted with new boilerand pipmg. All the
Vines were taken out of one house and replanted. Mr. T. C.
Clarke supplied the heating: apparatus and piping. It was
suggested to have a £20 saddle boiler, but as Mr. Clarke stated
that his No. 1 boiler would be sufficient, the cost of which would
only be ten guineas, I thought we could not do better than. have
it; but certainly, when I saw it being: put-im, E feared: it

would be scarcely large enough to heat ene: house instead’ of

four. We have three vineries about 65:-feet long by 16 wide,
and seven rows of pipes in each: housa;: then we have 8 con-
servatory to which the mains: fem: the boiler are connected,
about 30 feet from the vineries; whieh is about 55 feet long.
I suppose altogether there will’ be-frem: 600:t0 700:feet. of piping,
and I feel certain, if it was: required, in the-course-of an hour f
could get the water to nearly a boiling heat throughout all
the pipes.

T have now had this boiler-at-work better than twelve months,
and I have no hesitation in: saying that it is the easiest boiler to
manage I ever had to do with. The two great improvements.
effected in the constructiom of this boiler are the water-jacket
furnace, which is of great strength, and a simple ingenious
invention, placed over the top of the boiler to keep in the heat.
This is effected by means of two slides fitted on each side of the
plate, called the deflecting flue-plate, which can be opened or
shut at pleasure. When closed the heat is kept in close contact
with the boiler. In most of the other constructions I have had
_ to do with the damper has been placed some distance from the
boiler ; consequently, much of the heat passes into the flue,
whereas, if it were cut off close to the boiler, it would be kept at
the boiler.

T also consider this boiler the mdst economical one I ever had.
A gentleman stated the other day, who has one the same size as\
mine, that he had a range of houses, about 70 feet in length by
15 wide, consisting of a stove, one vinery, and two greenhouses,
that two tons of common gas. coke had lasted him since Christmas.
This at 6s. 8d. per ton would oniy be 13s. 4d. for the whole
winter. Common gas coke suits’ these boilers best; but they
will almost burn anything.

There is another excellence in these boilers—they never get
choked up with soot. There are two smal! soot-doors in front
for cleaning the fiues out occasionally; but they do not require
it more than once in two or three months. Ishould/reeommend
No. 2 boiler for this reason—it holds more fuel than No. 1
Tt has been lately fixed up in this neighbourhood, and is heating
1200 feet. Mr. Perrings, the head gardener, states that it does
its work very satisfactorily ; and I believe he is: a good judge.

He is one of; the oidest members in the Horticultural Society, |

and one of the growers of the finest Grapes: in the country.—
R. Carmyuie, Gardener to J. Robinson, EHsq., Toxteth Park,
Innerpool.

THE DISHASES OF THE LARCH.

PRIZE ESSAY, BY JOHN MORRISON, CONEY PARK. NURSERY,
STIRLING, IN THE “ TRANSAGTIONS OF THE HIGHLAND AND
AGRICULTURAL SOOLETY OF SCOTLAND.”

Tux failure ofthe Larch in this country cannot but be-viewed
88/2 serious matter, and deserves, the attention of all who are in
any way interested in growing: the tree or using’ the timber.
Larch has become:almost indispensable for-certain purposes, and
we have no;proper-substitute forit. Its rapidity of growth, and

the durability of its timber, gave: it considerable commercial |

importance; and any curtailment of: the necessary supply: would
not only be generally felt to be a great’ inconvenience, but; ina

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND, COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ May 19, 1863,

money. point of view, a/heavy, loss. It was, supposed by some
that the Deodar (Cedrus deadara), would in a few years Decome.
the.rival of the Larch, the. Deodar being also of quick growth,
and its wood of excellent quality; but the effects of 1860-1
winter’s severe frost upon this plant will be an obstacla to ita,
introduction into the market for many years to.come. In these:
circumstances, I consider it to be the duty of every persom
having a practical knowledge of the habits of the Larch, or who
has watched the progress of the disease from its first appearance
in the young plants, to state his views for the information of
those men immediately concerned in the cultivation of the tree,
And I beg respectfully to submit the following statement as the
result of actual experience and observation, not being aware that
any one has taken the same view of the case while treating of
this subject.

In reference to the soil most suitable for the growth of the
Tiarch, there is considerable difference of opinion. Although a
good medium loam with a dry bottom is that best fitted to bring
the timber to perfection, yet for the first twenty or thirty years)
the trees appear to thrive equally well on strong loam or poor
gravelly land. After attaining that age, the result appears to tell
-mare:in-fayour of the loam; and I believe the finest specimens
of the: Lareh- in: the: north of Scotland are to befound growing on
ithe edgeof a.mosmor bog; Nevertheless, in almost every variety

of soil we hear of the disease lurking.

If we examine the effect of situation in connection with soil,
although it is found that in some localities a southern or western
exposure is most agreeable, in other places the trees do well in an
eastern or northern situation; so that there seems good reason
for believing that soil and situation have comparatively little, if
indeed anything, to do with the prevalent failure of the Larch.

fo what, then, is the disease attributable? In tracing the
history of the Larch from its introduction into this country in
the beginning of last century, we may safely conclude that as
much care and attention would be bestowed on its cultivation as
is now given to that of our more recent and expensive introduc-
tions of the Conifers, and under such management no symptoms
of decay appear to have manifested themselves; but when the
quality of the timber became known and appreciated, immediately
greater breadtha of land were planted, and in very many cases,
I am afraid, without suitable preparation or care, either as
regards proper selection of seed, draining, or thinning; and to
titis heedless system of cultivation there ean be no doubt the
commencement of the disease belongs.

The Larch thrives on the mountains:of the Tyrol, &c., af an
elevation of from 3000 to 6000 feet above the level of the sea,
and, therefore, it may well be considered sufficiently hardy and
suitable for our climate. Although growing in such a high
region, the trees mature their seeds much better than in this
country; and admitting: that all’ seeds from the Continent are
not got from such elevations, yet throughout they haye a warmer
and longer summer, while the variable character of our summer
and autumn weather does not: permit their perfect development.
Imported seed is more firm and plump, and generally grows two
to ome as compared with home-saved. We cannot expect a
strong healthy plant fromuachalf-filled half-ripened seed. Although
such: may germinate; itiean only produce a sickly tree, and this

‘imturm brings: forth“its kind. We know well that a Larch in
an-unhealthy-state produces double the quantity of cones that a
vigorous tree does, and therefore it becomes a most important
question, Do the seed-collectors reject this unsound seed, or do
they gather indiscriminately? Being in conversation a short
time ago with a well-known Scotch Wirand Barch seed-collector
in the north of Scotland, I inquired whether it was the general
practice for dealers to gather seed from trees which were evi-
dently in an unhealthy condition. He stated that such might

| be the case on the part of some seed-collectors, but his own in-

variable rule was to take seed only from mature and vigorous
plantations; and he had no doubt whatever that what was
gathered from weakly trees produced none butifeeblejand diseased:
plants. This statement confirms: my own previous, conyiction,
and coming from a: gentleman) of extensive experience, shows
that the disease is largely propagated by inferior seed ; and until)
la system of selection obtains, and.collectors;superintend person:
jally the gathering of their seed; in placeof buying therconesiati
so much per bushel or peck, we: can. never lope to eradicate the,
evil and regenerate the stock.

\foreign seed annually, and by such means) infusing, as ib wena

| Lhave no hesitation in saying; that but for afew of our nurs
| serymen,.who: have been in the: habit,of importingja quantity of)

{

May 19, 1863.7]

fresh blood into the source of supply, this troublesome disease
might have been much more general and serious than it is. We
frequently hear of some plantations growing etrong and vigorously,
while others, in precisely the same circumstances, prove complete
failures. The cause is to be found in the seed being good in the
one case and bad in the other. I haye always found that where
the genuine Tyrolese seed, or that from high localities, is grown,
the plants surpass in healthiness and rapidity of growth those
raised from home-saved seed ; and while it has been objected that
such plants are less hardy than those raised from our own seed,
I can state that, for a long time past, I have carefully watched
the progress of both, side by side, from the one-year seedling
to the two-year transplanted, and after the first year could never
perceive any difference between them. In some seasons I found
the one-year foreign seedling prolonged its growth in autumn,
and was apt to be caught by early frost; but, after being trans-
planted, I have never observed any dissimilarity in regard to
early or late growth. ;

In addition to what I have thus indicated for the prevention
of the ‘disease and the improvement of the stock, T would further
suggest that a somewhat different management is requisite on the
part of nurserymen. In place of having beds 3} feet broad, and
from 20 to 25 yards long, producing 40,000 to 50,000 one and
two years seedlings, were the same space of ground to contain
about half the above quantity, it would conduce greatly to the
healthiness of ‘the trees. The best soil is productive only to a
certain extent, and beyond that limit nature will not by any
means be forced. No tree is more sensitive of confined space
and impatient of want of air than the Larch; and while in some
cases a short-sighted and mistaken policy may still compel ad-
herence to the present practice of crowding, I am thoroughly
convinced that true economy consists in growing the plants
much thinner than has been generally done. Even with an
additional cost of abont a third more per 1000, superior plants
would ultimately be found much cheaper than those now to be
obtained in the market, and there can be no doubt they would
come to be preferred.

A thorough system of draining for forest-planting is also
needful, for the Larch does not thrive in wet, sour land. Every
piece of ground allotted for this purpose should be carefully
examined, in order to ascertain what extent of draining may be
really required ; and although the roots of trees seldom go far
into the eubsoil, it is generally advisable to drain to that depth ;
and after the drains are made, should the land’be very wet, it
would be much better to wait for a season until it drips suffi-
ciently. Hxperience has proved that, without attention to drain-
ing, any previous care bestowed in the selection of proper seed, or
in the preparation of the laud, is utterly lost; and proprietors
would consult their own interest by cordially seconding the
exertions of their foresters in this important matter.

Besides the suitable preparation of the soil, there is yet a
most essential part of forest-culture to be attended to—viz.,
the early and careful thinning of the young plantations. Whether
it be the case that the blistering which frequently manifests
itself on naked and drawn trees in plantations is the result of
raising from thickly-sown seed, I am not prepared confidently
to assert; but it is possible that such may be the fact, and that
the germ of the disease may remain latent in the plants till
they arrive at a certain age. The existence or development of this
excrescence greatly depends on the future circumstances of the
young trees; and nothing encourages this unhealthy token so
much as having them growing close'together. In such a con-
dition, having no room to expand, they become Jank and bare,
and on being thinned are all the more liable to be caught by the
spring or. autumn frosts at the ascending and descending of the
sap. Suffered to grow deprived of the needful circulation of the
air, they acquire a sickly habit, and when suddenly exposed,
the change is too much for them; they are, as it were, frost-
bitten, and the blistering is the manifestation of the evil. But
careful and timely attention to the requirements of the young
trees would prevent this. Were » sufficient space for their
healthy development always maintained, and the clearing-away
of all superabundant growths attended to, it would allow the
plantations to geta fair start; and I have no doubt the young
trees would soon acquire a vigour such as would enable them to
overcome any tendency to blistering which they might otherwise
exhibit. “We seldom see a Larch covered with branches to the.
ground presenting a blistered appearance; and were the treat-
ment ‘here suggested generally followed out, there would be:
comparatively few cases of failure heard of.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE ‘AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

365
WORK 'FOR THE WEEK.

KITCHEN GARDEN.

Tux Broccoli season being now nearly over, the stumps should
ibe all cleared away, and the ground dug; or, if intended for
Celery-trenches, these may be prepared without digging the whole
of the ground. Beans (Broad), as soon 2s the pods begin to
form at the lower part of the stem, top the plants, which will
greatly forward the cropping of them. Harth-up the successional
crops after a shower of rain. Brussels Sprouts, prick-out the
early sowing to strengthen them previous to finally planting
them out. Carrots, sow Early Horn to draw young during the
summer. Celery, prepare trenches by throwmg out the soil
from 1 foot to 18 inches deep; and for' the early crop, which is
seldom allowed to stand till it attains full size, 24 feet between
the trenches will be sufficient. Dig into the trenches 6 inches of
old hotbed dung, which for Celery is preferable to that which is
rank and new, and as soon as the plants are ready plant them
carefully, choosing a dull day for the operation, make a hole
for the ball with a garden trowel, and finish with a good
watering, and where practicable shade for a time in_ bright
weather until they get established. Dwarf Kidney Beans, sow
for succession, and transplant those which have been forwarded
if not already done. Parsley, thin out the plants of the early
sowing to 6 inches apart. More seed may now besown. Peas,
continue to earth-up and stick the successional crops. Sow, also,
in smaller quantities for succession. “Phe north sides of sloping
banks are well adapted for these sowings, being cooler and more
retentive of moisture. Radishes, sow the Long Scarlet, and
generally Turnip sorts. Scotch Kale, sow; as also’ the old
English Colewort. Both are very useful for planting after
Potatoes. Sea-kale, remove the pots and also the covering as
soon as done with, and afterwards dig between the plants.
Spinach, thin the early crops, and sow again for succession.
Prick-out all sorts of advancing seedlings that they may be
stocky, and gain strength before their final planting. Stir the
surface of the soil wherever the late rains have hardened it.
Above all things catch the slugs, which ‘are very numerous this
season. Sprinkle crops they are fond of attacking with soot
and lime mixed, and lay traps for these—such as cabbage leaves,
slates, pieces of board, &c., and turn these over daily, when
numbers will be found on the side that has been next to the
ground and can be destroyed.

FLOWER GARDEN.

As the shrubbery will soon present a gay appearance, activity
and attention must be the order of the day m this quarter, that
the deciduous and evergreen flowering-shrubs may appear to
the best advantage. Nettles, Thistles, and Brambles should never
be permitted to make their appearance here. There are plenty
of these to be seen in every hedgerow. The Ponies, Phloxes,
Delphiniums, Lysimachias, and other tall herbaceous plants’ to
be properly staked. ‘Roll, mow, and clip the edgmgs of grass
lawns once every ten days,.and use the daisy-rake at intervals.
Thin out:annuals, stake plants in the border as they grow,
removeiall decayed leaves and'flower-stems, and everything dis-
agreeable to'the eye. What delightful weather we have had
during the past week! It has been all that could be desired for
present operations. Verbenas and Petunias should now be
turned out into their ‘summer quarters. Peg down all the shoots
when the planting of the border is fmished, and before another
bed is commenced. Plant ‘out Dahlias that have been grown in
pots into the flower-borders, fill up the holes with some good
compost and finish with staking each plant and mulching the
ground. The early-flowermg bulbs—as Tulips, Hyacinths,
urban Ranuneuluses, &c., should not be left in:the ground
after the decay of the ‘foliage, as if wet weather occur they will
be making fresh roots, which weaken them for next season.
Roses will require frequent examination. Remove unnecessary
shoots at once. Plant/out/in rich soil a good supply of Stocks
and ‘Asters for’ the autumn, and sow-a succession of annuals for

‘|:making up any vacancies that may occur; and likewise make

another sowing of Mignonette in pots, for the rooms or for
filling window-boxes.
FRUIT GARDEN.

Peach and Nectarine trees infested with green fy or curled
‘or’ blistered leaves to be well syringed with strong lime water in
‘a clear state froma syringe or garden engine. Continue to nail
young shoots of all kinds of fruit trees as they become sufii-
ciently advanced. Give the Strawberry-beds a final stirring, and:
|have some available material at hand for laying about them to

366

prevent the fruit from getting dirty. Straight wheat straw is
often used in preference to clean short grass.

GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY,

One great object in plant-houses at present is the preservation
of the blossom from the burning effect of the sun. Abundance
of air and moisture, proportioned to the demands of the plants,
with shade, must be provided. Camellias, during the formation
of young wood when they should be kept damp and warm, are
too often packed together out of the way; at no time do they
require more room and attention. The Chinese Azaleas which
have been some time growing should be kept in heat until they
have set their buds, when they may be removed to the open air;
as may the Oranges and Camellias when the shoots get firm ;
exposure afterwards, if protected from heavy rains, will assist
them to ripen their wood. Examine Heaths frequently for mil-
dew, and apply sulphur the moment it is perceived, some of the
soft-leaved varieties being yery liable to be attacked by that pest
at this season.

STOVE.

As regards stove plants and Orchids, thorough cleanliness,
free ventilation, plenty of atmospheric moisture, and occasionally
a slight shading in very bright sunshine are at present the chief
requisites. No means should be neglected to encourage a free
growth at this period in Orchids, in order to have their pseudo-
bulbs firm and well ripened betimes.

PITS AND FRAMES,

Young stock in these structures will now be making rapid
growth, and must be carefully attended to as to watering, stop-
ping, training, &c. Expose Zinnias and other tender annuals
entirely night and day by removing the lights and covers.
Plants that are being kept to succeed ‘fulips, Ranunculuses, &e.,
next month to haye plenty of room given to them; the lately-
struck plants require attention, they will come in very useful
by-and-by to fill-up vacancies in beds, &c. KEANE.

DOINGS OF THE LAST WEEK.

: KITCHEN GARDEN.

FINz gentle rains haye come at last, enough to make the hard
clods crumble nicely, but not enough yet to do much more than
damp the parched surface, Sowed Peas, Beans, Kidney Beans,
and Runners, damping the drills well after sowing before covering
up. Gave Cabbage and Cauliflower that we wished to cut early,
good soakings of manure water. Watered Turnips, and trans-
planted a few, though the garden sorts do uot answer so well
as the Swedes. With the latter there is no difficulty, and
were we farming we would always have a nice little bed in the
garden for filling any vacancies in the field. In fact, could we
make sure of dripping weather, it would be the cheapest of all
plans with Swedes, as we could keep them in a bed easily cared
for, and protected from fly, and plant after all danger was over.
The only secret is firm but shallow planting, just as in the case
of Onion-planting. he great point with the latter is just to fix
the roots, and not bury the necks, for if you do you will have
thick necks and poor bulbs: hence, as a general rule, autumn-
sown Onions make the best bulbs, when carefully transplanted.
We have effected the same object by moving the earth from the
necks of those left standing before they began to swell much—
sayin March. Carrots and Parsnips may also be transplanted
in an emergency, but they do not in general do so well as when
left where sown. Beet, on the other hand, transplants well,
especially when young.

Pricked out Cauliflowers and Lettuces from seed-bed, and
sowed more, also the general stock of Coleworts, and a few
more of Broccolis, though thinking we had pretty well enough
for our wants. Threw a little lime and ashes among the seed-
beds, to keep slugs off, and make them more stubby, and less
inclined to get leggy and foxy. Run the Dutch hoe through
Onions, Carrots, Parsnips, &c,, and sowed succession of Carrots,
the main crop of Beet, Salsafy, and Scorzonera, and also the
last of our Sea-kale and Asparagus seed, having failed to find
a piece of ground for if before, and the first sown six weeks
250, Owing fo the dry weather, is not yet up, though all safe
and swelling in the ground. It is a good plan to sow As-
bei in the autumn as soon as the seed is gathered. Cut
vs the strong seed-stems of Sea-kale, and thinned redundant

shoots. If these are Planted with a bit of the old stem in drip-
Bae weather, they will make good plants before the autumn. A
ittle salt, just enough to whiten the ground slightly, two or

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ May 19, 1863. -

three times in summer, will do them much good (and the same
may be said of Asparagus), and manure water, too, at that time,
though we have little faith in either salt or manure water being
applied when the plants are af rest in winter. The salt, also,
helps to keep down weeds. Attended to Cucumbers bearing just
too freely ; thinned out fruit, and stopped and regulated, as, if
bearing too much in April and May, the plants are sure to be
prematurely exhausted. Potted off those for ridge, Gherkins, and
Vegetable Marrow, as the place is rather cold for these things to
do much good when sown in the open air. In fact, we find that
they are all the better of a little bottom heat to start them in.
About Sandy and Biggleswade they have no more trouble with
Cucumbers for the autumn supply than other folk have with
Peas, except the thinning of the plants, the seeds of which are
sown in rows some 5 feet apart. In common circumstances,
however, north of London, the plants will do better with a little |
hot litter and short grass placed beneath the soil, and it matters
little how it is done—whether placed in a trench, or ina hole
with the soil above; or a ridge should be made on purpose, with
earth thrown over it. Large Gourds are also helped by this
process, though they will often attain 100 lbs. weight if planted
in rich soil, and well supplied with manure water.

After haying tried Custard and other Marrows, we have fallen
back on the old Vegetable Marrow, just because good judges
say that after all it is the most desirable for cooking purposes.
We cannot say much on the subject, as such a dish once a-year
is as much as we have ever ventured upon. As our Mushroom-
bed in the shed was just perceptibly warm, added 14 inch of
droppings, beat firm, and earthed over with about 2 inches of
soil, the lower part fresh lumpy turf, and the upper fine riddled
loam beaten firm, watered and beaten again, so as to makeit about |
13 inch thick. We expect this bed will bear soon, and we must
put up a bit more without delay. The Covent Garden people
know the luxury of a thick, moist Mushroom in June, July, and
August. A cool cellar in these months might be better than our
thatched shed, though the latter answers remarkably well.
Pricked out Celery, and defended from the sun, and watered
freely the first plants, which willsoon be turned out.

FRUIT GARDEN.

Disbudded, hunted for insects, thinned Grapes, watered Vines,
watered Figs, thinned Peaches, tied shoots as we could get at
them, and kept earliest pit of Vines drier, as the Sweetwaters
are changing fast. Regulated Melons ; set these in flower, leaving
air on night and day, though the air should be only a quarter
of an inch, by means of a peg at top and bottom of the sash in
cold nights. The draught of air is of great assistance in insur-
ing an abundant setting, and a little air at all times at the top is
a great preservative against canker, damping-off, bad setting, and
blotched and scorched leaves. Qur earliest this season will be
in common frames, and the heat beneath them is formed chiefly
by mowings of the lawn, leaves, and a little dung; the layer
of old leaves being at tne top. When well mixed such a combi-
nation will maintain heat long, and may be used safely ; but if
the precautions insisted on often are not attended to, failure from
steam and noxious vapours will be the result. Many use such ©
materials as “‘ W. M.” proposed doing at page 351, and ruin is
the consequence. We were lately told of some fine new Gera-
niums that it was advisable to hurry on that were thus ruined
in a night. We have known scores of instances in which Melons _
and Cucumbers in frames were injured and ruined by allowing the |
steam from a fresh lining to get inside of the frame, and no method
will insure this more effectually than sliding a sash down over a
fresh-made lining in front. So much easier is it to slide a sash
down than fo tilt it up at the back, that eight out of ten men
will slide the sash instead of elevating it. ‘Not only is there this

a

additional danger in such circumstances from steams and yapours

at an early season, but the cold air strikes the plant at the back
before it is so much warmed as it would be when, by elevating
the sash, the cold air is mollified by passing through the heated —
air as it rushes out. It is a good plan to have yentilating-
boards for this purpose tied by a string to the back of the frame,
either cut in a triangular form, or, what is better, with notches

cut into them, so as to hold more securely; for if not tied ©

they will always be to seek when wanted. We dwell on these
little matters the more, because want of attention to them is
often fatal to the plants and the crops. In every case of new

lining, the inside of the frame should be examined, and the

ground made firm all round the box, so that steams shall not”
enter. If the bed is made 2 feet larger than the frame every ~

May 19, 1863.] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE

way linings will be little needed, and the manure may be banked
up against the frame, and thus throw in atmospheric heat, which
will permit of more air being given, and secure the roots more
from excessive heat than when all the extra heat of the confined
atmosphere has to rise through the soil in which the plants
grow. See mode of making such beds page 349. We must find
a place for potting young Vines as soon as possible.

Several friends on whose opinion we place great value, have
expressed their conviction that early Grapes from Vines in pots,
though looking as well, are not so rich in flavour, and are more
watery than those planted out. We think we have sometimes
noticed the same thing, and we throw it out for consideration,
as the place that grows Vines in pots would often grow them
quite as well planted out, and at a great diminution of labour.
One friend attributes the want of consistency and firmness to
"the delugings of water the plants must receive if kept entirely te
_ the pots.
| ORNAMENTAL DEPARTMENT.

Potted Ferns, Achimenes, and a few Gesnera zebrinas, and
others, Cannas, Marantas, &c., and placed the fine-leaved Be-
_gonias, Gesneras, &c., under Vines, where they will receive the
necessary shade; the Cannas, in cool house, to harden them for
ont-of-door work. Removed Primroses and part of the Cine-
“rarias from conservatory. Set the former in front of orchard-

house to ripen a little seed, and the latter out of doors pre-
paratory to planting them out. After June we always think
that unless in a cool shaded house, Cinerarias are more trouble
than they are worth, as when not kept cool and airy they are apt
to be covered with insects. Sowed seeds of Cineraria, will plant
good kinds out for suckers. Pricked off Primula sinensis from
the first sowing. Potted young plants of Pelargoniums and
Geraniums, and took those in bloom to the conservatory. Potted
Fuchsias, Lantanas, &e., for summer and autumn flowering, and
potted and boxed all the Dahlias, and placed them where they
would root quickly preparatory to hardening them off. Potted
Chrysanthemums, at least a portion of them, which ought to
haye been done before, if massive plants were desirable. Pricked
off lots of annuals of a half-hardy character for the flower garden,
as Asters, Marigolds, Stocks, &c., that they might plant better
by-and-by. Sowed lots of Mignonette and hardy annuals in the
way described the other week. Gave full exposure to those
‘coming up, that had been sown in a bed under a piece of calico,
so that they might be moved in patches, as described at pages 321
and 322. Potted-off in small pots lots of Petunias of favourite
kinds, as they stood so thick in the cutting-pots, and gave them
a little hitch under glass in a mild hotbed. Pricked-off more
Tobelias in case they should be wanted, and, as we find our
Perillas are rather late and we like to turn out good plants that
will look after themselves, have potted and pricked-out a good
many hundreds in a mild hotbed; and we must wait eight days
or a fortnight before we can plant them out.

This is a step that does not suit my good assistants from the
neighbourhood. If there is one thing more than another they
dislike when planting, it is the leaving a part of a bed ora border
unfinished as they go. Another proceeding which goes against the
grain, is the planting a front row higher than a back row. Now,
as it so happens that we want a lot of Perillas in rows between
the grandiflora double Feverfew, and yellow Calceolarias, and
both of these are from 8 to 12 inches in height, we must have
the Perilla somewhat passable before placing it between them
—say nice plants some 6 to 12 inches in height, and they will
be getting to that in a fortnight under good treatment under
glass. It is true, we might plant them smaller, but then would
not my boys turn up their noses at them, and as much as hint
that surely I did not mean it?

Tn all combinations of colours and arrangements of groups of
flowers, the question of heights is of as much importance as that

ofcolours. This may not seem to be the case in some large
establishments, where the labour power is so liberally supplied,
that a plant naturally 30 inches in height may be pegged and
dressed to be only 6 inches high; but these matters are of

moment, when pretty well as good a show is expected, and a

vast deal more besides, at an outlay little beyond what in the

large establishment would be spent in fuel alone.

The refreshing showers haying put some water in our tanks,
we began to feel more independent. Harth-pits of bedding
plants that were covered and protected not so much from cold,
as from sun, have been uncovered since then night and day, and
haye got beautifully watered for planting, and hardened-oif at
thesame time. Some of our Calceolarias have now grown rather

AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 367

large, but they lift with good balls. If we had potted them,
independently of the labour of watering, we could not have
given them the water to keep them healthy. The rain also
cracking the clods of the hard-baked ground, enabled us to
break them with the back of the spade, and turn down the wet
surface, and turn up that which was dry, and thus the surface
will be warmed and moistened at the same time.

This favourable change has set us planting sooner than we
otherwise would have done, and most likely thousands of plants
will be in the ground before this is ennobled in printer’s ink.
We have, however, begun with the hardiest first, as Calceolarias,
which wanted moving, Scarlet Geraniums, &c. We notice the
requirements of a correspondent as to the arranging of colours,
the distance of plant from plant in plantiag, &c. For the
arranging of colours there are no such instructions to be gained
elsewhere as are to be found in the plans of flower gardens in
these pages, the mode of planting, and the good-natured criti-
cism on the systems adopted. A correspondent told us the other
day, that in a few Numbers he gained more explicit information
on these subjects than he could obtain at the expense of many
pounds, from consulting the high-priest professionals of taste.

Could we use the liberty and audacity of our good friend
Punch we might hint about the game, and the wine, and the
salmon, and even the beef, that are no bad things for the labourer
that is worthy of hire. In the meantime we would merely state
as to distance in planting that that must depend greatly on the
size of the plants and the time the best effect is wanted. For
instance: If the beds are wanted to be full soon we must plant
thickly, even if we have to thin afterwards, to keep up succession
of bloom. If the display is not wanted until August, after the
close of the London season, then for free-blooming the planting
should be rather thin. As an instance, we have just finished a
border 5 feet wide and some 600 feet long that has been panelled,
ground coloured, and dotted, and in ever so many modes. It will
be seen from both sides. This season there is an edging of
Cerastium on each aide, a centre line of yellow Calceolarias, and
aline on each side of purple-brown Calceolarias between the
yellow and the Cerastium. There will be higher plants some
4 feet in height in the row of the yellow Calceolaria at 7 feet apart,
and these raised specimens will be purple, crimson, blue, scarlet,
&e. The yellow Calceolarias, strong plants, stand 1 foot apart
in the row, and the purples, not so strong-growing, are some
8 inches from each other in the row. Of course, while the
colours will be somewhat distinct, it is intended that the whole
ground shall be covered, and the one row touch the other. We
could hardly make the general planting interesting without some
rough plans. ‘This season, for various reasons, we will take the
simplest modes of planting—that is, what will require least time
in planting, and least labour in attending to afterwards ; so that
we hardly think that minute details would be interesting,
especially to those to whom intricacy and augmented care and
labour are pleasing considerations.—R. F.

ee

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

We request that no one will write privately to the depart-
mental writers of the “Journal of Horticulture, Cottage
Gardener, and Country Gentleman.” By so doing they
are subjected to unjustifiable trouble and expense. All
communications should therefore be addressed solely to The
Editors of the “Journal of Horticulture, §e.,” 162, Fleet
Street, London, H.C. ‘ 5

also request that correspondents will not mix up on the
same sheet questions relating to Gardening and those on
Poultry and Bee subjects, if they expect to gev them answered
promptly and conveniently, but write them on separate
communications. Also never to send more than two or
three questions at once.

RoyaL HorticuLTuRAL Soctery’s
by Mr. W. Earley, gardener to Felix Pryor, Esq., D!
pited on the Sth inst. the Tea-scented Rose Devoniensi
to Mr. Treen.

Boos on GREENHOUSE AND HorHousE MANAGEMENT (H. T.).—There is
no better directory than ‘* IN-DooR GarDENING,” by Keane, which you can
have free by post from our office for twenty postage stamps.

Vines with WanrrTep Leaves (F. A. Mansfield).—There is no disease
affecting the Vine leaf that we notice, except some excrescences, the result
of too much moisture at the roots and a too c’ose moist atmosphere inside.
Extra drainage if needed, and especially a drier and more airy atmosphere,
are the remedies.

Garpen Encine (J W. H.).—The maker named is Mr. G. Heaven,

Hight Street, Birmingham.

= *

We

Froran Commirrre.— We are informed
Digswell, that he exhi-
s, which we attributed

368°

FroowER-GARDEN PLAN! (2. W.).—We like-your first proposal for'a centre:

best—Cineraria maritima, Tom: Dhum», and Flower of the Day. 2,8, will
be beautiful, and so will 5,11. You have partly crossed the other colours,
such as 4 and 10 Defiance Verbena; and we would carry the principle out
With 6, 12, white Verbena; 7, 13, purple ‘Verbena; and’3, 9, might also:be
a purple or puce, as Christine or Wonderful, or such dark things as Stella
Geranium or even two beds of Heliotrope, ‘The two side wings will also do
very well; but we would have preferred edging all the beds there'or
edging none, We think also the plan would be improved by doing away:
with fig. 18, and bringing 15: more into the centre. We also think that
there would be too much of the same colours in 20, 18, and 15. We would
prefer 18 to be Frogmore Scarlet edged with Cerastium, which would
break the line of orange in 20, 18, and 15. We will have your centre
engraved, and then return the drawing.

Oxy Vines Fartine (1. B.).—Under the circumstances of building a
new vinery, and the old Vines having failed for three years, we would
prefer new Vines in afresh border. Old Vines often do remarkably well
when carefully lifted. If very old there would be some trouble with them.

CENOTHERAS ACAULIS AND NANA AS BEppERS ((S. M. .S.).—@nothera
acaulis is sometimes good, but in our opinion not much to be depended on
for regular floweling. Ginothers Drummondi nana is a strong-growing
trailing plant, with large, tine, yellow flowers, best treated as a half-hardy
annual—that is, sown in a little heat and then transplanted, and thus
treated it will bloom) until frost comes. he flowers are as large as half~
crowns. Treated in thesame way'as alow plant, with bright orange flowers
about the size of a large sixpence, and\the plant about 9 inches in height,
few annuals are more beautiful than @nothera bistorta Veitchiana. See
article on ‘‘Annuals” recently contributed by Mr. Fish.

Hearus arrer Frowerine (Country Curate).—You might have left the
plant of Erica hyemalis a fortnight in the propagating-house after potting,
and you had better place the plunt now ina frame or pit, where you can
keep it closer—that is, with less air than in a greenhouse, until the shoots
are growing freely, when more air can be given by degrees to ripen the
young shoots in the autumn. Hyemalis stands cutting back more than
most Heaths; and we see nothing wrong in your treatment if you are all
right as to soil, which you call poor, but when ina young etate such plants
must be chiefly grown in sandy heath soil. As they get well established
such kinds may ‘have a little fibry loam. If you have put your plant in
loam the sooner you change the soil the better.

GoosEBERRY Saw-Fiy (J. M., Boston Spa).—The insect enclosed is a
small bee, und has nothing to do with the Gooseberry caterpillar, which is
the larva of a Saw-fly.—J. 0. W.

Varrous (A Young Gardener),—The Pancratium speciosum will do best
ina mild'stove when making its growth, and ina warm greenhouse when
in bloom, and when at rest. Give the Cyanophyllum a little loam with the
peat, allow the heat to fall to-65° er 70° at night, and shade from bright
sunshine. The Dicksonias and Alsophilas would most likely be the better,
ifunderpotted, of a larger'pot and fresh fibry loam ane peat, getting rid of
a good portion of the oid svil. Keep them a little warmer for 2 month after-
wards, and shaded. They will be the better of weak clear cool manure
water such as that from old cowdung.

‘VINES FOR AN ORCHARD-HOUSE (A Three-years Subscriber)-—Two Black
Hamburghs, Chasselas Musqué, Karly: Saumur Frontignan, and'two Royal
Muscadines.

Beppinc-our (H. Z.).—We think that in ‘Doings of the Week,” to
which you refer, you will find much of the information you require. Ina
late article on annuals, you would also find something suitable on sowing.
As‘a general rule, with the exception of Calceolarias, it is well to strike the
most.of bedding plants early in autumn. The distanee of planting in beds
and. ribbons has, perhaps, not been sufficiently alluded to, and this matter
“R. F.” will bear in mind. Meanwhile it may’be stated, that blue Lobelias
should not be more than 6 inches apart; Calceolaria Aurea floribunda
10'to 12 inches; Tom Thumb Geranium 12 inches; Alma, Bijou, 10 to
12 inches; larger kinds more apart. It is better to thin when too thick,
than to have patchy beds.

Disgasep Grapes (Maria).—Not at all owing to mildew. Tt is called by
gardeners ‘‘the spot,” and is caused by the roots being not sufficiently
active to supply the demands for the upper growth. Removing the soil
from above the roots, replacing it by some richer compost, and covering
the surface at night and during heavy rain with mulch, and uncovering
during sunshine usually remoyes.the malady. If the roots have descended
into ‘wet or ungenial subsoil, they must be brought to the surface next
autumn.

Greennouse Ferns (T7yro).—Shifting these and Lycopodiums into larger
pots now wiil not retard their growth, if care be taken not to disturb their
roots. A mixture of cocoa-nut fibre dust, loam, and silver sand in equal
Proportions will suit them all. By the beginning of June we shall publish
@ highly illustrated work upon the culture of exotic Ferns, hardy, green-
house, and stove. ,

Booxs (Qatlands).—Our new Manual “ Manures for the Many,” is in
the'press, You cannot have a more suitable book than Sanders on “The
Vine,” which is published at our office, price 5s, You can have it free by
post if you send two additional postage stamps.

Names or Pranrs (WV. K.).—1, Veronica gentianoides; 2, Corydalis
lutea; 8, Asphodelus luteus. (J. D.).—1, Doronicum pardalianches ;
2, a Symphytum; 3, a Carex; 4, a Luzula; all unfit for examination.

C. C.).—Vhe only one we recognise is Euphorbia amygdaloides variegata.
Therest are too immature andinsufficient. (Z. F.)—Frica carnea. (Amicus).
—1, Hyacinthus non-scriptus; 2, Valeriana ‘dioica ; 8, Galium ‘cruciatam ;
4, Achillea millefolium. (H. G.),—Very crushed, seems to be Begonia
Ingrami. (A Subscriber, Kilrush).—1, Caltha palustris fi. pl.; 2, Mathiola
tristis; 3, Leucojum aestivum ; 4, Funkia albo-marginata. (4 Subscriber,
Ezxeter).—The variegated Hydrangea is a greenhouse plant. Your other
Plant is apparenuly Heterocentrum mexicanum, and requires stove treat-
ment. (H. WV. Z.).—Your plant is Euryops punctatus, of De Candolle
(“‘Prodromus,” vol. vi., p.-445). It is a Cape plant, and its hardiness there-
fore-doubtful. You describe it as “a hardy evergreen shrub with very
Pretty foliage, which makes it usetul for winter nosegays.” Do you mean
that it is really hardy, or merely that it has withstood the late mild winter ?

f you find it permanently hardy, whereabouts is your residence? We ask

ese questions because it will be generally interesting to know’ that ‘this
plant is able to endure our climate. (4. J, Adamstown).—It is the
American Cowslip, Dodecatheon Meadia.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

[ May 19, 4863.,

POULTRY, BEE, and HOUSEHOLD CHRONICLE.
: :

POULTRY SHOWS.
May 25th, 26th, 27th, and 28th. Norra Lonpon (Agricultural Hall,
Islington). Sec., Mr. J; Sillitoe, Agricultural Hall. Entries close May 15th,
May 28th. Nortu Hanzs. Sec, Mr. Henry Downs, Basingstoke. Entries
close April 23rd,
June 3rd. Brvertry. Sécs., H. Adams and J. Kemp, jun.
June llth. Tuorne. Séc., Mr. Jos. Richardson.

JuLy 20th to 24th. WorcustErsHirE. Sec., Mr. J. Holland, Chesnut
Walk, Worcester. Entries close June 20th. - i
Avcusr 29th. Hanirax anp CALprR VALE. Sec., Mr. W. Irvine, Halifax

SEPTEMBER 2nd. Corzmncuam. (Sec., Mr. J. Brittain.

‘CHICKENS OUT OF DOORS.

Tur advent of refreshing showers will bring gladness into
many a poultry-yard. ‘The hard, parched, and cracked earth
that starved all animal life on its surface, aud imprisoned all that
was beneath it—that prevented the chickens from scratching, and
that yielded no more food than a deal board—has imbibed the
grateful moisture, and given liberty to the thousands of ani-
malculz that dwell upon and within her, Good times for the
chickens; natural food and natural medicine. Now they will
grow. And our good, intelligent, but somewhat grumbling man,
what will he say? For some time drought has been the cause
of everything that went’ wrong; he has lost his stock in trade,
but after another showery week he will shake his head, talk
despondingly about wet, and wonder when we shall have any
sun. In our leisure we have kept a record of our poultry
curiosities, and we find, in answer to the question why there
were so few eggs, the following replies within a week :—‘Too
wet,” ‘‘Too dry,” “Scorching sun,” “ No sun at all,” “ No faith
in pullets,” “‘ Hens too old.”

We will assume that all hens and chickens are out of doors
to enjoy the advantage of a grass run, and the varied natural
food to'be found there ; but it will now be necessary to shift the
position: of the rips a little, as there is a probability of broken
weather. While there was no rain the little hollows and the
bottoms of banks were advantageous situations, but they should
now be avoided. Little knolls and ‘banksides will be better,
as they will not hold rain. .A dabbied roosting-place is bad for
chickens. Where grass is'short and fed-off, of course a rip may
be put anywhere, the only precaution necessary is to turn the
back to the wind every night; but where grass is long, and
growing as it will now, comparatively bare and thoroughly dry
spots must be chosen. Chickens of six or seven weeks old soon
perish in long grass if they are overtaken by a heavy shower.
The neglect of these/simple precautions once cost us in a four-
acre field, thirty-seven out of fifty forward Spanish chickens.

PROLIFIC EAST-INDIAN DUCKS.

I wavn a pen of Hast-Indian Ducks hatched last year. After
laying about twenty eggs they commenced sitting. One of them
hatched nine young ones on Friday, May 1st, recommenced
laying on the Tuesday morning following, and has laid every
day since. Jam told that this is not usual; and if it is as un-
usual as I suppose it to be, my brother poultry-fanciers may feel
an interest in knowing it.—Joun Durmon, Bunbury, Tarporley.

[It strikes usthis isa very unusual occurrence. It isonewe have
never'met within our experience. The earliest case we know of
was one in which a hen took to laying when thechickens she had
hatched were only a fortnight old. In that case she immediately
became a bitter tyrant to her family, and we were obliged to
take them from her; as when the hen is occupied with laying
the foundation of a new family, the noses of the previous one
are generally broken. We shall be glad to hear how this ara
avis conducts herself towards hers; also, whether she lays inva

nest, or drops her eggs about. An account should be kept of
the number. |

DRONE-BREEDING QUEENS.

I BEG entirely to disclaim any idea of attempting, as Mr. Lowe
expresses it, to upset the general belief of bee-keepers as to the
worthlessness of drone-breeding queens. It is only under very
exceptional circumstances indeed that one of these is tolerated
either by “B.:és W.” or myself. Ina general way agreat multi-
tude of drones is/a great evil, and under ordinary circumstances.

May 19, 1863. |

I fully indorse the conclusion arrived at by the German bee-
Keepers at Potsdam.

Whilst admitting that fully-developed drones are physically
perfect by whatsoever queen they may be produced, Mr. Lowe,
nevertheless, considers that small drones bred in worker-cells
must be imperfect, because female bees become so when bred in
asimilar manner. In this opinion he is, however, completely
mistaken, since I have proved by anatomical investigation thatthe
male offspring of a virgin queen bred under these disadvantages
are yet perfectly capable of fulfilling the part allotted to them.

T think it will be conceded by all who have done me the
honour to peruse my articles, that I confine my attention
principally to facts, and meddle very little with theories. I
follow neither Dzierzon nor any other man one step farther than
my own experience shows him to be correct. Having thoroughly
investigated the subject of parthenogenesis in the honey bee I
have proved it, and, therefore, have no hesitation in proclaiming
it to be an established fact; beyond this I do not go, and have
nothing whatever to do with any theory which may have been

ropounded as tending to elucidate what is undoubtedly one of
the greatest of Nature’s marvels.—A DEYONSHIRE BEE-KEBPER,

STEWARTON OCTAGON HIVES
WOCDBURYISED.

Ir is now some years since, like your Oxfordshire correspon-
dent “Upwarps anp Onwazps,” I was much struck at the
grand display of octagon supers in a Glasgow window ;. and
stepping into the shop fora more minute inspection, I found the
eounter and shelves laden with like trophies of apiarian skill.
Selecting a bos, the straightness, dazzling purity, and rich
massiveness of the combs were quite tempting to behold. 1
inquired its cost, and was rather taken aback by the seller, after
@ glance at the weight and a little mental calculation, informing
me it was “exactly three guineas.” Contrasting in my mind’s eye
such results, my little glass supers (Payne’s new shape) seemed
small indeed. Failing to elicit any information further than
that the entire stock was drawn from Ayrshire, where alone the
hiyes were made and the system of management fully known,
TI resolved to make a tour of discovery through the neighbouring
county. This resolve I shortly afterwards carried out, bearing
introductions to a few of the merchants’ principal furnishera, and
returned with a supply of hives.and an addition to my store of
apiarian knowledge in many important particulars at which the
best works I had read on the subject failed even to hint.
I also received a deep impression not easily effaced of the
thoroughly practical acquaintance, gained by long experience, of
the great majority of Ayrshire bee-keepers on all points of
management, their enthusiasm, and the fine fraternal spirit of
all, from the humble cottager up to his stylish neighbours.

The Stewarton-hives came up fully to what I had anticipated
during the comparatively capital seasons with which we were then
favoured.

There was one part of these hives thought open to objection—
seven bars 13 inch broad in the. breeding-boxes. This breadth,
although most suitable for supers, was indefensible in the. others
on any other plea than that in these no guide-comb was used,
the inmates being allowed full liberty to twist about their
eombs according to their fancy. Still I found that the bread
bars lessened the communications between the several boxes
composing the set; and at my suggestion the number was
increased to nine 13 broad, and in some eight, the six central
being 13, and the two end ones.14. Latterly, as astill further
improyement, I suggested omitting bars altogether in the second
breeding-box, thereby throwing open to the peregrinations of
the queen uninterrupted access to a much larger area of comb, as
has been already explained in the adapter plan in No. 5, New
Series. In the hives sent out for the present season I find yet
a further change, which has prompted these remarks—viz.,
the number of bars increased to ten of the narrow Woodbury
pattern, and duly ribbed, kept in their piace with small brass
screws, and consequently all moveable. On making inquiry
I found that this imprevement, like the preceding ones, had’ only
been adopted after various tests, which terminated with the
best results; and I have, therefore, much pleasure in con-
gratulating your excellent correspondent “A DryonsHinE. BEn-
SEEPER” on such a satisfactory proof of the value of his
invention, emanating as if does from so thoroughly practical and
trustworthy a source. 5

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

369

When on this subject I may mention, that a still longer
comparative. trial of octagon and square hives side by side,
confirms the opinions I formerly expressed as to the superiority of
the first-named, At the present moment I have a very striking
proof in my own apiary, consisting of six stocks, two in octagon,
and four in square hives, ‘Three of the latter were strong
colonies that did not swarm last season, while the octagonsin one
ease did, but the bees were beaten out of their own hive at the end
of the season into an empty one to give place, with the view of
saving a good queen and a small train of followers ; and yet these
two hives, started under such disadvantageous circumstances,
(the combs of the one being fabricated almost solely from
sugar), now outnumber in population any two of their square
competitors, haying in addition their combs much better kept ;
both advantages to be accounted for by the better concentration of
heat in the octagon form, and all the more observable after the very
unusually cold bleak April we have just passed through, During
summer heat the shape of a hive is of much less consequence,

To such of your readers as formerly doubted the accuracy of
the above hypothesis, or any curious to peruse the arguments at
length in fayour of the octagon form, I would refer to page 14d
of “ Thorley on Bees,” published 1765 ; and, should they wish
to go further back, to the 80th page of that quaint old book
published by Moses Busden, the apothecary, in 1687.

This last-described improvement overcomes almost entirely
the only valid objection brought against these hives for the
experimental purposes of the day—viz., the unequal length of
bar, as the six central bars are now all of one length and move-
able, and, of course, contain the great bulk of the brood, the
outer ones being almost exclusively used for storing honey. I
shall now be able to work together with much greater facility
my octagon and square hives, which have all along been a prin-
cipal inducement to keep the latter 14 inches square.

I have only to add, what I have more than once stated, that
in my opinion Stewarton octagon hives are the cheapest and best
wooden hives procurable for practical bee-keeping, particularly
to such as are located in a fair honey district.—A RENEREW-
SHIRE BEE-KEEPER.

MEETING OF GERMAN BEE-KEEPERS AT
POTSDAM.
(Concluded from page 286.)

V. Why have beehives recently been often changed from the
stiinder to the lager form? *

Herr Kzitschke, who propounded this question, asked Pastor
Dzierzon to state the reason which had induced him to change
from the stinderto the lager form, and to construct the twin-stock.

Pfarrer Dzierzon said—Although I did not moot the question,
I soon found on perusing it that my twinstock had been taken
into. consideration, and that it might really be put as follows :—
“ Why is the twinstock to. be preferred to other hives?” Con-
yenience in placing it is what especially induced me to construct
this hive in the form of a lagerstock. It does not require an
especial stand or bee-house, which frequently costs more than
the stoeks are worth which are placed in it. Also, twinstocks
can be placed in any fayourable situation without preparation,
which. is very convenient for transport. Then the lagerstock
has always been considered richer in honey ; nor does the honey
require refining, since brood, especially drone-brood, is restricted,
because as is known, drone-cells are generally found in the
lengthening of the combs downwards, which the shallow lager-
stock does not admit of. yen worker-brood in the lagerstock
eannot be unduly extended at the expense of the honey stores,
because the queen when egg-laying does uot readily remove to
side-combs which are free from brood, whilst on the same comb
in which she has commenced laying she immediately deposits an
egg in every cell which. the bees make downwards.

Other speakers advocated the same opinions.

VI. Is there any paint which will keep straw hives absolutely
waterproof ?

Herr Gruwe recommended a composition formed of five parts
wax, one part Venetian turpentine, and one part sulphur laid on
warm. :

Herr Gutkneeht.—One part. loam,, two parts cowdung, one
part wood ashes well kneaded together and plastered oyer the
hives immediately. Afterwards they. may be varnished.

* The“ stiinderstock ” is.a tall, upright edifice, whilst the ‘ lagerstock °
is of a longitudinal.form with the entrance,at one end.

370

Lieut.-Col. von Wedell.—Take coarse blotting-paper, make it
into a pulp with hot water, and mix it well with clay.

Herr Schindler.—One part of curd mixed with one part
buttermilk, then one part English cement, and two parts sifted
sand are added. This is thinned with buttermilk or water so
that it just admits of being worked, and must be continually
stirred whilst being laid on. At the expiration of half-an-hour
another coat should be given, which forms a waterproof
covering of a grey stone-like appearance, and which becomes as
hard as stone when painted over with linseed oil, with which
any other colour may be mixed. ‘Wood ought not to be planed,
and for roofs red lead may be substituted for sand. J

The President asked gentlemen to try these various composi-
tions and report the result.

VII. What are the advantages and disadvantages of allowing
bees to build combs at their own will 2

The discussion on this subject was confined to debating the
propriety or otherwise of allowing bees to build combs according
to their own fancy in the “ honey-room” (which answers to our
supers), and presented little to interest or instruct English
apiarians.*

This closed the first day’s proceedings. At three o'clock two
hundred bee-keepers dined together at six tables under trees in
the open air, and the rest of the day was spent in viewing the
sights of Potsdam, which were thrown open to inspection.

SECOND DAY.

VIII. Of what importance is pollen in the preparation of food,
and in nourishing the three different kinds of individuals in the
bee-hive 2

This query was introduced by Baron von Berlepsch, who
propounded the novel theory that honey contained nitrogen in
addition to carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen; or if not, then the
modern doctrine of physiology that nitrogen is necessary to the
formation of animal bodies is untrue in respect to bees, since he
found they could pass the winter in health, and rear brood
during that time on honey only. Thie doctrine was, however,
controverted by Pastor Dzierzon, Count Stosch, and others, who
upheld the correctness of the analyses which excluded nitrogen
from the constituents of honey, and contended that bees must
have access to pollen in order to maintain them in health, and
to enable them to bring their young to perfection.

IX. Cam the diligence of bees be increased ? and, if so, by what
means ?

Count Stosch said the bee is always as diligent as she can be,
but not always as she could be if circumstances permitted. By
removing hindrances her industry is increased. The diligence
of bees in its nature of an impuise to work cannot be enhanced ;
the effect of that impulse may be increased, but not the impulse
itself. After referring to the loss of a queen decreasing their
activity, and describing the mode of remedying this evil, the
speaker said he considered the insertion of empty combs to be
one means of increasing the industry of bees. He also recom-
mended the artificial division of overstrong stocks. Natural
swarming, he pointed out, diminishes their activity in a three-
fold manner—Ist, Bees work but little whilst preparing for
swarming; 2nd, In the act itself, which is sometimes frequently
repeated, much valuable time is lost ; 3rd, The queen must limit
oviposition in order to be able to fly. _ Large honey-stores may
diminish the activity of bees in the same manner as excess of
population and great heat. In these cases some honey or brood-
combs should be removed. Lastly, the most natural, the easiest,
the most indisputable, and the most effective means of increasing
the diligence of bees is to improve their pasturage. The speaker
briefly mentioned three modes of procuring a harvest for bees
when nature does not offer any, and by means of which bees
have the opportunity of working when otherwise they must be
idle, These means are—Giving water in winter and early spring,
feeding with flour, and speculative feeding with honey.

X. May worker and drone eggs recently laid in the combs be
safely sent away, and for how long a time ?

Herr yon Wedell related an instance in which worker eggs in
the comb had been safely sent to a distance, and afterwards
hatched, every egg being covered with a small portion of honey.

Pfarrer Dzierzon doubted the fact, considering that the pre-
sence of honey in the same cells would cause the bees to destroy
the eggs when presented to them; but stated that eggs would
Temain uninjured fora period of from eight to fourteen days.

* Herr Schulze advised compelling bees to make thick combs which are
unfit for breeding, and recommended side communications,

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ May 19, 1863.

His experiments proved—Iist, That eggs may be transported by
land-carriage without becoming detached from the bottom of
the cells; 2nd, That the vital principle remains latent in the
worker egg during a longer time when out of the hive than it _
would do if left in it; 3rd, That worker eggs are hatched earlier
in a high temperature than in a low one.

XI. How can bad honey be purified ?

Herr Blume said good honey can be easily purified by clarify-
ing it with albumen and straining through a fine wire sieve or a
coarse cloth ; bad honey can only be purified by means of tannic
acid or carageen moss, which is done in the following manner :
—To 15 lbs. of honey are added 30 grains of tannin dissolved in.
water. The whole is thinned by the addition of one-third to
one-half part of water, and boiled. After this it is slowly poured
through a vessel with a perforated bottom covered with bone
charcoal and washed quartz, care being taken that it does not
run down the sides. When filtered in this manner the honey is
fit for making mead or wine. Bad honey may, however, be
entirely restored in the following manner :—To 20 lbs. of inferior
honey (heath honey for example) add a drachm of carrageen
moss; when this is stirred until thoroughly mixed it must be
boiled in a water bath, and all impurities will rise to the sur-
face. The pure honey underneath is then carefully drawn off
through a tap inserted near the bottom of the vessel, and will
be found perfectly clear and bright.

XII. How can a stock be compelled to swarm early 2

For this purpose keeping strong stocks and feeding was re-
commended ; but with regard to the size of hives a difference of
opinion prevailed.

Baron von Berlepsch said, I have never found—1st, That bees
with a queen of the current year made many drone-combs; ©
2nd, That a queen of the current year laid many drone eggs ; or
3rd, That a queen of the current year has led off a swarm.

The thirteenth question, “What important discoveries have
been made in bee-keeping during the past year?’ was not
debated for want of time.—A DEVONSHIRE BEE-KEEPER.

oe

OUR LETTER BOX.

Cocain-Cuina Cocks PARALYSED (UW, A. C.).—The usual cause of these
birds losing the use of their legs, is the rupture of a small blood-vessel on
the brain. This, generally, is occasioned by the birds being too fat. A
table-spoonful of castor oil, and a diet of soft food, chiefly boiled potatoes,
abundance of lettuce leaves, and freedom from excitement, whether from
fright or other cause, is the best treatment, but it requires perseverance,
and there is no certainty of success.

Hen Eca-sounp (A. WV.).—Your Golden-spangled Hamburgh hen is
probably over-fat. Give her a dessert-spoonful of castor oil; feed her on
boiled potatoes and a little barleymeal mixed with them, and let her have
plenty of lettuce leaves. Continue this until she lays regularly, and then
be careful not to give her food that is too fattening.

ILLNEss oF Cocwin Cock (Inguirer).—There is something that offends
in the inside of the Cochin cock, and he will not be better till it is removed.
This can only be done through purging. You must at once give a table-
spoonful of castor oil. Being as weak as you say, it is more than likely he
will require to be kept up a little. You must give him bread steeped in
strong ale, and you may give him the yolk of anegg now andthen. It
should be given raw, and be poured down his throat. When his excrement ~
is firm and figured—dark brown tipped with white—he will be well. The —
purging must be continued till no more green slime comes away.

Duckiines Dyine (Oatlands).—As they seem to die without a cause, and
you do not state a single symptom, how is it possible for us to divine the
source of death? Forty-five out of: fifty-five dying thus unaccountably,
suggests that something is eaten by them that is poisonous. They are not
difficult to rear. When first hatched curd is the best food for them; and
when three or four weeks old ground oats mixed in water with a little tine ©
gravel in it, and whole oats occasionally for a change. If the ducklings are
in a confined space they should have sods of growing grass in their water.

Incusator.—We hear from a correspondent, that an incubator is to be
sold on very reasonable terms, and that full particulars may be had from
“Mrs. Beatty, Heathfield, Wexford, Ireland.”

Book on Bess (£. R. S.).—In a few days we shall publish a new edition
of ‘ Bee-keeping,” very fully illustrated. Payne’s hives are the cheapest
and simplest. They can be had of Messrs. Neighbour. Your other questions
we will find room for next week.

LONDON MARKETS.—May 18.

POULTRY.
There is still a good supply of poultry, especially of small chickens,
consequent on the mild winter we have had. Trade is dull, and the demand
very small for the season of the year.

s. d. 8 b s. d. d.
Large Fowls ............ 4 0to4 6] Guinea Fowl........... 3 6to4 0
Smaller do, . 5 0 ,,38 6] Leverets... « 0 0 ,, 0.0
Chickens, [19 22 6] Rabbits ale Syed
Goslings . . 6 0 4,6 6] Wild do. oo YO Be Oye
Duckings ose. « 8 0 4,8 6] Pigeons wise © 8 5,0 9

May 26, 1863. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 371
WEEKLY CALENDAR.
| WEATHER NEAR LONDON IN 1862. mi
Day | Day | Moon Clock
of of MAY 26—JUNE 1, 1863, ; Rain in| _822 Sun Rises |Moon’s| after | Day of
M’nth , Week. ‘Barometer. |Thermom.} Wind. Inches, | ®ises Sets. jandSets| Age. | Sun, Year.
degrees m. h.| m. h.| m. h.| | m. 8. |
26 Tu Wuir Turspay. 30.110—80.005 72—48 S.W. 01 56af3 | 57af7 | 31 0 9 8 17 146
27 Ww EMBER WEEK. KuinG oF Han./ 29.903—29.830 | 66—52 | S.W 209 55 3/58 7) 50 0 10 3 ll 147
28 | Tx | Mistletoe flowers. [norn, 1819. | 29.860—29.831 | 72-52 | S8.W. | .OL 64 38/59 7)10 1 11 34 148
29 F King Charles II. restored, 1660. | 29.872—29.624 | 738—54 8. — | 53 8) vin | Boy lane!) 8) 67 149
380 Ss Toadgrass flowers. 29.672—29.418 | G8—52 S.E. LON |,5 2008! | haem | OS ume Kin ienntLo men te 74.9) 150
$1 | Scn | Trinity Sunpay. 29.938—29.825 | 76—43 Ww. +02 52 3) 3 8|8l 2 || Pa ea 152
1 M Stonewort flowers. 29,993—29,870 | 76-40 | N.E. Te EB Bi] € 8 yf ortsese, | OQ) ahile2 82 153
METEOROLOGY OF THE WereEk.—At Chiswick, from observations during the last thirty-six years, the average highest and lowest
temperatures of these days are 67.6° and 41.6° respectively. The greatest heat, 91°, occurred on the 28th, in 1847; and the lowest cold, 327,
on the 81st, in 1857. During the period 148 days were fine, and on 104 rain fell.

THE AMARYLLIS AND ITS VARIETIES.

IPPEASTERS are now ge-
nerally to be found amongst
collections of plants, and are
increasing in public estima-
tion every year. Those spe-
& cies which have been sent
* home from the West India
Islands have reproduced
NM seedlings infinitely superior
¥; in substance, more brilliant
in colour, and of finer form-
ation in both sepals and petals ;
which must be set down to the cre-
dit of in-and-in breeding and careful
selection of parentage. Nor must
we forget the powerful influence exercised by the pen of
Mr. Beaton, from the very time Tur Corrace GARDENER
was in its infancy, in stimulating a zest towards their
more extended cultivation. His various papers, although
I am only speaking from recollection, havea very distinct
impression upon my mind, exhibiting as they do a per-

eal

fect acquaintance with the whole genus, and conveying
valuable practical hints on their cultivation. No one,
not even excepting Dean Herbert himself, knew the
varieties by headmark even to their minutest parentage
better than he; and, as Mr. Fish has well expressed in
one of his communications, his dissertations on the genus
and its subdivisions constitute of itself enough to per-
petuate a name.

There is first and foremost formosissima, a most beau-
tiful velvety crimson sort with its peculiar contraction of
the lower sepals which, by the way, has hitherto defied,
so far as I know, all attempts at hybridisation. I have
tried it in various ways with first-rate pollen, and vice
versa, but to no purpose. This sort is invaluable for
spring decoration, flowering generally during April in a
cool house. It is an old-established favourite grown in
many places where no other variety is to be found.
With all the first-rate novelties there is none possessing
much better substance; and therefore it has a decided
claim upon our sympathies—besides it is a great favourite
with the ladies.

Then there is vittata, another comparatively hardy
sort, which has been the parent of a great many good
seedlings, of which we believe Johnsoni is one of the
oldest. The latter variety has reproduced numerous forms
almost an exact counterpart of itself, the best of all the
strains we have ever seen of it being Johnsoni précieuse.
This variety excels the parent in quality and substance
of bloom, and is likely to make an excellent sort to breed
from. We have pods of it now by the pollen of margi-
nata conspicua, which will in all likelihood have some
progeny fair to look upon.

Then there is solandre@fiora, a long-tubed sort, very in-
teresting and beautiful, which now also has a good many
representatives, of which Graveana, Crocea grandiflora,
and Delicata may be said to be the best and most pro-

No. 113.—-Vou. IV., New SEEIEs,

minent. Marginata grandiflora also partakes of this same
type, and all are exceedingly large as individual flowers
and free growers.

There is aulica, an evergreen, requiring exactly the
same treatment as Vallota purpurea, but rather more
tender, and would suffer in a temperature which Vallota
would tide over with impunity. If there is any use in
recording a protest against the nomenclature, not uni-
versal nor general, but special as in this instance, why
is this brilliant orange-scarlet Vallota called purpurea ?
There is nothing about it, so far as I can see, to justify
the name ; and the sooner it is changed the less queries
will be suggested about it. Occasionally people who
have no pretension to the knowledge of plants have been
surprised why it should have been christened with a
meaningless cognomen.

It is strange that this Vallota will not intercross with
any of the Amaryllises. I have dozens of times tried it
upon the stigma of free-setting sorts, such as Ackermanni
pulcherrima, Marginata conspicua, Johnsoni, and others,
with no good results. I was the less surprised at no
effects on such sorts as organensis, Ackermanni, and
grandiflora, because the scape of any of them never pro-
duces more than two flowers; but on such sorts as those
above mentioned, which often produce four flowers, there
was more room for comment.

One variety which found its way into our collection by
a fortuitous occurrence, and which turns out to be some-
thing very distinct and fine, throwing up, as it has done
this season, two flower-scapes, each producing eight
flowers, seemed to be a sort that would suit Vallota;
but after two or three careful pollen-applications both
ways, there is nothing signified but barren results. I
have, therefore, come to the conclusion that formosissima
and this Vallota will not hybridise; and I should like
very much to know if any of the readers of the Journal
have ever tried and been successful with either or both
of these. I know Mr. Beaton declared long since that
neither he nor anybody else could hybridise formosissima.

All the other sorts, with one or two unimportant ex-
ceptions, seed freely by intercrossing, and thousands of
seedlings can be raised at will.

The following are the sorts that have been proved and
found to be the very best out of a numerous collection.

Ackermanni pulcherrima.—A very intense crimson of
extra fine substance, producing four flowers from the
scape. Form very good. Thissort is easily known from
having a round flattish bulb, something like the form of
the Danvers Onion.

Ackermanni.—This is a bi-flowered sort, possessing a
vigorous habit, and producing flowers often measuring
7 inches across. The form of this is not of the first style
of excellence, but it is altogether a good ornamental sort
of rich substance.

Bierit.—This is one of the finest-formed of the whole
race of them, but a little deficient in substance. Colour
white and pink, beautifully suffused; something in the
way of marginata conspicua, but paler. It is a very free
bloomer, producing from four to six flowers in the scape.

No. 765.—Vot. XXIX., Oxp SERIEs,

- 372

Its foliage is very handsome, being of an olive-brown hue with
. faint purple veining, and it is distinguizhable at first sight, al-
though not in bloom.

Crocea grandiflora.—A fine orange-scarlet of good substance,
with a dash of white at the base of the sepals and petals. Very
showy.

Delicata.—Scarlet and white, with fine ornamental foliage,
being banded with a broad undefined stripe of white down the
centre of each leaf. Much the best of this colour. It is, how-
ever, rather a shy breeder, and is somewhat refractory, if I may
so use the expression, in its reproductive tendencies.

Gigantea.—A very distinct sort of good form, the nearest
approach to a scarlet self of any kind known to me. It grows
freely with liberal treatment, but is abcut the easiest to kill of
any in cultivation.

Graveana.—An immense-growing sort, generally producing
four flowers of great size and good substance. It is the best
fellow for Ackermanni in point of vigour of growth and size of
bloom of any in our collection. It is an improvement upon
Crocea grandiflora, and I reckon it muci: the best form and sub-
stance of the Solandrzflora section.

Holfordi.—Scarlet and white well “washed” together, pro-
ducing an agreeable whole. Substance very good, and form
also. This is a tolerably free grower to be so much in-and-in
bred, and may be safely added to any collection.

Intermixta latipetala—This is a very good crimson-scarlet
self of the four-flowered section, rather shy in habit, and possesses
no great tendency to multiply itself by offshoots.

Johnsoni précieuse, a fine, broad-petalled and sepalled variety
of Johnsoni, of rich substance, with 2 band of white, much more
Clearly defined than in the old variety, running down the centre
of each petal to the extremity. This and another one named
vera, are much the best of the Johnsoni strain.

Marginata conspicua.—Vhis is an exceedingly free-growing
and prolific-flowering sort of the most handsome appearance,
which everybody whe grows bulbs should have. It is a white
ground colour feathered with rose and crimson stripes, of ex-
cellent substance and good form. It seldom produces from the
scape more than four flowers; but it blooms freely over the season.

Marginata grandiflora.—This is a long-tubed, very pale va-
viety, rather more delicate than the other marginata, but is well
deserying of a place. Ground colour white, with faint rese
stripes cyer all the surface.

Marginata venustz.—lt is not easy to distinguish this from
conspicua, but it is the more rare, and, upon the whole, the better
formed of the two. Some attribute their difference to a slight
perfume in favour of the one in question, but my olfactory nerves
were never sensible to any such sensation.

Monsieur Van den Hecke.—A large bi-flowered sort of the
grandifora order. Its form is good, but it is deficient in substance.

Psittacina Johnsoni.—A. large, free-flowering sort, crimson and
white finely blended, of good substance, and excellent form.
This variety is probably the most prolific in flowering of the
whole race, throwing up as many as ihyee stems from one bulb,
generally producing four flowers on each.

Psittacina vittata.—This is a lighter variety, partaking of the
same character as the above, but more allied tothe truevittata than
the preceding one. Both, however, are excellent sorts, of fine form.

Venosa grandiflora is a yery handsome-growing species, pro-
ducing numerous offshoots. Flowers finely veined with crimson;
darge and fine.

Wheeleri.—'This is a very wide-spreading sort, of very rich
¢erimson colour and good substance. Itis straggling in petal and
sepal, but measures somewhere about 7 inches across, and is,
therefore, well adapted for decorative purposes, although its
merits will not pass muster before the Fioral Committee.

We have recently added Helipse, Hawkensiana, and Unique,
which have passed muster as acquisitions in their way. 4

Upon the whole, the field is promising, for judging from the
acquisitions that have been made when their cultivation was only
limited to a few enthusiasts, we may anticipate great things now
that ladies and gentlemen see their decorative value, and the
ease with which they can be cultivated.Jas. ANDERSON,
Meadow Bank, Uddingstone. .

YELLOW BANKSIAN ROSE NOT FLOWERING.

A Lavy writing from Bandon, Ireland, complains of a fine
plant covering a wall 18 fect high not flowering during the last

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ May 26, 1863.

two years, and wishes for instructions how to treat it. To this
we may eay, that if the climate and situation be a moist one if
will not flower so freely as when these conditions are reversed.
If the plant appears too rampant, cutting-in the roots may do
some good, and thoroughly draining any superfluous water away,
at the same time supplying the plant with a drier and poorer
soil. Generally speaking the Banksian Rose, both white and
yellow, does best against a south wall, but we have it against
pillars also, but it does not flower so freely. In pruning it is
best to cut away all the gross long shoots, and shorten-in the
mere spur-looking ones which produce the flower. We usually
prune ours twice, once about the middle of June, and again
about the end of August, or when the growth of the season is
finished or nearly so. Observe, it is the short-jointed, wiry-
looking little shoots that produce the flowers, not the long ten or
twelye-feet rods which we have often had, and which are useless
excepting to increase the size of the tree when wanted. We do
not expect any treatment whatever will have so good an effect in
producing flowers as a fine, hot, dry autumn, but helps like the
above will conduce to that; and, if not successful, we fear the
evil lies in something beyond the reach of cultivation or artificial
treatment.—J. R.

FOLIAGE versus FLOWERS.

<< Wut new thing is coming eut this year?” is a question that
one flower-gardener puts to another, after the usual greeting and
comments on tie season and its peculiarities.

Hyery year certainly either establishes the reputation of some-
thing fresh, or, it may be, revives the character of something that
had been lost sight of; and what is 1863 going to do for us?
The advertising columns of gardening periodicals will, no doubt,
offer many attractions in the way of new or improved varieties
of plants already in cultivation, and possibly some new species
as well as something startling may be put forth. The public
are, however, somewhat wary of anything having a too-high-
sounding character. Progress now-a-days is often obliged to be
content with slow and gentle advances.

A really new species of plant may be a great acquisition, but
an improvement in a Scarlet or variegated Geranium can hardly
be expected to be many degrees in advance of kinds that we
already possess. Still, as we are perfectly aware, perfection has
not yet been arrived at. Then, what new acquisition is 1863
to present us with ?

Last year I gave a favourable opinion of Mr. Veitch’s Ama-
ranthus melancholicus ruber, and the way in which the plant
turned out at the end of the season confirmed all that I said in
its favour. The new Cerastium that was introduced last year
was yariously received; but I cannot say I am sufficiently ac-
quainted with it to give an opinion of it. At best it does not
seem to differ so much from the former one as to be worthy the
distinction of a separate specific name.

Last year, like most others, was favourable to a certain class of
plants more so than to the others, and amongst those that did
well here were yellow Calceolarias and Lobelia speciosa. The
former were especially very rich, and the latter scarcely less so,
both being decidedly better than I ever remember them to have
been before—that is, they bloomed profusely, and continued
for a much longer period than usual. I cannot say the same of
Scarlet and other flowering Geraniums. They grew well enough,
and at one time were very gay; but it was late in the season,
and the bloom did not last long. Variegated Geraniums did
better, I might say particularly well; but Verbenas fell so far
short of their former reputation, that I expect both they and
Petunias have lost caste considerably. Gazanias did pretty well,
but most of the Tropeolums ran too much to leaf—the early
part of the season was too moist for their flowering. The reports
of other persons may, perhaps, be different from the above,
certain localities being favourable to the well-being of certain
plants, to which another place is not; but the general features
ofa season tell everywhere. 1860 was wet and unfayourable im
all places, while the preceding two seasons were the reverse, and
we were induced to try many tropical plants out of doors that
had never been thought of before. Fields of Chinese Sugar
Cane waved in the breeze, and plants flowered and ripened fruit
outside that rarely did so before; and flower-gardeners in their
anxiety to introduce novelties into their beds tried many stove
plants previously regarded as almost too tender to stand in the
sreenhouse in summer. Some limit will, however, always restrict
this. Delicate plants like Begonias, ‘Lorenia asiatica, Pentas

May 26, 1968. J

carnea, and Coleus Verschafielti, may succeed tolerably well in
hot summers, but they cannot be expected to do so in an
average one, and still less so in a wet cold season. ‘Vhe last-
named plant was strongly urged as one suited to the flower
garden, and certainly its appearance in-doors, and the facility by
which it may be increased, lead one to form great expectations
of it ; but in the places where it was tried out of doors last year
that came under my notice, it merely existed ; that it throve and
looked well was more than could be said of it when I saw it.
But it is quite poseible if we have a hot summer again, that both
it and many other things may do well. This, however, is not
enough to establish the utility of such plants for all seasons ;
but as every year adds to our list of such novelties, it is likely
we may have all the hues of this Coleus transferred to some
other plant possessing the good qualities of the Perilla. While
on this subject, I nay say that the old Prince’s Feather and
Love-lies-bleeding are far from despicable members of the floral
world, no annual that I am acquainted with continuing a longer
time in an ornamental condition, and both deserve more atten-
tion than they often receive.

As regards the question of what will prove to be the great
attraction of the present year, I will also venture to give a sort
of qualified answer, and say that I believe the greatest addition
to most gardens around London will be the more extensive
cultivation of Centaurea candidissima. Its appearance in the few
places where £ have seen it was such as to commend it to every
one having a flower-bed. That something more decidedly new
may be forthcoming I have no doubt; but whether anything
more really useful than this, has yet to be determined. I hope
nurserymen and others who propagate for the million will let
us haye if at a reasonable rate. Hitherto, kept as it often has
been as a potted plant, its increase has been slow. Now, as it is
wanted more extensively, its propagation must be accordingly.

Tam induced to offer the above rough outlines of last year’s
features, as exemplified in the products of the flower garden,
and also with a view to call attention to the claim of the last-
named plant, which hitherto has not been so generally recognised
as I expect it will be hereafter. At the present time, judging
from what I have seen, [I have no hesitation in putting it at the
head of all our white-leaved plants, including, of course, the
variegated ones. The shape of the leaf, though not better than
that of Cineraria maritima, is, nevertheless, good, aa is likewise
the habit of the plant, and I shall be much disappointed if it do
not become one of the most fashionable plants of the day, It
would, nevertheless, be advisable not to rest satisfied with this
plant alone; improvement even on it may be possible, and some-
thing still more white may be forthcoming in time.

Other colours in foliage ought also not to be lost sight of,
and some tints not hitherto thought of, may, perhaps, be brought
out, so as to render the uncertainty there is in adverse seasons
of obtaining bloom a matter of much less importance than now ;
and though the many beautifully graduated tints of the Verbena
from white up to the darkest maroon may seem impossible to be
represented in foliage, it is only necessary to say, that both
extremes named are duly and truly imitated in colours of foliage,
and time may possibly supply the remainder.

To those who doubt the possibility of foliage attaining pre-
eminence over flowers, which the above remarks may imply as
being not unlikely, I would just ask our readers to look round
them, and see the proportion which foliage bore to flowers in
1862 compared with what it did ten years before that time.

Variegated Geraniums have been multiplied exceedingly since
then, and various other variegated or white-leayed plants intro-
duced, or their cultivation extended ; while Purple Orach, Perilla
nankinensis, and the new Amaranthus from Japan, have given
new features altogether. That these plants are only the precur-
sors of others giving other colours, I have not the least doubt.
Whether it would be advisable to hastily abandon flowering
plants is another question. Most likely people would not do so;
but where early and long-continued appearances are concerned,
in adverse seasons and ungenial situations the encouragement
given to foliage cannot but be recommendable. Certainly the
preference should never be on the side of foliage when flowers
offer equal advantages. But asthe planting-public are supposed
to be the best judges, it is needless saying more than that I
believe the introduction of plants with remarkable foliage either
in colour or appearance will be most sought for after the present
season, improvements on existing varieties of flowerirg plants
receiving less attention.

Anything really good, whether it be new or a, resuscitated

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

373

old plant, will always receive a due share of attention; and if I
ventured to encourage the more general adoption of a plant
likely to do good service I would say, By all means plant the one
above alluded to—Centaurea candidissima—more extensively.
If the ardent hybridiser wants a plant in which to work a reyo-
lution let him try Lobelia specioza or its kindred species, and
see if he cannot turn out as good a scarlet as he has a blue,
leaving the habit and other features of the plant the same. Few
plants were more generally admired in the past season as well
as in the previous one than Lobelia speciosa, and I think that if
its flowers could be dyed a bright searlet it would drive the
Verbena from the field.

‘That it is possible for this to be accomplished I have no
doubt. Slowly and by degrees most of the popular varieties of
fruits and vegetables, as well as flowering plants, were perfected,
and cannot the same be done with Lobelia? Previous to the
last two or three years the Lobelia only occupied the position of a
second-rate bedding plant; last yearit was unquestionably in the
front rank, and that further honours are in store for it I have
no doubt. Its compact habit, adaptability to most soils and
situations, and the facility with which it may be propagated, all
combine to render it acceptable. Without detracting from the
merits of other plants, Lobelias have certainly been in the ascen-
dant; and being capable of further improvement are likely to
rise. The season of 1863 will, no doubt, present other novelties;
and all that ave good will be acceptable, and have full justice
done to them. J. RoBson.

JOTTINGS FROM PARIS, 1863.

No. 1.—1’ EXPOSITION DE LA SOCIETE IMPERIALE ET CENTRALE
D’ HORTICULTURE,

“ NOTWITHSTANDING that the Hxhibition is open for so short.a
time, we hope that the lerge number of visitors may repay the
Society for their skilland enterprise.’ In some such terms did
La France speak of the Pxhibition of the above Society, at which
Thad the honour of assisting, as our French friends term it, on
the 9th of the present month of May. And what is the short
time, do our exhibiting friends imagine, for which this said
Wxhibition wes open—‘ from 2to6P.m.?” Not at all: it was
only open for seven days, from May 9th to the 16th inclusive ;
and more than this, the Judges had had the 8th all to themselves,
for they were not called upon, as those on our side of the water,
to get through their work in a few hours; but a whole day was
given to their arduous labours. Now, this is taking matters
very much as the French seem to take business in general, ina
very free and easy sort of a way; but this “week” is an im-
provement on what it used to be. The Exhibition was held last.
year in the Palais d’Industre, or, as it is now more generally
called, the Palais des Champs Elysées, during the time that the
exhibition of the works of living artists was being held;
but as the Minister of Public Instruction insisted on its bemg
kept up as jong as that Exhibition—about two months, the.
exhibitors at last rebelled; and rather than lose their plants, de-
termined to hold it elsewhere, and entirely on their own respon=
sibility. In this they experienced some difficulty. The Champs
Elyeées was forbidden ground, as no more space was to be
oceupied there than at present, and it was necessary to obtain a
spot im some central position, After considerable difficulty, a
vacant space in the Rue Chaussée d’Autin, off the Boulevards,
and, in fact, a portion of the ground which is to be hereafter
appropriated to the Grand Opera House, which is now being
built, and which will be the finest inthe world, was selected ; and
on this the ingenuity and taste of the commission was exercised
to make it fall in with the notions of the Parisians as to what a
horticultural show should be. It will be at once seen that the
fact of having a show open for a week, would in itself make a
very material difference between ours and theirs. But there are
other reasons which tend to this, a main one being the want
of that extensive love of flowers which prevails in England; not
but that the French love flowers, but they lovethem for bouquets,
for house decoration, and for effecti—they do not love them go as
to give themselves trouble in their cultivation. There are very
few amateurs in France such as we have in Wngland, and many
who go under that name are really persons who, although not
growers for sale, grow some favourite flowers for those who are.
We are accustomed to see in our own shows the nursery element
largely manifested, but the amateurs run them very close, and
are numerous; but at the French Wxhibition they were almost
entirely absent, and whether in fruit, flowers, or vegetables, the

374 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

productions came from those who are commercially engaged in
the pursuit. There is one other reason which I think also adds
to this difference, indeed it grows out of the last—viz., that as
a rule the French nurserymen do not keep specimen plants, they
cannot afford to do so; and hence the plants they send are
diminutive indeed compared with those which come to our great
exhibitions.

But to return to the Exhibition. The space enclosed by the
tent was, I should suppose, about as large as that occupied by
the one under which the Royal Botanic Society is held every
year, the ground, however, being level instead of undulating.
On entering the tent there was spread out before you a pretty
grass garden, filling the centre of the parallelogram which the
tent comprised, and the grass having beds arranged init, in which
the plants were plunged in pots: consequently, although oc-
cupying a tolerably good space, the plants in flower formed but
a small portion of it; Yuccas, Norfolk Island Pines, Eucalyp-
tus, and collections of Conifers being planted in the grass. A
broad walk ran all round this grass garden, while a narrow stage
of about 4 feet ran round the entire length of the tent. On this
were arranged the vegetables, fruits, and some of the flowers, cut
and in pots. On either side of the door as you entered there
was a collection of Roses, contributed by Fontaine et Rénayol,
of Versailles. These were standards, half-standards, and dwarfs
planted out, and well arranged for effect; but the individual
flowers were poor, and nothing of novelty beyond Madame
Boutin and Vicomte Vigier, both of which seemed good flowers.
There were two beds of Fancy Pansies, which had a pretty effect
and suggested the desirability of their use for early spring
gardens. The flowers themselves were not better, if so good as
those by Mr. Dean and Messrs. Downie & Co, in our own
country. Then there was another bed containing a collection of
Pelargoniums, Verbenas, Cinerarias, and Fuchsias, amongst
which the most noticeable was a collection of the new Italian
Verbenas, from which I hope we shall obtain quite a new start,
as they are striped, spotted, and mottled in the most curious
manner. Not far from this was a charming little bed of one
of the best bedding Verbenas I ever saw. It was raised by one
of the numerous small growers around Paris, and is called
Mademoiselle Lefebvre, a fine rosy crimson, very short-jointed,
and one mass of bloom. It was, of course, in pots ; but I shall be
very much mistaken if it be not one of the best for the purpose
that we have. Then there was a bed containing three varieties
of Zonale Pelargoniums raised by M. Jactot, head gardener at
the Chateau de Bagatelle, at Neuilly—Prince Imperial, which
was let out this spring by Rougiére-Chauviére; Fairy La-
brousse, a fine salmon; and a white, which will, I believe, throw
Madame Vaucher far into the shade. It is dwarf and very free-
flowering, and seems to be a beautifully clear white. Of course
as to whether it will retain this out of doors is another matter.
It was named Madame Barillet, and has passed into the hands
of M. Rougiére-Chauviére, who will send it out in autumn or
spring next. There was a fine collection of tree Ponies, from
M. Dupuy-Jamain, some of which were truly enormous, and
very brilliant in colour, but we fear they flower at a time when
we could not rely much on them in our climate. Our kind and
excellent friend, M. Margottin, of Bourg-la-Reine, had a nice lot
of Azaleas; among them a very good seedling of his own, a
clear white, and some neatly-trained standards.

At the further end of the tent were two collections of Conifers,
from Messrs. Morlet, near Fontainbleau, who exhibited amongst
others small plants of some of the new Japanese Conifers ; and
M. Honoré Defresne.

New introductions were exhibited by Messrs. Thibaut et
Keteleer, Rougiére-Chauviére, and Lierval, and comprised many
of the new Japanese novelties introduced by Messrs. Standish
and Veitch, and other plants of value, but nearly allin a very
small state.

Orchids were contributed by Thibaut et Keteleer, Rougiére-
Chauyiére, and Luddemann, the latter formerly gardener to
M. Pescatore, but now a nurseryman. These collections were
very different to those which we are in the habit of seeing: thus
M. Luddemann’s collection contained thirty-two varieties, but
a space of 10 feet by 4 held them all. Few of the plants had
more than one spike of bloom on them, and were very different
from those which Mr, Williams, Mr. Warner, &c., send to our
exhibitions,

Then there were three or four collections of Cacti, Melocacti,
Agave, Aloe, &c.—a sort of thing quite unknown at our shows,
but apparently exciting considerable interest in France. That

[ May 26, 1863.

the plants were not very large may be gathered from the fact,
that some of the collections comprised 280 yarieties, and that
a space of 10 br 12 feet by 4 held them all.

Cut flowers were sent in small numbers. There were two
collections of Tulips and one of Pansies, which would have pro-
voked the risible faculties of Messrs. Headly, Turner, Betteridge,
or any of our Tulip-growers; and, of course, after the first day
they exhibited a sorry spectacle of faded charms, of which, to
tell the truth, they had but little at the best of times.

I find that my observations have run on, so that I must reserve
my notices of the vegetables and fruits for another time, and,
perhaps, it wili be well to do so in connection with the markets,
especially the Halle Centrale. It is sometimes said, “ They
manage these things better in France,” and it is true of many
things, but certainly not of flower shows. They did what they
could with the materials at their disposal, and the taste for which
they are proverbial was evident here. What they would do if
they had the material that we have one cannot conjecture.

T may add that there were two English exhibitors. Mr. Arthur
Henderson sent a plant of his Trop#olum Ball of Fire, and just
at the last moment as I was starting off I cut off a number of
blooms of Auriculas, and am bound to say that they excited
quite a sensation, as the flower as we grow it is almost unknown
in France. Nothing could exceed the politeness with which
I was treated by all concerned—a rule to which one rarely meets
an exception in matters connected with horticulture at home or
abroad.—D., Deal. ;

MR. SALTER’S NEW DOUBLE PYRETHRUMS.

Mr. Sarre, of the Versailles Nursery, Hammersmith, who is
so celebrated for his admirable Chrysanthemums, has succeeded
in producing a formidable rival to that flower in the shape of a
race of double Pyrethrums, which in size and appearance bear a
striking resemblance to Chrysanthemums—but with this differ-
ence, that they bloom in May and June. We saw these flowers
under very disadvantageous conditions as regards weather—in a
day when rain poured down, and the wind blew in heavy gusts,
both of which circumstances must have detracted much from
the appearance which the blooms would otherwise have pre-
sented; and yet we can say that they were entitled to rank
among the most attractive flowers of the season ; and although
intended for out-door decoration, they might eyen be introduced
into conservatories with excellent effect.

There are several varieties, all of which are not yet in flower ;
but the finest in our opinion is one called Versailles Defiance,
which is a perfectly double ranunculus-shaped flower, fully
3 inches across, and of a light-reddish pink ; Purple King has

double flowers, some of them quite as large as the preceding

kind, but with a high anemone centre, in colour of a dark purple
earmine; Brilliant, also anemone-flowered, is 34 inches across,
and of a beautiful bright rosy carmine; Bride is rosy flesh and,
like those which follow, is likewise of the anemone form. Pink
Beauty is bright pink with a very high centre; Striata, rose
striped with white; Album Plenum, 2% inches across, blush
white; Madame Foucard, blush ; and Bridesmaid very delicate
blush pink. Princess Alexandra is a pure white, nearly 3
inches across and remarkably double; Amelina, purplish-pink ;
Hendersoni, a deep rosy red; and Rosa Alba bright rose with
part of the petals white, the blooms measuring 32 inches
across. Charles Baltet is a large and very double rosy pink,
while Thomas Massart is a very pretty delicate pink, and
Defiance a very large and fine bright rose, the flowers being
nearly 4 inches in diameter.

Taking a hasty glance over the houses, we observed among
the British Ferns a variety of Scolopendrium vulgare laceratum,
with the fronds very deeply cut at the edges, and forking ;
another variety, polycuspis, had the extremities much branched.
The North American Osmunda cinnamomea was throwing out
panicles, which are seldom seen in this country; and Osmunda
interrupta was also in a similar condition.

In a house deyoted to hardy variegated plants, a variety of
Sedum Telephium or Orpine, called picturatum, had the leaves
beautifully mottled with rose; Oxalis corniculata picturata was
also very pretty, the leaves being brown mottled with bright
pink, instead of being green. Funkia japonica picta from
Dr. Siebold had large yellowish-green leaves with dark-green
edges ; and in Convallaria angustifolia (?), another Japanese plant,
the leaves were prettily edged with white. Another ornamental-

«

May 26, 1863. ]

foliaged plant was a variety of the common Comfrey, endowed
with a name of formidable length—Symphytum officinale varie-
gatum superbum, in which the leaves had a margin of yellowish-
white. Artemisia maritima, Mr. Salter states, forms an excellent
cut-leaved plant for bedding-out, the foliage turning quite white
when out of doors. We also observed a new Centaurea with
woolly leaves, which measured 17 inches long by 6 broad, and
which, we are told, become much larger and as white as those of
C, candidissima.

Out of doors La Pie, or the Magpie Pansy was growing in
one of the beds, and Mr. Salter gives it a high character as a
bedder, and certainly its violet-purple flowers blotched on each
petal with white, have a very ornamental appearance.

CRYSTAL PALACE FLOWER SHOW.

Tue first of the great Shows at the Crystal Palace was held
on Saturday last, and the day, though cold for the season, was
fine, and eyen warm in the sun. But the weather is a matter
which one need concern himself very little about when the
Crystal Palace is in question; for you can go there, stay there,
and come back from there without being from under cover.

The display of flowers, as might be expected from the liberality
of the prize list, was most excellent; and what, no doubt, was
equally satisfactory to the Company, the attendance of visitors
was large, severely taxing, as we know to our grief, the excellent
arrangements of the Brighton Railway.

Of Stove and Greenhouse Plants there were some excellent
collections, several of which, however, haying appeared at the
Royal Botanic Society’s Show, reported last week, had lost
much of their freshness to our eye; and indeed not a few of the
plants were what is termed “‘too far gone.”

Mr. Peed, gardener to Mrs. Tredwell, Lower Norwood, was
first with fifteen, among which were fine specimens of Alla-
manda cathartica, with its rich yellow flowers; Ixora coccinea,
Aphelexis macrantha purpurea, Eriostemon buxifolium, Azalea
Murrayana, Erica depressa and Cavendishii, Tetratheca erice-
folia, Chorozema Lawrenciana, and Pimelea spectabilis.

Mr. Green, gardener to Sir H. Antrobus, Bart., Lower Cheam,
who came second, had likewise an excellent collection, among
which were the white-flowered Dracophyllum gracile, Franciscea
calycina, Hedaroma macrostegia, and others, all of which were
well grown, and did credit to that veteran exhibitor. Collections
of fifteen also came from Mr. Rhodes and Mr. Baxendine.

In the class for twelve plants, Mr. Chilman, of Ashtead House,
Epsom, had the first prize. Among his specimens were a fine
Acrophyllum yenosum, and a handsome Erica Cayendishi.

Messrs. J. & J. Fraser, who had, among others, the orange
scarlet Leschenaultia intermedia, and a fine plant of Erica ven-
tricosa coccinea minor, came in second.

In the class for eight plants, a fine specimen of Allamanda
Schotti was shown by Messrs Lee, and in other classes a very
fine plant of the same kind was shown by Mr. Page. Hoya bella
and Erica ventricosa coccinea minor were shown in fine condi-
tion by Mr. C. Smith, of Norwood Grove. Mr. Penny, of
Regent’s Park, Mr. Kaile, Mr. Baxendine, Mr. Green, and
Messrs. Lee, were likewise exhibitors in the different classes.

Azaleas constituted of themselves a brilliant feature in the
display, and, probably, no other flowering plant could have
shown to such advantage at the corners where the nave and
transept intersect as these. Mr. Jurner’s plants were magni-
ficent, Murrayana and Juliana in particular. The others con-
sisted of Perryana, Mary, Alba Magna, Gem, Glory of Sunning-
hill, Magnificent, Criterion (past its best), and Optima. For
this collection he received a first prize; and he also had the
second for another fine collection of ten, containing in addition
to several of those already named, Arborea purpurea, which was
literally a mass of flowers.

Mr. Turner was again first for six plants, among which were
included fine specimens of Gem, Extranei, and Admiration.

Mr. Page, Mr. Smith (of Norwood Grove), Mr. Chilman,
Messrs. Fraser, and Mr. Lavey also exhibited Azaleas; whilst
new kinds of the same flower, most if not all of which have
been already noticed in these columns, came from Mr. Turner
and Messrs. Ivery & Son.

Of tall Cacti, unquestionably the finest were those of Mr.
Green, consisting of splendid flowering specimens of different
Epiphyllums; and a very good exhibition of the same class of
plants came from Mr. Waters Sydenham.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

375

In Cape Heaths, magnificent specimens were exhibited by
Messrs. Jackson & Son, of Kingston ; those of Mr. Peed being
also very fine, especially Ventricosa magnifica, a beautiful waxy
pink. From Mr. Page came a fine plant of Victoria Regina;
and from Mr. Young, gardener to W. Stone, Esq., Havant, and
Mr. Chilman, there came algo good collections. The varieties
were mostly the same as those seen at the Regent’s Park.

The Orchids, too, of which there was a goodly show, were,
with but few exceptions, the same as those exhibited on that
occasion. For a collection of sixteen, Mr. Baker, gardener to
S. Bassett, Esq., Stamford Hill, took the first prize. Among
his plants were a magnificent Cattleya Mossix, Anguloa Clowesii,
Lelia cinnabarina, and Dendrobium macrophyllum giganteum.
Mr. Bullen again exhibited several very fine specimens, including
a tub of Orchis foliolosa; and Mr. Peed, Mr. Page, and Mr;
Woolley were also successful in taking prizes in this class. M 5
Penny had a magnificent Lrelia purpuraia, with four fine s pikes
Vanda suavis, very fine; Woolley’s variety of Sobralia superba
with three fine spikes ; and Anguloa Ruckeri. Mr. Lovell, Nut-
fieid, who gained a second prize for a collection of ten, had
Cattleya Mossis, with seven blooms of the largest size; Den-
drobium tortile, with a profusion of flowers; and Lelia pur-
purata, which is always splendid. From Messrs. Jackson came
Phaius Wallichi, with numerous fine spikes; and Mr. Wiggins,
of Isleworth, Mr. Green, and Mr, Woolley, were also exhibitors.

Pelargoniums were large and covered with bloom. Mr. Bailey
had the best; The Belle, Scarlet Floribunda, and Desdemona
being some of the finest.

In Fancies, Mr. Turner and Mr. Shrimpton exhibited some
beautiful plants, which were complete masses of bloom. Fairest
of the Fair, Delicatum, Clemanthe, Ellen Beck, Modestum, and
Undine were some of the finest.

Roses in pots were exhibited by Mr. W. Paul and Messrs.
Lane and Son, who had splendid plants of Lelia, Charles
Lawson, Paul Perras, Comtesse Mole, Baronne Prevost, and
Souvenir d’un Ami, the latter from Messrs. Lane being a stately
specimen loaded with bloom. Messrs. Paul & Son likewise ex~
hibited, receiving a third prize. Mr. Turner and Mr. W. Paul
had, besides, excellent plants in eight-inch pots. Cut Roses
were in great abundance and beauty, ten boxes coming from
Messrs. Paul & Son, and eight from Mr. W. Paul.

Czlceolarias were exhibited in great perfection by Mr. James,
of Isleworth, also Mr. Reid and some others ; and Pansies by
Messrs. Downie, Laird & Laing, Hooper, Shenton, Tomkins,
and James. WVerbenas came from Mr. Treen, of Rugby, and
Messrs. Perkins, of Coventry; Tulips from Mr. Hunt, of High
Wycombe, and Mr, Turner.

Of other objects, Mr. Williams, of Holloway, had in a
collection of fine-foliaged plants a noble Gleichenia flabellata,
a beautiful plant of G. dicarpa, and a very fine Cyathea excelsa ;
and Mr. Hutt, gardener to Miss Burdett Coutts, brought a
magnificent specimen of Cibotium Schiedei, Latania borbonica
major, and Rhopala de Jonghii being also very fine.

Corypha australis, from Mr. Young, of Highgate, was im-
mense; Cycas revoluta, very handsome; and he had also a
large Hippomane spinosa. Cibotium princeps, and Cordyline
indivisa from Messrs. Lee, were also remarkable.

Exotic Ferns came from Mr. Lavey; British Ferns from
Messrs. Ivery; and some nice pans of Lycopods from Mr. Fox,

The pretty variegated Lonicera reticulata grown in the open
air, came from Mr. Shenton, of Hendon ; seedling Pelargoniums
from Mr. Hoyle; and there were also several pretty arrange<
ments of flowers in baskets, and for the dinner-table.

- FRUIT.

Fruit at this early period of the season could hardly be
expected in great quantity, but what there was, was good. ’

Of Black Hamburgh Grapes, several excellent bunches and
baskets were shown, the best three bunches coming from
Mr. Hill, gardener to R. Sneyd, Esq., Keele Hall; these, though
not so large as those of some exhibitors, were very compact,
and the berries were large and finely coloured. Mr. Clement,
of Hast Barnet, was second, and he had also an excellent single
dish as well as a 10-Ib. basket, and large bunches of Black Prince.

Mr. Frost, of Preston Hall, had a second prize for a fine
basket, but the berries were not so well coloured; and Mr.
Turnbull of Blenheim, Mr. Monro, and some others had also
yery good exhibitions of the same variety.

Of the Muscat of Alexandria, large bunches were shown by
Mr. Horwood, and for the season the berries were very well
coloured indeed. These well deserved the first prize that was

376 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

awarded them.
exhibitor was equally good. ‘Three good bunches of the Grizzly
Frontignan came from Mr. Henderson, of Coleorton Hall.

Pines were very good. A Black Prince weighing 8% lbs., came
from Mr. Cox, gardener to A. Royd, Esq.; and one nearly as
large from Mr. Roger, of Taplow, both being handsome fruits.
Good-sized Queens came from Mr. Barnes, of Bicton, and others.
Altogether there were twenty-three fruit shown.

Violette Hative Peaches from Mr. Evans, and Royal George
from Mr. Henderson, of Trentham, were well ripened and re-
ceived first and second prizes. The Violette Hative Nectarines
from Mr, Henderson, were also excellent.

Of Cherries, the Bigarreau Napoléon and Elton were both
fine, especially the former. Mr. Tillery had Black Tartarian,
well ripened ; besides which there were several good dishes of
May Duke and other kinds. Magnificent fruit of Sir C. Napier
were shown by Mr. R. Smith, of Twickenham; British Queen,
large and fine, by Mr. Tillery, the former exhibitor having also
Sir C. Napier, Empress Eugénie, and British Queen; and Mr.
Turner, of Slough, President, Oscar, and Sir C. Napier ; but
Mr. Smith’s exhibition was the finest.

Several good Green and Scarlet-fleshed Melons were shown ;
also, Vines and Strawberries in pots, Figs, and two large and
handsome Cucumbers, one of them measuring 30 inches long,
but the name was indistinctly written,

GARDENIA CULTURE.

Muon as has already been written and rewritten about this,
which is, I think, the most lovely exotic evergreen we possess,
yet I am not without hope that I may be excused for again re-
ferring to it.

I commence by planting strong healthy cuttings of Fortuni,
florida, radicans major, radicans, and citriodora. It may be,
some of the others would succeed equally well, though I haye
ever been cautious of varying the general stove treatment as con-
cerns them. The cuttings struck, or nice young plants procured,
their whole first season’s growth should be made upon a stage in
the stove; never giving a larger pot than a 48 the first year,
pinching off any leading ill-placed shoots, giving occasional
waterings with not too strong manure water, and not allowing
any flowers to expand if any should show.

I will now suppose the plants to be beginning to grow in the
March of the succeeding year. Let them make their first start
in the pots (48’s) of last year; when the shoots are showing
the third pair of leayes pinch all back to four leaves each, and
when they are about breaking afresh from the young shoots
repot them, putting them into large 327s, carefully picking out
as much of the old soil as is possible without injuring the ball
generally or the roots; giving no manure water until you see
that the roots are getting thick round the edge of the soil in the
pot, when a little—but only a littlh—weak manure water may
be given.

The chief requisite in the autumn is a profusion of healthy
short-jointed wood. ‘To obtain this, should your plants do well,
you will have to pinch back any leading shoots to four leaves
during the season. There need be no fear of pinching or even
cutting back, so long as the knife is kept away from all but the
growth of the current year.

Towards October avoid giving any but clear water, and place
the plants more in the sun.

To ripen the wood gradually give the plants more sun, less
water, and keep around them a drier atmosphere, reducing the
temperature gradually as the days decrease in length, leaving it
during midwinter at from 45°to 50°. If at times with a dryish
atmosphere they are in a temperature of even 40° it will in no
way injure them.

_ About March, as the light and heat increase, they will show
signs of active growth, and then any loose soil upon the surface
should be removed, and some good fresh soil be used for sur-
facing. Give plenty of liquid manure (strong now), and you
may expect from eight to a dozen flowers, and these fine for the
8ize and age of the plants. Give a nice moist growing atmo-
sphere, and a temperature of from 60° to 70°. When they have
finished flowering give another small shift into a 24 or 16-sized
pot, and proceed again as above. I object to large shifts with
excessive heat, as tending to produce large growths and but
few flowers, besides taking up so much room,

With the above treatment the plants in the 16-pots might

[ May 26, 1863,

The basket of the same variety from the same | produce some twenty-four flowers upon a surface of about 13 foot

in diameter upon a Fortuni or florida ; more in comparison upon
radicans.

There is one peculiarity about citriodora that I may mention
—it is very prone to throwing up young growths from the base
of the plant: these, if not pinched back when a few inches high,
not pinching them out altogether but checking them, will at
times so monopolise the sap of the plant as to cause all the old
wood to wither and die. It would be as well, I feel convinced,
to cut out all eyes below the surface before the cutting is placed
in the cutting-pot.— W. EaRLEY, Digswell.

MR. BULL'S PLANT ESTABLISHMENT AT
CHELSEA.

Mr. Butt is so well known as an exhibitor of valuable
novelties at the metropolitan shows, that some notes taken on a
recent visit to. his establishment may not be unacceptable; at
the same time it must be observed that his collection is so large
that any notice of it in the limited space at our command muet
be far from complete.

It is to new and rare plants that Mr. Bull more particularly
devotes his attention, and that his stock is most extensive may
be judged from the fact that it occupies fourteen large houses,
including seven Geranium-houses, one of which is 100 feet long,

On entering from the King’s Road by the glass dome, we
come into the first conservatory, which is gay with Azaleas and
other flowering plants, relieved by the plentifal introduction of
Australian Ferns, and the handsome fern-like Grevillea robusta,
which forms an appropriate companion plant to these; besides
which there are Orange trees both in flower and fruit, and one
of the finest plants in the country of the new Araucaria Cookii,

On each side of this conservatory are wings, one occupied by
the offices, the other by ornamental stands for drawins-rooms,
filled with pretty variegated plants, as Caladiums, Maiden-hair
Ferns, Begonias, the variegated Cyperus, Aphelandra Leopoldi,
&c. There are also anumber of Fern-cases of different patterns,
under two of which were fine specimens of the Killarney Fern,
and the beautiful New Zealand Todea pellucida,

The winter garden, an extensive space covered with a lofty
span-roof, is the next house; and immediately facing its entrance
is a majestic tree Fern, Cyathea serra, 20 feet high, whilst else-
where are variegated Aloes and Yuccas, Grevilleas, Acacias,
Draceenas, Palms, &c., giving the house an exotic appearance 5
and no one can fail to observe the Norfolk Island Pine, one of
which could not measure less than 20 feet in height, and there
are others nearly as tall. :

Another remarkable object was a noble Cyathea medullaris,
the ebony-like stems of which have a striking appearance. This
with its congener C. dealbata is admirably adapted for conser-
vatories. There were also a very handsome Cycas revoluta,
which from its beautiful plumage-like foliage is always effective ;
Gleichenia flabellata, 5 feet high, and nearly as much through;
Indian Azaleas, some of them $ to 10 feet high; Dracena
australis, between 11 and 12 feet high ; Yucca aloifolia variegata,
standing about 6 feet high in slate tubs; a lot of standard Bays
with very symmetrical heads; also Laurustinuses, the same ag
are employed at the Horticultural Gardens at Kensington ;
yellow Rhododendrons, and miscellaneous flowering plants ; and
Acer negundo variegata, which from its pretty white variegation
is employed as a relief to the green foliage.

To effect shade in this large structure, Vines cover the roof
and festoon the columns supporting it, and are likewise trained
over arched trellises at the sides. Mr. Bull states that he
obtains excellent crops, and notwithstanding the general im-
pression that Grapes and plants cannot be grown together, his
experience has shown that in large houses at least, both can be
successfully cultivated. The roof being very light, and present-
ing no adequate support for a ladder, there is a platform running
on a railway down the centre of the house, so as to permit of
the crops being gathered, and training, &c., performed.

On the right and left of the winter garden are stoves 70 feet
long full of the new plants, for which Mr. Bullhas made himself
celebrated, one of them being filled with fine-foliaged plants,
and haying as a whole avery ornamental effect. Among the in=
mates of these structures were the extremely rare Madagascar
Silver Palm, Areca dealbata, the gracefully arching foliage of
which is silvery on the under side; a new Dieffenbachia, from
Brazil; the formidable prickly Hippomane longifolia, the hands

ee ee ee

May 26, 1863. ]

some variegated-leaved Musa vittata; Anthurium leuconeurum,
from South America, with deep green caladium-like leayes with
éonspicuous white veins; a new species of the same genus also from
South America ; and those splendid fine-foliaged plants Alocasia
metallica and macrorhiza yariegata, the lustrous metallic leaves
of which form so important a feature in a collection of fine-foliaged
plants. Thrinax elegans is a yery ornamental miniature Palm
for drawing-room decoration, for which purpose its dwarf habit
of growth peculiarly recommends it. Hchites argyroea with dark
green leaves and silvery veins will, to all appearance, form a
desirable addition to ornamental-foliaged climbers, of which
there is a great paucity at present, but what like the flowers are
is as yet unknown.

Of new Caladiums there was an abundance, and of these
mirabile, regale, Cannaerti, Deyosianum, Van den Hecken, and
Thelemanni, with the fine Bornean species, Lowii, were some of
the best.

Of other fine-foliaged plants Dracena ferrea variegata had
leaves remarkable for their brilliant crimson. We also saw a new
Justicia with beautifully variegated leaves. Cyperus alterni-
folius variegatus, one of the most effective of variegated plants, is
here kept in a perfectly variegated condition by potting it in
pure river sand, and affording a liberal supply of water. This
is a secret worth knowing, as, in many instances, probably from
being grown in too rich a soil, the plant reverts in a great
measure to its original green form. Besides these many other
very ornamental plants might be enumerated, such as Latanias
rubra and Verschaffelti, Cupania Pindaiba, &c.,and we must not
omit fo mention Ouvirandra fenestralis, the Madagascar Lace
Plant, which was growing in a tank in one of the stoves, the
leaves floating in glass bowls through which they could be
readily seen, and according to their development between 1 foot
and 14 foot long, including the stalk. The extremely pretty
Clerodendron Thomson, with its white bracts contrasting with
the vermilion petals, likewise formed an attractive object.

Medicinal and officinal plants are grown in considerable quan-
tity ; and among such might be seen the Bitter Cassia, Peppers
of various kinds, Cubebs, Balsam of Peru, Coffee and Tea plants,
Cinnamon, the violet-coloured Sugar-cane (Saccharum officin-
arum violaceum), &c.

In the Orchid department was Pogonia discolor from Java,
which, with its olive-green leaf abundantly covered with reddish-
golden hairs, was a great object of attraction at the last spring
show at Regent’s Park; and there were many pretty Ancecto-
chils, such as Dayii, and argyreea with its green and silver leaves.
Fine specimens of the Fox-brush Airides Fieldingii and some
others of the same family were rooting with extraordinary free-
dom in cocoa-nut refuse, and seemed to be luxuriating in it;
and there were besides many other species of the same genus,
such as Larpents, Schreederi, Lobbi, as well as the new Cypri-
pediums Stonei, Hookeri with its prettily marbled foliage; the
rare Lowii; Dendrobium lituiforum, which recently brought
such high prices at Stevens’s; Vanda, Batemani, &e.; together
with an abundance of well-known species which it would be
tedious to enumerate.

To Begonias one large house is almost entirely devoted, in
which, besides several hundred seedlings, embracing an endless
variety of variously-marked kinds, there were assembled numbers
of named varieties—of which Secrétaire Morren, Adolphe Pollack,
Frederic Seismeyer, Helena Uhder, Diedalea, imperialis, impe-
rialis smaragdina and longipila, are some of the newest and best.

In the same house with the Begonias was a magnificent speci-
men of Gleichenia dicarpa, forming a beautiful mass 6 or 7 feet
high, and probably as much in diameter. And in other houses
were Cibotium princeps, equally remarkable; the new Golden
Maiden-hair Fern from Lima, Adiantum chrysophyllum; Adi-
antum Feei, a handsome gleichenia-like species; Laucheana, the
best of all the Golden Gymnogrammas ; and the pretty tasselled
Wetenhalliana; also Aspleniums flabellulatum and rachirhine,
both of which are very distinct and elegant species, the former
from Mexico, the latter from Brazil. Besides the above there
were numbers of variegated, including the remarkable Pteris
nemoralis variegata, which is intermediate between argyrea and
tricolor. In addition to these may be noticed several new hardy
Ferns, as Athyrium Filix-foomina sagittatum, a very pretty form
of this species, which had a first-class certificate at the last
meeting of the Floral Committee; Osmunda regalis cristata ;
‘and the handsome Japanese Ferns, Lastrea opaca and Wood-
wardia orientalis.

T the greenhouse department, besides the plants already

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

377

referred to in noticing the winter garden, many others deserve
mention—such as Rhyncosia albo-nitens, a very ornamental
climber with bright green leaves irregularly variegated with
white, and having violet mauve flowers. Yucca lutea-lineata
and Y. alba-spica, the last a very rare and peculiar plant, the
narrow leaves being edged with white filaments. Stokesii is
another variegated form of the same tribe. To these it may be
added there were some handsome specimens of Von Siebold’s
Chamsrops excelsa, and Araucarias Bidwilli, and Cunninghami
glauca, the last a very desirable novelty.

To Azaleas one house is entirely devoted, and it contains many
new varieties; one of these named William Bull is just being
sent out. Its flowers are of the largest size and of unusual sub-
stance, in colour dark crimson skaded with violet on the upper
segments. Waxwork, with large flowers, white blotched with ~
purple; and Fairy, flesh spotted with crimson and edged with
white, are also very fine; and to these may be added Dieu-
donné Spae, Madame A. Verschaffelt, Hortense Vervaene, and
President Clayes.

The Pelargonium-houses are filled with a multitude of seed-
lings as well as named varieties. The following are a few of the
best in the different classes. Of spotted kinds—Theophraste,
quite new in colour, of a rich fiery red shaded with violet to the
centre, light throat ; Gloire de Petit Bicetre, also a new colour,
dark crimson violet centre and spotted with maroon ; Junon, In-
ternational, Fireball, Achille, and Viceroy of Egypt. In Fancies
—Lovely, Bertha, Charm, and Lady Dorothy Nevill; and in the
Zonale section—Beauty, Enchantress, Lucilla, Transcendent,
Bonnie Dundee, Alfred, and Rosamond. Conspicuous among
the variegated kinds was Queen of Queens, which combines an
excellent pure white variegation, with a profusion of scarlet
flowers. ‘This variety is well worthy of cultivation, and we un-
derstand that a bed of it has lately been supplied to the royal
gardens.

Petunias have a house devoted to themselves, which is crowded
with the splendid varieties which Mr. Bull sends out, of which
Captivation and President are particularly fine, and Lady Maria
Scott, Beauty, Adeline, Vernon, Silver Spot, Ensign, Startler, and
Marmion are also of great merit, as well as Charmer, a crimson
and white double.

The new Mimuluses form of themselves a very interesting
feature. These are the result of a cross between the Chilian
species cupreus and Gaiety, a large-flowering sort. The blossoms
are about 2 inches across, and present an infinite variety of
coppery red markings—blotches, belts, or specks—on a yellow
ground, and of yellow specks or blotches on a dark ground.
Apart from their extreme beauty, they possess the merit of
being of dwarf habit; and altogether they may be regarded
as constituting a valuable acquisition to our gardens. In one
house there are hundreds of these Mimuluses, and they are
likely to continue in flower for a long time.

Mr. Bull is now becoming well known for the new Fuchsias
and Pentstemons which he annually sends out, and of these, as
well as Gloxinias, there are extensive collections; but space
will not permit us to do more than mention them, as well as
many interesting Japanese plants, such as the beautiful-foliaged
Lonicera reticulata, figured in the Florist and Pomologist of
September last, the Umbrella Pine, Retinospora obtusa, Bambusa
variegata, several handsome variegated Huryas and Huonymuses,
the pretty Serissa foetida variegata which Mr, Bull received from
Japan through Dr. Siebold, and the plain-leayed female Aucuba.

ORCHARD-HOUSES.

Owrne to causes unnecessary to explain, I have been pre-
vented replying to Mr. Rivers’ kind invitation to my visiting
his nursery at Sawbridgeworth. I fear, also, I cannot do myself
the honour of inspecting his orchard-houses and their contents
at the present time, but it is possible 1 may do so in August.
For many reasons I prefer the latter time, not the least perhaps
is, that it isa less busy period at home. 1, therefore, thus
publicly thank Mr. Rivers for his courtesy; and although I am
unable at the present time to accept his invitation, and may
also be prevented at the later period mentioned, I hope, never-
theless, to be able at some time to see his collection of trees in
pots, and their modes of growth, and willstrain a point to do so
the present season. I, however, expect to hear more about
orchard-house fruits from other quarters, and the subject seems
to be warmly taken up by other writers in THE JOURNAL OF
Horricuntuke, The coming metropolitan and other shows

378

will also, I hope, enlichten us more on the matter; and if the
general verdict of public opinion decide in fayour of this mode
of growing fruit in preference to that already in existence, I for
one will publicly acknowledge myeelf in error for having opposed
the system. In the meantime, as a sort of truce is entered into
on my part and that of Mr. Rivers, I shall not feel the less in-
terested in what is said and done by others, and hope those who
have been successful will not be backward in recording their

JOURNAL OF HORFICULTURE AND COTTAGH GARDENER.

[ May 26, 1863,

practice; and if at any of the grand shows, or even at provincial
ones, it should happen that orchard-house-grown fruit be suc-
cessful over that grown in the old way, let some one report it,
Facts are the best of all arguments. It is not, however, my
intention during the period of truce to again enter into the
contest, but beg to thank Mr. Rivers for his courtesy, and it is
far from unlikely that I may do myself the honour of visiting
his place at some suitable time.—J. Rozson,

FLOWER-GARDEN PLAN.

l, Edging Cineraria maritima; band of Tom Thumb Geranium;

nankinensis, and outer band Calceolaria Aurea floribunda.
2 and 8, Centre Perilla; band Calceolaria Aurea floribunda ; edging Lobelia

speciosa.
4, Defiance Verbena.

[WE like the first proposal for a centre best—Cineraria mari-
tima, Tom Thumb, and Flower of the Day. 2, 8, will be beauti-
ful, and so will 5, 11. Our correspondent (“‘R. W.”) has partly
crossed the other colours, such as 4 and 10 Defiance Verbena,

i centre |5 and 11, Centre Perilla; band Mangles’ Variegated Geranium; edging
Flower of the Day Geranium ; or, centre Tom Thumb; band of Perilla

Baron Hugel Geranium.
6, Mrs. Holford Verbena.
3, 7, and 12, Purple King Verbena.
9 and 13, Mrs. Holford Verbena.
10, Defiance Verbena,

and we would carry the principle out with 6, 12, white Verbena ;
7, 13, purple Verbena; and 3, 9, might also be a purple or
puce, as Christine or Wonderful, or such dark things as Stella
Geranium, or even two beds of Heliotrope. |

DAISY-KNIFE.

Ix reply to an inquiry from Chester, Mr. Fish states that the
first daisy-knife he saw was at Hexton House, Hertfordshire, a
notice of which place appeared in a previous volume. The knife
was made according to the instructions of Mr. Watson, who
was gardener at Hexton then. Those I use were made by a
blacksmith in the neighbourhood. JI consider it to be too good
and simple ajtool to be spoiled by a high-sounding name, or

A is the doubled-edged knife,

restricted in use by patent.
19 inches in length and 2% inches wide, made of good-tempered

steel, especially at the sides. The lower side, which is to rest on
or skim over the grass is quite flat ; the upper side is convex in
the centre, about one-eighth of an inch thick there, and tapering
down to the edges. These edges are ground or sharpened with a,
stone in the same manuer aaa scythe. ‘To the middle of the

May 26, 1863. ]

socket end of the knife a crane neck is attached, rising not per-
pendicularly but obliquely 1 inch from the blade, as shown at B,
and, entering the shaft, is covered over there for security, with
an iron ferule of 34 isches in length. ‘The handle c is made of
well-seasoned deal so as to be light, is 8 feet long, three-quarters
of an inch in diameter where the socket of the blade ia fixed, and
4 inch in diameter at the extreme end. With the crane neck
placed as described, when the lower side of the knife rests level
on the ground, the extreme end of the handle will be about
84 feet perpendicular from the ground. When the man taking
the handle in both hands, the end just resting against his side,
sweeps the blade right and left of him, he will clear the lawn of
daisies as he marches along fora width of 15 feet easily, and with
much less trouble and toil than he would clear as many inches
with the lumbering daisy-rakes. Of course, the knife merely
decapitates the sweet, modest, wee things, that would be beauti-
ful anywhere else than on the green lawn; but if the sun shines
the daisies will soon be shrivelled up, and unseen and forgotten,
like many other things that are good and beautiful.

AMMONIACAL LIQUOR AND OTHER GAS
REFUSE AS MANURES.

I KNow you will be glad to learn that I read and practised
from Mr. Johnson’s pamphlet on the refuse from gasworks ;
but as far as my experience goes 200 gallons, as there recom-
mended, is too much to appiy at once to an acre. I find that
50 gallons do better; and if you contrast the strength of guano
with that of gas liquor, it is manifest that 600 lbs. of guano will
introduce about 50 lbs. of ammonia to the ground, and 200 gal-
lons of the liquor will give 200 lbs. of ammonia. I am also
using the lime and the tar of the gasworks, and I find them of
great benefit.

To give an idea of the yalue of the tar, I may state that I
manured an acre of ground with farmyard manure of a good
description and another acre with the tar, and I had Sive cocks of
hay from the farmyard manure, and seyen cocks from the tar.—
C, Reynowps, Parish Priest of Kildalkey, Ireland.

[As we never knew any gas liquor so rich in ammonia as that
specified by Mr. Reynolds, we wrote to him expressive of our
doubts as to his accuracy on that point. He has not cleared
away our doubt, but his reply contains some useful information.
The following are extracts :—

TJ have a vessel which holds 30 gallons, and apply it to an
acre with the best results. I mean 30 gallons of the liquor as it
comes from the gashouse, diluted with as much water as may
seem needful. From my observations I am certain that 1 gallon
in winter contains as much ammonia as 2 gallons do in summer.
I never found the same observations in any book that has fallen
into my hands.

“With regard to fixing ammonia, Liebig, in his ‘ Agricultural
Chemistry,’ page 180, says, ‘If we fix it, if we deprive it of its
volatility, we increase its action twofold.” The method used
by Liebig to fix the ammonia is to mix the liquor with gypsum ;
but it can be done as well by spreading it on the ground in
winter, as the rain washes it into the ground. In summer the
heat of the sun makes it volatile.’’]

GEOMETRY APPLICABLE TO GARDENING.
(Continued from page 314.)
LINES.

Side-lines are those which encompass any sort of figure, be it
either a square or a polygon, as does AB C D, fig. 1.

Fig. 3.

Fig. 2.

Ww
g

A diagonal line is that which passes through the very centre

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

379

of a figure, and which begins and ends at two opposite angles,
as EF, fig. 2, and G 8, fig. 3.

Fig. 4.

The diameter usually signifies a line that passes through and
touches the centre of a circle or oval, as does the line I K, in
fig. 4, and L M, in figs. 5 and 6. In an oval there are two, cal led
the transverse and conjugate diameters. 1 M is the transver se.

Fig. 7.

RA
Fig. 10.

The chord or subtense line is a line that cuts off only a smaller
part of a circle from a greater, or is, more plainly, like the striag
of a bow, which is part of a circle, as is the line n 0, fig.7, the
bow of which is N o P, and the remaining part of the circle is R,

Sig. 10.
Fig. 8,

A tangent line is that which touches any figure (whether
circular or polygonal) without dividing it, and without being
able to divide it, although it were prolonged never so far, as are
the lines s 7, in figs. 8, 9.

A secant line is that which divides or crosses any circle, oval,
or polygonal figure, the said oval or other figure remaining
whole, and is plainly demonstrable by the lines 7 U, in figs. 8, 9.

(To be continued.)

WHAT IS AN ORCHARD-HOUSE, AND WHAT
SHOULD BE EXPECTED FROM ITP

WE have much argument on either side as to the merits and
demerits of “ orchard-house culture,” but no one seems to have
attempted anything like a judicial summing-up of the question.
Let me, however feebly, attempt this. Tho first question is,
What is crchard-house culture? From Mr. Rivers’ exposition
we may define it as ‘the growth of fruits in a cold house, and
that not in, but through, pots.” The house must be cold, or it is
a forcing-house ; and the plants must grow through the pots, or
the question resolves itself into a contention between the ad-
vantages of culture in pots in a cold house, and culture in pots
in a hothouse.

From the evidence it appears that trees planted out in a cold
house, will, in their season, yield fruits, many large and good-

flavoured, which if inferior to those planted out in hothouses in
size and earliness, are superior to them in cheapness.

But it would seem that many amateurs have attempted the
cultivation of fruit trees im pots in cold houses, and have failed ;
and thereupon the cultivators in forcing-houses (who are mostly
professional gardeners)—first telling us that even with the aid of
their expensive appliances and skilled labour, they have found
culture in pots attended with 100 per cent. more trouble, and a
diminution of 50 per cent. in size—proceed to draw comparisons
between their planted-out trees in hothoures, and the trees in
pots in cold houses, Now, such a comparison as this is inadmis-

380°

sible. The match should be between skilled gardener and skilled
gardener, between planted-out trees in a hothouse and planted-
out trees in a cold one, between pot trees in the one and pot
trees inthe other. It should be borne in mind that the orchard-
house faction numbers in its ranks but few skilled gardeners,
while the other side counts many. Yet Messrs. Rivers and
Pearson offer to show their planted-out trees and pot trees
against like trees in a hothouse; but nowhere have they offered
to show trees in pots against trees planted out.

It is to be observed, that when an orchard-house cultivator
boasts of fruit grown through pots, his evidence is met by the
teply, ‘You cannot call that pot-culture;” as if culture in
pots were part of the orchard-house system, which it is not.
There are only two questions to be answered. First, Are cold
houses properly used for fruit-culture, worthy of a place in our
gardens? Second, Which is the proper mode of culture in them
—planting out, growing through pots, or growing in pots?

Answers to these questions may do us some good, which a
wordy war as to whether skilled gardeners with planted-out
trees can grow better and more fruit than amateurs with trees
in pots is not likely to do,—G. H.

SMALL VINERY HEATED BY DUNG.

I PURPOSE carrying out a plan I read of many years ago, I be-
lieve in London, of erecting a small house heated by a dung-pit;
but I have never seen one, and do not find any notice of it im the
modern books I have had an opportunity ot reading, and I am
apprehensive that some practical difficulty may have developed
itself, and prevented the suggestion from being usefully carried
out. You can tell me in a line whether this be so. I propose to
have a house 10 feet by 7 inside, with 3 feet along the front oc-
cupied by a chamber for dung 3 feet high; the dung to be filled
in from the outside, and shut in closely by well-fitted doors, and
the chamber formed of solid wall, but open at the top. Over
this chamber some durable rails will sustain a bed of brushwood,
or some such materials, upon which a bed of mould is to be
placed, so that bottom heat will be applied to that bed of mould,
and no other egress for the heat of the dung than into that bed
will exist. he advantages I look for are—the rotting my
dung out of sight, using the heat entirely, and the facility of
putting in and out of sight allrotting materials, and avoiding loss
from evaporation, and I suppose the dung may be put in fresh
from the stable; but as to that I am not sure, nor do I quite
know what depth of mould I should have. Upon that bed I
should hope to raise anything wanted for transplanting, besides
Cucumbers trained to the glass in front above the bed, and per-
haps Melons.

This small house would be put against a south fence 6 feet
high, from the top of which fence I purpose to have glass at an
angle of 34°, to join the front sash. his slope will have the
sun constantly from sunrise to sunset; and as I shall have 4 feet
behind my dung-chamber, I suppose [ may make that space a
bed for a good Vine to be planted in the centre of the back, and
have the benefit of the glass slope; and I suppose that such a
little affair will never have too much heat to have the Vine roots
inside, and thus avoid some risks I read of in your publications.

[We think we know what sort of a house you mean—something
of a span or a hipped-roof; but a few simple lines would have
made us more sure. As the chamber for dung is to be 3 feet
deep in front, we presume the front altogether will be some
5 or 6 feet in height. Now, having settled these matters, we
can assure you that if you do not mind the trouble of turning
the dung over in the chamber, and adding fresh often, you will
be able to do many things with such a house, more especially if
you do not ask it to do too much before March or so. We
would not advise you, however, to have rails of wood, or brush-
wood to cover your pit, because in the first place you may have
too much moist heat when you want dry heat, too much bottom
heat when you would like some top heat, and you might have
injurious steams passing through your soil and destroying the
effects of all your labour, if there should be such a thing as a
crack or a crevice in your soil. Ifsuch a house is to be 80
managed with dung, itis of importance that fresh dung, drop-
Pings, &c., from the stables should be used with safety, and for
this purpose a close top to the pit either of plate iron or slate,

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGH GARDENER.

[ May 26, 1863.

3 inches wide should be left out all the way along to receive this
covering of the pit, whilst the other side of the pit will receive
the other side of the covering, and the wall being carried above
it asa curb to the pit, will keep the covering firm and secure.
The front wall will require to be nine-inch work, and the open-
ings for the dung may be arched or otherwise; but if economy,
in heating is a matter of importance, if the front wall is hollow
nine-inch work, but tied together, there will be less escape of the
heat of the dung to the outside atmosphere. The inner wall of
the pit should be single brick on bed, with a pier in the middle,
and these bricks should be laid in cement, to prevent any steam
from the duzg getting into the house. If two or three good-sized
slates 1 inch thick were let into this inner wall, the heat would
radiate from them sooner than from the bricks.

Suppose that a covering of slate over the pit is used, and
firmly and securely jointed with cement, the heat from the dung
will be as dry almost as if it came from a flue or a steam-pipe,
and no noxious effluyia will be given off. As already hinted, heat
will be given off from the inside wall, but the chief amount of
heat will rise to the flooring above the pit, and when the pit is
pretty well filled with dung containing a fair proportion of
horse-droppings, the covering of the pit will get very hot indeed,
and it is of importance that we can haye that heat damp or dry,
and allow it to go to the roots of plants, or keep it from them,
just as welike. For example: You wish to keep some plants of
a half-hardy character in winter, with, perhaps, the help of a
little covering, well damp will be the great enemy. No water
should be spilled in the house; the plants over the slate should
be 1 foot from it, and be moved when watered, and the slate
covering kept as dry as possible.

Again, you wish to strike cuttings in this pit in March. The
simplest mode would be to cover the slate with some 6 inches of
sand, and plunge the pots in it, easing them up if they get too
hot, and keeping the sand moist or dry, as you wished a moist
ora dry heat. And, once more, you propose to plant out and
grow Cucumbers. Well, place from 4 to 6 inches of open
rubble on the slate, covered with an inch of clean-washed pebbly
gravel. Place four or five three-inch drain-tile pipes upright
at the back, their bottom ends communicating with this rough’
boulder-chamber of rubble, and place your soil above the
rubble. These pipes are to be stopped at their upper end with
plugs. The rubble will prevent the roots being scorched. When
bottom heat is wanted, keep the plugs in. Ina dull day, when
more top heat is wanted, take them out. Ifa sunny day comes,
and there is a deficiency of bottom heat, put the plugs in, and so
on. The rubble might be dispensed with, if there was a second
rough flooring, such as common slate, supported on pieces of

| brick 2 or 3 inches above the first and secure one, with the up-

right pipes opening into this shallow chamber. In either case,
when a moist heat was wanted, a little water poured down the
drain-pipes would supply moist vapour either for roots or
branches. Even for cuttings we would like this plan better
than placing sand, &c., at once on the covering of the pit.

We are thus particular to please our correspondent, but such
a mode of heating could not be recommended, except where the
good dung cost nothing, and the labour spent in securing the
heat that would have otherwise been lost in decomposition is
considered to be well paid in the rotten dung thus obtained for
many purposes, all the richer from having been but little
exposed to air, though getting enough of this to carry on the
process of decomposition.

Tf you used Vines at all in such a small house, we would re-
commend two, the Black Hamburgh, and the white Royal
Muscadine. They will do well in the four-foot border, if that
be well made, and if the pit were deeper than the top of the
border, the roots would not at all dislike the heat.—R. F.]

A GARDENER’S LOVE LETTER.

[Tue following epistle is dated from “Sunflower Terrace,

Primrose Hill,” and is addressed—
« To M——, who in prospect I hold
To make my new garden like Eden of old.”]

My Rosz-Mary—As you are the Pink of Perfection, and the
blossom of May, I wish to tell you that my Heart’s-ease has
been torn-up by the roote, and the Peas of my holm entirely
destroyed since began to Pino after Yew. You will perceive

then flagstone, &c., would be necessary. In building the front | that Iam a gardener. My name is Welliam Budd. At first T
wall, therefore, at the suitable height, a ledge of bricks from 2 to | was poor, but by shooting in the spring and driving a Carnation

May 26, 1863. }

fast, I obtained a Celery, and by a little Cabbaging I Rose to be
master, though something like a Creeper, of the whole garden.

T have now the full command of the Stocks and the Mint ; I
can raise Ane-mone, from a Penny Royal to a Plum, and what
my expenditure leaves I put in a Box foy Yew. If I May, as
a Cockscomb, speak of myself, I should say that I am in the
flower of manhood—that I am neither a Standard nor a Dwarf,
a Mushroom, nor a May-pole. My nose is of the Turnip Radish
kind, and my locks hang in clusters about my Ears. I am often
in the company of Rakes, and rather fond of Vine and Shrub,
which my Hlders reprove me for; so I had better Berry all this,
and say that I have at Windsor Bean, and have some London
Pride; and as I ama branch of a good Stock with a portly
bearing, I well know when and where to make my Bough.

So Lett-uce act for ourselves, and fix an early day for grafting
your fate with mine, which might be made a Poplar measure,
but I think it had better be Privet; for Jon-quil, the lawyer,
says that your old Crab of a father, who did never a Li-lack when
he wanted to part us, means to take the Elm in his own hands
in this matter; but if he does, and Bullace me at all, I will not
be Sloe in settling his Ash, and I will be such a Thorn in his
side that the day he does it shall be one of the worst Days-he
ever saw.

But I must sow no seeds of discord, for I am certain that we
should make a very nice Pear, and never repent. Even when we
become Sage by Thyme you would be the Balm of my life, and I
should be the Balsam of yours; so that people who might call
us green, now would call us Evergreen hereafter. And now
Sweet Peas be with you, and if he who tries at it Tares me from
Yew I shall become a Melon-Cauliflower, and wither away. My
tongue will always be a Scarlet Runner in your praise ; for I
have planted my Hops in Yew, and now I only live for the
Thyme when I may ear from your own Tu-lips that I am your
Sweet William and not your—WEEPING WILL-0.

NEW YORE FLORISTS AND FLOWERS.

GREAT progress has been made both in the science and prac-
tice of plant growing and selling by the florists of New York
since the days when quaint, but witha! shrewd, Lawrie Todd
adopted the system of painting his flower-pots to attract cus-
tomers’ attention, and his inaugurating a taste which now re-
quires a great deal both of energy and capital to supply ; but
the plants being now of themselves sufficiently attractive, the
painted pots can very well be dispensed with. Although many
of the florists, thorough-going business men though they be, are
not gardeners by profession as defined by Loudon in his “‘ Ency-
clopedia of Gardening,” still we have such men as Mr. Robert
Reid, who has often officiated as ajudge of plants at Chiswick in
its palmiest days; Mr. Buchanan, a skilful and successful hybrid-
iser; and Mr. Peter Henderson, of Jersey City, whose practice
of growing fine saleable plants in the smallest possible pots I
haye never seen excelled ; and all these are professional gardeners
who would do honour to horticulture in any country. Glenny’s
“Properties of Plants and Flowers” is a work almost ignored
here, the property most in request being abundance of bloom, a
large and fast-increasing business being done with cut flowers ;
and this winter the supply has never been equal to the demand,

Bouquets are arranged most artistically, end with great diyer-
sity of taste; indeed 1 have never seen them excelled even in
Covent Garden. Rustic hanging-baskets and stands for parlour
or drawing-room are now in great request, Ferne, Lycopods,
creepers in variety, and many adaptable yariegated and fine-
foliaged plants being used with great advantage.

The Camellia is deservedly a general favourite, and is both
extensively and well grown, the retentive yellow loam which
abounds here being well adapted to its culture; but I have not
yet seen anything to be compared to the handsome plant of
reticulata that Mr. Blair (now of Shrubland Park) had at Bank
Grove with its 2000 expanded blooms. The flowers are not cut,
but very adroitly twisted off without any damage to the plants,
then neatly “fixed up” for either bouquets or baskets.

Roses are to be found in every collection, and fully maintain
their position as the queen of flowers; for though not blest
here with a Queen Victoria, still we haye our Queens of Beauty
and of Flowers, and well represented too.

Violets are grown by the thousand, and do remarkably well.
The strongest runners are selected and planted out in May, by
September these make fine strong plants; they are then lifted,

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND OOTLIAGE GARDENER.

381

and planted in cold frames prepared for their reception, and by
eareful attention to protection and ventilation supply an abun-
dance of dark blue highly-scented flowers from November to
April, each flower as large as a penny-piece. As an instance of
their fertility, one florist picked 18,000 for last New Year’s-day :
these would cell readily at from 75 centsto 1 dollar per 100. On
the 3rd of April I picked 3700 from twelve hand-lights, and
could easily have picked 4000.

Stevia and Eupatorium are indispensable for white flowers,
and are real boons to the florists. The quantity of flowers on
the Bignonia venusta, trained to the rafters of a greenhouse and
judiciously managed, almost exceeds belief. Tuberoses flower
very freely, and are most desirable fall flowers. Gladioli have
been found to be admirably suited to this climate, and several
of the florists have now very extensive collections.

Many of the popular names for plants are rather perplexing.
Soon after coming here I was asked for my “Lady Washing-
tons,” and had to confess my ignorance of what class of plants
were known under that most honourable name. From this
dilemma I was quickly relieved on coming to Pelargoniums 5
but finding on further investigation that Pansies were popularly
known as “Johnny Jumpers,” I had to commence and revise
my stock of synonymes.—DaAvID Fovuts, Astoria, Long Island,
New York.

VINE-BORDER COVERED WITH FERMENTING
DUNG.

My Vine-border is covered with about 2 feet in depth of hot
dung, and wood shutters are placed on the top. I have been
advised to remove it entirely, and place nothing on except 3
little litter and the wood shutters. My Muscats the last two
years haye shanked very much. This year I have noticed a
small black speck on the side of the berry, which gradually
increases till the berry is decayed. I have no border inside, and
that outside is 2 feet deep, and well made. I examined the
roots in the winter, and they were in a strong healthy condition,
—A Youne BEGINNER.

[You may injure the roots if the manure was too hot. If
not too hot now we would allow it to remain until the middle
of June, as in this weather the border will lose xaore heat than
it will gain from the sun. Then it would be advisable to cover
with litter in cold weather—say at night, and remove the litter
in sunshine and fine weather until July. We cannot see the
philosophy of putting litter on now and the boards above it, ag
the latter would intercept the sun’s rays. Give plenty of air
inside. ]

OLD VINES VIGOROUS BUT UN FRUITFUL.
[Tux following refers to our notes on the subject at page 340.]
“J will give you the particulars as nearly as I can remember?

In the month of February I began fires, and made a hotbed at
the same time with manure, just as it was brought from the
stables. The bed consequently was very hot, and the heat very
rank. IfI remember right, the bed was too close to the Vines ;
at all events the Vines did not break, and they seemed quite
dead. Icut them down to the bottom; they then broke and
made capital wood, which seemed quite ripe to the top.

« The leaves I sent last week only belonged to the weak Vine,
since then a weak one close to the other has something of the
same coming. As soon as I received your paper, I cut the first
piece away, and only discovered the one alluded to this morning.
T have not given fire heat, and when the sun is out I give air.—
11s Oy

[Our surmises we find have been pretty correct. We would
not have given fire heat along with the rank manure. We would
have allowed that to act upon the Vines alone for the first fort-
night or three weeks, and by that time the heap would be getting
sweet. The rank manure would not injure Vines in a state of
rest; but if there was so much of if as would raise the house
from 45° to 50° without sun, then we would give a little air,
and even in the daytime we would not with sun heat let the
thermometer rise above 60° or 65° for the first month. We have
used manure direct from the stables as it could be got, so yank
that we do not think the mere rankness would do the mischief 5
but excessive heat to unstarted Vines, or placing that steamin
heat nearer than 3 feet from their stems might do the mischief.
The great thing is to have all the manure sweet enough for Cu-

382

cumbers before the Vines break. If the Vines had been forced
before, it would be advisable in February to have used manure
once turned before taking it to the house. We were afraid
you had the mildew on the weak Vine, and now we feel pretty
certain of it. The treatment you are giving is the very best to
cause it to spread over the house. Wherever there is the faintest
trace of it, dust the part, stems or leaves, with flowers of
sulphur, and wash the walls of the house with sulphur and
lime. We would also say, daub a little sulphur on the heating
medium, but we do not know what it is, and the part so daubed
should not be more than 160°; and, therefore, you might easily
have it too hot. The means for eradicating the mildew and
securing a crop next season will thenceforward be identical—
and that is, not refraining from fire heat, and giving air only
when the sun shines; but giving fire heat so as to prevent the
atmosphere falling much below 60° without sun, and to permit
of air being given every day, and if a little at night too all the
better. The fact is, that having started the Vines into growth,
then allowing them just to take their chance is the best plan
for getting no crop next season.—R. F.]

CLARKE’S PATENT SCYTHH.

Tus simple, handsome, and convenient scythe was sent to
us for our opinion, which we now express; but to have it
thoroughly tested we sent it to Mr. Cuthbert W. J. ohnson, and
this is his evidence upon the implement :—

“ Waldronhyrst, Croydon, May 19, 1863.
“T have much pleasure in bearing testimony to the great
excellence of Clarke’s Patent Scythe. My gardener is of opinion
that no one who has tried Clarke's Scythe will be willing to go
back to the old kinds.—Curusrrr W. JoHNSON.”

WORK FOR THE WEEK.

KITCHEN GARDEN.

ApvanTaGH should be taken of the present showery weather
to transplant and earth-up all crops that require it, for if done
when the soil about them is dry, they will not receive that
benefit from rain which they otherwise would do. In pricking-
out, or transplanting, particular care to be taken to press the soil
close to the roots of the plants, for if left hollow and Icose about
them, drought will soon stop their growth, or, probably, cause
them to perish. Wherever it is conyenient to plant with a
trowel, it is far preferable to planting with a dibber, as with the
latter the roots are either left hollow, or are crushed up to-
gether and rendered nearly abortive. This is sometimes the
reason why plants of the same sowing vary so much in their
growth; in one case the plants are pulled up and deprived of
half their roots and carelessly planted, in the other they are dug
up with care, and are then transplanted and watered, and pro-
gress favourably. Asparagus, keep the surface of the beds free
from weeds. Where the supply from the established beds is
abundant, the weakest heads may now be allowed to grow, they
are not 80 likely to keep strong buds latent, aa if strong ones
are allowed to run up to maturity. Broccoli, prick-out into
nursery-beds any that are sufficiently advanced in growth. Sow
a full crop of Cape and Grange’s Early White. Czbbage, where
they were planted in the autumn at a foct apart in the rows,
every alternate plant should be pulled up as required for use,
this will give those remaining space to attain perfection.
Cardoons, sow a late fullcrop. Plant out the early crops; if they
were sown in a seed-bed choose a rich piece of ground for the
purpose. It will not be necessary to plant largely of the first
crop, a8 if soon runs to seed. Celery, plant some of the most
forward into trenches, keep it well watered in dry weather.
Continue to prick out from the seed-beds for late crops. Endive,
make a small sowing. The sowing for the main crop to be made
about the middle of next month. Dwarf Kidney Beans, earth-
up those that have been planted out, and sow again. Lettuce,
make a sowing of two or three sorts, by such means the season
of one sowing is prolonged. The Paris Cos is a very good sum-
mer sort. Potatoes, as soon as they appear above ground to be hoed
between to loosen the earth, and to destroy weeds. Turnips,
make a good sowing for early autumn use. Thin-out the ad-
vaneing crops. Vegetable Marrows, plant-out this very useful
vegetable on a rich piece of ground, where there is plenty of
room for the plants to grow. Sea-hale, thin-out the buds so as not
to allow them to crowd each other, and water once or twice during
the summer with a weak solution of salt and water, which will

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ May 26, 1863.

benefit the plants and dislodge snails and other vermin. Two
ounces of salt to a gallon of water will be sufficient. Trench-up
every spare part of the garden for the first plantations of winter
stuff. Let it be trenched 2 feet deep in the first instance, after
which give a coat of manure, and dig it in; when the plants are
fit the ground will be ready for planting with Broccoli, Brussels
Sprouts, Kale, &c. The former to be planted 2 feet apart each
way, if fine heads are desired; the other two sorts will do well
with a few inches less space. After they are planted to be pro-
tected from slugs by placing a ring of hot lime around each pint.

FLOWER GARDEN.

All annuals should be thinned-out as soon as they are above
ground, for if left to grow too thickly they spoil one another, and
never make half the display plants do that are allowed plenty
of space, and which are grown strongly from the first. After the
bedding-out is accomplished, a reserved stock should be taken
in hand to receive high cultivation, in order to fill up blanks the
moment they occur, either in the houses or in the beds and
borders. All the best Verbenas, Fuchsias, Calceolarias (especially
shrubby kinds), Petunias, &c., will be found most useful things.
Attend to the staking of Pinks and Carnations as they grow,
this will greatly enhance their appearance when in bloom.

FEUIT GARDEN.

Waich the first attacks of caterpillars on Gooseberry and
Currant bushes, and apply dredgings of white hellebore powder
when the bushes are wet with morning dew. One application will
prove sufficient, if every part of the bush is properly dusted.
When black fly has attacked Cherry and other wall trees, give
them thorough good waterings with the engine. Use pure water
for the first time, which will partially destroy the fly, then apply
by the same means a good washing of soapsuds and clear soot
water. If prosecuted thus, by repeated applications they will
all disappear.

GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY.

The young stock of hardwooded plants should be growing
freely, and will now require careful attention to supply them
with a warm and moist atmosphere, and with sufficient air at
fayourable opportunities to secure short-jointed, and compact
growth. Balsams to be frequently shifted into large-sized pots
placed in a gentle bottom heat near the glass, with sufficient air
to prevent them from being drawn. The Hpacrises that have
done blooming and are now commencing their growth to be
potted, they delight in sandy heath soil. The Chinese Azaleas
going out of bloom should have their seed-pods picked off, and
such as require more pot-room to be shitted, using rich fibry
peat, with a good sprinkling of silver sand. Cinerarias to receive
plenty of air to keep the plants in a healthy state without draw-
ing the foliage. The green fly to be kept down by tobacco
smoke. When stock of a good variety is required, the sooner
the plants are headed-down after blooming to within an inch
of the pot the better; they will soon make side shoots, which
should be carefully divided with a portion of root to each, and
planted singly in a small pot, to be placed in a cold frame,
and shaded from bright sunshine. The Chrysanthemum cuttings
now in small pots to be transplanted to the open ground
15 inches row from row, and plant from plant, to be taken up
in a showery day in autumn, potted, and watered, when they
will not feel their moving. Cuttings of Rollisson’s Unique
Pelargonium that is generally so difficult to strike after mid-
summer, will now strike freely in sandy soil in a gentle bottom
heat. It is well worthy of attention, producing yery large
clusters of rich violet or crimson-purple blossoms. It is valuable
for. grouping, for vases, or for training against a wall. It re-
quires to be freely cut back in the winter and spring to encourage
lateral growth, and being luxuriant in growth and sparze of
branches, it requires to be pegged to the ground when planted
in beds. It will be well to bear in mind during the summer,
that the shape and sturdiness of every plant will depend, ina
great measure, upon frequent attention to pinching-out the
points of every strong-growing shoot before it gets too long.
Also, a liberal supply of good, clear liquid manure to be given
occasionally—that is, once or twice a-week, according to the
state of the weather, and the healthy or luxuriant growth of
the plants, from which it is to be inferred that plants in a sickly
state, or such as haye been lately potted, will not require it.
Indeed, to such it would be a positive injury. To commence
with the liquid manure weak, and to increase its strength with -
the strength of the plants, and the increasing temperature of the
summer sun. W. Keane,

the frost of the 2nd inst.

May 26, 1863. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE

DOINGS OF THE LAST WEEK.

KITOHEN GARDEN.

Strautty earthed-up Potatoes, but the forwardest out of
doors will, we fear, be the second, as they were much injured by
Earthed-up Cauliflowers, drawing the
earth to their eidea, and leaving a hollow in the centre of the
ridge for future waterings if needed, Watered those in bearing
that were under hand-lights. We generally place them in two
or three rows, some 4: feet apart, and then when the plants are
large a trench is dug out to bank them up, which then comes in
for Celery. Pricked-out seedlings of Greens as time could be
got and a spare piece of ground for the purpose. Broccoli has
done very well this season, and eyen now is contending with
the first Cauliflowers. Peas seem to be coming late out of doors,
though when a person can have a good row in an orchard-house
it makes one feel more independent. Broad or Garden Beans
have done less good. They will not set well if the house is much
shut up. Hyen for such purposes, and Strawberries a week or
a fortnight earlier than out of doors, these houses are invaluable,
to say nothing of salads, &c., in winter. Run the hoe among
all growing crops, and especially young Onions, Carrots, Par-
snips, &c., and will defer thinning much until we get a good
rain ; for, though thankful for what we haye had, the drizzlings,
though putting a little water in our tanks, have done little more
than lay the dust, the ground that had previously been mowed
—such as flower-beds — being still very dry, and requiring,
therefore, more water when planting.

FRUIT GARDEN,

Went over Peach and Apricot trees, but not time to do more
than a little to them. Syringed with soot and lime water to
keep fly and caterpillar at bay. Gave extra syringing to Cherry
trees and watered at the root besides, and did the same to Plums.
Will thin and nip the shoots of Pears as s00n as we can get at
them. Went over trees in orchard-house, tied and stopped
shoots in Peach-house, and slightly smoked again, as we noticed
some signs of our old enemy, the brown beetle. Regulated
Strawberries in the houses for the last time, and noticed a berry
here and there that seemed to get hard, refuse to swell, and at
last rot away, which I attributed at first to extra moisture, but
which my manager thinks is caused by syringing with the
sulphur water which I have several times described, and which,
though of a milky appearance, leaves no mark behind it, and
seems to injure nothing else. It is worth noting, however, so
as to keep it from the fruit of Strawberries. Of course, they
might be freely syringed before they were in bloom. Thinned
Grapes, regulated and tied-in shoots of Vines. The forwardest
ones have still the covering of about a foot of leaves, which
keeps the border about 68°—at least at the surface. The late
house, which has come earlier than I wanted, has the border
fully exposed—only the surface is still cased with the thin film
of tar and sawdust. We will not remove it just yet, as the soil
is wet enough beneath, and the casing will throw past these cold
rains. In fact, if these cold nights continue, as the Vines are so
forward inside, showing the bunches, we will throw a little long
litter over the border and rake it off when the sun shines, and
put it on again at night; but if the weather is mild we will save
ourselves the trouble. We will let the leaves on the other part
alone for some weeks yet; in fact, until we are sure that the
sun will throw in more heat during the day than the border will
lose by radiation at night. There would be about 18 inches of
leayes covered with litter at first, and that, of course, got closer
together. To take advantage of the little heat given off, frames
were set on the top of the leaves, and lots of things forwarded.
A small part next the house has been uncovered, and a little
warm water given where it was at all dry. When we move
these leaves off and the film of tar, we will, most likely, cover
with litter at night for a week or two. Stopped shoots and
thinned shoots of Figs, and watered well, as it is advisable not
to give too much water when the fruit is ripening, and the crop
is a yery heavy one. Potted Vines, &c.

ORNAMENTAL DEPARTMENT. ‘

Removed faded plants and took fresh to conservatory. Will
clear Azaleas of their faded flowers as soon as possible, and then
place them together that they may be kept closer and be well
syringed. A house, or pit, where they could get a temperature
of 50° at night for a fortnight, and then a rise gradually to 60°,
would cause them to make their wood quicker, and set their buds
sooner. Under the shade of Vines in a rather late house would
just be the place for them, if certain that there was not such a

AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 383

thing as a single thrips on the plants ; for, if there be, there may
be no end of trouble with such insects on the Vines, as they will
prefer the Vine to the Azalea. It is advisable to give them a little

rest after flowering, before exciting them with extra heat. Tt
enables the plant to recruit its energies as it were. The plants
treated as

will do very well in a conservatory or a greenhouse,
mentioned above; but the flower-buds will not set at the points of
the shoots so early, because the shoots will not be so soon formed 5
and the same rule will apply to all such plants as Camellias,
Epacrises, and, to a certain extent, to free-growing Heaths,
though the latter must be hardened-off by more air at an early
period.

Epacris, when done flowering, cut back, and that may be done
pretty freely if the cutting is confined to the wood of last season ;
but older wood should rarely be cut into, as many good plants
have thus been’ irremediably injured. ‘These, also, when cut
back, should be kept close and cool, with but little water for a
fortnight or three weeks, and they, too, will succeed if kept in
the warmest end of the greenhouse; but they will do better if
placed in a closeish temperature of from 55° to 60°, and continued.
in it until the shoots are growing freely ; and then the plants
should be moyed to acold pit, where they can have more air
admitted by degrees, and then be hardened-off by full exposure in
autumn, except during drenching showers. Potted plants for
houses, and also for flower garden, as they are too small for
turning out—in fact, most of our strength has been directed to
the flower garden, looking over herbaceous plants, pricking-
out Wallflowers, and turning and preparing beds for bedding
plants; and in this turning and burying sunbeams consists no
small part of the success in such cold stiff soil as we have to deal
with,

We feel there is something so peculiarly egotistical in speaking
of arrangements, that we should not have adverted to them had
not several readers and correspondents told me that the arrang-
ing of the beds, and the distance of the plants from each other,
would be more interesting to many than telling about brown
beetles and the planting of Cauliflowers. Now, as already stated,
for various reasons, but chiefly to save time in planting and
keeping right afterwards, we have resolyed to adopt the most
simple modes of arrangement this season. We will then just
state, to please our friends, the planting of two groups of beds,
close to the east side of the mansion. ‘These beds are extremely
simple and unique in their way. One group of fifteen beds is
on the south side of a corridor and wide piece of pavement, and
infront of the drawing-room windows ; the other group of fifteen
is on the north side of the corridor, and in front of the dining-
room windows. We will then take one side—say the south, for
both sides are alike, and planted alike. The fifteen beds are
squares of 4% feet on the side, and arranged in three lines of five
beds in each line. ‘hese beds are separated from the mansion
by 30 inches of pavement ; from the broad gravel walk in front
by a similar width, and then the beds are separated from each
other by stone pannels of 14 inches in width. Every year these

beds have been arranged differently.

aes This season they have been planted in
squares—that is, a square of 18 inches

has been planted in the centre of each,

and that planted different from the

| | 18 inches all round, and so that the

form may be maintained with little

trouble; and also that there should

be little difference in the height of the

beds, the tallest, if anything, next the

The following figures will represent the fifteen beds
d marked just as the

mansion.
in three rows, beginning next the house, an
man had them to plant bv.

14 8 2 6 12
10 5 i 4 11
15 9 3 7 13

The figures are arranged in this seemingly-without-system
mode, in order that the planter may see at once he is working
from a centre, and that the beds shall pair with each other.
The centres, 18 inches square, are generally filled with nine plants ;
the other 18 inches round, leaving a regular space next the
pannel required according to the plants and their size, from one
and a half to two dozen more—say from thirty to forty plants in
a bed. The inner square of 18 inches will be the first mentioned.

1, Madame Vaucher Geranium, white, mixed with Snowflake

384

Verbena, in case the flowers of the Geranium should not be thick
enough, bordered with Purple King Verbena.

2, Stella (Beaton’s), and Golden Chain Geranium.

3, Newlii, and Cloth of Gold Geranium.

4 and 5, Scarlet Globe, and Bijou Geranium.

6 and 8, Calceolaria, stiff plants of Aurantia multiflora, and
purple Heliotrope, the latter chiefly for the scent near the
windows as well as the colour.

7 and 9, Calceolaria Aurea floribunda, with blue Anagallis
next, and then a band of Lobelia speciosa.

10 and 11, Christine Pink Geranium, and Tropzolum elegans.

12 and 14, Boule de Feu Geranium, fringed with white Ver-
bena, and that with Christine, a rich puce.

13, 15, Brilliant Geranium, skirted with Variegated Alyssum,
and that bordered with Charlwoodii Verbena—a stiff upright
grower, with emall purple flowers, and though one of the oldest
one of the best for effectiveness, the habit being so good, and
the foliage so small. The other side with the fifteen beds is
planted the same, so that each group is balanced from the centre
square 1, and then each group as a whole is a counterpart of the
other, from which it is separated by the broad piece of pavement.
Beyond the walk in front is a grass terrace, bounded by the
border to which we referred last week, As we want effect soon,
these squares were planted thick, and some of the Verbenas were
not very large. The Geraniums were nice stiff plants showing
flower; but nine plants did not do more than fill the outside
lines of the eighteen-inch middle square.

But for time we would have described the planting of some
ribbon-borders; but perhaps it would be as well to reiterate two
or three particulars in our planting. First, most of our plants
being raised from temporary beds, there is no trouble in loosen-
ing the balls, which is a necessary operation if the plants are
turned out of pots which they had filled with their roots. Lifted
as ours are, the rootlets are quite ready to run away into the soil
of the bed. Of course the plants feel the moving the first week
or so. Secondly, we have never been able to dung our beds or give
them leaf mould as we would wish, or even do much as respects
changing the soil; but we make amende for this by changing
the crop generally every year. The beds being poor, and the
soil generally rather rough, we make it a point to give every
plant a handful of rich light soil to start iz, and anything par-
ticular gets two or three handfuls. When we can do so with
small things we place some of the prepared compost on the bed,
and draw it in round the plant with the trowel or the hand as
planting is going on. We seldom can afford to be so extravagant,
80 generally as the planter makes the hole and sets the plant in
it, a little boy pitches down to him the little soil as he goes on.
This compost is formed of two parts of road-drift and road-
scrapings, chiefly for the ground flint they contain, though we
get weeds with it. This is turned several times during winter
and spring, and then sifted through an inch sieve. To this is
added one part of sifted leaf mould, ditto sifted old Mushroom
dung—and this is why we required to clear the Mushroom-beds
out—and one part of burnt earth, clay, and charred materials,
generally pretty hot, which thus makes the compost when well
turned very comfortable as respects temperature. If the burnt
clay, &c., do not settle the worms that may be in the leaf
mould, &c., a little lime is added. This mixture is thus both
light and rich, and the roots go into it at once; and thirdly,
almost every plant except those pegged-down is staked and tied
as soon as plented, the stakes preferred for all bedding plants
being the twiggy branches of the Spruce Fir that have lain the
best part of a twelvemonth. The more twigs there are on them
the better. If the branches have been used ag the bottom of
stacks all the winter they will be nice and straight from the
weight above them. These hurdles burn so beautifully that we
have had to threaten the lad that attends to the mess-room fire ;
for when he wanted the kettle to boil he forgot about our bedding
plants. We have these made into bundles from 1 foot to 2% or
3 feet in length, according to the size of the plants to which they
are applied. We have had the same twiggy sticks for a number
of years; but for nice purposes they are not so effective as new
ones, as the small twigs get rotten and broken off. This staking
adds greatly to the labour; but in such an exposed place as this
we shou'd have things swept off without them. On last Tues-
day we had some things broken and cleared off, but mostly
when untied. For a month or so thesticks are rather prominent,
but thea the object is seen, and that gives them at least the
commendation of fitness, and the beds also, if well twigged, have
certain amount of shelter. When the beds come to be at their

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GAKDENER,

best the sticks are all concealed, and the shoots are so interlaced
among the twigs that it would require next to a hurricane to
displace them or roll them into bundles.—R. F.

TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED.

Catalogue of Choice Plants, Azaleas, Geraniums, Dailias,
Roses, 4¢e.—Dillistone & Co., Sturmer, Hssex; and William
Dillistone, Munro Nursery, Sible Hedingham, Essex.

Alex. Gibb, Panmure Nursery, Broughty Ferry, N.B.—
Catalogue of Florists’ Flowers, &c.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

*,%* We request that no one will write privately to the depart-
mental writers of the “Journal of Horticulture, Cottage
Gardener, and Country Gentleman.” By so doing they
are subjected to unjustifiable trouble and expense. All
communications should therefore be addressed solely to Lhe
Editors of the “Journal of Horticulture, we.,” 162, Pleet
Street, London, #.C.

also request that correspondents will not mix up on the
same sheet questions relating to Gardenmg and those on
Poultry and Hee subjects, it they expect to ger them answered
promptly and conveniently, but write them on separate
communications, Also never to send more than two or
three questions at once, :

We cannot reply privately to any communication unless under

very special circumstances.

Potyantaus wits Leary Cauyx.—A reader of Tur Jounnat or Hor-
TICULTURE Would be very glad to communicate with ‘* C. Daniel” respecting
the Polyanthus sport with a leaty calyx, mentioned at page 390.

Prant Case (A Threc-and-a-half-years Subscriber).—We grow tender
Ferns, Marunta tigrina, variegated-leaved Begonias, and dwart Caladiums
similarly variegated., We use the Bijou Plant Case, mauutuctuzed by Mr.
Stocks, 14, Archer Street, Kensington Park, W-

Ferns For A GLass Case (J. M., Dumfries).—For a room scarcely ever
having a fire in it we do not think that your selection for the case is suitable.
Adiantum cucvatum is a native of Brazil, and requives a evol stove or a
warm greenhouse. Asplentum adiantum nigrum is very suitable, being a
British species delighting in a snady place and growing in vegetabie mould,
brick rubbish, and pebbles. 1b is almost an evergreen, if not quite so.
Lastrea bulbitera, or Aspidium bulbiferum, is a North American species, and
suitable for the case, Adiantum capillus-Veneris is also suitable, being the
Bush Maidenhair. Adiantum gracile, do not know; but fear it will be too
tender. Adiantum formosum we think might answer, though it would be
better of more heat. In such a cool case the fronds would get brown and
withered in winter, but come fresh in spring and summer. Acrophorus
hispidus, do not Enow it, aud therefore cannot say if suitable; and fear
we must say the same of Dayallia longifolia, as all the Davallias we know
are natives of warm climates. Instead of these tender ones, we would
recommend such British Ferns as Allosorus crispus, or Pursley ern, which
should be planted shallow, and be kept well drained und moist, ‘The fronds
will al ways come green in spring; and such Aspleniums as Sontanuin, Jan-
ceolatum, viride, and marinum, all require peat, heath soil, broken bricks,
aud a little lime rubbish; and the Jatter the least of sult in the water.
Cystopteris alpina and ‘richomanes radicans, or Killarney Fern, require
also to be shallow-planted in peat and moss, and kept in a cvol, damp, close
atmosphere. We think that with these you wil: succeed better und be
better satisfied than with tropical exotics. Instead of planting in leaf
mould and water sand, drain well, use a little old sweet leaf mould, but
chiefly heath soil, and mix all with broken pieces of pots and bricks; and
for sorts that cling to walls use pieces of stone. We would not leave the
bell-glass off long at a time, but would merely elevate it a little; im fact,
we would prefer a moveable top, so as to give a little air ac pleasure. We
would also daub the glass next the window and the top of the case to keep
too bright sun out. The glass inside being dewed with water is all right
enough. If you had a moveable top, and turned it the reyerse way in the
morning, the tenderest Ferns would nos be injured by dripping,

VERBENA TO CONTRAST WiTH PuRPLE Kine (2/. MU. P.).—We should
select Evening Star; but Miss Mildmay or Loveliness would suit you
among the older kinds. We do not know the best mauye-coloured that
would. thus contrast. Lord Leigh is a noble crimson scarlet with yellow
eye, sent out by Messrs. Perkins, of Coventry, figured in the Florist and
Pomologist of March, along with a beautitul purple, Lord Crayen, now
sent out by Downie & Laird.

Fucusia Suoors Inturep (Three-years Subscriber).—There are signs of
thrips having been on the tuchsias. It would be safest to take them away
from the rest and smoke them. ‘There are also signs of the soil having got
sour with stagnant moisture about the roots. lf mone of these are the
causes, we are at a loss as to the reason.

Meton Leaves DisEasep (Cucumis melo). — We think it is likely that
there is too much bottom heat for these hardier kinds of Mielons, which
might be neutralised by a good layer of rubble between the p pes and the
sun, We can see nothing wrong in the treatment, more especially as other
varieties answer so well ; but, if not tried, we should adopt leaying a little
air on all night, or, at least, giving air the first thing in the morning,
however small the quantity, so that all moisture shall be dissipated from
the leaves before the sun strikes them. Some of the Persian kinds will
thrive in an amount of atmospheric moisture that would ruin some of the
olden and hardier kinds. We shall be glad to hear how you get on with
them,

[ May 26, 1863. :

May 26, 1863. ]

Gotpren CHAIN AND OTHER GERANIUMS (Q. Q.).—You had better send
leaves of the plants ia dispute. Very likely one of your plants is golden-
edged. We have just pulled off a leaf of Golden Chain at random, It is
about 3 inches in diameter, but will be much larger in summer, yellow
all round, some places a quarter of an inch, in others more than 1 inch
deep, running into and mottling the green. The flowers are small nosegay
blossoms of a bright cerise colour. For practical purposes we consider this
and Cloth of Gold the best, and Golden Chain is so well known that some
in your neighbourhood must be acquainted with it. Ifleaves are sent and
numbered we would have no difficulty, we think, in deciding upon it; but
We coulil rot do the same with the many other Goldens you mention, many
of which we haye not seen. Cloth of Gold has fine scarlet flowers, as good
or better than Tom Thumb; and the leaves, greenish-yellow in winter,
become brighter yelloyin summer. Sunset took our attention much, but
we have not got it, and somehow we have seen it nowhere out of doors.
We are just in the same fix as to white variegated Geraniums. Mrs.
Lennox, Countess of Warwick, and many others are good. We prefer
Bijou and Alma and the old Flower of the Day to any we have met with;
but that is no reason why others should not have their Queens, Silver
Queens, and even like them better than we do Bijou.

Licur Breve Loprria (Zdem).—The best blue Lobelia with a white eye
we should presume to be Paxtoniana or Gordoniana. A strong-growing
light blue to hang about would be the common gracilis, or, stronger stall,
begoniefolia. Erinus is light and compact in growth. You may top your
Zelindas for the purpose wanted; but for our part we haye had them in
dense bloom from July to November without stopping, by pruning-off the
flowers as they begin to fade. ‘To have bloom in mass in September and
October you may stop and top now to your heart's content.

_PLoweER-~GarpdEeN Pran—Warvian Case (Irs. C.).—We are sorry to say
that neither the Lilac Candytuft nor the Nemopbila will be likely to stand
the season. We think it is quite likely the Saponaria will yet come up. It
not, the best substitute would be a pink Verbena, as Favourite, Loveliness,
&c., for No. 2; and if you wish No. 1 to be white, white Verbena Snowflake
or variegated Alyssum for planting, or white Candytuft or white Alyssum
for sowing. Much the same remark applies to No. 4, Purple Candytutft,
which, if it blooms early, will not continue. You would notice in the plans
of flower gardens the importance of having a centre. Yours can hardly be
said to have one, but you write so clearly that we are tempted to say what
we think would improve your arrangement. Let 5 and 6 be Ualceolarias,
yellow and edged with a small purple Verbena, as Charlwoodii or Purple
King, Then 1 and 4 we would make purple ; and 2, 3 pink edged with blue;
7, 8, scarlet and white as now, and the rest ditto. You will succeed with
Portulacas and the other things you name, simply by keeping the bottom
of the case drier and giving more air—a little, at least, every night—and
turn the glass coyer in the morning to prevent drip. It will be best, there-
fore, to strike those that like a moist atmosphere at one time, and those
that do not like so much at another time, or put a division in your case.

Insects (J. Gatley).—The specimens enclosed by you are of the Snake
Millipede, Julus terrestris. They have been charged with eating the roots
of Pansies, and you state that they have “destroyed several rows of Peas.”
Try watering on each side of the rows with diluted ammoniacal liquor from
the gasworks. This repeated once or twice a~-week may drive them away,
and invigorate the Peas at the same time. We cannot say how much water
you should put to a gallon of the liquor, for this varies in strength, but,
probably, one of liquor to three gallons of water would do,

_ PEACHES AND NECTARINES FALLING (2. W., Ipswich).—As both the trees
in pots and those in the borders shed their fruit, we think they are all too
dry at the roots. We recommend you to water them with weak liquid
manure of a temperature of about 80°. Give a good soaking that will
penetrate down to the lowest roots.

Rusric Vasrs.—I purchased some of these pretty vases, but find that
they look very white as if mildew had affected them.. What is the composi-
tion wherewith they are coloured, and how is it to be applied? Perhaps
some tradesman who sells them will be good enough to answer this.—D.

SEAWEED For ASPARAGUS-BEDS,—In answer to ‘‘W. M.’s” inquiry in
your Journal of May 5, ”. WV. B. begs to state that he coyered his Sea-kale
bed in November, and began cutting the Kale earlyin February. 7. W.B.
has no doubt that an earlier crop might be obtained by applymg the sea-
weed im September or October; but it is important that the fresh seaweed
should be covered with earth to prevent its being dried up and losing all
nutritive matter.—W. S, M.

ANTS IN Pantry (Wiltshire Rector).—Powdered carbonate of ammonia
sprinkled aout their haunts, and persevered in for afew days, will probably
drive them away.

Verzena venosaA (8. E. B.).—Any florist can obtain it for you. We
know that it was in Messrs. E. G. Henderson’s catalogue.

Various (S, J. W.)—The leaves of your greenhouse Rose are attacked
by a parasitic fungus, Dusting with sulphur, more air, and more light
would probably overcome the fungus. For the culture of Roses in pots
eonsult “ Florists’ Flowers for the Many.” You can have it free by post
from our office if you send six postage stamps, with your direction.
Campanula pyramidalis is a perennial. We have never heard before that
cocoa-nut fibre refuse destroys plants by inducing fungi, and we believe
such a statement is not founded on facts.

PROPAGATING THE HortyHock (A Subdscriber).—This is easily done at
the present time, by taking a few shoots about a yard long or so, and
cutting them into lengths of two joints each, removing the leaves from the
lower joint and inserting the cuttings in sandy soil under a hand-glass.
Almost eyery cutting will grow. Any time in the early part of June will
do. Later on in the year this propagating requires the assistance of a hot-
bed, and is then more uncertain.

‘PraR TREE NoT BEARING (Idem).—Pear trees cannot always be made to

ear all over the tree as a Vine can be made to do. If your tree bears a8
many near the extremities as you think the whole tree ought to produce,
you must not complain. A partial remedy, however, may be had by in-
troducing some young shoots from the centre of the tree and training them
between the older branches and removing the latter when the younger ones
are far enough advanced ; but the tendency to bear most on wood that is
two or three years old, will always show itself in spite of all that can be
done. Allowing the spurs to extend a long way from the wall will some-
times induce fruit in the centre; but the ugly appearance of the tree
hur Jy jusuties tae pian.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGH GARDENER.

385

Kilmarnock).—Your ‘prickly Pear’’

Pranr Descrrpep (.A Subscriber,
or Thorn Apple. It is

we think must have been the Datura Stramonium,
a native of this country,

FLOWER-GARDEN PLANTING (An Trishwoman).—We think your proposed
arrangements will look yery well, and we presume your Shrubland Pet is
allright. We have had, however, some trouble in finding the connections
in your letter, and were you not a lady we would advise the beginning
your tale at the first page of a sheet and going regularly onwards. We
have had to twist and turn to find out what you meant or what you wanted,
and we are sure you did it quite unthinkingly; but all correspondents
asking such questions should endeavour to give as little trouble as possible.

TREATMENT OF QuioksET Hepars THE First YEAR AFTER PLANTING
(B. R. S.).—Unless the hedge be planted early in the autumn, it is best not
to cut the plants down until the following season, when a much better
result will follow, In the district where the best hedges are reared this is
the practice, and it cannot well be improved.

PLANTS For Stumps oF TREES ON A Sunny Situation (Idem).—There
is nothing better than some of the Tropwolums, as Elegans, Eclipse, &c.
Tvy-leaved Geraniums are also good, and the Gold and Silver-edged Ivy
itself looks very well und does well. Some of the hanging species of Mesem-
bryanthemums also look well, as likewise does the variegated Periwinkle,
and even Scarlet and other Geraniums do pretty well. On the other hand,
Calceolarias, Lobelias, Verbenas, and such plants as like a richer soil and
more of it, do not so well, as we expect the quantity of mould is too limited,

Geranium Leaves Srorrep (A New Amateur Subscriber).—The spot
you complain’ of is mildew, caused, we think, by the plants receiving too
much water, or, perhaps, being too much in the shade and not warm
enough. After potting-off, bedding Geraniums of the Scarlet class require
very little water until they begin to grow. We haye never known the eyil
so late as you seem to have it, but it is common enough in the dark days,
but disappears when more sun and drier weather set in.

PLUMBAGO CAPENSIS Nor Frowerine (Jdem).—If your plant was too
much in the shade during the early part of the summer, it would not have
time to prepare its flower-buds before the season was too far advanced for
its blooming. Potting the plant after May is also more likely to produce
wood than flowers. It also requires a house a little warmer than an ordinary
greenhouse to induce it to flower well, although after it has flowered any
cool house will do for it. It does better against a wall than against a
trellis in a pot; but in the latter we have seen it do vety well, and we
have no doubt but you will succeedif the season be a warm one, and you are
able to give it a little heat to begin the summer with.

Fics 1x A House Droprine Orr (A. WV. B.).—Most likely your Fig
tree lacks water. At this particular time the Figs seem to revel in
moisture, and the tree being in a house the usual moisture it would have
received out of doors is denied it. Try watering well and stopping some
of the shoots and most likely you will get the second crop to ripen, and
more especially if you thin them freely if they show too abundantly.

ORancE TREE Not TuRivine (Idem).— If your tree was in bad health
last year, it would have been better to haye repotted it entirely, and
ascertained if the drainage, &c., was perfect, as we suspect it is suffering
that way, for although the Orange likes abundance of moisture, it does not
like it stagnant. The warmth of a conservatory that is at present increased
to encourage the growth of the Camellias, will not be too much for the
Orange tree. On the contrary, it ought to suit it exactly. Better examine
the roots, and if they be decayed and bad cut them in and repot in a rather
more open soil with plenty of drainage and in a smaller pot, cutting back
the top at the same time, and shade and syringe until the summer’s growth
is finished, when it may be gradually hardened and turned out of doors for
a time, taking care that it does not suffer from too much rain and yet has
plenty.

CaraLpA nor Frowerine (H. P. B.).—Although we are told this tree
flourishes in the swampy districts where the war is now raging in South
Carolina, we are far from certain that a damp situation suits it in England.
Qa the contrary, the places where it seems to flourish most are on dry stony
or gravelly soils, where it flowers abundantly, and in the hot seasons of
1858 and 1859 it formed seed-pods. As your tree is so old, it would be
better to procure a young one from a nursery to plant in some dry place,
and in due time you will be favoured with flowers. It seems to require all
the warmth of our hottest summers, and consequently in unfavourable
situations or adverse seasons it does not succeed so well. We had but few
flowers in 1860 and 1861, but before these times, and also last year, we have
never failed in haying abundance of flowers on trees planted on dry stony
soils.

Movine an Anaucarra (Idem).—We are far from certain which is the
best time to transplant this tree, as we once removed two in April, much
alike in every respect, and one of them did remarkably well and the other
one died. We are inclined to think that September is the best month 3, but
we confess being uncertain on this point. Much depends on the condition
of the tree to be moved, and other circumstances, as one that has stood
a number of years in one place—and that place a particularly good one—
cannot well be removed without suffering more or less; and as it is &
naked-rooted plant, a ball with it is not easily obtained. Securing every
fibre carefully and planting the same again, and spreading out as carefully
as a tree is nailed against a wall, will generally insure success; but the season
and other circumstances haye much influence on this.

Srepiine Pansres (ZL. F. F.).—We do not discern anything new among
them. ‘fhere are two tolerable flowers—the one with pale lemon ground,
good eye, back petals, and belt of deep purple; the other orange ground,
small eye, back petals, and belt maroon; but these are inferior to many
named varieties. Itis very difficult to decide upon the merits of a Pansy
from a single flower. Unless three good specimens are sent of each variety
we cannot hazard an opinion. The other specimens sent were deficient
both in form and substance,

Srepiinc CycuamEens (Cyclamen Ignoramus).—You canuot do better
than let your seed-bed, pan, or pot alone until the plants develope them~
selves, Continue to give them sufficient water to prevent their sufferin
from want of it, and no more. By-and-by you will be favoured wil
foliage, which continue to encourage until the end of the growing season;
after which let the plants go to rest in some cool place, secure from frost
and heavy rain, yet not entirely dry, and most likely you will have a
! number of roots like small potatoes, the largest of which ‘will flower next
| year.

386

T£MPERATURE FOR EPACRISES AND AZALEAS Cur Back (A Subscriber).—
The Azaleas may have 50° at first, increasing to 60°. The Epacrises much
the same; but increase the heat gradually, and give a rest first of ten
days or a fortnight. See “Doings of Last Week.’ You cannot have a
better guide than Keane's “‘In-door Gardening,” which you can haye from
our office free by post for twenty postage stamps.

SWEET-SCENTED GERANIUM AND VERBENA CUTTINGS (Ignoramus).—Nothing
is more easy to strike than these, especially in spring, when cuttings may be
put into ordinary sandy soil, with a little clean sand at top; and the pots
being half plunged into some bed, with a little bottom heat, and slightly
shaded for a few days, they speedily become plants; and by being allowed
to remain there, the tops of Verbenas are often taken off and made into
morecuttings. This is especially the case with scarce ones.

Water FoR A Conservatory (A Subscriber).—Why not have a tank
sunk in the floor, with a gutter round the eaves of the roof communicating
With the tank by a stock-pipe? We have found the rain collected from
such a roof sufficient for the supply of all the inhabitants of a conservatory.
if you live in the east of England, where the rainfall is least, the supply
might not be quite enongh. From sucha tank, by the aid of a hydropult,
you might water the plants easily and efficiently. If you fear that in
excessive rains the tank might overflow, could you not have an escape-pipe
from it? The tank might be outside, and even at a distance, by continuing
the stock-pipe to it; and then any little iron pump might be fitted to the
tank. When the tank is inside the conservatory, the water is always of a
genial temperature.

RETARDING THE FLOWERING OF FucusiAs, GeRaniums, &c. (W. Miller).
—The greenhouse varieties of Pelargonium may be kept from flowering
by being placed on the north side of a wall after being repotted, and
pinching off the flower-buds as they appear, until the time when they are
wanted. A like treatment will also enable you to have Scarlet Geraniums
in good condition ; or, if you let the latter flower as early as you can, and
then cut off all the flowers and repot, the second crop will come in about
the time you speak of. Fuchsias, when good, remain long enoughin flower
to satisfy most people; but you may retard them by turning them out of
doors; and, if they were plunged in a gentle hotbed, with their tops quite
exposed, short-jointed fine-grown plants would be just coming into flower
at the time you want them. We do not know of any work bearing on the
treatment of these particular plants, but much may be learned by reading
our back Numbers on this subject.

GERMAN Asters ATTAczeD By Biicur (H. C. Horton).—This is a very
common occurrence, but coming at a particularly busy time it is often
neglected. A syringing with tobacco liquor will be of much use; and if
any tokens of insects appear on the plants at the time of transplanting, it
is easy to dip their tops in a weak decoction of tobacco. Generally speaking
it is an aphis that is the cause of this evil. If, however, it be a mildew,
sulphur may be applied; but this cannot be done so well except at the
Planting time, when their tops being dipped in tobacco liquor as above, they
may then be dusted with sulphur, and will do muck towards preventing the
evil complained of.

Winp Insgurine NEWLY-PLANTED CALCEOLARIAS, &c. (W. C. H. D. A.).—
It is not unlikely but the late winds may have been hurtful, if not fatal, to
a@ great many things; but in your case we would advise the Calceolarias
being left alone, when they will recover in time. We suspect your plants
have been too much coddled before planting-out. Ours of the same kind
were planted-out early in April, having previously been fully exposed for
some weeks before; and now they are dwarf, bushy, fine plants, only
waiting for a good rain to start them into vigorous growth and flowering.
Cutting down the plants in their present condition will only retard their
ultimate success. If you had taken the precaution of sticking or laying
a few laurel boughs over your bed, much injury from the wind would have
been averted.

Propacatinc DouBLE CuInese Primurta (H. T. G.).—You must wait
until you can obtain side shoots about 14 inch long, when they may be
taken off with the knife and inserted in sandy peat, and placed in the
Striking-pit or hotbed. Generally, itis best to allow a plant to grow to a
good size and then to cut it into pieces, and each cutting or side shvot will
become a plant. This is better than mutilating specimens, as they furnish
cuttings only tardily.

Names or Puants (S. Lake).—1, Rhododendron glaucum; 2, Boronia
tetrandra; 8, an Oxalis, apparently violaceu. (UM. B., Staffordshire).—
Nothing but Cystopteris fragilis, though a small neat form. In Gladiolus
the accent is on the 7; in fact the o is not pronounceé at all. (H. P. D.).—
1, Koniga maritima variegata, or Alyssum maritimum variegatum ;
2, Arabis alpina variegata.

POULTRY, BEE, and HOUSEHOLD CHRONICLE.

-POULTRY SHOWS.

May 28th. Norra Hants. Sec., Mr. Henry Downs, Basingstoke. Entries
close April 23rd.

JUNE 3rd. Brveriey. Secs., H. Adams and J. Kemp, jun.

Junz llth. THorne. Sec., Mr. Jos. Richardson.

Juty 2nd. Prescot. Sec., Mr. James Beesley.

JULY 20th to 24th. WorcksTERSHIRE. Sec., Mr. J. Holland, Chesnut
Walk, Worcester. Entries close June 20th.

Aveusr 29th. Hattrax AND CALDER VALE. Sec.,Mr. W. Irvine, Halifax.

SEPTEMBER 2nd. CorTinGHAM. Sec., Mr. J. Brittain.

QUERIES ABOUT BIRDS FOR EXHIBITION.

A veny valued correspondent wishes for a sort of chatty paper
on points that have an interest for him just now. We believe
many are in the same predicament; and as it is rather soothing
to our ideas of our own knowledge of the subject and of our own
Position in the poultry world to be appealed to, we think we
will havea familiar “talk” with our friends. We will dismount
and speak with them on level ground.

We know the difficulty of getting perfect birds as well as any

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ May 26, 1863.

one—we consider it almost an impossibility. Our correspondent
puts it so well and truthfully, that we cannot do better than
quote from him. ‘You know the difficulty of getting a perfect
bird; and when by eye you have selected an Apollo, you find
on handling his breast is a few degrees out of the straight line.
Would such a fault be destruction to his hopes as a prize bird ?”
If the competition were very close we say it would, but it must
be very close. There is only one breed in which a crooked
breast is a positive disqualification, that is in Game.

We think we can easily show why that is venial in one which
is fatal to the other. The ends of the two breeds are opposed.
In one we want hard flesh and feather, perfect symmetry and
harmony of shape, the greatest possible endurance and activity.
The two last properties must depend, not only on fault’ ees pro-
portions, but on strength of constitution.

It isundoubtedly true that in some cases a crooked breast is
an hereditary failing, but in others it is the result of fast growth
and of early hatching. The Game fowl is not hatched in Jan-
uary ; his properties can be developed only by taking advantage
of every favourable circumstance—warm weather, short nights,
and natural season: hence he generally enters the world in April
or May. He is not bred for tie table, and is treated with
stimulants at all ages. The Dorking is the reverse. He is bred
only for the table. Hardness is a defect with him when a
chicken; nourishment is substituted for stimulants. He is re-
quired to be quiet and easy to acquire size and to put on fat.
The profit of the breed depends much on early hatching. The
chickens see the light in January; by dint of food and pains-
taking they are large chickens in March—too large for maternal
care, and they perch. This is the root of the evil. The sharp,
clever, strong Game chicken clasps the perch with his toes,
holds on securely and without effort in July when he is three
months old. The heavy forced Dorking is a large fowl at the
same age, and he attains it in March. He has to perch five
hours longer than the Game; his large long frame and rapid
growth, unfavourable to muscular development, have not strength
in the feet to clasp a perch and maintain the position by the
mere fact of doing so, He attempts it, but the feet get gradually
wider apart, and the body descends little by little till at last
the long cartilaginous breastbone rests on the perch, and it
remains there during the long hours of a winter’s night. As
this is constantly occurring, there is small wonder if it takes the
form of the perch, or, at least, contracts a curve. It seems to
us that this explains why the same thing may disqualify one
bird and be allowed in another. We still hold a crooked breast
to be a defect, but we do not think it should disqualify a
Dorking.

Now we have to deal with another query. ‘‘ Which is the
greater fault—a somewhat irregular fout or curvature of the
breast ?”

We do not know what an irregular foot is. Has it only four
toes? Js it clubbed? Is it turned the wrong way? Which-
ever it may be, we prefer the breast-curvature for competition.
This latter will be detected by handling only. The other is
plain to the sight, and will at once disqualify, rendering useless
all the good qualities that handling might discover.

“ Are very early birds to be relied on for Birmingham? My
January pullets are laying.”

April and in some cases May birds are early enough for winter
exhibition; as a rule among pullets we would at a December
show rather take May than January birds for success. The
latter are hens.

“Do you think it well to keep the sexes separate ?”

In selecting birds either for stock or exhibition we would
always keep them separate if we could. It is more important
for the cocks than pullets. If they can be kept separate till they
are eight or nine months old it is much in their favour.

AGRICULTURAL HALL POULTRY SHOW.

In connection with the Great International Dog Show that is
held during the present week at the new Agricultural Hall at
Islington, a Poultry Show has been organised.

This is held in the minor hall, a very large well-lighted
structure that is admirably adapted for the purpose. ‘The pens,
which are of wire, are arranged round the sides, and also form
three double rows down the centre, with wide aisles between
capable of accommodating a very large number of visitors.

The general management is in tie hanus of Mese-s. 2) sug.as

May 26, 1863. ]

‘and Blythe, both well known as possessing great experience in
conducting poultry shows to a successful termination.

At this early period it is impossible to give a detailed and very
critical account of the proceedings, which must of necessity be
deferred until next week’s Journal. We may say that most of
the well-known exhibitors have entered, and that the Game
classes are unusually full and good fora London show. Dorkings,
of course, are well represented, and all the varieties of Hamburghs
muster in very good force.

Subjoining the prize list we defer our further remarks until
our next issue.

SpanisH.—First, Giscountess Holmesdale. Second, R. Wright. Third,
J. Rood.
Dorsrves. — First and Second, Viscountess Holmesdale. Third, J.

Drewry.
Cocurs-Catsa (Buff or Cinnamon).—First, C. T. Bishop. Second, T.
Stretch. Third, S. Statham.

Cocats-Cura (Any other colour).—Csptain Heaton. Second, R. Chase.
Third, E. Tudmsn.

Hamsures (Golden-pencilled).—First, J. E. Powers.
Third, A. Nuttall

Hamecres (Silver-pencilled).—First, Viscountess Holmesdale. Second,
H. Beldon. Third, J. Dixon.

Hamscnes (Golden-spangled).—First, S. H. Hyde.
Third. W. Carter.

Hausrsex (Silver-spangled).—First, T. Davies. Second, H. Beldon.
Third, H. Carter.

Game (Black Reds).— First, Capt. Wetherall.
Third, S. Matthew.

Gans ‘Brown Reds).—First, Rev. F. Watson.
Third, S. Matthews.

Game (Duckwing).—First, R. Gilbert. Second, J. Fletcher. Third, G. W.
Langdale.

Game (Any other Variety)—Fircst, W. Dawson. Second, H. Adams.
Third, Rey. G. S. Cruwys.

Axyy Vasretr (not named).—First, T. P. Edwards (White-crested Black
Polands). Second, P. P. Cother (Pheasant Malay). Third, J. Dixon
(Polands).

Branma Poorrss —First and Third, ©. Priest.

Game Basytams (Any variety).—First, R. B. Postans.
Forrest. Third, G. Manning.

Bantams (Gold and Silver-Isced).—First, Rey. G. S. Cruwys.
T.H.D. Bayley. Third, G. Manning.

Bayrams (Other varieties).—First, Cant. F. Marten (Japanese Muitlers).
Second, Capt. Wetherall (White). Third, Miss K. Charlton (Black).

SWEEPSTAKES.

Game Cocss —First, J. Stubbs. Second, H. Adams, Third, A. B. Dyas.

Basrams (Game).—First, T. H. D. Bayley. Second, N. Sykes, jun.
Third, J. Camm. ars

Jupers.—Mr. Hewitt, Sparkbrook, Birmingham ; and Mr.
Tegetmeier, Muswell Hill, London.

Second, N. Barter.

Second, N. Marlor.

Second, J. Fletcher.

Second, M. G. Ashwell.

Second, J. Hinton.
Second, W. J.

Second,

GAPES IN FOWLS.

Urow the parasitical worm causing this affection in poultry
and some other birds, Professor Simonds recently made the
following observations :—

“With regzard to fowls and the existence of worms in their
windpipes ; in that case the worm is not the Filaria bronchialis,
nor is it allied to that description of worm.

“Tt is termed Syngemus trachialis, and believed to be the
connecting link between the bi-sexual worm and those in which
the sexes were separate and distinct. The worms very rarely
exist in larger numbers than about two or three, though he had
met with ss many as five in the windpipe of a chicken. It isa
true blood-sucker—in fact, a leech. It fixes its head in the
mucous membrane, and exhausts the power of the chicken by
sucking its blood.

* Another curious featurein reference to this worm is, that itis
met with in all the gallinaceous tribes of birds, whether wild or
domesticated : hence it is the cause of great loss in the rearing
of Pheasants und Partridges. Great numbers of Rooks also are
killed by it; but, singularly enouzh, aquatic birds, such as Ducks
and Geese, might march about with perfect impunity amongst
thousands of other things sifected with the Syngamus.

“ ‘The mode of getting rid of the worms is entirely mechanical
— passing 8 feather into the trachea, and giving it a sweep round.
The worm attaches itself to the barbs of the feather, and so is
brought away. That being the case, there is no occasion for the
feather to be dipped in turpentine ; on the contrary, dipping
the feather into turpentine is more likely to kill the chicken. A
great many chickens, however, are destroyed by this means; and
he believed that they could best get rid of the worms by m=king
the birds inhale a medicated air, and inducing them to take up
little pellets of food mixed with assafcetida and turpentine. Let
8 few grains of barley, for example, be steeped in turpentine, and
be thrown down with others to the poultry. The birds would

then pick up the gra‘ns indiscriminately, and if they picked up |

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

387

the steeped grain with the other the worm would thus be got rid
of. The fumes of tobacco are also an excellent remedy. Let the
chicken be placed under s tub propped up a little on one side;
then burn the tobacco on the outside, and let the draught carry
the smoke into the tub. Do this, and with the assistance of
assafcetida pills, they would even destroy the Syngamus trachialis.”

FOOD OF CHICKS PREVIOUS TO WEANING.

Snorpy matters are better avoided till the little things are old
enough to eat a few grains of good wheat, of the best sample,
which will not be thrown away upon them. Meat and insect
diet are almost necessary ; but raw vegetables chopped small, or
Indian meal dough, containing no salt, so grateful to young
Turkeys, are caviare to chickens. But whatever the bill of fare,
the meals must be given at short intervals ; as much as they can
swallow, as often as they can eat. The reader will please to
remember that when he came into the world, all that was
expected of him was to grow and be good-natured. He had not
to provide his long clothes out of his mother’s milk, nor to
elaborate pinafores from a basin of soaked biscuit: but for peor
little chickens, the only known baby-linen warehouse is situated
in their stomachs. And with all their industry, they are only
half clad, till flesh and blood stop growing for a while, and allow
down and feathers to overtake them.

The period at which they are left to shift for themselves
depends upon the disposition of the hen. Some will continue
their attentions to their chicks till they are nearly full grown,
others will cast them off much earlier. In the latter case, it
may be as well to keep an eye upon them for a few days, till
they have established themselves as independent members of the
gallmaceous community ; for chickens, in this half-grown state,
are at the most critical period of their life. They are now much
more liable to disease than when they were apparently tender
little weaklings crowded under their mother’s wings. It is just
before arriving at this point of growth that artificially-hatched
chickens are so sure to fail, whether hot air, hot water, or sheep
skins be the substitute for the mother’s care.— (Prairie Farmer.)

FOOD ESCAPING FROM BOTTLE-FEEDERS.

Lrke your Deyon contributor at page 303, I too was prone to
ascribe the very considerable slope my boards kad when the bees
were solely under the protection of the straw hackle, having some-
thing to do with the evil (but not a wide-mouthed bottle, as I
have never fed with one over an inch), the more so as I was once
greatly surprised in the spring at the effect an extreme slope had
on the ventilation of a colony, causing an amount of evaporation
at the entrance, far in advance of the colony’s real strength.

Some alterations in my apiary at the end of last season in-
duced me to bring the boards exactly level, without at all affect-
ing these disagreeable escapes of food. One of my best queens,
by the way, the last time [ had the pleasure of an interview, I
observed had her full share of this unwelcome shower-bath.

The cue to solye the enigma is, that such escapes rarely occur
but in the mornings, and then almost invariably after frost. Upon
discussing with your last-named correspondent this same leakage
question in No. 36, I recorded having found quite an accumu-
lation of food on the board of a weak colony, which perished
during a long frost, an unemptied bottle being upon the board.

Whether or not the frost causes the bees to desist from
removing the food is the explanation, or if it in any way effects
some change on the suspended food itself, liquifying it to a
certain extent, and inducing the running at a milder tempera-
ture may possibly be explained by some of your correspondents
more philosophical than—A RENFREWSHIRE BEE-KEEPER.

BRITISH BEE-BOOKS.

Ty the series of articles, of which this is the firat, I propose
giving a short account of all the distinct treatises on bees which
haye been published in the United Kingdom. Several incomplete
catalogues of apiarian works exist. There is an alphabetical
list of bee-books in the Rey. W. C. Cotton’s “ Bee-Book.” This,
however, is imperfect, and appears to have been a list of the
works in the author’s library.

In Milton’s “Practical Bee-keeper” there is a list of writers
names chronologically arranged. This last, like Mr. Cotton’s

388

includes foreign as well as English writers, and comprises the
names, not only of the authors of distinct treatises, but also of
those who have made the slightest allusion to bees or bee-
keeping, : ; :

The plan I propose to adopt differs essentially from either of
these. I intend to give the titles of the works in full, with the
date of every edition, the size, number of pages, &c., and to
append a short account of the character of the work.

T hope to include every separate treatise, however small, and
also the more important articles from the proceedings of learned
societies. Articles in magazines and newspapers will not be
noticed, as it would be impossible to compile a complete list of
these fugitive papers. ‘The list will be arranged chronologically,
the time being taken from the publication of the first edition.

I conceive that I possess peculiar qualifications for the task I
have undertaken. I have a great interest in the subject, and am
in poseession, I believe, of the most extensive collection of
apiarian works. 5

I cannot hope, however, to make my list complete without
the assistance of the numerous collectors of bee-books. Many
works may have escaped my notice; and should I omit any, I
hope some of the readers of Toa JoURNAL OF HORTICULTURE
will help to render it complete. As it is proposed to publish
the list subsequently in a separate form, any suggestions that
may increase its value will be very gratefully received.

The first distinct English treatise on bees of which I can gain
any intelligence is that of Hyll or Hill, published 1568.* ‘Lhe
Rev. W. C. Cotton, however, gives a title as follows :—

‘Bee, a numerous genus of insects, which have attracted an
uncommon share of attention in all countries, and in every age,
on account of their Industry, Art, and Utility. 1639.’ It
appears obvious that there must be some mistake—the language
of the title is not that of the period; nor can I find any such
book in the British Museum or other library. Can any readers
of the Journal give information on this work? In the meantime,
regarding Hill’s as the first English treatise on the subject, I
give the titles in full.

1568. HILL. “ A pleasaunt Instruction of the parfit orderinge
of Bees with the marueilous nature propertie and gouernement of
theim and the myraculous uses, bothe of their honny and waxe
(seruing diuersly) as well inwarde as outward causes ; gathered
out of the best writers. To which is annexed a profitable treatise
intituled certain husbandly coniectures of dearth and plentie for
euer, and other matters also meet for husbandmen to knowe and
which is now Englished by Thomas Hill, Londyner. 1568.”

This edition has a vortrait of the author at the back of the
title, and at the end “ Imprinted at London in Fletestrete neare
to 8. Dunstones Churche by Thomas Marshe. 1568.” This
edition is in 12mo. black letter; and, like the other editions, is
appended to his “ Arte of Gardening,” but is paged separately
and has a distinct title. The first edition of Hill’s Gardening
isin 12mo. London, 1568. It is entitled “A most briefe and
pleasant treatyse teachynge how to dress sow and set a garden.”
This edition does not contain the treatise on bees.

The subsequent editions of Hill’s treatise vary so much in the
title and size that it is desirable to print that of 1574.

1574. Hyll. “A profitable instruction of the perfite ordering
of Bees, with the maruellous nature, propertie, and gouernemente
of them and the necessarie yses both of their Honie and waxe
seruing diuersly, as well inward as outward causes: gathered
out of the best writers. ‘Io which is annexed a proper ‘Treatise
intituled : Certain husbandly coniectures of dearth and plentie
for euer, and other matters also meete for Husbandmen to knowe,
etc. By Thomas Hyll. Londoner. Imprinted at London, by
Bont Bynneman. Anno 1574.” Small quarto, fol. 88. Black

etter.

This edition has on its last page “Imprinted at London by
Henrie Bynneman, dwelling in Knightryder streate at the signe of
the Mermayde, anno 1574,” and printer’s monogram of mermaid.

1579. This edition, quarto, fol. 92, was elso printed by
Bynneman.

1586. The edition, of this date has the same title, with imprint
Ei sollene :—“Imprinted at London by Robert Walde-graue.
ieee Same title. ‘Imprinted at London by Edward Alde.
' *The earliest printed work on the subject is, I believe, an extremely
Tare continental work in monkish Latin. Date about 1510, with a running
Ans “‘ Boni universalis de proprietatibus apum.” Of this curious book

ope to give some account at a future time.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ May 26, 1863.
1608. Same title, except ‘“‘ By Thomas Hill, Londoner. Im-
printed at London by H. B. 1608.”

All these editions of Hill are in the library of the British
Museum. Hyll’s treatise contains little practical instruction,
and is confessedly a compilation from ‘“ the bookes and volumes
of many and divers antient writers.’ Butler, in the preface to
his ‘Feminine Monarchie,” speaks of Georgius Pictorius, a
learned Physician, as having taken most paines in perusing the
ancient authors, and adds: “Whom one T. H. of London
translating word for word into English, as well as he could,
concealing the authors name, adyentured to publish in his
owne name.”

Hill’s work is divided into forty chapters, the titles of which
give a very good idea of the nature of the information they
contain. Thus “Chap. 3. How bees do naturally engender.”
“They lay eggs,” says our writer, “setting on them as hens do
on their eggs, and when they have sit on them for the space of
45 daies they do hatch their yong ones which yong at the first
do come forth much like to white wormes except the king who
onely as he is hatched hath wings.” Chap. 8. “The marveilous
gouernment of the king of Bees and of the obedience which the
vse to him.”

In the chapter on the best kinds of hives, he describes English
hives as being of straw, and says that the hive ought to be
13 or 2 feet high, and in breadth above 2% feet or somewhat
larger ; and in chapter 3 he describes observatory-hives formed of
thin and clear horne belonging to a certain Consul at Rome, in
which Guilielmus de Conchis obseryed the different kinds of
bees.

The method of obtaining the honey from the hives was
by making a smoke by burning linen rags or straw in a pot,
setting this within the hive, and subsequently turning the hive
up and cutting out the surplus combs.

In Milton’s chronological list the next work is ‘1572,
Anonymus.” I know of no work corresponding to this date,
nor did I see any at the sale of Mr. Milton’s books.

May I be allowed to ask that any of my readers who have
other apiarian works before 1600 will kindly oblige me with
the titles in full? —W. B. TrecermErer, Muswell Hill, London, N.

[Tuomas Hint, Hyrt or Hyuue, was a mere booksellers’ hack,
writing upon any subject required, and being no authority upon
any. Works of his are extant on arithmetic, astronomy, bees,
dreams, divinity, gardening, and physiognomy. He was probably
a native of the metropolis, for on all his title-pages he is entitled
“Tondoner.” One work, ‘The Gardeners’ Labyrinth,’ he
published under the name of “ Didymus Mountain,’ which are
only mongrel synonymes of his real name “Thomas Hill.” He
was dead when an edition of that work was published in 1586,
—Eps. J, oF H.]

OUR LETTER BOX.

Rovpy Fowts (C. J. §.).—As a rule no fowl can be depended upon that is
bought out of a coop in London, as seven-eighths are either diseased or will
be in a day or two. The condition in which they are seen explains this—
in a corfined cage or basket, not always the cleanest in the world,
injudiciously fed, and deprived of almost everything that is necessary for
health, instead of fresh air and cleanliness, they are packed closely with
all sorts of disease, and the coups are never untenanted. Kill all the worst
cases. Have every house thoroughly cleansed and lime-whited. Feed your
fowls freely on bread steeped in strong ale, and assoon as you have any
grass carried, let them have the run of the fields. Above all, let the hens
and chickens be put there.

Hen Picron not Layine (J. Robinson).—Your hen sitting ona nest but
not laying, is most probably barren. The only treatment likely to be of
service to her is to give her an egg or a pair ot eggs tc hatch and rear the
young. Afterwards, possibly, she may lay. Barren hens are by no means
uncommon.

Canaries Dyine (W. H. H.).—The only reason we can assign for your
birds dying in your mixed aviary is that the stronger birds will not allow
the weaker to feed. We would recommend youto place more feeding-
boxesin the aviary. The oiled boards do not affect the birds.

ILL-FLAvOURED Burrer (M. Wf. H.).—The plant you enclose is Ranun-
culus acris, about the most blistering of the genus, and usually avoided by
cattle. If your cow has only a small pasture, and this weed abounds, it is
possible she may eat it, and that it may cause the butter ‘‘all through the
year to have a bitter and often a semi-rancid taste.”” You may eradicate
the weed by having it pulled up by the roots as often as it appears, which
can be easily done after rain. Onno account let it seed. Those who pull
it up should wear gloves, or their hands will be blistered and inflamed by
its juice.

Dark Licurtan Drones (J. Z.).—The drone accompanying your letter
is_so dark as not to be distinguishable from the common species, and yet it
may be true Ligurian for all that. Some of the purest queens breed very
dark drones, and, what is very singular, these sometimes become the fathers
of a more than ordinarily handsome Ligurian progeny.

tem s of these daysasre 69.1° :

and 46.3° respectively. The greatest heat, 90>, occurred on the 7th, in

and the lowest cold, 33°,

June 2, 1863. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. sep
WEEKLY CALENDAR.
oc pxpon Is 1862. |
Says) Day. | } WaATHEE NEAR Loxpon IN 186: Moon Clock
JUNE 2—8, 1863. i | Rie | Rain i Sun | Sun Rises Moon’s ter | Dey ef
sol eee? . Barometer. Thermom.| Wind. | istics Rises, | Sets. ‘andSets| Age. San. Yeax.
—| | j
—- }
| | degrees. | m. m. a. m. h. - rm. s.
> ses | 30.03¢—29.977 79-52 S.W. 50af3 | SafS | 53 8 16 a 33 iss
3 w a ines age B. | 30,095—g0.092 | 69-41 | S.W. | 02 | 4 Sif 6) Bi f Race ee 2 14] ie
4 | Ta | Prive: flowers. [jsobss— scans eee Aa BEML T | — 40.3], Bi A, | 2 4)
5 F | Tournefort born, 1656. B. | 29.810—29.615| 65—50 Pai 23) (28 S08 oe i Se), ae
6 s Enchanter’s Nightshade flowers. 29.632—29.514 | 67—39 SW. | .03 as 8 | 27 2 44 is
| 7 | Sow | 1 Suspay arrxe Terr. | 29.7¢1—29.668 | 7138 | SW. | -06 | 47 3/19 8/59 1) QL | 1 33) ts
8 x Butterwort flowers. | 29.925 —29, 71-36 BWeuil 4/46 $| ul 8 |, mom. r¢ 1 22| is
MsErzoRoLocy oF THE WEER.—At Chiswick, from observations during the last thirty-six years, the average highest and lowest

peratures
on the Sth, in 1856. During the peri

od 141 days were fine, and on 111 rain fell.

GARDENING IN DEFIANCE OF DIFFICULTIES.

ARDENING isa source
of pleasure, and what-
eyer affords pleasure
to an Englishman he
will obtain, unless cir-
cumstances render the
acquirement impossi-
ble. We have known
dancing for a whole
night five hundred
miles from any land,
near the equator; and
a day’s shooting in a
boat far away tothe
south, between the
Cape of Good Hope and the South Pole.

Gardening is not less enthusiastically clung to; and as
it is among our pursuits most worthy of such adherence,
so most assuredly are those who pursue if among the
most deserving of our fellow-counirymen. A few illus-
trative facts, therefore, merit recording.

_ df there is any locality where gardening would be
abandoned, we should have expected that it would be in

there are academical studies of such dry abstract quality,
and requiring such a peculiar mental formation, as would
lead to the belief that they could have no sympathy
with gardening, and mathematics would seem te be ef
that quality—yet Humphrey Newton, who acted fer
some years as Sir Isaae Newton's amanuensis, speaking
of Sir Isaac’s habits whilst at Trinity College. says-—
‘**He was very curious in his garden, which was never
out of order, in which he would at some seldome time
take a short walk or two, not enduring to see a weed m
| it.° Noe did Sir Isaac restrain his gardening efforts te
the small enclosure of his own garden; for he endea
| youred to establish cider orchards at Cambridge, and the
| following, written in November, 1676, was addressed to
| Mr. Oldenburg, then Secretary of the Royal Society=—
| “I am desired to write to you about procurizg a
recommendation of us to Mr. Austin, the Oxenian
| planter. We hope your correspondent will be pleased
| to do us that favour as to recommend us to him, that we
may be furnished with the best sort of cider fruit wees.
We desire only about 20 or 30 graffs for the first essex,
and if these prove for our purposes they will be deamed
in great numbers. We desire graifs rather than sprase,
| that we may the sooner see what they will prove.”
Tn more modern times we have read of a well-knowe
University Professor who adhered to gardening, theagh

_a region of perpetual snow, where artificial heat could | his pallisaded plot required for culture no tool larger
_ not be obtained to compensate for the deficiency of solar | than a trowel, and whose enthusiasm gave rise to ts
influence. Yet even in such a region gardening lingers; | witticism—
and, in the beginning of August, the Rev. S. W. King |
writes thus about the Monastery of St. Bernard :— |
‘“* Before it became dusk we sallied out and faced the

‘ Professor Joweté a little garden made,
Enelosed within 2 little pzllisad
A little garden ta le wit to show it;
And hitle wit had litle Doctor Jowett.”

Spitzbergen-like weather for a scramble among the rocks
and to the site of the ancient Temple of Jupiter. For
some little distance from tie Convent a sheltered terrace.
scarped on the face of the rock, or piled on stones, and
catching what smn there is when it shines, forms the only
level bit of promenade the monks have outside their own
walls. The further part of this, however, was now
buried under a steeply-sloping bed of deep snow left
from last winter, and almost touching the ‘Convent
Garden’—two terraced patches within low walls, 4 or
5 yards square, in which grew a few tiny Lettuce, almost

microscopic, and two or three equally diminutive repre- |

sentatives of the Cabbage tribe, name unknown. De
Saussure’s description in 1778—‘Ils ont peiue 3 pro-
duire a la fin d’Aowt quelques laitmes et quelques
choux de la plus petite espéce, pour le plaisir de voir

.

Turning to the soldier, we might expect that whilst c=
active service his spear would never be resigned for the
| pruning-hook. Yet this is notso; and even the Duke

of Wellington. when Colonel Wellesley, resolved te eai-
| tivate Potatoes in Mysore as they were cultivated im
| Ireland, his native country. He sent presents to Eag-
| lish ladies in Mysore of Cabbages and Celery, planis ke
j had reared around the biood-stained walls of Serings-
| patam, and seemed as proud of his gardening in pease
| as of his generalship in war.

Nor is such an adherence to horticulture only withia
the power of a commander-in-chief: for we read that
whilst our army was beleaguering Sebastopol Lerd
Raglan repeatedly visited the tent of Colonel Shadferth,
then commarding the 57th, and was so much pleased

eroitre quelque chose’—might have been written that | with the great taste displayed. the small garden laid out
week. Perhzps this forlorn attempt at a garden, with | with the greatest nicety, Hoses trained so as to forme
the thought that it was the height of their few weeks | covered approach to the pouliry-yard. and the whole m
of summer, dark clouds of sleet sweeping over us, and | such good keeping, that the Commander-in-chief wae
whitening the little Lettuces, while we had left all bright | pleased to observe, ‘‘ Henceforth, when addressing say
and glowing in the valley below, gave us a more forcible | communication to you, I shall address you, ‘ Coloned
impression than anything else of the dreary liie of self- j Shadforth, Shadforth Castle.” Cn one occasion, wae2
sacrifice to which these worthy men devote the best! he walked to Balaklava to make arrangements for the
years of their existence.” | comforts of his men, he lost his way, and did not reach

We all know that to the studious mind a change of | the camp until twelve o'clock at night, and he was cox
subject, though still requiring thought, is a relief; yet | sidered to have been taken prisoner. Upon its being

No, 114.--Vou. IV., New SEeres, No. 766.—Voz. XXIX., Orn Serre.

390

known that he had safely arrived, a great many of the 57th
turned ont, and gaye three hearty cheers of welcome, to the
astonishment of many in the camp.

The taste descended to still lower grades, and the well-known
correspondent of the Times has left this record from the camp:—
“The taste for gardening is, I am glad to say, well developed ;
and it is all the more graceful and laudable that it is indulged
jn under the most disadvantageous circumstances. Most seeds
have a decided cryptic character here, and refuse to come up
and look at the sun. If they do, there are rats, the cats, the
dogs, and the fowls at them night and day—besides flies and
ante, and creepers of an infinite variety and shape, and a multi-
plicity of legs, claws, teeth, and nippers. The French have been
more successful than ourselves ; perhaps they had better ground,
and paid more attention to watering. ‘Their little gardens by
the Tchernaya are quite green, ours are generally of a fine Van-
dyke brown. Military horticulture is of an eminently culinary
character. None of your Fuchsias or Camellias, or pretty
plants and flowers with ugly names, but strong-smelling,
Vigorous potherbs—they are the desiderata. An acre of Mig-
nonette isnot worth a square yard of ‘Spring Onions’—miles
of glowing Orchids would not be compared for a moment with
a few Lettuces, or even a good bed of Dandelions, of which the
French have taught us to make a pungent and excellent salad.
The longing for ‘green meat’ is but imperfectly satisfied, not-
withstanding the number of coasters which come into Balaklava,
and notably into Kamiesch, laden with vegetables. When a
man asks you to dinner, his lure is not fish or game, or even a
turkey, or a bustard from Sinope, but ‘a jolly salad.’”’

Let us pass next to within the prison’s walls and cells. Locks
and bolts and chains cannot exclude gardening even from thence.
Man loves to look upon plants—if only, like Ophelia’s Rose-
mary, “for remembrance.” Warren Hastings bore evidence to
this feeling. His partiality for his seat at Dalesford, bought
-on his return from India, is well known. ‘There is a small
wood near the house,’ he said to Lord Redesdale, “‘the
flowers and paths of which I had on my mind all the time I
was in the East. In the house I passed much of my infancy,
and I feel for it an affection of which an alien could not be
susceptible.”

Then who does not know the story of “Picciola” and the
plant which solaced the prisoner? Turning to more modern
times, and scarcely able to credit that so recently as 1811 Leigh
Hunt and his brother were tried, condemned, and imprisoned
in Horsemonger Lane Gaol for speaking of the Prince Regert
as a middle-aged Adonis! we find Leigh Hurt thus describing
how he triumphed over the tyranny :—

“JT papered the walls with a trellis of Roses; I had the
ceiling coloured with clouds and sky; the barred windows
were screened with venetian blinds; and when my bookcases
were set up with their busts and flowers, and a piano-forte
made its appearance, perhaps there was not a handsomer room
-on that side the water. Charles Lamb declared there was no
other such room except in a fairy tale. But I had another
surprise, which was a garden. There was a little yard outside,
railed off from another belonging to the neighbouring ward.
This yard I shut in with green palings, adorned it with a trellis,
bordered it with a thick bed of earth from a nursery, and even
‘contrived to have a grass plot. The earth i filled with flowers
and young trees. There was an Apple tree from which we
managed to get a pudding the second year. As to my flowers,
they were allowed to be perfect. A poet from Derbyshire
(Moore) told me he had seen no such Heartsease. Here I
wrote and read in fine weather, sometimes under an awning.
In autumn my trellises were hung with Scarlet Runners, which
added to the flowery investment. I used to shut my eyes in
my arm-chair, and affect to think myself hundreds of miles off.
But my triumph was in issuing forth of a morning. A wicket
out of the garden led into the large one belonging to the prison.
The latter was only for vegetables, but it contained a Cherry
tree, which I twice saw in blossom.”

Than that we could have no more forcible illustration of the
truth told in the old cavalier yerse—

“Stone walls do not a prison make,
Nor iron bars a cage;
Minds innocent and quiet take
‘These for a hermituge.””

The courts and alleys of the democratic portions of London
are In some respects worse flan prisons, yet gardening is not
bavished even frow thei.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ June 2, 1863,

We have often wondered what extent of cultivation these
minds, in the neglected parts of London, are capable of, that
display s0 much refinement in the assiduity with which they
nurse a wild Daisy, or Primrose, in a fractured teapot or ginger<
beer bottle. There is surely something more than the mere
animal development here. Our attention has been more imme-
diately directed to this subject, in consequence of the immense
quantities of the commoner flowers which are, at this season,
continually forced upon our observation, both in the markets, in
the streets, and on hawkers’ trucks. The Primrose, Daisy,
Wallflower, Polyanthus, and Southernwood, are among the most
popular; and in almost every lane, alley, and court, may be seen
the various degrees of success with which these are kept in life.
It is not only in the dwellings of the poor, however, that we
have remarked this fondness for gardening. It would seem that
some, who, perhaps, have no dwelling at all, or such an one as
does not afford the facilities for indulging even this harmless
gratification, resort to other means; and it was but the other
day we encountered, in our perigrinations, a well-cultivated and
fertile spot on the fore-deck of a coal-barge! Who of our readers
would ever have dreamt of a flower-garden in such a spot? Even
our assiduous friend, Mr. Beaton, with all his train of fair fol-
lowers, could never have thought of looking for a flower garden in
such a spot, and that, too, floating on the very bosom of old Father
Thames. And a very pretty garden it was. There were no cir-
cuitous walks, no ingenious devices, no grouping of colours ; but
there were some bright Anemones, of all colours; Polyanthuses
with trusses as Polyanthuses never trussed before; double lilac
Primroses ; Hen-and-chicken Daisies, eclipsing in interest the
finest poultry-yard of the greatest fanciers ; lumps of Stonecrop,
trailing down the sides of old tin tankards; ‘‘ Bloody-walls,” or
“Warriors,” looking as gay as any officer of the household
guards; “ Daffydowndillies,’ as cur ancestors called them, all
rich in beauty, and some replete with fragrance; with here and
there bushes of grim Southernwood, and the whole artfully and
tastefully enclosed with an edging of the whitest of oyster-shells.
We have interesting scenes in London which the rest of the
world know not of; and such a scene as that now described is
more gratifying to us by far than the luxurious and ready-made
window decorations of Belgravia.

There is one place yet where a novice might not expect to find
a love of plants lingering—the chamber where sickness has long
saddened, and in which death is looked to as a rescuer. Even
there the love of vegetable beauty, cultivated plants and their
associated memories, are still cherished.

‘During our late visit to the distressed districts,” says the
editor of that excellent periodical, ““Lhe British Workman,” “we
met (in a cottage in Wigan) with a pleasing illustration of the
value ofa flower. Although the man and his wife were starving
for food, and many articles
of furniture had been dis-
posed of for bread, we were
interested by seeing in the
window a beautiful plant.

“On remarking, ‘Ah, my
friends, I am glad to see
that you are fond of plants.
Be assured that He who
cares for the flowers of the
field, and the birds of the
air, will not be unmindful
cf you; He will surely send
you help.’

© Oh, yes, sir,’ was the
reply, ‘we should not like
to part with that. In
further conversation, we
found that the little plant
was truly a comforter to
the worthy couple in their
distress and solitude.

“Very similar is this case to that of the poor dying female,
who was once found laid on a straw pallet in a garret; nota
single article of furniture in the room, but in the window stood.
a little plant. To the visitor she said, ‘ As I have watched that
little plant grow, I have been comforted with the assurance that
God, who made it, cares for me.’

‘* Fathers and mothers, train up your boys and girls in the
cultivation and love of plants. It will do good to them as well
as yourselves. Flowers are comforters!”

June 2, 1863. ]

THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY’S
EXHIBITION.—May 27.

Tuer vast area of the Great Exhibition, so long empty and
silent, was on Wednesday last again full of life and bustle, for
it was there that the first of the great Shows of the Royal Hor-
ticultural Society was held. ‘Ihe structure would have sheltered
an unlimited number of visitors from the weather; but for-
tunately its capabilities in this respect were not put to the test,
for the day was one of the loveliest of early summer, and free
from those chilling north-easters which have lately prevailed to
the alarm of the gardening community. ‘The attendance of visi-
tors was, consequently, very large, notwithstanding that there
had been a flower show at the Regent’s Park but a week before,
and one at the Crystal Palace only the Saturday previous.

Just before the general public were admitted, their Royal
Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales, attended by the
Duke and Princess Mary of Cambridge, honoured the Show with
a visit. They were received at the entrance by his Grace the
President and other members of the Council of the Society, and
were escorted through the Wxhibition by Mr. W. Wilson Saun-
ders, the Secretary ; and their Royal Highnesses, by the manner
in which they examined the splendid examples of horticultural
skill which lay before them, evinced an interest in horticulture
that must have been highly gratifying to every lover of the art.

The objects exhibited were ranged on each side of the nave,
which from its great breadth permitted a freedom of motion
which is rarely enjoyed at floral exhibitions where crowding is
usually the order of the day. Indeed, this was the only occasion
in our experience when it was possible with a large concourse of
visitors to examine the plants with comfort. We heard it ob-
jected by some that the height of the roof had the effect of
making the plants seem less than they really were, and this
certainly was to some extent the case, and it was urged that a
screen similar to that employed at the Crystal Palace should have
been used ; but then it must be remembered that the roof there
being of glass admits a much greater amount of light than that
of the nave of the Great Wxhibition building. It was, there-
fore, we think, wisely determined on the part of the officers of
the Society not to resort to such an expedient, which, had the
day proved less sunny than it was, would have inevitably caused
too great an amount of shade.

The stove and greenhouse plants which were shown in the
first four classes afforded of themselves a noble display ; and in
several instances the collections were so nearly balanced in point
of merit, that the Judges must have had a most difficult task to
decide which were the best.

In Class 1, for fifteen Stove and Greenhouse Plants, a first
prize was taken by Mr. Peed, gardener to Mrs. Tredwell, Lower
Norwood, with Allamanda cathartica and grandiflora, Hrioste-
mon neriifolium, Ixora alba and coccinea, Polygala acuminata, a
very large and fine Erica Cavendishii, Tetratheca ericsefolia,
Chorozema Lawrencianum, Aphelexia sesamoides superba and
macrantha purpurea, Pimelea spectabilis, and Azaleas Criterion
and Murrayana. Allthe above were handsomely grown, and some
were of very large size. The second prize was awarded to Mr.
Green, gardener to Sir H. Antrobus, Cheam, for a collection
likewise of great merit, but some of the plants had lost their
freshness from having been at the Crystal Palace. In addition
to some of those already named, he had Rhododendron Gibsoni,
Dracophyllum gracile, Aphelexis macrantha rosea (very fine),
Franciscea calycina, Pimelea Hendersoni, a large Hriostemon
intermedium, Hedaroma macrostegium, and Azaleas Preestan-
tissima and Juliana. My, Baxendine, gardener to W. H. Small-
piece, Hsq., Guildford, received a third prize, his collection, it is
almost superfluous to state, being likewise excellent. It included
a fine bushy Rhyncospermum jasminoides, Aphelexis humilis
rosea and macrantha purpurea, Iveryana Azalea, and the double
pink Glory of Sunninghil!, Stephanotis floribunda (some of the
flowers, however, looking rather dingy), a fine bushy Hrica de-
pressa nana, a large and fine Wrica Cavendishii, Boronias Drum-
mondi and microphylla, a fine Coleonema rubra, Statice brassice-
folia, Chorozema Henchmanni (beautifully covered with bloom),
EHpacris heteronema, and Pimelea mirabilis. Mr. Rhodes, who
received a fourth prize, had among other specimens a fine Phe-
nocoma prolifera in full bloom, a large Hrica Cavendishii, Har-
denbergia monophylla, Chorozema cordatum, and a fine Hrica
coccinea minor.

Class 2 was for twelve plants for nurserymen only, and here
Messrs, Fraser, of Lea Bridge, were firat. They had the fine

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

391

blue Leschenaultia biloba major, intermedia of the same genus,
Clerodendron Kempferi with its showy ecarlet flowers, a large
and very fine Erica coccinea minor, Adenandra fragrans, Boronia
serrulata, and Hriostemon buxifolium; but the two Azaleas
Gledstanesi formosa and variegata were anything but good, whilst
the Polygala at the back appeared to be either past its best, or
else was suffering from want of water.

Messrs. Lee, of Hammersmith, came second, with some very
good plants, among which were Phewnocoma prolifera, not fully
out; a large Erica Cavendishii, a Heath which is deservedly a
favourite with allexhibitors; Allamanda grandiflora; a nice bush
of Leschenaultia formosa; Adenandra speciosa; Hedaroma tu-
lipiferum ; Erica tricolor Wilsoni; a small Aphelexis macrantha ;
Pimelea Hendersoni superba, and Allamanda grandiflora, with
several of its large showy yellow flowers.

Mr. Cutbush, of Barnet, received a third prize for a collection
in which were Coleonema rubra and tenuifolia, Hypocolymma
robustum, and Phznocoma Barnesii. Messrs. Jackson & Son
had fourth for an evenly-grown collection, containing Clero-.
dendron Thomsone, Labichea heterophylla, a fine plant of the
pretty Krica ventricosa tumida, a beautiful Pleroma elegans, &c.

In Class 3, for nine plants, Mr. Chilman, gardener to Mrs.
Smith, Ashtead House, !psom, came in first, all the specimens.
being finely grown. They consisted of Erica Cavendishti, Heda-
roma tulipiferum and macrostegium, Aphelexis spectabilis grandi-
flora and macrantha rosea (both fine, but the latter particularly
so), a large Acrophyllum venosum, Polygala Dalmaisiana, Pi-
melea Hendersoni and Franciscea confertifolia, some of the bloom
of the last rather spoilt.

Mr. Kaile, gardener to Earl Lovelace, came second with a
handsome Chorozema Lawrencianum, a nice Rhyncospermum
jasminoides, Epacris miniata grandiflora, and other plants already
named.

Class 4 was for collections of six, and here Mr. Ingram, gar-
dener to J. J. Blandy, Hsq., Reading, was first with some very
nice plants, the most striking, however, being Aphelexis ma-
crantha rosea (which was a beautiful mass of flowers), and
Pimelea spectabilis. Besides these there were a good Stepha-
notis, Statice brassiczefolia, Hedaroma tulipiferum, and Erica
Cavendishii. Mr. Page, who obtained the second prize, had fine
specimens of Pimelea decussata, Hedaroma tulipiferum, Alla-
manda Schotti, and a large Erica Cavendishii.

Mr. Smith. gardener to A. Henderson, Hsq., Norwood Grove,
was third. He had a fine Hoya bella, also a very good Rhynco-
spermum jasminoides.

Extra prizes were awarded to Mr. Penny, gardener to H. H.
Gibbs, HWsq., Regent’s Park; Mr. J. Yegg, gardener to Baron
Hambro’, Roehampton; and to Mr. Wheeler, of Stamford.
Hill.

Among the Orchids were some magnificent examples of these
gorgeous flowers, those from Messrs. Veitch being by far the
finest, and, as might be expected, displayed to the best advan-
tage, principally in large pans as unobtrusive as regards colour as
possible. We wish we could gay the same as regards the other
collections, some of which were set up with little or no regard to
effect; and in one, which was not only decidedly bad in this
respect, the plants were in ugly tubs, or rather pails, with open
sides, and by way of still further displaying the taste of the
exhibitor, they were painted red. Another exhibitor used per-
forated covers over the pots and of similar materials to these,
but quite new and clean; and they too were open to the ob-
jection that the eye would rest upon them and not on the plants.
Such contrivances, so far as we know, serve no useful purpose,
and afford an excellent harbour for insects, which et all times are
sufficiently troublesome without being encouraged. Where the
object is to display plants to the best advantage the quieter and
more unobtrusive the colour of the pot or other utensil that
contains them the better. Paint and varnish can add nothing
to the beauty of the flowers, and when associated with these
almost invariably displease.

Class 5 was for twenty Orchids. In this Mr. Milford, gar-
dener to B. McMorland, Esq., Haversteck Hill, was first, having
Phaleenopsis grandiflora ; Cattleyas lobata, Mossi, and the beau-
tiful variety of the latter called aurantiaca, in which the lip is
stained with orange towards the edges; Lelia purpurata splen-
dens, elegans, and Brysiana, all of them splendid flowers, the
last in particular; Cypripedium barbatum superbum and villo-
sum; Airides crispum, Fieldingii, and Larpentse ; Saccolabium
curvifolium ; Odontoglossum neevium and Phalenopsis; also the
dusky Epidendrum nigro-roseum, Letia grandis, and Vanda ,

age

@egecior superba. This collection from the beauty as well as
gest value of the subjects shown well deserved the first place.
ily. Baker, gardener to A. Bassett, Esq., Stamford Hill, came
met, and his collection was also of great merit, containing
seweral beautiful examples, of which the following are a few—
Gettleya Mossie, Vanda suavis, Dendrobium macrophyllum
g@iganteum, with three immense spikes, the curiously-spotted
@ypripedium Lowii, from Borneo; Lelia cinnabarina and pur-
Puree, Cypripedium barbatum superbum, Anguloa Clowesii,
tine red-flowered Saccolabium curvifolium, retusum, and others, |
tegether with Adrides and Oncidiums. :

iy. Bullen, gardener to A. Turner, Haq., Leicester, came third,
seni had the same plants as exhibited at the Regent’s Park and
€rystel Palace. Among them were some fine Alrides and Vandas,
éegether with Orchis foliolosa, &c. Mr. Peed was fourth.

im the Nurserymen’s Class, 6, for twelve Orchids, Messrs.
Weitch were first with a Phalenopsis grandiflora, with magnifi-
cent spikes of its large pure white flowers; Cattleya Mossie;
S@aceolabium guttatum major, of which there were twelve fine
gpabes; Cypripedium barbatum superbum; a very large Vanda
trinolor ; Vandasuavis; Calanthe veratrifolia ; Arides Larpente
sod Pieldingii; Odontoglossum Pescatorei; Chysis Limminghi,
sod Lelia purpurata major, with eleven flowers. Mr. Woolley,
ef Cheshunt, was second, having also a nice collection.

Class 7 was for ten Orchids, and here Mr. Penny obtained
the Gret prize. He exhibited Coelogyne Lowii, Angulon Ruckeri,
Wanda suavis, and good examples of other species already named.
Mir. Page, who was second, had Dendrobium formosum gigan-
$enm, with its large white and yellow rhododendron-like flowers ;
Gbe charming # rides Lobbi, Saccolabium retusum, &c.; and Mr.
@reen and Mr, Chilman were likewise successful competitors.

Kn Class 8, for six Orchids, Mr. Wiggins, of Isleworth, had
@ucidiam Lanceanum; Mr. Smith, of Syon House, Lycaste
arematioa, and a fine Dendrobium nobile; and Mr. Wheeler
@neidmm altissimum with a very long spike of bloom. Mr.
Wiggins had a first prize, the others stood second and third.

Decidedly the most brilliant feature of the Show were the
Aizaleas, which were immense masses of bloom, such as no one
whko bas not seen the specimens which are exhibited at the me-
tropolitan shows could believe it possible to produce. But on
this occasion even persons who had been accustomed for years
8 exhibitions, expressed their surprise and unqualified admi-
ration at the plants shown by Mr. Turner, Messrs. Veitch, and
Ei, Green.

ii, Purner, who showed the finest plants, had Arborea pur-
Ware, a beautiful purple mauve; Chelsoni, Glory of Sunninghill,
ffiztranei, Criterion, Juliana, Iveryana, Murrayana, and Alba
Magus. These could not be less than 5 or 6 feet high, and were
cerlemly from 4 to 5 feet through. They were finely grown, and
a© densely covered with flowers that scarcely a leaf was to be
meET.

Eessra. Veitch who were second, had also magnificent plants,
araveely yielding to those from Mr. Turner. hey consisted of
Whoenificent ; Hxtranci; Broughtoui, very fine; Perfecta elegans,
deep scarlet ; Mrs. Fry, bright crimson ; Criterion; Trotteriana ;
Bequsita; and Triumphans, rosy crimson, large and fine.

Messrs. Fraser received a third prize for some nice pyramids,
among which were Holfordi, rosy purple; Lateritia; and other
soris already named, but none of the plants nearly approached
i size and beauty to the two collections above referred to.

Mr. Turner also exhibited several very fine plants in the Mis-
celisneous Class.

_ nthe Amateurs’ Class for nine, Mr. Green carried all before
3am, and though his specimens were not eo large as Mr. Turner's,
they were remarkably fine, being densely covered with bloom.
@ne in particular, Coronata, which was placed at the corner

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

where the naye and principal passage from the gardens inter-
sected, was a perfect pyramid of rosy red, forming a glowing
@lyjeet even when viewed from along way off. Among the others
were the fine yellow Sinensis, Perryana, Iveryana, Symmetry,
Glory of Sunninghill, and Sir Charles Napier. The second
prise fell to Mr. Page, who had Compacta, small, but very densely
covered with bloom, and good plants of Juliana, Criterion, and
Optima, Prizes were also awarded to Mr. Lavey and Mr, Peed.

Class 13 was for six kinds; in this Mr. Penny was first, with
Madame Miellez, white, somewhat striped with rose; Frostii,
Juiiona, Duke of Devonshire, Model, and Criterion. Mr. A.
Kmgram, of Reading, had a third, and Mr. Wheeler a, fourth
prise, extra ones being also given to Mr. Lavey, Mr. Chilman,
amd Biv, Kaile,

[ June 2, 1863.

Of Rhododendrons, which were shown in Class 12, only one
collection was exhibited—that from Mr. ©. Noble, of Bagshot. It
consisted of The Sentinel, dark rosy purple; The Princess,
white; The General, rosy purple; Princess Alexandra, deep
rose, with dark spots; Snowball, white tinged with lilac; and
The Prince, with a fine large truss of deep rosy crimson.

Prizes were offered for the best group of plants, showing
effective arrangement for decorating a small conservatory, and
for these there were several competitors. Mr. Turner obtained
the highest award, Messrs. Veitch and Messrs. Lee being
second and third. Mr. Turner’s arrangement consisted of a
compact mass, chiefly of flowering plants, with tall Azaleas at
the back, and there appeared to be too small a proportion of
graceful-foliaged plants. The arrangement of Messrs. Veitch
and Lee afforded room to pass among the plants; and in the
former flower and Fern stands were introduced, forming a nic ely-
balanced design, whilst Messrs. Lee had a vase and pedestal
in front, round which a space was left to walk in, and beyond
this the plants were ranged in three sides of a square, with the
angles taken off. The other competitors were Mr. Bull, Messrs.
A. Henderson & Co., and Mr. Shenton, of Hendon.

In the remaining classes there were several very fine exhibitions,
particularly of Koses in pots, and Pelargoniums; but these it
will fall to other hands to describe, while the subjects brought
before the Floral and Fruit Committees will be noticed in our
report of the proceedings of these bodies.

In the eastern arcades, besides the implements, &c., which
have remained there since previous shows, some fresh ones made
their appearance. Mr, Clarke, of Brackley, had his new and
extremely light iron-handled scythe, so favourably reported on
in our last issue; Mr. Read, of Regent’s Circus, his excellent
garden syringes, also tub engines, and a very efficient pail
engine; Messrs. Warner, pumps, garden engines, and syringes,
included among which were a double-action garden syringe, and
an American garden engine apparently on the same principle.
Messrs. Rosher exhibited garden edging-tiles. Flower-baskets,
garden chairs, &c., of wirework came from Mr. Watts, of
Brompton; and a model of a greenhouse with a double glass
roof and sides, from Mr, H. Barnwell, of Colney Hatch. 1t is
claimed for this that it possesses the advantages of economising
fuel and preventing scorching, the confined air being a non-
conductor of heat. Air is admitted both into the house and
between the double glass by ventilators at the bottom.

POTTING HEATHS AND AZALEAS.

“ HrIzaBETH”’ deserves a most courteous answer were it for
nothing else than her letter of inquiry being a model of what
such a letter should be. Here it is as @m example to those who,
after a page or two, still leave us in a kind of maze as to the
information they really want :—

“ Elizabeth will be obliged by being informed if it is requisite
to fresh-pot Heaths and Azaleas every year, and what time it
requires to be done? Also the proper soil for each plant?”

Here are three questions in justas many lines. Well, then,
the best soil for Heaths and Azaleas is heath soil—that is, soil
composed chiefly of decayed vegetable matter mixed with the
worn-down and disintegrated pieces of stone and rock, such as
is to be found on elevated ground where Heath naturally
flourishes. This differs in all its properties from what is usually
called peat bog—such as the peats used for fuel—as that is
always composed of vegetable matter xaore or less decomposed,
but under water; and not, therefore, like heath soil, exposed to
the sweet breezes of the atmosphere. This heath soil, if not
naturally sandy, should have a little silver sand mixed with it.
The soil itself should be a little rough rather than dust-fine.
For instance, in a four-inch pot, a good part of the soil should
be in bits like peas ; for a six-inch pot a good portion should be
in pieces like the size of field beans; and for an eight-inch
pot a number of pieces should be as largeas walnuts. Drainage
should also be well secured, and the potting should be done firm.
When plants get large and established, so as to need a large pot,
say 10 or 12 inches in diameter, a little fibry loam may be used
along with the heath soil; but in the case of young plants it
will be best to keep to the heath soil. A few bits of charcoal
for drainage will be an advantage, and some small pieces like
small peas among the soil will help to keep it sweet and open.

Now as to the time of potting. Other things being suitable,
the best time for potting is early enough in spring and summer,

June 2, 1863. ]

for the roots to be pretty well established in the new soil before
winter comes. In the case of Azaleas, the best time for potting
is when the plant has finished flowering, and when after clearing
away all seed-vyessels and old dowers, the plants are growing
afresh under the treatment shortly described in “Doings of
the Last Week” a week ago. Much the same rule must be
followed with Heaths, only not so much closeness and a moist
atmosphere should be given them for fear of inducing the pre-
sence of mildew. All plants are the better of beimg kept a
little closer—that is, with less air—after being potted; and, in
addition to watering the roots, the top should frequentiy be
syringed, and the leayes shaded from very bright sunshine,
until the roots are working freely in the fresh soil.

Then, thirdly, as to the necessity for repotting every year.
As a general rule, we may say that plants in small pots are the
better for this repotting; but when the plants are in six or
eight-inch pots they will often be better of going on a season or
two without potting, and when they are in twelve-inch pots or
larger they will be all the better for not being turned out for
two or three years, if the drainage is right; but instead a little
of the surface soil is removed with a small pointed stick, and
fresh surfacings added, and with that, in the case of Azaleas,
a small portion of yery rotten old cowdung may be incorporated.

FLORISTS’ FLOWERS AT THE CRYSTAL
PALACE SHOW.—May 23rp.

Never did the beauties of the Crystal Palace, or the excellence
of its Shows, appear to me in such strong relief as they did on
Saturday last. 1t may have been that my recollections of the
French “ Exposition ” were still in my mind and the grandeur.
of the display was by comparison more than ever manifested ;
or else that the Show was really finer than it has ever been,
but _certamly it would be impossible to exaggerate the excel-
lence and high character of very nearly everything that was
contributed to the floral display. A few youthful exhibitors
(their youth applying only, so far as I know, to their exhibition
years), did certainly bring some things which they had much
better have left at home; but they were only slight blemishes
in what was a most magnificent sight. All down that immense
nave on either side rows of magnificent greenhouse plants, fra-
grant and curious Orchids, delicate Roses and dazzling Pelar-
goniums, displayed to thousands of admiring eyes their rare and
singular beauties. All the classes were well represented, and in
many the competition ran so close that it was with great difli-
culty the Judges were able to decide on their merits; while
many new and curious plants attracted, as novelty ever does,
many to behold and scrutinise their beauties.
entered upon the description of stove and greenhouse plants
and fruits, I will endeavour to give anidea of the fiorists’ flowers,
whether in pots or as cut blooms, although I do not attempt
the Azaleas, which in truth are as much a florists’ flower as the
Pelargoniums.

Roses in pots were not, I think, so fine as I have seen them,
although some individual plants were magnificent. My own
taste inclines to the smaller-sized plant rather than to those
monstrously overgrown productions; but taking them as gene-
rally admired, nothing could possibly be finer than the plant of
Souvenir d’un Ami and Charles Lawson in Messrs. Lane’s col-
lection, or ihe Lelia of Mr. Wm. Paul. So close was the contest
here that the Judges placed the two collections as equal firsts.
Messrs. Lane’s plants were Paul Perras, Comtesse Mole, Souvenir
@un Ami, Louise Peyronney, Baronne Prevost, Charles Lawson,
Ta Reine, Lamarque (not good), Chénédolé, and Paul Ricaut.
Mr. Paul’s contained Général Jacqueminot, Madame Willermoz,
Louise Odier, Paul Ricaut, Souvenir d@’un Ami, Souvenir de la
Malmaison, Paul Perras, Lelia, Baronne Prevost, and Charles
Tawson. Messrs. Paul & Son were third with smaller plants,
and Paul Perras, Chénédolé, Madame de St. Joseph, Juno,
Sonvenir dun Ami, Coupe d’Hébé, Niphetos, Madame Boll,
Charles Lawson, and Pau! Ricaut.

The Roses in eight-inch pots were in my estimation far prettier,
and nothing could be better done than Mr. Turner’s collection,
which gained the first prize. It contained Baronne Prevost ;
Madame Damazin, Tea; La Reime; Dr. Bretonnean; Madame
Charles Wood, a fine Rose; Madame Boll; Madame Bravy,
Tea; Modéie de Perfection, quite a gem; Catherine Guillot;
and President, Tea. Mr. Wm. Paul was second with l'Elegante
(poor), Triomphe de Paris, Baron Gonella, Madame Furtado,

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

As others-have |

Buffon, Senateur Vaisse (good), Alphonse Karr, Comtesss Que
varoff (Tea), Beauty of Waltham (fine), and Louis Gixlima
We thus find Mr. Turner comparatively a young grower, taking,
as is his custom when he attempts anything, the first place.

I have never seen a closer run—a neck-in-neck race, in fect—
than the contest in 10 Pelargoniums open to amateurs amd
growers. It was at last decided for Mr. Bailey, of Shardeleca, -
who won it with Mr. Marnock, Monarch, Desdemona, Rose @e-
lestial, Scarlet Floribunda, Sir C. Campbell, Sanspareil, Lady Cam
ning, The Belle, and Ariel (they were thus placed). Mr. Puewer
was second with Beadsman, Rose Celestial, Desdemona, Bacehos,
Fairest of the Fair, Hwpress Hugénie, Hina, Festus, Guillexme
Severyns, Candidate. Messrs. J. & J. Fraser were third wit
Desdemona, Sanspareil, Governor-General, Rose Celestial, Paicest
of the Fair, Mr. Marnock, Sir C. Campbell, The Bride, Conde
date, Pizarro. I have written them as they were staged, amd
it will be seen how effect has been arrived at by judicious ae
rangement. I rather fancied that in Mr. Turner’s lot Beadsmam
and Roze Celestial were too close to one another, althougk eas
hardly dares to find fault with so excellent an arranger of colcase
as he is. It would be needless to point out excellencies wheme
all were good, but we cannot forbear saying that the Lady
Canning of Mr. Bailey was the best plant there, and a pevtet
gem. In the class for Amateurs Mr. Shrimpton, gardenex Gp
J. Smith, Hsq., Mickicham Hall, was the only exhibitor. Hite
plants were Vestal, Governor-General, Rose Celestial, Sansparail,
Pairest of the Fair, and Peacock (a very fine and striking plans}.

Fancy Pelargoniums were also well shown, and in come
siderable numbers; Mr. Turner exhibiting two collections, ame
of which obtained first and the other second prize. Bis Sret
collection contained Clemanthe, Acme, Arabella Goddard, Lacy
Craven, Delicatum, and Roi des Fantaisies. Messrs. Fraser were
a good second with Aeme, Clara Novello, Cloth of Silyer, Gasem
of the Valley, and Celestial. Mr. Turner’s smaller plents were
Queen of the Valley, Cloth of Silver, Hllen Beck (a deadedl
beat on Celestial), Reliance, Undine (very bright and beautif),
and Modestum. Mr. Bailey was fourth with Acme, RozeSeifs,
Lady of the Lake, Negro, Lady Craven, and Clara Novella
There was a want of freshness here which militated against Guam,
but the plants were good.

A good number of seedling Pelargoniums were exhibited, the
most noticeable of which were Diadem, a very fine rosy purple,
from Mr. Hoyle, a flower of great size and substance, and per
fectly circular: this obtained first prize. Whe second was Artizé,
another fine flower of a warm rosy tint. Alexandra was ¢Sird,
a bright lively flower in the way of Belle, but better; The Pree
fourth. These were all Mr. Hoyle’s flowers. There were Gzicm
also, a bright scarlet, Eurydice, Cynosure, Pelides, Zoya
Bride, &c. =

T have never seen such fine plants of herbaceous Calcesisrian
as those exhibited by Mr. James, gardener to J. Watson, Bag,
Isleworth. His collections were placed first and second: but
think it is a mistake not to define what the Calceolarias are
to be, as shrubby and herbaceous were mixed together. Hite
most noticeable plants were Lord Clyde, dark; Macaroni, dack&
red spotted; Master Watson, cherry crimson with spots; Lee
Elgin ; Colonel Massy ; and Mr. Dawes. My. Reid, gardener te
J. N. Farquahson, Hsq., Sydenham, was third; but his plssés
were mostly shabby, and were not sufficiently in bloom.

In Cut Frowers, Tulips must be placed first, althougit fae
day was somewhat late for them, and as a consequence sosze af
the blooms were too fully expanded. This prevented Mr. Purwes"s
stand from taking first place, to which it was otherwise entitled.
As many as seven collections were staged; but some people
have strange notions as to what are required for exhibition, fr
we saw a yellow self and various most foul cups in some of Gas
stands. Mr. Hunt, of High Wycombe, took first prize with Msc
num Bonum, Anastasia, Maid of Orleans, Royal Sovereign, Gere
baldi (seedling), seedling Polyphemus, Gen, Baneyeld, Madensa,
Storey’s Queen, Duchess of Sutherland, Vivid, Romeo, Tricm=»plue
Royale, Victoria Regina, Duchess of Sutherland (Gibbons), ile
mart, George Heywood (a magnificent bloom), Heroine, Pardera,
Lady Downes, and Lord Denman. Amongst Mr. Turner's were
fine specimens of a-bizarre seedling, a very noble fower, amd
Duchess of Sutherland, Triomphe Royale, Duke of Clareuce,
Magnificent, Maid of Orleans, and Dr. Horner.

‘© Weil done, Warwickshire!’ Imay say asto Verbenas. Rusty
and Coventry both show us that they can do something besides
play football and make ribbons; for Mr. Treen and Mr. Periass
carry off the laurels here, being in fact the only exhibitors. Way

394

this should be, ye metropolitan growers ought to ask. But I
believe it would require something to beat the stands exhibited
that day. Mr. Treen, who took both first and second, had Mag-
nificent, Foxhunter, Rugby Hero (a very fine flower), Snow-
flake, Géant des Batailles, Apollo, Firefly, Great Eastern, La
Gloire, Mrs. Harrison, Nemesis, Decorator, Venus, Julie, Miss
_ Field, Auricula, Lord Raglan, Mrs. Moore, Kate, Rainbow, Mrs.
Pennington, Kenilworth, and Countess of Aylesford. Some of
these were really splendid, and reflected great credit on the
growers. Mr. Perkins had also some excellent blooms : amongst
which I was glad to see that Lord Leigh maintained its position.

No less than thirteen stands of Pansies were set up, including
several of Fancies from Messrs. Downie, Laird, & Laing. The
first prize was obtained by them, and contained General Young,
Attraction, Prince of Prussia (seedling, yellow ground), Mary
Lamb, Francis Low, Jenny Lind, Lord Clyde, Mrs. Laird,
Imperial Prince, Cupid, Countess of Rosslyn, Sir J. Gra-
fam, Lady Burn, Beauty, Thomas Martin, C. W. Ramsay,
Mrs. Hopkins (very smooth), Eclat, Perfection, Alice Downie,
and Masterpiece, very fine. Amongst Seedling Pansies were
two curious Fancies—Mr. Nethercote, dark claret, edged with a
light border all round; and Earl of Rosslyn, a curious dark
clarety flower.

There were two collections of Cut Roses from Messrs. Paul
and Son and Mr. Wm. Paul. Amongst the former I noticed
Lia Boule d’Or, very good; Louise Chaix; Frangois Lacharme,
a splendid flower; Madame Furtado; Hugéne Appert; Madame
Charles Wood; Alphonse Damazin, very full; Souvenir de
Comte Cavour; and a box of yellow Tea and Noisette, contain-
ing Louise de Savoie, Marquise de Foucault, Safrano, Solfatarre,
Viscomtesse de Cazes, and Madame William. In Mr, W. Paul’s
collection I saw Monte Christo, Souvenir de Lady Hardly,
both good; Beauty of Waltham, and Amirai Gravina, a dark
and good flower.

I cannot pass by the nice strain of new Mimulus exhibited by
Mr. Bull, nor the two fine Clematises of Mr. Standish, and the
white Azalea, Louise Yon Baden, of Mr. Turner.

I must now finish, as my space is fully occupied, but cannot
do so without saying what indeed is unnecessary almost of the
Palace, that everything was done to promote the comfort and
pleasure of the exhibitors and visitors, and that Mr. Houghton
may fairly be congratulated on the high position to which under
his judicious and excellent management the Crystal Palace Flower
Shows have attained.—D., Deal.

SHIFTING PLUM TREES WITH FRUIT
ON THEM.

I HAVE some Plum trees in pots which promise to produce
heavy crops this year. The pots the trees are in are rather
small for them, and their foliage is very scant. My gardener
proposes to shift them into larger pots now. Would this be
proper treatment ?>—AN InIsH SUBSCRIBER.

[If the trees could be moved without at all disturbing the
roots no harm to them would arise, but we do not think there
is any necessity of running the risk. Weshould prefer removing
the surface soil, and replacing it with well-decomposed stable-
manure. This, combined with weak liquid manure, would sus-
tain the growth of the trees as well as of the crop. Do not
allow any tree to be overloaded; thin without mercy; and a
good rule is, when you think you have thinned sufficiently, then
to take off half of the fruit you have left. The vigour of the
tree and the size and flavour of the fruit depend upon a judicious
thinning of the crop. |

RHODODENDRONS.

I conFEss entering on the subject of Rhododendrons more
with a view to the encouragement of some other of your cor-
respondents to record their opinions on the matter than with
any expectation of throwing much light on their cultivation
myself, for it is now some years since I was amongst them, where
they might be said to be fairly at home. We have some here,
and, in fact, most places of note have their Rhododendron-beds ;
yet it is cnly in places possessing a soil adapted to them that
they grow with that freedom which indicates that they are quite
at home.

Beds artificially made will afford for a time a certain amount

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGEK GARDENER.

[ June 2, 1863.

of success ; but even then the plants seldom do so well as when
the natural soil of the district suits them; and although I am
far from assuming to myself the credit of being perfectly right in
my views of their habits and requirements, I should say that a
soil in which they will grow and prosper and perfect their seed,
and where that seed sows itself and produces plants amongst the
wild rubbish by which they are surrounded, is the soil adapted
to the Rhododendron. But there is even great diversity in soils
of this kind ; and moisture, which exercises so powerful an in-
fluence on certain plants, either by contributing to their success
or by causing their extinction, is certainly not the all-powerful
agent here, for I have seen scores of acres of Rhododendrons
occupying the crest and sides of a dry peaty hill with some
stunted Birches overtopping them; while in another place the
plant is seen occupying a wet springy dell, not a stagnant swamp,
but receiving large quantities of spring water in its descent to
the basin below. Colour and texture of the soil are likewise not
much of a criterion, for on a dry hilly situation in the grounds
at Linton Park, kKhododendrons flourish and ripen their seeds,
and occasional plants are found a good distance off. Doubtless,
there might be more, only the scythe is apt to destroy them.
This soil is a sort of yellow friable loam, with at least three-
fourths stones, with rock underneath—standing water at not
less than 90 or 100 feet from the surface. I may add, that the
kinds planted are common hardy ones, not all the old ponticum,
but euch as were esteemed useful and good some twenty-five
years ago.

I will adduce another case. At Preston Hall, only a few
miles from here, a rounded hill of dry sand, previously a coppice
of Hazel, Birch, and other trees, apparently self-sown, was cleared,
all but some large Scotch Fir trees, and a summer-house was
erected on the summit. The space having been formed into a
half-dressed pleasure-ground, with rockwork and other rustic
appendages, Rhododendrons and similar plants were introduced
on a large scale. The eastern side of the mound, or hill, for it
was of considerable elevation, was planted some three or four
years before the western side, the soil being a sort of pale yellow
sand without a stone, and to all appearance all sides of the hill
were alike; but, strange to say, the plants on the eastern side,
though they grew vigorously and flowered well, did not perfect
their seeds so as to produce young plants by self-sowing ; while
on the western side it is not too much to say these were growing
by millions. Self-sown Groundsel on the best quarter of the
kitchen garden could not have come up thicker; and when I saw
them in the spring of the present year they were in a nice con-
dition to transplant, having some half a dozen leaves each, and
being sturdy and well rooted.

Now, the question arises, Why did not the eastern side of the
hill produce plants as well as the west side, the soil being alike
in both cases, and the varieties much the same? ‘The attention
or rather non-attention, for they did not require much care in the
summer months, was the same in both places, and the plants,
so far as related to their general healthiness and freedom in
flowering, were also alike. Mr. Frost, the very able gardener
there, was at a loss to account for the above circumstances. I
might also add that Andromedas looked remarkably well, as
likewise did some of the Azaleas. Kalmias were not so satis-
factory. Amongst the Rhododendrons were many new and
valuable kinds which promised to vie with the commoner ones in
robustness and well-doing. I believe some peat was added to
the natural soil, or sand for some of the choicer kinds; but it
was evident such assistance was not wanted for the ordinary ones.

Taking a view of the same plant in other counties, I think the
largeet specimens I have ever seen were in Lancashire, where a
rich, black, sandy soil, well adapted for all root crops, seemed
also to suit the Rhododendron. In northern Cheshire the
Rhododendron is likewise at_ home ; while on the steep hill sides
of some places in Staffordshire and Derbyshire, it is evidently
hardier than the common Laurel. At Alton Towers, I was told
it sowed itself and reproduced a numerous offspring on asoil dif-
fering considerably from those I have previously described. At
Chatsworth it is also extensively planted on soils and in posi-
tions differing widely from each other in character; but I had
not an opportunity when there of observing all, and I have been
told that there are stations in Wales where it thrives better than
anywhere, but I am not acquainted with them. It seemed to
thrive pretty well in Cornwall, though what I saw was not 80
good as I have seen in less favoured localities ; Mr. Pooley, the
gardener at Mount Edgecumbe, pointed out to me the positions
in which it prospered, and those in which it would not do so in

Jane 2, 1863. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE
their grounds, the line of demarcation beinga perceptible change
of soil, visible enough to the naked eye, and, doubtless, widely
different in its chemical constituents. Some other places might
be pointed out possessing similar features to the examples above
cited, and many other instances of successful cultivation might
be given, but it would be tedious to do so.

Those who wish to see a large number of Rhododendrons all
in flower at one time ought to visit Cobham Hall, near Gravesend,
where I believe Lord Darnley kindly permits the public on
eertain days to see them. I should think the mass of plants if
collected would cover fifty acres or more. They occupy the
erest and sides of some dry peaty hills, a few Birch and other
trees being intermixed with them, and walks or drives running
in yarious directions carry the visitor through a whole sea of
flowers ; while the wild beauty of the Foxglove profusely rising
in all directions is scarcely less striking. Here it is needless to
say that the Rhododendron sows and reproduces itself to any
extent; and I believe the bulk of the plantation to have
come from seed, a previous occupier of Cobham having planted
the original in a soil in which they soon became naturalised,
the result being a complete coverofthem. Sites differing widely
from this may occasionally be found where they do tolerably
well, Even in clay they will grow, but are not at home; but I
have seen them do tolerably on the edge of a peaty morass. |
The condition here that supported them against the undue
Moisture was the mineral qualities of the water, and not its super-
abundance.

The above examples of successful cultivation might be indefi-
nitely extended, and the various nurseries where large quantities
- of plants are raised for sale might be named; but if is needless
following the matter further than saying that most districts
possess a spot suitable to the growth of this plant. The diver-
sity of soil with which this country is favoured often exhibits
strata of widely different kinds in close proximity to each ether.
I remember once noticing a black peaty morass, said to be 30 feet
deep, over which a turnpike road was laid, which vibrated very
considerably every time a load passed over it, and yet on the
very edge of this morass was a freestone quarry some 60 feet
or more high, and supposed to descend as deep as the morass,
the soil on the top of the quarry being ordinary loam mixed
with yellow sandstone shatter at the top. A peaty soil is also
sometimes found near chalk, and it not unfrequently happens
tbat the soil which overlies the chalk is of a kind not at all |
unsuitable to Rhododendrons where there is plenty of it; and |

AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 395
might Rice, the Sugar Cane, and many other plants; but is it
prudent to attempt to grow them everywhere? In the case of
Rhododendrons extensive importations of a soil of a suitable
Kind will induce a growth more or less healthy, according to the
allowance given to each plant, and also the character of the soil
or subsoil with which it is in contact. To lay peat on chalk or
calcareous limestone is placing two substances together, the
amalgamation of which rarely produces a good mixture. I
remember once seeing a large heap of mortar made of lime and
sand in the usual way, but the sand contained some mineral
quality at variance with the lime, which, after lying about a
year, and as the heap happened not to be wanted, completely
destroyed the lime, or, as the Isbourer said, the sand had eaten
the lime completely up. Now, lime or chaik will do the same
with peat. Chalky situations are, therefore, seldom adapted to
the Rhododendron, unless the surface soil be of the kind described
above, producing the wild Heath naturally. Some sands im-
preznated with mineral matters of certain kinds are also unfit;
and the same may be said of gravels, although some of the latter
are amongst the best soils occasionally.

So difficult is it to describe what kinds of soil will do by any
written description, and giving chemical analyses is of no use
whatever to guide the jadgment unless the soil to be decided on
be subjected to a similar test, that I fear it is only by studying
the herbage that a knowledge of the soil can be gained, and even
this is not at all times to be depended on. It has been already
stated that the wild Heath betokens a soil adapted to the

| Rhododendron, and the same may be said of Furze in many

instances, but not in all. The wild Sorrel is often found in
such soils. _The Whortleberry also is often an accompaniment
there, and Foxgloves likewise abound; but their robustness

| enables them to live in other places as well, so that without

further proof their presence must not be taken as worth
much. ‘fhe same may be said of the Yew, which, though often
found wild on heathy moors or woods, is quite as often found
on chalky downs also, as is likewise the Juniper. Generally
the Rhododendron and Birch thrive together. Where, there-
fore, the latter is found wild, the former may be planted.
Several Ferns betoken a soil and situation suitable to the
plant, and the presence of the little Stonecrop (Sedum acre)
may also be regarded az indicating a medium, though not,
erhaps, a situation suitable to the Rhododendron. Some
other plants might be given as examples; but they are not
always to be depended on, and are often found in situations of

where the wild Heath grows there will the Rhododendron grow | an opposite kind. I may as well, perhaps, say that such plants
also. Tt must be understood that every black morass is nota | as Wild Thyme, Saintfoin, and several Vetches are often found
suitable place. T have seen plants killed by being planted in suck on soils the very opposite to that wanted for the Rhododendror.
a material, and that not on the spot where it was found; for| Of the various mixtures necessary to form a compound in
the marshy peat was carried to a distance, and to acertain extent | which this plant will thrive tolerably well—I will not say
deprived of some of its grosser qualities by the drier position it | particularly well—much might be said; and there is, perhaps,
was placed in, yet it contained sufficient poisonous matter to kill | nothing in the gardening world as to which greater diversity of

plants that had previously been in good health.
Some little judgment is, therefore, required in selecting a pro-

opinion exists. Unquestionably, dry peat cut with the Heath
and other herbage on it, only a few inches thick and laid up

per place and a proper soil for the Rhododendron to grow in; | just long enough to kill the herbage, is the best; but where this

for, though it is often found alike doing weli in a damp position |
and in a dry one, in a shaded place and an open one, and in fact |
under circumstances that appear widely opposed to each other, |
there seems to be no question but that certain soils furnish the food |
it requires in greater abundance than others, and it is yet doubtful
whether the plant relishes such food in a liquid form, or con-
trives to absorb it from the dry soil that possesses it. Besides, our |
Knowledge of the chemical constituents of soils is not yet sufii- |
ciently good to point out at once the kind of food that will most |
likely suit it, or, rather, we are not sufficiently versed in the
Science of making compounds of such maierials as are always |
at hand as will approach nearest to the natural soil in which
the plant prospers best.

Rhododendrons are, however, often found thriving tolerably
wellin the rich black soils that have been long in cultivation, |
and also such plants may be seen struggling with a tolerable
share of success ina damp clay. But this is an exception; they
are more likely to prosper on the steep declivities of a rocky
glen overhung by trees and surrounded by the wild herbage
common to such places. Many other places might be pointed out
where they seem to fiourish, but it is unnecessary to follow out
this subject further. We will, therefore, take a glance at the
places where they will not succeed unless favoured in some way
by artificial means.

Dealers in Rhododendrons not unfrequently tell us that they
msy be made to grow anywhere. This is true enough, and so

| else.

article has to be sought for some twenty miles or more, it cannot
be used to the extent it would be if more plentiful; and though
the best class of plants may be treated with it, it may be necessary
to leaye the less fayoured ones to make shift with something
The following mixture has been made u:e of here for
some beds of Rhododendrons with a fair share of success, about
a barrowload or less being used around each plant, all of which
were small. It consists of such materials as are mostly to be
had everywhere. Ina timber yard large quantities of old bark,
sawdust much decayed, and small chips in a similar stage of
decay, were mixed with about an equal quantity of leaf mould well
rotted. To this was added all the refuse of the potting-bench,
omitting, of course, all sticky matter, but retaining all the sand
and sandy soil and peat. With this were mixed several loads of
white sand, such as was used for striking cuttings in and to mix
with potting soils, and which I felt sure possessed no mineral
matters hurtful to vegetable life. ‘This mixture was well amal-
gamated, and turned several times and exposed as much as
possible to the air before being used. Some hundreds of plants
were planted in it, and so far they appear successful. The
natural soil of the place was of various descriptions, some being
s rather stiff loam, and some much less so, and what farmers
would eall good land. I will, however, at a future day report
more on this. In all cases the planting of Rhododendrons on
soils not adapted to them should not be done without some
assistance in the way described: and amongst the many in-

396

gredients to be had in most places, I would place sand as one of
the most useful, especially such as is free of all noxious mineral
matters, not, for instance, the green sand of West Deyon and
Cornwall, which is of so poisonous a nature as to kill vegetation.
I think it contains copperas ; but as all mineral poisons are bad,
the sands in which these exist must be avoided. Generally river
sand is good—not, of course, such as is within reach of the tide,
but plain washed sand.

Of the situation for Rhododendrons it is hardly necessary to
speak, as they are found doing well in full sunshine and in shade,
on the highest hill and deepest valley, and on hill sides of all
aspects, the hardest frost rarely injuring them; but a hot sum-
mer will affect them much if the soil be not one exactly adapted to
their wants. They will, nevertheless, struggle for an existence
amongst the rankest herbage, and contend against the roots of
most trees that may claim a common share of the ground. In
general, however, HJm-tree roots are the mest hurtful to them ;
but it is more beneficial to have some slight covering to the
ground than to let it be quite naked. When the latter is to
be the case, to shade the ground from the sun, some artificial
substance, such as leafy matter or short grass, moss, or litter
of any kind may be used; for the small fibrous roots ramifying
near the surface do not like to be scorched up with every blink
of sunshine. Shading is better than watering, although the
latter may be done also if it appears absolutely necessary.

To those about planting Khododendrons in places not na-
turally adapted to them, and who do not intend treating them
to waggonloads of their favourite peat, I would say, Obtain your
plants from some nursery not possessing the soil best adapted
to their vigorous growth; for by removing strong, luxuriant-
growing plants from a situation of the very best kind to one of
a medium or indifferent kind a check is given, and not un-
frequently sickness follows. It is better, therefore, where other
things favour doing so, to transfer plants from a poor place to a
better one. Such as have been frequently moved and are, in
a certain sense, naturalised to the second-class character of the
soil they are to occupy, are more likely to do well there than
those which are all at once transported from the best position
to an inferior one.

On the many accompaniments to the Rhododendron-bed, it
is needless to enter. Some growers advocate the vacant ground
to be covered with Ivy, but this plant speedily outgrows and
overpowers its legitimate neighbour. The variegated Vinca is
better, and, perhaps, some summer annuals are better than
either, as the Vinca gets strong. Whatever may be used, on no
account allow the young growths of the Rhododendron to be
meddled with, but rather confine the occupation of the ground
to litter, moss, or short grass; and if the small birds do delight
in scratching amongst such things and carrying part away, still
there is plenty left to serve the purpose of a screen. On no

- account allow any digging or disturbing of the ground amongst
old-established plants. If a little fresh surface be wanted, add
some fresh material, for Rhododendrons will struggle better
against the wildest herbage than against the cruel amputations
of the spade. These matters and others of a like kind have,
however, been frequently alluded to before in the columns of
this paper.—J. R.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
May 27.

Frorat Commirrer.—On Wednesday the 27th, at the first
great Exhibition of the Royal Horticultural Society, held at the
Gardens, South Kensington, a Sub-Committee was appointed
to report on such new plants and florists’ flowers which were
sent for examination. With the exception of the seedling Pelar-
goniums from Mr. Turner, Slough, and two new and beautiful
Orchids from Messrs. Veitch, Chelsea, and Messrs. Low, Clap-
ton, there were but few remarkable flowers, and, consequently,
the certificates awarded were limited.

Among the plants, Mr. Standish sent anew and delicate white
Weigela, which received a label of commendation; Acer sp.,
from Japan, with broad-lobed foliage, variegated with white spots
and blotches—third-class certificate.

Messrs. Veitch exhibited Dracophyllum sp.—second-class cer-
tificate; Hranthemum sp., a dwarf trailing plant with handsome
red-veined foliage, exhibited under a glass shade—second-class
certificate; Abies firma, a handsome species of this tribe—firat-
clase certificate ; Phalenopsis Lobbii, a white flower with purplish

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ June 2; 1863.

lip, but not equal to other varieties—second-class certificate;
Spirzea sp., of dwarf habit with small rosy flowers, a very com-
pact-growing plant—second-class certificate.

Messrs. Low, Clapton, exhibited Dendrobium Parishii, a small
but very beautiful and interesting Orchid with purplish flowers,
which was much admired—first-class certificate.

Mr. Williams, Holloway, sent an interesting variety of Lastrea
oreopteris, with tasselled fronds—label of commendation.

Mr. Bull, Chelsea, exhibited Areca dealbata, a handsome
plant with palm-like foliage—second-class certificate; Caladium
Lowii—first-class certificate ; Pandanus elegantissimus—second-
class certificate; Huonymus ovatus variegatus—label of com-
mendation; Petunia Vernon, one of the dark-yeined varieties,
very showy—label of commendation.

Mr. Iyery sent another of his numerous varieties of Athyrium
named Applebyanum—label of commendation. Mr. Young,
Pandanus elegantissimus—second-class certificate. M. Verschaf-
felt, Dieffenbachia Verschaffeltii, which received a label of com-
mendation.

Mr. Turner, Slough, sent several seedling Pelargoniums.
Diadem (Mr. Hoyle), a remarkably showy variety, perfect in
form and new in colour, the back petals deep maroon margined
with bright purplish-rose, pure white throat, lower petals
banded with bright purplish-rose. This was decidedly the
flower of the day, and was awarded a first-class certificate.
Pelargonium Artist (Mr. Hoyle), a flower of the same good
character as Diadem—back petals deep maroon margined with
light rose, pure white throat, lower petals with a broad band of
light rose; a striking variety, and remarkable for its softness
and delicacy of colouring—first-class certificate. Pelargonium -
Prince (Mr. Hoyle), dark maroon upper petals, pure white
throat, lower petals vivid, shaded scarlet—label of commenda-
tion. Pelargonium Penelope (Mr. Hoyle), a conspicuous flower,
with dark back petals, clear white centre, lower petals shaded
with rose, deeply blotched—label of commendation. Pelargonium
Prince of Wales (Mr. Beck), upper petals deeply shaded with
light rose margin, clear white centre, lower petals rosy carmine ;
a very pleasing variety—label of commendation. Mr. Turner
exhibited many other seedlings of considerable merit, but too
closely resembling other named varieties to receive special
notice. Many other specimens were exhibited.

Mr. Standish again exhibited his Japan Clematises. The large
double-flowering one now named Fortunei had eight or ten fine
blossoms expanded. ‘The purple single variety, Standishii, still
maintains its character.

Mr. Bull sent a showy collection of Pelargonium Zonale;
also a collection of Petunias, single and double. These plants
were arranged in large baskets, and produced a pleasing effect.
Mr. Bull exhibited other varieties of his hybrid Mimulus, which
we have previously noticed. Seedling hybrids of the same Mi-
mulus were also sent by Messrs. Henderson, Wellington Road ;
also a dwarf variegated Pelargonium of the scented-leafed
family suitable for edgings. From Mr. Turner came a seedling
Verbena; and from Mr. Laing, seedling Pansies. Many other
specimens were sent of considerable interest, but too numerous
to be noticed in this report.

Collections of newly-introduced plants that have received
special recognition from the Floral Committee, 1860, 1861,
1862, were sent, and received certificates, thus proving the
utility of this Committee. It was remarked by an old exhibitor,
that out of the numerous plants and flowers placed before the
Floral Committee, not one in twenty had failed in maintaining
the character and merit assigned to it at these meetings, which
is a strong guarantee for the public that the decision arrived
at is generally correct, however inclined some persons may be to
find fault.

Fruit Commirter.—In the department that pertains more
particularly to the Fruit Committee, there were several exbibi-
tions, the exhibitors evidently mistaking the work which is under-
taken by the Committee on these occasions. It should be under-
stood, that on the great shows and special general meetings, the
only subjects that are expected to be submitted for the opinion
of the Committee are only seedling or other new varieties of
fruits and vegetables, and not such as come under no class in
the Exhibition. Thus one sent a collection of six dishes of
Apples, and labelled them “exhibited for the prize,” when no
prize was offered. Another sent a collection of vegetables which
in early spring would have been reckoned meritorious, but which
in the end of May did not possess any attractions.

The only two subjects that properly came under the notice of

June 2, 1863. J

the Committee were a seedling Strawberry from Mr. Turner, of
Slough, called President ; and a seedling Pine Apple from Mr.
Stevenson, gardener to the Harl of Durham, Lambton Castle.
The Strawberry President promises to be a variety of first-rate
excellence; for although the fruit was, as a matter of course, at
this season produced from forced plants, the fayour was so good
as to warrant the belief that it will later in the season, and when
produced from the open ground, be very much better. The
fruit is large, varying from conical to cockscomb-shaped, and
considerably furrowed. The skin is scarlet. When well grown
We conceive it will be little if at all inferior in appearance to
Sir Charles Napier, while the flavour is infinitely superior
The flesh is firm with a rich pine flavour, and with a pleasant
briskness. Later in the season we hope to hear greater things
of it.

The seedling Pine Apple of Mr. Stevenson is a very tall,
conical-shaped fruit, of the colour and with the pip of the Mont-
serrat, from which it was raised. Judging from the specimen
exhibited, the shape is undesirable, from being so long and small.
The flesh is not so aolid as it might be, but is tender and though
of excellent flavour is not superior to either the Queen or Mont-
serrat. Mr. Stevenson, we believe, has still a large number of
seedlings which we hope some day to see, and which we trust
will prove of superior qualifications. ;

Mr. Challis, gardener to Lady Herbert, Wilton House, Salis-
bury, sent eight or ten fruit of a handsome-looking round-netted
green Melon, which were ail grown on the same plant, and hence
called ‘Prolific ;” but whether from the great crop or from the
fruit being too long cut, it was deficient in flavour. It has all
the properties of an excellent Melon, provided that particular
point can be improved. ‘

Mr. James Taylor, Hickleton, near Doncaster, sent a dish of
good Figs; a large, oval, cream-coloured Melon, which was not
in conditicn; aud a brace of fine Cucumbers.

Mr. Dru.nmond, gardener to Mrs. Allnutt, Clapham Com-
mon, sent a splendid basket of Mushrooms that elicited con-
siderable notice.

Mr. Mobbs, gardener to W. B. P. Tyringham, Esq., Newport
Pagnell, sent fruit of the seedling Apples exhibited at the last
Meeting of the Committee; and Mr. Taylor, Temple Newsham,
Heel sent two smooth-leayed Cayenne and one Black Prince

‘ines.

Mr. Barnwell, gardener to H. Mills, Hsq., Bisterne Park,
Ringwood, sent a collection of vegetables, aud excellent dishes
of Oscar and Keens’ Seedling Strawberries, besides a collection
of vegetables.

THE CONTROVERSY ON HEATING GLASS
STRUCTURES.

I HAVE to thank Mr. Major, of Cromwell House, for his com-
munication on the subject of heating hothouses described at
page 330, as well as for his kind invitation to show me the mode
in which itis done. I also*beg to thank some other gentlemen
for their communications on the same subject—even those who
differ from me are equally entitled to my thanks, and I should
have acknowledged their courtesies before but from unavoid-
able circumstances.

Tam glad to see that a correspondent whose communication
I quoted when I last wrote on the subject of “‘ Hot Water versus
Flues (or vice versa), has replied to some queries made by Mr.
Thomson on the cost of the flue, and the straightforward way
in which he has done so leayes nothing for me to explain on the
subject.

One thing, however, I would advocate in heating matters—
whether by the flue or by hot water, it is best to have the job
well done. Ido not by that mean to recommend extravagant
and costly workmanship, but simply work well and efficiently
completed.

I haye in a former chapter stated my views on the matter of
heating, and need hardly repeat that when one house only is to
be warmed—say sufficiently to keep out frost and maintain a
temperature of 40°—it will, in most cases, be most economical to
put up an ordinary flue; but when there is a series of houses to
be heated, and in some of them a minimum of 60° is to be main-
tained, it is better in this case to adopt hot water. Mr. Thom-
son, however, has shown that the latter is not so expensive an
affair, while “ EH.” has shown that flue-heating is still much less.
Without going into details, I expect that most parties who have

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

397

put up glass houses will haye found the heating affair a much
more expensive one than is shown in either of the communi-
cations. I have no doubt but both estimates are correct, but
they may, nevertheless, be both below the actual cost of what
other structures similarly planned were heated for.

Mr. Thomson assuredly must be wrong in affirming that
hot-water pipes can be erected as cheaply as a flue; for one-
half the expense of the latter must be included in that of hot
water. The furnade-bars, door, and framework, as well as
register-door and the chimney, must be the same in both, or,
perhaps, the hot-water apparatus will require a somewhat more
expensive one. Now, the remaining portion of the flue can-
not assuredly cost so much as a boiler and the necessary quantity
of piping.

1am sorry I cannot give the exact items of expenditure in an
efficient hot-water apparatus ; but I know of an instance in which
upwards of £60 was paid for the apparatus required for heating
a Pine-pit 85 feet long and 12 feet broad, and this sum did not
include any part of the brickwork, or excavation, &c., for the fire-
place. :

Now, compare this with a flue-heated greenhouse here, in
which the smoke travels along cement pipes of 12 inches
diameter, and which have done duty for five years without any
cleaning whatever. The cost of the pipes at first was 1s. 1d.
per foot for Roman cement ones ; and, I believe, 1s. 6d. per foot
run for those of Portland cement, and they, being in thirty-inch
lengths fitting together with very little trouble, merely rested on
small brick foundations of 44-inch work at the joints, the pipes
being just clear of the ground. A brick flue was used at the
corners, but it is likely that corner-pipes could be had; but
the advantages of a brick flue at the corners enable the flue
to be swept when necessary by merely removing the covering-
tile. I leave others to calculate the respective cost of the two
modes.

I have no doubt the boiler of Mr. Major is a good one, but I
do not exactly understand its construction. I have seen a sort
of a cylinder boiler standing alone without any connection with
brickwork, excepting that an iron chimney from it led into a
brick one on the wall. I believe this did its work pretty weli;
but as the boiler was in a back shed, it did as much towards
heating that shed as it did in heating the glass house it was
intended to do. I find, however, I must reserve my further
notices on heating until anotker opportunity.—J. Rosson.

GREENHOUSE GARDENING IN A SMOKY
ATMOSPHERE.

A Subscriber will feel much obliged for the names of any
plants whereby she may insure good flowers throughout the
winter in a lean-to greenhouse, S.W. aspect, 27 feet long and
10 feet wide, heated by a flue. There are six good Vines in it,
which are considered secondary to flowers. No man or boy is
kept, but a man from a nursery helps occasionally. The lady is
her own gardener, and has derived all her knowledge, which is
very limited as yet, from that valuable work THE CorracEe GaAR-
DENER, the rules in which she follows strictly, but the flowers
are small and poor compared to those she desires to have. There
is no power of placing the plants out of doors, although sur-
rounded by a large garden of grass and evergreens, for copper,
patent fuel, and brick smokes constantly prevail. She has good
composts for the plants, and uses guano and water with great
care twice a-week. The plants already in the greenhouse are—
Geraniums, Fuchsias, Cacti, Crassulas, Acacias, Heaths, Azaleas,
Roses (Moss), Calceolarias, Cinerarias, Heliotrope (large tree).
Passion-F lower covers one side.

[It is against you not being able to put some of your plants
out in summer. We would recommend six of the hardiest
Camellias, including the double white; six Epacris, of various
colours; two Coronilla glauca; two Cytisus racemosus; and
two Cytisus Atkinsonii, a dwarf yellow; Cinerarias from seeds
sown now, or slips or divisions in a week or two; four Salvia
fulgens, well stopped until the end of August, and with plenty
of pot-room; and the same of Salvia gesnerseflora, not so much
stopped ; and two or three plants of Fuchsia serratifolia; and
the same of Daphne indica and indica rubra, with Hyacinths,
Tulips, Narcissus, Crocuses, &c., potted as early as you can get
them, and these might be forwarded by being kept in a warm
cupboard in the kitchen until well rooted. ]

398 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

SESS Te

va

Ye We

iff

N WY

Ground Plan.

Y WN

UN

End View.

SUMMER-HOUSE.

THE summer-house here shown is from a design furnished by
Mr. J. W. Chapman, of Richmond, Surrey, and is now being
erected at ‘‘ Heathlands,” an estate of Amos J. Gann, Bsq.,
Wokingham, Berks. It is placed at a point where a straight
walk in the pleasure-ground terminates. Passing through the
summer-house a curved walk commences, which is conducted
round the whole park. ‘There are some plantations of choice
evergreens, &c., near the summer-house, which make a fore-
ground to the views which are obtained from this point in three
different directions. ‘The summer-house is intended to be built
of larch wood stained; and the tiles for the roof will be the
small flat kind, of a dark brown-red colour.

MERITS OF ORCHARD-HOUSES.

I HAVE read with surprise the controversy which has been
lately going on in THe JOURNAL OF HoRvTICULTURE respecting
the merits of orchard-houses because, from my experience, I
cannot understand how there can be two opinions on the
subject.

In the year 1858 I built a lean-to orchard-house 17 yards
by 4, and filled it with Peach, Nectarine, Apricot, and Plum
trees, supplied by Messrs. Lane. This house answered so well
that the next year I added to it another house 20 yards by 4.
This second house was so entirely satisfactory that last year I
increased its length by 12 yards. Some of my trees are in boxes,
some in large pots, and others are planted in the open border.
All seem to flourish equally well, bearing every year large and

excellent crops, with the single exception of the Apricots. One
year I had an immense crop of Apricots, but generally they are
few and far between.

In the year 1856 Messrs. Lane sent me twenty-five pyramid
and bush Plum trees for planting in the open air. I gave them
the best situation I could select, and certainly they have had all
the attention they had the right to expect; but from the day
they were planted up to the present time I haye not gathered
three dozen Plums from the whole lot. Three years ago I moved
one of these Plum trees (a Jefferson) into the orchard-house,
planting it in the border, and at once it took to bearing abun
dantly.

Some years back I laid out a considerable sum of money on

[ June 2, 1863. -

Tune 2, 1863. ]

brick walls, and no doubt these walls answer well for Pears; but
if I had my work to do again, the money which I spent on brick
and mortar would be laid out on glass.

I have asked my gardener to put down on paper how he
manages the orchard-houses, and I enclose his statement. At
the present time all my orchard-house trees are loaded with fruit
—Apricots only excepted. In my judgment the only way to
secure a crop of Apricots in these northern parts is to have a
heated wall, and this I believe to be a certain way.

I haye hot-water pipes in the orchard-houses, but these are
only used to guard against frost, and sometimes to ripen the
wood in the autumn.—W. H., North Lancashire.

{Zhe writer of the foregoing is a clergyman of high character,
and the notes of his gardener are the following :—

“The trees are repotted immediately after the fruit is gathereds
when all the soil is taken from the top of the pots and from the
sides as deep as can well be got. The pots are then filled in
with two-thirds of good soil and one-third of rotten manure,
which is generally taken from an old Mushroom-bed. The soil
is well beaten into the pots, and one good watering is given.
Nothing more is required during winter, unless the wood seems
to shrivel, when a little water is given. In the spring the trees
are dressed with sulphur, soft soap, and clay, and the syringe is
used twice a-day a short time before the buds begin to break.
The syringe is not used during blooming. Just before the trees
bloom the house is fumigated with tobacco-paper (and if it is
fumigated twice, all the better), in order to keep the aphis away.
Watering is a most important matter at the time of blooming.
Water should be given rather sparingly; for if the soil becomes
saturated with wet, the buds are sure to fall. The roots are
confined to the pots; and after the fruit is set one heavy top-
dressing of good rotten manure is given. If the green tly ap-
pears, the house must be fumigated without the loss of a day.’’|

MUSA CAVENDISHITI.

THERE are certainly few more really noble occupants of the
stove than a good plant of the Musa Cavendishii. There are
others of the genus of much larger growth; but taking fruit-
bearing qualities and other points into consideration, this is
evidently the best for general purposes, and it produces as large
an amount of fruit as any plant I know of that occupies the
same space.

A bunch of fruit ripened here during the past winter which
weighed on the whole 27 lbs. 8 ozs. avoirdupois, and consisted
of 136 fruits, which, with the exception of one or two, were
fully ripened and perfect. The barren end of the spike was cut
off long before the fruit attained maturity, and, consequently,
was not included in the weight named above.

The plant grew in a small corner of the plant-stove, which is
much too low for it, all its leaves being broken at half their
length. At the time the fruit was ripe the plant was about
eighteen months old, it being a sucker from a plant that ripened
fruit in the summer of 1861. In fact, the predecessor of the
plant has occupied the same place with very little renovation of
the soil for several years.

Perhaps some of your readers will record the weight and
number of fruits that have been ripened elsewhere, as the above
may have been exceeded.

I may add that, although the fruit ripened in February and
early part of March, the flavour was good, and those who ad-
mire it consider it as good as any ripened in summer. ‘This
certainly is not the case with other fruits, and, of course, forms
@ recommendation of some consequence to this.—J. Rogson,
Linton Park.

TETRATHECA ERICAIFOLIA.
(HEATH-LEAVED TETRATHECA.)

Nat. ord., Tremandracee. Linn., Octandria Monogynia.
In 1805, Mr. Rudge published in the “ Linnean Transactions”
a description, with drawings, of sever New Holland plants,
among them is Tetratheca ericefolia. Before that description
was published in 1807, Sir J. EH. Smith had described and pour-
trayed the same species in his “‘ Hxotic Botany,’ t. 20. The
specimens in both instances had been brought from the neigh-
bourhood of Port Jackson.

Liying plants of this greenhouse shrub were originally intro-
duced in 1820, but long since lost, and it was reintroduced by

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

399

the agency of Mr. Drummond, in 1852. It is an evergreen sub-
shrub, with erect branches, bearing linear heath-like leaves, which,
on the more perfectly developed portions of the plant grow five
or six in a whorl, but are sometimes scattered ; they are revolute,
with scabrous margins. From the axils of the leaves towards
the end of the branches the nodding flowers are produced, so as

to form leafy spikes of blossom; they consist of a calyx of four
ovate acutish sepals, and a corolla of an equal number of oblong,
obtuse, pinkish-lilac petals; the anthers are dark-coloured,
tipped with yellow, and open by a tubular orifice at the apex.
The fiowers have a very agreeable scent, resembling that of
Cyclamen persicum ; and, altogether, this is a greenhouse shrub
deserving of extensive culture.

SOWING SOME PERENNIAL-FLOWERS’
SEEDS. —

A CORRESPONDENT asks us to state when the seeds of the
plants named below should be sown, in order to have strong
plants for bedding-out next summer—vyiz., Heliotropes, Tro-
peolum, Gazania, Lobelia, Petunia, Cerastium tomentosum,
Phlos, Cuphea, Gnaphalium, Mentha variegata, Perilla, Stachys
lanata, Arctotis grandiflora, and Centaurea argentea.

Commencing with the first of them, we may say, Sow the Helio-
trope at once; and when cuttings can be had from the plants,
propagate from the seedlings, as cutting plants flower better
than seedlings. Sow Gazania, Lobelia, Petunia, Cerastium,
Phlox Drummondii, and Cuphea, in a hotbed as early in the
spring as you can—say by the middle of February, and encourage
their growth by pricking out the young plants early into pans,
and subsequently into separate pots if you have room for them.
The Tropzolum and Perilla need not be sown so early—say by
the end of May, as they grow quicker; and if you could winter
an old plant of Gnaphalium lanatum you might obtain any
number of cuttings in the spring, and they grow fast enough
A few old plants of Mint are also better than seeds, as the latter

400

may perhaps come up plain green. Arctotis grandiflora may be
sown at the same time as Gazania, to which it bears some resem-
blance. The Centaurea argentes, or C. candidissima, might be
sown at once, as the plants by being kept in pots do not grow
fast; and, if they do so, cuttings from them will be useful. If
you have not the convenience of a hotbed in which to forward
the above plants next spring, but have a cool greenhouse or some
pit where they can be secured from frost, it would be better to
take cuttings of all of the kinds in August, and keep them in
store-pots until March or April, when they may be potted-off,
and wiil make good plants before planting-out time.—J. R.

GROWING MUSHROOMS IN POTS.

My experience in this mode of culture is by no means
extensive, having only tried the system once, and that several
years since. It proved perfectly successful; and some of your
readers may feel inclined to ask this question—viz., Why not
continue to practise it? My answer is simply the same as with
regard to fruit, They can be obtained equally good, and with
less trouble grown in beds in the usual way.

But for the benefit of any of your readers who may “feel
interested in the subject, I will detail my practice as correctly as
Ian. Early in the month of November, some years since, I
found that it was desirable that I should produce Mushrooms
as soon as possible. JI had an excellent Mushroom-house
under my care, but I had not a sufficiency of the material to
make a bed—viz., horse-droppings. I, however, made a slight
hotbed in the Mushroom-house, composed of half-rotten leaves,
sweepings of lawns, &c.; and at the same time I carefully
collected what droppings I could, so that by the time that the
temperature of the hotbed had declined to about 80°, I had
enough of droppings to fll three or four dozen nine-inch pots to
within an inch of the top. These pots I at once plunged nearly
to the rim in the hotbed; and when I found that the material in-
side the pots maintained a temperature of about 75° or 80, I in-
serted a piece of spawn as large as a hen’s egg in the centre of each
pot, making all very firm, and covering the surface of the pots
with about an inch of stiff soil made quite damp. No water
was ever given. In about three wecks the temperature of the
hotbed had somewhat declined; the pots were then removed, a
little fermenting material added to the bed, turning it at the
same time, and immediately replunging the pots.»

The temperature of the bed was never allowed to fall lower
than 75°; and in rather less than six weeks from the day the
pots were spawned, the surface of every pot was covered with
small Mushrooms, which rapidly increased in size. As the at-
mospheric temperature of the house was kept to about 60°, on
account of Sea-kale, Rhubarb, &c., being also forced there at the
same time, this temperature brought the Mushrooms on faster
than they were required. So they (the pots), were removed
into a cool, dark, root-cellar, where they continued to produce
excellent Mushrooms for some considerable time; in fact until a
Sueeanan tly formed bed could keep up the necessary supply

HEATING GARDEN STRUCTURES.

THERE are few subjects of greater importance to the gardener
than the proper erection of those edifices known as stoves and
greenhouses.

Site or aspect is the first consideration. A site overshadowed
by trees is unsuitable for fruits, though it may do very well for
plants that delight in shade; yet even open sites are not always
the best for the erection of houses for the successful cultivation
of fruits. A site may be open but still bleak, and that materially
affects the heating of the house and the giving of air. A shel-
tered situation is an essential in a climate like ours, and has
more to do with the economical heating of houses than is gene-
rally imagined.

Suppose a house to be erected in a bleak place without shelter
of any kind, and ancther to be put up in a sheltered situation.
They are both heated alike, but the fire of one has to be kept going
ona cold windy but sunny day, whilst that in the sheltered situa-
tion is warm enough without the application of fire heat. The
one has the cold air driven against its sides, cooling the internal
atmosphere faster than the sun’s rays can heat it; but from the

one sheltered from the wind, little heat is abstracted by the

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ June 2, 1863.

Yet a house may be cold irrespective of site. A house in a
sheltered place with the laps of the glass open will be as cold
as a house in a bleak situation with the laps puttied-up. Then a
lean-to house requires less heating than a span-roofed one. There
is a loss in the latter of nearly one half of the sun’s rays by
reflection by the construction of the roof alone, to say nothing
of its presenting a larger amount of surface to the cooling action
of the surrounding atmosphere. A lean-to at an angle of 45°
loses little from reflection in summer, but in winter nearly half
the sun’s rays are reflected: consequently a lean-to covering
300 square feet enclosing 2400 cubic feet of air requiring the
temperature to be kept at 60°, will require 80 feet of four-inch
hot-water pipe ata temperature of 212°; but a span-roofed house
enclosing the same amount of air will require 60 feet more to
obtain the same result.

I am not speaking of lean-to’s and spans in their relative
situations as regards light; I do not wish to maintain that lean-
to houses are more suited to vegetation than a span-roofed, but
to show that a quantity of enclosed air is more rapidly heated
and more economically in the former than in the latter.

The size of the house also has a good deal to do with the
heating. A small house proportionately requires more heated
surface to heat it than a larger. The former presents a corre-
spondingly greater amount of radiating surface to the surround=
ing air than the latter, and, as is well known, becomes sooner
cold. A house 50 feet long by 20 will require 280 feet of four-
inch pipe to maintain a temperature of 60°, and a house of the
same length, but only 12 feet wide, will require the same amount
of piping. The space in the latter will certainly be heated
sooner to a given temperature than the larger house; but it will
lose more by radiation and be cooled, in the same manner as
it became warm, more quickly than the large house.

The heating of houses is also affected by moisture. Very
moist atmospheres require a larger amount of heated surface to
secure the same temperature in them than those several degrees
drier. Our ferneries and Orchid-houses afford examples of this.
I have noticed that a house in which a hygrometer denoted
95° of moisture (Saturation = 100) took nearly half a-day
(5h. 45m.) longer to secure a temperature of 85° than a house
with the same amount of heating surface where a hygrometer
indicated 67° of moisture; and in cooling down the moist
atmosphere was 4h. 57m. longer than the dry atmosphere.

Another point of no small import in the heating of houses is
ventilation. It is necessary to provide for the admission of
fresh air and the egress of foul. Stagnant air is inimical to
healthy development in vegetation, and as the admission of fresh
air is calculated to lower the internal temperature, provision
must be made to prevent its doing so. The presence of the sun
is the old-fashioned signal to give air; but as the sky is liable
to be overcast for weeks, the atmosphere of our houses must
be stagnant enough if no air be given during the sun’s
absence. It is not false economy to provide for a change of
atmosphere at least once in twenty-four hours under all cireum-
stances of cold and wet; and it is also necessary to provide for
a fluctuation of temperature, or a rise of 10° or more above the
calculated amount of temperature the heating apparatus is ex-
pected to secure.

Ventilation when it lowers the temperature denotes a badly-
constructed heating apparatus. Many gardeners are prevented
giving air through the deficiency in the apparatus, which may be
theoretically properly constructed, and calculated to serve the pur-
pose for which it was intended; but from the builder’s ignorance
of the smaller matters we have pointed out he makes a sorry affair
of an otherwise good one, and often throws the plants into diseases
which are attributed to the gardener. A few additional feet of
heating surface isa good excess; in fact, a necessary help to
successfully grappling with the vicissitudes of a fickle climate.
There are only three ways of heating houses: by fermentation,
hot water,.and hot air. The first is spontaneous, therefore more
suited to vegetation than any other heat (solar heat excepted).
It is easy of application, and satisfactory in its effects; but its
utility is materially impaired by the frequency of the necessity
to renew it and the constant care necessary to secure the proper
heat. Formerly dung was pre-eminently the best material for hot-
beds, and it is now the best—at least, the most conducive to
vigorous growth—for forwarding and maturing the fruits of
plants of short duration. It has also the advantage of main-<
taining a steady bottom heat; but it cannot be made to raise
the internal temperature 10°, without solar heat, in a few hours,
on the occurrence of a very frosty night, neither is it easy to

June 2, 1863. ]

cover up a large forcing-house with protecting materials to
prevent the inmates from being chilled. The trouble in renewing,
and the limited supply of dung at command, have done much to
cause cultivators to look out for something more lasting, and as
near resembling a natural system of heating as possible. Still
all our aged practitioners insist on there being nothing like a
bed of fermenting materials to give plants a start, by promoting
root-actiou before leaf-development commences.

Dr. Haley, of Hdinburgh, published a treatise on heating
hotbeds by the steam of hot water about 1750, which was trans-
lated into French and again translated into English, appearing
in the “ London Magazine” for 1755 as a new plan for heating
hotbeds, with a foreign signature attached to it. The system
consisted of a boiler to generate steam, and stone pipes with
uncemented joints heated the bed. -It would appear from this
that the chief aim of cultivators of that date was their desire to
produce an apparatus that would give the results of a hotbed in
perpetuity without any of the trouble and inconveniences of a
bed heated by fermenting materials. Steam, however, was a
very unmanageable agent, and though some people did very well
with it, yet others barely got their plants into a fair way, and
were just beginning to understand the system, when by some
oversight a valve became choked, and the plants that were in a
flourishing state the night before were found scalded ; the boiler
was rent into fragments, and the anticipations of the operator
frustrated.

Flues, the medium through which hot air is conveyed, are of
remote antiquity, and were introduced into this country for
garden structures at the period when Dutch gardens were in vogue.
Flues were first used to keep the frost out of the greenhouses of
that date, and to prevent the frost destroying such plants as
Kerria japonica, Peeony Moutan, and Aucuba japonica. They
were constructed similarly to what they are now, and although
that mode of heating was applied to the cultivation of plants re-
quiring a high temperature, yet the flue remained in its almost
original condition, or unimproved. At no period were gardeners
very partial 1o this mode of heating, for we find them heating
their hotbeds for Pines, and growing them by dung heat satis-
factorily without a flue at all. Vines, too, were brought forward
by a bed of fermenting materials, the flue being only used as an
auxiliary to ripen off the fruit. Dung, tanner’s bark, &c., were
more or less used to promote warmth in the first stages of early
forcing, for very obvious reasons—the heat was moister than
that of a flue, became more equally diffused through the house, and
was not liable to burn the plants at one end and starve those at
tke other. Besides, flues are liable to dry the air too much,
and so, instead of conducing to healthy development, may prove
baneful by drying up the juices of the plants, and unsatisfactory

"in their results.

Heating by hot water was not much in vogue until it became
known through Loudon’s “ Gardeners’ Magazine.’ Its cost
was a hindrance to its general application; but still it gained
ground, and is now generally adopted.

On these two latter modes of heating garden structures I
propose to offer a few remarks. J shall not attempt to disguise
my prepossession in fayour of hot water, nor will I say one word
more about either than has been confirmed by experience.—G. A.

(Zo be continued.)

GRAPHS AND OTHER GARDEN PRODUCE IN
AUSTRALIA.

FEom correspondence received by the last mail, we find that
the cultivation of the Vine is likely to become a most important
branch of industry in the Australian colonies. The area adapted
for the growth of this plant is practically unlimited, and we
believe no pursuit can be entered upon that promises more
certain remuneration to an industrious and enterprising person
possessed of a little capital. The slopes of the ranges seem
almost as if designed especially by nature for the Grape, and it is
not surprising that the experiments that have been tried have
proved remarkably successful, Several parties in the colony of
Victoria have fenced in from 50 to 100 acres for the cultivation
of the Grape, and we know of parties haying 80 acres in full
bearing. Wine-presses are being erected capable of pressing
10 to 15 cwt. of fruit at one time. There is ove vineyard a.one,
the produce of which will amount to upwards of 200 hogsheads
this season, the entire crop of which has been sold to one wine-
merchant. The price of the colonial wineis 16s. per dozen. The |

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND OOTTAGE GARDENER.

401

sorts usually cultivated are Black Hambrurgh, Black Prince,
Muscat of Alexandra, Black St. Peter’s, &c. Tue bunches usually
grow very large, some have weighed as much as 10 to 11 Ibs. each.
The individual berries attain considerable dimensions, many being
nearly as large as black Plums. With such facts before us we
can more readily credit the tales of eastern travellers about the
monstrous products of the Syrian vineyards. ‘The mode of
cultivation is very different from that pursued in England; the
Vines are planted about 5 feet apart, and trained in a similar way
to espalier Apple trees. ‘There are upwards of 4000 acres em-
ployed in growing Grapes in this colony.

Tobacco also is being largely cultivated and with tolerable
success, but a great drawback is that the rainy season interferes
with the drying it, so that they are obliged to resort to artificial
means, which injures the quality.

Some of the Chinese diggers have just commenced to grow
ginger, and it is said by the growers to be in quantity and
quality equal to that grown in China, which is the native habitat
of the root,—W. P., Jun., Camborne.

WORK FOR THE WEEK.
KITCHEN GARDEN.

Continue to thin the crops that require it whilst they are
small, and in every case where practicable loosen the soil about
them. If dry give them a good watering, when the soil being
loose its beneficial effects will be so much the greater. Basil
and also Marjoram that have been sown in beds to be thinned
out to about 6 inches plant from plant. Beans, make another
sowing. Top the most forward, if not yet done. Beef, make
a small sowing of Red. When it is sown early in rich soil, it
sometimes becomes too large and coarse, and does not retain its
colour in boiling, nor looks so well in salad, as that which is
smaller of the same variety. Carrots, make a small sowing of
Early Horn. Cabbage, sow a little seed for autumn produce.
Some of the smaller sorts should be preferred for this sowing.
Cauliflowers, plant out some from the first sowing in the open
ground. A small quantity planted from two or three sowings
will keep up a succession better than the small stunted plants
of very early sowings. Cucumbers, peg down the plants on the
ridges as they advance in growth, and when the hand-glasses will
no longer contain them, set these on three bricks placed edge-
ways or on crotch sticks. When they require water give it to
them milkwarm early inthe day. Onions, after thinning loosen
the soil between the rows, and if the weather is dry give them a
thorough watering. The thinnings of the beds to be planted out
and to be watered every night if the weather is dry until they
take fresh roothold. his must be particularly attended to, as
the roots should be very near the surface. Peas, the last sowing
of Knight’s Dwarf to be made, as it is longer in coming into
bearing than any other. Continue to earth-up and stick the
advancing crops. If the pods of the early crop do not fill well
in consequence of drought, give them one good root-soaking
which will be sufficient for them while they last. The method
frequently pursued of giving plants in the open ground a “ small
drop” of water every evening or morning cannot be too much
deprecated, such sprinklings cake the ground and. lower the
temperature of the soil without any correaponding benefit to the
plants. Radishes, make another sowing of the various sorts.
Savoys, plant out some of the early sowing. The dwarf sorts
may be planted at 1} foot apart in the rows, the rows to be
2 feet from each other. ‘he larger sorts to be 2 feet from each
other in the rows, and the rows 24 feet apart. Zomatoes, as
they are usually planted under a south wall where they receive
but little benefit from a passing shower, they should be oc-
casionally watered and kept mulched with short litter. Nail
and stop the shoots as they advance in growth. Hoe, rake,
sweep, and keep every part of the garden clean.

FLOWER GARDEN.

Pay particular attention to the stirring of the soil amongst the
plants in beds and borders. This will be attended with the best
results; letit be continued until the plants begin to grow and cover
the surface of the bed, when it should be discontinued. Be sure
that plants growing in vases, baskets, &c., are properly attended
to, and thoroughly watered at the close of these hot days. A
full sowing to be made of Brompton Stocks and all biennials for
the flower garden. Makea successional sowing of some of the
choicest hardy annuals for autumn-flowering. Hollyhocks to be

402

staked and tied, and attended to as they advance in growth. The
Roses should likewise have all the attention that can be spared
at this busy season. Remove all superfluous shoots and suckers,
and keep a sharp look-out after insects. One great fault to be
frequently met with is, mixed beds or borders of herbaceous
plants with stiff high plants at the edges. Where suflicient
variety does not exist, some of our dwarf plants, such as Migno-
nette, Musk, Forget-me-not, Verbenas, and Calceolarias may be
introduced with advantage. The newly-planted things will re-
quire frequent attention, as under the best management failures
will sometimes occur. These should instantly be made good,
and the tying and staking of everything requiring support on no
account delayed. Where an immediate display of flowers is not
wanted, the buds may be pinched off for a week or two to en-
courage the plants to cover the ground. Creepers against walls
and trellises to be constantly gone over to tie or nail them in.
Take early means to eradicate all the broad-leaved plants and
coarse-growing grasses from the lawns which they much dis-
figure, and keep them closely cut with the scythe or mowing
machine.
FRUIT GARDEN.

Attend to disbudding Peaches, Nectarines, Apricots, &c.
Pick grubs off Plums, Apricots, and Pears. Syringe Cherries,
&c., to destroy the aphis. Give Strawberrics a thorough soak-
ing after the blossoming period, and put some wheaten straw or
other covering between the rows to prevent heavy rains from
soiling the fruit. Thin the shoots of Raspberries to two or three
of the strongest if not already done. Disbud Figs, retaining no
more wood than is required for the next season.

STOVE.

Let rambling shoots have frequent stopping. Shift Gloriosas,
Hrythrinas, Clerodendrons, &c., and give liberal supplies of weak
manure water. Continue to shift all Orchids that require it. The
best time for shifting Saccolabiums, Wandas, Camarotis, Arides,
and all similar plants is as soon as they have done blooming.

Now is a good time to pot Peristerias, Phaius, and Cymbidiums
that are starting into growth.

GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY.

Young growing plants of Heaths and other hardwooded
plants to be placed in a spare pit where the lights can be readily
removed, to take advantage of dews or light showers; and where
the shading, which will sometimes be necessary, can be readily
removed, plunge the pots about half their depth in cinder
ashes. The stock of Balsams and other annuals grown for
filling the vacant places in the conservatory, &c., shou!d be en-
couraged by frequent shifts. Keep them in bottom heat and
near the glass. Pick-off the early-formed bloom-buds, as the
plants should attain a considerable size before being allowed to
bloom. Continue to train Kalosanthes, and water with liquid
manure occasionally. Scarlet Geraniums to have liberal en-
couragement to grow them on. Fancy Pelargoniums for late-
blooming will thrive better in a somewhat shady situation, and
where they can at the same time be protected from heavy rains.
Fuchsia, if not in their blooming-pota, shouid be transferred to
them forthwith. ‘Train in the desired form, and pinch back
weak and straggling shoots, W. Keane.

DOINGS OF THE LAST WEEK.

EITCHEN GARDEN.

Eanruep-ur Cauliflower to keep it moist, as the weather
with us continues yery dry, and we are afraid of quite running
out of water. Did the same with Peas and Beans for a similar
purpose. Shaded young Turnips, &c., for the same purpose,
and hoed with a Dutch hoe among growing crops, weeds or no
weeds, in order to give a loose surface, which arrests evaporation
almost as effectually as covering with a mat or litter. One dis-
advantage is that the loose surface keeps out heat as well as
keeps in moisture. Grubbed out and wheeled to rubbish-heap,
to be covered with soil, the greater portion of the Broccoli; had
the ground well trenched-up, and a little dung added, and will
sow with Peas, watering them well, and will stake this the last
sowing of the Marrowfat kinds. When we read such directions,

Trench-up Spare ground for early crops of Greens, Broccoli,”

- if is enough to make one’s teeth water with envy, and espe-

eae happen to see large quarters lying fallow for half

things in this regular fashion,

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ June 2, 1863.

crops from the soil in one season ; but there are many of us who
can hardly ever give the ground a moment's rest. For cropping
in this style it is a great advantage to be able to get hold of a
border in which lots of the Brassica tribe may be pricked-out in
rich soil, and 3 or 4 inches apart, and then they may be trans-
ferred with the trowel to places as soon as room can be found
for them. At present we have not a piece vacant; but one
planted with early Potatoes, which we purchased to get a change
of seed for next year, but the ground being so dry, though all
right below, the tops of the Potatoes have not appeared above-
ground as yet. We may also say the same as to Asparagus and
Sea-kale seeds that were sown; for, though all right, there has
not been enough of moisture to tempt the seed-leaves above the
ground, and such things we cannot think of watering. Regulated
Cucumbers, Dwarf Kidney Beans in bearing, and stopped and
watered those merely under glass protection; also placed ridge
Cucumbers, Vegetable Marrows, &c., under a cold frame to
harden-off the plants for open air, but will, if possible, give a few
the protection of some old lights over them, as those on ridges
haye not done first-rate for several years, ‘Chinned Lettuces,
and planted a lot on the north side of a bank, where we think they
come sweetest and best insummer; but had we plenty of ground
we would not transplant at all, but would*sow thinly in rows,
and thin toa foot or more apart. We always think there is an
additional crispness in sown Lettuces over transplanted ones,
and then the labour is less. Pricked-out Celery, and will plant-
out some of the earliest as soon as the trenches are cleared of
bedding plants. Cut the flowering-stems of most of the Sea-kale ;
this in the young state makes a nice vegetable when boiled, and
would be preferred by many toa succulent Cabbage, though that,
too, is very nice.
General treatment much the same as before.

FRUIT GARDEN.

Caterpillars appeared on some Gooseberry-bushes; but when
we thought of starting them with a sprinkling of soot we found
there were none to sprinkle, and hope they will not return again.
Of course the birds will get the credit of this, and I suppose
they deserve it, but we were too busy elsewhere to be quite sure
of the matter from observation. Gooseberries will bea very heavy
crop, although the frost nipped a few, and did some injury to
Currants. Went over Cherry trees, regulating the shoots, and
steeping the points infested with fly in weak Gishurst, and
engined strongly with clear soot and lime water several times
afterwards, and watered at the roots in some cases as previously
detailed.

Thinned fruit in orchard-houses, which in some cases had set
as thick as ropes of onions. Will use the fruit bruised-up for
prussic acid tea, as but few will be used for tarts. Thinned
Grapes, regulated shoots in late vinery, and attended to Melons,
setting the fruit on slates and bricks, and keeping those in bloom
rather dry. Out of doors we hope we shall get a good drench-
ing for the Strawberries, as we should like the ground well
wetted before putting straw or litter between the rows. In
syringing and engining at this season we can hardly fail to hear
lots of encomiums on two kinds of hydropults.

We have not a word to say against them, and the immense
sale renders them independent of anything of that sort. Never,
however, did we know a case more illustrative of what ‘there
is in a name.” Ladies are quite enraptured with them. We
haye had specimens sent to us, with and without pails, and
can see no advantage in them, except the flexible tube, which,
in many cases, would be an advantage, and the flexible suction-
tube which might be placed in a cistern in a house, and the
hydropult worked at the farther extremity. Hearing so much
of the ease in working the “pult,” we were quite surprised
at the muscular exertion required in the several specimens sent
to tempt us into the purchasing vein. No doubt there will
be the advantage of not getting outof order easily; but as a de-
liverer of water with force, and to a good distance, the want of
an air-vessel and good lever power, to lessen the necessary exer-
tion, will, in our opinion, be drawbacks to the continued popu-
larity of the hydropult.

As this is the time for looking over Pine plants, some inquiries
have reached us as to mixing old and new tan together for Pine-
beds, Melon-beds, &c. When we used tan rather largely, we
gave up mixing it, as the heat was thus made so irrecular, and
often so violent. We preferred placing the new by itself at the

No doubt it is more pleasant to be able to do} bottom of the bed, and the old at the top, or just the reverse, if
and to take only one or two } the tan though new was sweet, so as not to injure anything. For

June 2, 1863. |

Melons, if we suppose there were 18 inches of tan rather old, and
18 inches of fresh, we would mix the new and old together for
27 inches, and have 9 inches of the older between the mixture
and the soil. That thickness would keep a regular heat a long
time. Attended to watering Figs, Peaches, &c. Potted Vines,
placed the plants where they could have more light, and gaye
routine treatment as detailed in previous weeks.

i FLOWER GARDEN.
" Here daisy-kniving, rolling, mowing, and planting, have been
the order of the day. Would have done more of the latter if
the weather had not been so dry. Hoed among the bed planted
to keep the surface rough and open. As already noticed, we
have done the main ribbon-borders in straight lines this season,
and think they will look well. There is one sloping border
against a south wall between 300 and 400 feet in length. This
border is 12 feet wide, and at the back is raised 2 feet above the
pathway in front, sloping down to the verge. On the other side
of the walk is a double-sided border rising also in the middle,
14 feet wide, and having slight iron columns 18 feet apart along
its centre and 7 feet above the walk for chains to be suspended
between each for creepers. On the wall border, which wall is
covered with Roses, creepers, &c., the first line of ribbon is 4 feet
from the wall, from thence to the verge are seven rows more,
making eighé in all. From the slope of the ground there is room
enough for these to be massive in the rows, and they make more
room for themselves as they grow. The object is to have every
line distinct, and yet no space left between the rows, but the one
to abut on the other. The rows are as follows, beginning next
the wall—Salvia fulgens, 18 inches apart ; Ageratum, 16 inches
apart, strong bushy plants; Trentham Rose Geranium,
13 inches apart; double white Feverfew—fine strong plants—
9 inches apart, but every other plant is nipped down to secure
continuance of bloom; Perilla, not yet in, 1 foot or so apart ;

yellow Calceolaria, strong, 1 foot; Brilliant Geranium, 1 foot, |

strong plants ; and next the verge Cineraria maritima, 1 foot
apart, being the first time we have had it na straight line.

The border on the other side is shorter, but is planted in the
same manner, the line on the top of the ridge being Salvia, and
then the seyen others on each side.—R. F.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

SOFTENING HARD WATER For PLANTS (A Subscriber, Devizes).—As you
are compelled to use such, though a tank supplied from the house and
greenhouse roofs can usually prevent such compulsion, we recommend you
to have the pump water mixed with a little soda, such as washerwomen
use—one pound to sixty gallons—and let it after the mixture be exposed
to the sun and air fora day before using.

VINE-sHOOTS Gancrenep (7. J. S.).—We think the cause of the ends of
the Vine’s young shvots ‘ fogging-off,” or gangrening, as in the specimen
sent is, that the roots have descended into a cold or ungenial soil. We
would remove the soil down to the first tier of roots, and replace it with a
mixture of equal parts light loam and decayed stable manure. if the roots
are outside the house, cover the surface with muich at night and during
cold days, but have it uncovered during sunny days and warm rains.

SMELL Frost Liquip Manure (JV. D.).—There is no offensive smell from
any liquid manure except house sewage. ‘The smell from this may be re-
moved by mixing with it a litule chloride of lime, but the earth itself is the
most effective deodoriser. The smell of the most offensive liquid manure
is gone in an hour after it has been poured upon the soil.

BOILER AND PIPING For A PIT (Z. Record).—A small tubular boiler such
as used to be made by Stephenson would suit your purpose, and so would
a small saddle-back boiler. If you merely wanted Cucumbers and Melons
im summer two three-inch pipes all round your Span-roofed pit, 50 feet by
12 feet, would suit you, though, notwithstanding the extra expense, we
would prefer four-inch pipes. We ave supposing that you do not mean to
give the Melons much bottom heat, though in such a long house a part
might be shut off to have Cucumbers early; but then you would require
Pipes for bottom heat.

Mynrres nor Frowerine (C. H. R.).—Like most things, Myrtles flower
best when they have been ex posed to the full sun, which gardeners are un-
willing at times to allow these potted plants, as it browns the foliage. We
have it Rowering most seasons against a wall outside, and producing myriads
of berries ; and if your plants were well ripened the preceding season you
would have flowers also, although, as stated above, the toliage might not
be of so delicate a green.

Geranium Remi (Jdem),—We cannot affirm that the leaves you have
Sent are from Geranium Reidii, as we kuow but little of that vaglety, and
it is difficult to name anything from leaves only, and bedding Geraniums,
which are now so humerous, cannot well be named without seeing a full-
sized plant. It is very likely your gardener 1s right, as it is a red-zoned
Variety somewhat in the way of Blazer,

BLIGHTED LEAVES ON PEAR TREE (An Old Subscriber).—These appear
to be caused by the cold winds we have had of late, at a time when the
young foliage was in a delicate condition. ‘the return of tiner weather is
the best remedy, if not the only one; but if the tuliage that is to come
becomes in like manner blistered and diseased, then something else is the
matter, and we will be glad to hear from you again.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

403

Warer-cress Cunture (Agricola).—The following system, which is
that followed in the metropolitan counties, for the supply of the London
market, we extract from ‘*'the Cottage Gardeners’ Dictionary.’ The green
slime of which you complain arises from the water being too stagnant.
Let all the water off from each terrace occasionally, and keep a gentle flow
constantly :—‘‘ The trenches in which they are grown are so prepared, that,
as nearly as possible, a regular depth of 3 or 4 inches can be kept up.
These trenches are 3 yards broad, and 87 yards long, and whenever one is
to be planted the bottom is made quite firm and slightly sloping, so that the
water which flows in at one end may run out at the other. If the bottom
of the trench is not sufficiently moist, a small body of water is allowed to
enter to soften it. The Cresses are then divided into small sets or cuttings,
with roots attached to them; and these ure placed at the distance of 3 or
4 inches from each other. At the end of five or six days a slight dressing
of well-decomposed cowdung is spread over all the plants, and this is
pressed down by means of a heavy board, to which a long handle is obliquely
fixed. ‘he water is then raised to the depth of 2 cr 3 inches, and never
higher. Each trench is thus planted annually, and furnishes twelve crops
during the season. In the summer the Cresses are gathered every fifteen
or twenty days, but less frequently during winter; care is taken that at
each gathering at least a third part of the bed is lett untouched, so that
neither the roots may be exhausted, nor the succeeding gathering delayed.
After every cutting, a little decayed cowdung, in the proportion of two
large barrowfuls to each trench, is spread over the naked plants, and this
is beaten down by means of the rammer above mentioned. After the
Water-cresses have been thus treated for a twelvemonth, the manure forms
a tolerably thick layer at the hottom of the trench, and tends to raise its
level. To restore it to its original level, all the refuse should be thrown
out upon the borders which separate the trenches from each other. These
borders may be planted with Artichokes, Cabbages, or Caulitlowers.”

CAMELLIA Leaves PartLy YaLLow (H. I. P.).—But for your statement
we should have supposed that the larger leat was going through its natural
course of decay before dropping from the stem; for evergreens are to a
certain extent deciduous, and part with their old leaves as well as deciduous
trees, though not in winter as the latterdo. From the details you give we
are convinced that the plant is suffering from bright sun ana condensed
moisture or hot vapour. The remedies are shade in bright sun and air
early in the morning, or rather on constantly, so that the leaves shall be
dry, and no moist hot vapour about them when the sun reaches them.

CoBpa@A SCANDENS FLOWHRS ALTERED (Jdem).—We have noticed the
change into a tive-segmented corolla of the flower of the Cobmwa, and the
extra strength from standing the winter may be partly thereason. Though
somewhat rampant, there ure few more splendid climbers, and the large
bell shows so many tints of colour.

Leaves insurep (LZ. V.).—We should attribute the holes in the Horse-
Chestnut leaves to insects or caterpillars. From what we could see of the
Vine-leaves, which were much dried, they scemed to have been scorched,
or rather scalded, by the sun shining on them when ina damp state. Air
early in the morning or u little all night will remedy that. The Golden
Hamburgh would be better to be suspended 9 inches further from the glass,
or a little shading put on the glass.

RoseE-LEAvEs (JV. X. W.).—With spectacles on nose, and with a micro-
scope to help, we failed to find one insect on your Rose-leaves. ‘There were
marks as if a scale had been on them, which must be washed off if there,
and also marks as if thrips had been nibbling, and these must be smoked
and syringed. We are not certain on either point as to these insects being
present; but we must#say that it is rarely an insect will come tous. Ifthe
leat is merely put into a letter, it should be enclosed in a box or something,
to prevent the insects getting away or being smashed by the post-office
punches.

VINE-LEAVES BLorcutp (B. A.).—The leaves were quife dried when we
received them, and we have no doubt the blotches are produced by scalding
—by the sun shining on the leaves when in a moist state, or from there
being some scars or knots in the glass. In the latter ease paint the scars
over, or rub them with putty ; in the former give air early, so as to have
the foliage dried before the sun strikes powerfully on the house. The
great vigour of the Vines would render them more liable fo the casualty in

either case.

Brppine GERANIUMS FoR A Cotp Disrricr (8. H.).—We have no doubt
but the kinds you mention—Madame Vaucher, Princess of Prussia, and
Christine—will do as well as any other in such a situation. Generally
speaking, the kinds most impatient of cold are the variegated kinds, espe-
cially the golden-edged varieties. In cold or late places old plants are
better than young ones, and a tolerably good show will be had; but it is
needless to say that in more favoured situations it will be better, although
we are far from certain but that you will beat your more warmly located
brethren in Culceolarias and Verbenas,

Sow1ne ZINNIAS, SWEET SULTAN, AND ANEMONES (A Would-le Gardener).
—It is almost too late, excepting under favourable circumstances, to sow
the two first-named annuals; but if you huve a hotbed, and can sow a
quantity in separate pots, and thin them out when they come up, and
gradually harden and plant out, they will succeed pretty well. Anemone
seed may be sown when ripe, Cover very slightly, and do not water how-
ever dry the weather may be, and it is likely you will be successful.

DeEstROYING DaistEs on A Lawn (J. Searle).—We fear we cannot give
you much hopes of entirely eradicating this inveterate pest. Taking up the
turf and relaying it, or, what would be better, exchanging it tor other turf
less affected with daisies, and at the same altering in some measure the
character of the ground by adding some enriching substance will partially
remedy the evil; but the easier way is to cut off the heads of the daisies
every alternate day with the ‘‘daisy-knife’’ described at page 378, which
is by far the best tool we are acquainted with for the purpose. In the after
part of the season you will be less troubled with these common-looking
tlowers, but most lawns are more or less troubled with daisies in early
summer. Weeding is a tedious job and far from effectual, and ground
favourable to the growth of daisies will produce them in spite of all ordi-
nary preventives, that we advise the more frequent cutting of the heads as
the best and cheapest manner of abating the evil.

FLUE-CLEANING. — The simple plan of heating a small greenhouse,
described by ‘*J. B.,”’ is exactly suited to my requirements, and he would
oblige by stating how the flue is to be cleaned, as I conclude it would not
answer to break the mortar and remove one of the pipes.—A.

404

FERNS IN A Prant-case (E. Paynej.—You will see a work on the
subject announced in our Journal to-day.

Dwazr Sweet Pea.—I have often thought why a dwarf Sweet Pea has
not been obtained as well as a dwarfeatable Pea. Can botanists or florists
give a reason?—M. F.

DEsTROYING THE BLAcK Fry on CHERRY SHOOTS (An Old Subscriber).
—If your trees be against a wail, it is good practice to bend the tips over
and into a basin of tobacco water, so as to immerse all the part affected.
A syringing of the tree will do some good, though not so much as dip-
ping- Should this process appear too tedious, nipping off all the tips is
the next bestremedy. Cherries are generally infested with this insect.

Remoyine Waite Litres (A Would-be Gardener).—As soon after the
flower-stem dies down as convenient, as at that time the bulbs are at rest.
It is, however, better to plant them at once, and not lay them by for a
season as is done with Hyacinths, Tulips, &c. They are not particular as
to soil, and are o!ten seen in cottage gardens in great perfection, where they
have not been disturbed for years.

Rose-trayes Curiine-up (C. H. R.).—Cold winds will cause this at
times when there is no insect, but generally the latter accompanies it. If
it arise from the former cause there is no preyentiye for out-door plants;
put insects may be destroyed by dipping each shoot in a decoction of
tobacco, rubbing the leaves at the same time through the fingers. Taking
the case in time is the best preventive. The evilis, however, a very common
one, and generally is submitted to in large collections as being too tedious
and expensive to overcome.

Wartegine Prants (Old Subscriber, Hampshire).—No harm can be done
by watering the roots of plants at any time of the day, but the foliage ought
not to be wetted in the bright glare o: sunshine. It would bea hopeless
affair to leave all watering until the sun went down. In dry weather one
ortwo men are watering here ail day long. In the middle of the day
potted plants that are aeeding it are supplied; and in the morning and
afternoor (say after hulf-past four or later) those plants whose foliage
must be wetted are supplied with water; but we are promised an article
on this subject by one of our contributors.

Marcu Bep To CALCEOLARIA AMPLEXICAULIS (B. H.).—If the beds are
near together, so that the eye will catch both at once, plant both with the
Calceolaria ; or if you have not sufficient plants, plant the centre of both

Kind. The writer ef this article is more in fayour of symmetry than of
multiplying varieties; and, assuming you to edge the bed with something
else, the two kinds of Calceolaria will do very well for the centre.

Variecatep AGERATUM (Idem).—The white edge of this plant is not
sufficiently clear to look well, but it flowers tolerably freely, the only
difference being that it is dwarfer than the plain; but the variegation of
the foliage is not white enough to entitle it to more than a second or
perhaps third class place among plants of white or variegated foliage.

EGE For 4 PERILLA-BED (Idem).—Seedling plants of Cineraria maritima,
though for a time less white than cutting ones, are, nevertheless, pre-
ferable to variegated Balm; as likewise is variegated Alyssum, with its
myriads of white flowers. A variegated Scrophularia also promises well;
while the Centaurea candidissima is unquestionably the best white-foliaged
plant we have for this and like purposes.

Names oF Prants (7. 7.)—l, A Dacrydium, probably Mai; 2, Car-
michaella australis; 3, Dacrydium excelsum; 4, Clianthus puniceus; 5,
Phyllocladus trichomanoides. (Philos, Pilkington).Hippeastrum reticu-
latum, v. striatifolium. (Is. W.).—1, Alonsoa Warszewiczii; 2, A Gua-
phalium, probably G. arenarium, but cannot be certain without knowing
the plant’s habit. (Subscriber).—1, Alchemilla vulgaris ; 2, an umbellifer
Without leaves or fruits; 3, Veronica chamzcrys; 4, Lychnis diurna.
(Hight-years Subscriber, Gravesend).—1, Hardenbergia monophylla; 2,
Polygala Dalmaisiana; 3, Abutilon venosum. Nos. repeated—l, Asplenium
flaccidum ; 2, Adiantum capillus-Veneris. (Zyro, Chepstow).—Polypodium
dryopteris. The book on exotic Ferns isin the press; you will soon see it
announced and the price. (Juvenis).—1, Geranium Robertianum. ‘The
rest have noleayes. We cannot afford time to examine such speciniens.
Those who want this kind of information must take the pains at least to
Send decent specimens, and so packed as to come in good preservation.

POULTRY, BEE, and HOUSEHOLD CHRONICLE.

NORTH HANTS POULTRY SHOW.

THE growth of poultry shows in connection with agriculture
is slow. We must wait till we have such statistics as they have
in France. Where, as in that country, a large eum is put down
as the value of the poultry stock of the kingdom, attention will

be drawn to the subject, and it will take the prominence it |

deserves. Few things are more profitable as food or more
valuable ; few things of as little money value and as inexpensive

to keep will provide as much food. A hen that rears twenty- |

four chickens in the year has earned money, not only by this
fact, but by the surplus eggs that are eaten or sold.

Poultry is kept on every farm, but it is not made a pursuit ;
nor is it studied. Every other description of live stock is turned
to the best advantage. ‘Times, seasons, and age are all studied
with a view to the greatest productivene:s and the best return
for outlay. Not so the poultry. The chickens are killed off
and eaten. ‘The old stock remains year after year, becoming
less prolific as they get older, and it is then declared poultry
does not pay. We need hardly say with such feeling and such
Management there will not be pride enough in it to cause a
desire to exhibit. Wet at every agricultural meeting the poultry
is first visited—it forms the chief attraction; and many say
they believe they have better birds at home than those that take

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

| question) in the success than the owner.

[Tune 2, 1863.

the prizes. To every other class the pursuit affords real pleasure.
The clergyman, the physician, the solicitor, the merchant, and
very often the statesman, make it one of their relaxations. Ex-
hibitors grow from these classes because they watch their birds,
and discover their merits, which the agriculturist, who has all
the machinery for success at work, whether he will use it or not,
cares for the Gallinacew only when chickens are wanted for the
table or eggs are “‘ desiderata” at the breakfast table.

We confess to a liking for an agricultural meeting. It is to
the county what the Christmas gathering is to thefamily. It is
a holiday in which all classes share. Though we do not go to
the length they do in Ircland, as related in the Times, where the
two-year-olds and the three-year-olds haye handed down the
feud that began about a cow from father to son till its sad
records are written in the history of every assize, yet we are
always amused at the delight evinced by those who come from
the particular village or district that has produced the first-
prize animal. ‘There is a heartiness in the pursuit which is
shared by all who are concerned in it, and there is an abzence
of selfishness which is a relief to many who have been for years
subject to the close competition and comparative selfishness of
thoze who have been their neighbours, and have followed the
same calling as themselves in large towns. The man who has
had charge of the horse, ox, sheep, or pig that has taken first
honours has, perhaps, more real interest (apart from the money
Hence it becomes a
holiday for all.

The Dorkings were very good, and the exhibitors lay far apart
—Somersetshire, Wiltshire, Buckinghamshire. Mr. Brown, of

| Chard, took first with very large birds; Mr. Fowler, of Ayles-

with it, and the outside with Calceolaria Aurea floribunda, or some similar |

bury, second. All the pens were shown in excellent condition ;
but these two pens were remarkable in that particular. Among
the Cochins there were, as usual, many faulty combs. The first
prize went to Nottingham; Mr. Fowler took the second. It
will speak for a good class of Game when we say that Mr.
Rodbard could only win a high commendation. Mr. Sidney
Dupe, of Bath, showed a remarkably good pen. He was hard
run by Mr. Adams, of Basingstoke. Hampshire is strong in
Polands, and the class did not belie the reputation of the county.
Mrs. Pettat and Mr. T. P. Edwards left nothing to desire in

| their prize pens. With one exception, the Spanish were de-

plorably weak in quality. Mr. Rodbard sent a pen worthy of
any exhibition in the kingdom. The second prize was withheld,
as, in four others, the cocks had falling combs. There was
strong competition in the Hamburghs—Mirs. Pettat took both
prizes. It was hard to give only high commendations to Messrs.
Brown, Keable, and Lamb—it was truly an excellent class.
Mrs. David Smith showed one of the best pens of Turkeys we
ever saw. Mr. Matthews was deservedly a prizeteker, and Mr.
Boxall’s were good birds. Where Mr. Fowler shows Geese he
is generally successful. His pen weighed 55]bs., and Mr.
Manfield’s improved White Dorset weighed 481bs. The latter
would have been a great weight some years since. There was a
good entry of Ducks, and Mr. Fowler was again at the head
with threz birds weighing 21lbs. Mr. Rodbard’s Rouens were

second. Mr. Fowler showed three ducklings that weighed
i8ilbs. Six pens of otherwise good Rouen Ducks were dis-

qualified by the lead-coloured bills of the Ducks. There should
be no mistake on this head. The Rouen Duck should in every
particular but size be the counterpart of the wild Duck and
Mallard, and no wild Duck was ever seen with a leaden bill.
Among the extra steck were some exquisite Duckwinged Game
Bantams belonging to Mrs. Pettat, and some very good Silkies
shown by Mrs. St. John.

A lovely day, music, and a large attendance, ly of
ladies, added to the liberal arrangements of the Show; and the
untiring exertions of the Committee, with the tact, kindness, and
urbanity of Mr. Downs, made this meeting a “ very” holiday.

Dorxines.—First, T. L. Brown, Chard. Second, J. K. Fowler, Ayles-
bury. Highly Commended, C. Smith, Salisbary ; Mrs. D. Smith, Browning

| Hill House. Commended, W. B. Boxall, Strathfieldsaye.

Cocuixs.—First, C. T. Bishop, Lenton. Second, J. K. Fowler, Aylesbury.
Highly Cémmended, Rey. J. De L. Simmonds, Chileomb Rectory, Winches-
ter; Mrs. St. John, Oak'ey Coitage.

Game. — First, §. Dupe, Bath. Second, E. S, Adams, Basingstoke.
Highly Commended, J. RK. Rodbard, Wrington, Bristol; S. Jesse, Basing-
stoke.

Poranps.—First, Mrs. Petiat, Ashe Rectory. Second, T. P. Edwards,
Lyndhurst. Commended, Mrs. Pettat.

SpanisH.—First, J. R. Rodbard, Wrington, Bristol.

HampurcHs.—First and Second, Mrs. Pettat, Ashe Rectory. Highly
Commended, J. Keable, Thatcham, Newbury; J. Lamb, Highworth, Wilts;
T. L. Biown.

Tune 2, 1863. ]

Tourkeys.—First, Mis. D. Smith, Browning Hill House. Second, H.
Matthews, Sherborne St. John, Highly Commended, W. B. Boxall,
Strathfieldsaye.

Grrsx.—First, J. K. Fowler, Aylesbury.
-Ducxs, — First, J. K. Fowler, Aylesbury.
Wrington, Bristol.

Mr, Baily, Mount Street, Grosvenor Square, was the Judgo.

Second, J. R. Rodbard,

AGRICULTURAL HALL POULTRY SHOW.

Tuer poultry exhibition that has just been held in the
Agricultural Hall, Islington, has had unusual difficulties to
contend with, and, notwithstanding, has pzoved itself a most
successful one, ‘i'he time of year chosen is the one of all others
moat calculated to prevent an extensive entry, as adult birds are,
in many instances, fast falling into bad feather now the laying
season has so far progressed ; and again, chickens however early
hatched are as yet not sufficiently matured for public exhibition.
Notwithstanding these obstacles, our readers will be pleased to
learn that a collection of about three hundred pens of generally
excellent birds were entered.

Black Spanish first drew the attention of visitors on their
entrance to the Hall. In this class the lack of condition was
perhaps more evident than in that of any variety in the Show
—a shortcoming we were well prepared for, as this breed of
poultry is considered as being the most susceptible of mischief
from the effects of unfavourable weather of all others. Want
of condition was consequently universal—a failing particularly
developed in pen 13, which were undoubtedly first-rate, but
had to content themselves with a hign commendation from
this cause alone. Viscountess Holmesdale took the first position
in the prize list, with Mr. Wright and Mr. Rood closely competing.
In Grey Dorkings the competition was excellent, Viscountess
Holmesdale was here again successful with a most valuable
pen of rosy-combed ones, adding to this achievement a second
position with the pen so frequently exhibited by her ladyship
last season, as to now require but little description. Although
the establishing such a yard of Grey Dorkings must haye
been attended with great outlay at the outset, we believe the
coming season will prove that to wrest away the Dorking laurels
from Linton Park will be the most difficult of all poultry feats
to Dorking exhibitors. Mr. Drewry was a very good third, and
some of the highly commended pens were but little less deserving.
In the Buff Cochin class, Mr. C. ©. Bishop, of Lenton, near
Nottingham had it all his own way; the pen he exhibited
making it an easy “walk over” from everything in the class.
We congratulate that gentleman on his possession of so excellent
a pen of birds, and wish them continued success. We regret to
find, however, so palpable a confirmation of a report recently
current that Mr. Charles Felton, of Erdington, near Birmingham,
purposed selling all his birds, and turning his attention exclu-
sively to floriculture. The present owner, however, can well
confirm the old axiom that “the wind is indeed a sorry one that
blows good to none.” ‘They are one of the best pens ever yet
brought before the public. By some mistaken entry a pen of
the best White Cochin chickens we have seen this year were
shown in this class; but as the limit was to Buffs alone, they
could not aypear on the prize list. In the next class for Cochins,
Any other colour, their position would haye been a good one.
In this latter class Captain Heaton exhibited a pen of partridge-
coloured ones, of which that gentleman has reason to be proud.
The plumage was not only excellent in colour, but the condition
was most praiseworthy. There were many other first-rate pens
of this colour, and some excellent white ones. The classes for
Pencilled Hamburghs were a poor apology for those we met with
a few years back. It is too evident we miss those noted breeders
Messrs. Archer, Chune, Sharp, and Worrall. The Opening is a
good one just now to achieve renown by the careful culture of
the Pencilled Hamburghs, and to restore this really useful as
well as beautiful race of birds to the high position they lately
held. But however great the imperfections of these classes,
those for the Spangled Hamburghs made more than ample
amends. In both instances they were quite.as near perfection
as any one can reasonably hope to attain. A sad misfortune to
the proprietor of the first-prize Gold-Spangled pen arose from
an indiscretion, against which we have so frequently guarded
amateurs—viz., putting strange hens together. In this instance
the master hen not only completely ecalped her companion,
laying open the skin of the neck for more than 2 inches, but
proved herself a perfect cannibal by absolutely eating away in
every direction the whole of the flesh from the back of the neck

JOURNAL OF HORTICULLURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

405

bone. By the order of the Judges, therefore, after the skin had
been carefully sewn together, this hen was removed to a place of
quietude. She can never recover so far as exhibition is con-
cerned. We mention it simply as a warning to prevent others
falling into the same mistake. The Game classes were well
filled, and with a variety of excellent birds, the Black-breasted
Reds and Brown Reds being perhaps the most perfect of any.
The Game Bantams and Black Bantams were very good. In
the Extra variety class of these little favourites, were some
perfect Black, and also White Japanese Bantams, some excellent
Brown Silkies, a very unusual colour, some Frizzled Bantams,
and some White Silkies. The Sebright Bantams looked below
par, as is customarily the case just prior to moulting. A Sweep-
stakes for Game Bantams, the entrance monies being divided
into three prizes by the rules laid down on the prize list,
brought only three competitors, all of them very good. Their
respective positions as to the honour of winning were easily
appointed’; the question of pecuniary recompence was one
difficult to determine.

Neither Ducks, Geese, nor Turkeys were entered, as these
classes had on this particular occasion been purposely omitted
from the prize schedule.

We must not conclude without stating that the Islington
Agricultural Hall affords one of the best opportunities of
holding an extensive poultry show of any extant. The capa-
bilities are indisputable. ‘The arrangements for poultry were
good, and the attention shown it was apparent. We were
glad to find that at future shows a new set of pens will be in
use, altogether avoiding the objection this time so evident—that
the doors being so small, it was nearly impossible to take any
bird out or replace it without serious injury to its appearance.

On this occasion these pens were used as the best at the
moment attainable, and the difficulty will be easily provided
against in future. We also suggest that had the knowledge of
the Show being about to be held been more notorious, a vast
increase of entries must have ensued. It is not improbable that
the Islington Show will speedily rank among the highest of
our poultry exhibitions.

We gave the prize list last week.

INTERNATIONAL DOG SHOW, ISLINGTON.

OvE opinion of this Hxhibition will be best expressed by
saying that we hope it will be annual, and that the only improve-
ment we can suggest is that there shall be in future only two
one-shilling days. A week is too long a time for a dog to be
chained up, even in a place as large and well ventilated as the
magnificent glazed structure in which this Show is held.

It was a great success in every way. The dogs, amounting to
more than 1600, included some of the finest specimens of each
variety. hey were arranged uniformly on broad benches at
about 2} feet from the ground; were chained at distances uni-
form and effectual to prevent contests ; were kept scrupulously
clean; were well fed and watered; and the company was very
numerous. The Prince and Princess of Wales were there on
the opening day, the 25th; and then, and on the day following,
we saw there a large majority of the gentlemen and ladies who
are well known not only among sportsmen, but of those who are
fond of superior domestic animals.

‘Nhe kennel in the centre of the Hall enclosing the twelve
couple of the Duke of Beaufort’s hounds was of itself an ex-
hibition. They were models of the high-bred Foxhound, un-
surpassable in condition, uniformity, and that confident ex-
pression imparted by courage, and power of endurance, possessed
by no dog of any other breed. The Russian Wolf-hound, swift,
keen, and severe; the German Boar-hound, heavy, large, and
powerful; the Slave-hunting-hound, slow but terrible, and
making Englishmen sad to think of such a pursuit ; Greyhounds
made to cleaye the wind, and in form without a heavy or un-
graceful line; Pointers and Setters, prime examples of combined
strength, activity, and docility; Spaniels all vivacity and
courtesy; Sheep Dogs unmistakeably intelligent ; Mastiffs well
worthy of baronial halls, and fitting helps to their warderss
Mount St. Bernards hospitable in lock, and of frame telling of
capacity to give help, and with voice that would reach from
base to summit of the Alps; Newfoundlands, calm yet resolute
and strong; Bulldogs, best tempered, most enduring, and most
ugly of dogs; smooth Terriers of varied vivacity; Skyes all
gentleness; Dandy Dinmonts ready for sport; Maltese, all
ill-temper like spoiled children ; Toys of all forms, and as varied
in disposition ; all these well represented their especial classes.

406

Such were the characteristics which seemed prevalent in each
variety ; but for the firet time at a dog show, there seemed an
aristocratic bearing even pervading the dogs, and telling that
they were used to good society.

DOGS.

Summer gardens and theatres have opened their doors; the
Horticultural Exhibition has fixed its tent in the Chaussée
d’Autin, and has followed the canine show at the Gardens of
Acclimatation. How many painters would be delighted to have
before their canvass, how many sculptors before their statue,
group or bust, the increasing crowd that was moved, captivated,
and enthusiastic beforea Terrier no larger than a man’s fist! An
invention, one of the triumphs to the recent Show, is the little
animal shown under a glass-bell. The air we breathe is, doubt-
less, too coarse for its lungs. ‘There were three we could name,
that were only shown to the crowd through the transparent
walls of their crystal palaces, They are no longer dogs—they
are little gods. More than a thousand competitors appeared at
this Show, and among them, perhaps, two hundred drawing-
room tyrants. That which is microscopic and liliputian, wordly,
useless, and untidy, is that which concerns and interests us most
in this Show. We respect the watch dog; we love tlie sporting
dog; we will speak highly of the Newfoundland and the
“Saviour ” of Mount St. Bernard, if ever the Monthyon prize
should be extended to four-footed virtue; but the pocket dog,
the shelf dog, the dog that ona pinch could be carried in a
reticule—this is our great attraction. Greyhounds more chilly
than Méry, the poet of Marseilles, and which seldom go out
without their over-coat; small Terriers, clean, sharp, shining,
and muscular, even their muzzles look fine and intelligent, and
their ears trimmed to a point stand up provokingly; silky
Spaniels ; King Charles’s with sensual faces, reminding one of
some Roman emperor satiated with the luxury of the latter and
falling days of his empire; dogs from Hayannah, which would
almost seem crossed with birds from their lightness, feathering,
and even claws—these are our delight.

It is impossible to recognise in the importance assumed by
the pet dog of an opulent family, and for which the chicken is
not white enough, the cushion soft enough, the collar comfort-
able, nor the Zoxbon sweet enough, unless each comes from the
first house in the trade—it is inpossible to recognise the little
wretch you had seen a few weeks before hanging down its head,
suffering from hunger, and furtiyely seeking a social position
—canine Jerome Paturot!

To a certain degree the features of dogs and men change with
their conditions. Suppose two similar individuals: give to one
a noble, easy, and harmonious life, and direct the habitual
course of his thoughts to the highest spheres; attach the other
to some low and obscure pursuit, and fix him to it. At the end
of a given time these two, although similar at the outset, will
differ so much in expression, that even form will be affected by it
to the extent that no likeness will be found between those who
were at: first mistaken one for the other.

Formerly at the “ Barriére du Combat,” and in its neighbour-
hood, the dogs met with were more like hyenas or wolves. ‘the
same may be said of solitary and dangerous parts of the external
Boulevards. The dogs acquired the ferocity of the people
among whom tkey lived. Hyery shade of the human family
finds its representative in the canine species. You can find the
parvenu, the real nobleman, the smooth, the rough, those diffi-
cult and those easy to please, the arrogant and the humble, the
sincere and the liar.

Note that food occupies a larger space in the canine than in
the human composition. Many years ago Charlet, the popular
painter said, “The best part of a man is that which is like the
dog.” Another has said, “The better I know man, the more I
like dogs.” —( Translated.)

DRONES OF A DRONE-BREEDING QUEEN.

Tue question which has lately been discussed in your columns
as to the utility of the drones of a drone-breeding queen in
spring, really lies in a very small compass. ‘The object of pro-
ducing them in anticipation of forming early artificial swarms
will be found futile; and, at the same time, a heavy tax must be
laid on the broken brood of flourishing hives to maintain the life
of the drone population.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

[ June 2, 1863.

It was shown in a paper from a German bee-master, for the
translation of which your readers are indebted to the kindness of
“‘ A DEVONSHIKE BEE-KEEPER,” that fecundation takes place only
in a high temperatare: 70° has been the lowest at which I have
observed it, and a bright sun after midday seems also essential.

This spring may be considered to haye been a favourable one
for testing such experiments, having been milder than the average,
and yet up to this day, May 28th, the maximum temperature has
been but 67°, while there have been drones from @ strong hive
since April 24. It may be thence inferred that it will prove
labour lost in this climate to attempt to form artificial swarms
earlier than the natural season of swarming, when a superfluity
of drones may be insured by maintaining one or two stocks in
high condition.—INVESTIGATOR.

BEE LAW.

Have [ any legal claim to a swarm of bees of mine, which I
followed to another person’s garden and saw them enter a
hive which contained empty comb?—S. B. T.

[We can only give the same reply that we gave to a similar
query some years since. Blackstone, in his “ Commentaries,”
says, “ A swarm which fly from and out of my hive are mine so
long as I can keep them in sight, and have power to pursue
them ; and in these circumstances no one else is entitled to take
them.’ Indeed, if the rightful owner quickly pursues the swarm,
and keeps them in sight, and any one else should hive and keep
them, it would be a larceny. We believe that if the bees have
been quickly followed from the hive whence they swarmed, and
have never been lost sight of, their owner is entitled to follow
them on to another man’s land and hive them. If the man on
to whose land the bees strayed took possession of the swarm, or
prevented the owner from doing so, we think the owner would
have a legal remedy against that man. Of this we are quite
sure—no one who is honest will prevent the owner of a strayed
swarm following and recovering it. |

TIME FOR HATCHING SHOW BIRDS.

Wey should I give over hatching Cochins and all other birds
that are intended tor show? Would not these be just as good
hatched now as those that are hatched in February or March ?
How is it that most breeders are giving over hatching now ?—
INCUBATOR.

[We go on hatching. The reason why so many give up
sitting their hens after this is that hens begin to lay badly, and
the yards are full of chickens. ]

OUR LETTER BOX.

DeatH oF HampurcH Cuickexs (J. O. U.).—We think there is little
doubt, from the rapid way in which death follows the attack, that poison
has something to do with it. As the first brood escaped entirely and all
since have suifered, and as all have been reared on the same Spot, we think
it likely either that some poisonous herb has sprung up or that something
is thrown down thet isinjurious. This latter is probably accidental. The
sudden death excludes the idea of disease, which is always more or less
lingering. Move them to another spot.

PouLTRY SHOW 4T THE AGRICULTURAL HaLL.—We have been requested
to state that the sole management of this Exhibition was in the hands of
Mr. Douglas.

BrauMa Pootra Ecc-zounp (7. P. W.).—From the weight of the egg,
your hen is constantly in the predicament of an egg-bound fowl, and unless
you can alter this she will die. Give castor oil every other day—a table-
spoonful. Feed on cooling food, lettuce, and ground oats mixed with cold
water. Whenever the patient appears in pain, and about to lay, lubricate
the egg-passage with a featber dipped in oil. This will facilitate the
extrusion of the egg. Her present state is a certain forerunner of fatal
disease if not speedily relieved.

Eocs nor Hatcuine (8. H.).—The fault has probably been with the
hens. There was no fault with eggs that produced chickens, and the
mould followed death. Stale or musty bran is bad to keep eggs in. A box
or tray is the best place to keep them in, with a liftle dry moss in the
bottom; or, if the bran be fresh, they may be put on it.

Spanish Fow is (An Old Subscriber).—We totally differ from you. Asa
whole we consider the second pen was better than any, except the pen to
which the first prize was awarded. One of the Judges, we know, wouid
show no partiality.

PRESERVING Eccs (A Constant Reader).—If you refer to page 286
(No. 107, April 14th), you will find the result of our experience.

Guava JELLY (J. Ferme).—Put the berries into an enamelled saucepan,
and let them simmer for a few minutes, mashing them with a wooden or
silver spoon; squeeze them through a cheese-cloth or coarse muslin until
the skins and pips are dry. ‘To every pound of juice add a pound of white
sugar. Boil for a short time until the jelly is inclined to set, which is
ascertained in the usual way; then pour into small jars.

InsEcT EJECTED FROM A Hive (W. 7. Blantyre).—It is only a black
humble bee which had entered the hive to steal some of the honey. The
bees caught the robber and killed him.

June 9, 1863. ] ‘JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER, 407
WEEKLY CALENDAR.
| WEATHER NEAR LONDON IN 1862. | | |
Day Day | ere ne lag | | Moon | | Clock |
of |. of JUNE 9—15, 1868, : n Rainin| _S22 Sun | Rises | Moon’s | after | Day of
Math eek. Barometer. |Thermoni.| Wind. Inches. | Rises, Sete. fae Sets! Age. | Sun. | Year.
| | | degrees. va |: h.| m2" he! a He g m. s. | |
T Meadow Clary flowers. | 29.965—29.931 | 68—S4 S.W. < | 46af3 | 12af8 | 1 23 1 ll 160
10 Ww R. Brown died, 1858. B. 29.1 69—44 Ss. 04 | 45 3/13 8) 33 90 24 0 59 161
1l TH Sr. BARNABAS. 70—47 s. 20 45 3/18 8 | 56 «0 23 0 47 162
| 72 F Wild Clary flowers, 5 65—44 Ss. 30 4 3 |14 8 | 22 1 GRO). 35 163
13 S$ Butterfly Orchis. 5—29.519 70—43 S.W. 06 45 3/1/15 68/20’ 1 2 0 23 164
} 14 | Stn 2 Sunpay arrsr TRINITY. 29.630—29.541 62—40 S.W. 48 4453) (15) 18 (26 92 28 ® 10 165
} 15 M *“Mentzel born, 1622. B, | 29.77S—29.6S84 68 —45 S.W. -20 443/16 8§ fies 29° | Obef3 166
nares OF THE WEEK.—At Chiswick, from observations during the last thirty-six years, the average highest and lowest
temperatures of these daysare 71.7° and 46.0° respectively. The greitest heat, 91°, occurred on the lith, in 1858; and the lowest cold, 30°,
ou the loth, in1$59. During the period 145 days were fine, end on 107 rain fell.

PLANS OF FLOWER GARDENS.

- EK have received re-
L. cently from “G.
W.” and others;
many plans of
flower gardens,all
more or less cre-
ditable, if first at-
tempts, but none
of sufficient merit
to deserve en-
graving.

The failures in
these induced us
to send them to Mr. Fish, and ask from him a few re-
marks generally applicable to such designs. The follow-
ing is his reply :—

* All of the designers should have taken more time
and sent their plans correctly drawn. I mention this
because so many young artists and young writers make
so many apologies for plans being made in haste, and
articles written in such haste, that the haste is to be the
apology for all errors and mistakes. Now, the haste is
alla mistake. The public can quite well afford to wait
their time and leisure if it insures accuracy. Unfortu-
nately I cannot always command this leisure, but many
of my contributions would be much more to the purpose,
and more pleasant reading besides, if I could command
the leisure to revise, concentrate, and improve them. I
presume that the Journal’s correspondents are more
anxious about the results of its conductors’ judgment and
experience than even terse and correet writing, though
the latter would always be an advantage; but that want
of leisure must be no excuse for defective plans and care-
less writing in young beginners. I state this the more
faithfully because there has been much of slovenly round-
aboutism, instead of directness and concentration of
thought lately. A slight circumstance will better ex-
emplify my meaning than a laboured essay.

“My first attempt at getting into print was in the
pages of the ‘Gardener’s Magazine,’ and this secured
me the acquaintance, when I was a stripling, of the noble-
hearted Loudon. Passing Porchester Terrace, Bays-
water, one day with an acquaintance who was somewhat
dandified, stilted, and ambitious withal, I introduced
him to the worthy veteran, as 1 had a free permission
for entrance there at any time. Amongst diversified talk
about Leigh Hunt, Charles Lamb, Beaton’s review of
Herbert's ‘Amaryllidacez,’ &e., we passed into a quiet talk
about the writings and the writers to the Magazine, and
my friend came out with the statement that if ever he
wrote anything he must do it slapdash there and at once,
and then send it off at once, for if he took time he was
sure to make a muddle of it. I shall never forget the
look of the keen-sighted Loudon when he replied, ‘It is
all very well to write quickly just as the ideas offer, but
it is vastly more important to correct and revise at leisure.

No, 115.—Vou. 1Y., New SERrEs, ;

All writings that have lived and exercised a potent in-
fluence have been the result of patient analysis and care-
ful revision. As an evidence, single periods in Hume’s
‘History of England,’ are known to have cost their
author a whole day before he could finally settle upon
the composition and the best arrangement of the words.’

“T felt there was but little hope for me, though some
of my articles had been written some six or ten times
over, every i carefully dotted, every ¢ crossed, and all
the rest of ib carefully finished. (Lf think I hear our
worthy conductors and the printers say, ‘I wish you
were as particular now.’)

* Now, though, unless in some extraordinary case, the
labour to me would be too much to rewrite an article or
part of an article, the point at which I would arrive is
just this, as showing the value of revision and concen-
tration at an early period, that scarcely a single sentence
that I intended for the public has been written without
being ennobled with printer’s ink, whilst the writings
of my slapdash friend who did everything best in a
hurry never appeared in the ‘ Gardener’s Magazine,’ and
so far as I know only once appeared in the ‘ Horticul-
tural Register ;’ and even with respect to that, I well re-
collect the worthy Editor of that time, the late amiable
and accomplished Mr. Main, calling upon me and stating
that he would be obliged if I could use the liberty of
seeing the lucubrations of my friend before they were
sent, as but for the bare ideas he would himself have
written the article six times over before he could reduce
it into anything like presentable shape.

* My days of plan-drawing, unléS$s to suit myself, are
now over, though I think I have as good ideas as ever as
to the suitability of plants for definite purposes, but the
lesson I wish to convey is simply this, that with plans
and essays, and articles, our young friends who wish to-
excel should send off nothing to the press in a hurry;
should turn the matter upside down, side to side, each
way and eyery way, and in reading over what they had
written, should consult not only their common sense, but
the clinking as it sounds upon the ear, as they may rest
assured, that everything that seems in the least obscure
and inharmonious in the arrangement to themselves,
will be ten times more disagreeable and obscure to a
stranger reader. Many an article of our young friends,
that with a little revision and careful arrangement would
stand out as a gem, showing how much the younger
generation is progressing over that past and soon to be
passing away, is just glanced over, scarcely read, and
exercises im consequence no influence.

“Facets, of course, in our profession are the chief
things, and will be valuable, however coarsely or
strangely communicated; but it is no less true, that
facts, and axioms, and theories in gardening will gain in
foree in proportion to the terseness and elegance with
which they are communicated, and no young writer can
expect to realise that elegance and condensation in a first
hurried copy of his ideas.”

Upon flower-garden plans we would also observe that
there is comparatively little merit in mereiy devising a

No. 767.—Vou, XXIX., Oup Series,

408

geometrical arrangement of beds—such arrangements can be
had in endless variety by the aid of a kaleidescope; the great
merit is in planting the beds artistically.

Some persons are so mistaken as to think that the beauty of a
flower garden is enhanced by the multitudinous variety of the
forms of the beds. So far is this from being the case, that the
beauty depends upon simplicity and just balancing both of the
forms of the beds and of the colours which fill them.

Relative to form we may further particularise, that it is a
great error to have many points and acute angles in beds sur-
rounded by turf, for such points and angles can never be filled
with plants. If the beds are enclosed by tiles or stone edging,
such points are less difficult to leave occupied, yet even then
curves and circles are always more graceful.

JUDGING GARDEN PRODUCE,
AND OF COTTAGERS’ GARDENS MORE ESPECIALLY.

ConSIDERABLE discussion took place some months since about
the points of merit which constitute a really good bunch of
Black Grapes, Mr. Thomson, than whom it would be difficult
to find a higher authority, not giving so mach importance to
colour as some others would like to do. My purpose, however,
is not to revive this question on the mere subject of judging
the merits of rival Grapes, but to open the general subject of
_judging horticultural produce of other kinds, in order that the
anomalies which unfortunately now and then make their appear-
ance may be fewer if not done away with entirely. -

It is certainly no credit to fruit-growers as a body, that no
code of laws deciding the points of excellence to be aimed at
has been promulgated ; while florists have to a nicety laid down
the rules for guiding them on each of the subjects especially
under their culture; and as now and then new members are
added, like new colonies to an empire, new laws are put forth
‘by which the new accessions have to be governed. Unfortunately,
in fruits there is nothing of the kind, each judge sets up a stand-
ard for himself, and awards of an equivocal character meet the eye.

It certainly would be worth while some one putting forth a few
simple rules indicating what points constituted excellence in a
Pine Apple, Peach, Nectarine, Apple, Pear, Plum, &c., as well
as in Grapes ; and although it is not likely that any law can give
all the minutiz in the exact proportions so requisite to each fruit,
it is likely that amongst the multitude of councillors a more
correct awarding may be arrived at.

Societies formed express!y for the testing the merits of fruits
are, nevertheless, unwilling to put forth the rules they act upon
in their censorship. That it would be difficult to adopt such
rules in all cases is unquestionable, but something like Mr.
Thomson’s ten points might indicate to the public at large what
to aim at in new varieties, or in growing those they already
possess. As a suggestion to those who may be inclined to
fayour us with their viewe on this subject, I would suggest that
the qualifications which constitute perfection might be divided
into a tabular form, ten numerals being divided in such pro-
portions amongst the various points of excellence as may be
deemed most advisable. Some minor quality might only have
half a point, while more important qualities may have two or
three. This arithmetical way of acting is certainly the most
easily explained, and carries greater expressiveness with it than
any other mode that could be adopted.

It would be more difficult to embody anything like the above
rules of action into the judging of collections of plants; but
collections of fruit might easily be judged by some law analogous
to that which governs the adjudication on single specimens. In
this case a higher table of numbers might be used, and supposing
every fruit exhibited was as near perfection as possible, the
award ought to be given to the collection which contains the
best specimens of fruits more choice than the others. For in-

stance: Assuming 100 to be the maximum number of merit,
and a basket of mixed fruits to be looked at, it would only be
fair to place a well-grown Pine Apple at 90 or 95, while a Plum,
even if as good as it was possible to grow one, should not stand
higher, perhaps, than 15; a Peach, 40; bunch of Grapes, 70 or
80 or more; a Pear, 15; an Apple, 10; and other fruits in pro-
Bee to their choiceness and the skill required in growing
them. :

his is only an ideal approximation of what a really good col-
lection might be estimated at, and the sum total of the figures
added together might determine the point between rival col-

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ June 2, 1863.

lections. Doubtless, some one may differ from me respecting
the proportion above given to each fruit, and I am far from
certain that it is exactly as I would give it myself when seeing
the specimens exhibited ; but I throw the hint out as something
to found a set of rules upon.

Leaving the subject of the adjudicating on collections of plants
to some one elee, I will allude to another subject in which much
difference of plan exists; and some for the want of any plan at all
put themselves to much unnecessary trouble, and yet are liable
often to decide more or less erroneously on the subjects they
are directed to give an opinion upon.

It is more easy to decide a point of merit between contending
objects when they are both before the eye of the censor in one
place; but when he has to examine these objects at wide dis-
tances apart, and, perhaps, has to determine the respective claims
of a score or more competitors, something more than merely
carrying all the points of merit of each in the memory is neces-
sary. This difficulty is much increased when the numbers are
still larger, and the objects widely scattered. Notes of some kind
or other are indispensable, and the simpler such notes are the
better, provided they are sufficient.

A method which I have adopted for several years, and which
when acting in conjunction with others I have always found
them ready to adopt, although simple, may be worth recording
in the columns of your Journal, for the assistance of others
similarly cireumstanced.

The laudable desire on the part of some noble-minded land-
owners in this neighbourhood, as well as of those whem I have
the honour to serve, has for many years evinced itself in the
giving of prizes for well-managed cottage gardens and premises,
and in several instances shows of horticultural produce have
been held and liberal prizes given. At these many of the pro-
ducts exhibited would have graced any show in the kingdom.
Of this possibly I may say something hereafter, but it is more
especially my purpose to treat on the prizes given for the
good management of their gardens, which is a much more diffi-
cult matter to adjudicate upon than comparing the contending
objects when exhibited together in a tent; and this difficulty is
increased when a number of prizes of different values are given,
and the gardens are scattered widely apart over a rural district,
sometimes three or four together, but often solitary.

In propounding my plan I expect to be charged with a pre-
dilection for figures—a charge to which I at once plead guilty,
as my plan is based entirely on figures, and in the case alluded
to I rarely use any other notes. ‘The way is this:—I place the
ideal perfection at 100, and as I haye neyer yet seen any-
thing that in every point reached that position, I fix on the
nearest number to it that the merits of the garden seem to
deserve. Assuming, therefore, that the vegetable crops are
good, the fruit trees healthy, hedges or fences trim, walks tidy,
and the whole place in apple-pie order, a quick yet careful survey
of the whole will with little practice soon point out to the in-
spector what number to assign to the holder of that garden,
which may, perhaps, be 80, and if the two or three judges agree
on the number to be affixed to the first object they imspect, it is
likely the difference, even without any knowledge of each other’s
notes, will be but trifling throughout. Some very indifferent
holdings may be as low in the scale as 30, or even less for a
dirty disorderly place, while a great number will, in all proba-
bility, be represented by between 50 and 70. Still, at the conclu-
sion of the inspection, a short time will suffice to arrange the
respective positions of the whole—as A B, 85; C D,83; EF,
78, and so on; so that whatever number of prizes may be
awarded there will be no difficulty in awarding them by a
reference to the table-form that has guided the judgment.

T have on more than one occasion assisted to award such
prizes in which there were one first prize, two or three second
prizes, and a still greater number of a third and fourth class; and
also a fifth class has sometimes been added, where the number of
recipients of prizes has been, perhaps, nearly one-half of the
competitors. Of course each class decreases in value as it recedes
downwards; and there may be some who may find fault with
making so many prizetakers, but I unhesitatingly say that I
entirely agree with it ; for local circumstances, as a bad situation
and other disadvantages, would make it hopeless for the most
industrious and painstaking cottager at one place to compete
with another more favourably circumstanced ; but while he
stands a chance of obtaining a prize he will try to do his best.
I believe we have placed as many as eighteen names as winners
in a fourth or fifth class.

Tune 9, 1863. ]

Although the near or distant approach to 100 denoted the
merit of the holding as a whole, I have not unfrequently used the
same mode of figure in detail. For instance : A book, or, what is
better, a sheet of stout cartridge paper, is ruled in columns for
figures—one column may denote fruits, one flowers, one vegeta-
bles, one fences, and one the back premises, walks, &c., and a
column for total. By entering in each column the respective
number the supposed merits of each article indicate, the sum
total will determine the position of the whole. This abstract
way of doing the work has the merit of enabling the person who
looks over the notes at last to ascertain the weak and strong
points in each. Sometimes, but rarely, it may be necessary to
append a few words as well; but I very seldom do this. A
column for cleanliness ought, however, to be added to the above
list of abstract ones, and the sum total may be the approximation
of that which the whole may seem to deserve, which is better
than appending the total number they will represent when all
added together. The total absence of flowers ought not to depre-
ciate the merit of the whole to the extent the figures would
make it appear, for though their presence unquestionably adds
much to the appearance, and ought to have due attention, still,
in a cottage garden, they should stand second to vegetables and
common fruits. It is, therefore, with a view of giving a just
criterion of the condition of the place as a whole that, for general
purposes, I would advise only one column to be used; or when
more is advisable, nevertheless to let the one devoted to the
“total ” represent the figure it would de if there were no abstract
ones.

Having extended these remarks to a greater length than
intended, I have not space to say anything on cottage-garden
produce as exhibited at horticultural shows; at another time,
however, I hope to do so, and will explain certain features in
such things which experience has taught me are not, perhaps, in
every case sufficiently attended to. J. Rossen,

THE ROYAL BOTANIC SOCIETY'S SHOW.
JUNE 3RD.

THE display of plants and fruit on this occasion was not only
extensive but excellent, and another great attraction was like-
wise afforded by the splendid American plants of Mr. John
Waterer, which will shortly attain their full perfection when
they constitute an exhibition of themselves. The day was
extremely warm—so much so as to render a long stay in the
tents very oppressive, and the company was large, exhibiting an
unusual preponderance of the fair sex.

In Stove and Greenhouse Plants several excellent collections
were shown; but as they consisted of nearly the same species
and varieties noticed in previous reports, it will be unnecessary to
repeat the names of those which have been already adverted to.
In the Class for sixteen Mr. Peed, gardener to Mrs. Tredwell,
took the first prize with several splendid specimens, both as
regards size and symmetry and the profusion of their bloom.
Among the most striking were Allamandas grandiflora and
cathartica, Erica depressa, Pimelea decussata, Dipladenia crassi-
noda, and Tetratheca ericefolia. Mr. Green, gardener to Sir
4. Antrobus, Cheam, was second, having his fine Azalea Coro-
nata, and Kalosanthes miniata, the bright colour of which was
very effzctive. Mr. Baxendine, who was third, had a fine Coleo-
nema rubra, Chorozema Henchmanni with an abundance of
flowers, and a very fine Aphelexis humilis rosea.

In the Nurserymen’s Class for ten, Messrs. J. & J. Fraser had
a fine Boronia serrulata, the scarlet Clerodendron Kempferi, and
Vinca ocellata, the white and crimson flowers of which were
very showy. Mr. Rhodes, of Sydenham Park, was second, and
Mr. Cutbush, of Barnet, third, both haying in their collections
good examples of Pheenocoma prolifera.

The Amateurs’ Class of ten was also worthily filled by Mr.
Chilman, Mr. Wheeler, and Mr. Kaile. The first had Aphelexis
macrantha rosea with fine large flowers, Acrophyllum venosum
in full beauty, Hedaroma tulipiferum, and a nice Pimelea Hen-
dersoni. Mr. Wheeler was second, and Mr. Kaile third; the
latter having a brilliant Kalosanthes coccinea superba, and a nice
bushy Chorozema Lawrenceanum.

For collections of six Mr. Page was first; and Mr. J. Tegg,
gardener to Baron Hambro’, second, having, among others, good
plants of Allamanda Schotti, Pimelea decuesata, and Ixora
javanica.

In the Class for six Fine-foliaged Plants the first prize was

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

409

awarded to Messrs. A. Henderson & Co., who had fine examples
of Dieffenbachia maculata, Draciena ferrea, the splashed-leaved
Alocasia macrorhiza, the golden variegated Croton, Caladium
Chantini, Ananassa sativa variegata. Mr. Hutt, gardener to
Miss Burdett Coutts, was second, and exhibited some of the large
specimens which appeared at the Crystal Palace, such as Latania
borbonica, Rhopala corcovadensis, also the curiously carved-
leaved Philodendron pertusum, Dieffenbachia variegata, cc.
Messrs. Jackson & Son had the Lace Plant, Ouvirandra fenes-
tralis; the curious Cephalotus follicularis, or New Holland
Pitcher-plant ; and a fine Todea africana.

Of Cape Heaths the show was also good. Messrs. Jackson
and Son took the first prize for ten, among which were Bergiana,
a beautiful bushy plant completely covered with bloom ; florida,
also fine ; and yentricosa magnifica and tumida, both of them
striking plants. Mr. Rhodes, who was second, had coccinea
minor and ventricosa magnifica, and good plants of other kinds.

In the Amateurs’ Class for eight, Mr. Peed came in first, and
Mr. Page second. Their collections contained good specimens
of florid2, eximia superba, ventricosa magnifica and coccinea
minor, and tricolor Wilsoni. Mr, Baxendine was third, haying
also some good plants.

In six kinds the successful competitors were Mr. Chilman
and Mr. Wheeler, the latter having Bergiana, a fine plant; and
yentricosa coccinea minor, also very pretty.

Azaleas were not equal to those shown at the Crystal Palace
and Kensington, although some of the same plants as shown at
these places were recognisable. Mr. Penny, of St. Dunstan’s,
Regent’s Park, was first in the Amateurs’ Class, Juliana and
Madame Miellez being the most noticeable in his collection ;
whilst Mr. Green was second, the two finest in his six being
Tyeryana and Prestantissima, which formed a match pair hand-
somely grown, but not so well covered with bloom as desirable.
Mr. Cross and Mr. Page also obtained prizes, and collections
came in addition from Mr. Chilman, Mr. Peed, and Mr. Kaile.

In the Nurserymen’s Class, Mr. Turner again took the highest
position, his plants putting into the shade those of all other com-
petitors; they consisted of Juliana, Glory of Sunninghill, Ex-
tranei, Chelsoni, Iveryana, and Criterion. Messrs. Fraser were
second, their finest being Duc de Brabant, salmon pink; and
Flower of the Day, a fine white striped with rose.

Of Orchids, several excellent collections were shown ; most of
the plants, however, having already appeared at the Royal Hor-
ticultural Society’s last Show, it will be unnecessary to repeat
their names here.

In collections of twenty, Mr. Baker, gardener to A. Bassett,
Esq., Stamford Hill, had the first prize. He had several fine
Firides, the yellow-flowered Cattleya citrine, Trichopilia coccinea
and crispa, besides others previously noticed. Mr. Milford was
second; among his plants were a fine rides Lindleyanum and
Cattleya Mossi speciosissima, very showy. Mr. Peed was third.
For a collection of eight, in which were the pretty “rides Lobbi,
a fine Vanda tricolor suaveolens, and Cypripedium barbatum
grandiflorum, Mr. Woolley, of Chushunt, had a first prize.

In collections of twelve, Mr. Penny had the first prize, his
specimens comprising a fine Phalenopsis grandiflora, Calanthe
veratrifolia, and a noble Vanda suavis. Mr. Page was second ;
Saccolabium retusum, Oncidium ampliatum major with innu-
merable flowers, and Lelia purpurata being the most remarkable
of his plents for beauty. Mr. Green had Oncidium Lenceanum,
and the Butterfly Orchis, and received the second prize.

In the Class for six Orchids some fine rides, Saccolabiums,
and Cattleyas, were shown by Mr. Wiggins, and Mr. Smith, of
Syon.

7 British Ferns came from Messrs. tvery & Son, of Dorking,
who had a first prize for a collection of twelve, in which were
included the elegant feather-like Athyrium Filix-femina plumo-
sum, Osmunda regalis cristata, Hymenophyllum Wilsoni, Sco-
lopendrium vulgare sculpturatum, and other rare and interesting
kinds. A fine collection of seventy kinds was also shown by
the same firm. Miss Clarkson received a second prize for her
collection, which contained a very fine Hymenophylium tun-
bridgense, Trichomanes brevisetum, Asplenium germanicum
alternifolium &e.

In exotic Ferns, Measrs. A. Henderson & Co. were first with
a fine collection, comprising Cibotiums Schiedei and Barometz,
Brainea insignis, Adiantum tenerum, and Cyathea voconensis.
Fine collections also came from Mr. Lavey, and Mr. Young,
Highgate, among which were some noble specimens. 4

Calceolarias were exhibited by Mr. James, of Isleworth, Mr.

410

Smith, of Syon, and Mr. Burley, of Limpsfield. Those of the
latter were shrubby, and among them Prince of Wales, Dorel,
and Primrose Perfection, were fine. Whe varieties shown by
Mr. James, who had the first prize, were nearly the same as at
the Crystal Palace.

In Fuchsias, the first prize was given to Mr. Gardiner, gar-
dener to J. Stutter, Esq., Clapham Park, for Madame Corne-
lissen, Prince William of Prussia, Fair Oriana, Count Cavour,
Rose of Castille, and Prince Imperial, all of which were in
splendid bloom.

In Pelargoniums, Mr. Turner was first for twelve; Nestor,
Viola, Symmetry, Desdemona, Guillaume Severyns, and Fairest
of the Fair, being among the best. Messrs. Fraser were second.

In the Amateurs’ Class, Mr. Bailey, of Shardeloes, had the
first prize, his Lord Clyde and Glowworm appearing the most
striking. Mr. Shrimpton’s exhibition in the same class was
also excellent.

In Fancies, both Mr. Turner and Messys. Fraser had beau-
tifal collections, taking the first and second places, whilst Mr.
Bailey was first in the Amateurs’ Class. Delicatum, Lady
Craven, Hllen Beck, Crystal Beauty, Clemanthe, and Roi des
Fantaisies, were a few of the finest.

Roses in pots were in splendid condition, particularly those
from Mr. W. Paul and Messrs. Lane; Chénédolé, Auguste Mié,
Lord Raglan, Paul Perras, and Charles Lawson, being some of
the finest; and of cut blooms, extensive collections were shown
by Messrs. Paul, Mitchell, Hollingworth, and Turner.

Werbenas came from Messrs. Treen, Lurner, and Perry, of
Castle Bromwich; Pansies from Messrs. Downie, Laird & Laing,
Hooper, August, and others; and artificial blooms of the same
flower from Mrs. Stoddart, of Victoria Station, which were so
like natural ones that most people went away with the im-
pression that they were real.

Messrs. Veitch hada new Retinospora with whitish foliage, the
handsome Cyanophyllum-like Sphcerogyne latifolia, Miconia (?)
argyroneura, and a host of other new and rare plants, which
have been noticed elsewhere. Mr. Bull also contributed a large
number of new ornamental plants, both as regards foliage and
flower, among which were his beautiful new Mimuluses, a fine
Scarlet Geranium called Dr. Lindley, Athyrium Ff, coronatum,
and Chameranthemum veibenaceum, with yery ornamental
silvery leaves. Mr. Williams had Dastrea oreopteris cristata,
recently exhibited before the Floral Committee, as well as a
choice collection of fine-foliaged plants. New Pelargoniums
were exhibited by Messrs. Dobson, of Isleworth, and Hoyle,
of Reading; one from the latter, Diadem, was a splendid
flower, the lower petals of a fine magenta tinge. A shrubby
Calceolaria called Bijou, said to be excellent for bedding, and of
a crimson scarlet, was shown by Mr. Watson, of St. Albans.

FRUIT.

A considerable quantity of fruit was exhibited, and both as
regards size and colour, the quelity was excellent. A Providence
Pine, weighing 9 lbs. 3 ozs., was shown by Mr. Young, gardener
to C. Bailey, Hsq., Aberaman, and one of 8+ Iba. by Mr. Bailey,
of Shardeloes, both of which received prizes. “Where were also
several from Mr. Jackson, gardener to Lord Scarsdale, one of
which was 8} lbs, Of Queens there were scyeral weighing about
4ilbs. each, and some less; Mr. Barnes, of Bicton, and Mr.
Horwood receiving prizes for fruit of that weight.

Melons were shown in consitlerable number, the fuyourite
sorts being Golden Perfection in the Green-fieshed Class, and
Scarlet Gem in the other. Mr. Simmonds, of Mickleham Hall,
Dorking, had a fine Golden Perfection ; anda very good Hgyptian
Green-fleshed came from Mr. Tego; whilst Mr. Bailey bad an
Orion of 8i1bs., and an excellent variety : the Trentham
White-fleshed, was sent by Mr. Henderson of that place. Mr.
Potitle, of Little Bealings received a prize for a small Scarlet-
fleshed variety, and Mr. Simmons for George IV. Certificates
were awarded to Mr. Bailey for Scarlet Gem; to Mr. Gold-
emith for a hybrid, and to Mr. Bennett for Empress Hugénie.

Of Black EHamburgh Grapes there were several very fine
dishes, the best coming from Mr. Clements, Mr. Turner, Mr.
Petch, of Chesterfield, Mr, Hill, of Keele Hail, Mr. Henderson,
Mr. Jackson, and Mr. Pottle, all ef whom received prizes.
Fine baskets were also exhibited by Messrs. Hill, Jackson, and
Clements. Fine bunches of Black Prince came from Mr. Hill,

and good bunches of the s i
Golden, es 0 € same variety were also shown by Mr.

Of Muscats, those from Mr. Turner had immense berries, but |

JOURNAL{OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ June 9, 1863.

not ripe enough; whilst Mr. Clements exhibited some of nearly
equal xerit, but not so large in the berry, and open to the
same objection as regards not being ripe enough.

Prizes were also given'to Mr. Hill for Buckland Sweetwater ;
to Mr. Petch for some fine Chasselas Musqué; to Mr. Drewett,
stenbies, Dorking, for White Frontignans; to Mr. Bailey for
Bailey’s Muscadine; to Mr. M, Henderson, of Coleorton Hall,
for Grizzly Frontignans, to Mr. Hutt, and some others.

In Peaches, Mr, A. Henderson had Royal George, large and
finely coloured; those from Mr. Evans ‘being also very fine.
Bxcellent fruit of Grosse Mignonne came from Mr. Turner ;
French Galande from Mr. Gardiner, and Early Dunmore from
Mr. Carmichael, gardener to the Harl of Dunmore at Falkirk.

In Nectarines, the best were Violette Hative, from Mr. Petch,
who had two dishes, both of which would have had a prize had
it been allowable. Messrs. Horwood, A. Henderson, and M.
Henderson had also very good dishes of the same excellent
yariety. Hunt’s Tawry was shown by Mr. Turner, and Mr.
Robinson, of Englefield, A good dish of the Downton was also
sent by Mr. Tegs.

In Cherries, remarkably fine dishes of Elton and Circassian
came from Mr. Henderson, of Trentham. Governor Wood, a
white American sort, also received a prize. Some fine Reine
Hortense were likewise shuwn, but unfortunately in the wrong
class. They were not, however, sufficiently ripe. Whey came
from Mr. Beck, who had also Black Wagle, good; and Mr. BR.
Wilson, of Warwick, had a prize for May Duke.

Large and very fine fruit of the Oscar and President Straw-
berries were shown by Mr. Turner; British Queen and Rifle-
man, by Mr. Pottle; Alice Mande and British Queen, by Mr.
Horwood. Excellent brown Turkey Figs were exhibited by
Mr. Smith, of Syon; magnificent spikes of Bananas, by Mr.
Mart, f-uiterer, of Oxford Street; and a large black-spined
Cucumber, called William Brough, by Mr. Child, of Norwood.

FORCING ROSES.

Tv is difficult to select the six best Roses for forcing, there are
so many of them; but, in addition to our correspondent
‘““SuFFOLK’s”’ favourite Baronne Prevost, we may name Paul
Ricaut, Edward Jesse, Géant des Batailles, Général Jacqueminot,
Jules Margottin, and Madame Laffay. Of Chinese we would
add Cramoisie Supérieure, Mrs. Bosanquet, and Fabvier ; and of
Teas, Devyoniensis, Niphetos, Safrano, and Gloire de Dijon.

The success in forcing depends more on management than on
kinds, and the two great secrets in management are keeping the
plants free of insects, and bringmg them on very gradually,
never giving them a high temperature, commencing about 45°,
and gradually rising to 50° at night, and never more, though a
rise of 10° to 15° more will be advisable in sunshine, and with
plenty of air.

Summer Treatment—Presuming the plants have been forced
or are potted now, it would be well to plunge the pots during
the summer in ar open sunny spot, but so that the roots do
not go out of the pots, end to be well supplied with mulch-
ing and water during the summer. Flowers during summer
should not be thought of or valued, and the chief attention
should be given to secure healthy even-balanced wood by nipping
all the stronger shoots and thinning-out any very weak spray,
sturdy rather dwarf shoots to be preferred to long ones; and
the nipping of the points of all may take place about the end of
August, which will swell the back buds without causing them
to start. In September, if the plants are strong and in rather
amall pots, they may be repotted into larger, using loam three
paris and rotten dung or leaf mould one part, adding for Teas a
jittle peat. Duly encouraged, the’ pots will be pretty well filled
with roots before November. If the plants are in pots big
enough for blooming, then in the beginning of September
examine the drainage, remove surface soil and a little at the side
of the pot, and redress with compost rather richer than the
above. To have such plants in bloom in January, they should
be pruned and regulated after the middle of October, placed in
a shed, and kept rather dry until they are breaking, when the
plants may be placed in a house in the beginning of November,
where they will receive a low moist temperature. If the pots
are plunged in a bed of sawdust, or spent tan, so that the roots
will average 70° whilst the tops will average 45° to 50°, the
plants will come on very nicely if the heads are damped with ~
the syringe.

Jane 9, 1863. ]

In pruning in summer, care should be taken not to start the
lower buds; but if some of the Perpetuals are thus started in
antumn—as Géant des Batailles, &., and the bulk of the
Chinese—and the top old shoots are merely pruned away, these
young shoots will bloom im ordinary greenhouse temperature
without getting any heat worthy of the name of forcing; and
by this means, with little trouble and preventing blooming in
Summer, most of the Chinese section and the hardier of the
Teas would bloom all the winter in a temperature averaging
from 45° to 50° at night. In pruning im autumn, weak growers
should be cut pretty close, and strong growera should have the
weak twigs either removed or pruned back to a bud; the

well-ripened shoots should merely be stopped a little
and bent a little so as fo cause the buds to break regularly.

In winter water should be given only as the plants need it,
and never lower in temperature than that of the house. As the
leayes expand freely and the buds begin to show, weak manure
water may be given alternately with clean water. Very little
water will be required until the young shoots are fairly started.

Suecessions will be easier managed than the first lot of early
ones. When the piants are done flowering they should be
protected in a cold pit until they can be put out of doors in
April and May.

The more air the plarts have aiter they are started the better,
provided the air is moist and mild; but in winter in very sunny
days, when the air is frosty and parchingly dry, it should not
play on the young foliage or buds until it has been heated and
moistened ; and hence, under ordinary circumstances, it will
often be better to shade a little, and damp the doors and stages
in such cases instead of giving a great emount of air.

In most cases a little green fiy may be expecied, and smoking is
the best remedy, though some prefer drawing the shoots afiected
through weak tobacco weter and syringing with clean water
the followmg morning. There are also two opposite evils to be
guarded against: If the air should be harsh and dry the leaves
may have @ visit of the red spider, and moisture and the syringe
and not too much heat sre the preventives, The other is
mildew if the weather should be very foggy and moist; and the
remedies are dusting with sulphur, but chiefiy a little dry heat,
to disperse the fog and promote a brisk circulation of air.

Does your Cyanophyllum stand near the heating medium and
where there is an evaporating-trough? If so,.and the plant get
yery dry, the leaves would be browned. We have al<o seen a
plant a little aifected in the same way from the sun beating on it
fiercely, when the leayes were damp and sir had not been given
soon enough in the house. R. FIsk.

FLORISTS’ FLOWERS
AT THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY S EXHIBITION.
May 277TH.

“Ticrum, iterum, iierumgue,’ one may indeed ery out at this
the third grest Exhibition held m the merry month of May.
From the Regent’s Park to the Crystal Palace, and thence to
Kensington, has been the lot of many an Azalea, Pelargonium,
and Rose this season; until at last we should think, “ blushing
and suffused with rosy tint”? must be descriptive of them all,
if they can hear the loud praises bestowed on them personal
charms. ‘“ What a lip!” ‘“ What a lovely form!” “ How deli-
cate!” “Did you ever see so charming a colour?” heard on all
sides from gallant cavaliers and fair maidens—bestowed by
royalty, nobility, commoners, and the Gourgeoisie, must surely
hhaye been too much for even the native modesty of Flora’s fair
subjects, and leaves but little after the detail I gave of the Crystal
Palace Exhibition for me to say. What can | say, for instance,
in Pelargoniums, but that Mr. Turner with the selfsame plants
took as usual first prizes, and the Messrs. Fraser a good seeond
—that the Roses of Messrs. Lane and Mr. Wm. Paul were again
yery nearly matched, but that the freshness and novelty of the
latter’s gained for him the first place—that Tulips and Pansies not
coming withia the patronage of the Society were absent, with
the exception of some sent by one or two growers for sale—
that the same seedling Pelargoniums were there as at the Palace,
and placed very much im the same position es they were then
placed ?

There were, however, two collections, which, although not
amongst florists’ flowers, were to my mind as interesting as
anything there—Messrs. Ivery’s collection of British Ferns,
and Mr. Salter’s of variegated plants. Anything more delight-
fally fresh than the former collection it is impossible to conceive;

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

411

and I question if a collection of exotic Ferns would exhibit more
beautiful and varied forms than did this of native species.
Messrs. Ivery are so well Known for the magnificent collection
in their possession, that we need hardly say that rarity and ex-
cellence of cultivation characterised their productions. I noticed
amongst them especially the followmg:—Asplenium marinum;
Allosorus crispus ; Athyrium Filix-fcemina apuzeforme, crispum,
depauperatum, diffisum, Fieldie, Frizelliz, molle incisum, multi-
fidum, plumosum, thyssanotum ; Ceterach officinarum ; Cysto-
pteris fregilis ; Lastrea Filix-mas crispa, cristata, incisa, Jeryisii ;
Osmunds regalis; Polypodium dryopteris; Polystichum angu-
lare proliferum ; Scolopendrium vulgare crispum, endiviefolium,
fissum, multifidum, ramosum, corymbiferuam majus. In Mr.
Salter’s collection of variegated plants were Funkia undulata
yariegata ; and variegated forms of Acer negundo, Hedera helix,
Rata graveolens, Scrophularia nodosa, Hesperis arabidefolia,
Tussilago farfara, Sulix caprea, Spirea ulmaria, &e. This col-
lection was also a hardy one, and thus suggested how much
may be done im adorning our gardens with this section of
ornamental-foliaged plants.

As there are many who are interested in the Pelargonium I
give here the names of the winning plants, although it is nearly
a repetition of those of the Crystal Palace. Mr. Turner was
first in 12 Show Pelargoniums with Fairest of the Fair, Roseum,
Desdemona, Bacchus, Rose Celestial, Guillaume Severyns, Sun-
set, Lady Taunton, Viola, Empress Eugésie, Candidate, aad
Piente; the Messrs. Fraser second with Carlos, Desdemona,
Sir Charles Napier, Sanspareil, Roseleaf, Leviathan, Mr. Mar-
nock, Etma, Ariel, Festus, Saracen, Empress Eugénie. Amongst
Amateurs—for Fancies, Mr. Weir, gardener to Mrs. Hodgson,
the Elms, Hampstead, was placed first with Delicatum, Lady
Hume Campbell, Madame Sontag, Emily, Carminatum.

In Fancy Pelargoniums Mr. Turner was again frst with Cloth
of Silver, Roi des Fantaisies, Lady Craven, Clemanthe, Delica~
tum, Ellen Beck; and the Messrs. Fraser second with Acme,
Celestial, Clara Novello, Cloth of Silver, Bridesmaid, and Mal-
tiflora.

Messrs. E. G@. Henderson and Mr. Bull sent collections of
new hybrid Mimulus and Zonele Geraniums. Amongst the
Messrs. Hendersons’ were some pretty tricolor-leaved varieties—
Italia Unita, Sunset, Mrs. Pollock, and Countess. Mr. Standish
again had his new dapanese Clematises; but novelties were, as
you justly said last week, not very numerous.

What, then, about the Exhibition as a whole per se, and as
compared with the others of the season? This must be a matter
of taste; but for beauty of appearance I question whether the
palm will not te universally given to the Royal Botanic Society.
And 2s to the plants there can-be but little difference: the same
eshibitors and the same plants are to be noticed at all of them,
and arrangement must decide the preference. It seemed to me to
be a great mistake, for instance, not to have hada slight covering
of tiffany over the plants. Jt need noi have been an awning;
but a semicircular canopy springing from the back of the stages,
and just reaching over the plants, would have greatly improved
their appearance; for not only did the light deaden the colours,
but the immense size of the buildinz dwarfed the plants. A
slight tiffany shading would have neutralised these effects. The
wideness of the nave gave an excellent opportunity for moving
about, which was increased considerably by the, to my mimd,
unfortunate arrangement of separating the music in foto from
the flowers. If one band had been stationed at the majolica
fountaim, and the other left in the gardens, 1t would have en-
hanced the Exhibition vastly, instead of, as it did completely,
cutting the matter nm two.—D., Deal.

REDISCOVERY ty ENGLAND or TRICHOMANES
RADICANS.

Wit you aiford me space in your Journal for the announce-
ment of my having discovered the Trichomanes radicans, or
European Bristle Fern, in the neighbourhood of the Snowden
range in North Wales ?

This may be interesting to your readers who take pleasure in
the cultivation of Ferns, as there is no record of its having been
found in England, Scotland, or Wales since the year 1782, m
which year it was found at Bingley, m Yorkshire.

The only recorded habitats of this beautiful Fern which bring
it within the category of British Ferns are some few places i~
the lake district of Ireland and in the county Wicklow.

412

For reasons which you will readily understand I am unwilling
to indicate more precisely the habitat I found.

The plants, of which I secured several young specimens, are
remarkably fine, the fronds in many instances being from 12 to
18 inches in length; and as a justification of my having dis-
turbed it I may say that it was very abundant in the spot in
which I discovered it.

I shall be glad, if you think it necessary to verify my state-
ment, to send you a dried frond—Joun F. Rowzornam, Town
Hall, Manchester.

SAM SLICK’S GARDEN.

I must add my testimony to that of “A Frrenp To Frort-
CULTURE,” in your Number of the 12th of May, when he alludes
to the flower garden and grounds of the Hon. Mr. Justice Halli-
burton (the renowned Sam Slick), at Gordon House, near Isle-
worth. I accidentally visited this place in the summer of 1862,
and I would advise both lady and gentlemen amateurs to ask
permission to do 20, which will be courteously granted.

The arrangement and planting of the flower-beds is a perfect
study, and I willin a future Number venture on a brief de-
scription. The success of these gardens is, I am told, entirely
owing to the taste and industry of the fair owner, who with very
limited assistance (two men and a boy, I understood), continues
to keep in perfect order 6% acres of flower and kitchen garden.
—A Constant Supscriser.

NEW BEDDING GERANIUMS.

THERE are very few of your readers who do not regret the
absence of Mr. Beaton’s articles from your Journal. Those of us
who are interested in the cross-breeding of flowers, especially
bedding plants, have felt disappointment as week after week
your Journal has appeared on our tables, and no lively pleasant
page with the well-known signature at the bottom. Though per-
sonally unknown to me, I for one desire to express my regret at
the blow by which, I hope only for a time, Providence has de-
prived floriculture of one of its most learned professers. Zt is
not many months ago that Mr. Beaton announced in your pages
nis possession of a variety of seedling Geraniums of all colours
except yellow, that he hoped to obtain even that, and as yellow
as a buttercup, and that already he had one of a true orange.
It was by the aid of his very accurate article in your Journal,
descriptive of the bedding-out at the Crystal Palace, that last
August I was able to find out all the novelties which he had
sent to be tried there. That same article, by-the-by, sent me on
a fool’s errand, for no sooner had I seen the Crimson Minimum
and Lord Palmerston, especially the latter, than off I went to the
nearest nursery in hopes of obtaining both. But I was told at
ounce, “‘ Oh! you are too fast, sir, by a year or two; those Gera-
niums are only sent for trial, and wo’n’t be in the trade for,
perhaps, a year or two.” That same Lord Palmerston, however,
has appeared this year, and if I mistake not, I have also the
Crimson Minimum of the Crystal Palace. I bought it last year
of Messrs. E. Henderson & Co. under the name of Minimum Nose-
gay. Lord Palmerston is a magnificent Geranium. There was, 1
believe, only one bed of it last year at the Crystal Palace, on the
east side of the Rose Mount—one of the round beds—it caught
my eye directly. Its colour is very bright, and the trusses are
absolutely immense. For large beds and where a strong and
attractive effect from a distance is required, it is the finest of the
whole breed. I confess, however, to a weakness in favour of a
more dwarf style of growth. If sucha truss as Lord Palmer-
ston could be obtained on a more prostrate-growing and shorter-
jointed Geranium, I should say that, so far as that colour is
concerned, we had reached perfection. Now, Mr. Beaton men-
tioned a seedling of his which, as far as my memory goes, was to
beat: anything—Cybister or The Tumbler was, I think, the name.
I want it for breeding from. Now, who has that? Is it only
in Mr, Eyles’ or Mr. Gordon’s keeping yet? I do not see it in
any catalogues. The Crimson Minimum is the Geranium which
Mr. Beaton himself recommended to Mr. Fish in preference to
Stella; and it is superior to Stella in my opinion, because though
the colour is much the same as also the truss, the habit is very
much shorter-jointed and dwarfer. In the mass, therefore, you
would have more flowers.

From the nursery to which I went for the purpose of getting
Lord Palmerston and Crimson Minimum—viz., Messrs. Carter

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGH GARDENER.

[ dane 9, 1863. ,

and Co.’s, Crystal Palace Nursery, I have received this spring—
Lord Palmerston, Spread Hagle, Merrimac, and Miss Parfitt.
The last three, especially Spread Hagle, are apparently very
dwarf, Can any one tell me if any of these last three is
Cybister or The Tumbler? I know nothing about their flower-
ing capabilities or their habit of growth; but they appear, as
most of the new Nosegay section do, to have a close relationship
to the Crimson Ivy-leaf Geranium. -

And now I have a secret to reveal which, if this should meet
Mr. Beaton’s eyes, will, I hope, give a fillip to restoring his
health. The desire of cross-breeders, in one direction at least,
has at last been produced. It may be seen at Messrs. J. & C.
Lee’s, Royal Vineyard Nurceries, Hammersmith. Having an hour
to wait for the train at Kensington, I strolled into Messrs. Lee’s
delightful nursery. In one of the smaller span-roof houses
devoted to bedding Geranitms I saw, I could scarcely believe
my eyes, a white variegated Geranium with a white flower. “ Five

| guineas fora plant?” “No, sir, it is not for sale.’—F. M. ADEY,
& Pp

The Cell.

[The Editors will be readily believed when they say that no
one feels more deeply than they do the illness which has with-
drawn Mr. Beaton from their side. They hope it is only a
temporary withdrawal, for Mr. Beaton is better in health, yet
some time must still elapse before he can resume his pen.—
Eps. J. oF H.]

FATLURES IN A VINERY.

HOT-WATER PIPES REQUIRED FOR HEATING A VINERY
AND CUCUMBER-HOUSE.

I swatt be obliged by your giving me your opinion on an
alteration I intend making in a vinery, and also on the addition
of a Cucumber-house to vinery. Three years ago I built what
was intended for an “orchard-house” 20 feet long by 12 wide,
lean-to, brick sides and ends, fixed roof, ventilation at front and
back. Inside the house is 8 feet high at back, 3 feet in front,
with a sunk path in the middle 2 feet wide, leaving the borders
5 feet wide. Partly from the ground being raised outside
and the house built on very low ground, the surface of the
border is quite 2 feet below the level outside, which I believe
makes the border cold and damp. In May, 1860, I planted
three Black Hamburghs at the end, which is nearly north by
west, the house facing south-west. ‘(The Vines have made good
growth. ‘This is the first year of bearing, and I have about forty
bunches. Many of the berries have the spot, and are becoming
gangrened, to remedy which I would propose in September
carefully lifting the Vines, which are inside the house, and there
is no means for the roots to go outside; to remove the soil down
to the stone rubble, &c., at bottom of border, to place a hot-
water pipe there, well covering it with rubble; and to remake
my border, and have it as high as the outside ground ; also to
make a border outside in front for the roots to run through the
arches. I presume the mischief arises from want of root-action.

In 1861, at the south-east end, I planted three Muscat of
Alexandria Vines, but they have made but very little growth.
Would they answer better planted in the centre of border as
Sanders recommends? In the event of my moving them, would
if not be best to plant them in front, to do away with centre
path, and to put it at back of house?

At the north-west end is a brick pit with six lights, so I can-
not allow the Vines to run out there; and at the south-east end
I wish to join the Cucumber-house. The Cucumber-house to be
12 feet long by 2 wide, with a kind of hip-back or half span-
roof, glass in the front under the eaves, and brick at the back,
and glass end at south-east—path 3 feet wide in centre, border
on each side 3 feet wide, to be heated by hot-water tank. What
size pipe must I use to heat Vine-borders, and how many pipes
to heat the house? Also, what pipes to heat Cucumber-house ?

I wish one boiler to do the whole heating, and to be placed
at the back of the two houses. Will you be kind enough to
advise me? What I require to heat is not of any extent, and
another thing to be borne in mind is that the gardener has never
had experience with hot water.—EDGARLEY,

[We do not think that your Vines need have suffered if the
ground had been properly drained, though it will be an advantage
to have the inside ground equally high with the outside. We
should never think of planting Muscats in a mere orchard-house.
They could only ripen in a fine sunny summer and autumn.
Your Hamburghs may be suffering as much from deficient yenti-

June 9, 1863. |

lation as deficient root-action; but if you are satisfied that the
latter is the cause of disease, the lifting and replanting will be in
their favour, and the same may be said of the Muscats. We do
not know if you intend your house for forcing early. If so, the
pipes below the border will be a great advantage, but if you let
your Vines come on nearly naturally you will require uo pipes
below the roots. If you raise the inside border we presume you
mean to raise the house as well, as from 5 to 6 feet is no great
height. It matters little where the Vines are planted, whether at
the front or more in the centre, with pipes below. We would
prefer the centre, though it is of little consequence.

For early forcing you would need two four-inch pipes for
bottom heat, and at least three four-inch for top heat. Less
would be required if you commenced in March or the end of
February. As to boilers, the simplest tubular or saddle-back
will suit your purpose. Our own opinion is, that for continu-
ance there is little difference between boilers if properly set and
properly wrought. We have little faith in the wondrous tales
some people tell us when under the influence of enthusiasm. If
you want Cucumbers in winter and early spring you will need
two four-inch pipes for bottom heat, and the same for top heat ;
if in May or so three-inch pipes will do. Your best plan would
be to have a boiler sunk deeper by a foot or 18 inches than you
wish the pipes for the border to be, take the one flow-pipe to an
open cistern, and from that take a pipe to all the places to be
heated, each of these joining the return-pipe to the boiler. |

LIFTING APPLE TREES FREQUENTLY.

W121 it be possible or convenient to you to let this meet the
eye of “C,” who wrote a very interesting account of his dwarf
Apple orchard, which was published in No. 636 of the Corrage
GARDENER anpD CountRY GENTLEMAN, December 4th, 1860? I
will accept it as a great kindness if he will favour me with the
information—which will, no doubt be valued by other readers—
whether the mode of lifting his trees biennially after about nine
years’ experience is still satisfactory, and if they bear well with it,
but more particularly whether it has prevented canker from
appearing in his Ribston Pippin Apples; the main drift of my
writing is to learn that.

Last autumn I planted a portion of my garden with a number
of Apples and Pears on the Paradise and Quince stocks, and
amongst the number one Kibston Pippin. I wished to have
had more, but was afraid of the canker, for a few years ago I
lost a nice Hawthornden Apple tree from the same cause. The
Ribston has never been grown in this neighbourhood that T am
aware of; but as the Hawthornden cankers in my soil, I fear
the same will happen to the Ribston, unless a periodical lifting
of the tree will prevent the disease, as some assert it will.
My soil is nearly like that of “C.’s” garden. If the annual or
biennial removal of that valuable Apple will prevent the canker
in wet soils and induce fruitfulness, it is information which
ought not to be hidden—when practically proved—from us Lan-
cashire people, who cannot grow to perfection the finer fruits,
such as Peaches, &c. An answer to my questions I doubt not
would be very valuable information to many amateur gardeners
whose garden soil is wet, and the major part is I believe so. As
T wish to fill all available space in my garden this autumn, will
he please to state, now that his trees must be by this time pretty
well grown, whether 3 feet by 4 is sufficient room for his dwarf
trees? Mine is a small garden, and I want them kept in little
compass. J never had the pleasure of seeing a full-grown
orchard of dwarf trees, so I have but little idea what space they
require when matured.—A. Q., West Houghton.

RAINFALL AT LINTON PARK, KENT.

A CORRESPONDENT having inquired how the rainfall of the
past three months corresponds with that of similar periods in
former years, I have been induced to give the following table,
taken from a register kept here, by which the deficiency of the
rainfall in the present season will be easily seen. I may
further add that the rainfall of May up to the 29th has been
1.59 inch, and falling in eight days. The greater part of this fell
on the 19th, 20th, and 21st, and was accompanied at that time
with a very cold north and north-east wind, which was also
strong and proved very hurtful to vegetation. The windward
side of forest trees in full leaf has been bruised and destroyed,

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

413

and now looks as if scorched ; delicate things, even when shel-
tered, suffered more or less. The cold continued several days
and nights. The night of the 25th-26th May was unusually
cold, the thermometer sinking as low as 35° in the garden, and
in some exposed places in the park it was quite a frost. There
have been various changes of wind, that from the S.W. not
having been always so mild as could be wished. The general
Opinion is that the rain of the 20th only benefited the more hardy
vegetation, the cold by which it was accompanied neutralising its
otherwise useful properties. At the present time (the 29th),
the atmosphere has more of a summer character; but extreme
changes have been so common of late that it is impossible to say
what may next follow.

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HAS tHe CLIMATE or ENGLAND CHANGED?

WE are induced to take up this subject from the fact of hear-
ing very lately, whilst in the west of England, more than one
landowner express in most decided terms his opinion on the
deterioration of the weather—an opinion that we conceive to be
very injurious to the best interests of the country. :

In this note we intend to confine ourselves to an investigation
of the temperature. In a former article, on the rainfall of Eng-
land (Mark Lane Express, April 28, 1862), we showed that there
had been no increase in the annual amount of rain during the
past forty years.

The following mean temperatures of every year since 1815,
grouped in ten-year periods, exhibit no signs of any change:
there are merely the ordinary fluctuations, some above and some
below the average, that are evident in all statistical tables of this
nature, where the series is not long enough to obliterate the
effect of individual exceptional cases.

In this and the subsequent tables the whole period—viz., from

414

1815 to 1860, has been divided into four ten-year periods and
one six-year group. By including ten years, the extreme
jumps of temperature between one year and another partially
disappear; whilst the five mean groups are ample to show that
no radical change has taken place. wh

We might have gone back much further, but were unwilling
to admit any evidence on which we could not place the most
perfect trust; and thermometer readings anterior to the com-
mencement of our table we did not consider so accurate as those
of the later date.

The mean temperature of the ten years from 1815 to 1824,
both inclusive, was 49.8°, for the next decade it was 50.4°, for
the following 49.2°, then 49.8°, and for the six years it was 49.0°.
Here we perceive no difference to any material amount, and we
might for all practical purposes consider the readings to be
identical, which, were the series sufficiently long, no doubt they
would be.

But, it may be remarked, if the winters have become warmer
and the summers colder, no difference may be shown between
the yearly average temperatures of one ten years and another;
although the effect of such a change in the seasons would be of
the utmost moment to the progress of vegetation. True! and
to guard against this error, let us examine each month, taking
the mean of every ten years for each month of the year; we
shall then see if the individual months have altered at all, or if,
on the contrary, each has received, on the average, its normal
_ amount of heat.

Table showing the average monthly temperature in ten-year
groups, from 1815 to 1860 inclusive :—

Years. Jan. Feb.|Mar.|Apl. May/Jun. |Jul. Aug|Sep.|Oct. Noy|Dec.

| ° c oO. ° ° ° °
1815 to 1824...|38.1 40.1 Lek 47.2.|53.0 |58.2 a 61.5 59.0|50.8 45.5 |40.4
1825 to 1834,..|37.3 39.9480 48.0 |54.6 |60.2 |64.0 61.6 57.252.1 43.9 |42.5
1835 to 1844..,]37.8 38.8 |42.4 |45.9 58.2 |59.1/61.5 61.9/56.9|49.5 43.9 |40.0
1845 to 1854/39. 39.7 |41.9 |46.2 |58.1 |59.0 [62.3 61.0 96.6 |49.5 44.3 |40.4
1855 to 1860.../38.1 37.3 /41.3 [45.7 {51.9 /60.0 |62.4 62.4 57.1 [51.4 41.7 |39.2
pee |

Looking over this table, the eye fails to discern any approach
to a descending tendency, or, indeed, to discover any periodicity
whatever in the results. Here is a number above, there one a
little below the average, but nothing to indicate any regular
march either of increase or decrease.

Tf it be necessary, let us make out another table, in which we
will calculate the average temperature of the seasons for each
decade. The following will then be the statement :—

Table showing the average temperature of the seasons, in ten-
year groups, from 1815 to 1860 inclusive :—

Years Spring. | Summer. | Autumn. | Winter.
1815 to 1824 sss... PE pial area ME 41.3
1825 to 1835 . wets 43.7 59.6 | 57.0 41.2
1835 to 1844 . : 42.7 57.9 56.1 40.6
1845 to 1854 , A 42.4 58.1 55.7 41.3
1855 to 1860 ..... z | 41.4 58.1 | 57.0 39.7

Here is a striking uniformity between the mean temperature
of one decade and another. Were the series sufficiently long, we
have no hesitation in saying that even these slight inequalities,
which exhibit no law amongst themselves, would disappear, and
the number expressing the temperature of either season for such
a period would be identically the same for all averages including
the same number of years. It is needless to remark that, in
compiling tables of this kind, the most rigorous exactitude is re-
quired : one false reading would throw a doubt over the entire
table, as would also a single inaccurate observation.

To sum up in a few words, the only conclusion we can arrive
at is, that there has been no alteration in the temperature of this
country, nor have the seasons changed their characteristics.
“Seed time and harvest’? have never ceased nor exhibited any
tendency to encroach one on the other; the laws of meteorology
are as stable as those of astronomy, and the regularity of the
heavenly bodies is not more strictly maintained than that of the
recurrence of the phenomena of climate. We shall be glad to
see the popular error, that the winters are warmer and the
summers colder than they used to be, fade and die out; such a
belief is calculated to do much harm, and therefore, on the
ground of expediency, should be thrown aside, even if the bare
recommendation that truth always brings with it were not suffi-

cient to secure a place in all men’s minds— (Mark Lane
Hepress.)

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

{ June 9, 1863,

ALYSSUM SAXATILE COMPACTUM.

DvxRine the month of April, when riding on one of the omni-
buses which run from the town of Leeds to the out-townships, I
saw in one of the villa gardens which line the road some plants
of Alyssum quite different from any which I ever saw before;
their dwarf growth and close compact-flowering habit was quite
the reverse of the plants in my garden at home. Thinking that
the soil had something to do in the matter, and not being able
to make inquiry on the spot, I allowed the thought of them to
pass out of my mind. Since then, when on a visit to Shipley,
near Bradford, walking witha friend past the Shipley Nurseries,
and having a few minutes to spare we walked into the nurseries.
Here, again, I met with the dwarf plant, labelled Alyssum
saxatile compactum, in full flower, the flowers quite covering the
leaves, and forming an object very pleasing to look upon. The
grower of hardy herbaceous plants will not make a mistake in
growing this early spring-flowering plant, and the bedder will
do well to grow this shrub in his beds at a season of the year
when they are naked and dull. Itisa plant which must bea
favourite, even if it to some growers be an old favourite. I
would have secured some plants, but Mr. Dean was engaged
with some customers, and the short time allowed me haying
rapidly flown away, [ was forced to hurry off empty-handed.—
Rustic Rogin.

HEATING GARDEN STRUCTURES.
i (Continued from page 401.)

FivEs.—In houses of some size—say 36 feet by 18 feet, where
a forcing temperature is required to be kept up, two flues are
required ; the one, a single flue, takes the front, and the other
makes two or three journeys along the back. ‘The flues here are
constructed of brick dished in the middle like a press-brick, but the
hollow penetrates fully an inch into the brick. Three of these
placed on edge form the sides of the flue. The bottom of the
flue was formed of bricks 15 inches square by 2 thick, and these
were laid on a single thickness of common brick at the joints of the
flue-bottom only. These bearers were laid on a foundation
of bricks levelled with the plumb-bob. The covers for the flue
were 15 inches square by 3 thick, dished out like the side
bricks, and would hold when filled nearly three pints of water
each. The flue at its entrance into the house was formed for a
yard of fire-bricks at the sides and top, and then fire-tiles were
used for covers a yard further, which part was entirely covered
by flagstones to prevent the heat from scorching the plants in
the vicinity. Bear in mind this was the front flue passing along
both ends and the front of the house. The furnace was 2 feet
3 inches long, 1 foot 3 inches wide, and 1 foot 3 inches high
above the grate. It was built entirely of fire-bricks, and the
top was arched. The top of the furnace was level with the
bottom of the flue, so that the smoke or heeted air rose 1 foot
3 inches from the fire, after which it went at a dead level, and
rose no more until it entered the chimney. The flue at the back
of the house was similarly constructed, only it went three times
along the back, and like the front flue was coyered with dished
bricks. In the hollows water was poured when a moist heat was
desired, and pieces of stone were placed therein, on which pots
containing Orchids were placed. I have seen some very fine
plants of Bletia Tankervillis, and other old-fashioned Orchids,
grown in this manner, and French Beans were regularly forced,
the pots being placed on a wooden trellis made on purpose.
Some of the finest Amaryllises were grown on the front flue,
and no place was ever more calculated to suit them than this.
The plants were in the midst of a moist atmosphere when
growing, and literally baked when at rest. The position was
marked out by Mr. Herbert, of Spofforth, near Wetherby,
as a fit and proper place for that tribe of plants, and I believe
the greater part of the plants were had from him. [ regret to
say that they have lately been thrown away as unworthy of a
place amongst so many fine plants as we have at present in our
hothouses.

Now, those flues were made about 1820, the houses being, E
think, completed in the autumn of 1821; and they cost £9 11s.
the pair, labour and everything being considered. Five of such
houses with similar flues were put up at the time, so that the
cost of the heating apparatus alone was £47 15s. The range was
divided into four Pine-stoves and a vinery. There were Vines
in three of the other houses.

Fine Grapes were grown in those houses, specimens of Black

June 9, 1863. ]

Hamburgh weighing 4 lbs, per bunch, the berries as large as
moderate-sized violet Plums, and quite as black. Pines, too,
were grown there of large size, some Providences weighing 6, 7,
and 8 lbs. commonly, and in oneinstance 9 lbs. 11 ozs.; Queens,
Montserrats, Antiguas, Sugarloafs, Black Jamaicas, and others,
were proportionately large, and this thirty years after the houses
were built. The flues had not cost more than 10s. each annually
in sweeping and repairing during that period—that is, on an
average. The account-books verify this statement, and I may
finish the Cr. part of the business by stating that the same flues
were in successful operation in 1858, the last time I saw them, and
plants certainly did come out of the houses that year which won
first prizes at the autumn show of the York Horticultural Society.
In the Dr. account of the flues in question, I find £26 10s. worth
of coals consumed annually, and £15 worth of tanner’s bark, or,
in all, £41 10s. as the cost of heating, The coals were brought by
water some sixty miles, and the tan came nearly twenty miles by
the same means. In the thirty years seven flues had burst,
destroying something each time, and the soot in the flues took
fire times out of unmber, and subjected a plant or two to a roast-
ing temperature. I mention these flues to show what a flue was
when they were in their prime, when gardeners considered how
to build them so as to meet their wants.

Pausing for a moment, I will tell of another kind of flue
erected in 1830 and now doing good service. At this period
they ran all their flues horizontal, and not as some people do now
—rising from the fireplace with one end on the floor and the
other on pillars, as if the flue were too proud to lie and too idle
to stand. Well, the flue in question was built of common bricks
placed on edge; the bottoms and covers were clay tiles made on
purpose, 23 inches thick. On the top of the flue a brick was
laid edgewise parallel with each side of the flue, and on those
bricks a flagstone for a shelf or table on which to place the
plants. In the stone shelves openings were cut so as to let the
heat out of the chamber below into the house, 3 inches by 1 foot,
and a foot apart. By this plan the house was not soon heated
nor the plants roasted. I have seen good Grapes —nay prize
Grapes—grown in the house where this flue worked.

But a flue as it is built now, what is it? More frequently
a failure than a success. I have had a flue boiling water in a
saucepan after it has-travyersed across one end of the house,
melting iead where it entered the house, whilst at the other end
next the chimney it was neither warmer nor colder than a lamp-
post—so much for the absorbing powers of brick. And all that
heat to keep out an ordinary winter’s frost! I have grown
Ferns, stove, and greenhouse plants with flues, ripened Grapes
and other fruits with them, and given satisfaction to my em-
ployers ; but I do not like flues for several reasons—a few of
which are: They consume more fuel, require more attendance
than hot-water boilers, are soon hot and soon cool, dry the
atmosphere too much (causing it to be saturated at one end with
moisture, whilst it is like that of malt-kiln at the other), emit
sulphurous vapours inimical to vegetation, are liable to get out of
repair, and are sure some time or other to blow up, or something
will happen to cause unpleasantness to all concerned. Besides,
when a flue becomes aged the mortar decays and the smoke is
apt to follow a new route. See your plants are suffocated, and you
feel that you are to blame for it—neglect has done it! A gar-
dener cannot always find time to examine a flue; and, if he has
the time, I very much doubt whether he can detect a flaw in
time to save his master’s plants. I neyer could. I never could
tell when a brick was mouldered away out of sight at the back
of a flue, nor tell when an ill wind would rise. I like flues ata
distance, for I never felt sure of carrying my plants successfully
into specimens nor my fruit to maturity, and when confidence
in one’s self is gone the worst place to look for something to
cause a return of it is a ricketty old flue. We very often hear it
stated that flues are cheaper than hot water, and are more easily
tended—that is, any sort of a bungling fellow can mind a flue
furnace, but it requires one with some skill to attend a boiler.
This is the reverse of fact. A flue furnace requires double the
care of a boiler furnace, and this peculiarity alone is a point in
fact much against flues.

I remember haying fourteen flues to attend to, and I know
there was trouble enough with them, and at times as many as
twenty-two fires fell to my lot. In winter those fires were to
look at every morning at six o’clock, to stoker; if out, to light,
which with the aid of a labourer occupied at least half an hour.
Then the temperature of the houses must be seen; but it often
had to be taken before the fires were touched—that is, before

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

415

six o’clock, a piece of extra work falling on the young man,
Of course a minimum temperature must be had at that time
within a few degrees, a few too low being better than many too
high ; but if the temperature was wrong the head-gardener was
sure to come blustering, though he was silent as most when all was
square. Then some of the fires would want touching up again
before breakfast, some requiring an extra touch, and then you
could get your breakfast as content as a king. The fires would
now do until noon, or in bright days until 3 or 4 P.M., when
they must be revived, and worked up into going order by 6 p.m.
At 8 P.M. in ordinary weather they were made up for the night.
In severe weather they require attendance at 10 as well; but in
very severe weather a poor fellow must sit reading marks on the
wall in the dark, with no light but a fire, and no books but your
own purchased out of a paltry 10s. per week, after satisfying the
craying of the stomach of a growing lad. You must trudge
knee-deep in snow to look at the conservatory fires half a mile
away; and then after a walk home meeting nobody, and seeing
as little, you begin to muse, until, startled by the ery of a bird
as solitary as yourself, you hasten to throw’a few coals upon the
fires without inquiring whether Pines, Vines, and the plants are
too hot or too cold, and thus you manage to get to bed when
your watch marks I.

So much for flues and the little skill and attendance they
require. The cost of a flue depends on circumstances. Prices
of materials vary in different parts of the country, and carriage
forms an item that cannot well be estimated. The size and the
purpose for which the flue is intended is another consideration,
but to heat a house 21 feet by 15, to be kept at greenhouse tem-
perature, it is necessary to have one flue all round, or at least
along two ends and one side, or in front, if a lean-to, and by all
means all round if a span.

Fire-grate, doors, and damper...
Mine“ briCkS sp esesesedasecseesesnen-ossce
Common press-bricks for flue, chimney, &c.
Bottoms and covers for flue, tiles or flags ..
Chimney-pot 00
Ash-pit digging .........
Mortar, sand, and slip f

Foundation for flue, materials
Mason’s account for building .

a

th

a —
pe

Monm wht maw
SOPSDHRMBOS

416 4

The estimate given above includes carriage of materials, some
of which had to be brought ten miles. All the materials are of
the best description, calculated to last the owner’s lifetime, and
to cause little expense in repairs beyond sweeping, &e.

In building flues, it is necessary to secure a good draught,
and that can be done better at the fireplace than at any other
point along the flue. Allow the fire to rise at least 1 foot into
the flue from the furnace. The heated air will rush into the
flue, and as it will not descend, there is no danger of the flue
not drawing; but if the flue be level with the fire, and then
rise gradually from that point, the smoke and heat will take the
highest point, and that being the top of the fireplace as well as
the top of the flue, it escapes at the door. True, it may burn
if the wind blow in the same direction as the flue runs, but if
the wind be opposite, it will blow down the chimney, and the
smoke will come through the ash-pit rather than go up the flue,
and if the latter is not smoke-proof the house is soon full of in-
jurious gases.

Botching up a flue out of old materials, and giving an estimate
of the cost as a fair sample of the cost of a flue is preposterous,
and an estimate framed on bargains is equally deceiving. I
have made a flue for less than £1 to heat a greenhouse; but
everything belonging to it was lying about as lumber, and it
only needed labour and brains to turn this to advantage.

Common pot-pipes 6 inches in diameter do very well as a flue
for small houses, and, of course, small fires, for should the pipes
get too hot they will crack like a clay chimney-pot. The furnace
may be made in the ord‘nary way, fire-bricks used for a yard or ~
so of fine, and then the pipes neatly connected to it; the joints
of the pipes should be made up with mortar, and the elbows con-
trived so that they can easily be taken out, and a piece of wire
run down the pipes with a kind of holly brush attached to it, so
that you can clean ont the flue in an hour without troubling
sweeps or masons. A house 21 feet by 15 could be heated in this
way for £2 14s.—viz., glazed six-inch pipes, £1 4s., fire-door and
grate, 15s., bricks and mortar for furnace, 8s., labour, 7s.

But the cheapest kind of flue I ever saw was made of six-inch
horseshoe drain-tiles placed on the bottoms as they are in
land draining, the joints plastered with mortar on the outside

416

only, the tiles having previously been steeped in water to make
them adhere to the mortar, and this only cost some 35s. or 37s.,
I forget which, for furnace, flue, chimney, and everything. This
flue heated a house 18 feet by 11, and worked satisfactorily.
Amateurs mostly covet such simple contrivances; their enthu-
siasm often helping them over troubles, and they make as little
to do about many attentions as we gardeners make much. Their
aim is to suit their ideas to their pocket, and ours is to suit our
master’s pocket to our craft. An amateur measures his pocket ;
he has £20, £30, or £50, that he can spend ona hobby, he is fond
of flowers, takes a fancy to an orchard-house, likes to grow his
own Grapes, and considers how he can do this or that for the
least money. If he can build a house for £20, and heat it for
Jess money than a gardener, or if he can planso as to havea
house twice the size of his neighbour’s for the same money,
securing the same or better advantages, why should he not have
them? By all means, I reply, have your wish, but still to
argue that your plan would suit Mr. So-and-So’s gardener is
absurd. Mr. So-and-So, perhaps, objects to your plan, he does
not care for a few poundsif he can secure increased gratification,
nor grudge a few shillings if he is able to say—“ My plants are
as good as those of anybody else, and a little better.”” There is no
parallel whatever between an amateur and a gardener, for with
one it is a question of obtaining the most for the money, whereas
it may be the same with the other, but oftener, ‘(I want the
best house that can be had, at least, I shall expect to have things
grown up to the mark, for £50, £100, or £1000,” and for a
gardener to begin patching up a house after this notice would
be as bad as making a halter to hang himself.

_ I have seen an amateur, a clergyman, with his miniature
greenhouse heated by a small stove costing but 25s. On in-
quiring the reason for having so paltry an affair, when he could
afford a better, he was pleased to reply, ‘You know I am no
gardener, I will just feel my way with this small house, and
when I understand how to manage it, I will (D.V.) have a
larger.”

“Many clever people, Jet me tell you,” continued his re-
verence, “go too fast; they begin running up hills, and are
blown ere they reach the summit. Had I put up a house 50 feet
Jong, stocked it with fine plants, and had one of your grand hot-
water apparatuses, I should haye wasted more money than I
could spare, by killing plants for want of knowing how to grow
them, and taken up more time than my parochial duties will
allow.”

‘* But your house, although small, is well built, the squares of
glass large, and provision made to admit abundance of air.
Why not have a good heating apparatus?” ‘There you are
beat,” replied the rev. gentleman. “TI will tell you. When I
understand this tiny thing I may put up a vinery, and then this
house will make a two-light Cucumber-house, and a four-light
Melon-house, by putting up a partition. I shall then have a
boiler to heat the whole; but if I were to have a boiler for this
small house, or even a flue, it would be a waste of money. I
had the stove by me worth 25s., and so suited my mind to my
means.” I was mute. .

* Could you tell me of a good boiler,’’ resumed he, ‘one that
will not consume too much fuel? I thought of having a flue,
but flues are nasty-looking things, filling up a good deal of
space, requiring an annual coat of whitewash, and very often are
leaky after all. There are too many joints in flues for my
fancy, and the smoke they emit is not very pleasant when the
wind blows it into the drawing-room, and covers newly-
washed clothes with smuts; besides a flue will not consume coke
without attendance every two or three hours, nor cinders from
the house, and keep in all night without some small coal mixed
with them. A good boiler of small size that will do for hours
without attendance, and burn anything, is a desideratum, espe-
cially for us amateurs who are as fond of having a good produce
as most folk.’

This homely conversation ended in my suggesting a plen of
my own, as there was no boiler likely to suit him. He had a
good boiler behind his kitchen fire, and to have the “grate bars
cast hollow,” would double the heating power. At one side
of the fire place was the oven, and on that side the boiler was
to be pierced for the pipe conveying water from the grate bars,
and the return-pipe might enter the grate bars on the other
side where it would be cast square, but hollow. He was a
good mechanic, and could turn his hand to anything, so
the making of a model was a pastime. The bars were to be
42 inch, 4-inch hollow, four bars at bottom, 5 inches in depth,

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

June 9, 1863.

and 1 foot 6 inches long; to be cast at any iron foundry
for £2, finding own model, and fixed for £1 more. This was
calculated to heat 250 feet of four-inch pipe, and do the cooking
business besides, and give hot water for household purposes into
the bargain.

By this simple contrivance the well-paid artizan could have
his greenhouse, vinery, or whatever he pleased without a costly,
because separate, heating apparatus. A shopkeeper in the
murkiest thoroughfare of London might take the slates off an
attic, replace with glass duchesses, cover the floor with some
waterproof material, convey an inch-pipe, lead or iron, from the
kitchen boiler below, take it through the ceiling like a gas-pipe,
or in the chimney, bring a return down alongside it, and then
connect it to as many feet of three or four-inch piping, reckoning
one superficial foot at a temperature of 212° to heat 50 cubic
feet of space to a temperature of 60°. He might have his
Limatodes rosea and Lycaste Skinneri in this attic-house,
Ferns if he chose, Roses when he pleased, Violets all the winter,
and his “ better half” a few hours of delightful recreation daily,
without spending more in a year by going to Sydenham, or
in 10s. 6d. bouquets at Covent Garden, than would give at home
what is sought abroad. Anybody can make a boiler after this
model for themselves; but any of the trade patenting it will be
prosecuted with all the rigour of the instructions my reverend
benefactor gave.

It may be as well to say that I left that part of the country
shortly after, and the clergyman was soon after preferred, so
that I am inclined to think the suggestion would not be carried
out. But it is there, and if I ever can manage to find time to
make a model, and have it cast, I will do so, if it be for nothing
but to prove whether water will not heat as soon in an hori-
zontal asin an upright tube, which I have proved over and over
again from the fact, that a horizontal tube will make as much
steam in as little time as an upright.—G. A.

(To be continued.)

A DAISY-ERADICATOR.

Wits reference to your remarks to
correspondents on the 2nd inst. under
the head “ Destroying Daisies on a
Lawn,” you give but little hope of ex-
terminating these pests.

aving succeeded in utterly eradica-
ting every one on a lawn of half an
acre, allow me tell you how I accom-
plished the task.

With the assistance of a common
blacksmith I constructed a simple but
most effective Daisy-drawer (as annexed)
which enabled me with the least possible
trouble to draw out by the roots every
Daisy, wild Marjoram, Plantain, &c.,
on the lawn, and they were not a few.
The drawer is pointed, and enters the
ground easily in moist weather, and
the weed being caught in the fork is
drawn out cleanly and more effectually
than by any other implement I ever
saw, and without making a large hole
or disfiguring the turf.—C. B.

MUGWORT USED AS A CURE FOR EPILEPSY.

Tur common English name for the plant is Mugwort ; the
botanical name is ARTEMISIA VULGARIS, and the local Irish names
are Bofulan ban, Bofulan liath, Bofulan liagh, Lnath lus,
Mongach measga, Buachalan (but not the Beanchalon buidhe, or
Ragwort), and Buafanan. It is known by these several names
in the different localities in Ireland. The Gaelic name is dz
Liath-lus, and the Welsh names Bydiawg lwyd, and Canwraidd
wyd. It is important that we give the several names by which
the plant is known in different places; and the following is a
very brief description of it. It is an herbaceous perennial plant,
dying down to the ground at the end of the season and spring-

June 9, 1863. ]

ing up from the roots in the spring. In its young state it closely |
resembles the garden Chrysanthemum, and belongs to the same
Linnean class and order—Syngenesia superfiua ; natural order,
Composite. Leaves wing-cleft, flat, cottony underneath. Bunches
single. Florets of the circumference five. Receptacle naked.

Mr. Shepheard, Bettystown House, Drogheda, says: Take
three or four large roots, fibrous roots included, and the stems
and leaves if in season—that is, the roots only in winter, and the
whole plant, roots, stem, and leaves, in the spring and sum-
mer. he whole, when cut up into very small pieces, should be
equal to a good large handful, and boiled in a quart of beer,
three cupfuls to be taken three times a-day (we suppose this
should be read, a cupful to be taken three times a-day), morn-
ing, noon, and night.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTLIAGE GARDENER.

417

In hunting up the medicinal history of this plant, we find in

| Withering’s arrangement of British plants that a drachm of the

powdered leaves was given four times a-day by a Dr. Home to a
woman who had been afiected with hysteric fits for many years.
The fits ceased in a few days. In this patient assafectida and
ether has been given to no purpose. The powdered roots have
been recently prescribed with success in epilepsy on the con-
tinent ; and he says, notwithstanding these favourable reports,
Mugwort is rarely employed in England, and has been rejected
by the London College. Wormwood and Southernwood, which
are highly aromatic and medicinal plants, belong to the same
senus—Artemisia, and may lead many to a discovery of the
Muegwort, which grows plentifully in waste places, waysides, and
amongst rubbish.— (Irish Farmers’ Gazette.)

ACACIA SQUAMATA (Scany Acacta.)

Wat. ord., Leguminose. Linz., Polygamia Monecia.—A |
remarkable erect-growing shrub, branched, and having the |
appearance of being leafless. The branches are slender, terete, |
flexnose, somewhat glaucous. The leaves are of the form and |
thickness of the branches, stiff, slightly divergent, about an inch
long, bearing in their axils a scaly bud. ‘The branches thus
appear to consist of a series of terminal buds seated in the forks
of dichotomous branches; the apex of the leaves is slightly

recurved and mucronate. The racemes are short, and bear two
or three globular heads of deep yellow flowers; these spring
from the axils of the leaves, and issue from the bud of boat-
shaped brown membranous scales. This interesting plant was
introduced by Mr. Drummond, from the Swan River, and was
first raised and blossomed by Messrs. Low in 1848. Like the
other Acacias, it blooms in early spring.—(Gardeners’ Magazine
of Botany.)

418

VINES STARTED WITH A TEMPERATURE
TOO HIGH—FORCING STRAWBERRIES.

In the middle of March when my Vines were started, I
changed the kind of coal after a few days’ firing. That last
adopted was considerably hotter than the other, and the water
in the boiler and pipes became overheated : consequently the ex-
pansion-chamber which stands at the end farthest from the
furnace boiled over and steamed the house. This happened
before the eyes had burst. They, however, rapidly developed
themselves within a few days, but subsequently to the shoots
attaining the length of from 4 to 6 inches, they have almost stood
still, and where bunches did show they haye since shrunk and
dropped off. Will you oblige me by stating whether you
consider this to be the effect of a scale, and what is the treat-
ment they should have nowP <A few bunches remain at the top
of the house where the shoots are more vigorous and healthy.

Will you also say when Strawberries for early forciug—say to
be ripe in March, should be struck in pots, if thumb-pots are
best for this purpose, and if Carolina superba, British Queen,
and Sir Harry, are good for the purpose ?—D. P. B.

[If we are not mistaken, your Vines are an example that all
such things as bursts and extra excitements, are seldom attended
with any ultimate advantage. We have heard people boasting
in how many days they would have Vines in bloom, from the
period of lighting the first fire, even in January, and the result
was a good deal similar to the case you state so clearly. Had
your Vines received similar treatment in January, it would
have been stili more unfortunate for them, as the stored-up
juices of the plant would have been sooner exhausted. The
better the wood of Vines is ripened, the more time wiil they
require to break healthily, and that from heat rising very gra-
dually, beginning at 45°, and not going beyond 60°, until every
bud has pushed 1 or 2 inches. If, as we gather from your state-
ment, the Vines were not beginning to moye when they had
this hot steaming, then the injury would be the less, such as
you will get over next season. If the Vines hed broken, though
only half an inch, the hot steaming might haye settled them for
the season, and injured them for a year or two to come by de-
ranging the whole system of the plant.

If the vinery was merely shut up, and the buds not beginning
to move, we do not think that the Vines should have suftered as
you state, from one or two of such steamings, and then we
should conclude there was something in the roots, and in the
condition of the wood, to account for the standing-still of the
Vines. But if from your first-rate fuel there was much of the
boiling-over at the reservoirs or cistern, and the house was thus
frequently filled with hot vapour, then that alone would account
for the condition of the Vines. ‘The buds through the stimulus
of the hot vapour would break prematurely, and would go on
pretty well, so long as they fed on the sfored-up nourishment of
the stems, but when that was not followed by a reciprocal root-
action, there would come by degrees a want of support, and the
shoots would stand still. In our young days we once saw the
working of some Vines in January, where a high temperature
Was maintained inside, and the outside borders where the roots
were, were frozen, and the same stand-still took place, and the
Vines in bloom dropped their flowers, even though the gardener,
but too late, had the borders covered with spruce branches for
want of anything better. Much the same thing we suspect
happened with your Vines, though in a less degree; the extra
excitement worked up the nourishment in the stems before there
was a reciprocal action between roots and branches.

Now, as to the remedies. Prevent over-heating by care and a
suitable damper ; no water in pipes ought to be near the boiling-
point, 180° or so is quite high enough. If there is anything
like danger from steaming, provide a larger reservoir to admit of
the necessary expansion; and as to the Vines, water the border
with water at about 90°, if at all dry, and keep the house cooler
than usual, lessening the excitement. From 55° to 60° will be
high enough at night, with plenty of air in sunny days, so that
the heat should rise little above 80°, and if bright sun distresses
the Vines at all, throw a little water over the glass with a syringe,
the water being just coloured with whitening. In order to pro-
mote equal growth, stop the vigorous shoots near the top of the
house, and this will throw the vigour back into the weaker

shoots. If we understand your case, we think these measures
will make your Vines all right next year.

The plants of Strawberries to haye ripe fruit in March should

be laid in as runners in small pots—say 60’s, as soon as you can

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

[ June 9, 1863.

obtain the runners. The small pot is filled with soil, set beside
the old plant, and a runner fastened into it, with a pebble or
anything else, and the soil is watered until the pot is filled with
roots, the runner in its pot is then detached from the mother
plant, set in a shady place for a few days, and then potted into a
six-inch pot. The future treatment has often been given. Good
established plants should be got into a house commanding fire
heat about Christmas, and the heat being gradually raised, you
may expect fruit in the first and second week of March.

We do not think much of Carolina superba for such early
work, neither would we advise British Queen or Sir Harry,
unless the fruit was wanted in the end ot March, or the be-
ginning of April. Keens’ Seedling would be better, and a few
of the Black Prince would come in earlier still. ]

THE REPLY TO “A GARDENER’S LOVE
LETTER.” *

O, my Sweet William, it quite gave my Heart-a-choke to hear
how your Love-lies-bleeding, cut up, as it were, by the Cissus of
Cupid, and all for me. And now it is my turn to confess that,
although Phlox of fellows have followed me before, and only
the other day there was a Gay-zany-here, who actually dashed
his Bachelors-buttons because I wouldn’t have him, all of
them seem but Sickly-men and dwarf Dalliers compared with
Yew, William; and as for their love-letters, ‘“ La-burn-’em!”
says I to mother, as soon as ever I read your beautiful offer.
Pa-sly as usual, immediately inquired about your resources,
and seemed much pleased with what you said about being master
of the Mint; and he then observed that he always preferred the
Gold and Silver-edged sorts as Bedders. He seems to have had
a presentiment that you would propose to me, as he remarked
to mother, “‘ The first time he Cedar I knew he’d Aster.” He
desires me to tell you that if Any-gal-is worth having, or any
Gal-hardier than another, you’ve Pick’d-her, and also that he
wishes us good luck in the nursery department. Please to send
me some more of your Iad’s-love, and believe me to remain
until death (long may it be, my William, before I go out Bill-
burying with you), your Hverlasting—Rosz-Mary.

P.S.—Forget-me-not.

[Since the above was received we have had another reply ;
but as its verses are not quite equal to those of Anacreon we
will only quote from it six lines, which will suffice to demon-
strate the writer’s feelings are not forced.

“Thou master of the Mint and Thyme,
Come now and make me Holly thine.
Come now, and do not be so Sloe,

For you shall ne’er have cause to Rue.
Believing me for eyer, deary,
Your most affectionate—RosE-Makry.’’]

CROSS-BREEDING STRAWBERRIES — THE
AMERICAN SPECIES.

Most persons suppose that all Strawberries will hybridise
with each other, and there has not been any European or Ame-
rican author but what has inculcated this erroneous idea, until
I controyverted the fiction zz toto in the Horticulturist of January
last, a truism which I had very long since recognised, but had
not previously found time and a suitable opportunity to fully
enunciate. It is now two hundred and fifty years since the first
interchange of European and American Strawberries, and during
this entire period there has never been produced a single hybrid
between the species of the two hemispheres, nor between the
three species which are natives of Europe. The six North
American species blend sexually with each other, and the two
South American species blend sexually with each other, but these
two sections present a normal aversion to any hybridisation with
those of the Eastern hemisphere. Messrs. Hovey, of Boston,
attempted such hybridisations twenty-eight yearsago; Professor
Huntsman and myself have tested them for a similar period;
neither could succeed. No such hybridised seedlings have been
presented in America, in France, or in England, and all pre-
tences of producing any such hybrids now are delusive notions
arising from an ignorance of normal facts.

The characteristics of the six North American species are
acidity and great productiveness; and the characteristics of the
Fragaria grandiflora and chilensis of South America are large

* See JouRNAL OF HortTIcuLTuRE, May 26.

June 9, 1863. ]

size, sweetness, and perfume. Of the one hundred and twenty
selected varieties of the F. virginiana, iowensis, and other North
American species, there are but about twenty-five now under
cultivation in our gardens which have sweetness predominant,
and only fifteen which have perfume or aroma; and these are
the best selections from thousands of seedlings during the last
thirty years.—(Mr. W. R. Prince, at American Pomological
Society.) ;

PORTRAITS OF FLOWERS, PLANTS, AND
FRUITS.

ZOSTEROSTYLIS ARACHNITES (Cobweb Zosterostylis)—WVaé.
ord., Orchidacere. Linn., Gynandria Monandria. his Orchid
is peculiar to Java and Ceylon. Petals dull green, lip yellowish
dotted with purple.— (Botanical Magazine, t. 5381.)

CoccoLoBA PLATYCLADA (Flat-branched Lobe-berry).—Wat.
ord., Polygonacer. Linn., Octandria Trigynia. This remark-
able plant was discovered at Wanderer Bay, Solomon’s Islands,
by Mr. Milne, during Captain Denham’s voyage of H.M.S.
“Herald.” “ Being throughout the year covered with innu-
merable blossoms, generally interspersed with bright red, and
finally dark purple berries, we regard this plant as one of the
most interesting acquisitions of our gardens. It is readily mul-
tiplied from cuttings.” —(I0id., ¢. 5382.)

Hieemsta GHEISBECHTIE (Gheisbecht’s Higginsia).—Wat.
ord., Rubiacee. Linn., Tetrandria Monogynia. Probably a
native of New Grenada. Leaves rich velvety green above, and
reddish-purple beneath. It is a handsome stove plant.—(TZdid.,
t, 5383.)

Anevroa Ruckert (Mr. Rucker’s Anguloa—blood-coloured
variety).—Wat. ord., Orchidacex. Linn., Gynandria Monandria.
The original species is a natiye of Columbia. This variety is in
the possession of Messrs. Rollisson, Tooting. Flowers yellow
and crimson.—(Zdid, t. 5384.)

PLEUROTHALLIS REYMONDI (Reymond’s Pleurothallis).—
Nat. ord., Orchidacee. Linn., @ynandria Monandria. Native
of the Caraccas, at an elevation of 6000 feet above the sea.
Flowers purple but small.—(Zbid., ¢. 5385.)

ASPIDISTRA PUNCTATA ALBO-MACULATA (White spotted-leaved
Dotted-leaved Aspidistra).— Wat. ord., Liliacee. Linn., Octan-
dria Monogynia. Native of China, imported by Mr. Bull,
Plant Establishment, Chelsea. Flowers in the greenhouse
during February.—(JZbid., 7. 5386.)

FERN-LEAVED CHINESE Primrosz.—Raised by Mesers. E. G.
Henderson & Son, Wellington Road Nursery. It is crimson-
flowered,*and has the unuaual property of coming true from
seed.—( Floral Magazine, pl. 149.)

Hyacinta San Francisco.—Yellow-flowered.—(Zéid., 150.)

AZALEA SURPRISE.—Called also Madame A. Verschaffelt.
Flowers pale pink, rather frilled, conspicuously blotched with
deep crimson on the upper segment.—(JUid., 151.)

Avricuna Princess or Wazs.—Raised by Mr. C. Turner,
Slough. Purple self with white paste——(Z0id., 152.)

MimuLUs MACULOsUS.—Three varieties from Mr. Bull’s
Nursery, Chelsea. Charm, Marvel, and Sparkler, all bright
yellow, variously spotted and blotched with crimson.—(Florist
and Pomologist, ii., 73.)

Prar Brivis QuEEN.—Raised by Mr. Incram, Her Ma-
jesty’s gardener at Frogmore. Large, pyramidal, golden-
coloured fruit, excellent for dessert, ripe in October. Had a
first-class certificate from the Royal Horticultural Society’s
Fruit Committee.— (Zvid., 80.)

Tue Frast or Appres.—There are many holidays observed
by the Russian Church, but the most prominent are the Honey
Festival, on the Ist of August, and the Apple Feast. Both are
peasant festivals, and much regarded—at the former the honey
is blessed, and at the latter the Apple. No Russian ever thinks
of eating an Apple before the 6th of August (old style), when the
day’s ceremony has blessed the fruit, a restriction which must be
attended with very good results in a country predisposed to
cholera. The Cathedral of the Repose, Uspenski Sahor, was the
first entered by Mr. R. S. Graves, author of a “ Yatching Cruise
in the Baltic;” and the congregation was pressing forward to
the priests, who stood in front of the Ikonostast. The leading
priest, most magnificently dressed, held a gold and diamond-
studded cross to all who presented themselves to imprint upon

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

419

it their eager kiss. On his right stood another, who had dishes
of blessed Apples on a table before him ; and we observed that
all who had kissed the cross received an Apple.—(Scottish
Farmer.)

HESPERIS MATRONALIS FLORE PLENO.
DOUBLE ROCKET.

Iv may not be out of place, seeing that after the Jast bad
season for what are called bedding flowers both north and south
of the Tweed, and more especially as there have been indications
among writers in the latter part of the kingdom of a desire to
fall back upon some of the old-fashioned hardy flowers, and as
this new periodical will most likely be read by every lover of
flowers in the west of Scotland—to bring before their notice a
few hardy flowers of real merit, which have been put aside or
forgotten in the rage for ribbon-borders and masses of tender
flowers, but which with a little care throughout the year would
give a fine display of bloom from early spring to late autumn.
A great variety of these could be named, both in colour and in
height, and in their season of blooming, but I will only select
one at present—the Double Rocket, as during this month (June)
it will be in bloom, and there being variety enough in itself both
in colour and height to form anexcellent contrast. It is possible
that it may still be found in some out-of-the-way corner of the
herbaceous border, and if so, it will require no recommendation
from me. As for the cultivation of it, no gardener worthy of
the name reguires to be informed; but I would just ask them
to try a ribbon, of say the first row dwarf double white ; second
row of crimson; third, purple; fourth, tall or French white ;
or say a row of the double Yellow Barbarea, and then a row of
French white. Or, perhaps, a bed of any convenient length,
and say 5 feet wide; centre row, tall white; next two rows,
purple; and two outside rows dwarf white, 1 foot from plant
to plant, or any such arrangement, and I am sure it will amply
repay the trouble next June.

To the uninitiated, I would say, if there are old plants to begin
with, cut down the flower-stems to about 6 or § inches from
the ground as soon as the flowers are beginning to fade; stir
the soil round the plant, and top-dress with a little light soil,
say old rotten leaf mould and sand, in equal proportions. In
the course of two or three weeks plenty of young suckers will
have been formed from the old stem, and will be striking roots
for themselves. These should be taken off, and either planted
under a hand-glass or cold frame, in light sandy soil, in a shady
corner of the garden, and watered carefully. If not rooted when
taken off, they will soon strike in a cold frame or under a hand-
glass. Cuttings may also be made of the flower-stems that are
left, after cutting oif the flowers; but in general, the suckers
from the root will be sufficient. ‘The plants thus obtained should
be planted out in common garden soil, with the addition of a
little old rotten manure in autumn, or if not convenient then,
they may be kept over winter in a cold frame or nursery-bed in
the garden, and planted early in spring, not laterthan March. if
planted in what is called an herbaceous border, the dwarf white
should be placed in the front row, and the others in the next.
If the border is wide, the dwarf in the second row, and so on
with the others; and, by a little care, they will make a fine
display next summer. The only enemies they have are snails,
and a small green caterpillar, which makes its appearance about
the beginning of April in the centre of the young flower-stems,
and its whereabouts is known by its drawing together the leaves.
It should then be hunted out and destroyed. A little sharp
sand placed close round the plants when planted, will help to
keep the snails at bay ALEXANDER STORRIE, Whiteinch, Partick.

[From the first Number of “The West of Scotland Horti-
cultural Magazine,” which promises well. ]

ICE TRADE AND MANUFACTURE.

THE trade in ice is now one of great and increasing importance,
Ice has always been esteemed as a luxury in warm weather; and
this early led to the storing of it in winter and preserving it for
summer use. The Greeks, and afterwards the Romans, at first
preserved snow, closely packed in deep underground cellars.
Nero, at a later period, established ice-houses in Rome, similar
to those in use in most European countries up to the present
time. But these means were not enough to supply the luxurious

420

Romans with ice for cooling beverages, and they actually estab-
lished a trade in snow, which was brought to Rome from the
summits of distant mountains.

The trade in ice in this country has, until lately, been very
limited, having been chiefly confined to the supply required by a
few of the first-class fishmongers and confectioners—the private
residences of the more opulent families being furnished with ice-
houses, in which a sufficiency is kept for private use. But the
North Americans have started a trade in this article in their
own cities, which has extended to Europe and Asia, and has, in
an incredibly short space of time, attained a surprising magni-
tude. The export of ice from America was commenced about
1820, by a merchant named Tudor, who sent ice from Boston to
the West Indies. After persevering against many losses, he
succeeded in establishing a trade with Calcutta, Madras, and
Bombay ; and now not only is it sent in yast quantities to those
places, but also to Hong-kong, Whampoa, and Batavia. About
fifteen years since, the Wenham Lake Ice Company commenced
sending ice to this country from Boston, which is the great
American port for shipment of this material; and since then,
not only has there been a continually increasing supply, but the
success of the Company has been so great as to tempt others
into the market, and many cargoes now annually come from
Norway and Sweden.

In America the ice is chiefly collected in the neighbourhood of
Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, and New York,
and the lakes which supply it form no small part of the property
of those whose lands border thereon ; these have all been care-
fully marked out, and the right secured, so that, when the
Winter comes, and the ice is formed, the harvest begins with
great regularity. The ice is cleared from snow by means of an
implement called the plane. An ice-plough, drawn by horses,
and driven by a man riding upon it, is then made to cut deep
parallel grooves in the ice, and these are again crossed by other
grooves at right angles, so that the whole of the surface is deeply
marked out into small squares, measuring a little more than
3 feet. A few of these square blocks being detached by hand-
saws, the remainder are easily broken-off with crowbars, and
floated away to the ice-storehouses, which are usually built of
wood, on the borders of the lake. Some of these are of vast
dimensions, and contain vaults of great depth; the walls are
double, and sometimes treble, being altogether as much as 4 feet
in thickness, and having hollow spaces between to render them
nonconductors. The blocks of ice are covered up with sawdust,
a layer being placed between each tier of blocks. Many of these
ice-houses are made large enough to hold from 40,000 to 50,000
tons of ice. When fully stored, a large quantity of dried marsh-
grass is trodden in upon the top, to the thickness of several feet,
and the doors are then securely closed. The domestic consump-
tion of the United States in 1860 had reached very nearly one
million tons, and the export trade exceeds 280,000 tons per
annum, of which England takes, on an average, about 20,000
tons, costing £20,000. The total value of the ice which is stored
in America has been computed at £900,000, and if to this we
add the ice-trade of Norway, Sweden, Russia, which, from the
slight data We possess, is estimated at £600,000, we have the
astounding fact, that a value of one million and a half sterling
is added to a comparatively small body of water by the mere act
of freezing.—(Chambers’s Encyclopedia.)

DOES THE OWL DESTROY GAME?

Does the owl kill any other quadruped or even biped except
the mouse, and, perhaps, in certain stages of its growth, the rat ?

The velveteen Dogberrys of our game-preserves have ever
answered such queries as the above in the affirmative; but as to
the cause why these sober effusions are not generally accepted
we know not, save that a little prejudice may influence the
evidence of the aforesaid keepers.

But whether this be so or not, certain it is, that I am not in-
fluenced otherwise than favourably towards our useful pest-
exterminator—the owl, even though I am about to charge him
with habits not calculated to promote his well-being generally.
I say habits, yet we have no proof that it is habitual with him to
destroy gawe; and did I think that the incident I am about to
relate as having occurred beneath my own eye, would cause any
to meditate future injury to him, I would certainly regret
having heen influenced by the wish to assist in arriving at a
Proper conclusion as to the real nature of his doings in this way.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ June 9, 1863.

At that calm time, the close of eye, I recently halted in
my walk round the mansion to fondle the warder dog, when
suddenly the noble fellow attempted without ceremony to spring
from my hold. Upon looking up I saw passing close by a hare
followed by two leverets, each about six weeks old, at the same
instant a light object fell with unerring swoop upon the hind-
most. A ery of pain was heard, and before I could recover my
surprise the dog had approached the two objects, when away
flew the white one, ‘“‘an owl!” Two minutes had not elapsed
before again a similar cry of pain shot through the air; away
again bounded the dog to repeat his rescue of the second mortally
wounded leveret. I availed myself of the opportunity of in-
specting the leveret without the dog having touched it. It was
dead, each leyeret had a wound about an inch in circumference
precisely in the centre of the back. Doubtless, the owl has
young owlets whose requirements incite the old ones to adopt
unusual practices in their efforts to procure focd.—W. HaRLeEy,
Digsweil.

WORK FOR THE WEEK.

EITOHEN GARDEN.

Horne, forking, and surface-stirring to be diligently perse-
vered in; the advantages derivable therefrom are manifold: weeds
are exterminated, slugs disturbed and destroyed, moisture re-
tained at a time when it is most needed, and a healthy action
kept up between the roots and the atmosphere, which is the
principal cause of the success which follows these operations.
Trenching vacant ground to be prosecuted where required ; and
if manure is wanted on the ground about to be planted it is
best to lay it on the top after trenching, and then fork it in.
Let ali green refuse be removed from every part, and either dug
in or taken to the char-heap. Asparagus, to maintain the
strength of the grass for next year no more of the produce
should be cut. late and close cutting is one of the principal
causes of weak grass. Cauliflowers, the plants that are now
forming their heads to be watered and mulched with short litter,
this will cause them to come close and compact. Celery, con-
tinue to plant successional crops into trenches; take up the
plants with as much earth about the roots as possible, and by
no means shorten any of the leaves. Immediately after the
planting give them a good soaking with water. ‘The earliest
crops to have the earth loosened about their roots, as the fre-
quent waterings they require harden the surface and prevent
them from receiving the benefit which they otherwise would
receive from future waterings. Cucumbers, those on ridges to be
supplied with plenty of water, and liquid manure occasionally.
Endive, make a sowing for the main autumn crop. Plant-out
a few of the early sowing; keep them watered until they get
root-hold. Herbs, some of them will shortly be fit to cut for
drying: the best time for doing so is just as they are coming
into flower. Lettuce, keep a quantity tied-up for blanching.
Make another sowing in drills where they are toremain. Spinach,
sow a few rows for succession; if the weather continues dry
water the drills before sowing, and again after covering them.
Plant-out the forwardest Brussels Sprouts, Green Savoys, and
Buda-kale; if the weather keep dry the roots to be dipped in a
puddle consisting of earth and water, worked up to the con-
sistence of thin mortar, before being planted. Sea-hale, the
buds on the old roots to be thinned-out considerably. Young
seedlings, if any, to be thinned, and the thinnings planted if
required. Saladings of all sorts are now in great request ; look
well to successional sowings, and see that they all have copious
supplies of water to induce crispness and mildness.

FLOWER GARDEN.

During the continuance of dry weather frequent waterings to
be given, not only to the recently-planted trees and shrubs, but
to the bedding-plants, annuals, &c. In watering it will be better
to give the soil a good soaking once or twice a-week in preference
to a mere sprinkling on the surface daily, which has a tendency
to make the surface bake; mulching, whenever practicable, to
be adopted, as well as damping the foliage of newly-planted
things each evening. Go over the beds frequently, and keep
the young shoots of Verbenas, &c., nicely regulated and pegged ,
down until the ground is fairly covered, after which the shoots
may be allowed to grow more freely. Carnations, Picotees, and
herbaceous plants, with the taller-growing bedding plants, to be
staked and tied-up to prevent injury from high winds. Remove
suckere from Roses, and give them plenty of manure water to
keep them in a healthy and vigorous state. Mildew is some-

June 9, 1863. ]

times troublesome at this season, and no time should be lost in
dusting the infected plants with sulphur; for if neglected the
evil will soon spread and destroy the foliage, and ruin the plants
for blooming in autumn. Mulch Dablias with rotten dung, and
give plenty of water in dry weather. Propagate Pansies by the
side-shoots,

“FRUIT GARDEN.

The recent hot weather has brought out the insect tribe in
abundance, and they must be met with timely remedies. A
good garden engine or syringe should be kept in frequent use
amongst Currant bushes infested with aphides and honeydew.
Fruit trees on walls would also be benefited by a good syringing.
A fumigating on a large scale is sometimes practised by collecting
a good heap of rubbish on the windward side of the fruit trees,
and when ignited the great smoke is productive of good effects.
Where practicable the Strawberry-ground to be thoroughly
soaked with water; such is the excessive heat of the weather at
present, together with the drought, that without a liberal supply
of water the fruit will most probably ripen pre:aturely. Thin
the young wood on wall trees to the quantity required for bear-
ing next year, and nail or lay it in carefully, taking care that the
tender shoots sre not bruised. Pinch the points out of the
young shoots of Fig trees when they have made five or six joints.
By such means more stocky and fruitful wood will be obtained.

GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY.

The sprinkling of the soil and the paths to be often resorted
to during bright weather, and a thin screen of some kind should
be thrown over the roof or portions of it from eleven o’clock
to nearly three. Vhis will retard the specimens already in bloom,
and prevent too great a demand on the energies of the plants.
Whes arranging the plants let there be no crowding, but allow
every specimen full place, especially hardwooded plants. Large
specimens of the hardier kinds of greenhouse plants may now be
placed in a sheltered situation out of doors. Those that require
repotting to be kept in the house alter shifting until the roots
Bet hold of the fresh soil. Attend well to young stock, which
will now be growing freely; keep the shoots nicely regulated
and shaped as may be necessary to secure well- formed specimens,
and use every care fo ive them a moist atmosphere, sprinkling
them overhead early on the afternoons of bright days, and re-
dueing the air; but we may repeat that young stock will be
better in pits and frames than in greenhouses. Specimen and
choice plants when nearly done blooming to have the faded blooms
picked off, and to be well washed with the syringe, to be then
placed in a cool shady place to recover themselves before pot-
ting, which, as before advised, should on no account take place
until a fresh growth has commenced. Spare room, if any, may
be occupied with Fuchsias and softwooded plants for the con-
servatory. W. Keane.

DOINGS OF THE LAST WHEE.

Tank:s.—The weather still very parching, for though rains
have fallen not far off, none have come our way. ‘he 30th
and 31st ultimo looked promising fora drenching, but all passed
away, and the same may be said of the 3rd inst., though the
barometer is gently falling. Why mention these matters? Just
because they have so much to do with our doings, as water is
now the most important matter with us, and not only are gar-
dens, but the villagers all round here, are feeling the want of
water very much. We cleaned out our large tank yesterday, so
that when rain does come, we will have plenty of clear, sweet
water. We found some small cracks in the side, which were
fresh pointed with cement, furnishing a hint that large tanka of
great length would be the better of a wall across them in the
middle as a stay, as when the water is low there will be less or
more of pressure from the earth outside. This tank is, inside
measure, 6 feet deep, 24 long, and 12} wide. There is only
about 9 inches above the ground level, surface of the water all
exposed. The ground dug out was clay, the surrounding ground
clay. The walls are 14 inches thick laid in cement, with the
exception of three courses or so at top, which are 9 inches, and
covered with rounded ridge-bricks. There are besides piers out-
side at the four corners, and two on each side. The bottom was
concreted, then a layer of bricks in cement covered with tiles in
cement, and then a coating all over bottom, ends, and sides,
of cement. We mention these particulars to meet the wishes
of seyeral correspondents, who see the necessity of saving the
water that falls from their houses, and just to hint that it would
be false economy to build such tanks with walls of four-inch

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

| and that would save opening the ice-house.

421

work, as two friends propose doing, if the tank is to be any size
at all. Nine-inch walls will not be too much for a tank half
the size of the above. For many years, though fully exposed,
we never saw the slightest mark of a crack in it; but then it
was more supplied with water than for the last two years. The
pressure of the clay when swelled with water outside was, there-
fore, more resisted by the waterinside. In such circumstances,
as an improvement in such a long tank, we think it would be
true economy to have a wall across the middle from side to
side, with openings below for the water, or an arch or a couple
of arches abutting on the sides, would have the same strengthen-
ing effect. The walls are also built perpendicular, but we
question whether strength would not be gained by inclining

them outwards— say 6 or 9 inches in a height of 6 feet. The
clay was well rammed against the walls. We would, however,
The

prefer common earth to clay, as it swells less when wet.
two or three cracks in the sides are very trifling, not the sixteenth
of an inch, yet we are convinced that before noticing them we
lost water through them. There is nothing of the kind in either
end which convinces us that a wall across the centre would be
advisable. To prevent the clay outside being soaked, we have
covered part of the surface near the tank with tar and gravel.

Two or three questions more. A says he cannot make a tank
near his glass house and sheds. Ours is a considerable distance
off, with connecting-pipes between them. JB fears that if
exposed the cement would be thrown off by frost. Such tanks
would be best covered in winter by placing poles across, and
laying thatched hurdles over them, with more litter in severe
frost. Ours was protected for two years. Since then we lay
long straw round the sides, hanging 2 or 3 feet over the water,
and poles placed over the straw to keep it in its place, and the
tank has not been injured by frost at all. If the frost was very
hard, we would cut and remove a part of the ice in the middle,
However, covering
would be the safest. C would prefer a tank to be arched oyer
out of sight altogether. To this we say that the expense will be
much more, and for gardening purposes the water will be far
inferior to that standing in an open tank. For years the water
in a covered tank will be hard, from the cement, but that may
be remedied with a little lime or soda. For domestic purposes
the covered tank would be best, and should be supplied with
filters, as all extraneous matter is then excluded. We have
another nice tank 20 feet long, 9 wide, and 53 deep, which we
are afraid to empty out, and several rough receptacles besides,
to receive the water from walks, roads, &c., and we begin to
think we must have still more contrivances if we wish to be
safe and keep crops going on as they should do.

Put out some Lettuces on north slopes to keep them cool,
and scattered short grass that had been heated in a heap between
the rows. Shaded Turnips with laurel branches to keep them
a little moist. Scattered short grass over rows of Peas lately
sown and-well watered, to keep the moisture in. Removed the
last of Broccoli, and moved part of covering off Vine-border for
ground to be dug for the last general sowing of Peas. Watered
Peas bearing and in full bloom, and placed short grass and litter
along the rows to keep the moisture in. Littered in a similar
way quarters of Cauliflower, and if we cannof water more will
strew a little clean straw or hay over the heads to prevent the
leaves getting slaty-coloured by an excess of evaporation. Sowed
more Turnips and Radishes, the first 2 feet apart in rows and
the Kadishes between, and covered with wattled hurdles to keep
off the full force of the sun. These, to be crisp and nice, should
be sown often, the one crop put in as soon as the other appears
above ground, and sowing only little pieces at a time. The
White Dutch transplanted is tubering very well. We never
tried it much before, though long conversant with the fact that
the Swede does first-rate transplanted. Planted out Cauliflowers
that had previously been pricked out, and as they were lifted
with good balls will suifer little from moving, and need but little
water. Pricked-out more, and sowed a little more for the
autumn crop. Gaye all seed-beds of Greens a watering from
the cleaning-out of the tank. But for the weather many of
them ought to be out. In general, notwithstanding the long
drought, crops are looking well. Our last-sown Beet does not
yet show, and we cennot help it by watering.

FRUIT GARDEN.

Forked the ground slightly between and around young trees
of Apples, Pears, &c, Gave a potful or two of water, and then
mulched with half-rotten leaves, which will keep in moisture
and entice the roots to the surface. The scufiling of the surface

422

of the ground had kept the soil moderately moist beneath among
Strawberry-rows, but still they seemed at a stand-still, looking
woe-begone and refusing to swell kindly, 20 managed to give
them a watering along the rows after strewing the ground
slightly with soot and lime. Covered up immediately close to
the plants with long litter, well shaken to get out most or all of
the droppings ; and, if the dry weather continue, will cover that
again with a sprinkling of short grass that has been heated dry
in a heap. This, from making the covering closer, will still
farther prevent evaporation. We used at one time to use short
grass from the lawn for thus protecting Strawberries and keeping
them clean ; but, among other objections, there was almost the
certainty of getting afterwards, ail over the ground, a green
sward of Daisics. By throwing all such material in a heap,
it will heat and ferment so violently as to kill all the seeds, and it
then may be sheken out and used for this purpose, or mulching
any growing crops, as Caulifiowers, Peas, Beans, &c., and every
shower will wash some nitrogenous matter into the soil. A
clergyman, who seems to be at home in gardening, told us the
other day that the very best thing he ever found for mulching
and keepimg the fruit of Strawberries clean was rough fresh tan
from the tanyard ; and a moderate layer being used, very little
moisture would evaporate from it after the surface was dry. In
answer to our inquiry, he stated he never perceived the least
taint in the fruit from the fresh tan. Very likely, just as in the
case of our litter, it would generally be washed several times
before the fruit was ripe. We should like those near tanyards
to give the plan a trial, and report the result.

Gathered lots of Gooseberries for bottling, as they much

needed thinning owing to our haying pruned little last season. |

Observe fly clustering on the points of some of the young shoots,
and sent a lad to nip the points off, and then burn them; and

will syringe or engine with clear soot water to keep them at |

a distance, as when such fly gets a-head the berry is scarcely

presentable. Tied-up canes of Raspberries that had been blown |

down by the wind, and thinned the young shoots. Stopped the
points of the stronger shoots of Pears, Plums, and Apples,
especially dwarf standards, and cut back yery strong shoots to

afew buds from their base, or removed them altogether where |

wood of moderate growth was not wanted. To keep trees dwarf
and full of bloom-buds young shoots should be pinched when
from 6 to 9 inches in length. ‘This will swell but not start the
buds near the base, and many of these will be bloom-buds next
season. Looked over a few Plum trees that were a picture in
spring, and which the birds in afew hours left a wreck, scattering
the ground with flower-buds, and wood-buds too, so that the
shoots are thin, and many of them stronger than they ought to
be; stopped the latter early to get serviceable twigs of moderate
growth. Very few bloom-buds escaped the onslaught, so we
nust set this against the clearing of caterpillars from the Goose-
berry bushes. We hope the caterpillar will not come a second
time. The extreme dryness is causing Black Currants to be
slightly affected with honeydew, and we must syringe, as we
cannot water. This Currant is extremely fond of moisture,
provided the moisture is not stagnant, and much the same may
be said of the Raspberry. The best fruit we ever saw were wild
ones on the shelving banks of a running stream with the shade
of deciduous trees not over-thick above them.

Watered the trees, and moistened the borders in orchard-
houses to keep them cool and comfortable. Went over Cherries
against walls again, the points of the shoots getting black fly on
them again, though they had been dipped in tobacco and size
water. We never found any plan of dipping or washing of
much use unless adopted in time, as what is strong enough to kill
the insects is generally sufficient to kill or blanch the leaves.
Many of these leaves and young points may be pulled off at
once and burned, and save much bother; and for insect-de-
stroying, after all there is nothing like nimble fingers catching
them and squeezing them, and shortly afterwards getting rid of
the débris from such destruction by a good syringing with warm
water. Such water at times may be used safely at 120°, but not
too often, and must be used when cloudy or in the evening.
Plums received much the same treatment. Those in pots and
well shortened-in the previous season are some of them better
supplied with fruit than wood-buds. Went over Apricots,
thinning wood, nipping the points of moderate-sized shoots, and
shortening back to a few buds yery strong ones when they
appeared. Fruit thin as a whole, owing to the wood being
imperfectly ripened last season. A great object in such cireum-
stances is to secure moderate-sized wood, and to keep it and spurs

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND OOTTAGE GARDENER,

| jacket from the Vine-border.

[ June 9, 1863.

as close to the wall as possible. Next to ripe wood and buds,
dryness and sun and heat when the trees are in bloom, with
plenty of air, are the chief essentials for a crop. The best and
most regular crops we ever saw were on the gable ends of houses
facing south, south-east, and west, with a fireplace ana chimney
on the other side of the wall. In cold seascns it was easy to see
to what beneficial width the warmth of the chimney extended.
For Apricots, therefore, if buildimg, we should like » hollow wall
heated with pipes or flues, and no other protection given except
in severe weather. A very ingenious friend has just been telling
us—nay, showing us—how a twelve-inch hollow brick wall can
be built with three per cent. more bricks tian a solid nine-inch
wall, and every brick be tied and held firmly in its place, which
is not the case with the common nine-inch hollow wall.

Moved the whole of the Strawberries out of the houses
(vineries and Peach-houses) to cold pits, where they could get
more light and air, as in shade they were getting soft and rather
flavourless in the houses. The houses will now baye some room
in them, and not before it was wanted. ‘he iruis, swelling and
ripe, will keep much longer in such pits with plenty of air, and
will keep us going until we get them ripe from the front of an
orchard-house. Lhinned Grapes, tied-up shoots, and gave a
good heat to the late house now in bloom, in addition to drawing
a dry hand over the Muscats every day. Other vineries will
average from 55° to 60° at night, and in these bright days will
range with air given early from 80° to 90° during the day. The
late house has rather less air and more artificial heat, ranging
from 70° to 85° and more during the day, and averaging 65° to
70° at night, or a few degrees more, until the fruit is set, when
we will let the temperature decline at night. Whe 70° and 75°
at night for any continuance we consider more than mere waste
of material in the case of Vines in general, High temperature
in sunlight is a very different thing.

Regulated Melons setting, and those swelling and ripening
were placed on inverted pens or saucers. They had been placed
on the top of pots, but were changed to saucers or slates, as we
always think that a Melon, like a bunch of Grapes, is best when
the foliage protects the fruit from the full force of the sun.
Some Cherries in pots have come in useful, and neither they nor
those on short standards out of doors have been troubled with
fly, like those on walls out of doors. Watered Hiz-house; a
very heayy, too heavy, crop now swelling iast and ripening;
and removed the covering of leaves, and the tar and sawdust
A few places exposed were very
dry, but all under the jacket was just nicely moist. However
hot the jacket no moisture would rise from it, and the heac of
the sun acting on the hard smooth surface, would bring moisture
to the roots from long distances. Once we let a jacket of
concrete and tar remain on a border for four years, and only
removed it when we found the Vines getting fur too fruitful,
giving more bunches than fair-sized leayes. If we have cold
evenings, will cover the border with litter. It is just moyed on
the surface to take a little warm rain if it come.

Attended to plants in conservatory, and those planted in
flower garden, but have delayed finishing bedding plants, Dahlias,
&e., as they are so much easier watered in groups close together,
than if planted out.—R. F.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.
*,* We request that no one will write privately to the depart-
mental writers of the “Journal of Horticulture, Cottage
Gardener, and Country Gentleman.” By so doing they
are subjected to unjustifiable trouble and expense. All
communications should therefore be addressed solely to The
Hiditors of the “Journal of Horticulture, &e.,” 162, Fleet
Street, London, H.C.
also request that correspondents will not mix up on the
same sheet questions relating to Gardenmg and those on
Poultry and Bee subjects, if they expect to get them answered
promptly and conveniently, but write them on separate
communications. Also never to send more than two or
three questions at once.
cannot reply privately to any communication unless under
very special circumstances.

FLORA OF THE NILE (Mary).—We are not aware cf any special work
upon this subject. It is probable there will be some information on the
subject in the account Cupts. Speke and Grant will publish of their dis-
covery of the source of that river. Mr. Wyld, Charing Cross, has pud-

lished a map showing their track as well as those of Rebmann, Livingstone,
Andersen, Moffatt, Burton, Du Chaillu, and others.

We

We

June 9, 1863. ]

Wooprrer 1x TaNNeRS’ BARK (WW. W.).—The woodlice like old tan. If
you could move the tun you would get rid of a good many. If that cannot
be done you must destroy them thus:—water the bed over except about
6 inches or so at the sides; they like dryness, and will congregate there ;
to encourage them more. place some dry hay along the sides. Get some
boiling water ready in the morning, move the hay, and as you do so pour
the boiling water on the myriads you willsee. Turn the tan so as to pre-
sent a dry surface, place more dry hay, and repeat the process, and go on
and you will beat and annihilate the enemy if you have patience and per-
severance.

Pear LEavrs Brown-sporrev (Z. Sivaine).—We think the spotted Pear
tree in your orchard-house is suffering from defective root-action and the
extra force of the sun in this hot weather. Prune off the worst leaves;
dust with su!pbur, shade, and see that drainage and water are all right.
You have the fat scale on the Orange trees. You must wash eff with
a sponge and soap and water, and syringe with clear water in a day or two
afterwards. We are obliged for information about flues. Our own
opinion is, that if formed of pipes, such flues never should be less than
10 or 12 inches in diameter. Sma:l pipes of 4 ane 6 inches for such pur-
poses are great nuisances. With bricks near the furnace, and a brick
rest like a cesspool at the corners, any single house not requiring a high
temperature may be economically heated by such pipe-flues, and with
these rests covered by tiles the flue may never be moved.

Wise Leaves Wartep (S. /V.)— The brown marks or warts are the
effects of high feeding and keeping the house in the temperature you speak
of—70° to 80°, with moisture in proportion. Loosen the surface of the
border, give more air, and let the house fall to at least 60° at night, and
from 70° to 85° with sun heat; if a few degrees less the Vines will co all
the better; and as they are very healthy they will grow out of the warty
fungus matter.

PeacHes MitpEwEp (WW. Volan).— Your Peackes are far from ripening-
point yet, and we fear, if like the specimen sent, there will be little chance
of their ripening. They seem to be eaten up with mildew. On the first
appearance of it on either fruit or leaves the parts should have been dusted
with flowers of sulphur as a remedial measure, and the more sulphur that
was used in painting walls, trellis, &c., the better. For a radical cure, how-
ever, the roots must be looked to. Two opposite causes will produce this
mildew. First, a cold stagnant moisture at the roots, when the top is
exposed to a warm dry air, or a very dry inactive state of the roots, when
the top is exposed to the excitement of a hot moist atmosphere—in other
Words, the want of correlative action between the roots and the branches
and leaves.

Cucumpsr-pir HEATED By Dune (Patelin).—But for the expense of the
chamber and the bricks there is nothing to be said against your house or
pit, especially for late spring and summer work. We think that long ago
Mr. Fish gave a plan of a Cucumber-house with chamber; but then there
were means for letting vapour out of that chamber at will, and means also
for giving dry heat at top when necessary. On the whole, then, we think
your house would be improved by raising the back 18 inches, and the front
6 or 9 inches; by having several moveable doors, as 6 in the wall c, to let
panoue into the atmosphere when desirable; and having tin pipes for top

eat, such as one in front and one on top of wall c, these also furnished
with evaporating-pans, and then you may dismiss your mounds of dung at
each side. With your present plan of air-bricks you could not use that
dung unless it was previons\y sweetened, as a rank steam will soon settle
your plants.

DrseaseD Grapes (New Barford).—The ulcer in the Grapes is called
‘the spot.” The roots being grown over hot-water pipes, we fear they are
too dry. Without knowing more, we can only say that this disease is
usually caused dy the action of the roots and of the upper growths not
being accordant.

Apptes (Dr. Davies, Pershore).—We do not know the Comberton Pear-
main by any other name. It is very like Scarlet Pearmain, but it is not
usual for that variety to keep so long as these seem to do. The seedling
from Sturmer Pippin is in good condition, and promises to be a useful late
Apple. The Fern is Cysiopteris fragilis.

DENDROBIUM Pastont (Orchidophilus)—We would remove the shoots
rooted from near the tips of the old stems, and either plant around the
parent or make fresh plants of them.

LapscEria nor Grow1ne (Jdem).—Give the Lapageria a good watering
and try it a little longer, and then if it does not break it would be as well
to take it up from the greenhouse-border and repot it until it made good
growth, The want of a continued application of water is the probable
cause of defective growth.

Metons Fattinc wHitst Smart (S. Z. Z.).—Is there no want of bottom
heat or moisture at the roots! Continue giving air freely, but try and give
moisture to the roots whilst the surface soil coptinues rather dry by making
holes for filling with water.

Peacues MitpEWeD (Vescio).—There is no doubt that your Peaches are
mildewed, and sulphuring must be resorted to, as we have told another
correspondent to-day. Jf the ground is dry, watering would be serviceable,
Peaches are more liable than Nectarines to be thus attacked.

CERASTIUM TOMENTOSUM MAnaGEMENT (Amateur).—It is best to let it
flower at the proper time, and then cut the flower off when at perfection,
as the plant looks better without it. As the summer advances, there will
be some suckers rising from the side. Remove the distant ones, but let
those in the line or adjoining it remain, and now and then thin the shoots
with a knife, laying the remainder in the proper line and pegging them
there. Ciipping onght to be avoided, as it is apt to kill portions of the plant
and disfigure the edge.

Heat REQUIRED FOR MeEtons (e/on).—From 70° to 85° before air is
given is not too much for day heat; but there is no harm if the heat
declines to 65°, or even 60°, at night, provided everything else is favourable,
There need be no particular change made after the fruitis set; in fact,
Melons will not thrive at all under extreme changes, and any omission in
giving air or taking it away is often fatal. See what Mr. Fish says in
“Doings of the Last Week,” also Mr, Keane’s * Work for the Week.”

Pansy SsEpLiIne (Woodlands, S. S.)—If the colour has not altered in
drying the Pansy is different from any we have seen; but if when fresh the
tips or spots are White (as is possible), it is similar to, if not identical with,
the old Magpie.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULIURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

423

Names or PiAnts (Philanthes).—The plant in the Loek garden is Collomia
coccinea, a hardy annual, native of Chili. (Student).—l, An Allium, no
leaves sent; 2 and 3, mere scraps, and undeterminable; 4, Aspernla
odorata. (MZ. A. S.).—Your specimen is too small to judge from. It looks
like a pinna of a weak frond of Asplenium lanceolatum, and is certainly
some Asplenium of that affinity. (R.A. Z.).—Asplenium adiantum-nigrum,
(G. 8. A.).—Anthericum Lilisgo, or St. Bruno’s Lily. (H. #. R.).—Cea-
nothus dentatus.

POULTRY, BEE, and HOUSEHOLD CHRONICLE.

THE BEVERLEY AND HAST RIDING OF
YORKSHIRE POULTRY EXHIBITION.

THE sixth annual meeting of this popular Society was held
on the 3rd instant, and proyed to be most successful, the
poultry exbibited being of the highest class; and the collection
of Pigeons also was such as to fully maintain the high repu-
tation of this department of the Beverley Exhibition, a feature
in which, from the very commencement of this Society’s efforts, ©
its annual gatherings have always excelled.

Tt is not open to doubt that few poultry shows have so
entirely won the confidence of the public as the one of which we
are now speaking, for the Committee are both painstaking and
industrious, so that the success of their meetings may be entirely
attributed to the personal exertions of these gentlemen, who
thus leaye very little connected with the Show entirely to the
care of subordinates. For reasons with which we ourselves are
not perfectly acquainted, it appears, however, that a change in
the general arrangements has now for the first time been
attempted—viz., that of curtailing the public admission to a
single afternoon—a feature, we should imagine, ill-calculated to
increase the sum total of the receipts derivable from monies
taken at the doors. We exceedingly regret, too, that from some
misconception on the part of several competitors respecting the
rule contained in the prize schedule as regards the time of
admission of the poultry for competition—a regulation, by-the-
by, so very plainly expressed that we can only attribute the
mistake to overlooking the necessary condition altogether—many
most valuable consignments of both poultry and Pigeons arrived
not only long after the onerous duties of the Judges were
absolutely completed, but some half dozen pens were so late in
their arrivals as the day following the arbitrations, consequently
after the Judges had left Beverley on their return homewards.
We can fully enter into the disappointment and annoyance of
the respective owners of these birds, whose losses from this
cause alone were not by any means trifling, nor can we do better
than again call the particular attention of exhibitors generally to
the simple fact that no point in the exhibition of poultry can be
of greater importance than a thoroughly careful generel review
of the prize schedules, compiled by each Society for the govern-
ment of the exhibition for the current year, before taking the
first steps as to making any entries whatever; and it is well
also to carefully put aside such rules for after-guidance and
reference. ‘The neglect of this important rule on this particular
occasion no doubt threw at the least twenty prizes into other
hande, besides causing cards bearing the words “Too late for
competition” to abound in unseemly abundance throughout the
show-rcom. ‘ ik, ,

Beryerley possesses many local attractions to visitors, its
minster being one of the finest architectural buildings in the
kingdom. It enjoys also another church of searcely less high
repute, together with some of the most lovely rural walks
imaginable. Among the latter are “The Bushes,” situate a
little better than a mile from the town, covering a large space
of many acres, the “bushes” being a collection of many
thousands of hawthorn trees just now in full bloom. The
fragrance produced by these immense masses of flowers thus
mingled in pleasing contrast of both red and white “‘ May is
scarcely conceivable except by its absolute enjoyment, and this
opposition of colour happily prevents the eye from palling before
so brilliant a display. In this truly lovely retreat a pair (or
more) of Nightingales have this season taken up their abode to
the no small delight not only of the good people of Beverley
itself, but also of many visitors from a distance. he con-
sequence is that nightly these public grounds are well filled
with large numbers of individuals anxious to hear the sweet
warblings of these universal favourites. Disappointment very
rarely ensues; for, in spite of the hum of tongues and even the
cigar-smoking at such times so generally indulged in, Philomel
mounts her accustomed tree and delights her nightly audience

424

for hours consecutively. It is earnestly to be hoped that the
general desire these truly interesting birds should still enjoy
their liberty will be scrupulously complied with, being the course
of all others most calculated to insure in future years a similar
enjoyment, as Nightingales customarily return annually to their
former breeding-place. These birds, too, are not by any means
coramon so far north as Beverley, it being about twenty years
since a pair located themselves in this neighbourhood before.

But io return more immediately to the Show ofpoultry. Its
close connection with the Floriculturai Féte adds most materially
to the popularity of the whole affair. A most commodious tent
—large enough, it is said, to accommodate a thousand persons
to dine—is the receptacle of the flowers, whilst the closely-
adjacent Assembly-rooms afford everything that could be desired
for the reception of the poultry. By the kind permission of
Charles Reynard, Esq., the tent was erected on the beautifully-
timbered grounds connected with that gentleman’s private resi-
dence, adding in no slight degree to the general attraction.

By leave of Lieut.-Col. G. H. Thompson, and the officers of
the East York Militia, the band of that regiment enlivened the
whole proceedings throughout the day; and as the weather
happily proved all that could be wished, everything proceeded
as gaily as possible, bringing the sixth meeting of this Society
to a most satisfactory close.

The Spanish fowls were unusually good, so much so, indeed,
that we unhesitatingly pronounce them the best class we have
seen for a long time past. Their condition as a whole was also
good, and the twelve pens entered would have formed a great
attraction to any show.

The Grey Dorkings were also excellent, though in this class
not a few pens came “too late for competition,” that would, if
they had been present in time, have materially altered the awards.
Pwo pens of chickens entered in this class by the Rev. J. G. A.
Baker, of Bedford, are well worthy of the remark; they are the
best Dorking chickens that haye been exhibited this season.

In Cochins, Mr. Felton, of Birmingham, obtained an easy
victory in Buffs, whilst Capt. Heaton was equally a-head of all
competition in Partridge-coloured ones. Some extraordinarily
good White ones were also shown by Mr. Dawson, of Hopton.

The Hamburghs, at Beverley, in pleasing contrast to those of
late shows, were one of as good features as any in the Exhibition,
both Pencilled and Spangled ones being equally commendable.

In Polish, Mr. Dixon, of Bradford, stood quite aloof from
anything approaching to competition. Still the class was a
good one.

The Game Bantams were a nice class, though we have seen
better. All the other breeds of Bantams competed together,
Mr. Harvey Dutton Bayley standing foremost with a pen of
Silver-laced Sebrights, little short of perfection; several other
pens of Sebrights being also good. Whites and Blacks were
also well shown in this mixed class.

As faithful journalists, we are reluctantly compelled to mention
a case of painted legs in Pen 189, belonging to Mr. George Os-
gerby, of Beverley. It seems last year the same unprincipled
deception was practised, and at once detected. The birds, there-
fore, were disqualified during the appointment of the awards at
that time; but this year, by a more careful manipulation, the
birds at the outset obtained a second prize; but as afterwards
this attempt to obtain an award was discovered, the premium
was necessarily transferred to another pen, and a card distinctly
stating the cause for disqualification remained attached to Mr.
Osgerby’s pen during the time the Show remained on view.
Although Mr. Osgerby, by this renewed atiempt, szows how
little exposure seems to affect his own feelings, we trust that
public opinion will set in strongly against such endeavours to
deprive the honest exhibitor of his due reward, and eventually
call into action some more telling punishment for such mis-
doings.

To say the Game at Beverley were excellent, is simply to
reveal what every poultry-fancier anticipated ; Messrs. Adams,
Boys, and Julian, retaining among them quite the lion’s share of
the Game prizes at Beverley. The condition of most of the
Game fowls was perfect, and the prizes were consequently
secured only with difficulty. Where all were so good, we need
only say, perhaps the Brown Reds were the most deserving.
We could not conclude without rendering the just mede of
praise due to the Game hens that were entered at Beverley.

The Pigeon classes were quite equal to usual, and it would
be almost invidious to say which were the best classes, for the
eye, even purposely seeking it, could scarcely rest on an inferior

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ June 9, 1863.

pen. To Pigeon-fanciers, perhaps the Carriers, Powters, Barbs,
Jacobins, Nuns, Trumpeters, Owls, Lurbits, and Fantails,
afforded such a treat as they rarely have the opportunity of en-
joying.

The show of Canaries, Goldfinches, and Mules, was very good,
even better than heretofore, and was consequently very attractive.

Game (Black-breasted and other Red).—First, W. Boyes, Beverley.
Secona, H. M. Julian, Beverley. Third, H. Adams, Beverley. Commended,
H. Adams; H. M. Julian; Capt. T. Percival, Whitby.

Game (Duckwing and other Greys).—First and Second, H. Adams. Third,
H. M. Julian.. Commended, F. Sales, Crowle; G. W. Langdale, Leconfield.

Game (Any other variety).—Silver Medal and First, H. Adams. Second,
W. Dawson, Selly Oak. Third, H. Merkin, Driffield. (‘he Silver Medal is
2 additional prize for the best pen in the three first Game classes.)

Game Cock (Black-breasted and other Red).—First, H. M. Julian.
Second, BH. Adams. Third, W. Boyes, Beverley. Highly Commended,
C. W. Brierley, Rochdale; H. Adams; Mrs. H. Adams. Commended, W.
Boyes; J. Sunderland, jun., Halifax; A. B. Dyas, Maderley, Satop.

Game Cock (Duckwing and other Greys).—First, H. Adams. Second,
Wis Dawson. Third, W. Scott, Hotham. Commended, J. Gilbank, South

alton.

Game Cock (Any other variety).—First, H. Adams. Second, J. Wood-
house, Bridlington Quay. Third, F. Boyes, Beverley.

SPANISH.—First, H. Beldon, Bradford. Second and Third, R. Teebay,
Fulwood, Preston. Highly Commended, J. Dixon, Bradford. Commended,
S. Corner, Fullwell, Monkwearmouth; J. Shorthose, Newcastie; T. Birch,
Cornhill, Sheffield; E. Brown, Sheffield.

Dorkine.—First, E. Smith, Middleton. Second, R. M. Stark, Hull.
Third, E. Barrow, North Cave. Highly Commended, D. White, Driffield.
Commended, Rey. J. G. A. Baker, Old Warden, Bedford.

CocHin-Cuina (Buff, Lemon, and Cinnamon).—First, C. Felton, Erding-
ton. Secord, E. Smith, Middleton. Third, H. Bates, Edgbaston, Birming-
ham. Highly Commended, C. T. Bishop, Lenton, Notts; W. Whitty and
Sons, Cottingham.

CocHtn-Cuina (Any other variety).—First, Capt. H. Heaton, Lower
Broughton. Second, W. Dawson, Hopton. Third, C. W. Brierley, Roch-
dale. Highly Commended, J. Shorthose, Newcastle; J. Bolton, Edgbaston,
Birmingham.

Hameurex (Golden-pencilied).—First, S. Smith, Northowram, Halifax.
Second, H. Belgon. Third, R. Hemingway, Shelf, Halifax. Commended,
H. Pickles, jun., Earby, near Skipton; T. Birch, Sheffield; J. E. Powers,
Biggleswade.

Hameurcu (Silver-pencilled).— First, S. Fielding, Birch, Middleton.
Second and Third, H. Beldon. Commended, J. E. Powers.

HameurcuH (Golden-spangled).— First, also a Silver Medal as an ad-
ditional prize for the best pen of any variety of poultry exhibited, C. W.
Brierley, Rochdale. Second, J. Dixon, Bradford. Third, A. Newton,
Selsden, near Leeds. Highly Commended, H. Carter, Upperthong, Holm-
firth; J. Crossland, jun., Wakefield.

HamMBuRGH (Silver-spangled).—First and Second, H. Beldon. Third, A.
Newton, Silsden. Commended, R. Teebay, Fulwood.

PotisH.— First and Second, J. Dixon. Third, H. Beldon, Bradford.
Highly Commended, H. Carter, Holmfirth. Commended, W. I. Addison,
Sunderland.

ANY OTHER VARIFTY OF FarmMyARD Cross.—First, Messrs. H. & G.
Newton, Garforth. Second, H. Beldon. Third, J. Dison. Highly Com-
mended, H. Adams, Beverley; Mrs. White, Thearne. Commended, Miss
F. C. H. Hawke, Womersley Park; R. Teebay, Fulwood.

Bantams (Game).— First, J. Crossland, jun., Wakefield. Second, E.
Yardley, Wisewood, Sheffield. Third, H. Adams, Beverley. Highly Com-
mended, W. Gojton, Driffield. Commended, C. W. Brierley, Rochdale.

Bantams (Any other variety).—First, T. H. D. Bayley, Biggleswade,
Beds. Second, H. Beldon. Third, E. Yardley, Sheffield. Highly Com-
mended, Mrs. Foster, Molescroft. Commended, J. Crossland, jun., Wake-
field.

SpanisH Cock.—First, H. A. Hudson, Onseciiffe, York. Second, H.
Beldon, Bradford.

Dorxinc Cock.—First, R. M. Stark, Hull. Second, Mrs. Seamons,
Hartwell, Bucks. Commended, — Cryer, Cottingham.

Cocutn-CHina Cock.—First, R. H. Nicholas, Malpas. Second, R. White,
Sheffield. Highly Commended, E. Smith, Middleton. Commended, H.
Bates, Edgbaston.

GOLD OR SILVER-PENCILLED Coc=.—First, H. Beldon, Bradford.
J. Dixon, Bradford. Commended, J. Bilton, Cottingham.

GoLD oR SILVER-SPANGLED Cock.—First, H. Beldon. Second, J. Dixon.
Highly Commended, J. Murgatroyd, Bishop Burton.

Game Hen (Black-breasted or other Red).—First, H. Adams, Beverley.
Second, W. Boyes, Beverley. Highly Commended, J. Crossland, jun.,
Wakefield; H. Adams. Commended, H. M. Julian, Beverley; C. W-
Brierley, Rochdale.

Game Hen (Duckwing or other Grey).—First and Second, H. Adams,
Beverley.

Game Hen (Any other variety).—First and Second, H. Adams.

SpavisH Hen.—First, H. A. Hudson, Ousecliffe, York. Second, E. Brown,
Sheffield. Highly Commended, H. Beldon, Bradford.

Dorxkinc Hen.—First, R. M. Stark, Hull. Second, Rey. J. G. A. Baker,
Old Warden Vicarage. Highly Commended, J. Dixon. Commended, Rey.
J. G. A. Baker; E. Smith, Middleton.

Cocuin-Ca1na Hen.—First, W. Dawson, Hopton. Second, T. H. Barker,
Hovingham. Highly Commended, E. Smith, Middleton; W. Whitty and
Sons, Cottingham. Commended, Messrs. H. & G. Newton, Garforth.

Bantam Cocs (Any variety).—First, E. Brown, Sheffield. Second, R. M.
Stark, Hull. Highly Commended, H. Bates, Edgbaston. Commended,
C. W. Brierley, Rochdale ; Miss Foster, Molescroit; W. Gofton, Driffield.

Ducks (Aylesbury).—First, Mrs. Seamons, Hartwell. Second, S. Camp-
lin, Cottingham. Commended, C. Pease, Darlington; Mrs. Seamons.

Ducxs (Rouen).—First, H. Beldou, Bradford. Second, T. H. Barker,
Hovingham.

Ducks (Any other variety).—First, J. Dixon. Second, J. R. Jessop,
Hull. ety Commended, R. M. Stark, Hull. Commended, W. Witty,
Driffield.

Second,

PIGEONS.

Carriers.— First, G. Pashby, Hull. Second, H. Beldon, Bradford.

Tune 9, 1863. ]

Third, H. Yardley, Market Hall, Birmingham. Highly Commended, J.
Forth, Dewsbury. Commended, J. C. Hullock, Beverley.

PowrTers,—First, H. Yardley, Birmingham. Second, G. R. Potts, Monk-
Wearmouth. Third, H. Beldon. Highly Commended, F. Key, Beverley.
Commended, E. Brown, Sheffield; H. Yardley, Birmingham. !

ALMOND TUMBLERS.—First, H. Beldon. Second, Mrs. E. Southwick.
Beverley. Third, J, C. Hullock, Beverley.

TomBLERS (Any other yariety).—First, H. Beldon. Second, W. South-
wick, Beverley. Third, F. Key, Beverley. Highly Commended, J. C.
Hallock, Beverley. Commended, H. Yardley, Birmingham.

Barss.— First, ‘f. D. Walker,*Hoylake. Second, H. Yardley, Birming-
ham. Third, Mrs. Ellrington, Woodmansey.

Jaconins.—First, F. Key, Beverley. Second, Mrs. Ellrington, Wood-
mansey. Third, T, D. Walker, Hoylake. Highly Commended, W. Carlton,
Howden. Commended, D. Causer, Erdington.

TruMPETERS.—First, H. Beldon, Bradford.
Third, J. W. George, Beeston Padge.
water,

Second, F. Key, Beverley.
Highly Commended, F. Else, Bays-

Commended, W. Curlton, Howden; H. Yardley, Birmingham ;
F. Key.

Ow1zs.—First, F. Else, Second, H. Yardley. Third, M. E. Jobling,
Newcastle. Highly Commended, H. Beldon. Commended, J. C. Hullock,
Beverley.

Tursirs.—First, F. Else. Second and Third, J. R, Jessop, Hull.
mended, M. E. Jobling; H. Beldon.

Fantaits.—First, ‘I’. C. Taylor, Middlesburgh. Second and Third, J. C.
Hullock. Highly Commended, H. Beldon; J. R. Jessop; F. Key. Com-
mended, F. Else, Bayswater.

Nons.—First, H. Beldon. Second, F. Else. Third, F. Key.

ANY OTHER Vartery.— First, J. Wade, Leeds. Second, H. Yardley,
Birmingham. Third, T. D. Walker, Hoylake. Highly Commended, T. D.
Walker; F. Key, Beverley.

Com-

CANARIES.
Beteran Cananrtes.—First arid Second, Miss Jameson, Beverley. Highly
Commended, Miss Jameson; — Tritschler, Beverley. Commended, R.

Jameson, Beverley.

Markep CaNAries.—First, W. Coates, Beverley. Second, J. Pearson,
Watker Gate. Highly Commended, Mrs. J, Dales, Beverley ; Mrs. Pottage,
Beverley ; Mrs. J. Campey, Beverley ; Miss M. Campey, Beverley; Miss R.
Willis, Chalk Villa; Mrs. J. Pearson, Beverley; Mrs. Hobson, Fleming
Gate. Commended, M. Kemp, Beverley.

ANY oTHER VaRiery.—First, — Tritschler, Beverley. Second, Mrs.
Tssott, Beverley. Highly Commended, Mrs. Tritschler. Commended, Miss
A. Campey, Beverley.

Nest or Young Canartes.— First, J. Campey, Beverley. Second, T.
Rippon, Beverley. Highly Commended, R. Bailey, Beyerley. Commended,
W. Barker, Beverley.

Mutes.—First and Second, Mizs J. Boulton, Beverley. Highly Com-
mended, J. Widdall, Severley. Commended, W. Grainger, Beverley.

Repcars.—First, G. Coates, Beverley. Second, Mrs. R. Fidler, Albert
Terrace. Highly Commended, T. Hasker, Beverley; Miss Jameson,
Beverley ; K. Dawson, Beverley; J. Prockter, Beverley; W. G. Drewry,
Beverley.

The Judges for Poultry were—T. H. Smith, Hsq., of Skelton
Grange, York, and Edward Hewitt, Esq., of Sparkbrook, near
Birmingham. For Pigeons—W. W. Boulton, Baq., of Beverley,
and Fergus Ferguson, Esq., of Walkington, who also distributed
the premiums to the singing-birds.

PROLIFIC EAST INDIAN DUCKS.

Wirn regard to these Ducks which you have already men-
tioned, I wish to say that when the ducklings were only one
or two days old, though the mother did not really neglect them,
she showed a decided preference for the company of the drake ;
so much so, that I thought it best to confine him, as I had only
two Ducks, and one was yet sitting. I saw nothing remarkable
in her treatment of them, though she did not seem the most
affectionate of mothers. The other Duck hatched on May 8th;
and as the first had begun to lay on the 4th, I put both the old
and young together in an empty shippon, when the Duck that
had hatched the last brood at once took charge of the whole—
twenty-two in all—the other Duck still going with them night
and dey, and appearing quite comfortable, although laying every
morning. She has now laid fifteen eggs, and always in the nest.
In fact, I have never known either of them to drop an egg abroad.

The one that hatched on May Sth began laying on the 15th,
and has laid every day since that time, and they are both at this
time going with the young, and leaving an egg in the same nest
every morning.

I have not allowed the drake to go with them since I took
him from the first lot. I have spoken to a good many farmers
and others, but haye not heard of such a case happening before.
—Joun Durron.

PROLIFIC SWANS.

On the basins attached to the canal at its junction with the
Avon are a pair of Swans belonging to Mr. Rogers, which have
proved so prolific as to be worthy a passing record. ‘They were
hatched in 1858, and in the spring of 1859 were placed in the
basins coyering about two acres. In the first year they took

JOURNAL OF HORTIOULTURE AND OOTTAGE GARDENER,

425

frequent flights in the neighbourhood, and have been seen half
a mile away flying over the city at a height of at least 100 feet,
as judged by the tall spire of a church. However, they never
deserted their allotted water, though it is close to other basing
apparently more eligible and close to the river. ‘They are never
fed artificially except when the pools are iced over. Mr. Rogers,
fearing their departure now each year, pulled out some of their
pinion-feathers to prevent their flight.

In the year 1860 the hen laid seven eggs, hatched six cygnets,
one of which was accidentally killed. In 1861 she laid nine
eggs, and hatched nine, all preserved. In 1862 she laid ten eggs,
and hatched eight, all preserved. In 1863 she laid nine eggs,
and hatched seven, all alive and thriving. In the four seasons
she has laid thirty-five eggs, and reared thirty young.—B. J. 8.,
Bath.

SWARMING DIFFICULTIES.

I xrpr last autumn one stock in a Neighbour’s cottage-hive,
very weak, and to them, therefore, I united two other stocks
from hiyes which I wanted to take, and fed liberally during the
autumn by bottle, in spring with barley-sugar; but this hive is
still very weak in point of numbers, though strengthening daily.

Query 1, Have I managed them properly ?

I have also a large sort of bee-house, which I made myself,
and which I think from all I have read, ought to be about the
best kind. It is about 8 feet long, 5 high at back, and 34 in
front, all boarded-in with quarter-inch stuif covered with felt ;
all the back, which stands north, opening with two folding-doors,
allowmg three hives to face south, one east and one west.

In this house I had last autumn a strong stock of 1861 in an
old straw hive facing west, 4; a very strong stock of 1862 in a
bar-box next to it, but facing south, B; also a strong stock of
1862 in straw hives next to this, and with the same aspect, c.
These were all fed moderately in autumn and spring.

Now for diificulties. c became very crowded about the 1st
of this month, hanging out during rain, so that many were
drowned. I knew that I must be away from home a good deal,
and wishing «o manage the bees myself instead of leaving them
to servants, I drove a swarm from Cc into an empty hive, and
shook them out directly afterwards into a new Woodbury bar-
frame hive. Only about a pint remained. The weather became
cold and windy, so I fed them on barley-sugar; but they never
worked at ail, hanging in a miserable small lump to one bar.

Query 2, Had not I much better have left them to swarm
according to their own devices? This morning about ten o’clock
I found that c was about to swarm; they alighted on a gooseberry
bush, and within five minutes B the bar-box sent out a very
large swarm, which alighted on the same bush. [I hived each lot
separately, and in about fifteen minutes proceeded to remove
them to their positions, when on lifting the first hive I found it
absolutely empty, every bee having joined the other swarm.
Both lots were so large that they much more than filled an
empty hive. What to dol did not know. I first shook nearly
halt into another hive, hoping one queen might be among them ;
but no; they were all back in a few minutes. Then I took the
Woodbury-box with the pint of bees in, and tilted that up
against the brimming hive, hoping to get a good colony there.
The only result was to drive out every one of those few, and then
they retired themselves. After much shaking, changing, and
great vexation of spirit on my part, I have now one hive settled
in new quarters, so full that I have been obliged to put ona
small super. The rest, I believe, have returned to the parent
hives, and I almost think c may swarm again to-morrow, as I
hear a deal of piping there to-night. :

Query 3, What could I have done in this unfortunate dilemma ?

Query 4, Why did the bar-box B swarm? I kept the little
round piece of wood off the top all the spring, setting a bell-
glass over the hole, to keep them cool. For the last five weeks
the crown-board has been removed, and an adapter with a bar-
super, as recommended by “ A DEVONSHIRE BEE-KEEPER” in
your answer to my questions at page 285 of last year’s volume,
has been put on, and in which they had begun to work; and
besides this, the back doors of my bee-house facing north are
set open every fine day, winter and summer.

Query 5, In this bar-super mentioned in last query the bees
had begun some comb on two bars, but they are also continuing
combs upwards from below. I have removed one piece. Am
I to do so with all, or how prevent it? —A. W. B.

[1. You appear to have managed the bees in Neighbour’s

426

cottage-hive very properly. They may, probably, yet do well.
Your bee-house seems a good one. {

2. You had certainly much better have left your bees to their
own devices ; but the reason of your failure was, that the queen
did not accompany the driven bees. When you next attempt
an operation of this kind, take care to drive out all the bees so
as to make sure of the queen; then put the depopulated hive
in the place of another strong stock, which must be removed to
anew position, and if altered in external appearance so much
the better. The returning bees will raise a queen from the
brood left in the depopulated hive, and you will have succeeded
in making a strong artificial swarm.

3. We never had two swarms issue at the same time and unite
together, and, therefore, have no practical experience on the
point. Many bee-books give directions how to act, but we think
we should follow your example and leave them together, adding
@ super or some other temporary enlargement to the hive.

4, We cannot tell why your bar-hive swarmed. Bees are apt
in this matter to exercise some of the capriciousnezs attributed
to their sex—

““Tf they will, they will you may depend on’t,

It they wo’n’t, they wo’n’t, and there’s an end on't,”
unless they are in a moveable comb-hive, in which caze it is
easy to examine every comb of the depopulated stock to ascer-
tain that no queen is present, and cut out every royal cell. This
done, return the swarm by knocking the cluster out on a table
cloze to the front of the old hive (which may be raised a little
from its floor-board to admit of more rapid ingress), and re-
place the super, which may probably be completed before royal
cells are again constructed, even if the intention to swarm be
not altogether frustrated.

5. There is little objection to bees working upwards as well
as downwards in a super; but if you desire to prevent it, the
cells should be scraped off as soon as formed.

We really see no reason why you should be disheartened.
Honey can be had from swarms as well as from supers, and if
during some seasons you find the latter too troublesome, you
haye only to accept the good the gods send you in the shape of
swarms, the bees of which may be expelled by driving, and
added to other hives in the autumn whilst their stores are ap-
propriated by the apiarian. |

DARK LIGURIAN DRONES.

I OBSERVE a statement concerning dark Ligurian drones that
appears in the Journal of the 26th ult., in reply to a correspon-
dent “J. L.,” to the effect that the purest Ligurian queens will
occasionally breed dark drones, which in turn may be the fathers
of a more than ordinarily handsome Ligurian progeny. This
precisely tallies with my experience, which, with your permis-
sion, I will proceed to narrate for the information of “J. L.”

I commenced the season of 1862 with a stock of Ligurian
bees procured from “A DEVONSHIRE BEE-KEEPER,” in the
autumn of the previous year. ‘The workers of this stock were
handsome, well-marked, and presented that transparent appear-
ance so characteristic of the Ligurian bee; and yet the drones
were uniformly of a dark colour, and, except from their superior
size, were scarcely distinguishable from the ordinary black
drones. This stock throve amazingly during the spring of last
year, so that in May they completely filled the twelve bar and
frame hive into which they were transferred from “A Dzvon-
SHIRE BEE-KEEPER’S” apiary. On June Ist, 1862, I took three
artificial swarms from this stock, following the directions given
in the pages of THE JOURNAL oF HonticunTuRE. These stocks,
with the aid of a little feeding, have survived the winter, and are
now in a very thriving state. However, the distinctive charac-
teristics evinced by them are sufficiently remarkable to be worth
recording.

No. 1 has a population of which a few are pure Ligurians in
appearance, others precisely resemble the ordinary black bee,
whilst the majority are hybrids, bemg but faintly tinged with
the orange-coloured bar or stripe on the back which distinguishes
the Ligurian variety. I conclude that these bees are the progeny
of a pure Ligurian queen with a black drone. The “ cross”
appears to be avery good one, for they are now busily storing
honey in a large glass super placed over the hive about a fortnight

ago, and are far in advance of some black hives over which I
placed supers at the same time.

No. 2 has a population in all respects similar to the ordinary
black bee. This apparent anomaly can be accounted for only on

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

_Pettat shows the best Hamburgh cocks we ever see.

[ June 9, 1863.

the supposition that the bees which clung to the two combs
taken from the parent Ligurian stock, in order to form the
artifcial swarm, destroyed the two queen-cells that were upon
these combs and raised a queen from the worker-brood of a
comb taken from a hive of black bees, and which was added to
the artificial swarm in order to strengthen it. The queen of
this hive, as I haye ascertained by imspection, is am ordinary
black one, as was also that which headed a swarm from it last
autumn, and which I returned at once, only for it to issue forth
again ou the following day in my absence and be lost.

No. 3 has a population of remarkable purity and beauty, and
which must be the progeny of a Ligurian queen with a dark
drone of the parent stock. I propose taking two artificial
swarms from this stock as soon as the weather is sufficiently
genial to afford a fair probability of success. It thus appears
that my experience is entirely in accordance with your remarks
respecting the dark-coloured Ligurian drone; nor do I think
that “J. L.” need be under any apprehension that the beauty
and purity of his Ligurian stock has been deteriorated by an ad-
mixture of black blood, because the drones of the stock do not
present that golden appearance which a perusa! of Hermann’s
book on “‘ The Italian Alp-bee’” may have led him to anticipate.
— RECTOR.

OUR LETTER BOX.

Ducks’ Eces UNFERTILE (A Constant Reader).—Your gardener is right,
a pan of water is all that is necessary for the well-doing of Ducks, unless
they are wanted to breed. In that case, they must have water 18 inches
deep. The lack of if not only causes unfruittul eggs, but often ruins the
drake as a stock bird. If the eggs were unfruitful, they would not be rotten,
but would be what are called clear eggs—that is, such as would be laid by
hens or Ducks that had been kept away from the male bird. No amount
of sitting spoils them, and after six or seven weeks they will remain
apparently as fresh as the day they were Jaid. The propensity you name
is not confined to drakes reared under a hen, nor did we eyer hear it ended
in consumption.

ManaGEMent oF Cocuin-CHina Cuickens (A Young Beginner)—We
allow our chickens to remain under the hen, but we are careiul to remove
the empty sheils. Assuming that all eggs are put under the hen at the same
time, there will be only a few hours’ difference in the coming-out of the
first and the last. This will be made a greater certainty if they are sub-
mitted to the water test a couple of days before the time of sitting expires.
The good eggs only will be kept, and the hen will not be divided in her
attentions between the chickens and the bad eggs which she believes to be
good.. When the hen is off her nest, take a pail three-parts full of warm,
not hot, water, and place all the eggs in it. They will, of course, swim.
After a few minutes the chickens will feel the warmth, and give notice of
it by kicking about. Every egg that has life in it will be in motion, and
will travel about in the most grotesque manner. Ten minutes are long
enough, and as a rule those that remain motionless at the expiration of
that time may be rejected. This process also facilitates hatching. Your
teeding on chopped eggs and scalded oatmeal and barleymeal is very good.
You may add a little bread and milk, and to early chickens, in very cold or
damp weather, you may give beer instead of water to drink. Cochins do
not care much to perch. They will, however, use low perches. Perching
is more likely to produce crooked breasts than roosting on the ground. If
fowls that adopt the latter have them, it is natural to them.

Foop For Pourrry ¥arrenine (G. J.).—The cheapest and most advan-
tageous food to use for fattening every description of poultry is ground
oats. These must not be confounded with oatmeal or with ordinary
ground oats. The preparation of them is peculiar to our great pou!try
county—Sussex. The whole of the oat is ground to a fine powder; ucthing
of any kind is taken from it. It requires a peculiar stone, dressed in 2
peculiar manner, to prepare it; but, when properly ground, one bushel of
the meal will more effectually fatten poultry than a bushel and a half of
any other meal. Mr. Agate, of Slaugham Mills, near Crawley, deals largely
init. The greatest point in fattening poultry is to feed at daybreak.

Ports IN SILVER-SPANGLED HamBureus (Gallus).—All chickens do not
moult their tail-feathers the first year. We think if all the Hamburghs in
a class had red deaf-ears the Judges would be justified in disqualifying them
all. There are degrees in combs. Asingle comb would be as fatal as a red
deaf-ear; but where other points are good a small hollow must be over-
looked. No crooked or lopping comb can be tolerated, nor’can a faulty or
deformed pike. The lacing of the wing, although desirable, may be want-
ing, but the barring must be perfect. ‘The tail should be white tipped with
black ; failing perfection, the nearest approach must be chosen. Mrs.
You are right as to
St lacing of the wing. It is most difficult to get without smudging the

ail.

Canary Hex Nor Matzne (Kendal).—Your bird is barren, and it is
useless to keep her with cock birds any longer. ‘nere are no means of
making her breed.

LONDON MARKETS.—Jonz 8.
POULTRY.

The supplv gradually but slowly increases. If trade were as good as it
mostly is in June, there would be hardiy enough, and prices would be high.
As itis, they are lower than they were at this time last year.

Sigs 8s ds Svicrge Sen Gs
Large Fowls 4 0to4 6] Guinea Fowl. 0 0to0 0
Smaller do . 3 04,3 6] Leverets.. 00,0 0
Chickens. 1 9 ,,2 Oj Rabbits . 1S eae)
Goslings . Bs, » 6 6| Wild do., os ,0 9
Duckings 2 6 4,8 0} Pigeons .. 08,0 9

Tune 16, 1863. ] JOURNAL

OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

4277

WEEKLY CALENDAR.

D y WEATHER NEAR LONDON IN 1862. Moon | Clock
a ay ; J | oc
of | of. JUNE 10-22, 1863, Raimqal.Sun | Sun. Rises |Moon’s| before | Day, of
M'nth Week. Barometer. |Thermom.} Wind. Inches. | Pises- Sets. jand Sets) Age. | Sun. Year.
degrees. m. h.| m. h.| m, b.| m. 8. |
16 Tu Frog flower fiowers. 29.973—29.918 73—40 N.W. 08 44af3 | 16af8 sets | @ | «60015 167
EF Ow Tway blade flowers. 80.103—29.857 71—4A7 Ww. ok2) | 44) 3 |17") 8 | 58 aS | 1 0 28 168
18 | TH W. Cobbett died, 1835, G, 80.015—29.864 65—41 N. 03 } 44). 35 17 8 | 27, Bu) 2..)..0. 41 169,
Al eR A. Munting born, 1606. B. 30.083—29.912 66—44 S.W. 05 | 44 3 | 18 8 | 53° 9 3 | 0 54 170
20 s QUEEN Vicrorta ACCESSION. 29.896—29.807 61—44 W. — |44 38/18 §/16 10 4 DevA 171
21 Sun 3 Sun. arr. Trin. Q. V. PRoe. 29.817—29.651 62—49 S.W. — | 44 3)18 8/36 10 5 1 20 172
22 M Sun’s declin, 23° 277, nN. 29.712—29,667 78—41 N.W. 06 45 3/19 8] 56 10 6}, 4,83). 178
METEOROLOGY OF THE WEEK.—At Chiswick, from observations during the last thirty-six years, the average highest and lowest
temperatures of these days are 72.8° and 49 9° respectively. The greatest~heat, 93°, occurred on the 22nd, in 1846; and the lowest cold, 30°,
on the 20th, in 1855, During the period 132 days were fine, and on 120 rain fell.

USING THE WATERING-POT.

ERHAPS there is no implement
used in a garden requiring so
much judgment in its employ-
ment as a watering-pot, yet it
is very often put into the hands
of the lowest drudge, and to
him are entrusted the plants of
which he knows little more than
that he is set to water them,and
who usually regards profusion
as the test of merit, pouring as
much water into a thumb-pot

i) as he would give to the roots
of a Strawberry plant in the ground. That failures
often arise from this need not be wondered at, and the
much-hackneyed phrase of ‘Death in the pot’’ is too
often applicable to the water-pot as well as to that for
which the phrase was originally designed. It is, there-
fore, needless to offer any apology for bringing this sub-
ject before the readers of the Jourwat or HorticuLTurEe
at a season when the need for the water-pot is usually
most urgent, or, in other words, at a season when the
very, existence of certain productions depends on its due
employment.

Hirst of all I will take a survey of the general purposes
the water-pot is put to, and the prudence or imprudence
with which it is wielded. Practice, aided by a certain
amount of skill called cleverness, will enable most men to
accomplish all mechanical operations with more or less
precision and dexterity; the operation is purely mecha-
nical, and is often performed with unwavering certainty
while the mind of the operator is, perhaps, occupied with
something else. Now, simple as is the operation of pour-
ing water out of the spout, the operator ought never to
do it without well considering what he is about; for
though the vital power with which plants are endowed
will enable them in mauy cases to overcome the eyil
effects of an overdose of the precious fluid, a too frequent
TapUTEDS, of this dose brings with it disease and ultimately

eath.

A careless handling of the water-pot is, therefore, to
be deprecated; but there are other evils as well, for
some very grave errors are fallen into from the lack of
proper knowledge on the part of those who perform the
duty of watering, and as this class is unfortunately a
numerous one, let us lay the matter before them and
point out the mistakes which are made.

Having said that indiscretion in watering does more
harm than carelessness, we have only to look to the effect
Hees iced: Look at a poor cottager who plants his

roccoli on ground that has been cropped with Potatoes,
and which in a dry season appears completely destitute of
moisture. To remedy this it is not unusual to witness
the water-pot or its substitute delivering water in great
excess at the place where the plants are intended to be
planted ; perhaps a couple of quarts or more are poured
in at one place, sufficient to thoroughly wet the cloddy

No, 116.--Vou. 1lY., New Srnies,

dry ground to the full depth or more that the dibber

has to go, and while it is newly wetted the plant is put

in, and the wet soil around it is pressed and kneaded ag
much with the dibber as it well can be, the few fibres of
the plant being in fact completely sealed up, and sur-
rounded by a substance not unlike grafting-clay. Perhaps:
an additional watering is given at the same time; but if
dry weather continues the wetted spot becomes drier by

evaporation, and also by the adjoining ground absorbing’
a part of its moisture, and in drying the soil recedes from

the plant, leaving an air-hole somewhat less than that,
made by the dibber, but quite large enough to admit air

down to the extreme tips of the roots, which have had no-
chance to take possession of the case-hardened ground.

To remedy this the cottager, or inexperienced person,

gives another deluge of water—yvery probably cold, hard,

spring water, unfit in every sense for such a purpose.

This drenching is repeated until the plant either suc-.
cumbs, or, if its constitution survive the ordeal and it is\°
enabled to take a feeble hold of the ground, its doing so

is attributed to the assiduous waterings it has received.

That no greater delusion can exist is rendered evident by

comparing the final issne with results from plants dif-

ferently treated as will be shown.

By way of example I will suppose the plant so treated’
to haye been a Broccoli or some other plant of that kind,
and yery likely before planting it had been drawn from. a
bed where it had grown amongst many others, and where,
consequently, the ground was.dry with the exhausting
crop upon it. Assuming the plant to have been simply
pulled up, most of its fibres or, at all events, the points
of them will have been broken off, and the plant reduced
to the condition of little better than a cutting, as the
elongated underground stem is scarcely a root in the
usual acceptation of the term. Now, as a cutting, what
chance has it to succeed by being dropped into a dibble-
hole, and placed there in the alternating mediums of dry
air and cold spring water? for the shrinking and contract-
ing of the ground when dry, and its swelling again when
wet, subject the plant to these changing conditions.
Such is a case in which it may truly be said that “ Death
is in the pot.”

Let us take another view of the operation, and see
what can be done to secure a contrary state of circum-
stances. The plan is simple enough, and in many cases
is attended with much less trouble than the other, and
the result is more satisfactory, one or two conditions
only being necessary to insure its absolute success. It
is this: Instead of making the ground wet, and planting
when it is so, try the reverse plan, and plant when the
soil is dry ; for if the soil be crumbly there will be no
need of the watering-pot until the plant is in its place,
andone good watering then will usually suffice. The fine
dry earth being supposed to fill in all the interstices
between and around the roots, and that without the
kneading, which consolidates the ground in the case first
particularised into something like grafting-clay, and
assuming the root of the plant to be some 6 or 8 inches
deep, and the ground after it is planted to be wetted that

No. 768.—Vou. XXIX., Op Serres.

428

depth, the plant is not likely to want water for several days; in
fact, it is likely not to require watering any more, as it will
not absorb any until it begins to grow, and it is not likely the
ground. will part with all its moisture by evaporation. If, how-
ever, the adjacent part not watered be exceedingly dry, and dry
hot weather still continue, the dry soil will abstract moisture
from the wet, and it may require replenishing again. The second
watering, however, ought to be done at atime when Nature
lends some assistance that way also. Should a slight shower
fall, then give a good, sound watering to everything wanting it,
or a dull day may be chosen for the purpose, or in the evening
or early morning it may be done with like good effect.

The above is one of the examples of good and bad watering ;
but there are numberless others, to which it is well to call
attention. Supposing a seed-bed did not promise well during
the past dry spring—and there were many which did not—it is
not unusual to pour on deluges of cold spring water in bright
suushine, flattening and caking the soil on the top of the bed
into a hard mass, through which the seedlings in vain try to
arise, and to remedy this, repeated applications from the water-
pot are made, the water each time making little channels in the
smooth, or rather water-worn surface of the bed. Now, this is
not as it ought to be. Bright, unclouded sunshine accompanied
with a dry, parching atmosphere rarely follows immediately after
heavy rain. Even the sunshine after a thunder shower differs
widely from the same sun shining on a bed newly and heavily
watered by hand. To give artificial watering as near a resem-
blance as possible to the natural, the ground watered ought to be
shaded from the bright glare of sunshine, and also from the
over-drying effects of a north-east wind, which extracts moisture
from substances that have none to spare as fast as the sun itself.

Tt is, therefore, prudent on all occasions, when practicable, to
shade seed-beds that have received heavy waterings in dry weather
until such time as the seeds germinate, or, perhaps, a change of
weather may render shading no longer necessary. Some slight
and temporary shading will be all that is necessary, giving at
the time the bed is watered as much water as will moisten the
soil at least 3 inches deep. After that, if it be necessary to
repeat watering, let the quantity given be a liberal one again.

Most seeds are fed by moisture drawn by capilla-y attraction,
and they will germinate and live with a much less amount of
surface-moisture than will suffice for small plants that are newly
planted. For example, a bed of small Celery plants newly
prick-d-out requires more constant attention in watering than
any description of plants that have merely vegetated on the bed
they are then occupying. The healthy and vigorous roots of an
undisturbed seedling will search out its food with unerring
instinct, and until it come in contact with other roots of its own
or a kindred kind, against which it has to withstand a keen com-
petition for the food it is in search of, it will flourish and do
well; but mutilate this root and transport both it and the plant
it supports to a place foreign to it, and unless the elements be
propitious some artificial assistance from the water-pot will be
needed.

The foregoing are only two of the commonest instances in
which the water-pot is applied judiciously or otherwise, but
there are many others. A newly-planted tree, of which the roots
have been cut somewhat severely, requires water, or is supposed
to do so, for I am not certain that the distress it evinces arises
altogether from the want of that fluid alone. Water and the
necessary juices to maintain a healthy growth are two different
things. I will, however, suppose a deciduous tree to have been
planted in the autumn or winter, and a very dry spring or early
summer to follow ; a good watering once willin most cases suffice,
provided that something be done to prevent evaporation. A good

mulching being the best obstacle to that, it is hardly likely to
require repeating, as when the tree begins to withdraw moisture
from the ground for its support, moisture will be forthcoming,
and to encourage this to be put off beyond the proper time
will only create a greater evil than that which it is attempted to
avoid. Watering newly-planted deciduous trees need not, there-
fore, be carried out later than the end of June, im an ordinary
way, unless in special cases, or where, as in the following
instance, other causes render watering more urgent, perhaps,
than any I have hitherto named.
_ Perhaps there is no case in which the use of the watering-pot
1s attended with so much real benefit as where the ground is
exhausted by an overcrop. Let us take, as an example, 4
Peach-wall, the border of which has maintained a heavy and
exhausting crop of Peas, Cauliflowers, or some such moisture-

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ June 16, 1863.

sucking vegetable, to the great detriment of the Peach, and
assuraing the ground to be very dry, a good watering will be of
service. In fact, we might add, that a good moistening with
manure water will be highly beneficial by restoring to the ground
in some measure what the vegetable crop has extracted from it,
and will give the Peach and other trees a chance to restore
themselves to the position they would haye occupied had vege-
table crops not usurped the fat of the land. In this case the
watering-pot is of essential service, giving the ground a thorough
watering, adding some warm water to the mixture, if pond water
be not to be had, so as not to chill the ground too much; and in
the case of Peach trees, I would not advise any covering of the
ground, but as soon as the surface of the soil is dry enough
let it be stirred so as to give the sun power to play on the loose
mould, and thereby warm the ground, and not cake and harden
it. Peach, and similar trees require all the warmth of our
English summers to perfect their growth, which need not be
prolonged late in autumn. Hardier and more common things
may be treated differently, or rather they may be kept growing
later in the season, and, after watering, their roots may be pro-
tected by a covering of some kind. J. Rosson.
(Zo be continued.)

CONSTRUCTING AND MANAGING A
;MUSHROOM-HOUSE.

In answer to the inquiries of ‘AN Op SUBSCRIBER,” we
would say that there is no better plan fora Mushroom-house than
that given in the “ Cottage Gardener’s Dictionary,” as adopted
by the late Mr. Oldaker; and if the treatment there recom-
mended is carried out, there can be little doubt of securing
plenty of good Mushrooms. As an old subscriber we could not
honestly recommend you any work on Mushroom-culture, which
we considered more clear and trustworthy than the articles
which have appeared in these pages ; in which not only the best
methods, and the best materials have been described, but also
directions given how to make the most of unsuitable materials
when the best cannot be had. As there are several inquiries on
the subject, and these chiefly relating more to our own particular
practice than to general details, it may not be out of place to
throw a few particulars together on this subject, and many of our
friends seem to have come to the conclusion that there can
scarcely be highly refined cookery without the assistance of Mush-
rooms in one shape or another.

Position of House.—The house adopted by Oldaker, and gene-
rally followed, is a lean-to house facing thenorth. Ours is a lean-to
at the back of the vinery. It was originally a close shed; and
when we grew Mushrooms in it we had no means of giving
extra heat, except by placing a fermenting heap of dung and
leaves in the middle of the house, and giving an extra covering
to the beds. By this means we could get plenty of Mushrooms
from the middle of October to the middle of June. After that
time in summer we could scarcely keep the place cool enough,
and the Mushrooms came thin and sometimes maggotty, as the
afternoon sun beat strongly on theslated roof. This roof, owing to
the steam from fermenting matter, became rotten and unsafe, and
in putting on a new roof the rafters were made of well-seasoned
larch; lath was tacked on the lower side for plaster, the
upper side was close-boarded before receiving the slates, and
the space between the boards and the plaster was stuffed tight
with clean straw, alike to keep heat in and heat and cold out.

After the second smooth plastering of the roof inside, instead
of being whitened, it was, when dry, brushed over with boiled
oil; and this has prevented any moisture from the beds pene-
trating or affecting the plaster or lath. This house is 30 feet
long, 104 wide, 12 high at back, and 8 high in front, above the
ground level. Four strong cross-beams go at regular intervals
from the top of the front wall, and are let into the back wall.
The inside of the house is sunk a foot below the outside level,
and is paved with tiles at the bottom. A pathway is set off in
the middle of 3% feet, and beneath that are two three-inch pipes.
A nine-inch wall separates this space from the lower beds, and
spars of wood across resting on sleevers on the top of this wall,
make the pathway on a level with the ground outside. We had
hot water substituted for the dung, as many were deterred
from going to the Mushroom-house before, on account of the
dung-heap, which was necessary in cold weather.

Such a house is just the size for having three beds on each
side, like Oldaker’s; and there would be no difference in the

June 16, 1863, ]

arrangements, except that we merely give air at each end at the
ridge, and instead of other openings in the roof, we have several
slides and openings in the front wall, and hot-water pipes under
the pathway instead of flues, which pipes are heated by a small
saddle-back boiler, which also heats a vinery. We have, however,
been satisfied with two beds on each side, one on the ground
floor, and one on each side above it, because we were sure these
would give a plentiful supply; and because there would be
more room for the man to work, and the trouble of carrying up
the manure in baskets by a ladder would be avoided. The
heating pipes, however, have less influence on the lower beds,
and if our subscriber wished to have three beds on each side,
the bottom beds would just be suitable for Rhubarb, Sea-kale,
Taornip-tops, and blanched Endive in winter. We generally
take eight or twelve successions out of these beds. Those or the
ground floor are generally made about 18 inches thick, those on
the shelves 12 inches at the front, and 15 inches at back. We
always make the beds on the shelves first, and then the heat
from the lower beds helps the upper ones.

We confess that on turning in the hot water we had formed
visions of a stylish house—brick piers, or rather iron columns
along the passage, with longitudinal cross girders of iron to sup-
port a bed with sides of slate or flagstone; but we were forced
to be content with upright studs of oak fastened to the sill that
kept up the sparred floor at bottom, and a longitudinal plate
over the cross-beams already referred to. Cross oak pieces,
3 feet apart, fastened to the upright studs at one end, and
entering the wall at the other, support the floor, which con-
sists of oak rails, 2 inches thick, and 3 inches wide, with spaces
left between of 1} inch. A board about 11 inches wide fastened
to the studs forms the front of the beds, and with a little
repairs every year these beds have lasted some time. One ad-
vantage of this wood-sparred bottom for the beds is, that if a
little earth is scattered over the rough litter which is used for
the bottom, there will frequently be a fair crop hanging down
from the bottom of the bed, as well as a thick crop on the sur-
face. We have sometimes from these openings seen clusters
8 or 9 inches long hanging down, and some ten or fifteen in a
cluster; and if not noticed in time they would almost force the
slips out of their places however firmly nailed. We have,
therefore, been contented with a simple arrangement; but if
“© Op SUBSCRIBER”’ wishes for anice house, we would advise the
use of stone, or slate, instead of wood. Every year in summer
we clean the house out, smoke with burning sulphur and vitriol,
expose freely, and then whitewash, or rather limewash all the
walls. We cannot do this just yet, as one bed is still in bearing,
and our first bed out of doors, in an open shed, will not be in
for a week or a fortnight.

Now as to materials. We have frequently stated how many
and varied are the materials used; but for the present we shall
confine ourselyes to what is best for such shallow beds in houses.
For this purpose the droppings of horses fed on hard food, as
oats and hay, are the best, mingled with about a third of the
shortest litter. Ifa third of the mass should consist of dried
nodules of sheepdung, deerdung, or even cowdung, it will be
all the better. We can scarcely ever obtain more than a
casing of horse-droppings; but our whole experience points to
them as the best for the bulk of shallow beds for abundant and
continued bearing. These materials will heat violently when
thrown into a heap fresh, and many allow them to do s0 to get
vid of the rankness; but we prefer instead, to let such materials
lie rather open and thin in a shed, as the violent heating takes
away much of the nourishing properties in which the Mushroom
delights. The less heat, therefore, such materials have before
being made into a bed, and the less the bed itself rises above
85° to 90°, the better the chance of fine Mushrooms. When
the materials are thus turned about and moderately dried, it
will be well to make up the bed, though thus shallow, at two
or three different times, beating firm at each time, as the exclu-
sion of air will tend to keep the materials moist enough and
prevent violent heating. he material must not be duet dry, or
the Mushrooms will be poor; but it should be dry rather than
wet, as if too moist the spawn will run to threads and perish.
When we have imagined the material too dry, a casing of moist
cowdung after spawning has given consistence to the Mushrooms.
When the material was too wet, as it may often be in winter,
we have wrapped each piece of spawn in a handful of short dry
litter, and had fine crops.

Spawning.—Keep in view that the less violent the bed heats
the better for the Mushrooms. If by a stick or a thermometer

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND OOTTAGEH GARDENER.

429

you find that the bed remains steady at from 85° to 90°, it may
be spawned by inserting picces about the size of a walnut every
8 inches all over the bed, and about an inch below its surface,
Beat firmly down after spawning. Ifthe bed rise in temperature,
just move the covering off the spawn till the heat lowers again. ©
the bed fall Jower and seem to cool, put another inch of fresh
droppings over it, and that will revive it; then, after waiting
a few days to see if all is right, the bed may be earthed over.
Fresh rather stiff loam is the best. This should be put on about
2 inches thick, well kneaded and beaten, which will make it from
14 to 13 inch in thickness. When well beaten and levelled, water
it all over slightly, and then draw a clean spade over it to give
it a smooth firm surface. We also often use turf with most of
the grass removed, put on the bed grass side downwards, and
a sprinkling of riddled soil over all to fill and consolidate the
junctions; and though it answers very well, we are not sure if it
is better than using stiffish soil. This enables you to clean your
bed at any time. The Mushrooms will generally come quicker with
a slight sprinkling of hay over the surface of the bed to keep it
warm, but ina house heated by hot water this is less necessary ;
and at any time, especially in winter, warm yapour from evaporat-
ing-pans on the pipes is much relished by the Mushroom.

The chief secrets for securing plentiful crops are having the
materials neither wet nor dry, but rather dry; preventing
them ever heating violently ; spawning when at from 80° to 90°;
never allowing the bed to become warmer, though, when the
spawn is running, that will raise it a few degrees; and never
raising the atmospheric temperature in the house above from
55° to 60°. Thus managed the average time from spawning to
gathering will be about six weeks. In a hurry we have gathered
in eighteen days. When the beds were rather cool and no
means taken to heat them, we have known them take from eight
to twelve weeks. When you know the spawn is all right in
the bed and rather dry withal, and too cool for a quick crop,
bore small holes a foot apart, water with water at 100°, and
cover, the bed with 2 or 3 inches of litter, and this will soon
bring acrop up. Over-heating, over-moisture, and over-dryness
are the chief causes of failure. In one place the only Mush-
rooms we ever saw came up naturally in inside Vine-borders. All
the Mushrooms the Mushroom-house yielded for three years
would not have served some of our cooks for a week: the mate-
rial was always too moist, and the spawn was overheated. .In
another place the materials had extreme care; the droppings
were dried and heated, and knocked about until all virtue had
gone out of them, were beaten hard enough, and then scarcely
eyer heated enough, and the drying process was completed with
a roaring flue that dried the atmosphere of the house like a
killogie for corn. That house, with the materials more moist,
and eyaporating-pans, and steaming from the fiue, ought to have
supplied a township.

In gathering it is best to twist the Mushroom out by the
roots, and never to cut unless when they come in bunches of
unequal size.

In watering much care must be exercised. In winter scarcely
any will be required if the atmosphere is kept moderately moist.
In spring and autumn if is best to make small holes and pour
the liquid pretty freely at back and front, as there will be a
tendency to crack there. If this is not done, a little litter may
be thrown on the beds, and the liquid allowed to percolate
freely through it. The water may average from 60° to 70°. Of
manure water we think the best is that obtained from sheep or
deer dung, and in a rather clear state. Any Mushrooms on the
bed should not be touched with it. We never like watering
overhead in-doors on the exposed Mushrooms, as it has a ten-
dency to make the skins leathery. In summer we were obliged
to syringe walls and floor to keep the place cool, but we now
prefer at such times a cellar, an open shady shed, or beds out
of doors under the thick shade of trees. For winter, &c.—say
from October to June, nothing is equal to a house facing the
north, heated by flue or hot water. Were we under the necessity
of having them in such a house all the year round, and if neat-
ness, efficiency, and ultimate economy were the chief considera-
tions, we would have all the walls fourteen or eighteen-inch hollow
work, and would have double roofs, and then we could pretty
well defy the heats of summer and the colds of winter, with the
assistance of hot water when needed; and instead of wood, so
liable to rot and decay, we would have iron columns and iron
girders and bottom supporters, and the sides and bottoms of
the beds of slate some 14 inch thick. Such a house would last
as long as one wished, and seldom need repairs.

430

Much of the success, too, will depend on the spawn. Some
of the best makers sometimes are deceived. From one of these
we once had a supply, and we wrote back that to us it was just
worth its bulk of manure. Good spawn should present a
whitish appearance when broken, but the individual parts or
strings should not be larger than the finest down or hair. If
the white lines are many of them as large as common muslin
sewing-thread the spawn is too far gone. What shall we say of
that which has no other appearance than that of dried manure ?
In late yolumes will be found full details as to the making of
spawn. It is of little consequence being a year or two old, or
several years old, provided it is good, and has been kept dry.

For ovt-door beds there must be more material, and for the
bottom of flat beds and the centre of ridge-beds we need not be
g0 particular. For both shapes, well wrought and sweetened
dung, such as would do for Melons and Cucumbers, though not so
moist, will do admirably, with or without a casing of an inch of
fresh droppings. No material, however, excels old linings of
Cucumber and Melon-frames, where the manure hes heated
itself into a dryish, caky, half-decomposed state. This, well
shaken and broken, and built firmly together, will make a bed
into which the spawn runs greedily. he same care must be
taken as to temperature at spawning time, and the necessary
heat must be maintained by coverings. We never could detect
much diiference in the quality of Mushrooms grown in the dark
and in the light, but those who like to see the beds in a house,
without a candle, may haye a smal! window or two.

We have grown Mushrooms in all sorts of places out of doors
and in-doors, as in sheds, stokeholes, floors of greenhouses,
vineries, &c., and in all with much the same results, if due
attention were paid to temperature at spawning time. We ob-
serve that growing them in pots and boxes has been noticed.
Such has been done ever since we remember, and a good old
plan it is. The pots should not be less than 15 inches, and the
boxes should be 14 inches deep at least, as much through, and
about 3 feet long, to move easily. They just require the same
treatment as to filling and spawning as a bed, but their move-
ability is a great adyantage—for instance, suppose a score of
such pots or boxes were filled, spawned, and earthed in September
and October, they could be kept in a cool dry place, slightly
covered, and be placed in a slight hotbed, or by the side of hot-
water pipes or a flue in forcing-houses or preenhouses. They
could also be placed in a slight hotbed in a shed, or under a
frame at any time, where the bottom heat would not exceed 80°
to 85°, and the top heat not above 55° to 60°. Years ago, when
hard driven, we haye moved such boxes to the side of the heating
apparatus in an early vinery; and if the Mushrooms came too
quick and fast, we moved the box again into a greenhouse or a
close shed—in fact, either by such modes, or even by beds out-
doors or in-doors, any one who lias spare shed-room, or a spare
stall in byre or stable, may grow Mushrooms successfully, except,
perhaps, in the months of July and August, as these months
we have found the worst times for Mushrooms, except under
thatched sheds or in cellars. R. Fisu.

INAUGURATION OF THE LATE PRINCE
CONSORT’S MEMORIAL—Jovne 10ru.

THE aspect of the day harmonised with the occasion—there
were clouds and rain and sunshine struggling for the mastery,
and the sunshine prevailed. So was there sorrow tempering
the pleasure of raising q fitting tribute to the memory of the
Prince ; but the sorrow passed away as the tidings spread that
the Queen had seen and approved of the tribute—that time was
softening her grief; and no one who looked upon the Prince of
Wales, his bride, and his brothers and sisters, as they passed
gently up to the Memorial, but felt that the cloud is less dense
which shadows England, as it always shadows our land when
grief afflicts its ruler, if beloved.

Our pages are not for the details of ceremonies such as was
that, and we must not linger over it further than to record that
the whole was well planned, the minor arrangements correctly
executed, from the assembly in the balcony to the uncovering
of the Statue; that there were seats for 10,000 of the nearly
double that number of spectators who were present; that the
banners of the yarious nations and corporations planted along
the course of procession, added gaiety and importance to the
Commemoration ; that the presence of the Royal Family, the
nation’s ministers, the representatives of all nations with which

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ June 16, 1863.

we are in amity, and of such a mass of British people, all tes-
tified that that day was one vast tribute of the heart to departed
worth.

We copy the following narrative from our contemporary, the
Times :—

Precisely at four o’clock, with characteristic punctuality, the
Royal carriages drove up to the western entrance of the Inter-
national building. The rattle of arms was heard as the guards
of honour of the Grenadiers saluted, the band struck up the
National Anthem, and a loud cheer greeted the entrance of the
august party. The Prince of Wales was in the uniform of a
General officer. The Princess, radiant and smiling as usual,
was dressed in a pale mauve silk, with a rich lace mantle. The
Princesses Helena and Louise were similarly attired. Prince
Alfred presented a manly figure in the most elegant of all
uniforms—that of the Navy; and the two younger Princes,
Arthur and Leopold, wore kilts of Royal Stuart tartan, The
Executive branch of the Memorial Committee and a deputation
of the members of the Royal Society haying been presented by
the Duke of Buccleuch to the Prince of Wales, the procession was
immediately formed and with trumpets sounding passed halfway
down the nave, and then, turning to the left and ascending the
gallery stairs, filed into a large temporary balcony, gaily deco-
rated with garlands of flowers and scarlet) hangings, which over-
locked the Horticultural Gardens. The Royal party took their
seats in the central part of the baleony, which projected beyond
the rest of the structure. The appearance of the Prince and
Princess of Wales was the signal for renewed cheering from the
mass of spectators gathered in the open air.

The Duke of Buccleuch, at the head of the Council of the
Horticultural Society, then approached the Prince of Wales and
presented an address, which like reports at railway meetings,
was “taken as read.” It contained congratulations to his Royal
Highness on his marriage, an expression of profound grief at the
loss which the Society had sustained in the death of the Prince
Consort, and assurances of gratitude for the interest which Her
Majesty and the others members of the Royal Family had mani-
fested in the institution. The address then proceeded thus :—

“(The selection of the site for the Memorial of the International Exhibi-
tion of 1851 within this garden is a source of gratitication to the Council;
we thereby have in the view of our Fellows a lasting remembrance of their
late deeply lamented President, and of the efforts he made to promote the
welfare of the people of this land by so happily bringing the Exhibition
of 1851 to a triumphant close. In the gracious reply which His Royal
Highness made to the address which we had the honour to present to him
on the 5th June, 1861, His Royal Highness advised and directed the Council
to the course which should be followed to bring the undertaking to a suc-
cessful issue. The principles he then laid down we haye carefully treasured
up and are erdeayouring to carry out. Speaking of the union of the fine
arts with that science which it is more especially our province to promote,
His Royal Highness said:—‘That which last year was still a vague con-
ception is to day a reality, and I trust will be accepted as a valuable
attempt, at least, to reunite the science and art of gardening to the sister
arts of architecture, sculpture, and painting. This union existed in the best
periods of art, when the same feeling pervaded and the same principles
regulated them all; and if the misuse and misapplication of these principles
in later times have forced again upon us the simple study and imitation of
nature, individual arts haye suffered by their disjunction, and the time
seems now arrived wher they may once more combine, without the danger
of being cramped by pedantic and arbitrary rules of taste.’ The excellent
collection of works of art which now decorate the conservatory and arcades,
and which your Royal Highnesses have already done the Society the honour
of visiting, will show that we have not been unmindful of the precepts of
the Prince Consort.”

The address concluded with a statement of the satisfactory
progress of the Society, which now numbers 3450 Fellows, and
some praise of the “beauty of the gardens” and the “success of
the promenades and shows,’ which would, perhaps, haye come
with better grace from other lips.

The Prince of Wales briefly thanked the Council for their
addvess, and stated that a reply would be forwarded to them.

The united bands of the Guards then performed Lindpainter’s
stirring “ Procession March,” after which Mr. Godwin, Honorary
Secretary to the Executive Department of the Memorial Com-
mittee, stepped forward and read the following address :—

““May it please your Royal Highness,—

‘In the year 1853 a meeting convened by the Lord Mayor of London,
Mr. Thoms Chailis, M.P., and presided over by him, was held in the
Mansion House, to consider the propriety of erecting some memorial of the
Great Exhibition of 1851, in connexion with a tribute of admiration to its
great founder, the Prince Consort, your Royal Highness’s illustrious and
lamented father. The propriety of the step was at once recognised ; and it
was resolyed unanimously, as well by the country at large as by the meet~
ing, that the Exhibition ‘ was an event of the greatest importance fo the
nations of the world, by enabling them to observe the relative influence of
science, art, and national characteristics upon production, by furnishing
the means of a valuable review of the past, and by:marking a new starting-
point for the future progress of productive industry and giving it an in«
creased stimulus.’ The meeting saw, tov, with the wise author of the

Jone 16, 1863, ]

undertaking, that its tendency had been to promote useful intercourse
between all peoples, and to induce in them feelings of goodwill towards
each other. Money was accordingly subscribed for the erection of a Me-
morial, and active steps were taken to obtain a place for the intended

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

monument on the site of the Exhibition in Hyde Park. Artists of all |

countries were invited to submit drawings and models in competition, and
ultimately, out of nearly fifty, the design sent in by Mr. Joseph Durham
was selected. The endeavours to procure a site in the Park having failed,
we, the Executive Committee,—who had met With difficulties that might
not have been anticipated—sought the aid of the P:ince Consort. This was

at once freely accorded on the condition, characteristic.of his Royal High- |

ness’s noble self-denial, that the Memorial should be In no way personal,
but one to which he could himself subscribe. The Royal Horticultural
Society granted the fine site before which we now stand, on lanc belonging
to the Royal Commissioners for the Great Exhibition, and therefore appro-
priate, thie Commissioners themselves concurring in the grant; and from
that time fill the very last his Royal Highness continued to sive consider-
ation and personal assistance of inestimable value in completing and carry-
ing out the project. Guided by his cultivated judgment, and aided by an
inerease of the funds, the design was enlarged and improved to its present

form; and the last public act of the Prince in London was the approval of |

the statue of Her Most Gracious Majesty the Quees, then intended to sur-
mount the Memorial. A letter from your Royal Highness aiter the painful
event that had plunged the nation into grief conveying the will of the
Queen that instead of Her Majesty’s statue that of her beloved husband
should crown the Memoria!, and offering on your xoyal Highn:
part to present the statae proposed to be thus placed—a letter whick
touched the heart of the country—enabled us to carry out the original
desire of the subscribers, which was emphatically to offera public and

lasting tribute in connection with the Great Exhibition of 1851 to the good |

Prince—‘to whose far-seeing and comprehensive philanthropy’ (as now
recorded on the face of the Memorial) ‘its firss conception was due, and to
whose clear judgment and untiring exertions im directing its execution the
svorld is indebted for its unprecedented success.” We take the liberty of ex-
pressing our great satisfaction with tne admirable manner in which Mr.
Durham has executed the commission confided tohim. He has produced a
work that we believe to be honourable alike to hiz re he coantry 5
and we trust this feeling will be generally shared in, especially by those
eminent persons who assisted in the Great Exhibition, and whose names he
has consequently recorded on enduring granite. In concluding this brief
account of our proceedings, we tender most grateful thanks to the Queen
for the interest Her Majesty has been pleased to show in the progress of
this work, and the all-important assistance thus rendered us in our
imposed labour. And we pray heartily and deyontly that Almighty God
may, in His goodness, jong preserve Her Majesty's hte—2 life most precious
to her loyal and loving people. It only remams for us to acknowledge most
respectfully the anxious readiness with which you, Sir, accompanied by the
illustrious Princess whom all the kingdom welcomes with open heart, and
by your Royal brothers and sisters, have graciously taken part in the pro-
ceedings of to-day. We offer in the name of the subscribers our earnest
thanks, and we solicit that your Royal Highness will now be pleased to
eommand the uncovering of the Memorial.”

To this address, the reading of which was interrupted by re-
peated applause, the Prince of Wales returned the following
answer :—

«© Gentlemen,—I have listened with an interest, which Tam sure will be
shared by all present, to the details which you haye given in connection
with the Memorial to my lamented and revered father, which we are
assembled this day to inaugurate. As ason I cannot but be deeply affected
by that part of your address in which you have referred to the beloyed
Parent whose aid and coansel were never wanting wher work was to be
done, or when difficulties were to be overcome. (Cheers). I am confident
that our proceedings in commemorating so prou@ a year in Ensland’s
annals would haye met with bis approval, and I am sustained in tie part
which in obedience to the Queen’s commandsI have undertaken, by the
eonyiction and grateful sense that the sympathy of the entire nation accom-
paniesme. I have now the pleasure of directing that the Memorial—ot
Which the artist may well be prond—be now uncovered.” (Cheers).

The last words his Royal Highness concluded were scarcely
audible beyond the splendid circle which were assembled round
him im the balcony, but, as if intuitively, the whole assemblage
turned towards the covered monument, irom which neatly and
quickly, as the boom of the first gun sounded, the covering was
instantaneously withdrawn, showing a Memorial of which, as the
Prince truly said, the artist might well be proud. It is entirely
constructed of red and grey granite, as far as relates to the artist’s
design. The under base of Portland stone does not belong to
the Memorial proper, and would have been better if in unison
with the granite work, and the arches, keyed with unmeaning
marks, materially detract from the composition. Tt is, we be-
lieve, the first public monument in which both red and grey
granite, accompanied with bronze work, has been combined, at
Teast in this country, and isin other respects new in its archi-
tectural features. The bronze statues have been produced by
means of electro-deposition, which in this instance gives decided
evidence of its importance in rendering the correct hsndling of
the artist, as well as preserving the exact size of the original
models, which could not be the case where the old method of
casting is used. AN : ine

The form of the Memorial is that of a temple, with projecting
bases at four equal distances, of sufficient size to carry seated
figures of 8 feet high. The entire height of the Memorial,
exclusive of the under work with arches, is 42 feet; the width
across the angles of the granite, 18 feet. The entablature is
broken to correspond with the projections of the base. The four

431

seated bronze siatues represent the quarters of the world in an
allegorical manner, but divested of the old conventional type.
Beneath, and im front of each statue, there is a bronze més
dallion inserted in the granite base, the four medallions being
enlarged copies from the prize medals awarded to successful
exhibitors of 1851. Behind each of these statues arise two
pilasters and two pillars of the Corinthian order, from stylobates
placed above the heads of the statues. The capitals and bases
of the columns are of bronze, the shafts of polished red granite,

| the effect of which is very good as an architectural decoration.

Polished red granite is also introduced with equal effect in the
crescent side panels of the base, and upon the circular side
panels of the body of the temple. Upon the four latter panels
there are inscribed in gilded incised lettering the principal
features and facts relating to the first International Exhibition,
including a record of all those who were actually engaged in any
responsible position connected with the management of that
national eyent, commencing with the Royal President of the
Commission, the late Prince, whose statue in bronze surmounts
the Memorial. It is 10 feet high, and in the mantle and with
the insignia of the Master of the Order of the Bath—the Queen
as Sovereign, being head of every other illustrious Order.

The statue of the Queen, as personifying “Peace,” was in-
tended origimally to have been the crowning figure, but has been
exchanged for that of the Prince by express desire of Her
Majesty. ;

Vhe frieze of the Temple bears upon it, in gilded lettering,
two inseriptions,—one from Isaiah, “Let all the nations be
gathered together, and let the people be assembled.” The other
is from the Psalms, ‘I will remember the works of the Lord
surely I will remember Thy wonders of old.” On the north
tablet is the dedication of the Memorial itself, as follows :—

Erected
By public Subscription.
Originally intended only to commemorate
The International Exhibition
Of 1851,
Now
Dedicated also to the Memory of
The great Author of that Undertaking,
The good Prince,
To whose far-seeing and comprehensive Philanthropy
Tts dirst Conception was due;
And to whose clear Judgment and untiring Exertions
Tn directing its Execution
The World is indebted for
Its unprecedented Success.
ALBERT FRANCIS AUGUSTUS CHARLES EMANUEL,
The Prince Consort,
Born August 26, 1819. Died December 14, 1861.

“He was 2 man! take him for all in all,
We shall not look upon his like again.”

JOTTINGS FROM PARIS, 1863,

L’ EXPOSITION DE LA SOCIETE IMPERIALE ET CENTRALE
: D HORTICULTURE, ETC.

VEGETABLES AND FRUITS.

Tsar the French people are much greater eaters of vegetables
than ourselves a glance at any of their dinner-tables will suffi-
ciently show—of vegetables not eaten, as with us, as adjuncts to
more substantial yiands, but forming courses by themselves, and
seryed up in ways unknown to the ordinary dinner-tables of
English folks. Not that I by any means accord to the French
any abstemiousness as regards eating. Considering what a
substantial meal their déjewner is, and the number of courses of
which their dinners consist, I am quite inclined to think that
they are as great eaters as ourselves. Of course it does not look
so much to have one dish at a time placed on the table as it
does to have it loaded, as it too often is with us. But after all
I think even as much meat is eaten with them as with us.
However, this is a digression, suggested at any rate by the sub-
ject on which I wish to say a few words—the vegetables and
fruits exhibited at the Exhibition of the Imperial Society of
Horticulture.

France, enjoying as she does in the southern part of the coun-
try so warm a climate, and closely connected with Algeria, has
the opportunity of obtaining all vegetable productions much
earlier than we haye; and the great markets at Paris show how,
assisted by railroads, those capacities are brought to bear on the
wants and luxuries of the great Parisian public: therefore one
was surprised at not seeing a larger display of vegetables at any

432

rate than there was at the Show. I do not know whether there
was any restriction placed as to the places from whence pro-
ductions might be sent, although I should think not; but from
the catalogue it appeared as if all the exhibitors lived not very
far from Paris.

The most remarkable vegetable was unquestionably the Aspa-
ragus, and of these some enormous heads were exhibited ; but
although Mons. Louis Lhéraut called them “ amelioriéea,”’ I do
not think they deserved the title. The heads were quite 4 inches
in diameter, perfectly blanched, except about an inch of the top,
which was the only edibie part of them; and as I had the oppor-
tunity of tasting them I can aver that they were insipid and poor ;
and it certainly seemed a parody on those giants to notice, aa I
did on passing at the rear of the Restaurant des Trois Fréres,
which is supposed to know what is “the thing” in cooking
better than any other house in Paris, that the garcons de cuisine
were busily engaged in scraping off a good portion of the stalk,
so as to leave them of a decent size to send to table. There
was an interesting exhibition by one of the Argenteuil growers
of Asparagus in its different stages of prowth, from seedling
plants to those eight years of age, at which time it appeared to
me that they considered the Asparagus to be in perfection.
They had been lifted up, roots and all, from the various beds,
and one was thus enabled to see the character of the soil. This
appeared to be almost exclusively sand, which had been enriched
with plenty of dung and copious supplies of liquid manure. On
inquiring at the great central markets the price of Asparagus,
LT found that that from Argenteuil ranked the highest, and that
in proportion to its size was its price; the largest costing about
two francs the bundle of about fifty heads, while a much more
eatable vegetable could be obtained at about one franc the
bundle.

As the various winter substitutes “ barbe de capucine,” &c.,
were now past, Cabbage and Cos Lettuce were exhibited as the
principal ingredients for salads. There was one collection of
seventeen varieties of Cos sent by M. Meurice, and also a seed-
ling variety of hia own raising ; but I did not recognise anything
very desirable in any of them beyond what we have ourselves.

There came one or two collections of Artichokes and Cabbage,
but nothing among them that deserved particular notice. One
could not help thinking that if some of our enterprising English
growers were living in the south of France they would have
contrived to haye had many interesting subjects at the Exhi-
bition, for many cther vegetables were to be seen at the markets,
and at such shops as Cheyét’s in the Palais Royal—as fine To-
matoes as could be grown, French Beans, Potatoes of good
quality, &c.; so that with a little more enterprize and expendi-
ture a really interesting exhibition might have been produced.
As it was, a much better display could be seen elsewhere.

If the vegetables were indifferent I cannot say much for the
fruits.
your friend Mr. Radclyffe, who has written prodigious things
concerning Strawberries, and I expected when I saw his name
amongst the list of contributors that one would see a won-
derful- collection. He had a basket containing twenty-four
varieties—but what a basket! it was divided into compart-
ments about 4 inches square, and in each of these were placed
some half a dozen Strawberries, many of them—most of them,
indeed, { should say—Huglish varieties But oh! could Mr.
Smith of Twickenham, or Mr, Turner of Slough, have seen
the Sir Charles Napiers, Sir Harrys, Victorias, &c., they would
have wondered that any one calling himself a Strawberry-grower
could have sent such poor specimens of his skill. It was inter-
esting, however, in one point of yiew—viz., as showing that
there is a probability of the French haying something better

han the ‘‘fraise de quatre saisons,” which up to this time has
been the sole stay of the lovers of the Strawberry amongst them.
But it will be some time before they can match Mr. Smith’s
British Queen, in my humble opinion the greatest triumph of
Strawherry-growing to be seen anywhere.

There were two collections of fruits, one having Vines, Green
Gage Plum, Cherry, and Pines in pots—this was contributed by
Madame Froment (veuve), of the Route d’Orleans; and another
containing bunches of Muscat of Alexandria, and Black Ham-
burgh or Frankenthal, but very, very far inferior to those which
were exhibited at the Crystal Palace on the 23rd ult. The only
things which struck me as at all remarkable were the Pines, and
this not from their size, but the smallness of the pots in which
they were grown. ‘There were some very tolerable Smooth
Cayennes grown in pots not more than 9 inches across and very

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGH GARDENER.

There is a M. Ferdinand Gloede, a correspondent of |

{ June 16, 1863.

shallow—at least I presume tzey were grown in them. This
seemed to me (in my ignorance, perhaps), a good plan, for the
immense space occupied by Pines militates against their growth ;
and I remember one characteristic set forth in fayour of the
Hurst House Seedling was, that it bore fruit in a small state,
and consequently took up less room.

On the whole, then, it will be seen that I have not formed
any very exalted opinion of the productions of French horti-
culture. The magnificent fruit which one sees later in the year,
the delicious Chasselas Musqué of Fontainbleau, and the mag-
nificent Pears of Tourraine, are due rather to the excellence of
the climate than the skill of the producer. In a season when
skill really tells, when the difficulties of climate have to be over-
come—then it is seen how indifferently French horticulturists
contend with it, or at any rate how little enterprise they throw
into their gardening. The fault is not theirs. The laws of
property and the habits of the people are against them; and
were they the same amongst us I feel that, notwithstanding the
energy of our Saxon race, we should very likely fall into the
same ways that they have done; and where, but for the number
of amateura in our own country, would the skill and enterprise
of our nurserymen be remunerated ?—D., Deal.

STRAWBERRY FAILURES.

Tx following letter from a correspondent we have put into
the hands of one of our weekly contributors, and append his
reply thereto. Our correspondent, “A. Z.,” says :—

“JT have tried in vain to procure a crop on the most accre-
dited plans, and in many kinds of soil, moving my beds to all
parts of a small garden which produces excellent vegetables, and
many kinds of fruit.

“T need not trouble you with my failures during past years,
but will describe my last futile attempt two seasons ago. De-
termining not to do things by halves, I rooted out all my old
Strawberry plants, and procured runners of Keens’ Seedling and
British Queen from a neighbour, with whom they bore abun-
dantly, and whose garden lies on the same light, sandy stratum,
and slopes as mine, to the south. These runners I planted on
the old beds, haying dressed them with maiden earth, old hot-
bed manure, and soot; at the same time I put in others, with-
out any preparation, in every part of the garden. At first, the
plants having been previously neglected, looked dry and withered,
but by the spring they had become fine plants, and blossomed
profusely, but bore no fruit. ] :

“Flor two seasons, whilst giving the fairest promise, I found the
large trusses of beautifully expanded blossoms, some carrying
upwards of fifty heads, almost entirely barren. Now, what can
Ido? lam too true to the craft to give in; at the same time
I know I have already tried all common and many uncommon
experiments, and the plants whether grown on the richest or
poorest ground, present the same result of fine foliage, and
profuse but futile flowering. Do you recommend any other
sorts? I would be content even with the small Alpine, but I
once failed in raising it from seed. I mean to profit by your
hint, and plant out a few pots I have slightly forced. this spring.
Some of these did not flower, may 1 keep those in the same
pots for forcing again? , P

“ Having detailed my failures, I should like to take this op-
portunity of recording my successes, and thanking Mr. Anderson,
to whose kind advice I in part owe them. He may, perhaps,
remember a little correspondence we held on the cultivation of
plants and Vines in the same house. Acting up to his caution
not to attempt too great a variety, I have confined myself to
such plants (and they are among the most beantiful) as were
best suited to my means, and thus by constant care and growing
experience, I contrive to keep up an unfailing succession of fair
and fragrant flowers, from January to December, without en-
trenching on the requisites of the Vines, or preventing their
yearly produce of a well-balanced crop of highly-flayoured fruit.

Although it is not difficult to define the cause of the want of
success in the present season, it is very much so to account for
the failures of former years. On dry, sandy soils, as I under-
stand yours to be, and in an unusually dry spring like the past
one, the blooms of Strawberries either become abortive, or the
plant lacks the vigour necessary to swell the incipient fruit into
growth, and a poor crop is the result. Eyen in our own case, I
believe we should have had a very slight Strawberry crop had
we not watered them thoroughly about the middle of May, and

June 16, 1863. ]

again about the Ist of June. Some rain falling about the 20th
of last month, and again in June on the 6th and following days,
did certainly more good than the watering; but the latter was
unquestionably useful. Now, if rain has not fallen in your
district, and I am told it has not favoured all places alike, and
you have not assisted the plants artificially with that neceasary,
water, the cause of failure in the present season is at once
accounted for by the dryness of the weather. To some other
cause, however, must be attributed the want of success in former
years.

Dry, sandy soils, though certainly not the most suitable for
Strawberries, are, nevertheless, good in certain seasons. The
best crop Lever remember seeing was on such a soil, the season,
however, favouring growth up to the time of ripening. This
was in 1847. I have been told they have never been so good
since, and, I believe, had never been so good before. The plants
had evidently been well grown and perfected the year before,
and the spring and early summer being alike favourable, the
result was good. Now, in this case, success was more due to
atmospheric influences, than to the character of the soil; in fact,
it might almost be said to be in spite of the latter; but such
cases are exceptions, a soil of a contrary description being
more generally adapted to the Strawberry, and at the same time
a somewhat showery season, especially in May and June.

One feature of our correspondent’s practice was also bad—
that of planting a new bed on the site of the old one, unless, as
he says, the dressing with maiden earth and dung was liberal
indeed ; but the plants elsewhere in his garden ought to have
been better: therefore, something else must be looked for to
account for the failure of the former year. This is the more in-
explicable, as our correspondent says that he generally has good
vegetables in the same garden, and that a neighbour of his has
good Strawberries on a soil, and in a situation of a like kind to
hisown. Some unexplained cause must assuredly have given
vise to the failure of Keens’ Seedling. The British Queen so
often fails elsewhere, that its doing so in this case is not to be
wondered at. Failures in forcing Strawberries are also rot un-
common, and several batches of those first subjected to that
ordeal often produce only indifferent crops; but this ought not
to be the case with Keens’ Seedling planted in the open ground,
and we can only account for it by recording the instances of
failure that have oceurred to our knowledge from a treatment
which if is possible the plants now in question may have been
subjected to, which is this.

In the general instructions given for the culture of Straw-
berries, that of not digging between the rows is very often disre-
garded; the anxiety to give the plot a tidy and neat appearance
induces many growers to trim the plants and dig the ground,
thinking that some dung they add will more than compensate
for the injury done to the roots, and that cutting away the old
leaves induces fresh ones to grow. Now, in some deep svils
suitable to the Strawberry, a slight digging may do 80
little injury that the effects will not be observable, the roots
of the plants occupying the ground below being sufficiently
numerous and vigorous to support the plant in health and
strength ; but this may not, perhaps, be the case when the sub-
soil is a hungry pernicious gravel, and the roots, or, say the best
of them, are near the top. To destroy these roots by digging in
Winter after the plant has set its flower-buds in the preceding
autunin is certain to be followed by failure. A fruit tree suffers
in like manner, the bloom-buds prepared well expand; but the
plant, deprived of part of its food,is unable to support them
either in the process of setting or swelling into maturity, and
either no crop or an indifferent one is the result. Assuming,
therefore, that our correspondent’s want of success arises from
this cause, it is easy to see how it is to be remedied.

Some other collateral cause may have had something to do
with the failure likewise, not the least unlikely being that ber-
barous practice, but rarely followed now, of mowing off the
foliage in autumn. This I hardly expect was done in his case ;
but assuming the soil they are grown in to be somewhat light,
dry, and shallow, the digging mentioned above is quite sufficient
to account for the failure.

For the future I would advise our correspondent to clean off
all weeds and runners, and instead of digging to cover the
ground with some short rotten dung in winter, and if rain does
not fall in sufficient quantity to give the plants a good watering
at the time they are in flower; give them a good watering by
hand, adding a little manure water at the same time. If he has
fresh beds to make, I would say, Trench the ground deeply, re-

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

2.

483

moving a part of the subsoil if it is unfavourable to the roots of
the plants, and replacing it with other mould, plant some early
runners much thicker than is usually done, and let them run
together in a close bed.

I have known this plan answer well for one or two seasons
when the plants must be removed ; its supposed, and, in fact, real
advantages are, that the plants do notrunso much to leaf and are
more fruitful, for in light soils the Strawberry being in a great
measure fed by the manurial substances accorded it, is apt to run
more to leaf than.is ought to do. If our correspondent has not
tried this plan, I would by all means advise him to do so and
report tne result.

He writes too well and clearly to afford any reason for think-
ing he has not adopted most other modes of cultivation, but
this old plan answers in some places admirably. It would
certainly be more advisable to turn out the plants in pots into
the open ground than retain them as they are for another year ;
perhaps ke may have some fruit in September, or at all events
he will have excellent plants for another year. I should like to
hear from him again on the subject.—J. Rosson.

THE NORTHERN COUNTIES TULIP SHOW.

THE Show this year was held in this town (Manchester), on
Tuesday, May 26th, at the Mechanic’s Institute, in the large
room. I regret to say the number of blooms exceeded the
number of visitors.

The first prize was awarded to Mr. W. Lea, for 2 pan of six
blooms—yviz., Slater’s Masterpiece, Sir Joseph Paxton, Mra,
Pickerill, Atlas, Mrs. Lea, and La Vandyke. The premier Rose
prize was awarded to the Feathered Rose Mrs. Lea. The
second to G. W. Hardy, Esq., with Demosthenes, Sir Joseph
Paxton, Violet Amiable, Fanny, Heroine, and La Vandyke.
The third, Feathered, three blooms, W. Lea, with Masterpiece,
Adonis, and Heroine. The fourth, J. Morris, with Charles X.,
Maid of Orleans, and Aglaia. The fifth, G. W. Hardy, with
Demosthenes, St. Patrick, and Aglaia. The sixth, Flamed, T.
Mellor, with Sans Ive, Lord Denman, and Aglaia. The seventh,
G. W. Hardy, with Sir J. Paxton, Queen Charlotte, and Vandyke.
The eighth, J. Morris, with Polyphemus, Van Amburgh, and
Vandyke. The premier Bizarre, to I’. Mellor, with Sans Ive. Two
blooms, W. Downing, with Charles X. and Sans Ive ; T. Halden,

with Sir J. Paxton and Willison’s King ;

Charles X. and Aglaia.

and W. Bentley, with

FEATHERED AND FLAMED CLASSES.

Feathered Bizarres.
1, Sans Ive; J. Haigh
2, Sir Joseph Paxton; G. W. Hardy
3, Duke of Devonshire; W. Lea
4, Paul Pry; J. Poulson
5, Morning Star; W. Lea
6, Masterpiece; G. W. Hardy
7, Shakespere; S. Barlow
8, Charles X.; J. Morris

Flamed Bizarres.
1, Charles X.; J. Thorniby
2, Mast ce; W. Lea
3, Sir J. Paxton; W. Lea
4, Lord Raglan; W. Lea
5, Apelles; J. Bromly
6, Unknown; J. Poulson
7, Duke of Devonshire ; W. Downing
8, Surpass Cattifalgue; L. Ashmore

Feathered Byblamens.
1, Maid of Orleans ; Mr. Headly
2, Violet Amiable; G. W. Hardy
3, Adonis; W. Lea
4, Surpassant; S. Barlow
5, Queen of the North; J. Thorniby
6, David; H. Steward
7, Beinfait; J. Morris
8, Baquet; W. Lea

Flamed Byblemens.
1, Lord Denman; G. W. Hardy
2, Constant; G. W. Hardy
5, Princess Royal; H. Steward
4, Prince Albert; G. W. Hardy
5, Atlas; J. Morris
6, Queen Charlotte; W. Lea
7, Victoria Regina; G. W. Hardy.
8, Norah; H. Steward.

Feathered Roses.
1, Industry ; W. Lea

2, Heroine; W. Lea

3, Mrs. Sharpe; J. Walker

4, Mrs. Lea; W. Lea

5, Count Vergines; W- Lea
6, Lady Lilford; S. Barlow
7, Sarah Headly; H. Steward
8, Lady Crewe; Brooks

Flamed Roses.
1, La Vandyke; J. Morris
2, Kate Connor; G. W. Hardy
3, Aglaia; W. Lea
4, Martin’s 137; G. W. Hardy
5, Lady Catherine Gordon; G. W.
Hardy
G, Camelles; W. Lea
7, Triumph Royal; J. Thorniby
$, Unknown; H. Steward

Bizarre Breeders.
1, Emperor Nicholas; W. Lea
2, Omar Pasha; W. Lea
$, Titus; L. Ashmole
4, Sir J. Paxton; S. Barlow
5, Masterpiece; S. Barlow
6, No. 5 (Barlow's) ; 5. Barlow

Byblemen Breeders.
1, Adonis; W. Lea
2, Sante Sophia; T. Mellor
8, Unknown; W. Lea
4, Goudet Partout; S. Barlow
5, Bridesmaid; J. Cush
6, Duke of Manchester; W. Lea

Rose Breeders.
1, Juliet ; H. Steward
2, Queen of England; W. Lea
3, Mrs. Lea; W. Lea
4, Ann Hathaway; S. Barlow
5, Mabel; T. Mellor
6, Mrs, Lomax; G. W. Hardy

There was a large number of blooms which covered three

tables the length of the room.

The day was dull, and a large

434

quantity of the flowers were not well open. A few of those to
which prizes were awarded were past their prime, many of the
blooms were small, and it was plainly observable that the frosts
and cold winds had made sad ravages with the flowers, and many
cracked petals were the result.

The premier rose, Mrs. Lea, aseedling of Mr. W. Lea, is a fine
thing, after the style of Lady Crewe, but better, having stouter
petals. Another Rose seedling of his, named Industry, is good
and does him much credit. A bloom of Slater’s Kate Connor,
a flamed rose, shown by G. W. Hardy, Hsq., was done well.

The seedlings shown were too much like the flowers from
which they were raised, and require no remarks. Upon the
whole, considering the season and the locality, the Show was
respectable and ought to have been better patronised.

I mention the locality above. Ido not think it possible to
grow and blow Tulips so well there as in the south——not but it
is possible to blow them clear, but not so fine, strong, and clear
agin the south. I will instance one flower, the old Polyphemus,
T have never seen it bloom as in the south, it seems another strain
here. Some years since a bloom was shown at a Tulip Show
in the Botanical Gardens in this town, by Mr. Turner, of Slough,
it was all that could be wished for. Mr. Turner told me it was
in the stock when he came to the Slough Nursery.

This brings to my mind many bygone years, when I have
gone over the Tulip-beds at that nursery with Mr. Charles Brown,
who was a persevering and enthusiastic grower of the Tulip, and
from whom I first gained the rudiments of Tulip-growing. Al-
though I brought a great many bulbs to this town, so great
have been the drawbacks I have experienced, that I have entirely
given up growing any but a few early Dutch bulbs in pots for
decoration.

There was one improvement upon former shows that I cannot
pass over, which was the entire exclusion of dirty bottoms, at
least I did not see any as in former shows, not but in some cases
a staimed bottom can, be looked over, when we bear in mind that
some of the exhibitors are poor men, mostly weavers; but to
their credit they can grow a Tulip fit for competition, can make
a pleasure of employing their spare time over their Tulip-beds
and gardens instead of wasting it at the beer-shops—and can
with pleasure join in chorus with the Poet when he sings—

‘Not a tree,
A plant, a leaf, a blossom but contains
A folio volume. He may read, and read,

And read again, and still find something new,
Something to please, and something to instruct.”

—Daut, Yanchester.

TWENTY SELECT ANNUALS.

I am induced by a remark made by a past correspondent in
Tuer JOURNAL OF HorticuLTURE, to send a list, to use his own
phrase, ‘of the best twenty annuals.” His suggestion has pro-
duced .a variety of answers, as to what are good and useful in
this way, though none have attempted to confine themselves
to his direct inquiry, and I make the attempt rather in a
spirit of inquiry.

1. Calendrinia umbellata. ible
2. discolor. \ 12,
3. Rhodanthe Manglesii. 13.
4, maculata. 14,
5. Martynia fragrans formosa. 15.
6, Schizanthus retusus. 16.
7. Nemophila insignis. 17.
8. Helichrysum macranthum, 18.
CB compositum maximum, 19.
10. Nolana prostrata. 20.

—W. Harter, Digswell.

Lupinus Cruickshankii.
Leptosiphon densiflorus.
Clintonia pulchella.

Portulaca caryophylleides,
Globe Amaranthus.

Abronia umbellata.

Datura ceratecaulon.

Bartonia aurea.

Dianthus. giganteus Heddewigii.
Phiox Drummondi.

HARDINESS OF EURYOPS PUNCTATUS.

I THANK you for your information about my plant, Huryops
punctatus; but I cannot find out anything about Euryops in
any of my books of reference (Miller, Don, Sprengel, Paxton,
and Cottage Gardener’s Dictionary); De Candolle’s book 1
have not.

You inquire about its proved hardiness. I believe it has only
been exposed this last winter ; but though on the whole this
has been a mild winter, yet we have had some trying times
during it. In November we had frosts so hard and continuous,
that we had three days’ skating; and I always find that
November frosts (coming while the sap is still up), are most

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ June 16, 1863,

destructive. Then we have had several short frosts, and one
especially at the end of April; yet in none of these did the
Euryops even droop its shoots, and it is now a good bush, 4 feet
high and covered with flowers. At any rate L am sure it does
better to keep it out of doors and to take cuttings from it,
which strike very readily, and so keep up young plants.

I live between Bath and Bristol, which would be considered
sheltered. No doubt I can grow many things that they could
not grow in Yorkshire, yet we suffer very much from early
frosts, and still more from late ones; for our plants shoot early
and are then cut off.—H. N. H.

[Euryops is allied to Othonna. De Candolle thus describes
this species :—Glabrous ; leaves filiform, deeply punctured, often
trifid, sometimes sub-pinnate, pedicel three or four times longer
than the leaf; involuere scaly ; achenium downy. Feund near
a river in the Carras desert. |

FIXING AMMONIA BENEFICIAL.

In the extracts you make from the Rey. C. Reynold’s letter
on ammoniacal liquors, published in your Journal of the 26th
ult., there is one important point in which I think the writer is
inerror. I allude to his idea that it is equally beneficial to
apply solutions of ammonia in winter, as to fix it according to
Liebig, and use it when required.

Tt is true that cold water absorbs an enormous quantity of
ammonia aud gradually parts with it as the temperature is
raised, and at about 70° or 80° little would remain ; yet let the
temperature be what it may, my conviction is great loss must
occur by the evaporation with aqueous vapour, &e. I think it,
therefore, far preferable to fix it; or in other words, convert it
into a salt that at ordinary temperature is not volatile; and the
sulphate as suggested by Liebig is the best.

The addition of gypsum (sulphate of lime) or dilute sulphuric
acid will attain this object. It is necessary to be careful in
purchasing gypsum, as I have known persons disappointed in
having chalk and rubbish palmed upon them instead of the
genuine article.

Chalk may easily be detected by its effervescing with acid; but
the best plan is to purchase only of respectable yendors.—
AMATEUR,

PERUVIAN BARK TREES.*

Tus is the first practical work upon the cultivation of the
Peruvian bark trees which has eyer been published ; and although
Mr. Mclyor with judicious modesty says that he does “‘ not pre-
sume to furnish a perfect guide to their management,” yet we
can say confidently that any good gardener haying this pamphlet
in his hand—coxtaining a full record of successful cultivation—
need be at no loss as to how he should manage and propagate
the species of Cinchona which furnish Peruvian bark. Site;
agpect ; climate; elevation; propagation by seed, layers, cut-
tings, and buds; formation of nurseries; cultivation; planting ;
species yielding different barks ; and directions for transmission
of plants, and their treatment when they are received, are all fully
particularised and illustrated by six lithographs of some of the
modes of propagation and pruning.

It is satisfactory to know that although the Neilgherry bark
is from trees no more than two years old, yet it yields as much
of quinine and cinchonine as do the barks from maturer trees in
South America. This has been ascertained by Mr. Howard’s
analyses. It is also satisfactory to know that attention is roused
in India to the culture of these trees as a commercial object, and
that about 50,000 plants have been sold or applied for. Mr.
Markham may well be gratified by this ripening result of his
once-unjustly depreciated efforts.

The following is a list of the species, with particulars of their
qualities, cultivated in the Neilgherry garden :—

“ CINCHONAS YIELDING QUININE.

“ Cinchona succirubra, the * Cescarilla colorada’ or ‘ Genuine
Red Bark’ of commerce. This species grows toa lofty tree, and
is the most valuable known, being the richest in alkaloids, which
generally amount to as much as 3 to 4 per cent., and thus ‘fair
average samples are valued in the market at more than twice the

* Notes on the Propagation and Cultivation of the Medicinal Cinchonas
or Peruvian Bark Trees (printed and published by order of the Government
of Madras), By W. G. McIvor, Superintendent of Government Cinchona
Plantations, Neilgherries. 1863, 2

Tune 16, 1863. ]

price of Calisaya bark.’ The present price of Red Bark varies
from 2s. 6d. to 8s. 9d. per pound of dry bark. This sort is
also hardy, its range of growth extending from 3000 to 8000 feet ;
the plant, according to Mr. Spruce, prefers open ground with
“plenty of air, light, and room, wherein to develope its propor-
tions ; the bark is thin in proportion to the diameter of the trees
when growing at low elevations, and thick in proportion when
growing at high elevations.’ The amount of ‘alkaloids is also
much affected by elevation. Mr. Spruce informs us that Sefor
Cordoyez, who has analysed the Red Bark, collected at various
altitudes, found that the greater the height at which the tree
grows, the larger is the proportion of alkaloids contained in the
bark.

“Cinchona Calisaya, or ‘Yellow Bark of Bolivia.’ This
species grows to the height of a large forest tree, and was long
considered the most valuable of all the medicinal barks; and
certainly it was so until the discovery of the Red Bark. The
present price of Calisaya, or Yellow Bark, varies from 2s. 10d. to
7s. per pound. Of this species we have evidently two varieties
very distinctly marked, even when growing under the same con-
ditions. According to Mr. Markham and Dr. Weddell, ‘the
tree Calisaya grows on declivities and steep rugged places of the
mountains 5000 to 6000 feet above the sea, in the hottest forests
of Carayaya and Bolivia. Subsequently, Mr. Markham, in
writing of this species, states—‘ There can be no doubt that the
correct method of cultivating the Cinchonas is planting them
out in the open with plenty of light and air. They may re-
quire shade from the direct rays of the sun at first. The only
really fine well-grown plant of Cinchona Calisaya that I saw in
Caravaya was one that had been planted in a small clearing
entirely exposed ; those in the forest were poor straggling things
in comparison.’

“ Cinchona Uritusinga, the ‘ Cascarilla fina,’ or ‘ Original Loxa
Bark,’ introduced by J. E. Howard, Esq. This species, which
in the days of Tia Condamine was a noble and lofty forest tree,
is now almost extinct, the trees of a large size haying entirely
disappeared from the Andes ; it is rich in alkaloids, good speci-
mens giving a total of 3.8 per cent., and in this respect it equals
the Calisaya bark of Bolivia; it was common on the mountains
of Uritusinga, and grows at elevations from 6000 to 8000 feet.
A general opinion prevails among the Cascarilleros that the bark
of this species ‘ differs in quality according as itis exposed to the
morning or evening sun.”

“ Oimchona Condaminea, th2 ‘ Cascarilla Colorada del Ray,’ or
© Cascarilla Amarilla, the ‘ Rusty Crown Bark’ of English com-
merce, and of equal value to the preceding species, to which it is
nearly allied, inhabiting the same localities, but perhaps growing
at greater elevations. In the days of Pavon this was a slender
tree of little more than 24 feet in height, and is considered to
be the species that produced the bark which cured the Countess
of Cinchon. At the present time, Mr. Cross informs us, ‘ but
few trees are to be seen of these dimensions. The plants from
which the bark of commerce is now taken are in general not
more than 8 to 10 feet in height. When the plants are cut
down three or four young shoots, or suckers, in general spring
up; but this does not always happen, as some of the more
industrious Cascarilleros frequently pull up the roots, and bark
them also. The bark is taken from the smallest twigs, thus the
annual growths are sometimes taken, especially if they are strong.’
Mr. Cross also observes ‘that the alluvial deposit in the ravines
where this species is found growing, is shallow, and in many
places not more than 6 inches in depth.’

“© Cinchona crespilla (C. crispa Tafalle), or ‘ fine Crown Bark.’
This species is a small shrub, and contains a smaller quantity of
alkaloids than the preceding; still it brings a high price in the
market, being a ‘very fragrant and pretty-looking bark. It
grows at great elevations (from 7000 to 10,000 feet) in a deposit
of peat, and where the temperature sometimes falls to 27° Fahr.

“ Cinchona lancifolia (from Jaya), or ‘ Pataya Bark.’—This is
a valuable species, it is also hardy, and easily cultivated, inhabit-
ing the high and cold regions of the Andes. Dr. Karsten
observes that ‘it descends only to a height of 2000 métres
(6170 feet) above the sea, from the cold summits of the mostly
snow-capped mountains, where it sometimes reaches the upper
limits of the growth of trees—that is, 3500 métres (10,797 feet).’
Mr. Howard observes that ‘this species produces a bark which
rivals in their rich product of quinine the barks of Bolivia, and,
consequently, commands a very high price.’

“CHINCONAS YIELDING OINCHONINE.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND OOTTAGE GARDENER.

435

Bark.’ This is a lofty tree, abounding in the higher regions of
Huanueco; its predominant alkaloid is Cinchonine, and is, con-
sequently, of less value than the preceding species, which belong
to the class yielding quinine: the analysis of the bark from which
our seeds were gathered gave 2.22 per cent. of alkaloids, consist-
ing chiefly of Cinchonine; Mr. Howard has, however, found
quinine in samples of the fine Grey Barks of commerce. This
species grows in exposed places at elevations from 6000 to
8000 feet, and is said to delight in ‘free air, cold, water, and
sunshine.’

“ Cinchona, species without name. Allied to the above, and
yaised from seeds gathered by Myr. Pritchett, near Huanuco.
Mr. Howard is of opinion that this species may prove to be
identical with Cinchona obovata of Payon. It is said to be a
“good bark,’ aud extensively imported with the Grey Bark of
commerce,

“° Cinchona micrantha, the ‘ Cascarilla Provinciana,’ or ‘ Grey
Bark. This is a lofty tree, inhabiting warm and damp forests,
where it attains a great circumference; one tree frequently
yielding from 200 to 250 lbs. of dry bark. The bark is generally
rich in alkaloids, yielding as much as 2.70 per cent. principally
consisting of cinchonine.

“Cinchona peruviana, the ‘Cascarilla Pata de Gallinaza,’ or
‘finest Grey Bark.’ This species attains the height of an ordis
nary-sized tree in the forest of Cocheros, where it is still abun-
dant, growing at a lower elevation than Cinchona nitida, and
yields a bark of considerable value; the bark of the trees our
seeds were collected from, when analysed by Mr. Howard, yielded
3 per cent. of alkaloids, comprising chiefly cinchonidine and
cinchonine. It thus ranks among the most valuable of the
Grey Barks.”

HEATING GARDEN STRUCTURES.
(Continued from page 416.)

A FLUE to heat a house 21 feet by 15 will consume four tons of
coals on an average of years, some more, some less, for the purposes
of keeping out frost and damp, which at 7s. 4d. per ton, the
price we give, is £1 9s. 4d., sweeping, whitewashing, and repair-
ing, 10s., £1 19s. 4d.; but as we have Vines as well as plants
a little fire heat will not be amiss in cold weather when the fruit
is setting, nor out of place when the wood is ripening: there-
fore, two tons more coal, equal to £2 14s. Should the house be
kept at forcing temperature, at least a bushel of coals will be
consumed per diem, and in severe westher nearer four than one.
These matters are of small significance when compared with the
amount of care and attention a flue requires, and the many mis-
fortunes their owner and attendant are heirs to.

A house 30 feet by 15 may be heated by a flue as advan-
tegeously as one of smaller dimensions; but the fire necessary
to heat it would heat the piping of three houses of its size, and
thus effect a saving of two-thirds.

Three thousand feet of air are as much as can be heated with
one fire to advantage, and in houses that contain more, one fire
will not suffice to keep out an ordinary winter’s frost.

We have a house containing 7640 cubic feet heated by two
flues, and in the memorable year 1860, or winter of 1860 and
1861, it consumed one ton of coke per week on an average of
fourteen weeks ; and it is not exaggerating to state, that although
the flues were red hot, perceivable in daylight, the house was
barely frost-proof, In fact, on Christmas day at 8 A.M., when
the thermometer outside registered 3° below zero, that in the
house only indicated 36°, and the fires had been kept going
all night like a blasting-furnace. Owing to my master’s hospi-
tality, I had my neryous system lulled, or the sight of a flame
issuing from a flue 18 yards in length might have tried it severely.
I was called out of bed to see a sight like this at 4 at, and
to exchange courtesies with my worthy stoker, the policeman.

But to dismiss about flues. I have no hesitation in saying,
that to heat a large space they are extremely troublesome; and
I cannot see any reason for a gardener haying to pass restless
nights when a little contrivance and a few pounds extra would
remove a great deal of anxiety, and prevent him dreaming of
blown-up fiues, frozen houses, and a “row” afterwards. Still,
I do not say a flue will not heat a house of small size and give
satisfaction. What I wish to convey is this—large houses and
a number of houses can be heated more satisfactorily and eco-
nomically by hot water than with flues of any kind, and that
the quantity of fuel necessary to heat a flue, warming a house

Cinchona nitida, ‘Quina cana legitima,’ or ‘ Genuine Grey | no matter how small, will heat piping sufficient to warm double

436

the quantity of space heated by the flue. Besides, where a high
temperature is required a boiler is more economical than a flue.

Hor Warter.—To heat a greenhouse 21 feet by 15, it is
necessary to have two four-inch pipes along both ends, an@ in
front, if a leen-to, or all round if a span.

£5 da.

Saddle or cylinder boiler, &e. ..........-..6.06. 3 0 0
72 feet of four-inch pipe, best quality . #3: 12).0
Doors, grate bars, &C. ..........2-200- - 16 0
Boiler-setting, with materials .. eeclemOnnO
Chimney 012 6

Pipes fixing at 3d. per foot (if men comea distance some-

GOIN SIERO es ci cenesaps snc svareotopacstenseteaataeeae te eetateeeece cs 018 0
£10 8 6

In the above estimate, everything is good, substantial, and
calculated to last the owner’s lifetime. But there are cheaper
ways than this. Substitute a small Arnott-stove boiler for the
saddle, use pot-pipes, cement the joints, and you will have a
cheaper and a better apparatus than any kind of flue whatever,
for any kind of hot-water apparatus is better than flues however
well constructed.

A small Arnott-stoye boiler can be had for 30s., and a yard
each of four-inch iron pipe connected to flow and return, to
which the pot-pipes are joined, is requisite. The cost of the
whole for a house 21 fcet by 15, is as follows :-—

£5. d.
Arnott-stove boiler 110 0
Doors, grate, &e....... ce neee senes nace aes < Soteenaer neat ere eae aee 16 0
Fire-bricks, common ditto, mortar and chimney, setting
POOLE Tite Car -cencenerse nee sees cnnsenesenes aod 5 0
72 feet four-inch glazed pot-pipes 0 0
6 feet iron pipe............. 0 0
Cement for joints.......... 0
Fixing pipes, tarred rope, &c. 0

The boiler can be inside at the option of the proprietor, and
a hotbed can be formed there to strike cuttings and raise flower-
seeds without the trouble of making a hotbed of dung; but the
doors for the sake of cleanliness should be outside. In con-
necting the pipes to the boiler it is of importance to allow a
rise of 1 foot from the boiler. Some do this along the pipes,
gradually allowing them to rise from the boiler to the flow-
box; but I prefer the rise at the boiler through a bend, and
then carrying the flow as
nearly level as possible—that a
is, only allowing a rise of a
few inches so as to let the
extremity be the highest
point to let the air out of the many
pipes at the feeding-cistern, SSS eee
which is a somewhat novel | (
contrivance—thus, being a —— > RETURN
bend with an additional
branch, I do not see any necessity for a cistern, neither would I
have one unless the boiler is large, and, consequently, requires a
considerable quantity of water to provide for the waste arising
from circulation and evaporation. All that is usually needed
is a hole through which to pour water into the pipes (as at @
in the engraving), and that, of course, should be at the highest
point, thereby doing away with the necessity for air-pipes. The
return-pipe will, of course, be raised from the boiler gradually,
go that it will be of the desired height at which the pipes are to
run by the first bend; and from that point allow a rise of 6 inches
in every 7 yards. The flow-pipe will rest on the return-pipe until
it comes to the point where the return falls to the boiler, when
the latter will be carried to meet the flow at its junction with
the boiler without dipping; but should it dip it is not improb-
able that in filling the pipes with water this will run up the
return-pipe and meet the current coming down the flow at the
dip, and so prevent the water from circulating owing to the air
being confined there; but even should the air rise (as it may
with a little pressure), to the feeding-pipe or cistern, the water
will not circulate so freely as when it rises from the boiler with-
out dipping, and not at all if air be confined at the dip or any-
where along the pipes so as to cause an empty space in the pipe.
—G. A. (To be continued.)

THE PELARGONIUM GARDEN.

For the preparation of the annexed plan I am indebted to my
tasteful friend, M. H. Seitz, of Chatsworth. There is apparent
in this garden a judicious blending of gravel and grass, pro-

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

[June 16, 1863.

ductive of a light and airy elegance that garden artists of greater
celebrity would not do amiss to profit by. Unfortunately for

good taste, gardens of this kind in general exhibit such a crowd-

ing, clumsiness, and incongruity of disposition in the several
figures, 2s to render the tout ensemble, in good perspective, the
very reverse of elegant, comprehensive, aud dignified. Too
many figures in a plan, or the separate parts of the latter too
widely spread asunder, when the entirety should rather be ex-
pressive of nicety in design, can but result in deformity and
dissatisfaction when displayed in practice on the ground, how-
ever well suited the same arrangement might previously have
appeared on paper to the uninitiated in such matters.

The vignette exhibits in perspective the accompanying ground
plan circumscribed with trelliage arches about 9 or 10 feet
high, formed of stout rod-iron, inserted into blocks of stone

beneath the surface of the ground; and a marble figure of
*«Hlora”’ is presumed, not inappropriately, to occupy the centre
of the parterre. The Pelargonium garden at Oakley, the Duke
of Bedford’s, is thus circumscribed with iron arches; and the
airy elegance thus imparted, when entwined and festooned with
hardy and summer greenhouse climbers in great variety, is not
the least attractive feature of the scene. A seldom used, but
most classic plant for this kind of decoration is the Grape Vine.
And when in early autumn the foliage of various hardy species
of Vitis assume a variety of tints, and ripe and unripe bunches
of Grapes in “ bacchanal profusion reel to earth,” or rather
depend from these arches, partly concealed by green, and red
and green, and purplish foliage, the effect is extremely pleasing,
reminding one of Byron’s lines on Italy—
** Who love to see the sunshine every day
And Vines (not nailed to walls) from tree to tree
Festooned, much like the back scene of a play.”

The only difference being that the sun, perhaps, does not shine
so brightly as it does in Italy, and that our Vines, instead of
being “festooned from tree to tree,” are merely trained from
arch to arch. In addition to the Grape Vine, Clematis, Jasmine,
Roses, Virginian Creepers, Honeysuckles, and other hardy
climbers, are rendered decidedly more elegant and graceful in
summer time by having such half-hardy greenhouse creepers as
Maurandya, Lophospermum, Rhodochiton, Loasa, Tropzolum,
Cobeea, &c., planted at their base annually, and induced to
loosely enwreath themselves and ramble over their more sturdy
compeers.

The flower-baskets also constitute an interesting feature in
connection with the Pelargonium garden at Oakley ; and, since
this particular kind of ornament is not in yery general use, the
following particulars relative to it may not be considered out of
place:—The basket portion is composed of robust, closely-inter-
woven wickerwork, annually painted green, both for effect and
for the preservation of the comparatively frail material of which
it is composed. In form it is circular, and made to rest upon a
substantial wooden frame or support, constructed with a view
to strength as well as ornament. This ornamental stand is about
18 inches or 2 feet high, square in shape, with a circular top
corresponding to the diameter of the basket bottom, and like the
latter, is painted green to preserve the wood, as also to harmonise
in colour with the superstructure which it upholds. The flower-
basket itself is about 5 feet diameter at top, 23 feet across at
bottom, and about 3 feet in depth. The interior is necessarily
furnished with a portable lining of sheet-iron next the wicker-
work, perforated at bottom with numerous apertures for the
escape of moisture descending through the soil, and since the
basket itself is bottomless, the circular false bottom of per-
foreted sheet-iron (though, of course, placed inside the basket).
is necessarily made to rest chiefly upon the ornamental latticed
frame which supports it. It is, of course, a portable contrivance
im toto, being disposed in winter in some dry airy place for the

June 16, 1863. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 437

sake of preservation from damp, and consequent decay, until again | kinds, which depend over the sides in rich profusion, producing
required for use as 2 summer ornament. Drainage and aoil are, | a luxuriant and yet most elegantly unique appearance. Scarlet
of course, renewed annually when re-introduced to the flower- | Pelargoniums are omitted from these baskets as being too con-
garden ; and albeit the species of ornament J have described is | spicuous and glaring in colour, when thus elevated so nearly to
composed, in part at least, of frail materials; if painted over | a level with the eye of the observer: and the coup d’il pre-
yearly and taken care of in the dead season it will last for many | sented is more reposing and softer in consequence of their

ears. omission. In planting them the plants are so thickly disposed

At Oakley these flower-baskets are exclusively decorated with | as to confer upon these beautiful flower-stands, when in full
a miscellaneous assortment of choice hybrid and Fancy Pelar- | bloom, an appearance of what in truth they are—magnificent
goniums, fringed with the trailing Ivy-leaved and variegated | tastefully-formed bouquets of Pelargoniums.

Plan of Pelargonium Garden at Oakley.

Reference.—Tre accompanying plan being uniform and pretty The small square, c, within the circular figure, z, in the certre
well balanced throughout, it will be indispensable, in order to | of the gravel parterre, a, and grass-plats, b, are consecutively
obviate any violation of the effect as a whole, that the corre- the sites of the statue of Flora and flower-baskets shown in the
sponding parts be arranged so similarly in respect of the habit, plan. The circles, 7, surrounding the basket-stands, being
height, colour, &c., of the different varieties of Pelargoniums furnished with fragrant Pelargoniums, intermingled with Helio-
employed in its decoration, as to confer an expressive air of tropes and Mignonette; the base of Hlora being planted with
unity and harmony upon the entire disposition—the respective Pelargonium Lucia rosea, margined with the gold-leaf varie-
parts of the design being thus made to reflect, as it were, the gated variety: @, represents gravel walks, respectively, 8, 6,
corresponding ones. This is easy of accomplishment, provided and 22 feet in width; and # indicates the grass portion of the
the plan be carefully studied on paper previous to planting it; plan.
and which is assuredly well worth the pains, when it is known The dotted line extending round the circumferential border, f,
that any material mistake in the arrangement must inevitably | shows the direction of the iron trelliage arches exhibited in the
prove destructive to the equipoise and harmony of the picture. | plen, the border itself being filled with the most brilliant kinds

The fastigiate tree and dwarf bush profiles indicated on the of scarlet, margined on both sides with the variegated Pelar-
plan are intended to represent specimens of some strict-growing | gonium called ‘‘ Mangles’ Silver Bedding,”
and spreading plants, as Irish Yew or evergreen Cypress for the The small circles, e, are devoted to handsome full-grown
former, and Phillyrea or Laurustinus for the latter. Doubtless, specimens of pyramidal Pelargoniums, zoned with the old dwarf
however, well-managed examples of standard or pyramidal Pelar- Hrogmore Scarlet. The best and most select bedding varieties
goniums would be equally as appropriate in these positions; and | of the “choice” and “ Fancy” hybrids, with a goodly inter-
the small angular beds on grass, g, near which they are planted, | mixture of fragrant-leayed Pelargoniums, are apportioned to the
might most appropriately be furnished alike with masses of the | beds, @, composing the large interior circle of the garden.—
*Hrogmore Improved”’ scarlet, zoned with some variegated | GrorGEe Tayior, Chatsworth.—(Garden Companion.)

Pelargoniums for effecting a suitable contrast with the grass. |

TYING MATHRIAL WANTED.

Havine on more than one occasion called the attention of the | pointed out. That @ foreign article is needful will be generally
readers of ‘HE JOURNAL OF HoRTICULTURE to this subject, | admitted; for 1 fear our home-manufacturers with all their skill
some apology is, perhaps, due for reverting to it again; but the | will not be able to supply us with anything cheap enough to
class likely to answer the inquiry and furnish the article wanted, | meet the requirements of every day’s business; and it certainly
being distant travellers, are not likely to see our publication | is no compliment to those who supply us with the article in
regularly, and may, consequently, have not noticed the “ want” | general use, or rather to ourselves also, that we have not been

438,

able to improve on the modes of our grandfathers. Garden
mats were in their days used in the same way as now—?.e., cut
up for tying purposes. Some years ago, however, another article
was obtained in emall quantities which for a time promised to
supersede the Russian matting ; but its quality seemed to dete-
riorate after the first batch, and it fell into disrepute—this was
the Cuba bast; if was also more expensive than the usual garden
mats.

Now, when we take a survey of the many substances that have
found their way into this country in the last twenty years or so for
the various purposes of dress, household economy, or of supply-
ing our manufacturers, it is certainly no compliment to us that a
better article than Russian matting has not been discovered for
tying purposes. But assuming that the material of the mat
answers its purpose tolerably well, which I do not deny, the
question is, Why cannot that material be imported in a con-
dition ready for its use, instead of being worked up into mats ?
What I want is bundles of the fibrous material merely tied up
into something like a cable, and of any suitable length in which
the material is most conveniently obtained—say from 6 to 10 feet
long. By this means the trouble of weaving it into mats might
be avoided, and we might thus hope to have the finest and best
material selected for tying purposes; whereas at the present
time we have to look over a number of mats to find one that
seems likely to be a good one for the purpose.

This arrangement might easily be carried out by the merchants
who import the mats giving instructions to their agents abroad
to procure a few bundles of the fibre dressed a little, and selected
as being good, tcugh, and strong. Thus to the consumer the ar-
ticle would be at once more handy and cheaper. I do not by this
mean to assert that the inner bark of the Lime from which our
mats are made is the best material in the world for the purpose
we put it to, but in the absence of anything better, let us have
it as good as can be had; and let our adventurous travellers in
distant countries see if there is nothing amongst the vegetation
of other places that will answer the purpose better. Assuredly
some of the interminable creepers we are told connect the trees
and shrubs of other countries together with a network of great
strength and persistency might be made to do service in another
place and in another way; or it might be some of the reeds or
grasses, or the bark of some other tree than the Lime might be
tried. Brazil furnishes materials for brooms, summer hats,
floorcloths, and many other articles, and it might, no doubt,
with a little further effort on the part of those who explore its
natural riches, furnish an article to meet our wants also, I
therefore make no apology for throwing out the hint, and
whether we obtain improved bark matting from the North or a
substitute for it from the Tropics, it will be equally welcome,
and a boon conferred on the gardening community.—J. R.

IS AN EAST OR NORTH ASPECT BEST FOR
A CONSERVATORY ?

In erecting a span-roofed conservatory adjoining a drawing-
room, should it be on the north or east side of the house?
Would the north side do for Camellias, Azaleas, Primulas,
Cinerarias, and a few other such plants in winter, as no sun
at all would reach it, and for Fuchsias, Pelargoniums, Balsams,
&c.,in the summer? Or would you prefer the east side for
these fee where they would have a little sun in winter ?P—

[We presume you have no other alternative, and in such
case recommend decidedly the east side. You may bloom and

keep the plants on the north side, but you will have much less
success in growing them. ]

WEIGHT OF FRUIT OF MUSA CAVENDISHILI.

I HAVE read with interest the remarks by Mr. Robson respect-
ing Musa Cayendishii. It may, perhaps, interest him to learn
the weight of fruit that was cut froma plant here. The plant
was brought here in a small pot by a lady, and planted the 14th
of April, 1862, and the fruit was cut the last week in April,
1863, weighing 42 Ibs. (14. ozs. tothe pound). Imay say before I
cut the whole bunch my employer weighed the largest two cones,
7 ozs. each, The barren end was cut off six weeks before the
fruit was ripe, and I am sorry I cannot give you the exact

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

|

[ June 16, 1868.

number; I should suppose about 126.—M. Baynus, Well Head,
Halifax, Yorkshire.

[Why were only 14 ozs. allowed to the pound? Sixteen
ounces being the usual allowance, a deduction of one-eighth is
to be made from the above weight, which reduces it to 36 lbs.
12 ozs.]

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY’S MEETING.

A MEETING of this Society was held on May 4th; EF. Smith,
Esq., President, in the chair.

Mr. 8. Stevens exhibited a number of insects from South
Africa collected by Mr. Trimen; a collection from Madagascar
sent home by Mr, Plant, containing a few Coleoptera and some
fine Lepidoptera, conspicuous amongst which was a new Dia-
dema; a collection from the Feejee Islands, principally of Coleo-
ptera, and comprismg many new species; some spiders from
Bogota of enormous size; and a specimen from Australia, which
was apparently undistinguishable from the British Sinodendron
eylindricum.

Mr. M‘Lachlan exhibited the case of a Caddice Worm (Lim-
nephilus), which was entirely composed of small shells (of a
Planorbis), from 250 to 300 in number, arranged with the
utmost regularity so as to resemble a piece of mosaic.

Mr, Hdwin Shepherd exhibited specimens of Biston betularius,
which had been reared from eggs sent to him from Lancashire.
Mr. Edelsten had last year found a pair of this species in copula,
one being the normal form of the insect, and the other the black
variety sometimes found in the north of England. The eggs
sent to Mr. Shepherd were the fruit of that union; and from
them twelve specimens of the perfect Moth had emerged, of
which eight were of the ordinary colour, whilst four were of the
negro variety. Of the twelve, ten were females; and of the two
males one was a negro. he whole of the lary had been fed
on the same food, principally on Lime leaves. It was remark-
able that the black variety had never been captured in the
south, and that no intermediate forms had ever been bred to
connect and link together the light grey type and the sooty black
variety.

Mr. Waterhouse exhibited Oxypoda lentula and O. miscella,
both hitherto unrecorded as British species; also a British
specimen of Trechus, which he considered to be identical
with the insect sent to him by Dr. Schaum as 1. obtusus;
and specimens of Philochthus Mannerheimii taken at Darenth
Wood.

Mr. Waring exhibited some dead pups of drones which he
had found near the entrance of one of his bee-hives. They were
not quite fully matured, and it would seem that the bees must
have cut off the caps of the cells and cast out the dead pupe;
but he was unable to throw any light upon the cause of their
death.

Mr. J. W. Wood made some remarks on the colouration and
mimicry of nature visible.on the under side of the wings of
Anthocharis cardamines when at rest, and on the utility of this
eolouring on the preservation of the insect. The Butterfly might
during the present month be found towards evening, or in cloudy
weather, at rest in very exposed situations—on the tops of
Grasses and flowers, and more particularly on those of Anthris-
cus sylvestris. The chequered white and green of the wings
exactly resembled the small white flowers of the Anthriscus as
seen against the green background of the hedgerow behind, and
thus preserved the insect from observation. It was to be, re-
marked, too, that, except as a secure resting-place, the Butterfly
did not appear to be partial to the Anthriscus, but preferred to
hover over and suck the juices of the wild Geranium and other

lants.

: A letter was read from Dr. Hagen, of Konigsberg, the author
of the recently published “ Bibliotheca Hntomologica,” request-
ing British entomologists to communicate to this Society any
errors or omissions which might be found in that work, and of
additions to be made thereto, in order that by such assistance
and co-operation the work might hereafter be made perfect and
maintained complete.—(Athenewm.) ;

LancasHire DistREsseD WoRKINGMEN Boranists.—I have
received from Lady D. Nevill £1 since I last wrote, on their
account. —JoHN Hagur, 36, Mount Street, Ashton-under-
Lyne.

Tune 16, 1863, ]
WORK FOR THE WEEK.

KITCHEN GARDEN.

Artenp to the thinning of the crops, and keep the soil loose
where it is possible to do so. Asparagus, now is a good time to
apply salt to the beds, and also to Sea-kale-beds. About 11b.,
to a square yard is sufficient. It is a great waste to lay it on after
the plants have done growing, particularly when the soil is at all
inclined to be cold and stiff. Stimulants applied now will enable
the roots to lay up a good store of organised matter for another
season, and, therefore, in addition to salt, occasional applications
of manure should be given if possible. The effect of this kind
of treatment will be perceived in the autumn by the plants re-
taining their green colour much longer than others not so treated,
and in the spring by increased size and productiveness, evidently
showing that the longer the functions of the plants can be pré-
served by the application of stimulants, the greater amount of
matter is stored up for the ensuing season. Broccoli, the plant-
ing-out of these and the Winter Greens, Kales, Cabbages, Cauli-
flowers, &c., must be vigorously prosecuted, and every vacant
space should now be kept well filled-up. Liquid manure will
be in continual request. Celery, the trenches for the main crops
should now be prepared. For this purpose the spaces between
the rows of Peas are very applicable ; the shade from the Peas will
be yery useful to the Celery in its earliest stages, and they will
be entirely removed by the time they are likely to be injurious.
Dwarf Kidney Beans, another sowing may be put in for suc-
cession, and advancing crops both of these and Scarlet Runners
well thinned out. Keep the soil about them well forked-up and
pulyerised. Experience goes far to prove that the fork is the best
implement that can be used amongst all wide open crops. Peas,
continue to top them, and also the Broad Beans as they advance,
and kéep them well gathered as they become fit for table. Make
another sowing of Peas. The Harly Hrame is a good sort for
this and the next sowing, after which time there will be but little
chance of their coming to perfection. Zwinips, keep them well
thinned ont and watered when needful. Make successional sow-
ings. TZomatoes, see that they are kept well thinned out, and
nailed to the fence or walls.

FLOWER GARDEN.

The most pressing work at present is that of keeping the
place in order. A little pains teken with the walks at this season
will be amply repaid by the air of comfort and pleasure which
well-kept walks give to any place. Cuttings of Roses may now
be taken and plented in a cloze cold frame in a northern aspect.
In about a month they will be callused over, indicating a dis-
Position to strike root, when they may be taken up carefully,
potted, and plunged in a slight bottom heat. Treated thus they
will make nice plants in a short time, and if kept under slight
protection during winter will fill their pots with roots and be
ready for planting out next May. Remove suckers from Roses,
and clear the stems of wild shoots. Strong shoots of Chrysan-
themums may now be layered in pots to produce dwarf, compact
bushes. Those in pots may soon receive their final shift, and
such struck-cuttings as have been planted out in the open ground
to be frequently topped until the middle of July, to make bushy
plants for taking up and potting im the autumn. Cuttings put
in now will also make nice plants by the autumn. Those bulbs
which are placed in the borders and which add so much to the
beauty and lively appearance of the flower garden and shrubbery
during the spring months, should now have some attention.
Those that require it should be taken up. We would not re-
commend this to be done annually, but only when necessity
requires it, An acquaintance with the different species will
direct the cultivator in his operations in this respect. Some
species, for instance Crocuses, Tulips, &c., form new bulbs
beside the old ones, and in course of time become so crowded as
to become weak and cease to flower; others form their new bulbs
under the old ones, and at last get so deep as to produce the
same effect. Others, again, form their new bulbs over the old
ones, and send them above the surface of the ground, where
they are destroyed by the hoe, the rake, or the frost. All those
that require taking up should be lifted now and housed till
autumn. Decayed patches of bulbs which are required to stand
for early-spring flowering, may have Verbenas or other things
introduced from pots between them, so as to give gaiety to the
places they occupy. Cuttings of Pansies to be put in before the
shoots are too much exhausted. All boundary or other hedges
to be clipped forthwith.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

439

FRUIT GARDEN. :

The nailing of the young wood of wall trees to be continu
ally followed up. Strawberries will row require timely applica-
tions of water according to the state of the weather, and the
fruit to be protected from birds. Thin-out the young canes of
Raspberries. Pinch-out the tops of the young shoots of Figs,
and thin the fruit if too thick. As soon as the Grapes on the
open walls are set they should be well thinned, it amply repays
the extra trouble.

GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY.

Remoye to houses with a north aspect or under the shade of
a north wall eny plants whose period of blooming it may be
desirable to prolong. Seedling Chinese Primroses, Cinerarias,
and other plants required to furnish the winter supply of bloom
should now be forwarded by shifting into small pots; keep them
in a cold frame where a slight shade can be given them in hot
weather; or, what is better, turn the frame to the north. By
pinching-out the blossom-buds of the young Pelargoniums a
late bloom may be secured. ‘The Perpetual and Bourbon Roses
which have been forced to be placed in a cool situation with the
object of repressing further activity. After a season of rest the
soil to be shaken from them, and all decayed roots removed, after
which to be potted in fresh rich soil, and remoyed to the pro-
tection of a cold pit, and there plunged. Let shading be used
with caution at all times whenever the weather is in any way
dull. As plants will soon be ripening their young wood, they
want as much light and even moderate sunshine as possible.

- STOVE.

As light has now reached the maximum point, and solar heat
nearly so, fires may be dispensed with here, except, perhaps, on
the evenings of wet days, when a little fire will be necessary to
allow of admitting air early inthe morning. Propagate Luculia
gratissima by cuttings. Gesnera zebrina may still be potted for
late blooming. The Achimenes and Begonias for succession to
be repotted progressively. Gardenias and other things that
have been in the conservatory while in bloom to be replaced in
heat as soon as their beauty is over, in order to allow time for
their growth being ripened before short days and dull weather
shall have arrived. Look well about the stands of Stanhopeas
and Oncidiums now about blooming, that no snails are concealed.

WINDOW FLOWERS.

A few words on this subject may be useful. When the windows
and balconies are filled with a selection of plants according to
taste, and these are potted into moderately large pots sufficient
to last them through the growing season, they will require little
other attention besides watering, which must be very regularly
and constantly done. Plants in this situation, from the position
they oceupy, are extremely liable to suffer from drought if there
is the least neglect in administering their supply of water.
This applies equally to all kinds of plants cultivated in these
situations. In order to protect the plants from injury in conse-
quence of the powerful rays of the sun striking directly on the
side of the pots, often very thin, and forming a mere shell
around the roots, itis advantageous to set the pots containing
the plants within others just large enough to contain them; the
double sides of the pots, together with the small open cavity all
around between the two, prevent the evil to a very great extent,
and it may be still further prevented by choosing the exterior
pot still larger, and filling the cavity between the two with moss,
which is to be kept damped. Where moss is easily procured a
bed of it may be formed on the window-ledge, in which the pots
could be plunged, the moss being kept damp. W. KEAne.

DOINGS OF THE LAST WEEK.

KITCHEN GARDEN.

A GLORIOUS rain since our last, and continued warm, sunny
showers, have given a fresh aspect to garden and field, and
cheered the heart of the cultivator, bringing to his lips the
words of out-spoken gratitude. Though plantmg was tempting,
yet several times the men were sent to sheds, to stick-pointing,
and pot-washing, as the sweet pearly drops of rain would do
more good in the ground than upon their backs. When we
look back to the times when it was common for men to nail with
the trees covered with snow, and to mow with the water running
down their limbs, and gurgling up over their shoes, we for one
have no faith in the old adage, that ‘“‘the former times are better
than these.” Few even of the disciplinarians would have the

440

heart to enforce such practices now, though even still it is no un-
common thing to hear of horses being brought in out of the wet,
and men zent out in the rain to fare as they may. Think of
poor ploughboys getting home to their stables soaked, putting
on next day the clothes they had no chance of drying, and need
we wonder that instead of being at their best, they become old
men at thirty and thirty-five, and get crooked with pains and
penalties ever afterwards? Most of us, however, would have
been glad to put up witha drenching in the continued drought.
We feel grateful for the attempts that are made to improve the
condition of working men in their homes; but a nice cottage is
but an unsuitable home, if deficient in the supply of good water.
It would be well if there were something like a legal enactment
as to wells or tanks, as relates to the proprietors of cottage
property. We know of villages in which, if there should be a
well, few have any right to use it, and for water for all sorts of
purposes, cooking included, the residents must resort to pools
and holes, where the water has flowed from the highway in
floods, and most of which in elevated districts were completely
dried-up in the late drought. It was sickening to see the poor
women trying to fill a little pail, by skimming with a saucer a
piece of water less than a yard square, and passing it through a
cloth before it could be used for anything. Need we wonder at the
prevalence of goitre, and thick necks, and numberless maladies
produced by such unwholesome water? Were I a legislator,
i should try to enact that the landlord, who looks sharply
enough after cottage rents, should be constrained to provide by
tank or well for his cottages, so that the inmates should have
something else to depend upon for that essential necessary—good
water, than the puddles and pools by the side of the high-
ways, &e.

Planted-out some Brussels Sprouts, Savoys, and Scotch Kale,
and must prick-out more for want of room to finally transplant.
Planted also a good breadth of Cauliflower. Thinned all Onions,
laying the thinnings in thickly by the heels for salads. Thinned
also Parsnips and Carrots finaily. Removed all the seed-heads from
Sea-kale, except those wanted for seed, and thinned out the crowns.
Threw a little lime and ashes over Beetroot and late Carrots.
Made the last sowing of Peas and garden Beans, unless, perhaps,
a row or two of early kinds of the former in the end of the
month. Sowed more Lettuce. Thinned Turnips. Cut down all
Parsley showing seed-stalks, except a few for seed, as this will
cause the stools to produce longer, and give more time for the
young Parsley. Notice that young Sea-kale and Asparagus is
coming thick enough now. Ceased gathering old beds of As-
paragus ; in fact, as we have plenty of Peas in-doors and out of
doors, have cared little about it of late. Prepared for planting
Celery, the forwardest being large plants, and will hoe all
ground as soon as the weather changes, to keep the moisture in
the ground. Cauliflowers and other vegetables have grown
amazingly since the rain. Put a little more covering on the
Mushroom-bed in the shed, after the cooler weather with the
rain, and made upa little bit more at theend of it for succession.
Some weeks ago we mentioned tar being put on the side of a
bed in the Mushroom-house. Though as much removed as
possible, the smell is not yet quite gone, and as that and wood-
lice together threatened the young Mushrooms, we haye set the
tops of hand-lights firmly on the beds, and within the Mush-
rooms are coming nicely. As soon as the bed inthe shed is
hearing, we will clear out this bed, clean and smoke the house
with sulphur and a little vitriol, which will pretty well destroy
all woodlice that may be left. The worst of it is, that in all old
gardens there is almost sure to be some taken in with the ma-
terial for the beds, just as mice are taken in sheaves into barns
and stacks rendered miceproof. Regulated Cucumbers, planted
fresh beds, and potted-off Capsicums, Chilies, &c.

FRUIT GARDEN.

Much the same as the last week, only the rain has saved us
the trouble of driving honeydew and many insects from bushes,
&e. Watered Figs heavily as the crop is heavy, and put a little
fire on in the dullest days with more air, as two or three fruit
showed signs of damping at the points. Have gathered a con-
siderable number. Some gentlemen told us that the prettiest
sight we had were some Cherry trees in a cool orchard-house,
covered with fruit from pot to top likea red wreath. These and
others have certainly been very useful, and have given very little
trouble. Some Bigarreaus and Downtons, though paler in
colour, have also been fine in size and quality. We have in
tho same place a few young Apricot trees, but they do not please

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

{ June 16, 1863.

us at all. A few Plums are just too heavily fruited. We think
e:ther on treilis or as standards, planted out or in pots, a house
of such Piums as Jefferson’s and Coe’s Golden Drop, would in
the late autumn be a great luxury. Regulated Vines, Melons,
Peaches, &c., as last week.

ORNAMENTAL DEPARTMENT.

In wet days, potting was the chief employment, but the week
has been so busy with planting-out in the flower garden, that wa
have no time to write about it. Beds were beat up and all
deficiencies from frost and drought supplied. We may as well
mention here, that we had to replace a lot of Bijou Geraniums,
and it is well to know how the disappointment was occasioned.
The plants had been drawn a little, and were higher than we
wanted them, and, therefore, after planting the stems were bent
so that they were left nearly horizontal instead of perpendicular.
Now, ofall these plants, though the bottoms were quite sound, the
stems if not withered-up were blackened, and the skin parboiled
as it were, from the double cause we presume of cold by night
and extreme bright sun by day; whilst all the plants that
were smaller and allowed to stand upright were quite right, and
nothing at all the matter with them, though planted the same
day in the same bed. Of course, the upright stems would
neither be exposed to radiation of heat, nor evaporation of mois-
ture like those bent horizontally. As bearing upon the same
fact, we may mention that Verbenas planted out early, and which
for a certain purpose were staked upright, suffered little or
nothing ; whilst those pegged down were blotched considerably,
though they are coming all right.

We have now pretty well all the rough of our planting
finished, and it would have been done before the end of last
month but for the dry weather and the ecarcity of water.
Dahlias that were turned out in beds have lifted well, and
though strong have scarcely felt the moving. For large tall
kinds the holes are made, and the stakes secured before planting,
so that a little fresh soil can be given to each plant, the plant
secured to the stake, and a basin round it made and finished as
we go, the ground about one row being nicely forked or moved
before we proceed to a second. For dwarf Dahlias we use the
rough twig stakes we adopt so generally for other purposes; but
in planting them, as well as all other things, as Geraniums,
Calceolarias, &c., needing support here—the one row is staked
and tied, after planting, before the next is planted, and the
ground kept stirred all the time. In all such staking after
planting, it is a rule never to put the stick within 3 or 4 inches
of the stem of the plant. Young beginners will stick it in close
to the stem, and thus probably injure the best roots. Some
young hands have had to be threatened not only to be tied to a
stake, for that they would not mind for a joke, but to have the
stake driven through their foot for security, and that they would
find no joke. Such a mode of planting and tying, and stirring
the ground, using boards for standing on instead of sinking
ankle-deep in the ground, inyolyes more labour and more time
at the planting period, but it is found to be truly economical in
the long run. A man may soon plant a bed or border if he
merely slips the plant in with a trowel, careless how hard and
trodden it may bein places; but we never found such wondrous
quick planting very eatisfactory in producing early results.

We may give more particulars as to planting and arrangements
in a simpler way, in the meantime we will just mention a little
matter which we have had a little trouble im carrying out. In
planting beds or borders edged with grass or lawn, the planter
is apt to stand on the yery edge of the grass, or, perhaps, part
of his foot is on the grass and part on the soil, and in either
case, if the work to be done requires much time, the verge out-
line is destroyed, and apt to be thrown into holes and hills.
and no little labour is required to secure a regular plane outline,
Now a long board laid on the verge of grass saves all this
bother and unsightliness; but unless looked after the board is
almost sure to be shirked or forgotten. No bed, however nicely
planted, will look well if it has tattered irregular edgings.—R. F.

TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED.

B. 8. Williams, Holloway.— General Plant Catalogue, includ-
ing Orchids, Ferns, New and Rare Plants. 1863.

William Dillistone, Munro Nursery, Sible Hedingham, Hssex.
—Catalogue of Choice New Plants of 1863.

Jane 16, 1863. ]

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Cuavzy Soi, ro Respzr Porous (N. Markey).—Apply sea-saad aad
turf-mould as you propose, but before doing so pare and burn 9 inches in
depth of the entire surface, and add the ashes to the sand and mould.
This will at once improve the staple and destroy the slugs

Doostx Prrernerus (4 Subserider, Cirencester).—If the Pyrethrums
are quite double they cennot be propagated from sezd. The stamens and
pistils are changed into petals.

Torsse’s GarpeN Scissors (4 Constant Subscrider).— We cannot tell
Where these can be purchased, but we remember seeing them at a cutler’s
in London not long since.

Saretixa Avercutas (H. B.).—De not shift your Acriculas now, for
dane is about the time when they take their summer rest; and if they
Were repotted now it is almost a certainty that not having circulation
enough going they would damp-offand die. We speak from experience,
haying last year to receive collection just about this time. Theresult
was that about one-half of them died! If we could have had them in May
or waited until the end of July, we should have been able to have saved
them sil, ss in May they would have been making growth and st the end
of July would have been preparing for their antumn start. We, therefore,
Strongty advise you to leave your plants in 60’s as they are. The trouble
of watering is a very minor evil. With regard to fumigation, it is a
Practice we never indulce in with the Auricula. We never allow the
aphis to get ahead, and that simply by using a camel’s hair brash, or,
what answers equally well, some pieces of bush tied together and made into
the formof abrush. You may keep the green fly under without fumigation.

Pansy Firowses Issceep (L.).—Your Pansy blooms are devoured by
Some unseen enemy, which we suspect is either the small white alug or the
Woodlouse. If the former, the best plan is to go out st nisht and examine,
armed with a lantern and your fingers If the latter, place seme pieces of
Elder with the pith hollowed out, or two pieces of board Kept about ac
eighth of an inch apart on the bed, and you will then trap them. We |
would advise you to try, if fond of the Pansy, to grow them in pots, as
they are a very farourite food ef many insects.

Hagpy Sespume Poraro (Mada).—If you have a Potato the foliage o°
which you think sustains no injury irom a frost which blackens the foliage
of other varieties, it would be desirable to save its tubers for seed, and try |
Tows of it side by side with other varieties. Such hardiness isa desideratam
im early Potatoes.

brown scale may have closed the pores of the leaves and sucked out the
Sap. Any of the above will cause the Orange to throw o@ its Is:

will determine for yourself which oz the above causes are app
your case, and adopt a mode of treatment the cpposite you have

possible to do without injuring them
any decayed roois at the same time ¥
Very much decayed, wash all the soil away from the
decayed parts, cutting well into the q'
large to prevent the roots irom being cum
thsn just to contain the roots com!
the hole im the pot; and if that be
Put for a twelve-inch pot 3 inches smslier er
let the drainage occupy one-third of the depth of
place a little moss, or, what is better, h inch of
lightly, yet filling up all the crevices between the root
of the plant well up, for the Orange, like the Cam
When the roots are buried. Use arts t
leat mould, with a little rough san
With scale, paint with = brush
compound at a strencth of $ ozs. to the gallon
the convenience ofa hotbed at a temperature o
Will be much benefited by being & ther
and Done the worse if kept there un
may range from 65° to 85° for abou
So ss to gradually harden-of the piant for
plsce. If the plant be straggling or the shoots w
When the buds begin to swell, for the sep is then on
inning to form. Syringe gently twice s-dar—
and Keep the soil in the pot rather dry at ars.
progresses. If you haye no hotbed, place the plan
the greenhouse, sprinkle it lightly morning snd evening with te
Water, and although it will be ‘oncer before growth ¢ aa w |
by the former plan, yet it may p |
make a note of it and send it te this Journal, for no Hee |
treated and so little understood 2s tz2 Orange. The |
Orange is to pot in March, adding a little rotten m: }
menfioned before, and to Keep the leaves and ms clear by frequent |
Spongins with = weak solution of soft A Your Myrile-leaved |
is Going for itself what the cultivator ought eye done lone since
the tree, and so pre- |

SBarp Enite. But if the roots sr
take ewey sil the

gs

* Gishurst
aid you have |
plant

r-wreatment of the
ure to the compost

—Judiciously thinned the brenches im the centre of
vented their smothering each other. Well regulzie the shoots by a copious
thinning, end give the plant more and air. Examine the roots and
make all right there, and then we E you will have no difficulty in
gettiime it to bloom and fruit profusely. You msy have cropped your tree
too heavily, and that would account for the tree being unfruitful this year,
Or you may have indulged it too much with liquid menure—one of the most
fatal agents to weak-growine kinds of Oranges.

Gaapss Seasarve (C. Berry).—Most likely you hs

lefE too Reavy a
bunches. You

the Grapes are cut raise the roots, replant st once, water Warm water,
Shade the house, Keep the foliage ereen es long as possible, and the Vines
Will be all right next season.

Agatzas arree Frowseime (Z. J. L.). — Azaleas, when they haye
finished flowering, will make their wood snd set their buds best In a
moderate hothouse a little shaded. Then they msy afterwards have more
air and be set out of doors.

[
is
W
:
ps

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTIAGE GARDINER.

| Dalsnee in size the central one.

| third row, yellow Csiteolaria: cenfre, Perilis.

i | cannot say we Eke

441

Pranrs CountTs2®-ORDERED (Fire-yzars Sudserider). — You should have
Teturned the plasts; but now, we think, yor have ao remedy.

Bupome Vorgs (2. M. H.).—Inuceching is a much better plan than
budding, and as it can be done at any time, it is more generally practised.
If, however, you are anxious to try budding, an examination of the buds
Will enable you to judge when they are ready; and while the sap flows
freely in both bud and stock it may be done. A certain amount of firmness
in both the stock and the wood the bud is taken from will be necessary.
‘The operationis the same as for fruit trees and Roses, tie-up with woollen
OF cotton yarn, the former preferable, and examine the 5ud m time to see
that the ligature does not bind it too severely. :

Sszpimse Carcrorarta (€. Daniel).—The flowers appear to belong to a
fine strain of Calceolaria, both outline and marking being good; but, of
course, flattened as they were, we could not tell if they have the requisite
rotundity. The brightness of the colours was pressed out. As far as
appearances go, under these circumstances Nos. 2 and 3 seem the best;
but the day is gone by for treating herbaceous Calezolarias other than as
annuals. The first thing is to get hold of a good strain as you seem to
Bave done.

Cametsra anp Azatza Leaves (J. B., Croydon).—We like inquiries to
be brief, but the facts to be definite. The briefmess is all right; but we
have nothing to guide us to adecision. The Camelilis leaves seem to have
been scorched by sun falling on them whilst moist, the roots being dry or
impropetiy drained. The Azaleas retain signs of thrips, for which the best
remedy is smoking and well syringing s. The other part of a
leaf may be a Miller’s Burgundy Vine, or ever so many things. The holes
may be made by caterpillars, insects, or sun stroke. Who can tell without
some facts or information?

FrowSE-GARDEN Puan (H. K. A., Manchester).—In the roominess of
your garden there is much to admire. _Your main group is formed of five
Ggures—a centre triple-raised Basket with a broad border round it, forming
a circle altogether, we presume, of some 10 to 12 feet im diameter. Round
that sre two nearly half-moons and two circles. The widest part of the
quarter-moons and of these outside circles is not more than half the width
of the central cirele. This fact, and in addition the raised baskets in the
centre, will so Five: attention on the cemtre figure that the four outside
figures will be drowned, or at least thrown into the shade. The first hint
We would give would be the enlargin= of these tour outside figures, so asto

The next would be to carry No.i, 2t one

end of the lawn, much farther alonz.so ss to be a balance to No.7 at the
ye do rot see how the planting of

three tiers of baskets, 1s to be im-
he first basket is higher than the

= would all come in with the centre bed of baskets. We thms No.1
— well—Perilla, variegated Geranium, Calceolaria, and Centaurea
Ssima: but it that is the plantins leading from the centre, we think
ewing would improve it:—First outside, Centaurea candidissima 5
ow, scarlet Geranium with dark leaf, es Village Maid or Excellence ;
: Sil we have no doubt
mt will do well, but perhaps we heve 2 prejudice that yellow
er contrast nor Hsrmonise well together. We think the
7, would be much improved with = broad edging of Cerastium,
erstemi all che better—it would be a balance, though far of, of
in No. 1; and the Saponsaris, besides, does not make = good
che line, as is will creep among other things, and much
cf The rest we could not improve. Let as
e Amsranthus melancholicus stands the season with you. We
3 so well as the Spimach.—R. F

‘A BORBONICA (4 Foung Gar-
i do not move fast

(idem).— The A)
firm end a little lo

eek

eaecs,

But ifa
©, Eeeremocarpus scaber
& weil 2t all seasons, try
e best of all—ivy, whose
eS of gay dowers. Measrs
= yea write to

permanent cr
Will do; oF
some of the Jasminums, Roses,—or, per
evyer-beautiful green fully compensates ior
Lee's white z ed Geranium is not yet brought out.
them they will give you any information you need about it.
iford)- 2 leaves were very much
fear yout bri Examine closely,
Tf so, smoke

9 be miore permanent and to

Soor Wacee (Jdem).—Mr., Fish mskes the latter by placing half a peck
of soot or so in a barrel of water—say 5J gallons—and,s quarter of a peck
of fresh lime, working it up with a pail of water so Ss to mix, and then
filling the barrel. In twenty-four hours the liquid will be as clear as
brandy, and whilsé syringing with it will hurt nothing, no insects of any
kind lige it When the liquor from filling up gets too weak, add more soot
and lime. Before using, remove any scum on the suriace. This should
not be used for ircit nearly ripe.

442,

Dovs1z Pansy (J. Brown).—This seems to be the same as the Donble
Purple figured in “‘The Florist,”’ where the colours are not well’ brought
out,

Names oF Fexns (Henry, Haslewood).—The ‘‘ Fern Manual,” which will
be published at our office on the 22nd, gives an interpretation of all the
names. You can have it free by post for 5s. 2d. from our office.

Youne Vuves nor Frovrissine (An Amateur, Nantwich). — All you
haye done and the'soil appear quite correct, and the only surmise we can
make is that you have planted the Vines too deeply. The roots should have
beén spread out at about 6 inches from the soil’s surface. If you have
planted them deeper, take them up carefully as soon as the leaves begin
to fade in the autumn and replant them. You must not use the sulphur as
you propose to kill the red spider. You had better dust the leaves with it,
and Keep the air more moist.

Grave BuncuEs Dyine (D. B.).—If there have been no mice gnawing at
the stems, the want of root-action is the cause of the Vine-blossom giving
way. You should have done one of two things, or both. The Vines being
transplanted in November, the roots should have been encouraged to active
progress by a heat oi from 75° to 85° as soon or before the buds broke, and
then only a moderate instead of a full crop should haye been allowed to
stand the first season. The more the roots are coaxed, and the less the
branches are excited in such circumstances, the better. Most probably the
Vines will be tempted by a night: temperature not above 55° to 60°, and a
slight shade in bright sunshine. No doubt the Trentham Vine in the
orehard-house had either been deficient in root-power or you had kept the
roots too dry, and therefore the stoppage. If not dry, examine if stem and
roots below the ground are not nibbled. We have had seyeral injured this
season. ;

HERBACEOUS PLANTS—Gmasses, &c. (S. 8. B.).— Your inquiry is too in-
definite. Wemight fill some pages with names and not suit your purpose.
Lists of herbaceous perennial plants have been given, and we are in a maze
as'to particularising. You had best select a few at first, as Aquilegia of
kinds for spring and summer, average height 24 feet; Anemone of kinds
for early spring, and Anemone japonica for blooming in summer and
autumn ; Delphiniums of kinds, as formosum, Hendersoni, Barlowii, grandi-
flora, for summer and early autumn, from 2% to 44 feet; Dielytra spectabilis,
for spring and early summer, 18 inches; Gentiana acaulis, for edgings in
spring and summer, and tke other kinds, from 1 to 14 foot in height; Hel-
leborus, or Christmas Rose; Lilium candidum and others; Gladiolus in
varieties, though it would be safer to raise the tubers; Phlox, a collection
of hybrids ; Pansies of kinds ; Lychnis of kinds; Potentillas, yellow, scarlet,
purple ; Saxifragas, low-growing plants; Silene of kinds; Spirseaof kinds ;
Veronica of kinds. Then for grass-like plants we would recommend the
Pampas Grass, the Feathered Grass, Stipa pinnata, and some six or ten
more which your seedsman considers most ornamental. Then for fine-
foliaged plants we would instance Purple Spinach; the large Atriplex hor-
tensis, purple; Amaranthus melancholicus, crimson purple; Perilla nan-
kinensis, dark purple; Cineraria maritima, silvery white; Arctotis grandi-
flora, white; Alyssum variegatum; Centaurea candidissima, requiring a
warm greenhouse in winter; Gnaphalium lanatum, white, woolly, strong-
growing, but needing protection from frost in winter; Stachys lanata, still
more woolly and white, but coarser, though quite hardy ; Cerastium to-
mentosum, small low plant, fine for edgings and beds. One year ago some
edgings were placed round the sides of beds, raised by stakes and Ivy a foot
or 15 inches above the ground, and from the end of March and onward to
the end of June all round the bed, from the ground upwards, has been a
dense wreath of white flowers; and when the thickness of these is gone
there will be the white foliage. Cerastium Biebersteini is a little stronger-
growing, but otherwise seems to be no improvement. We might answer
you better if we had more facts and details.

Names oF PLAnts (C.).—Apparently Myosotis sylvatica, but the specimen
was much injured. (2. A. S.).—Asperula arvensis.

BATH AND WEST OF ENGLAND POULTRY
EXHIBITION,

Tar the Poultry Exhibition connected with the Bath and
West of England Agricultural Society of the present year is the
best ever yet obtained under its auspices, cannot be open to
difference of opinion, for not only were a greater number of pens
entered than on any previous occasion, but we are much gra-
tified to say, scarcely an indifferent pen could be pointed out
after the most rigid inspection. The satisfaction of poultry
amateurs will be increased on being assured that, without a
single exception, every head of poultry was safely delivered at
the show-yard, at Mount Radford, without the slightest mishap
or injury to a single specimen, although lying about a mile from
the Exeter Railway Stations. This naturally augurs well for the
future success of this Society ; and so far as scrupulous care and
attention to the wants of the birds is concerned, no committee
of management could be more worthy of public support. The
Bath and West of England Agricultural Society has “during a
long course of years enjoyed a high position in public favour,

haying been first instituted so far back as the year 1777: con-.

sequently it is one of the oldest, if not the very oldest, of the
agricultural societies. extant. This year the Poultry Exhibition
took place beneath two very large and commodious tents, which
afforded by their peculiar arrangement a much better and more
generally diffused light than we customarily meet with under
like circumstances. ‘Yo this necessary feature we attribute in

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

{ June 16, 1863.

no small degree the evident ease and comfort. displayed by the
birds throughout the whole Exhibition.

As seems’ an almost general rule ab such meetings, the Spanish
class stood at the head of the list. It was very gratifyime to
find that nearly the whole of the birds in this class were of high
merit, and their condition as a body was more favourable than
we anticipated. The third prize by care and attention to con-
dition might be shown to great advantage; they were evidently
one of the best pens, but were over-shown, and were in the
worst exhibition trim of any competing. The hens in the second-
prize pen were first-rate, as were equally those in Pen 2, highly,
commended, but a falling combin the cock was a fatal objection:
Several other cocks had this failing.

The Grey Dorkings were a better class than ever were ex-
hibited at this Society’s meetings on previous occasions, but, as
might be expected, the adult birds are now fast falling into in-
different feather. Lady Holmesdale with an entry of three
pens swept the board of all the three prizes, and obtained the
silver cup also, for the best shown in classes 1 and 2. In the
class for Dorking chickens, My. Wakefield showed a fine even
pen, and took first; the second falling to Mr. Smith, of Salis-
bury, closely pressed by several exhibitors. The Grey Dorking
chickens shown were the earliest and best plumed we have seen
this year ; and it was equally worthy of mention that none were
shown with deformed feet and toes, a failing to whicly very early
hatched Grey Dorkings, or, in fact, any weighty des¢ription of
poultry, are very susceptible. ‘his arises im chief trom chickens
hatched intheearly spring months huddling together for warmth,
without taking eufficient exercise: consequently their legs and
feet fail them. The White Dorkings were as good a class as haye
been seen for years past—so good, indeed, that every pen entered
was favourably noticed by the Judges.

Captain Heaton won first place with his well-known Partridge-
coloured pen, pressed, however, more closely than usual by a
most excellent pen of purely Lemon-coloured Cochzns, so good,
that we anticipate the £21 affixed would not prove a prohibitory
price. They were shown by Mrs. Hookes. he White Cochins
were perfect, Mr. Chase taking both the adult and chicken
prizes.

In Game fowls every class was well filled with birds of the
highest repute as prizetakers. My. Fletcher took a great pro-
portion of the prizes. It was evident this gentleman had called
heavily on his reserve forces for the Hxeter Show, for every one
of his pens was shown quite fresh, and, consequently, in fault-
less condition. The advantage of this practice contrasted with
exhibiting birds week after week in succession never met with a
more apt illustration.

As a whole, the Game classes were, without exception, well
contested.

The Malays were the most out of condition that can be con-
ceived, so ragged in plumage as to call forth much jocularity
from visitors. We heard a young lady still in her teens exclaim,
“Took at those fowls, the cook must have half plucked them,
and then reprieved them till another time.” Although the
breed of many of the pens was unquestionable, it certainly
would not have been any very great strain of justice had the
class been disqualified altogether, as in not a few specimens,
patches purely void of feathers of half the size of the hand were
visible, calculated rather to shock than please the public. There
is no just reason why Malays should not be exhibited in equally
perfect plume as other fowls.

The Hamburghs were really good in each of the four varieties.
In the Silver-spangled, a “ hen-feathered” cock was shown—a
whimsicality we thought exploded long ago—his hens being
without objection. The pen was necessarily disqualified. _

The Black Polands were, as is always the case where Mr.
Panton Edwards exhibits, a very superior collection. We would
suggest to the Council of the Bath and West of Hngland Society,
that in future the Poland class should be open to every variety,
as by so doing the entries would be numerically fourfold, whilst
the outlay to the Society would be unaltered, compared to, as
now, its being restricted to Black Polands only.

The Spanish chickens that were shown foretell that future
years will prove that this aristocratic variety is still not without
the most careful culture.

Many ofthe Bantams were extraordinarily good—so much 80,
that the Judges felt bound to suggest an extra prize to the con=
sideration of the Directors, which will, we believe, be’ conceded.
Black ones secured the silver cup for the best pen of any breed
of Bantams shown. They were excellent; but it was rumoured

‘June 16, 1863. ]

among amateurs the address of the owner was assumed—a report
scarcely credible, so long as even the number of the house is
‘added to the general address in the printed catalogue.

The Geese, Turkeys, and Ducks were most praiseworthy. A

pen of Grey Calls im the fancy variety of Ducks, was evidently
quite the pet of the company, they were the best pen ever shown
by Mr. Harvey Dutton Bayly. It was the subject of general
remark, that though the same sum of money was offered as
prizes for Buenos Ayrean Ducks a3 to any other breed, no entry
whatever ensued. This is the more remarkable, as the southern
counties have always excelled in their production, and the
Bath and West of Hngland Shows have usually called into com-
petition some of the best of them. It should be remembered
they are very ornamental, excellent in flavour, and easily reared,
whilst as layers few breeds exceed them. ‘They are, it is ad-
mitted, somewhat prone to stray from home, particularly when
the temptation of some still-flowing river is within moderate
flight ; but this propensity is much modified by the manner of
rearing them, and can be prevented altogether if theyare pinioned ;
nor does this latter arrangement seem to interfere at all with their
comforts or productiveness if carried into operation whilst duck-
lings. Among the Rouens shown were many exceedingly large
and well-marked birds, but dark bills are quite inadmissible,
however perfect otherwise. In a pen of this kind the owner ex-
hibited two drakes and two Ducka, which naturally led to dis-
qualification. Rules must be enforced.
_ Among the curiosities that not unfrequently find an entrance
into the Any variety class, was a pen of four hybrids, the
product between the common Hnglish wild Pheasant and the
domestic fowl. They apparently elicited moze attention from
Visitors than any other single pen in the whole collection, and
certainly they were unusually interesting. To most of our
readers if is well known such hybrids are invariably mules, being
alike sterile whether meted to birds of the same kind as either
Parent, or izfer se. It may, therefore, with justice be said, that
their only useful position is the exhibition pen. Asa rule, the
birds that are thus produced by an intermixture of the fowl and
Pheasan: vary from each other extraordinarily in plumage ; but
in the case now named, the fowls in the best-selected pen in the
whole Hxhibition could not have matched more perfectly. They
were fac-similes of each other, and certainly this trait of character
added most materially to the interest of the pen—so much so,
that it was constantly surrounded by inquiring visitors. Al-
though the lustrous copper colour of their general plumage
renders these hybrids so pleasing to the eye, those hitherto who
kept such specimens haye generally at length been obliged to do
away with them as intolerable, on account of their inveterate
egg-eating propensities.

This extra class brought into competition some excellent
Créve Cceurs, Brahmas, Black Hamburghs, and White Spanish
fowls. The neighbourhood of Exeter has for many years past
been celebrated for excellent specimens of this last-named singular
yariety. They are reputedly excellent layers, but we should
imagine not equal to the Black Spanish, nor do we deem them
as being of equally hardy constitution.

There was a very creditable display of Game Bantams, though
just at this period of the year it is not by any means the best
time for exhibiting them. The Sebrights were especially good,
oe Silver-laced having quite the advantage as to perfection of

acing.

Some very beautiful little birds, that to casual visitors “ seemed
to have no legs at all,” were exhibited as Japanese Mufflers.
We should fancy them the best calculated of any fowls we have
yet seen for the rearing of Californian Quails, or any of the many
varieties of Partridges.

There is always a very warm competition at the Bath and
West of England Society’s Show as to Pigeons, and this year’s
Show proved no deviation. It is very rarely that Pigeon-breeders
have so great a treat afforded them, as the Show just closed at
Exeter. When it is taken into consideration that most fancy
Pigeons are now breeding, the merit of obtaining such a col-
lection is obvious, whilst it proves this year’s liberal prize schedule
was generally appreciated. We noticed particularly a class of
Runts comprising nearly every known variety of colour; Black
Moittles, Blues, Silyer Duns, being here all shown in the highest
perfection. The perfection of plumage of some of the pens of
Archangels must not pass unnoticed. The classes for both
Almonds and for Short-faced Tumblers were well filled. Among
the Barbs were some of the best-headed birds we ever yet met
with, the class generally being both numerous and good. The

JOUBNAL OF HORLICULIURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

| Park, Staplehurst.

443

Carriers were a grand collection, and the Powters were a class
good throughout. We were especially pleased with the Turbits,
as of late this beautiful variety of Pigeon has been yery scantily
exhibited. The competition in the class for Fantails was great,
and the Any variety class was replete with numerous and ex-
ceedingly good specimens.

A remarkable feature of this Show was, that not a single case
of disease was observable throughout the whole collection; and
if care and attention can insure its continuance, we are satisfied
owners will be gratified on the return of their poultry.

SPanisH.— First, Viscountess Holmesdale, Linton Park, Staplehurst.
Second, J. R. Rodbard, Wrington. ‘Third,—Brown, Shettield. Highly
Commended, R. Wright, Highgate; Rey. G. F. Hodson, North Petherton,
Bridgwater.

DorztinG (Coloured).—First and Silver Cup (as extra prize for the best
pen of Black Spanish, or Grey Dorkings exhibited), Second, and Third,
Viscountess Holmesdale, Linton Park. Highly Commended, Miss Milward,
Bristol. Commended, W. Watson, Calstock, Cornwall; W. Vickers,
Exeter; J. K. Fowler, Aylesbury ; Major Altham, Taunton.

Dorkine (White).—First, Mrs. H. Fookes, Whitchurch, Blandford.
Second, Mrs. Beardmore, Fareham, Hants. ‘Third, Rey. G. F. Hodson,
Bridgwater. Commended, Mrs. Beardmore; Rey. G. F. Hodson,

Cocuin-Curna (Coloured).—First, Captain Heaton, Manchester. Second,
Mrs. H. Fookes, Whitchurch, Blandtord. Third, B. T. Ford, Exeter.
Highly Commended, W. Vickers, Exeter.

Cocuin-CHInA (White). — First and Third, R. Chase, Balsall Heath,
Birmingham. Second, F. W. Zurhorst, Dublin.

Game (White and Piles, &2.).—First, J. Fletcher, Stoneclough, Man-
chester. Second, H. Adams, Beyerley. Third, W. Dawson, Birmingham.
Highly Commended, Rey. G. 8.’Cruwys, Tiverton. Commended, M. Billing,
jun., birmingham.

Gamer (Black-breasted and other Reds).—First and Silyer Cup (as an
extra prize for the best pen of Game fowls exhibited) and Third, J. Fletcher,
Stoneclough, Manchester. Second, H. Adams, Beyerley. Highly Com-

| mended, W. Watson, Calstock, Cornwall; W. Boyes, Beverley; Rev. G. S.

Cruwys; Rev. F. Watson, Woodbridge, Suffolk ; 5S. Matthew, Stowmarket,
Suffolk; M. Billing, jun., Birmingham. Commended, W. Watson; W.T.
Everard, Ashby-de-la-Zouch; W. D. Braginton, Bideford, Devon; H,
Adney, Lympstone, Exeter.

GamE (Duckwings and other Greys and Blues).— First, F. Fletcher,
Stoneclough, Manchester. Second, H, Adams, Beverley. ‘Third, Rey.
G.S. Cruwys, Tiverton.

Matar (Coloured or White). — First, W. Sykes, jun., Mile End, London.
Second, J. J. Fox, Devizes, Wilts. Third, W. Mantield, jun., Portesham,
Dorchester.

HambureH (Golden and Pencilled).—¥irst, J. E. Powers, Biggleswade.
Second, H. Beldon, Bradford, Yorkshire. Highly Commended, N. Barter,
Plymouth.

HampurcH (Silver-pencilled).—First, Viscountess Holmesdale, Linton
Second, H. Beldon, Bradford, Yorkshire. Highly
Commended, Lf. W. Walsh, Worcester.

HampurcHs (Gold or Silver-spangled).—First, I. Davies, Harborne,
Birmingham (Golden). Second, '’. Davies, Newport (Silver). Commended,
H. Beidon, Bradford.

Potanps (Black, with White Crests).—First and Second, T. P. Edwards,
Lyndhurst, Hants.

Any OTHER Vanrery.—First, Miss S. H. Northcote, Upton Pyne, Exeter
(White Spanish). Second, P. P. Cother, Salisbury (Pheasant Malay).
Third, E. Pigeon, Lympstone, Exeter (Créve Ceeurs). Highly Commended,
C. Langley, Chudleigh, Deyon (hybrid between red Game cock and hen
Pheasant); E. Pigeon (Brahmas); H. Beldon, Bradford, Yorkshire (Gold
Polands). Commended, J. Pares, Chertsey, Surrey (Brahma Pootra) ; J. W.
Fowler, Aylesbury (Brahma Pootra); S. Dupe.

SPANISH CHICKENS (Black or White).—First and Second, J. R. Rodbard,
Wrington, Somerset. Commended, J. K. Fowler, Aylesbury.

Dorxixe CurckeNns (Any yariety),—Virst, C. H. Wakefield, Matyern
Wells. Second, C. Smith, Durnford, Salisbury. Commended, W. Watson,
Calstock, Cornwall; Miss Willcox, Bristol.

Game CHICKENS (Any variety).—First, H. Adney, Lympstone, Exeter.
Second, J. Fletcher, Stoneclough, Manchester. Highly Commended, H:
Adney; W. Rogers, Woodbridge, Suffolk. r

Cocarn-Cuina CHICKENS (Any variety).—First, R. Chase, Birmingham.
Second, J. K. Fowler, Aylesbury. Highly Commended, W. Vickers,

St. Sidwell’s, Exeter.
SWEEPSTAKES.

Game.—First and Silver Cup (as an extra prize for the best Game cock,
Spanish Dorking, Cochin-China, or Game Bantam cock), J. Fletcher,
Stoneclough, Manchester. Second, H. Adams, Beverley, Yorkshire. Third,
W. Boys, Beverley, Yorkshire. Highly Commended, J. Fletcher; H.
Adams; 5. Matthew, Stowmarket, Sutfolk;,M. Billing, jun, Birmingham.
Commended, Rey. G. 8. Cruwys, Tiverton.

Dorxktne.—Prize, Viscountess Holmesdale, Linten Park, Staplehursé.

Spanisu.—Prize, Rev. G. F. Hodson, Bridgwater. Highly Commended,
S. C. B. Pitman, ‘Taunton.

Game Banram,.—First, I. H. D. Bayly, Biggleswade. Second, W. Sykes,
jun., Mile End, London. Third, J. Camm, farnsfield, Wilts.

Bantams (Gold-laced).—First, T. H. D. Bayly, Biggleswade. Second,

Rey. G.S. Cruwys, Tiverton. aes i
Banvams (Silver-laced).—First, R. Chase, Birmingham. Second, T. H.D.
Bayly. Biggleswade. 2
Dieitawes (White and Black).—Estra Prize, Mrs. H, Fookes, Whitchurch.
First and Silver Cup (as an extra prize for the best pen of Bantams of any
vatiety exhibited. It was awarded to Black ones), Miss K. Charlton,
Brad@ford, Yorkshire. Second, Rey. G. S. Cruwys, Tiverton. Highly Com~
mended, "Rey. G. S. Cruwys. Commended, R. Brotherhood, jun., Almonds
bury, Bristol.

Bantams (Game).—First, T. H. D. Bayly, Biggleswade. Second, J.

Camm, Southwell, Notts. Highly Commended, J. Camm ; W. A. Deane,
Bideford, Devon. Commended, W- A. Deane; E. Pigeon, Lympstone,
Exeter; R. Brotherhood, jun., Almondsbury, Bristol.

444.

Ducks (White Aylesbury).—First and Silver Cup for the best pen of
Ducks exhibited, J. K. Fowler, Aylesbury. Second, F. W. Fowler. Com-
mended, G. Hanks, Malmesbury. r

Ducrs (Rouen).—First, J. R. Rodbard, Wrington, Somerset. Second,
G. Hanks, Malmesbury. 4

Ducxs (Any other variety).—First, T. H. D. Bayly, Biggleswade.

Grrsr.—First, J. W. Fowler, Aylesbury (Toulouse). Second, W. Manfield,
jun., Portesham and Dorchester (improved Dorset). r

TURKEYS.—First, Miss Milward, Bristol. Second, W. Manfield, jun.,
Portesham and Dorchester (Bronze). Highly Commended, Mrs. N.
Grenville, Glastonbury (White).

GurngEa Fowus. — First, Miss S. H. Northcote, Upton Pyne, Exeter.
Second, H. Adney, Lympstone, Exeter. Commended, 8. C, B. Pitman,

Taunton.
PIGEONS.

Carrimrs.—First and Second, F. G. Stevens, Axminster.
ALMOND TuMBLERS.—First, F. G. Stevens, Axminster.
Bayswater, London.

Second, F. Else,

Tumpiers. — First, F. Else, Bayswater. Second, F. G. Stevens,
Axminster.

PowTers. — First, F. G. Stevens, Axminster. Second, R. Fulton,
Deptford.

Runts.—First, F. G,. Stevens, Axminster. Second, T. D. Green, Saffron
Walden.

JacoBiNs.—First and Second, F. G. Stevens, Axminster.

Fantaiis.—First, F. Wey, Beverley, Yorkshire. Second, F. G. Stevens,
Axminster. :

Ow1us.—First, E. Joblin, Newcastle-on-Tyne. Second, F. Else, Bayswater.

TRUMPETERS. — First, F. Key, Beverley, Yorkshire. Second, F. G.
Stevens, Axminster.

Baxrss.—First and Second, F. G,. Stevens, Axminster,

Turpits.— First, F. G. Stevens, Axminster. Second, E. M. Pierce,
Taunton.

Nouns. — First, Rey. A. G. Brooke, Salop.
Axminster.

Dracons.— First and Secon, H. Yardley, Birmingham.

ARCHANGELS.—First, E. M. Pierce, Taunton. Second, H. Yardley,
Birmingham.

Any OrHer VaARieTy.—First, F, G. Stevens, Axminster (new variety).
Second, E. Pigeon, Lympstone, Exeter (Pouting Horsemen).

The Judges of Poultry were Charles Ballance, Esq., of Mount
Terrace, Taunton; and Hdward Hewitt, Hsq., of Sparkbrook,
near Birmingham. ‘he Pigeon prizes were awarded by Dr.
Cottle, of Cheltenham.

Second, F. G. Stevens,

«B. & W.'s” APIARY.
(Continued from page 335.)

“As to the utility of drone-breeding queens in spring,”
against which your correspondent “ INVESTIGATOR ”’ decides, I
am much inclined to agree with him from my own actual ex-
perience this year, although I may yet have something to say iv
favour of them before autumn comes. I have largely tried those
drone-breeders, and while fully agreeing with ‘““ A DEvoNSHIRE
Brz-KEEPER,” that the drones to which they give birth are
capable of impregnating queens, i have found them practically
useless. It is a very rare thing indeed to see drones in an apiary
before the middle of April, nor are they usually seen in any
numbers till the second week in May. But I presume that the
existence of a very small number of vigorous drones would
authorise one to expect that the wants of a virgin queen would
not pass unheeded: therefore, if I had had no drone-breeding
queens in my apiary, everything would haye happened much as
it actually has done with me. ;

But let me go to facts; and here I will beg your readers to
turn to page 335. My absence from home prevented me from
observing anything in my apiary during the month ending the
16th of May. That day I found everything going on apparently
well with all my hives. A, D, H, H, and I, were very populous
and active, and pollen was being carried into Band #. These
two hives, therefore, had again supplied themselves artificially
with queens. The queen of F would be hatched about the 1$th
of April, and the queen of B about the 24th. The question was,
Would they be impregnated by the Italian drones, of which
there were then, and still are, about two dozen in #, while, so
far as I can tell, there were no other drones in the apiary ?* The

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

only answer I can give is, that on examining # on the 27th of
May, I found again a quantity of drone-brood, and plenty of
full-sized drones, pure Italians, but no sign of worker-brood—a
drone-breeding queen again. B I examined on the 2nd of June
and found all well, with pleaty of worker-brood sealed up, but
I know not yet whether young bees show any marks ofan Italian
origin, and, indeed, but few of them can yet be hatched. It is
this hive which I have in mind, when I say above, thet “I may
yet have something to say in favour of” drone-breeders in
spring.

*[ Juno 16, 1863.

Before I conclude this paper I may as well copy from my
note-book the remainder of my bee-practice hitherto. Resolving
to try once more my luck with the Italians, I drove the whole
adult population of A into a hive half full of empty comb,
depriving them, however, of their queen (my pure Italian),
which I returned to her now-deserted home, which was set in
the vacant place, ©. I had previously taken out of it a good
piece of comb containing eggs and worker-brood of all ages.
This was adjusted in a box and placed over the driven bees of
A, which immediately set to work to repair their queen’s loss.
C, which was full of brood, is now pretty strong again, breeding
fast, and comb-making. The bees of A did so well that I heard
as many as three or four young queens piping in harmony on
the 30th of May, and on Monday, June 1st, they swarmed
naturally, two young queens going off with the swarm, one of
which was, of course, sacrificed. ‘This swarm is now G. I also
succeeded in capturing one other of these, all of them being beau-
tifully-marked young Italian queens, which I successfully gave to
#, after a grand hunt for, and removal of, their drone-breeding
mother. ‘hus A, F, and G are supplied with well-marked
Italians, all of the seme age. I also picked up no less than five
ied queens under A, which were sacrificed before I could save
them.

Out of D and H (see page 335) I made another swarm on
the 27th of May, on Langstroth’s plan, by driving D with its
queen and adult population into a box full of empty comb.
Then putting D with its brood in place of straw hive H, which
was shifted to another stand in my garden. Everything is now
(June 6th) going on as satisfactorily as I could wish, my bees
standing in the following order :— ,

B.

Young English queen.

c.
Pure Italian queen.
Born about April 24th,
1863.

Born, 1862. (Late A.)

A.
Pure young Italian
queen.
Born June Ist, 1863.

D. E. EF.
Hybrid Italian queen. English queen. Pure Italian queen.
Born, 1861. Born, 1861. (Sister to A’s queen.)

Weak in bees.

J.
Strong English queen.
(Straw hive.)
Born, 1861.

H.
Box-hive in garden,
now raising a queen
out of D’s brood.

G.
Pure Italian queen.
(Sister 10 A’s queen.)
Swarmed June Ist.

K.
Semeas J. (Late H.) Born, 1861,
—B. & W.

TAKING A SIDE-COMB.

Surrey Highlander will be glad to know whether one side-bar
may be safely taken from a well-stocked frame-hive a few days
after a swarm issues from the hive. The side-bar was furnished
with a sheet of embossed wax, and placed in the hive early in
October last, when the bees immediately built upon it. Is it
too early in the season now to ascertain whether they have filled
the comb with honey ?

[The comb could be better spared and would be more apeedily
replaced by the bees if taken previous to instead of after the
issue of a swarm ; added to which, if any comb be made after the
departure of the old queen, and before her successor is impreg-
nated, it will certainly be drone-comb. The proposed examina-
tion might have been made as early as April without injury if
the middle of a fine day had been selected. |

DZIERZON ON FEEDING BEES—THEIR
CHANGING SYRUP INTO HONEY.

In the following masterly article on bee-feeding, its distin-
guished author appears really to have exhausted the subject. It
will be perceived also, that he fully confirms the opinions with
vegard to the change effected by bees in artificial food, which
have been so frequently enunciated in the pages of THE JOURNAL
oF HogticuLTURE by—A DEVONSHIRE BEE-KEEPER.

On Ferpine Bers.

Feeding bees can only be considered a necessary evil, with
which the true bee-keeper who always keeps strong stocks has
very little to dc. He, however, who keeps bees in a locality not
particularly favourable to the pursuit will, if he aim at in-

| creasing the number of his stocks, often be obliged to have

*T did not perceive drones in any save the drone-breedling hives till the | “course to feeding. Now, as last year, notwithstanding its

30th cf May,

| promising appearance at the commencement, turned out unusually

June 16, 1863. ]

bad for bees, owing to cold and wet setting in just at the critical
period, it has been necessary to feed both in the autumn and in
spring; and it msy not, therefore, be amiss at this time to aay
something on the subject.

Tt is well known that food may be given to bees with a two-
fold object: either to keep them alive until such time as nature
again provides food and they are able to help themselves, or to
atir them up to greater activity and promote breeding, which is
frequently done in spring, until about swarming time. The
former we call feeding of necessity; and the latter speculative
feeding ; and the question is how, when, and wherewith we must
feed in order to attain both these ends in the surest, simplest,
and cheapest way.

Feeding of Necessity must commence in autumn if the
stocks have not such provisions that they may reasonably be
expected to survive even a long and severe winter. Properly
speaking, such feeding is disadvantageous to, and rather to be
avoided by, a bee-keeper who hss already a numerous apiary,
and does not, therefore, stick at a few stocks. Such light
colonies generally consume more than they are worth in spring,
so that even in the most fortunate case no profit can be derived
from them; but if they perish in an unfayourable season, food
and trouble are alike lost, and even the combs are no longer
useful—at least they are not of somuch value as they would have
been if the bees had been expelled by driving and added to
other stocks.

It is easily understood why a beginner who wishes to multiply
his hives tries to winter light stocks; and if they have only a
warm dwelling, a good queen, and sufficient bees, they well
deserve it, since if the next year be favourable they will repay
tenfold the food bestowed upon them.

The best and most natural mode of provisioning light stocks
is by inserting sealed combs immediately beside or directly
above the seat of the bees, so that they may be able even in the
coldest weather to reach the store without meeting with any
empty combs, which at such a time they would not traverse.
This operation may algo be performed late, even in mild days in
December, if one mows how to do it cautiously without dis-
turbing the bees. Either place one or more combs just above
the nest of the bees (the position is quite immaterial), by
remoring a part of the hive-cover, and filling any empty space
with dry moss before replacing it, or take empty combs from
the side until either the honey-store or the bees’ nest is reached,
and insert one or two sealed combs in their place. Possibly
everything may be set right, and the hives closed before the
cluster of bees begins to disperse. If the honeycombs at our
disposal are not sufficient for all the stocks, the weakest may at
least be furnished with them, and pieces of sugarcandy be laid
on the bars of the stronger ones. When feeding with sugar-
eandy it must be remembered that it is only available for the
bees if the apiarian or their hive provides them with the moisture
required to dissolve it. Bees winter best on this Kind of food
when it is placed immediately under the well-cemented and
somewhat cool top of the hive, so that the condensed moisture
may not be absorbed by the wood. The twin-stock in particular,
with its low honey-room, is arranged conveniently for it. In
standerstocks it is well to remove the combs and the seat of the
bees in the autumn from the middle to the upper compartment.
If then a space of 1 to 2 inches high remains between the combs
and the crown-bosrd a good quantity of sugarcandy may be
placed there, and when this is consumed a new store may be
given. The opening at the top must be shut as close as possible,
lest a current of air should abstract both warmth and moisture.
Moss, which is a particularly warm substance, is especially
adapted for filling every cavity. It need not be quite dry, and
when feeding with sugarcandy it may sometimes be purposely
wetted in order that it may produce moisture in the hives, or
that the bees may be able to suck directly from it as from a
sponge, or we may pour water into an empty comb snd place
this beside the sugarcandy. If many unfortunate attempts and
experiments have been made in feeding with sugarcandy, the
cause has been that this food has been given to stocks which
were too weak to produce the requisite warmth, or perhaps it
Was not put in the right position and in the right place, or more
probably that the bees wereallowed to die from thirst. Although
& superiluity of moisture within the hive is not desirable, since
mouldiness and decsy arise from it, yet its absence 1s certain
destruction when the bees have nothing but dry sugar or
crystallised honey. It is easier for them to dispose of a super-
fluity of moisture eyen in cold weather, than to search for water,

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

445

to suck it up and bring it home. Bees in want of moisture fly
out even at a low temperature, and as they search for it also
within the hive, many die both inside and outside their dwelling,
whilst in consequence of the frequent disturbance, the whole
stock is early seized by dysentery and perishes,

It is much more difficult to furnish the necessary food to light
stocks when their combs sre immoveable. Straw hives with
wide central apertures at the top may be provisioned by setting
on them small supers with full combs; but if the feeding be
somewhat late, one or two pieces of honeycomb or sugarcandy
must be inserted through the opening, in order to bring the
combs into direct communication with one another, otherwise
the bees will not move upwards during cold weather, but dia
from hunger after consuming the provisions within the hive.
Also, asmall box containing a quantify of sugarcandy may be put
over the aperture in the top of a straw hive; or large sealed
honeycombs might be inserted in the hives themselves, by
cutting away empty side-combs and fitting full ones in their
place supported by small sticks, leaving the hive inverted during
the night, and not replacing it until the combs have been pro-
perly fastened by the bees. As, however, many sealed cells are
generally opened and the honey carried off, they perhaps, derive
no more benefit than if fed with fluid honey.

Tf, however, one cannot furnish the bees with other food, such
fluid honey ought to be given in time whilst they can fly a little,
secrete wax, and are able to seal at least the greater part of the
honey presented to them; since stocks with too many unsealed
honey-cells generally suffer much in winter.

Combs with a great deal of unsealed honey are much colder
to bees, whilst the exposed honey deteriorates in quality, attracts
according to circumstances too much moisture, and becomes
sour, or evaporates and becomes thick. At all events, it loses
ifs aroma, and becomes disagreeable to bees, but especially so to
man. Tf after bad years one should be obliged in the autumn to
have recourse to other substances, such as dissolved sugar, mali,
or potato syrup, ézeacle, or other sweets, feeding must be
hastened and finished whilst the bees are still gathering, and by
taking pollen have the power to purity these sweets and fo
change them into honey, although of an inferior quality. If the
winter be favourable, and the bees are allowed to take flight from
time to time for the purpose of cleaning themselves, one may
bring the stocks through the winter; whereas in a long and
severe winter they suffer as much, or may even perish, as if they
had nothing but the honey gathered late in the autumn from the
pine, fir tree, or from other so-called honeydew.

Tf bees should have consumed an unusual quantity during a
severe winter, or if they have been fed too sparingly in autumn,
much may be done during mild days in winter. Or with hives,
such as the twin-stock, which can easily be moved, one may push
honeycombs close to the bees’ nest, and add new pieces of sugar-
candy or honeycomb, &c. A disturbance if it take place but
once, is of no consequence ; under some circumstances it may
even be an advantage, as the bees may then take the opportunity
of bringing provisions into their nests, or of moving after ther
stores. But continued and repeated disturbances must be
avoided, because they cause the bees to consume more food, and
to suck up the moisture which condenses,on the combs and the
walls of the hive, and which may produce dysentery, and be-
cause when again congregating many bees remain behind and
die from cold.

Speculative Feeding.—In this we have a different, almost an
opposite intention, and a contrary mode of proceeding is, there-
fore, practised. Whilst the food given from necessity is ad-
ministered in as large quantities as possible, in order to avoid fre-
quent excitement and the commencement of breeding, and to
insure this end one may even confine the queen, in speculative
feeding an increased activity and more rapid breeding are the
very points aimed at. The latter is most favoured by an unin-
terrupted and moderate pastrrage, for whilst too rich a pasturage
fills the brood-cells with too much honey, the entire want of it
discourages the bees, and reduces them to inaction, and to cease
breeding altogether. In imitation of a moderate pasturage, the
food is either given repeatedly in small quantities, or so that they
can dissolve and store but small portions. It is offered to them
in a condition that renders it somewhat difficult to dissolye—
such as candied honey, sugarcandy, or moist sugar, and the best
place for it is below the combs (on the foor-doard im lager-
stocks), in order to cause the bees to come down and cover a
larger number of brood-cells. Of course, a supply of moisture

| to liquefy the feod, and whichis indispensable in the preparation

446

of nutriment for the brood, must be cared for, especially if it

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

should not condense sufficiently on the cool fioor-board at a time®

when the bees are not able to fly out. Although for feeding of
necessity in autumn, or even in winter, pure honey is in all cases
the best; yet, when feeding on speculation, a mixture of honey
and wort thickened by boiling, and afterwards, when the bees
haye become accustomed to it, merely thin malt syrup mixed
with brown or any other kind of cheap sugar, may even be pre-
ferred; for this being a substance which requires to be changed
into honey, calls the bees into activity, and excites them more.
As it also contains more nitrogen it may, under certain circum-
stances—for instance, when the bees are not able to collect much
pollen, promote breeding more than feeding with pure honey.

He who has the opportunity of making wort, or of obtaining
it from a neighbouring brewery (of course, without hops or
dregs) may prepare e cheap and good food for bees. The wort
should be boiled a few hours, and when the muciiage has curdled
and whilst simmering is formed into flakes it must be strained,
again boiled, and mixed with honey or sugar. Once accustomed
to it, the bees will take it without this addition, In an isolated
apiary the food may be given during warm weather in the open
air in troughs, water-tight boxes, &c. Of course, the surface of
the food muat be covered with wooden chips or straw lest the
bees should drown therein, for they set about appropriating the
gift im large numbers when they have once become accustomed
to this mode of feeding. In a large apiary, however, such feed-
ing in the open air causes too great a tumult and uproar, so
that weak stocks hearing the swarm tune might be induced to
rush out and desert their hives; wherefore, it is advisable,
especially in early spring, to give to every stock its proper
portion. Hives with moveable combs require no particular
vessel for feeding, as the food may easily be poured into the
cells of one or more combs, and inserted in the hive, or packed
under the seat of the bees. As, however, on account of the
nitrogen which it contains, the bees require pollen for the pre-
paration of food for their brood, or, at least, are not able long
to do without it, it becomes necessary to give them fiour asa
substitute when they are not able to collect it. This is best done
ne old combs placed in asunny and sheltered spot near the bee-

ves.

But if speculative feeding is to be of any real advantage, and
food and trouble not entirely thrown away, it must not be begun
too early; for whilst the air and the ground remain cold
thousands of bees are enticed out of their hives and Jed to their
death, so that though wishing to bring the stocks forward they
are in reality only thrown farther back.

By speculative feeding before their stores are exhausted, bees
are led into a certain error—they are induced to belieye that
pasturage for them already exists, which however, is yet
wanting, and such an error in most cases brings with it its own
punishment. Yet the excitement and activity produced by this
delusion may also, in many cases, be of great advantage; for
instance, if a driven swarm has been made, and we wish the bees
to begin many royal cells, but unfavourable weather setting in
threatens to defeat the intention; we wish for very early drones,
and, perhaps, early and true young Italian queens; or drone-
brood exists in the desired quantity, and when bad weather
comes there is a risk of its being torn out; we have divided a
stock and taken rather too many bees from it, so that it is to be
feared that part of the brood may die before many young bees
hatch out—in these and similar cases speculative feeding in
order to increase the spirit and activity of the bees, and ward off
the evils threatened by unfavourable weather will certainly be of
use. Generally, however, little is gained by feeding, and my
conviction is, that much, very much, honey is wasted by it. It
is better to keep heavier stocks through the winter than to feed
light ones afterwards. Consider feeding always an evil, and
restrict it to the most pressing cases. specially never feed on
speculation, s0 as to lure bees into activity before the proper
time, but at the utmost only in order to fill up gaps and pauses
in the already-begun pasturage, and to keep breeding when fairly
commenced in steady and uniform progress,—DzrERzon.

EXHIBITION OF BEES.

A novet feature in the Exhibition of the Bath and West of
England Agricultural Society which took place at Exeter last
week, was the stall of Messrs. Neighbour & Sons, in which were
exhibited bees at work, bee-hivee, and apiarian appliances of every

[ June 16, 1863.

‘deseription. ‘There were two Ligurian stocks of bees ati work,

one in’ a full-sized Woodbury unicomb-hive, having been’ brought
from London for the occasion, and the other in a smailer hive of
the same description, being from the neighbouring apiary of our
valued correspondent “A DEVONSHIRE BEE-KEEPER.” Amongst
the hives exhibited, the Woodbury frame-hive in straw appeared
both novel and good, whilst’ amongst’ the: apparatus artificial
cornbs and the stereotyped plates for making them seemed to us
the most worthy of attention.

There was a remarkably curious specimen’ of artificial comb
or partition-wall partially fabricated into complete comb by the
bees, which struck us as being well worth examination, showing
as it did the various stages by which this transformation is
effected, and being calculated’ to throw lighton the problem as
to the mode in which bees construct their combs. It is: almost
unnecessary to state, that this: unique and instructive stall was
crowded throughout the week, and we hope its financial results
were such a3 will lead Messrs. Neighbour to continue their
attendance at the Society’s meetings.

BEES DYING.

One of my hives of bees during the late warm weather showed
indications of swarming by hanging in large clusters from the
floor-board. While I was watching them, a portion (say a
fourth), fell to the ground dead. On the following ‘day I put
on a super to prevent swarming, into which they ascended and
commenced work. On examining the super after the late rain,
I found all the bees in it dead. Can’ you tell me the’ cause?
The hive was well protected from the rain and cold. Phe stock
was a weak and late swarm of last year, but well fed during the
winter and spring. I have ulso observed the old bees carrying
away the white grub.—Cnara Noopre.

[Your bees probably died of starvation. See what is said
below by “A. W.”

LIGURIAN BEES, IN AUSTRALIA.

Iy a letter which'I have recently received from Mr. Hdward
Wilson, President of the Acclimatisation Society: of Victoria,
that) gentleman\says:—‘You will be! glad to hear still farther
good news of your Ligurian bees. By the last mail T hear that
from cone of the! hives, three fresh stocks’ have been already
formed, raising our number to six, and offering fine prospects
for the spring. All the gentlemen who have had these bees
under their charge are delighted at their manifest superiority
over the common bee.”

I need scarcely add how much pleasure it’ gives me’to learn
that my little favourites are vindicating their high character at
the antipodes; and how ardently I trust that’ they may amply
repay, by their prosperity, all the care which has been lavished
upon them since their arrival in the colony.— A D=yonsHIRE
BEE-KEEPER.

THE BEE-SEASON IN SOUTH DURHAM.

“Warsaw am Warsaw,” as the Israelitesaid. This season
makes the fourth bed one for bees, and I find yery many hives
have died out; and only about ten days since I sayed one of
mine in a box-hiye by feeding and wrapping it up, as I fancied it
was dying from both cold and starvation. From my inquiries,
I should say half the bees have died in this part (South
Durham) last winter and spring. It would appear that they
haye made very little honey up to this time (9th June); and I
do not observe that they have frequented the May this season,
and, therefore, suppose there is no honey to be had from it.

Many of your correspondents would be glad to have reports
from bee-keepers in different parts of the country as to their
success or failures. —A. W.

OUR LETTER BOX.

Ts Sarsary a Porson ror Fowis?—Mada has lost several hens aud a
cock, apparently of indigestion, and the only cause to which he) can
attribute it is his haying thrown some roots of Salsafy on to tne rubbish
heap. We do not think that, either raw or cooked, the roots would be
poisonous, for we are not aware of any species in the genus that is
deleterious.

Bers (C. @.).— For Ligurians apply to T, Woodbury, Esq., Mount
Radtord, Exeter. A new edition of our ‘‘ Bee-keeping for the Many,” much
enlarged and with numerous illustrations, will be published in a few days.

June 28, 1863, ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 447
WEEKLY CALENDAR,
WEATHER NEAR LONDON IN 1862.
Day | Day Moon Clock
of of JUNE 23—29, 1863, 4 Rain in| S80 Sun Rises | Moon’s | before | Day of
‘M’nth ‘Week. Barometer. |Thermom.} Wind. Inches, | Rises. Sets. jandSets| Age. Sun. Year.
degrees. m. h.jm. hj m b m. 5.
723 Tu Teasel flowers. 29,850—29.743 77—42 N. — 45af3 | 19af8 | l5all de cpr AG) 174
24 WwW Mipsummer Day. Nar. J. Bap.) 29.927—29.905 72—41 N.W. _ 45 3/19 8] 35 11 »)) 1 59 176
25 TH Sir J. Banks died, 1820. B. & G.| 30.126—30.060 68—40 N.E. _— 45 3/19 8 | 58 il oni) gre 176
26 F Bedstraw flowers. 30.048—29,944 78—47 Ww. 02 46 3/19 8 | morn 10 2 25 177
27 Ss Plantain Shoreweed flowers. 29,804—29.686 | 64—39 N.W. _— 46 3/19 8/26 0 IL 2 87 178
28 | Sun 4 Sun. arr. Trin, Q. ViororrA | 29.914—29.829 | 67—34 S.W. 07 47, S19 82, ed 12 2 50 179
29 M §t. Prerer. [Cor. 1838. | 29.988—29.900 72—50 N.W. 02 47 3/19 8; 48 1 | 13 8 2 180

METEOROLOGY oF THE WrEEK.—At Chiswick, from observations during the last thirty-six years, the average highest and lowest
temperatures of these daysare 73.0° and 51,3° respectively. The greatest heat, 93°, occurred on the 27th, in 1826; and the lowest cold, 34°,
on the 24th, in 1859. During the period 141 days were fine, and on 111 rain fell.

USING THE WATERING-POT.
(Concluded from page 428.)

HE uses and abuses of the
watering-pot as
regards ordinary
kitchen-garden

pa > — crops and decidu-

we ous trees having
been. already de-
tailed, it is only

» necessary to say a few

words on it in its relation

to evergreens, andIshall then pro-
ceed to consider its influence on
the well-being of potted plants.

Its duties with regard to ever-
6. 4 greens are somewhat different

4 ve from those required by deciduous
trees. As with these foliage is as

much a feeding-medium as the roots, and as most ever-
greens thrive best when partly in the shade, it is advi-
sable on all occasions to shade the roots, or rather the
ground the shrubs are planted in, after watering, in order
to retain as much moisture in the ground as possible.

Thereby in some degree we copy the design of nature,

which invariably shades the space occupied by the roots

of an evergreen by its own boughs. Thus, therefore,
after watering newly-planted evergreens let them be
shaded, or, what is better, covered with moss, litter,
short grass, leaf-mould, or something that will prevent
the direct action of the sun upon the ground and check
evaporation. Rhododendrons, perhaps more than any
other plant, require this to be done; even established
plants that do not occupy the whole ground will be the
better if the ground is shaded or covered in some way
during the hottest part of the season. All newly-planted
evergreens, too, or such as from necessity have been
planted at a wrong season, are much refreshed by having
their foliage sprinkled with water during the evenings

—after the sun has left them, of course.

We now come to what is by far the most important
use of the watering-pot—namely, supplying potted plants
with their daily drink ; for their artificial condition ne-
cessitates this, and it is here that the judgment of the
operator is called into exercise. Any mere labourer can
carry water and pour a large quantity of it where told,
but some discretion is necessary to judge of the quantity
required by each plant.

erving all alike (a plan much too common), is death
to a great many plants, while, unfortunately, it is too
often adopted in busy times—witness a quantity of Cape

Heaths in small pots subjected to the drenching of a

coarse rose on the spout of a large watering-pot. The

" ¥4
qv Ty
ea

)

job is quickly done, and the operator is off to something

else. Perhaps the next batch is pot-bound, and no ordi-

nary amount of water will do any harm; but these re-

ceive only the same quantity as the newly-potted ones,

and consequently suffer from lack of a sufficient supply.
No. 117.—Vor. IV., New SERIES.

This state of things is unfortunately much too common,
and the result is that plants of delicate habit succumb to
it and die, while disease and a sickly growth follow with
others that hold tenaciously to life. Now, the discreet
use of the watering-pot is nowhere more required than
amongst small or newly-potted plants. Generally speak-
ing, the latter require but little water after being once
attended to in that way ; while the uneven growth and
requirements of small plants alike call for more time and
patience in supplying their daily wants than is generally
accorded them, and such attention would save many from
disease, and in some degree lessen the amount of “‘ death
in the pot,” so often referred to elsewhere. <

Watering, however, is one of those duties which must
be performed at some time or other; and whatever be
the evils that arise from it, there is unquestionably much
good. Plants grown in pots would not live without
water; and where care and circumspection are used the
watering-pot is perhaps second to no utensil whatever
for its general utility. To use it discreetly, however,
can only be learned by practice, or a careful attention to
the appearances of the plants to be operated on. With
large plants a tap with the knuckles against the side of
the pot will enable the daily practitioner to tell by the
sound emitted whether they want water or not, but this is
too tedious for small plants ; besides which, other tokens
exist in them sufficient to guide the judgment. A know-
ledge of the requirements of the plants is also requisite ;
for some plants require a large supply of water, while
others almost exist without it. All these things must, or
ought to be, thought of by those wielding the watering-
pot; and on the care and prudence by which they ad-
minister the daily drink of potted plants much of the
success of these depends.

It would be wrong to close these notes without saying
something on the description of water to be used for
plants. Circumstances often necessitate an improper
kind to be used, but when it is possible this ought to be
avoided. The kind most suitable for plants is undoubt-
edly that with which Nature performs the same work—
a. é., rain water. This ought not to be contaminated
with any foreign substance of an obnoxious kind, which
it often is when it remains some time in a tank cemented
with some of the cements which give an unusual hardness
to the water; neither ought it to remain long in a metallic
vessel, that will also in like manner alter its character.
Perhaps the best place is a pond or pool, exposed to the
full action of the atmosphere, and where it has a chance
to be warmed more or less by the sun; next to that is
a wooden tub or a stone trough. At all events let the
rain water be as pure as possible, and as free as can be
from all mineral impurities that it has a chance to acquire
in its reservoir. Next to rain water is pond water, if
that be good and soft; river water ranks next, and that
from wells and springs last.

Occasional mixings of the water with an enriching
substance will in many cases be beneficial. But as this
is entering upon another subject I will not pursue it
further. I would however, again urge all who have the

No. 769.—Vot. XXIX., Op SERIES.

448

means of preserving a supply of rain water to avail themselves
of the chance, as there is no other water can be so: properly:
used.

Amongst other erroneous opinions respecting the powerful )

influence of water that are entertained by those who direct its
application to'plants, are some'rather/oddinotions. A writer to
Tun JOURNAL OF HorticuLTURE complains that his employer
insists that: all watering must be done/ after sunset or before
sunrise. This at the timevof year I write (June); must give
vise to very early and very late hours indeed, but in no’ case
whatever that) I am acquainted with is it needed. Certamly a
plant perishing for wnt of water ought to haye it without delay
whatever the time of day may be, only taking care not, to. wet

the foliage in bright sunshine, or the globules’ of water left there |

will form lenses which will burn the plants; and as many small
plants must be wetted on the foliage, it is only proper to do it
at a time when the fierce rays. of the sun are considerably abated;
or before they acquire their full strength. When plants are
established and seemingly not suffering much from the lack of
water, but where they are certain to do so before another day is
over, if is best to postpone the watering of such plants until the
morning; for as all ov most watering cools the ground, and
thereby to a certain extent checks vegetation, it is better to:
delay this until the period when the sun is able to warm it again.
When, however, the plant shows evident signs of distress: let
its’ wants be supplied at once, for' to delay this duty until aw
established plant absolutely droops or flags is: hurtful to that
Plant, especially if it be a hardwooded; one; and Heaths: and
such plants soon show sigus of neglect if treated improperly im
the way of water.

Im conclusion; it may be added, that although the use of the
watering-pot may be extended, the desirability of this is far from
certain. Nature has endowed most crops with the faculty of
enduring such periods of drought as she herself inflicts. ‘lurf
may look completely parched up after a period of hot dry
weather, and apparently every vestige of life may be gone; but
a day or two after a genial rain how it starts into lite again!
Trees and other large-growing objects are still better able to
endure a summer’s heat, by sending their roots down deeper! or
farther off for fresh food, and at the end of a dry season the’
congratulations of success in certain things quite equal the com-
plaints of the shortcomings of others, where candour allows a
fair hearing to all sides of the case. Although the use of the
water-pot may be wanted to secure’ such crops as Lettuce im
good ‘condition, Peas on dry ground, Strawberries, and the like,
it is more than questionableif one-halfthe water that is supplied
toisuch crops:does not do harm. Watering the ground between
the rows so-as to induce the fibres of the plants to extend them-
selyes in search of what they, want, is both encouraging to their
growth.and renders them less dependant on hand-feeding. Daily
watering to such plants is not commendable, as it only tends'
to make them root near the surface, and, therefore, become a
prey to the first gleam of sunshine that comes on a day they may
not have received their usual allowance. Like most other’ things,
plants are accommodating to a certain extent, and if inured
to the hardship of trying to make a living for themselves they
will do so; otherwise, if they are brought up by hand—z.e., kept
as it were by hand-watering, they will trust to that. support
and become unable to provide for themselves when it is taken
suddenly away. All out-door crops ought, therefore, to be
watered with caution, and the matter thought of before it: is
Begun, for it is far from certain whether more mischief thaw
good has not arisen from out-door watering. ‘Those, therefore,
to whom nature denies the quantity of water to lavishly pour

upon ground that it is not unlikely to do harm to, may console |

themselves that there are many other employments more cer-
tainly beneficial than watering often is. J. Rosson.

THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY'S
EXHIBITION.—Junz 17.

Heavy showers on the day preceding this Show gave rise to
gloomy forebodings as to the probable character of the weather,
and some prognosticated that the Horticultural Society would
have “its usual ill-luck.”” Fortunately, however, these anticipa-
tions were not realised, the day having proved highly favourable ;,
and although black clouds occasionally swept over the sky as if
hetokening the approach of a, thunderstorm, the sun shone
brightly, throughout the day,,and noxain fell to mar the pleasure

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ June 23, 1868,

of the crowds who preferred the open air and the band of the
Royal Hngineers to the close, heated atmosphere of the Exhi-
bition building.

The fine band: of the Marines was posted during the afternoon.
in the centre of the nave, but though the result fully proved the:
eapabilities of this part of the building in a musical point of
view, yet the music was an interruption to the’ quiet which is
desirable for the inspection of plants, besides which it offered
counter-attraction too strong for many.

Although the great height of’ the building’ exercised’to some
extent a dwarfing effect on the plants, this was much less than
one would have expected; it must be borne in mind, however,
that; some of the specimens exhibited were of enormous size.

The Stove and Greenhouse Plants were’ both numerous’ and
almost without exception large and well grown, though in some
instances there was too evident an effort to secure the required
shape by means! of sticks and tying-in,’ The species exhibited
were mostly the same as those seen at previous shows, and it
will be sufficient to mention the names of such as were most
remarkable in each collection.

___ Unquestionably the finest collection of fifteen came/from Mr,
Whitebread, gardener to H. Colyer, Hsq., of Dartford, the speci-
mens being of extraordinary size and im the finest condition.
Amongst the most noteworthy were a magnificent Ixora javanica,
an’ immense’ Hrica Cavendishii, Pleroma elegans (# splendid
plant); Rondeletia speciosa, Epacris miniata splendens, Pimelea
mirabilis, Vinca alba rosea, that fine climber Dipladenta crassi-
noda; Ixora coccinea, and Polygala Dalmasiana. ‘To: this: col-

\lection:a first prize was awarded. The second was given to’ Mr.
Peed for a collection also excellent, in which Ixora coccinea and
salicifolia, Bricas;Cavendishii and tricolor fammea,. Vinea rosea
and Dracophyllum gracile were noticeable. Mr. Green'was third,
having a splendid Erica obbata, a fine pyramid Tveryana: Azalea,
Kalosanthes coccinea, Allamanda grandiflora, and others ; whilst
Mr. Baxendine, who was fourth, had Allamanda Schottit look-
ing very fresh, Hoya bella, Coleonema rubra, Aphelexis humilis
rosea, &¢. Myr. Rhodes, who received an extra prize, had a very
showy plant of Hrica metuleflora bicolor.

Tn the Nurserymen’sClass for twelve’ Mr: Cole, of Worthing
ton, near Manchester, took the lead) most cf his’ plants: being:
very large’ and) fine. We particularly notiesd: Aphelexis max
crantha rosea, Ixora coccinea and alba, Epacris miniata splendensy,
Pimelea mirabilis, and Phenocoma proliferum Barnesti.. Messrs.
J. & J. Fraser were second with a collection in which. were
noticeable finespecimens of Prostanthera lasianthos,.Kalosantheg,
Angelina, Pimelea diosmefolia, Phenocoma proliferum,. and.
Boronia serrulata, the latter, however, being deficient in flowers,,
Messrs. Lee, of Hammersmith, were third. ‘They had a magni-
ficent Allamanda Schottii with immense flowers ; a pretty bushy
Leschenaultia formosa; Phenocoma proliferum, also very fine;
Erica Candolleana, Clerodendron fallax, and Tetratheca verticil-
lata. Mr. Cutbush, of Barnet, was fourth. ,

In Class 3, for nine plants, the first’ prize was taken by Mr.
Chilman, in whose collection there were fine plants of Kialo-
santhes! coccinea, which is’ always very showy; Hrica: Cavyens
dishii, fine; Dipladenia crassinoda; and Aphelexis macramtha
rosea and) spectabilis: grandiflora, bothief them excellent. Mire
Page came second; some of the best here were Allamanda,
Schottii, Dracophyllum gracile, Hrica tricolor flammea, and)
Pimelea decussata. Mr. Wheeler, who was, third, had among

| others Hedaroma tulpiferum and fuehsioides, Hipacris pulchella,
and Dracophyllum gracile. Mr. Kaile received the fourth prize

|for Roellia ciliata, Kalosanthes coccinea superba, a large and
| handsome Rhyncospermum jasminoides, and other plants.

Mr, Tegg, gardener to Baron Hambro’, Roehampton, had a
| second prize for a.collection of six plants.

| Of Fine-foliaged Plants a superb collection was exhibited by
Mr. May, gardener to J. P. Butt, Hsq., of Arle Court, Chelten=
ham, consisting of a magnificent Cycas revoluta, an enormous
| Pandanus utilis, Theophrasta imperialis, and’ Jussieui, Aralia

| dactylifolium, Croton variegatum and pictum, an immense Pan=
danus javanicus variegatus, and a splendid: Caladium Chantini,
| Mr. Smith, of Syon, was second; his collection includimg) fine.
| examples of Anthurium acaule, Latania borbonica; Calathea
| zebrina, Caladium Chantini, and Martinesia caryotefolia, ‘Ini
| the collection from Messrs. Lee, who had. the third prize, ware:
| fine specimens of Cibotium princeps, Cyathea Smithi, and Cordy-
line indivisa; and in that from Mr. Hutt, gardener: to Miss,

| Burdett Coutts, Highgate, Philodendronm pertusum, Datania bor-
bonica, Dicksonia antarctica, and Pandanus utilis were the most

June 23, 1863. ]

remarkable for size. An excellent exhibition was also contri-
buted by Messrs. A. Henderson & Co.

The Orchids, though not so numerous as at the last show,
nevertheless afforded an extensive display ; the Cattleyas, Vandas,
Teelias, and Lycastes, which were exhibited in great numbers,
forming a prominent feature, whilst rides and Saccolabiums
Were everywhere seen in abundance. Many of the species and
yarieties, and, indeed, the very plants had, of course, been already
shown at previous exhibitions, and to give a mere list of these
would serve no useful purpose, it will, therefore, be sufficient to
confine our mention to a few of the most remarkable, and to
those not referred to on former occasions.

Inthe classfor twenty, the first prize was taken by Mr. Mil-
ford, gardener to E. McMorland, Esq., Haverstock Hill. This
was a fine collection, and it included the blue variety of Vanda
Rexburghi, Vanda Batemanni, Anguloa Clowesii, Brassavola
Digbyana, Oypripedium grandiflorum, ‘the scarce Barkeria
melanocaulon, Lelia purpurata, ‘Hvides odoratum (very fine),
Cattleyas, &c. Mr. Baker, of Stamford Hill, was second. Among
the plants he exhibited were Oncidium ampliatum majus and
Cattleya Mossi, both very fine; rides Schreederi, Lobbi, and
odoratum purpurascens; Saccolabium guttatum Holfordianum,
and curvifolium; also, Calanthe veratrifolia, with several fine
spikes of flowers. Mr. Page was third, showing among others
Orchis foliosa, Maxillaria sp., Cattleya superba, and Brassia
verrucosa.

Im the Nurserymen’s Class for twelve there was only one ex:
hibitor—Mr. Woolley, of Cheshunt, who was awarded a second
prize. Lycaste Deppei, Camarotis purpurea, rides Fieldingii,
Cypripedium Veitchi, and Dendrobium Griffithii, were the most
remarkable,

In the Class for ten Orchids, Mr. Penny, Regent’s Park,
was first with a good Phalenopsis grandiflora, Orchis foliosa,
Dendrobium Parishii, {rides Lobbi, and Cattleya Mossie
superba. Mr. Green who was second, had a very fine Oncidium
Lanceanum and Cyrtochilum stellatum ; and Mr. Peed was third.

Tn sixes, Mr. Lovell, of Nutfield, had a fine collection which
reeeived the first prize. It contained excellent examples of
Brassia verrucosa; Cattleya Mossi, a fine mass of bloom; Sac-
colabiam Blumei major and guttaium, both very fine. Mz,
Wiggins, gardener to W. Beck, Hsq., Isleworth, was second ;
and Mr. Whitebread third. Cypripedium Veitchi, Dendrobium
densifiorum, Vanda tricolor, and dirides odoratum were the
most worthy of mention.

For Azaleas the season was too far advanced, Mr. Page had
aifirst prize for Toilette de Blore, Gem, Symmetry, Sir Charles
Napier, Eulalie Van Geert, Ferella, Chelsoni, and Striata for-
mosissima; but they did not nearly approach in beauty the fine
plants exhibited at previous shows.

Im the Class for six kinds sent out since 1858 Messrs. Ivery
and Son had first for Duc de Brabant, F, H. Yon Weldeck,
Leopold I., Etoile de Gand, Striata floribunda, and Variegata
superba.

for six Dracenas and Cordylines, the first prize was awarded
to Messrs. Jackson & Son, of Kingston, for fine specimens of
Cordyline heliconifolia; Dracena australis, Rumphi, indivisa,
terminalis, and ferrea, the latter large and yery handsome. The
second prize was given to Mr. Bull, of Chelsea for Dracsenas
arborea, spectabilis, australis, Draco, congesta, and Cordyline
indiyisa. He had also another collection, consisting of the hand~
some crimson D. ferrea variegata, Ehrenbergi, brasiliensis, ferrea,

latifolia, and australis.

‘With regard to Cape Heaths, whether it was that some of the
plants exhibited had somewhat deteriorated in beauty, or that
from haying been already seen at previous shows, they had loat
some of their freshness, as the eye had become accustomed to
them, they seemed scarcely equal to what we have seen before,
Still the specimens were very fine, especially those sent by
Mi. Peed. These consisted of tricolor impressa and flammea,
mutabilis, eximia superba, Massonii, and depressa. Messrs.
Jackson & Son, who also excel in the culture of this class of
plants, received the second prize for Bergiana, depressa, Can-
dolleana, ventricosa magnifica, tricolor impressa, and nobilis,
Mr. Chilman who was third, had obbata very fine.

For Anectochilus Mr. Bull had the first prize, the kinds

ine intermedius, Dayii, xanthophyllus, argyreus, Pogonia
discolor, and Nephelaphyllum pulchrum.

-A multitude of other objects were shown; those coming
within the scope of the Fruit and Floral Committees will form
the subject of separate reports ; whilst florists’ flowers and some

JOURNAL OF HORTICULIURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

449

other subjects will be taken up by our valued contributor “ D.,?
of Deal. There still remain, however, a few exhibitions to
notice. Messrs. Iyvery & Son had a numerous collection of
British Ferns, some of theom—as Athyrium Filix-foemina Apple-
byanum, and glomeratum, and Polystichum angulare Hlworthii
—being both novel and interesting. Iveryanum and mucro-
natum are also new and handsome varieties of the first-named
species. Messrs. Jackson & Son had Ouvirandra Berneriana, a
lattice plant differing from tke better known fenestralis, which
was exhibited by Mr. Bull, bet much the same in its general
aspect. Mr. Bull exhibited Echites argyrsa (a climber of great
promise), the handsome Begonia Secrétaire Morren, Athyrium
Ef. diffissum, the green-leaved Aucuba,and other new Japanese
plants, a white-variegated Juniper, Asplenium rachirhizon, a
Dioscorea with ornamental foliage, Marvel and others of his
new strain of Mimuluses, together with a fine collection of orna=
mental-foliaged plants. A collection of eighteen varieties of
Foxglove came from Messrs. Ivery; Bougainyillea glabra from
Mr. Tumer, of Slough ; Alocasia Lowii from Messrs. Low and
Co.; and Aralia Sieboldii and Cypripedium Stoneii from Mr.
Williams, of Holloway; whilst Mr. Standish had an extensive
collection of Japanese plants, of which a variety of Deutzia
crenata with double flowers—white tinged with pink—was par-
ticularly handsome. Lychnis Senno was another very ornas
mental flowering plant, the blooms being scarlet, and as large
asa florin. There was also a striped variety, but it was not
nearly so pretty. Messrs. E. G. Henderson & Co. exhibited a
group of handsome new Mimuluses. In cut flowers, Messrs.
Barr & Sugden had a great variety of Irises; Hooper & Co.
hybrid Ixias, Irises, and Gladioluses; Messrs. Butler and
McCulloch Irises; and Messrs. Fraser, Paul & Son, and Salter,
cut Ponies of every shade from white to the deepest red.
Lastly, Mr. Whitebread had four magnificent specimen Ixoras,
the kinds being salicifolia, javanica, and coccinea.

FRUIT.

The show of fruit, though extensive, was not so much so as!
could have been desired, or, indeed, expected at this season.
Black Hamburgh Grapes, of which, being the variety most ex
tensively cultivated, we always expect to see numerous exhi-
bitions, were not shown by so many competitors as they generally
are, whilst of Peaches and Nectarines on the other hand there
was’ a superabundance.

The first prize collection came from Mr. Masters, gardener
to the Earl of Macclesfield, Tetsworth. It consisted of Black
Hamburgh Grapes, a Montserrat Pine, Sherburn Castle Hybrid
Melon, Koyal George Peaches, Elruge Nectarines, and a very
fine dish of Empress Hugénie Strawberry. The second-prize,
collection was from Mr. A. Henderson, of Trentham, and was,
composed of Black Hamburgh and Trentham Black Grapes
(both fine), a Black Jamaica Pine, Royal George Peaches,
Violette Hative Nectarines, and Trentham Hybrid Melon. Ma,
Turnbull, of Blenheim, had the only remaining collection, in
which were three fine bunches of Muscat of Alexandria, Black
Hamburgh, an excellent Queen Pine, Royal George Peaches, and
Sir Charles Napier Strawberries.

Of Pine Apples, the best Cayenne came from Mr. Taylor, of
Temple Newsam, Leeds; it was a fruit of the Smooth-leayed
variety weighing 4 lbs. 14 ozs. The best Queen, weight, 43 lbs,
was from Mr. Hutchison, Castle Malgwyn. Mr. Hall, gardener
to Earl Scarborough, had one of 5 lbs. 3 ozs. ; and Mr. Young,
Aberdare, a Providence of 12} lbs.

Of Black Grapes the best were from Mr. Lawkins, gardener
to G. Brassey, Hsq., Bramfield, they being large and finely-
coloured bunches of Black Hamburgh. The second and third
prizes were awarded to Mr. Turner, of Slough; and Mr. Jack-
son, of Tixhall Hall, for the same kind.

In Muscats the first prize was taken by Mr. Emberry, of
Chadwell Heath, for good-sized bunches, not the largest but the
ripest shown, some of the berries becoming of a fine amber
colour. To ripen it properly the Muscat of Alexandria requires
a-great heat, and from the generally unripe state in which it is
exhibited, it would appear that a sufficient temperature is seldom
afforded to it. The second prize went to Mr. Turnbull, of Blen-
heim; the third to Mr. Turner, the bunches and berries large
and fine but too unripe.

In the Any variety Class the first prize was given to Mr, Wills, -
of Oulion Park, for well-ripened but not large bunches of
Golden Hamburgh ; the second going to Mr. Mould, Bushey

450

Heath, for Chasselas Musqué; aud the third to Mr. Cross, for
Sweetwater. In the same class Mr. Turner exhibited large but
unripe bunches of Golden Hamburgh; Mr. Pottle, Buckland
Sweetwater ; and Mr. Widdowson, Dutch Sweetwater. There
was a sad lack of competition in this class, which is one well
calculated to give encouragement to and bring out the qualities
of new varieties.

Peaches were numerous, and generally very fine. The firat
prize was awarded to Mr. Rutland, for Nobjesse, large and hand-
some; the second to Mr. Saow, Wrest Park, for Violette
Hative, remarkably fire ; and third prizes to Mr. Allen, of Hop-
wood Hall, Lancashire, for Royal George, and Mr. Brown, gar-
dener to Sir C. Knightly, for large fruit of the Noblesse. Grosse
Mignonne came from Messrs. Boreham, Turner, Cross, and
Dawson; Royal George from Messrs. Wills, Turnbull, Cruick-
shank, and Horwood; and Bellegarde, from Mr. Richards.

Nectarines were also shown in abundance, and some in great
perfection. Mr..Rutland had first prize for large and well-
ripened Hlruge; Mr. Brown was second with Violette Hative ;
and Mr, Horwood third with the same kind. The finest Nec-
tarines shown, however, were those from Mr. Allen, gardener to
J. B. Glegg, Esq., of Withington Hall, Cheshire. They were
exhibited as the Scarlet, but were to all appearance the Elruge,
and wonderfully fine they were, but from being in the Miscel-
laneous Class they were necessarily passed over without re-
ceiving an award.

In Cherries, Mr. Henderson, of Trentham, had first prize for
Elton ; Mr, Snow was second with Knight’s Harly Black; and
Mr. Enstone third with Elton. Reine Hortense was sent by

-Mr. Curd, Royal Duke by Mr. Tillery, and May Duke by
_ Messrs. Turner, Ford, Dunn, and Cross.

Strawberries, as exhibited by Mr. Smith, of Twickenham,
could not have been surpassed. He was first for a single dish
of British Queen, and in three dishes, for the same kind, Empress
Eugénie, and Sir Charles Napier, the fruit being of the extra-
ordinary size which he usually exhibits. Mr. Widdowson was
second with Sir Harry, and took a similar prize in the Class for
three dishes with that kind, Sir C. Napier, and Crimson Queen.
Messrs, Turner, Turnbull, and Dwerribouse, had also excellent
exhibitions of Strawberries.

Several handsome Melons were shown. Mr. Terry, gardener
to L. Ames, Hsq., St. Albans, had the first prize in the Scarlet-
fleshed class, and Mr. Meredith, of Garstone, Liverpool, took a
pan position for a White-fleshed Hybrid Persian, of very fine

avour.

In the Miscellaneous Class, besides the Nectarines before
alluded to, there were several excellent exhibitions of Royal
George Peaches, and Violette Hative Nectarines, coming from
Mr. Allen, of Hopwood HalJ, Mr. Horwood, and Mr. Brown;
and good Brown Turkey Figs were shown by Mr. Henderson, of
Trentham, Mr. Smith, of Syon, and Mr. Cross, the two last-
named receiving third and fourth prizes, whilst Messrs. Lane
were awarded the first prize for a collection of Apples, Pears, and
Gherries in pots, which bore every evidence of health, and were
covered with fruit swelling, colouring, and ripe. Messrs. Lee
had Cherries in pots; and Strawberries in pots were exhibited
by Mr. Horwood and Mr. Cross, the former haying Hleanor,
the latter Alice Maude and Trollope’s Victoria. The fruit of
Passiflora quadrangularis was also shown, and some well-
coloured Tomatoes, as well as a few Apples of last year.

TABLE DECORATIONS AND FLORISTS’ FLOWERS.

‘A wet, cold and damp morning seemed to portend one of the
old Chiswick days of the Horticultural Society; but before
twelve o’clock the sun shone forth with great brilliancy, and a
splendid afternoon attracted a large number of lovers of flowers,
lovers of display, and lovers of sight-seeing from all quarters.
The Oxford» Commemoration detracted, doubtless, from the
brilliancy of the féte, by keeping many distinguished persons
away; but notwithstanding, the Dilkoosha, as a writer in the
Times facetiously calls it, was crowded with a large assemblage
of the upper ten thousand, to witness a very fine display of
flowers, and, I believe, fruit ; but the latter was so far off from the
former, that I for one did not venture on it; and was therefore
untempted by what I have no doubt was exceedingly good to
look at, but exceedingly sour to the bystanders. The mistake of
separating the music in ¢ofo from the Show was not committed
this time, and the presence in the nave of the splendid band of
the Royal Marines was a great improvement, attracting a large

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ June 23, 1863,

number there who thus perforce visited the flowers, who would
otherwise have only loitered about the gardens.

The plants and flowers were arranged, as before, down the
nave, and filled it from one end to the other. The subjects
entered for Sir W. Dilke’s prizes were in the southern arcades
on entering, while the fruit was in the western arcade. Ample
space was thus given for promenading, and the subjects could
all be seen to great advantage. As before, however, I think the
plants looked dwarfed, owing to the great size of the place, and
atemporary awning would haye greatly improved it. It is to be
hoped that when the Rose Show takes place something will be
adopted to protect them from the great heat and glare, or, as I
saw in the boxes exhibited to-day, they will not stand much
chance.

If imitation be the truest flattery, then assuredly Mr. March
ought to feel highly flattered, for nearly all the groups exhibited
for Sir Wentworth Dilke’s prizes were modifications of his
original design; so much so, indeed, that it is a question now,
I think, whether we have not had enough of this table decora-
tion. Originality of design there seems to be none; and the
differences between the groups are only differences of arrange-
ment. If the thing is attempted again, Sir W. ought to attach
one condition—“ No birds, beasts, or fishes allowed;” for, with
all due deference to the ladies who adjudicated, loves of hamming-
birds were quite out of all character, and ought, in my opinion,
and that of many others whom I heard speaking about it, to
have disqualified the exhibitor. They were, too, in such
abundance, that the eye involuntarily rested on them, and this,
in my opinion, is a proof of imcorrectness in taste. The per-
fection of dressing is when you can say, “‘ How beautifully dressed
that lady is!” though neither her bonnet, shawl, nor dress espe~
cially attract the eye. So here, too, if the principles were correct
which at the first Exhibition made the almost unanimous voice
of the multitude second the decision of the Judges in adjudi-
cating to Mr. March and his sister the first prize, because of
the simplicity and elegance of the design, then was the decision
of to-day quite erroneous. i

The prettiest design there was in my opinion Lady Holmes-
dale’s; but this was spoiled by the introduction of some china
swans on the plateau. More of this anon—I am in duty bound
to take in the order of merit as arranged by the Judges.

The first prize was awarded to Lady Rokeby. This group
was founded on the original design of Mr. March, the stand
consisting of a plateau, glass rod, and smaller dish on the top.
There was a deviation from it in small tubes, which sprang out
of the body of the stand, and in which were placed some fronds
of light Ferns. Around the base of each stand, instead of the
Ferns or Vine leaves recommended and used by Mr. March,
there was a wreath of Cissus discolor; Caladium argyrites for
the centre, and Coleus Verschaffelti for the third. The Caladium,
we think, was a mistake, not being sufficiently in contrast to the
white cloth. There were some bunches of Grapes, some of which
the humming-birds were supposed to be eating, while others
rested on the Fern fronds. It was altogether pretty, but for
the reasons I have indicated above it did not stand Al.

Mrs. J. Worthington Bliss, Langton, near Tunbridge Wells,
obtained second prize. This, too, was a modification of Mr.
March’s, some fine fruit being both in the top and stand, with
Stephanotis floribunda twining up the stem. This in my opinion
was superior to Lady Rokeby’s.

The third prize was awarded to Mrs. Walter Fawcett, of
Westbourne Street, Hyde Park; andit is an evidence that much
latitude must be allowed to Judges of matters of taste, when I
know that many thought this should haye been rewarded with
the premier prize. : 1

Those commended were Lady C. Kerrison, whose group con-
sisted almost exclusively of fruit, with a white china centre-piece.
Mr. A. Salter, William Street, Hammersmith, had a very pretty
set. ‘The top dish was supported, not hy a glass rod, but by
four light wires, on which, to hide them, were tied some nice
fronds of Ferns. Lady Holmesdale had glass ovals instead of
a straight glass rod supporting the top, Ferns, Grapes, and some
choice Orchids being mixed with them. Mr. Thompson, of 17,
Royal Crescent, had a very large plateau into which gold fish
were introduced—quite, as I think, out of place, unless if was
intended that each guest was to catch his own and haye them
cooked according to his own fashion. It was, 1 think, very
properly passed over by the Judges. On the whole, my belief
is that the original design has never been equalled for simplicity,
elegance, and agreement with the principles of correct tastes

June 23, 1863; ]

and that, as nothing more desirable scems likely to be attempted,
it would be well if decoration for some other purpose were
encouraged,

It would be impossible, while writing on this branch of the
Exhibition, to omit reference to the very beautiful jardiniéres,
the invention of Mr. March, which were exhibited in the nave,
and bore evidence of the same correctness of taste which has
linked his name with table decoration both here and abroad ;
for it was no little gratification to see on the table of one of the
first hotels in Paris, whose salon is considered to be hardly
excelled for beauty, his stands as forming the decoration. These
jardiniéres were glass tables formed of glass of a peculiar cha-
racter, and white metal—silyer or otherwise. The foot was a
tripod, holding within it a small dish for flowers; the stem
which supported the table of glass, also protected by silver wire,
in one case being a succession of nobs, which gave it a very
brilliant appearance, while the top was also glass filled with
flowers arranged with great taste and judgment. It is impos-
sible to give an accurate description of this very beautiful table,
or to convey an idea of the extreme brilliancy of its appearance ;
but as it will doubtless be exhibited at other shows we would
strongly advise all who have large and handsome rooms, and
who admire brilliancy of effect without gaudiness, to see for
themselves, and we hardly think they will go away without be-
coming purchasers. The glass was manufactured by the well-
known firm of Dobson & Pearce, of St. James’s Street.

The Florists’ Flowers were especially fine; and although the
Council afforded but scant favour to cut flowers, some very
beautiful things were placed in that marvellously heterogeneous
class—Miscellaneous. Let us hope that next year they may,
haying learned by experience, do something more for this most
popular division. TI have only again to repeat that the most
crowded parts of the Show were where these were exhibited,
while greenhouse plants, &c., were comparatively deserted.

The Pelargoniums were very fine indeed—in fact, such plants
as those exhibited by Mr. Nye, Miss Foster’s gardener, of Clewer,
it is impossible to excel. There was one plant there in his col-
jection—that fine old variety Sanspareil, which was a perfect
marvel of growth. Others were also fine, but this bore off the
palm from all others. His flowers were Perdita, Fairest of the
Pair, Sanspareil, Lord Clyde (splendid colour), Desdemona
(beautiful plant), Rose Celestial (magnificent both as to plant
and quality of bloom), Ariel, and Htna, Mr. Shrimpton was
second with The Bride, Sanspareil, Stella, Guillaume Severyns,
Lord Olyde, Festus, Prince of Prussia; third to Mr. Page; and
an extra (why I know not), went to a collection all sticks and
no bloom, which in my humble opinion ought not to have been
there at all.

Amongst Nurserymen Mr. Turner and the Messrs. Fraser
were the only exhibitors, and in the above order. Mr. Turner’s
plants were very fine, They were Prince of Prussia (somewhat
of a dirty look), Nestor, Flora, Bacchus, Modesty, Viola, Fairest
of the Fair, Pizarro, Lady Canning (most lovely), Lord Clyde,
Ariel, and Beauty of Reading. Messrs. Fraser were second with
Lightning, Guillaume Severyns, Lillie, Osiris, Peacock, Monarch,
Prince of Prussia, Etna, Sunset, Viola, Matilda, Bacchus.

In Fancy Pelargoniums the Messrs. Fraser were first with
Roi des Fantaisies, a bright, showy, but badly shaped flower;
Claudiana; Bridesmaid ; Clara Novello ; Delicatum, a nice light,
though of indifferent shape; and Lady Craven. The second
prize was awarded to Mr. Turner for Clemanthe, Claudiana,
Delicatum, Cloth of Silver, Hyvening Star, and Roi des Fantaisies.
A very sharp and close race was run in spotted or French kinds
between the Messrs, Fraser and Mr. Turner, which the J udges
could only settle by giving them equal firsts. Mr. Turner’s
flowers were Mr. Marnock, a beautiful plant; Guillaume Se-
veryns; Osiris; Rembrandt, bad; William Bull, very bright
and showy ; and Spotted Gem, an exquisite plant. Mr. Fraser’s
were Madame Furtado, Mazeppa, Sanspareil, Bracelet (good),
Mr. Marnock, and Excelsior (fine).

It is, we think, unfaiz upon both J udges and exhibitors to con-
stitute such a class as the best collection of Roses ; for one man
will interpret that as the best which has the largest number of
blooms, and another that which has the best blooms, and hence
it generally leads to confusion and disturbance.

As I long ago predicted, when Mr. Turner began Rose-
growing, he has become a thorn in the side of some of the older
exhibitors, in the present case taking—and deservedly, as I think
—first place. Amongst his Roses we noticed Frangois Lacharme,
very fine; Catherine Guillot; Madame Charles Wood, very

JOURNAL OF HORTIOULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

451

Jarge ; Général Jacqueminot; Anna Alexief!; John Waterer ;
Amiral Gravina, fine dark; Senateur Vaisse; La Brillante;
Devyoniensis; Mademoiselle Bonnaire, good white; Narcisse ;
Louise Darzins, best white Perpetual; Madame Boutin, new
and good; Madame Furtado; Comtesse de Chabrillant ;
Madame Boll; Vicomte Vigier; Paul Ricaut; Oharles Lawson,
&c. Messrs. Paul & Son and Mr, Mitchell were equal seconds,
In the former lot were some few of the new Roses of this year ;
and, if one may form an opinion, they seem to bear out the con-
clusion I formed from my visit to Paris last year, that 1863
would not be distinguished for anything very brilliant. Due
d’ Anjou was pretty ; Madame Helye, curious shelly flower; and
Deuil de Prince Albert, good purple ; his own Lord Clyde was
very fine; Baron Gonella better than I have ever seen it. In
Mr. Mitchell’s were some very fine varieties ; Maréchal Vaillant,
good; Gustave Rousseau, also good; Maurice Bernhardin,
fine; Christian Puttner, a good dark Rose.

Mr. Turner had a fine box of Pinks, consisting of the follow-
ing varieties :—Pride of Colchester, Device, Miss Glover, Mrs,
Lamb, Prince of Wales, Titiens, Constance, Victory, Cristabel,
Dr. Maclean, Lord Elcho, Princess of Wales, Samson, Diadem,
Lizzy, Mrs. Turner, Minnie, Nina, Blondin, Kentish Volunteer,
and some seedlings. The lacing of these was very beautiful, and
the individual flowers were large.

Of other cut flowers there was a very pretty collection of
Txias, Sparaxis and other allied bulbs, amongst which I. viridi-
flora, crocata, and crateroides were noticed as being very pretty.
This is a class of flowers that must become popular. Messrs, -
Downie & Co. exhibited thirty-six Show and thirty-six Fancy
Pansies ; also their excellent bedding Calceolaria Cloth of Gold,
and the new Delphinium bicolor grandiflorum. Mr. Turner
had a fine box of Verbenas, containing, amongst others, fine
blooms of Lord Leigh, Lord Craven, Firefly, Fairy, L’Avenir de
Bellant, &c. ‘ iF

Two very fine collections of exotic Ferns were exhibited—the
best by Mr. W. Bull, the second by Messrs. A. Henderson.
Mr. Bull’s contained magnificent plants of Cibotium princeps,
Cyathea dealbata, Cibotium culcita and Barometz, Gleichenia
flabellata and dichotoma, Alsophila radens and excelsa,» Ma-
rattia elegans, Dicksonia antarctica, and Davallia dissecta.
Messrs. A. Henderson had Drynaria muszfolia, Gymnogramma
calomelanos, Cibotium Barometz, Adiantum teneram, Lastrea
patens, Cyathea boconensis, Phlebodium pulyinatum, Cibotium
Schiedei, Alsophila australis, Angiopteris evecta, Drynaria coro-
nans, and Brainea insignis. __ , Ke

Messrs. Ivery had a beautiful collection of British Ferns,
comprising Asplenium adiantum nigrum acutum, fontanum
Halleri, septentrionale, trichomanes, _trichomanes ramosum ;
Athyrum Filix-foemina, F’.f. conoides, crispum, diffissum, Fieldia,
Tveryanum, multiceps, mucronatum, plumosum; Blechnum
spicant polydactylon, ramosum ; Ceterach officmarum; Cysto-
pteris fragilis regia ; Lastrea lepidota, Filix-mas cristata, pumila ;
Osmunda regalis cristata; Polypodium phegopteris, Roberti-
anum, vulgare cambricum ; Polystichum foliosum, angulare va-
vians, Wollastoni; Scolopendrium vulgare crispum, endivis-
folium, marginatum, and sculpturatum. ,

Amongst the new flowers exhibited was a large quantity of
seedling Geraniums, but very inferior both in number and
quality to those exhibited last season. There were iwo very
fine flowers of Mr. Hoyle’s—Achilles, a magnificent high-coloured
Beauty-of-Reading style of flower, of perfect shape, and with a
beautifully clear white throat; and Artist, already noticed.
There were also Gloxinias, Mimuluses, bedding Geraniums, &c.,
which will, doubtless, appear in your report of the Floral Com-
mittee’s proceedings. Nor can I omit the very beautiful double
Deutzia sent by Mr. Standish, another of the valuable contri-
butions from Japan, and as a hardy shrub most valuable for our
gardens.—D., Deal.

UNJUSTIFIABLE EXCLUSION or GARDENERS
FROM AN EXHIBITION.

I BEG to forward the schedule issued by the Royal Belfast
Botanic and Horticultural Company. The rules laid down for
the admission of gardeners have caused very great dissatisfaction
amongst the exhibitors and gardeners in general, as they consider
themselves grossly insulted in being invited to send their pro-
ductions to the Show to be held on the 27th August, but are
not to be admitted to the place of exhibition themselves except

Ab2

fora short time to see what prizes they have taken, and for half
an hour before the Show closes. eel

The gardeners haye held a meeting, at which it was resolved,
and the resolution signed by fifty-four gardencra, that if they, the
exhibitors, were not to be admitted at a reasonable time after
the public, they would not on any account send their productions
to the Show. Are the exhibitors asking more than they have a
right to expect from the above Company? ‘The gardeners of
‘Belfast and neighbourhood will feel greatly obliged if the Editors
will please to give their opinion on this subject.—N. T. Y.,

Belfast.

[To apply to the rule for such av exclusion of gardeners the
mildest term it deserves we reprobate it as very unreasonable.
At the London exhibitions gardeners are admitted at all times
during which the public are admitted, and at such exhibitions
gardeners certainly have as fellow-spectators members of the
community as high in position as they will have at Belfast. So
far from submitting, as the Belfast gardeners seem willing to sub-
mit, to be admitted ‘‘a reasonable time after the public,” we
advise them not to submit to be admitted a second later than
any one else. They will have too much good sense, as have their
brethren elsewhere, to inconvenience any one; and, moreover,
their presence is desirable, and we know of more than one
member of the aristocracy who delights in seeing and obtaining
information from gardeners at such gatherings.— Eps. J. oF H. |

BHOTAN RHODODENDRONS—AMARYLLIS
CULTURE.

TwaveE been anxiously expecting intelligence from Mr. Cox,
of Redleaf, respecting “the yellow-looking, smooth flower-bud,”
exhibited by a Bhotan Rhododendron under his care. Have the
buds expanded, and what are the blossoms like? Is it hardy,
‘and where can it be purchased? I have heard of one this year

producing white funnel-shaped flowers, with a deep orange- |

coloured centre, and most deliciously fragrant.

As to the Amaryllis and its varieties—I have read with much
interest Mr. Anderson’s paper respecting this beautiful bulb,
and I am surprised that it is not more generally cultivated. I
have a fair collection, and flower them well with very little
trouble. When I first commenced their cultivation I had only
® few, but possessed a roomy hot pit, in which they grew and
bloomed vigorously, enabling me to make my drawing-room
gay during the dreariest days in winter. At my present residence
I have only a large greenhouse, with Melon-frames. In ‘the
autumn and winter the dormant roots are stored away under
the flue, and kept there till my bedding Geraniums can be re-
moved from a deep pit, which is then filled with tan, and the
pots of Amaryllis, about one hundred in number, are plunged in
the fermenting material, and in about a few weeks come into
bloom, and become beautiful ornaments in my conservatory.
The warmth of the greenhouse enables them to mature their
foliage and ripen their roots. Many of my bulbs are seedlings
of my own, and though they might not “pass muster before the
Floral Committee,” are really beautiful decorative objects. The
list of varieties given by Mr. Anderson in No. 113 is very
tempting, and it would bea kindness to me, and, perhaps, to
many others, if he would gay where they are to be purchased.—
A Dzvontan.

HEATING GARDEN STRUCTURES.
(Concluded from page 436.)

Tue small Arnott boiler will heat 100 feet of four-inch pipe,
Consume less fuel than any boiler known, and require less at-
tendance than most.

Small boilers, however, consume more fuel proportionately
than larger, and take nearly the same quantity as aflue; and the
first cost of one being nearly double that of the other, persons
ask themselves, “ What is the good of having a boiler when I
can get a flue for half the money?” If you measure the growth
of plants by their cost, and can see goodness in cheapness, and
derive more pleasure from badly-grown plants than from those
Well grown, by all means keep to flues.

A clever man may do as much with a flue asa bungler with a
boiler; but give a clever man a boiler, and where is your flue ?
Gone for ever. If an amateur’s experience is limited to flues,
how can he form an opinion of heating by hot water? 1 feel

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

[ June 23, 1868,

sure that many amateurs keep to flues for economy ; but were
they in a position to have a boiler, I haye no doubt which
they would prefer. I also grant that some may have a house
heated by a fiue doing good service, eyen better than his neigh-
bour’s boiler; but how much more indomitable perseverance is
possessed by one than the other? More depends on a patient
dogged perseverance than on the merits of a system, and on a know '
ledge of details than all the fine theories possessed without ap-
plication. Diligent attention and the application of a few matters
will do more to insure success in cultivation than all the learned
ologies, as Mr. Fish puts it, with carelessness and no application,

Mr, Robson must take a similar view, for he wishes to heat a
house by hot water, which is strange considering that he pro-
nounces hot air as good for vegetation as hot water. Why does
he want hot water for a house to be kept at a high temperature,
when he writes flues are as good? It appears to me as if he
was desirous of taking the opinion of others on this question,
and makes a few extreme remarks in order to provoke a dis-
cussion. The call has been only moderately responded to, and
T hope all of us will contribute our mite, and if we do, I am
sure the fate of flues will be sealed for ever.

Though “BH.” prides himself in being able to heat a house
110 feet long with a flue for less money by half than the cost of
a hot-water apparatus, I will not say that he cannot; but I do
say he cannot keep:the frost out of such a house unless he has
a blasting-furnace and a flue like a town sewer, and that he
would burn more coal in a month than will afford ample to last
a boiler a twelvemonth. I cannot see how he would heat the
house with one flue at all; but he, no doubt, has a novel plan of
his own as rare and as simple as the one so lately given in this
Journal. ‘“H.” will, perhaps, tell us the quantity of space he
calculates a superficial foot of flue to heat, how hot a flue will
be after it has travelled 20 yards, to say nothing of 50, and
whether he could not roast a ham in the chimney after all. I
have known a fiue fire traverse 30 yards of bricks and mortar,
and though the flue was not warmer than an adjoining wall, the
heat in the chimney was more than the hand could bear. Soot
in a flue, 3 inches or more thick, forms a barrier against the
absorbing powers of brick and prevents the flue heating, as any
housewife knows her oven heats badly unless it be clear of soot.
As “WH.” is so confident of his wondrous flue-knowledge, L
invite his attention to an estimate for heating a house for a
vinery 110 feet long, 20 feet wide, 5 feet high at sides, the roof
a span at an angle of 45°.

£ os. d.
BOUL ETs aircon canta a tues sou soaoeduin sete Sousi cs ext eena deni veh is cote sesevanas 12 0 0
Sliding doors, GC. ...cssscssscnerannascescerspasvsencnnes pera deesenee 220
Fire-bricks, ship, or fire-clay, common bricks, and mortar 015 0

Boiler-setting and chimney-building, mason and la-
bourer, four days, including firehole, digging and wall-

miifedeuareeel bepertrmen ctr ertee tens CO LED Ceo Merced 0
520 feet of four-inch pipe, or 4 tons4 cwt., at 0
Bends, elbows, &c., 4 cwt., at Ils. per cwt. .. 0
Fixing pipes, with materials. .........csussereeseee ie 610 0

4519 0

This would contain 22,000 cubic feet, and 148 feet of heating
surface at a temperature of 212° world be required to heat it
and keep the temperature at 62° steadily ; but having also 3880
feet of glass, or cooling surface, four times that quantity of
heating surface will be required to secure a temperature of 55°
in all weathers, and six times a philosopher's calculation to
maintain a temperature of 60°. }

“Hi.” will beso good as.give hisiestimate, for according to my
notions he would want four flues and as many fires to obtain the
same heat and a result below par. he boiler would consume a
ton of coke fortnightly for four or six months according to the
season and the time the fruit is desired to be ripe, which at 6s,
per ton is £3; but his flues would consume a ton a-week of
small coal in all weathers (for flues do not burn coke well), two in
severe, which at 7s. 9d. per ton, would give 20 tons, £7 15s., being
£4 15s. in favour of the boiler, with one-quarter the trouble and
attention ; and whilst a gardener could leave his boiler and house
in perfect security,at 6 P.M. in mild weather, and at 8 P.M, in severe
weather, ‘H.” would have to stoker hard every three or four
hours, and go to bed late with a conviction in his mind that he
must be up early, long before nature is awake. Thus the boiler
would save £4 15s. annually, which in seyen years amounts to
£33 5s., during which time the boiler would not cost 6d. beyond
3s, Gd. in cleaning out.once a-year, whilst “ H.'s” flues would cost
at least 7s, 6d. in sweeping and washing with lime water, to say
nothing of repairs,and at ten years’ end the boiler would have
saved its first cost by consuming so little fuel. ‘The pipes would

June 23, 1863. ]

be as good as ever, the boiler last another ten years, and the owner
would not be pestered with hydrogen smells, nor see his Vines
drooping and scorched with fire-damp and a crazy flue, after
wasting £47 or more, enough to build the owner a moderate-
sized greenhouse.

We had a boiler put in in 1835, and though old and worn
it was not useless when it was removed to make way for a
larger, and the pipes were as good as evyer—they had never
cost a penny in repairs, and they did not need any after twenty-
Seyen years wear and tear, neither can they be distinguished
from new pipes. I mention this boiler and pipes in justification
of my statement, for some people have an idea that boilers are
soon worn out.

In heating a number of houses hot water is without an equal;
but haying given the cost of heating five houses by flues I will
heat them with hot water by way of comparison.

The range is 180 feet by 18, all of them kept at a high tem-
perature; costing for heating with flues £47 10s., and £26 10s.
in fuel annually.

& 3 de
Boiler 20 0 0
Doors and frame .... = co 8
1400 feet of four-inch pipe, fo t
back, and two along each end... a oo huey
Branches, elbows, syphons, connections, an ae fate O 0.
Boiler-setting, preparing-for, materials, chimney-build-
ing, &c. ae 43 6
Pipes, fixing with materials ............cssccscescsssnscesseseeses 27 0 0
£148 6 6

We have the sheds heated by the connection-pipes, plants in
some, Mushrooms in others, potting-shed as nice as possible,
and all arranged so that one can be heated at once or them all,
separately or together; and a couple of pipes run under the
tanpits so as to keep the beds warm. All this is done with the
fael of one fire, saying annually the fuel of eight fires, and doing
the work as well again, without blowing-up anything or robbing
ourselyes of sleep, of which it is said, “Six hours is enough for
& man, seven for a weman, eight for a fool;” but I recom-
mend the fool’s portion for every one. Also by carrying the
connecting-pipes along the sheds you will do away with bothies.
That is worth more than all the good hot water ever did; for
ZT estimate inventions nothing unless they give less manual labour,
and are more economical, and conducive to health and comfort.
Bothies are repositories for weary limbs, cause unhealthiness,
breed disease and demoralisation, and are altogether unfit for
human habitations. The sooner under-gardeners are driven out
of them, and a comfortable house provided with a thorough
draught in an open situation, the better it will accord with
the objects by which they are surrounded, and the more con-
ducive will it be to the owner’s interests and the inmates’ social
and moral advancement.

Owing to our saving the fuel of eight fires we nett £21 4s.
yearly, which will in seven years amount to £148 8s., thereby
clearmg the cost of the apparatus in that period; but witha
crazy set of flues the real expense attending them is only fairly
beginning. : ¥ ;

Now, coals may make a difference—that is, their cost, in
speaking of the relative merits and defects of flues and hot water.
Where a range of houses is heated by flues and fuel is cheap—
say 2s. 6d. per ton, it may not be wise to take out the flues and
replace with a hot-water apparatus; it may not be more eco-
nomical, but it will be better and far more garden-like. A man
upholding flues appears to me to be similar to a thrasher con-
tending there is nothing like a flail to thrash comm—he had rather
do the work of a horse or a steam-engine than allow his mind
to move with the age.

Just one point more and I have done for the present. “‘ Where
the houses are wide apart, it is more economical and satisfactory
to heat them with flues than hot water.” In a2 case like that
the boiler works ata disadvantage, heating a greater length of pipe
outside the house than within. But with that drawback I con-
tend hot water is the cheapest and best in the longrun; for
instead of using four-inch flows we use I}-meh wrought-iron
Pipes, and the same for returns—that is, all the connections are
i}inch, costing 63d. per foot, increasing the heating powers of
the boiler one-third, promoting a quicker circulatiow, and giving
@ very satisfactory result. We have six houses heated on this
principle; and instead of employing 1200 feet of four-inch
piping we have but 800, the remainder are 14-inch; so that we
haye a boiler with little work, and capable of putting limbs on
to plants where we have flues taking them off by wholesale.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

458

T hope to see the flues brought down to their proper level, the
rubbish-heap, soon ; and by using 1}-inch connection-pipes to
heat more houses, than can be done in the ordinary way. I may
say the work is done better by 1}-inch connections than with
four-inch.—@. A.

HARDY PALM.
CULTURE OF CYANOPHYLLUM MAGNIFICUM.

Wut you tell ms the name of the Palm which stood out last
wiuter at Kew? It is very much like the Latania borbonica. I
was round there in October, and all the Palms were then taken
in except this one.

What height does the Cyanophyllum magnificam usually
attain in its native clime? I grew one here 11 feet high,
having leaves 26 inches long and 13 inches broad. The stem
was 2 inches in diameter. JI never saw one so fine before,
and so said all visitors. It is cut down now, and a very
nice walking-stick made with the stem. If you think it was
unusually fine, I could tell you how it was grown, as it had a
peculiar treatment A Youne GARDENER.

[The Palm you mention is Fortune’s Chusan Palm, Chamerops
Fortunei of Hooker, formerly called C. excelsa in English
gardens. At Kew it requires the protection of a mat in seyere
weather ; but in Her Majesty’s garden at Osborne it has hitherto
stood unprotected.

Certainly we never saw Cyanophyllum magnificum so lofty as
you mention, nor the leayes so large. These are usually about
24 inches by 9 at the broadest part. We shall be obliged by a
statement of your mode of culture.—Ebs. J. oF H.]

LILIUM GIGANTEUM CULTURE—DISA
GRANDIFLORA.

Havine been successful in growing the Lilium giganteum,
the culture which I have followed might be useful to many of
the readers of THE JouRNAL or HoRTIOULTURE.

I have had this season two bulbs in a fourteen-inch pot, each
of which has sent up a flower-stem 10 feet high. One stem had
thirteen flowers and the other twelve, and beautifully sweet=
scented. ‘

The growth was commenced the first week in February in @
cold pit, no heat applied at any time—merely protection from
frost. The soil I used was one-half the top spit of a meadow
well pulverised, the other half peat and sand well mixed together.
When fairly in growth I gaye water in abundance, and liquid
manure, not strong, about twice a-week. I believe that if the
pot had stood in water about an inch or so above the drainage
in the pot it would have been more beneficial to the plant,
for, this being of quick growth and gigantic stature, requires
water in abundance.

I haye a plant of Disa grandiflora, a sucker from one which
was sent here from M. Schiller, of Hamburg, last April twelve-
month. It is now nearly 12 inches high, and it seems to be
forming a head at the top. Do you think it is likely to flower?
As I have not seen any other Disa I am at a loss to know.
The plant is healthy and growing fast. If it should bloom I
will, if acceptable, send you a few lines as to how I have pro
ceeded with its culture—J. Eastwoop, Gardenerto . Nathan,
Esq., Didsbury Lodge, Manchester.

[We think the Disa is progressing properly. We shall be
obliged by particulars of its culture.—Eps. J. oF H.]

NEW BOOK.?
The In-door Gardener. By Miss Maling.
and Co.

WE regret to see by this title-page that Miss Maling again has
changed her publisher. This is the fourth or fifth time within
about twelve months, and such deficiency of permanency is
usually indicative of an author being either unpleasant to co
operate with, or that his works are not profitable; or, as in
some instances, that these disagreeables have a combined influ-
ence in causing such changes. If the other productions of Miss
Maling have had a small sale, for the present volume we cannot.

SO —

London: Longman

454.

anticipate a better success; and were it not on a popular subject
we should not occupy our space, even briefly, by uttering a
word of warning concerning its contents.

Miss Maling, like many other ladies, has a great love for
flowers, combined with excellent taste in arranging them; and
she has frequently publisked in various forms her judgments
upon such arrangements; but now that she offers to instruct in
flower-culture, we regret to have to warn our readers she must
not be accepted as a teacher.. The practical cultural portions of
the present volume are chiefly derived from other sources, our
own columns amongst the rest, though in our case Miss Maling
does not seem to acknowledge the justice of the axiom, that
what is worth borrowing is worth acknowledging. We might
complain, also, if it were worth while, that each page, contrary
to all custom, ia headed “‘ In-door Gardening,” the name of one
of our publications, although the title of Miss Maling’s work is
«The In-door Gardener.”

As the first qualification required by a teacher is correctness,

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

[ June 23, 1863. |,

we should advise a page of corrigenda to be inserted, in case the;
volume should not reach to a second edition, for there are no
such names among plants as Gneorum—Chautini— Lycopodium,
apoda-cesium, &¢. Such errors, however, with the exception
of repeated Dennstetia, may be typographical, but there are
others more weighty. For instance, Loam is defined as “any
fertile growing soil, not exclusively formed of some one material,
like peat, or clay, or sand, or leaf mould,” which is such a tissue
of error ill-expressed, as would require more time to explain
than we are willing to beatow.

Again, who ever heard before that “many gardeners never
use soil which has not been eharred or frozen ?”’ or that “ scales
are chiefly appendages of Camellias?” Or—but we can occupy.
our space no further; and will only add that we shall be glad to
see Mias Maling again in print when she has some more novel-
ties to communicate on the combination of colours and arrange-
ment of flowers; for on those topics she is an authority.

a STYLIDIUM AM@NUM.

THIS introduction to our gardens from the Swan River colony,
has been raised by Messrs. Henderson & Co., of the Pine Apple
Nursery, and was, we believe, ~
collected by Mr. Drummond,
who sent over so many of the
fine plants of that country
which now ornament our
greenhouses and conserva-
tories. The Stylidium ame-
num, without the gaiety of
many New Holland shrubs,
is decidedly pretty, and must
be a desirable addition to this
class of plants. It blooms in
June. The Stylidium nudum
of Lindley is now considered
to be synonymous.

It is a herb—perennial, we
believe—haying at the sur-
face of the soil a rosulate tuft
of leaves, which are spathu-
late, 23 to 3 inches long,
tapering to the base, shortly
acute at the apex, and ter-
minating in an apiculus;
they are paler on the lower
than on the upper surface,
and haye @ broken cellular
hyaline, scarcely denticulate,
margin; when fresh they are
seattered with transparent
dots; the veins are dicho-
tomous, scarcely anastomos-
ing. From the centre of this
tuft rises the erect scape,
6 inches high, terminating
in the upper half in a pyra-
midal many-flowered raceme,
below which is a whorl of
linear-pointed bracts. The
rachis, pedicels, and calyx are
furnished with hairs tapped by
black glands. The flowers are
large, rose-coloured, measur-
ing five-eighths of an inch in

corolla is three times as long as the calyx‘itecth; the upper
lip consists of four oblong blunt, spreading \lobes, the lower is
very small, with a gland-like
deltoid prominence at the
base; a pair of short lateral
ears, or projections, which
become very indistinct in the.
dried state, and a subulate,
petal-like point; the throat
is furnished with a crown of
six clavate processes. The
column is flattened at the
base, becomes tapered up-
wards, and is bent twice in
the usual way.

‘the Stylidiums should be
grown in sandy soil with a
preponderance of peat earth,
and require to be very care-
fully drained, for though they
like a good supply ot water
while growing, they cannot
endure stagnant moisture. A
warm, dry, and airy green-
house is the best situation for
them. Many of them are
very pretty, indeed showy
plants; and, in all, the struc-
ture of the flower, and the
irritability of its column, are
so curious, that they have
good claim to the small space
they occupy.—(M., in Garden
Companion.)

TANNER’S BARK

FOR STRAWBERRY-BEDS.

ALLOW me to relate in cor-
roboration of a statement
made by a gentleman to Mr,
Fish (see page 422), concern-
ing the use of tanner’s bark
for surrounding Strawberries

diameter. The pedicels are
shorter than the calyx, sub-
tended by small lance-shaped
bracteoles. The calyx, be-
sides its gland-tipped hairs,
is marked with red dots and
Streaks ; its teeth are linear-
oblong obtuse, those of the
lower lip three in number,
narrower than the two form-
ing the upper lip, all being
shorter than the ovary. The

when. fruiting, that I hap-
pened to visit the Viceregal
gardens the other day, and
when passing along a walk
with Mr. Smith I observed
his men throwing wet fresh.
bark between the lines of
Strawberries. I inquired,
“Will it not give an unplea-
sant flayour to the fruit?”
“ Not in the least,’’ he re-
plied; ‘‘I haye used it for

Tuné 23; 1863. ]

that purpose for several years. The first’ shower,” he added,
‘§ oh te the tannin and finer particles down. Slugs, too,” he
remarked, “do not like to travel amongst it, and I much prefer
it to anything else that I have tried.”

Tt has just struck me that where cocoa-nut fibre can be obtained
ata reasonable price it would be an excellent thing for the same
purpose.—D. Pressiy, Knockmaroon, near Dublin,

THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Is Sir C. W. Dilke authorised to represent the Council of the
Royal Horticultural Society, and do the rest of its members do
ko-too to him? J ask this because of the following circumstance,
for the correctness of which I appeal to the parties mentioned :—

Previously to the issuing of the schedules of prizes this year,
I hear that Sir C. W. Dilke solicited an interview with Mr.
Marnock at Kensington, to which Mr. Marnock replied that if
Sir Charles wished to see him he would be happy to receive him
at the Regent’s Park, I hear also that the interview took place,
and that Sir Charles then proposed that they should arrange to
cut down the prizes offered exactly one-half, making twenty-pound
prizes £10 ; ten, £5, and so on; that Sir Charles considered that
the Crystal Palace was a commercial concern, and not to be taken
notice of, although I believe, in some circuitous way, the same
reduction was suggested to Mr. Bowley. I hear further that
Mr, Marnock, with a correct sense of what is for the interests of
the Society and is due to the exhibitora, told Sir Charles that
he would certainly bring the proposal before the Council of the
Royal Botanic Society, but that he entirely differed from him,
and that he thought some of the classes had prizes not large
enough; and so the interview ended.

Now, I ask, is not this just the sort of proceeding that
destroyed the Royal Horticultural Society before? Or did the
Council sanction the proposition, and authorise Sir Charles to
arrange, if he could, a reduction of prizes ?>—AN INQUIRER.

[We have no relative information on the subject; but we do
know that if the Council of any Society allows one of its members
to become dictator, no one fitting to belong to that Council will
remain. It is equally certain that if the Council of any society
enrolled for the promotion of an art or science, and, finding its
expenditure excessive, begins retrenchment by diminishing its
outlay on legitimate objects, and yet continues its outlay on ob-
jects not within its charter, that Council are derelict of duty, and
pursue a course which sooner or later will be the Society’s ruin.

There certainly are rumours afloat that the expenditure on
the Kensington and Chiswick Gardens is to be very largely
reduced, and if eo, that is not the direction towards which one
would have thought a horticultural society would have directed
its economy. But having no specific information we refrain from
commentary.—Eps. J. or H. ]

THE FLORAL DECORATIONS AT THE CIVIC
ENTERTAINMENT.

THE gorgeous display of flowers that adorned the Guildhall
on the occasion of the civic entertainment to their Royal High-
nesses the Prince and Princess of Wales, was furnished, we
understand, by Mr. B. S. Williams, of Holloway. It is but due
to Mr. Williams that the fact should be recorded, for we haye
been asked on many occasions since who it was to whom the
credit was due of having supplied so admirable a collection of
plants. On application to Mr. Williams we have been furnished
with a list of the plants of which the collection was composed ;
and those acquainted with their beauty and value will at once
be enabled to form some conception of the effect that was
produced.

Oxcuips.—-Vanda suavis, 5 feet high, tricolor, insignis; Sac-
colabium guttatum; Alrides Larpenti, affine, odoratum pur-
purascens; Cattleya Mossize, Warnerii; Lelia purpurata; Pha-
lenopsis grandiflora, amabilis; Cypripedium Veitchi, barbatum
superbum; Calanthe masuca.

Frrns,—Dicksonia antarctica; Alsophila australis in the most
juxuriant health, aculeata, radens; Gleichenia dicarpa, hecisto-
phylla ; Cibotium Schiedei, princeps; Cyathea elegans; Adian-
tums, a number of kinds, among them were the Gold variety
lately introduced; Gymnogrammas, the Gold and Silver, also
the tasselled sulphur variety.

FINE-FOLIAGED Puanrs.—Chamerops excelsa, Cordyline in-

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

455

diviga, Dracenaindivisa, Cyanophyllum magnificum, Alocasia me-
tallica, A. Lowii, Cycas reyoluta (splendid specimen), Dion edule
(magnificent plant, 14 feet through), Dracena Draco Berhayei
(the finest in the country, very rare), Rhopala corcoyadensis,
R, magnifica, Stadmannia J onghii, Theophrasta imperialis, Tupid-
anthus calyptratus, Agave filifera, Yucca aloifolia variegata,
Pandanus elegantissimus, P. javanicus, Thrinax elegans, Aralia
Sieboldii variegata, Ananassa sativa yariegata (several fine speci-
mens), Azaleas (fine specimens), Chelsoni, Exquisite, Gled-
stanesil, Glory of Sunning Hill, Juliana, Extranei, Eulalie Van
Geert, Gledstanesii formosa, Lateritia; a monster Erica Cayen-
dishii in a large tub, Specimen Roses, &c., were kindly lent for
the occasion by Mr. W. Paul of the nurseries, Waltham Cross.
Mr. Williams had also the honour of haying supplied the
bouquet for Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales.

ADMITTING AIR NEAR SMOKY TOWNS.

ON reading a lady’s inquiries on the above subject I thought
a little of my own experience would not be out of place in the
Journal, Iam close to a large town which contains about forty
thousand inhabitants. On the east of me there is nothing but
factories and houses, and only the breadth of two fields in front ;
on the west and north I am free from both, but have Ashton
Moss, which a short time ago was a swamp. ‘here are two large
cotton mills within 300 yards of my place, and they have not
much less than 300-horse power of engines, with the requisite
number of boilers, giving me more smoke than I can well
reconcile myself to.

T have, therefore, adopted the following plan to prevent the
smoke from passing into the houses. Over the ventilators I
have put a screen made of Shaw’s tiffany, and find that it
“riddles” the soot from the air as the latter passes through—
that is, the air in reality passes through a sieve. I find that it
answers very well, for the tiffany is made as black as soot in a
short time, the soot adhering to it instead of going into the
house. As soon as my hands are not so much employed as at
present I shall have a little more to say on airing in smoky
places.—Joun Haaur, Groby Lodge, Ashton-under-Lyne.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
June 177TH.

Frorat CommirrEr.—At the second great Exhibition, this day,
the subjects brought before the Sub-Committees were of a very
interesting character. The new plants on this occasion were
more numerous than the florists’ flowers, and though many
beautiful specimens of the latter were exhibited, but few received
awards. We shall notice them as they presented themselves.

Mr. Mills introduced a new bedding Verbena, Othello, a
dark puce or claret, dwarf habit, compact trusses, and very free-
flowering. This is likely to prove a very useful bedding variety,
and was commended.

Mr. E. J. Lowe sent a very good stand of seedling Pansies,
Among them a promising Fancy variety, Pallas, violet back
petals, dark eye on yellow ground, lower petal very dark,
singularly belted with violet. ‘his will probably become a
useful flower. Commended.

Messrs. Smith, Dulwich, had a seedling Fuchsia, Pillar of
Gold, a distinct golden variegated form of this plant, and was
commended for its foliage.

Mr. Williams, Holloway, had Amaryllis Perfecta marginata,
a distinct and good variety of the numerous seedlings of this
class. Its form and peculiar white markings or stripes on a
dull red ground rendered the flower attractive, and was awarded
a first-class certificate.

Mr. Hally, Blackheath, sent Pelargonium Adonis, a zonale
which had, been grown in 1862 in the gardens at Chiswick,
where it was much admired and classed among the best varieties
for its beautiful darkly-zoned foliage, bright orange scarlet
flowers, and conspicuous white eye. 1t now received a first-class
certificate.

Messrs. H. G. Henderson, had a collection of hybrid Mimulus
of the same character and colour as those exhibited by Mr. Bull
earlier in the season, Commended. i

Mr. Turner exhibited Petunia Mrs. Sherbrook, a fine decora-
tive variety resembling Mrs. Ferguson, but of the large pent-
angular form of the old variety Prince Albert. Should the

S56

flowers prove constant in their colour and markings, it will be
very useful.. Commended. Leach

Mr. Watson, St. Albans, showed Calceolaria Bijou, a decided
acquisition among the dark bedding varieties ; dark rich crimson
flowers, dwarf habit, and free-flowering. Second-class certi-
ficate.

Myr. Bragg, Slough, hada collection of seedling Fancy Pansies.
Though late im the season for this flower, the three varieties—.
Bob Ridley, Harlequin, and Dazzle—received a label of com-
mendation.

Mr. Turner sent several seedling Pelargoniums. Achilles
(Hoyle),\a very splendid and brilliant flower, back petals deep
maroon, margined with bright carmine, clear white centre, lower
petals painted with rosy crimson, first-class certificate; Pelar-
gonium Aristides (Hoyle), dark back petals, white centre, lower
petals shaded with light rosy lines—though a small flower,
perfect in form and substance, second-class certificate; Pelar-
gonium Maid of Honour (Beck), an improvement on Viola ;
rather too coarse, but distinct in shading of colour, commended.

Among the plants submitted to the Sub-Committee we noticed
the following :—

Mr. Standish, Ascot, Deutzia crenata rubra, from Japan, a
double variety of this beautiful class of very handsome shrubs,
said to be hardy, and which will, doubtless, be much sought after
—first-class certificate.

Messrs. Veitch exhibited Rhyncospermum jasminoides yarie-
gatum, commended; Homceanthus viscosus, with double light
blue flowers resembling the Cape Aster, commended; Lastiea
erythrosora, a very handsome Fern, second-class certificate ;
Woodwardia japonica, a Fern already exhibited by Mr. Standish,
but never in such good condition, second-class certificate ;
Andromeda species, California, a very conspicuous shrub with
erect spikes of white flowers showing themselves above the dark
Pas box-like foliage, commended; Pancratium species, from

hilippine Islands, with large heads of white flowers, a very
showy plant, first-class certificate; Lomaria species, from the
Philippine Islands, commended; Alsophila Tcnitis denticulata,
& very handsome Fern, second-class certificate ; Selliguea pothi-
folia, a Fern from the Philippine Islands, second-class certificate ;
Marattia Cooperi, first-class certificate; Pinanga, species nova,
Philippine Islands, commended.

Messrs. Fisher, Holmes & Co., exhibited Abies species,
North America, which was commended; and Taxus fastigiata,
with golden-coloured shoots, first-class certificate; Cypripedium
Stonei, from Mr. Williams, of Holloway, received a first-class
certificate.

Mr. Bull had Cineraria argentea, which may prove useful as a
plant for edging, commended ; Trichomanes crispum rufum, a
very distinct variety with long, narrow fronds, second-class cer-
tificate.

Fevrr Commirrer.— Two seedling Pines of considerable
merit came from Mr. Stevenson, gardener to the Harl of Durham
at Lambton Castle, but neither of them was superior to existing
varieties. Mr. Thomson, of Dalkeith, sent a splendid bunch of
his seedling Grape Duchess of Buccleuch, which received a first-
class certificate.

HAS THE CLIMATE OF ENGLAND CHANGED?

THE opinion upon this question given by me a few years ago
in Tue Corrace GARDENER entirely agrees with the remarks of
the Mark Lane Express, quoted in THe JouRNAL oF Hortr-
ountuEE of June 9th; and while endorsing all that is advanced
in that excellent agricultural adviser I will add a few additional
remarks' deduced from experience, haying kept a table of the
temperature since 1805.

_ The vulgar error that the climate has undergone'a great altera-
tion during this’ present’ century is owing to our severe winters
and very hot summers coming so few and far between.

A middle-aged man recollects the severe winter of 1813-14,
when the snow lay on the ground in England for thirteen weeks,
and 1838 was equally severe; the only difference was the fall
of snow. The most intense cold in the present century was
the winter of 1859-60, when the thermometer was 7° below
zero several days, and yet the young people keep saying that our
Winters are much milder and summers much colder.

these persons would take the trouble to examine the oldest
and best chronologies and registers of the seasons contained in
Mr, White’s “ History of Selboume,” Mr. Whistlecroft’s writ=

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ June 23; 1863.

ings, and almanacs, it would be found that in a term of thirty
years at any time during the last hundred years there is no
perceptible difference in our climate whatever; we are now
going through a series of indifferent or medium seasons after 4
series of much better seasons—such as 1854, 1855, 1856, 1857,
1858, 1859, the last three remarkable for the mildness of their
previous winters and the intense heat of their summers, particu-
larly the whole of July, 1859.

Through our insular situation in England no regular theory
can_be’ established ; and from long experience I find the best
guide, and that a very uncertain one, is the history of the sum-
mers gone by, as, in a cycle of forty years, the balances of cold
and hot summers, severe and open winters, wet and dry seasons,
become pretty nearly equalised in that period.

I have noted during the present century that by far the
majority of the hottest summers are preceded by the mildest
winters; and agree with that excellent naturalist, Mr. White, of
Selbourne, that the majority of seyere winters are preceded by
wet summers.

T have also noted that we seldom have two very severe winters
consecutively, nor two “ultra” hot summers; respecting wet
summers, often two wet ones come together, but rarely three so
wet as 1860, 1861, and 1862 consecutively.

T shall merely repeat my strong conviction that no change has
taken place in the climate of England during the present century,
save and except those variations arising from the peculiar insular
situation of the British Isles, which extraordinary variations
always have existed and will continue to the end of time—
H.W. Newman, Hillside, Cheltenham.

ANNUAL REPOTTING OF FRUIT TREES.

In No. 114 0f Journal, your correspondent, ““ W. H.,” gives the
practice of his gardener in the annual repotting of his fruit trees.
From longer experience than that of any other orchard-house
cultivator, I with confidence state that this troublesome practice
is quite unnecessary. To prove this I will in few words give my
practice. In 1849 I potted the first orchard-house trees in
11-inch pots, they remained in those pots from four to five years,
the earth from the surface being annually taken out to the depth
of 4 or 5 inches, and replaced with a rich compost of loam and
manure. The trees flourished and bore fine crops of fruit.

They were then repotted into 13-inch pots, in which they ¥e-
mained from four to five years under the same treatment. The
most vigorous-growing trees were then potted into 15 and
18-inch pots still under the same treatment—the latter size I
reckon the ultimatum, for I can plainly see that with annual
top-dressings and annual pinching and pruning, they will con-
tinue in health and fertility as long as human wishes can extend.

Your correspondent’s failure in Apricot-culture may be traced
to the too great disturbance of their roots. Some years since I,
from forgetfulness and ignorance of the consequences, had my
Apricot trees, then in full bearing, top-dressed in February,
taking out the surface soil and replacing it as I now do in
autumn. The trees blossomed beautifully, but to my great sur-
prise did not set a fruit. I was much chagrined, and for some
time could not account for it, till at last I reflected that the roots
being thus recently disturbed had not got into action ; the young
fruit required food and found none. I have ever since profited
by the lesson, and my Apricot trees are the first to be top-
dressed in October.

Apricot trees in pots require the soil to be very frm. The
failures I have observed have been owing to the soil used being
too light.and friable, and not rammed down firmly enough when
placed in the pots as top-dressing. The soil used here is a brown
tenacious loam inclining to clay, which, like all the loams and
even the sands in this district, abounds in comminuted chalk, the
washings or denudation of what once were, I presume, chalk
mountains to the north-west of this place. This loam settles down
so firmly in the pots that in the autumn it is as hard as a well-
trodden path. To show the favourable nature of a firm dry soil to
Apricot trees in pots, I must give a case. Last winter I observed
some forty or fifty standard and half-standard trees, which were
potted in March, 1862, to have small heads searcely large enough
for sale, but every shoot full of blossom-buds. They had been
under glass all the summer. I had water withheld from them
till towards the end of February, when the blossom-buds were
beginning to swell, so that the earth, not having had any water
for nearly five months, was remarkably hard and dry as dust.

June 23, 1863. ]

Shortly after water had been given at intervals of a day or two
80 as to gradually saturate the mass of dry earth, the buds com-
menced to swell, and the trees blossomed in April most vigo-
rously. In May, as soon as the fruit was ‘fully set and about
the size of horse beans, the surface of the soil in the pots
was stirred and remoyed to barely 1 inch in depth, taking care
not to lacerate the surface-roots. The usual summer surface-
dressing was then placed on the surface of the earth in each pot
3 inches or so deep, so as to lie above the rim of the pot and
forming a shallow basin with the stem of the tree for its centre.
This prevents the water running off. Out of about fifty Apricot
trees treated as I have described, upwards of forty are crowded
with fruit. It seemed, indeed, as if every blossom had set, so
that the thinning of the fruit was tiresome.

The requisites for successful Apricot-cultivation in pots are,
according to my experience—1, a firm tenacious soil disturbed
annually as little as possible, for in giving my trees their fresh
surface soil in October, the exhausted soil is not taken out more
than from 2 to 3 inches in depth; whereas with other trees
from 5 to 6 inches is not too deep; 2, rich surface-dressings in
spring and summer—say three separate dressings in May, June,
and July, the first week in each month.

The value of these surface-dressings can scarcely be estimated,
they are far preferable to liquid manure. I have tried all the
artificial manures mixed with different substances so as to forma
proper medium for surface-dressing, and have come to the con-
clusicn that none of them approach in efficacy that which can
be made at home—viz., horse-droppings from the roads, or half-
decomposed manure chopped so as to be equally convenient in
mixing, and kiln-dust from the maltings, equal quantities, the
mixture thoroughly saturated with strong liquid manure before
itisused. Care must be taken not to lay it im a large heap, for
fermentation is so violent as to injure the compost. In default
of kiln-dust (here our atmosphere is eminently malty and our
people, I fear, too beery, from the number of malthouses), the
Manure or horse-droppings may be used without the dust, only
they should be well saturated with strong manure water.

Thaye been induced to trouble you with this long array of
words on a very simple subject, because I saw that your corre-
Spondent’s gardener, as described in page 399, might lead your
numerous readers to think the annual repotting of fruit trees
necessary, and others to look at their culture with “fear and
trembling.” Just imagine the labour of annually repotting a
Well-grown fruit tree from eight to twelve years old: one might
as well think of annually retubbing the Orange trees at Versailles.
As T have advanced certain facts, { must make myselfresponsible,
T therefore give you my name.—THos. RIVERS,

A PLEA FOR THE BIRDS.

I HAVE two neighbours—one, like myself, a true lover and
guardian of the feathered race, feeding, sheltering, and welcom-
Ing them at all seasons, and not allowing any which build
their nests in our gardens to be disturbed. The other gentle-
man shoots and destroys them with equal pertinacity; and
thus whilst his Gooseberry bushes have not a leaf left on them,
ours are in full foliage; our little feathered “helps ” destroying
the caterpillars as soon as they make their appearance.—A. Z,

[Some months ago I wrote my opinions on this subject. The
topic occasioned some controversy at the time. A correspondent
from Worcester, whose communications on other subjects‘I haye
read with great interest, agreed with me, that in general these
tiny garden helps or garden pests, as they are alternately called,
are much too numerous. Some provincial papers I found also
took the matter up, and, as might be expected, considerable dif-
ference of opinion existed. Imay, however, observe that in the
neighbourhood in which I write, where plantations of Apples,
Currants, Gooseberries, &c., cover many hundreds of acres, the
benefit of small birds destroying caterpillars is far from being
generally recognised. An extensive grower who owns some-
thing like a score acres or more of Gooseberries, and who, of
Course, has at times suffered severely froma the caterpillar, told
Me not long ago, that he has shot birds of all kinds that are
to be generally found in such places, and he never discovered a
Caterpillar in the crop of any he had cut up. As the cater-
Pillars are often as destructive in cottage gardens situated close
to.a wood where there is abundance of shelter for birds, and
from whence these issue forth in scoresto attack the Peas, seed-

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

ABH

caterpillars, or, if so, it may only be when there is a lack of
other and more agreeable food. Observe, I by no means say
they do not eat caterpillars; but as I neversaw them do so,
althongh I have seen them busy enough with other things, itis
not asking anything unreasonable to request those who have
done so to inform us what kinds we are to regard as friends in
this matter, In giying opinions of this kind, we ought to lay
aside our predilections for or against the object in view, which is
more difficult to do than most will acknowledge. That ‘small
birds play an important and useful part in the economy of
nature cannot be denied; but do not wasps, snakes, rats, and
other things also forma useful part of the whole? and yet we
are very unwilling to give them credit for anything but mischief
or destruction. I am not certain but that the last-named of the
three are the best sanitary agents we have, cleaning away the
refuse of drains and sewers, that might be pestilential withont
them, and yet they are persecuted to the verge of annihilation,
As I gaye my opinion at length at the time mentioned, I have
little to add now beyond the fact, that althongh I have never yet
seen birds pick off caterpillars from Gooseberry bushes, I am
willing to believe they have done so, but would like better to
be told by some one who had seen them, than take it for granted
that as the caterpillars all disappear at a certain time, it must be
the birds that haye devoured them. Ifa discussion arise on this
subject, I would take the place of a neutral. Give evidence in
favour of the little warblers, I cannot; to condemn them on the
plea of their non-utility, 1 am unwilling, if evidence be forth-
coming that they really do destroy the enemy complained of;
but such evidence to be received ought to be that of an eye=
witness, not the opinion of an advocate. Without this proof, I
fear I must hold by the opinion expressed in my former article—
that, owing to the reasons there given, small birds are much too
numerous at the present day.—J. Rozson.]

CATERPILLARS—THE BEST WAY TO
DESTROY THEM.

My object in writing to you is to make known to the lovers
of the Gooseberry the method I have this year adopted for, I
trust, effectually overcoming the enemy. It is founded on the
maxim of old Ovid, who was an acute observer of nature as well
as a distinguished poet.

“Principiis obsta. Sero medicina paratur
Cum mala per longas conyaluere moras;”
which I translate for the benefit of mere Hnglish readers—* Meet
the very beginnings; medicine (Hellebore, &e.), is provided too
late when the disease has gained strength by long delay.”

But first let me describe how the caterpillars get upon the
bushes. I have observed two kinds—first, a light green one,
which is counted by units, while another, also green but dotted
over with numerous black spots, is counted by hundreds. The
latter is the production ofa ‘small fly, which may be seen flying
about the bushes in the first warm days of May—that is the
time hereabouts, but it may be earlier in the south. This fy is
the Nematus grossularie, and belongs to the order of insects
which haye four membraneous wings, named Hymenoptera, and
to that class of them called Tenthredinete, or Saw-flies, from
the female possessing a saw-like ovipositor in the end of the
abdomen. With this she makes a series of small holes along the
veins on the under side of the leaves of the Gooseberry and
Currant, into each of which an egg is discharged, and along with
it a drop of frothy liquid, which covers it up. The punctures
thus made become more and more convex as the eggs increase in
size, and on turning up the leaves, they may be seen like strings
of small white beads; generally from twenty to fifty eggs are
deposited on one leaf. This is the first of the four stages of
metamorphosis which all insects of this kind undergo. The
next is that of the larva or caterpillar. In a few days, according
to the warmth of the weather, the eggs are hatched, and the
juveniles immediately begin to gnaw the leaves; the period of
their yivification is known by a series of small holes seen on the
upper side of the leaf as if pierced with a pin. At first they
keep together on the leaf on which they were hatched; but
when that is devoured all to the veins, they creep upwards to
the adjoining leaves, and finally spread over the whole bush,
quickly increasing in size, for they are very voracious. After
while they moult, or shed their skins several times, and then
crawl down and hide themselves in the earth. “There they

beds, fruit, &e., it is far from certain yet that the birds destroy { attain the third state of their existence, called a pupa or babe,

458 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

because it is bound up in a hard skin, somewhat resembling a
child trussed up like a mummy, according to the barbarous
fashion once prevalent in this country, and~still retained in
many parts of the world. In some insects the pupa assumes a
golden colour, and is, therefore, called a chrysalis. In this
third state the animal remains till the following spring. It eats
no food, is incapable of locomotion, and, if opened, appears
filled with a watery fluid, in which no organs can be traced ;-
but that gradually assumes consistency, and on the approach of
the vernal heat, the enclosed insect, now completely formed,
bursts its case, and enters on its fourth and last stage called
imago, being a true representative or image of its species.

I shall now describe my process of extermination. In former
years I had tried several modes, especially handpicking ; but
not having begun till the caterpillars were spreading over the
bushes, I never could completely destroy them. ‘This year,
being resolved to attack the enemy in their first entrenchments,
Thad been carefully watching their approach from the beginning
of May, when the weather suddenly grew warmer, the greatest
heat in the shade on April 30th being 58°, and on the next two
days 69°. It was not, however, till the afternoon of Saturday
the 23rd that I discovered on some of the bushes a few per-
forated leaves. The fly, guided by its natural instinct to seek
a sheltered abode for its future offspring, almost invariably
deposits its eggs on the lower leaves of the bushes. Some have
supposed that if in pruning them you cut away all the low
shoots there will be no caterpillars. This is a mistake; for if
the bushes have no leayes near the ground the flies will go
higher up, still keeping to the Jowermost. In those bushes
which are clothed with leaves from the ground I have hardly
ever seen any eggs above one-third up.

There are seventy-two Gooseberry bushes in my garden.

Having secured two lady volunteers to assist me in the attack, I
allotted to each of them one-fourth of the number, and took the
other two under my own charge. We commenced operations
on Monday the 25th of May. By a careful reconnoitring it is
easy to discover the haunts of the enemy in the perforated
leaves where the newly-hatched animals have commenced their
work. Wherever such leaf is found the operator will by turning
up a few of the adjacent leaves, almost invariably find three or
four of them covered on the under side with the bead-like eggs,
all the produce, doubtless, of one fly. All these should be
plucked off into a small flower-pot or other vessel, and after-
wards carefully burned. I recommend plucking off on bushes
which are thickly clothed with leaves, as tending to give more
air and light to the fruit; but on bushes which are thinly clad,
it may be preferable to retain the leaves and squeeze the eggs
with the thumb. On the first two days I destroyed in my
department, on a fair calculation, about 10,000 of the enemy,
which gave on an average, about 280 to each bush. Had these
incipient larvee and eggs been allowed to come to maturity (for
almost every egg will come into life), they would within a week
or 80 have spread over the bushes, and if molested, would soon
have devoured the leaves. By timely vigilance this has been
prevented. But it must not be supposed the work was done;
for all the pupz do not burst their covering at once, and there-
fore the flies continue the work of depositing for a short time,
though in smaller numbers than at first. Allowing an interval
of one day, I examined the bushes again, and found a few stray
leaves with the young vermin oy eggs on them, and every second
day I have picked a few; but it is an easy work now to keep
them under, as they have never been allowed to enlarge in size
or migrate from their original positions except in a very few
cases. This day (June 4th) I did not find on an average above
two leaves on each bush that required excision. The labour is
therefore now very small; in fact, a sort of recreation to any
lover of gardening; but it must be kept up for a short time
longer—that is, till all the flies are hatched, which will probably
be in about a fortnight, This mode of destroying the cater-
pillars is, in my opinion, far preferable to washing or sprinkling
with hellebore or any other substance; for it is more effectual in
destroying the enemy, and less injurious to the bushes. Though
hellebore—now the fashionable remedy—may kill or stupify
the animals, it is impossible to apply it to every leaf, and a good
many will be devoured after all, which will injure the quality of
the fruit; whereas by my method of picking off or bruising the
eggs and infantile larve, no material damage is done to the
bushes. All mine look as healthy and fresh aa if there had not
been a tenthredo in existence.

Before concluding, one word on the destruction of those

[ June 23, 1863.

little animals which are so injurious to our Roses, the Aphis
rose, commonly called “green fly,” but more properly plant
lice, for they are apterous or without wings. They infest the
tender shoots,and multiply very rapidly. Tobacco juice and
tobacco smoke are used for destroying them; but the most
effectual mode, f think, is that which I have practised for some
years. An assistant holds a smali basin or deep plate with some
water in it uuder the infested shoot. I hold that steadily in a
horizontal position over the water with one hand, and with the
other brush the aphides into it with an old shaving-brush.
This takes a little time, but is very effectual._—J. T., Cowpar-
Angus.

THE COTONEASTER MICROPHYLLA.

THE accommodating nature of some plants, and their adapta-
bility to ornament, in widely different situations and positions,
render them to a certain extent very great favourites for this dis-
tinctive character. And I believe the Cotoneaster microphylla in
this respect will bear a favourable comparison with almost any
plant in common use, although, when left to itself, it only deyelopes
a very uninviting, straggling, and careless habit, more or less
recumbent, and is as if of no importance; but when seen under
the hand of the skilful and accomplished cultivator, many varied
and endless contrivances haye rendered many an insignificant
plant, when brought under cultivation, objects of great adapt-
ability, useful, and ornamental beauty. The Cotoneaster micro-
phylla may well be classed among the plants which culti-
vation has rendered both useful and ornamental; by way of
illustration I will just notice a few of the situations which I have
seen this slender and helpless-like plant occupying, and worthily
filling as an ornamental plant. I have seen it planted on steep
declivities, growing and rambling about there, upon and amongst
rocks and large stones, and keeping such situations from becoming
bare and naked during a large portion of the year, while all
deciduous plants appear more or less like mere skeletons of what
they are in summer; its dark foliage and bright berries giving a
pleasing relief in the dullest season. On the bank or rockery
in the home grounds of an estate occupying some sheltered nook
or rock fernery, this plant, from its recumbent habit, is most
suitable and useful, as it will grow pretty well under a good deal
of shade. I have seen it overhanging bare rocks for 6 or 7
yards, where perhaps scarcely anything else would grow down-
wards. I have seen it occupying the outside corners of the
walls of gardens, where it made a very creditable appearance,
being nailed firmly against the wall, and there standing the
“battle and the breeze” far better than almost any other plant
which I know, and perhaps for this reason, that its hardy habit
and very small leaves render it very difficult for even a regular
north-eastern wind to lacerate or take off.

I know some cottages where it is very neatly trained all up
their front, and that too in rather exposed situations. I know
two cottages occupied by labouring men ; they are built with a
very rough rubbly stone; they consist, as is often the case in
England, of four rooms each ; two on the ground floor, and two
bedrooms each, between the doors is planted a Cotoneaster
microphylla, which runs up and very nearly covers all the front
of both these cottages, after passing over the door of each.
Many admire it—they stand close to the side of a road much
frequented, and many give them a pleasing look and much
admire this plant, both while in flower, and especially during
the dul? winter months, while it remains studded all over with
its reddish berries.

I know an entrance lodge to a gentleman’s residence, situated
in 2 narrow glen, amongst plantations by the roadside. It isa
thatched cottage, having a projecting porch or doorway entrance.
A plant of the Cotoneaster microphylla grows against this
porchway and quite overtops it, rambling all over it, at least it
is not kept neatly nailed in, as in the case of the two cottages;
only whenever any strong branch appears to get the mastery, or
grows too much away from the building, then this is cut away.
i think I never saw anything more appropriate for such a situa-
tion. Those acquainted with its habits will soon understand its
merits, for ornamenting the front of a cottage in entrance to a
drive through a plantation.

The last, which I will at present notice, is not one to be
recommended ; however, from its oddity I will just mention it.
A greenhouse standing in the pleasure ground of a suburban

residence, which I know very well, has at one end a plant of this

Cotoneaster planted against it, and trained along against the

June 23, 1863, ]

side of the front beam where the roof starts from, and at each
rafter a branch of the Cotoneaster is trained up upon the rafter
between the lights. Whether so training plants be recommended
or not, I will not say ; yet few plants are more suitable even for
such fancy work than this Cotoneaster is.—(G@, Dawson, in
Scottish Gardener.)

WORK FOR THE WEEE.

KITCHEN GARDEN.

THE late heavy rains haye done invaluable service in this
department. Crops that a short time ago were languishing for
want of moisture are refreshed, and have an appearance which, as
contrasted with that which they bore some time back, is quite
delightful. Broccoli, let there be no delay in getting out a good
breadth of White and Purple Cape and Grange’s Harly White,
which, if true, is invaluable in late autumn. Caulifiowers, some
of the late sowings to be planted-out. Break down a few leaves
over the heads of the most forward. Cucumbers, the plants on the
ridges will be benefited by being mulched with short grass or litter
of any kind. Endive, a full sowing may now be made for the
main crop; and if any were sown in May they had better be
thinned-out, and the thinnings transplanted. The Small Green-
curled is the hardiest for winter use; but for the autmn crop the
Large Green-curled is the best, planted in very rich soil at 2 feet
apart. The Jarge-leaved Batavian is also a useful variety. Where
Chicory is in request for salads now is the proper time to sow
it. Dwarf Kidney Beans, thin and earth-up, stop advanc-
ing crops, and sow the latest successional crops. Herbs, take
the first opportunity as soon as they are sufliciently advanced
to cut a portion for drying ; the best time is as soon as the
blossoms are expanded, because they then contain most of the
aromatic principle; to be cut when pertectly dry, and to be
dried quickly in the shade. Lettuce, tie-up for blanching, and
make successional sowings; the same of Radishes and other
salads. Scarlet Runners, make the last sowing, and give those
advancing a little assistance in training them up the stakes.
Vegetable Marrows, mulch as recommended for Cucumbers ;
peg-down the bines as they advance, and attend to stopping.
Trench-up and fill with Broccoli, Winter Greens, and such
kinds of crops, every space as the early crops go off; not one
vacant space or corner should now be left uncropped.

LOWER GARDEN.

The weather has of late been all that could be desired, and
the rain has fallen so copiously as to put a stop, for a time at
least, to the laborious operation of watering. Plants in masses
that have been pegged-down are growing rapidly, and the Ver-
Denas are throwing-out strong healthy roots from the stem,
thus showing the advantage of the system of pegging-down, as
the closer we can get all plants in masses to the surface of the
ground the more certain shall we be of success ; for from their
proximity to the soil a more robust and rapid growth is secured.
Advantage should be taken of the present showery weather to
fill up all the empty bede, also to plant-out German Asters,
Ten-week Stocks, Morigolds, and other annuals, to fill up all
the empty spaces in the flower-borders. Reduce occasionally
some of the blossoms in the bud state on some of the very free-
flowering Perpetual Roses. It will cause them to keep longer
in bloom. Let gross shoots on Fancy Roses be pinched when a
few eyes long, after the manner of fruit trees. Sow Brompton
and Queen Stocks for spring-fowering, selecting for them a bit
of light rich soil, and never letting the surface become dry until
tke plants are well above ground, for there is uo time to be
lost if these are wanted strong for blooming next May. Young
shoots of Pansies will root freely under a hand-glass in a shady
situation, and if planted-out in a rich soil in a shady corner will
grow rapidly during the autumn, and may be transplanted into
the flower-garden when the frost cuts off its present occupants.
See that sufficiently strong stakes are applied to plants with
heavy foliage and gross habits—such as Dahlias, Hollyhocks,
Larkspurs, Phloxes, and tall-growing Asters. Let Carnations
and Picotees be layered as soon as the shoots are in a proper
State for that purpose. Pinks may be piped or struck from
cuttings. _ There is little art in this operation, as, if kept mode-
rately moist in a shady situation, they will soon strike root.

; FRUIT GARDEN.

The season being now what is called a very growing one,
there is g necessity for increased. diligence in keeping all young
wood properly nailed to the walls to guard against the effects

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

459

of high winds, Gooseberries and Currants trained against north
walls to have their leaders nailed-in, and all the side offshoots
spurred-in to within a few joints of the base. Peaches, Nec-
tarines, and, indeed, wall trees in general, will be greatly be-
nefited by occasionally giying them strong syringings, whether
infested with aphides or not, because, independent of washing
away all filth, this proceeding disturbs and drives-out woodlice,
earwigs, and other vermin. Continue the thinning of Grapes,
and keep the growth judiciously stopped. Black fly is some-
times very troublesome on the late Cherry trees at this season ;
it is, however, easily got rid of by dipping the ends of the shoots
in tobacco water, giving the trees a good washing with the engine
next morning.
GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY.

Give every possible attention to plants for autumn and early-
winter blooming, as Lilium lancifolium, Chrysanthemums, Salvia
splendens, Globe Amaranths, tree Carnations, Scarlet Geraniums,
Heliotropes, Cinerarias, &c. Let them have plenty of pot-room,
good rich compost, a moist atmosphere, and plenty of space for
the perfect development of their foliage. The Hpacrises, the
winter-blooming Ericas, and the Cytisus should not be over-
looked. Most of the finer kinds of hardwooded plants will now
be out of bloom, and, consequently, due attention should be
paid to starting them for another season. Some will require
cutting-in rather closely, and, indeed, as long straggling plants
are at a discount now, the knife should be used freely wherever
and on whatever it is found necessary. See that large specimens
of Camellias are not allowed to be too dry at the root after they
have set their buds, for the shedding of the latter is often due to
this cause. Attention to be paid to plants in borders, for while
in active growth they require a good dealof water. Contributions
from the stove should still assist the ordinary stock in maintain-
ing the gaiety of the conservatory. The removal of some of
the larger specimens from the stove, such as large Clerodendrons
Txoras, Stephanotis, Plumbagos, Gardenias, Jasminums, &e.,
will afford much useful space for the young and delicate portion
of the stock which should now be shifted and otherwise en-
couraged.

STOVE.

Many of the basket Orchids will soon be protruding their
roots through the moss or soil, and a little additional fibrous
peat or moss should be added in due time. The prevailing dull
weather will render the use of the syringe less frequently neces-
sary. Atmospheric humidity may be sustained by frequently
damping the house. If the regular and continuous admission of
air can be managed, however small the amount, it will be found

useful.
PITS AND FRAMES,
These will require abundance of air and careful watering daily.
Some of the delicate stock will, during bright sunshine, require
shading, especially where unplunged. W. Keane.

DOINGS OF THE LAST WEEK.

KITCHEN GARDEN.

Sraxep Peas in dry days. Gave manure-waterings to large
Cauliflowers. Threw some salt among Asparagus-beds, and will
give some mulching as soon as we can get it. HKemoved all seed-
heads from Sea-kale, except what will be wanted for seed.
Mulched Globe Artichokes, these being much in demand.
Thinned Onions, Parsnips, and Carrots finally for the main
crops. Find the Harly Dutch Carrot useful for early work, as
it comes in so well for dishes and stews. It is a little round
thing about 1+ inch long, and now in a slight hotbed pretty well
1 inch in diameter, and from a yard square numerous dishes can
be obtained, if there is little thinning, and the best are drawn
first. Peas being very heavily loaded, owing, we presume, to
the dry, sunny weather before the rain, gaye them a watering
at the bottom with weak manure water. Planted-out strong
plants of Celery, three rows in a bed, in beds previously used for
hardening-off bedding plants. On the ridges between such beds,
in general, we have a row of moderately early Peas, and they
with their sticks just give the shade that the Celery at an early
period likes as naturally as a ditch plant. We could not have
the Peas there on account of the necessity of walking on the
ridges to attend to the bedding plants; but we have sown late
Peas there, and even the staking of them will break the force of
the sun’s rays ; in the meantime, if the sun should be very fierce,
we will lay pea-stakes across the beds to diminish its force.

‘We consider this slight shade of much importance to early
Welery, and if among the sticks used for Pea-sticking, or for
laying across the beds, there should be a portion of spruce fir,
‘there will be less likelihood of the fly meddling with the plants.
‘We find the same thing with Turnips. Our sowings are always
mall until the autumn, as small, sweet tubers, rather than old
and large ones, are our object; and im every fresh sowing of a
few yards square, if we cover with hurdles that have been wattled
with spruce, we seldom suffer either from birds or fly. The
resin in the fir seems yery hateful to them. Here we may
‘mention that we saw a large piece of ground sown with Radishes
in the garden of a gentleman farmer, and scarcely a plant was to
be seen, and did not the seedsman catch it behind his back for
sending such seed. The birds knew what the seed was and
acted accordingly. If, surrounded with large thatch buildings,
owe had sown Kadishes without any protection, we should not have
expected to have gathered a handful. Planted out the only little
spare piece of ground with equal portions of Scotch Cabbaging
Kale, Savoys, and Brussels Sprouts. Planted others between
Potatoes, and pricked-out more in beds, to be lifted as space
could be had for them, as the Peas come off. Examined Mush-
foom-beds, spawned a fresh piece, regulated Cucumbers, potted
Capsicums, &c. ; and asa mild hotbed in which we had forwarded
Celery and bedding plants, and consisting chiefly of leaves, was
mow empty, had it turned over, placing grass and litter at the
bottom, so as to throw in a little fresh heat, put soil over all,
and planted with Cucumbers and Vegetable Marrows, so that if
they do wellthey may run over the beds, and beyond them.
Even for pickles we find a little bottom heat does them good.

FRUIT GARDEN.

Went over wall trees, thinning and shortening shoots, Will
do so with standard Apples, Pears, and Cherries, as soon as
possible. Strawberries, first watered, and then rained upon, are
doing well, and coming in to succeed the last of those in orchard-
house. Watered borders in the latter heavily with weak manure
water, and looked after insects, Removed out of doors a few
Cherry trees from which the fruit had been gathered. ‘Watered
Figs again which are planted shallow in a house, as it is hardly
possible to make them too wet when the fruit is swelling, pro-
yided the moisture is not stagnant. Watered Peach-house also
heavily with soot water, the fruit coming in a few at a time
on the front trellis, whilst those on the back wall are still like
bullets. Thinned and regulated Grapes. Those in small early
pit have been most useful and abundant—pit 6 feet wide, bed
for Vines about 33 feet, hot water below and above. The plants
are in the bed, and have borne too heavily for years. We haye
some fear that some of them have got out of the little bed,
and if so, the success will not be so continuous. These have
chiefly borne on the young wood. In three lights of Sweet-
water, there were from fifty to sixty fair-sized bunches. Melons
ripening in frames haye had a little water given to the bottom
through holes, leaving the surface dry. Pines will want a little
shading in bright days, after dull ones, if at all near the glass. If
kept cool, about 60° to 65° at night, they will stand a high tem-
perature during the day—say from 80° to 95°, if a little air is
Biven early. :

ORNAMENTAL DEPARTMENT.

The pits being now more at liberty, from plants going out to
the flower garden, have potted into larger pots varieties of Coleus,
Begonias, Gesneras, &c., and given them a little bottom-heat;
also Balsams, Achimenes, &c. Potted Ferns, dipped Stanhopeas
In manure water, as they were getting rather dry, and the flower-
buds were coming strong. Potted-off Achimenes, Gloxinias, &c.,
and kept them at first in the shade, with air, as the least con-
densed moisture on the leaves when the sun strikes the house
will do them harm, and spot and mark them. Potted Geraniums
for succession, Fuchsias, &c., and also Chrysanthemums for
large specimens. For want of a better place, clustered most of
the Azaleas at one end of the conservatory, where we can keep
them closer, and give them plenty of the syringe, neither of
which would answer Pelargoniums, Fuchsias, &e. We do not
expect these to be so forward as those placed in a house where
they can have as much moisture and heat as is necessary. The
last time we saw such a house of Azaleas, belonging to one of our
Princes of nurserymen, every plant was glistening with moisture,
85 if they we-e covered with dew-drops; the hot-water pipes
Were in reality hot, and the plants were breaking and growin

i a close, moist atmosphere at a temperature of from 80° to 90°.
Such plants duly hardened-off by more air and less moisture,

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND OOTTACE GARDENER.

[ Sune 28, 1863.

and more sun ‘as the shoots were made, and then still more
hardened-off by greater exposure, would just be ina position for
forming, resting, and then swelling and opening their flower-
buds, as scon as the excitement of warmth and moisture was
given to them. Such sweet plants as the Gardenias, that have
been blooming in an intermediate-house, such as ‘a warm green-
house, just require similar treatment after pruning and cleaning,
only if they should have the advantage of a mild, sweet dung-bed,
or asweet tan-bed, with a bottom-keat notabove 85°, they will like
it all the better than mere hot-water moist heat. Free-growing,
and free-blooming Heaths, as Wilmoveana, hyemalis, linneoides,
&e., will delight, after pruning and resting fora week, with just
less moisture in the atmosphere, and less heat than the Azaleas,
and more air must be admitted as soon as the young shoots are
formed, or there will be danger of drawing and of mildew.
Epacrises will now rejoice if fairly started into growth in a cool
pit, where they can be slightly shaded in bright sunshine. But
as they grow more air must be given, and for part of August,
and through September and October, the less obstruction that
is offered to direct sunshine, the better will the wood be studded
with flower-buds. All hardwooded plants after lowering require
a little of these same conditions—resting, after pruning for a
week or two, then a closer and a moister atmesphere to cause
fresh growth, and a drier and sunny atmosphere to consolidate
growth. ‘This latter remark refers to Gompholobiums, Lesche-
naultias, Pimeleas, Polygalas, and New Holland hardwooded
plants in general.

In growing all these plants, a slight dewing of water from the
syringe, morning and afternoon, and even in the middle of the
day, does more good than deluging with waterings at the
roots, or eyen flooding the floors of the house. Many a hard-
wooded plant is sent to its last home from excessive waterings at
the roots, when the plant is in that comparatively dormant state
that the roots cannot absorb much nourishment, and, conse-
quently, if there is the least derangement in the drainage, there
can. be little result but paralysisand decay. Invall such cases,
after trimming, and before fresh growth commences, the roots
should not be dry, but they should be dry rather than wet. A
slight sprinkling among the stems, and a rather close atmosphere
for a few weeks, will cause the fresh growth to come away more
kindly than if the roots were saturated, and when the shoots are
an inch or two long, is the best time to repot or top-dress, di¢y
according as may be required.

For all suci: plants good drainage is indispensable, and freedom
from worms if the plants stand on the floor of a pit, or out of
doors. Even a few rough ashes are almost an equal requisite to
success. This is still more important if the plant is to be plunged
partly or wholly ina hotbed. Then, all precautions to the con-
trary, there will most likely be a few worms, and these will pass
in by every opening in the plunged part of the pot however
small. For all such plants that have thus to be plunged, as
respects their pots, or set upon the ground, or rough ashes, we
prefer pets with one 200d hole in the bottom to those with
numbers of holes, greater and smaller in size. Then a very
simple means will secure good drainage, and defy the entrance
of our otherwise good friends the worms. The best means of
securing this would be’ little convex caps of a mixture of zinc
and copper to place over the holes, which with the weight above
them would be so close to the pot as to let water out and yet
prevent a small worm entering, and that they would soon give up
attempting, as their sleek sides would recetve something like a
galvanic shock every time they tried it. A much simpler mode
is at hand on every potting-bench, if people could be persuaded
to use it. We say persuaded, for if you give ever so plain
directions on the subject, yon will have the pleasure in turning
pots up to find that the directions have been more attended to
in the breach than the observance. This simple mode is just
placing a suitable-sized piece of broken pot with its convex side
downwards, and so as to cover the hole completely, and from
one-quarter to one-half inch on each side of it. ‘This will be as
secure a barrier to the worm as the zinc cap. “Oh!” but says
our potter, ““it-will get choked up with earth and prevent drain-
age.” And so it would, just as any one piece of drainage ina
pot in-which the plant was to continue any time. But we by
no means mean to confine our drainage to this one conyex piece
of crock with its rounded side downwards. Upon this we lay
other pieces not quite so large, with their rounded side upwards,
forming so many bridges over the first crock, and extending the
process close to the sides of the pot. pon these goes another
layer of smaller pieces, and then a thin layer of smaller pieces

Jane 23,1863. ]

still, or washed pebbles or gravel, mostly from the size of beans
to that of early peas, and over that again we place a layer of
clsan moss to prevent the earth above washing into the dramage,
which it will be effectual in doing, if worms are prevented from
entering and making a quagmire of the whole contents of the pot.
This thorough drainage will be more secured if the compost of
soiliis open and has some pebbles and pieces of charcoal mixed
with it. Remember, however, that open rough material for
Cee and making the roughness proportionate’ to the size
of the plant and the size of the pot, are different things from
potting loosely. In all flowering plants the compost should be
Placed tight round the roots.

Wecommend these matters more especially to amateur and
window-gardeners, with some of whom we find we have got into
a scrape—rather a pleasant one, however, as we think we can
sce’ the way of getting out of it. We are reminded—“ You
have several times spoken of the impropriety of sowing and
planting when the ground was wet, why, then, so anxious to
plant after the last rain?” Again: “We have pretty well
analysed and stored-up all your directions and principles about
watering in-doors and out of doors, but we'can hardly explain
them in unison with a practice we noticed—one of your assist-
ants: syringing flower-beds in the afternoon of a hot sunny day.”
Well, in the first place, we have, for reasons often given, declined
even digging ground when it is very wet. We would for similar
reasons decline planting in ground very wet, because’ it is almost
impossible to’ leave the ground behind you in a nice healthy
open condition. But the rain made our ground in a nice
pliable condition instead of dust-dry. It has never yet been
soaked, but it had as much moisture'as would render planting
easy, and yet not: supersede the necessity of watering each plant
set out. There was, therefore, no likelihood of potehing the
ground, otherwise there would have been no planting. But as
it was, the water required for watering was reduced to a mini-
mum, as the surrounding ground was not im a dry heated state
to absorb it immoderately. In unison with the rule, water suffi-
ciently when wanted, and wait until your services are again
required, the word “sufficiently”? should im the case of fresh-
tumed-out plants be understood to mean not deluging, but
giving merely as much as’ is’ necessary, for much moisture: will
cool the ground at onee, and cool it more by an increase of
evaporation; so that a little water and: often will often be better
than a great deluging. Again, though the roots are moist they
will not grow and absorb moisture at once; and in a hot sun
the leaves will suffer from an excess of evaporation over absorp-
tion, and though, perhaps, shading would be a good remedy, we
fonund the next best to be dewing the foliage gently from an
engine, by which means a few potfuls of water will go over a large
piece, and the vapour that rises from the heated soil is also very
grateful to such fresh-turned-out plants.—R. F.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

*,* We request that no one will write privately to the depart-
mental writers of the “Journal of Horticulture, Cottage
Gardener, and Country Gentleman.” By so doing they
are subjected to unjustifiable trouble and expense. Al!
communications should therefore be addressed solely to The
Editors of the “Journal of Horticulture, &c.,’” 162, Fleet
Street, London, H.C.

also request that correspondents will not mix up on the
same sheet questions relating to Gardening and those: on
Poultry and Bee subjects, if they expect to get them answered
promptly and conveniently, but write them on separate
communications. Also neyer to send more than two or
three questions at once,

cannot reply privately to any communication unless under
very special circumstances.

Manvrine 4 Vine-porper (G, Morris).—Manure as soon after the fruit
8 cuf as you like. If you did it now and used much water, most likely the
Grapes would crack,

MonocuaruM ENSIFERUM CuLTURE (W. X.).—From 55° to 60° will bea
temperature quite high enough for the plants, with an increase curing the
day. Plenty of air will insure sturdy growth. Let them alone; if fresh-
potted they will thrive in 66° until rooting freely-

Vines my Ports (H. C.).—Mr. Elphinstone published a little pamphlet on
their culture, butit is outof print There isa good essay by Mr. Appleby
on the subject in No. 17 of this Journal, which you can haye free by post
if you remit four postage stamps.

Grapes Cotovrine (J. Price).—You must continue damping the floor,
but omit the syringing. Give abundance of air, for depth of colour much
depends upon that. ‘

We

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGH GARDENER.

Suepvine Sraawserry (BL W. Knight).—The fruit sent is very juicy

|and.of excellent flavour; but wecan give no further opinion on the merits,

so much depends upon whether it is really a new variety, its habit, pror
lificacy, &c., all which can only be determined by a careful examination
of a growing plant,

Insucns! (A Subscriber).—We found no caterpillar in your communication.
The spots on the leaves seem to haye been produced by a vegetable mould,
and not by the action of an insect. Kollar’s treatise on insects injurious to
Dore ed, was translated by Miss Loudon, and will suit your: purpose-—

Rararming Ory Merons on Prantine Frese (WW. W.).—Each is best
under the different circumstances. If the plants have not borne heayily,
and the vines are fresh, good second or third crops may be obtained from
the same plants; but if, for securing fine flavour, the soil and the atmo~
sphere have been kept rather dry, the plants are apt to suffer a little in con-
sequence, and in that case, replanting with fresh strong plants is the best
plan. It also gives an opportunity for cleaning the place, and at least ree
surfacing. the beds. The plants must be pretty good to do well after the
middle of July, as late autumn Melons ara generally of little use if Septem-
ber and October happen to be dull and wet.

THRIPS AND RED SPIDER ON Metons (JV. D.)—The atmosphere of your
pit has been kept too dry. Smoke two nights in succession with shag’
tobacco; syringe lightly the following morning; shade from bright sun,
and keep theair of the pit moist. The foliage must be dry before smoking.
This will destroy thrips; but no amount of tobacco smoke will destroy the
eggs: therefore, whenever thrips appear smoke again, and continue todo
so until the pest is thoroughly exterminated. Choose a fine day to deal
with the red spider. Dissolve as much gum arabic as will lie on.a penny
in a pint of rain water, and when that is done mix half a pound of sulphur
with it, forming the whole into a paste-like substance, which is put into
three gallons of rain water heated to’ 120°, Have the hot-water pipes heated
to 1608 by 4P.1., then shut up the pit, and syringe the Melons with the
sulphur solution, wetting every particle of the infested leaves and stems,
and all the available evaporating-surface—as walls, &c. Syringe the hot-
water pipes with the same mixture until the pit is full of steam. Gradually
lower the temperature of the heating-surface; keep the pit close and shaded
from bright sun for a few days, when the Melons will be clear of red spider,
and no fear being entertained of its return (for the sulphur left on the
walls, &c., will act as a preventive), treat them in the usual way. This
will not only kill red spider, but the moisture by which it is accompanied
will materially aid in exterminating thrips.

SULPHUR-DREDGER (Orchidophilus).—We have used it for some years,
and can confidently recommend it. You can have Indexes of nearly all the
early Volumes of THE CorracE GARDENER. 3

Youne VinEs not Fiovrisuine (An Amateur, Nantwich).—We haye
nothing to add to our recommendation last week. The Vines are weakly,
and this probubly arises from their being planted too deep.

Destroyine GoosEBERRY CATERPILLARS (Mrs. F. S. A.).—We believe
the most effectual mode is to have the caterpillars picked off by hand. One
or two women will clear a large plantation in a day. A comprehensive
mode of destroying these pests is to dust the leayes thoroughly with fresh
white hellebore powder. Coyer the surface of the soil 2 inches deep with
spent. tanner’s bark, remoying it in the autumn and burningit. This will
prevent the occurrence of caterpillars next year.

Forman’s Crew APPLE (A Subscriber).—We have made every seareh
for the origin of the name ‘‘ Crew,” but haye failed. Can any of our cor~
respondents inform us?

Sxepninc Carcrotarta (H. Major). — Very fine as to size—lj-inch
across—and good as to colour and marking.

Names or Prants (4 Lady Subseriber).—Nos. 1 and 2, forms of Selagi-
nella Martensii; 3, S. Galeottii; 4, S. cesia. (2. W. B.).—Escallonia
grandiflora, a hardy shrub. (Homo).—1, Lastrea Filix-mas; 2, Blechnum
doreale; 3, Lastreadilatata; 4, Scolopendrium yulgare; 5, Athyrium Filix-
foeemina. (D. G. D.).—1,, Evonymus europzeus; 2, Philadelphus coronarius ;
3, Staphylea pinnata ; 4, Lychnis diurna. (7. S.).—1l, Chenopodium Bonus-
Henricus; 2, Veronica serpyllifolia; 3, Hieraceum pilosella; 5, Rumex,
too young to determine—looks like sanguineus. (A Subscriber, E.).—
Zischynanthus ramosissimus. (B, Z.).—1, Corydalis lutea; 2, Gompho-
carpus fruticosus.

POULTRY, BEE, and HOUSEHOLD CHRONICLE.
cai ile ie ee eee

POULTRY SHOWS.
Snerrrenp. Sec., Mr. H. Warhurst, Cremorne

June 27th to 30th.
Gardens, Sheffield.

Suny 2nd. Prescor. Sec., Mr. James Beesley.

Jury 20th to 24th. Wonrcrsrersniee, Sec., Mr. J, Holland, Chesnut
Walk, Worcester. Entries close June 20th. ‘

Aveusr 29th. Hantrax AND Catper VAte. Sec., Mr, W. Irvine, Halifax.

SepremBer 2nd., CorrincHam. Sec., Mr. J. Brittain.

JAPANESE FOWLS.

Have any efforts been made for the dmaportalioy, of the new
breeds of fowls seen in Japan by Mr, Fortune 2;

At Nagasaki, he says, ey aheoamed some striking and beautiful
kinds of fowls. These were rather aboye the ordinary size, but
were remarkable for their fine plumage. ‘The tail-feathers were
long and gracefully curved, and fine silky ones hung down on
each side of the hinder part of the back. Bantams were alsg
plentiful, and bold independent-looking little fellows they were,”

At Yokuhama Mr. Fortune again remarks, “The different
varieties of fowls struck me more than anything else. The kind
which I had seen at Nagasaki was here also, and, in addition, a
pure white bird with a fine long arched tail, and long silky

462

feathers hanging down from each side of the back. This is
a very beautiful bird, and well worth being introduced into
Europe, if if is not already here.” :

[Since the above was extracted, we see the following notice in
the Report of the Acclimatisation Society :—“ A pair of Japanese
fowls presented by A. D. Bartlett, Heq., and now under the
care of Mr. Bush, have passed the winter in his. ayiary, and are
now laying. Their eggs are of a deeper colour and rounder
than those of the Cochin-China fowls.” These may represent
one of the varieties seen by Mr. Fortune. We wish the Report
had included a description of the fowls. |

THE THORNE EXHIBITION OF POULTRY.

In accordance with the practice for many years past, this ex-
cellent Show of poultry was held in the grounds opposite the
Hall of Makin Durham, Esq., giving the whole affair a most
rural and picturesque appearance. To the kindness of the worthy
proprietor in permitting these annual exhibitions to be thus held
the Society are deeply indebted, the Exhibition causing an
influx of strangers into Thorne that few parties from mere
hearsay could credit, and proving itself quite an annual ré-
union, anxiously looked forward to for many weeks previously.
The present year’s Show far surpassed those hitherto held in the
number of entries, whilst even a cursory glance at the printed
catalogue proves that nearly all of our most reputed poultry
amateurs competed. The grounds enjoy the advantages of
timber of many years’ growth, whilst the constant flitting to
and fro of the rooks overhead gave a novelty rarely to be met
with at such exhibitions. The day was luckily favourable, the
fair visitants were mostly decked in their gayest holiday gear,
every one seemed determined to enjoy themselves, and, conse-
quently, the whole scene was one of unalloyed pleasure and satis-
faction.

The pens (considerably above three hundred), were very nicely
arranged in single line beneath the shade of the trees, which
added materially to the comfort of both the poultry and the
Pigeons. The Rabbits, however, seemed quite to enjoy the solar
rays, and we will dismiss this latter branch of the Show by
simply stating most of the specimens were very good. Consider-
able attention was drawn also to2 temporary grotto-like erection,
composed of a full complement of gypsum for rockery, orna-
mented with a variety of growing ferns, flowers, &c., the whole
surmounted by a large preserved white sea bear, the oddity of
the affair being greatly increased by the fact of the aforesaid
gentleman wearing for this occasion a very thick great coat, of
moss, covering all else save his head, feet, and neck. Under
the great summer heat that prevailed, had animation existed no
doubt poor Bruin would have felt as desirous of throwing off
every extra garment as did most of his visitors. Mr. Cagson’s
and Mr. Burr’s grottos were at once pleasing and interesting
bye-plays to the general scene, the one with the addition of
suitable canvass, representing a highland glen, the other an
eastern drawing-room. Under so varied an attraction, heightened
by the almost incessant performances of the Thorne Brass Sub-
scription Band, it wili be no matter of surprise to hear that the
money taken at the doors showed a very gratifying advance on
the amount derivable on previous occasions.

Another great cause of the success of the Thorne Society
arises, without doubt, from its happy possession of one of the
most obliging and business-like Hon. Secretaries imaginable.
Courteous alike to all, yet keeping the success of the proceedings
under constant attention, Mr. Richardson well merits the good
Opinions entertained of him by his colleagues, and affords a
good example to not a few of our poultry secretaries that might
be followed with the like welcome results, if applied to their
particular societies.

At this particular season we naturally expect to find poultry
fast approaching moulting time, and on no variety of fowls
does want of condition tell with greater force than on Spanish.
This class was, nevertheless, a good one; but it appeared in not
a few instances a pity to place really well-bred birds before the
public in so sad trim as that we now refer to. A powerful
objection to thus exhibiting them is simply this, that while each
Pen-feather contains blood, it offers, under close confinement,

the greatest of all possible inducements to fowls of any breed to

€come absolute cannibala—so much so that ofttimes, unsatisfied
with the immature feather alone, they proceed to eating away
piecemeal the living flesh of their companions. We draw par-

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER, '

[June 23; 1863,

ticular attention to this fact, as this morbid desire if once con-
tracted, is one of the most difficult of any of the eyil practices of
exhibition poultry to eradicate ; and it is a propensity that any
little injury by which blood is drawn at once brings into action,
if the unfortunate sufferer is unhappily placed in a position
where escape is unavailable.

In Cochins, Buffs were first, and Partridge-coloured second,
both colours being well shown. Although only two pens of
Game (Whites or Piles) were placed, they were very creditable
ones. It was in the Black-breasted Game fowls and other Reds
that competition reached its highest point, Here Messrs. Adams,
Boyes, Brierley, Fletcher, Helliwel!, Julian, and several other
noted Game-breeders tried their hardest for the mastery. As
must be the event where such a rivalry existed, the heaviest in
competition prevailed, and the result proved how equally the
honours became distributed. Mr. Fletcher gained the silver
cup for single Game cocks with a truly magnificent “stag”
Black-breasted Red, and it was the universal opinion that it will
be long before we shall look upon his like again. For the
Silver Game cup, for a pen of three, Mr. Adams and Mr. Julian,
both exhibitors from Beverley, were evidently a long time in
close balance, the Judge (who officiated openly) evidently scru-
tinising each pen again and again as though almost hopelessly
striving to find a fault with either. After the most rigid in-
spection, a faulty eye in one of Mr. Julian’s hens gaye Mr.
Adams the superiority. The silver eup for Game Bantams, on
the contrary, was a mere “walk over” to the noted pen of
Mr. H. D. Bayley.

The Red Caps shown were remarkably good, and in the class
for Any variety of chickens a pen of Black Red Game and
another of White Dorking chickens were so equally perfect that
the Judge “‘admitted it an injustice to either pen to obtain a
second position.” This anomaly will occasionally occur where
many breeds compete in the same class.

A class for Single Cocks of any breed brought into competition
a great variety, a Grey Dorking being first,a Golden Poland
the winner of the second prize. In this class no less than seyen
excellent Game cocks were shown; but as a class for single
Game cocks existed, it is scarcely just this variety should be
admitted into a competition where a position is already afforded
them in one particularly devoted to Game cocks only.

The Aylesbury Ducks were worthy of mention, Mra. Seamons
holding her customary place in the prize list. The Geese and
Turkeys were also good.

In the Pigeons, almost every class was well filled, but no new
variety presented itself. The Show closed the same eyening,
and every bird was forwarded to its owner without misadventure
of any kind.

Spanisu.—First, H. Beldon, Bradford. Second, J. Dixon, Bradford.
Highly Commended, F. Siddall, Halifax ; J. Brown, Sheffield.

Cocnin-Cuina.—First, Messrs. H. & G. Newton, Garforth, Leeds. Second,
R. White, Broomhall Park, Sheffield. Commended, Messrs. H. & G, Newton,

Dorxinc.—First, R. M. Stark, Hull. Second, J. Sledmore, Epworth
Highly Commended, E. Jefferson, Epworth; Hon. T. C. H. Hawke,
Womersley. Commended, Master L, Fosbrooke, Hatfield; Hon. T. C. H.
Hawke, Womersley.

Game (White and Piles).—First, H. Adams, Beverley. Second, T. Walker,
Doncaster.

Game (Black-breasted and other Reds).—First, H. Adame, Beverley.
Second, H.M. Julian, Beverley. Highly Commended, Messrs. Sale & Bentley,
Crowle; G. Helliwell, Walkley ; C. W. Brierley, Rochdale.

Game (Duckwings and other Greys and Blues).—First, C. W. Brierley,
Rochdale. Second, G. Helliwell, Walkley. Commended, H. Adams,
Beverley.

Game (Any breed).—Silyer Cup, H. Adams, Beverley. Highly Com-
mended, G. Helliwell, Walkley ; H. Adams; H. M. Julian, Beverley. Com-
mended, H. Beldon, Bradford; J. Fletcher, Stoneclough, Manchester.

SincLE GAME Cock (Any breed).—Silver Cup, J. Fletcher, Stoneclongh,
Manchester. Highly Commended, W. Boyes, Beverley; H. M. Julian,
Beverley; G. Helliwell, Walkley; G, Valentine, Hablesthorpe. Com-
mended, H. Crossley, Broomfield, Halifax; H. Beldon, Bradford; G.
Marshall, Barmbro’; H. Adams, Beverley; C. W. Brierley, Rochdale.

Pouanps (Any variety).—First and Second, J. Dixon, Bradford. Com-
mended, H. Beldon, Bradford.

Hamepurex (Silver-spangled).—First, H. Beldon, Bradford. Second, J. B.
Hepworth, Bearswood Green. Commended, J. Dixon, Bradford.

Hamevgex (Golden-spangled).—First, C. W. Brierley, Rochdale. Second,
J. Dixon, Bradford. Highly Commended, H. Beldon, Bradford. Com-
mended, Messrs. Burch & Bolter, Sheffield.

Hameurex (Silver-pencilled),— First, H. Beldon, Bradford. Second, J.
Dixon, Bradford. Highly Commended, J. Harrop, Walkley.

Hameuren (Golden-pencilled). — First, C. W. Brierley, Rochdale.
poco Smith, Northowram, Halifax. Highly Commended, H. Beldon,
radford.

Any Farmyarp Cross.—First, Messrs. Burch & Boulter, Sheffield.

Tune 23, 1863. ]

acond, H. Beldon, Bradford. Commended, J. Calvert, Thorne ; Messrs.
. & G. Newton, Garforth; T. Downing, Thorne,

Game Banrams (Any breed),— Silver Cup, T. H. D. Bailey, Ickwell
House, Biggleswade. Highly Commended, C. W. Brierley, Rocndale. Com-
mended, J. Crossland, Wakefield; W. Silvester, Market Hall, Sheffield ;
E. Yeardley, Wisewood, Sheffield.

Bantaus (Silver or Golden-laced).—First, H. Beldon, Bradford. Second
E. Yeardley, Wisewood, Sheffield. Commended, R. M. Stark, Hull; J’
Staley, North Collingham, Newark. °

BanTAMs (Black, White, or any colour).—First, J. Dixon, Bradford:
Second, R. M. Stark, Hull.

Any BREED or Cross.—First, R. M. Stark, Hull (Grey Dorking). Second,
J. Dixon, Bradfora (Golden Poland). Highly Commended, Hon. T. C. H.
Hawke, Womersley (Brahma); R. White, Sheffield (Cochin). Hens,—
First, H. Beldon, Bradford (Spanish). Second, J. J. Cranidge, Crowle (Red
Caps). Highly Commended, W. Boyes, Beverley (Brown Red); E. Brown.
Sheffield (Spanish); C. W. Brierley, Rochdale (Black Red Game); R,
Williamson, Wheatley (Spanish); Commended, Hon. T. C. H. Hawke,
Womersley (Cochin); J. Gibson, Hatfield (Golden-spangled Hamburgh).

CHICKENS (Any pure breed).— First, A. Bell, Burnley (Black Red Game).
Second, M. Durham, Thorne (White Dorking). Highly Commended, J.
Dixon, Bradford (Silver-spangled Hamburghs); T. Pidd, Crowle (Brown
Red Game).

Guinea Fowrs. — First, J.
Driffield.

TurKEys.—First, Miss Blacker, Moorends.
J. Dixon, Bradford.

Grerse.—First, J. Dixon, Bradford. Second, Hon. F. C. H. Hawke,
Womersley. Gibs.—First, G. Outwin, Hatfield Park. Second, J. Lee,
Sykehouse. Highly Commended, R. Longhorn, Armyn. Commended,
Miss Aldam, Holmes, Epworth.

Ducss (Any breed).—First, J. Dixon, Bradford.
Bradford.

Ducks (Aylesbury),—First and Second, Mrs. M. Seamons, Aylesbury.

Rassits.—Buck and Doe.—First, G. Woodley, Thorne. Second, I. T.
Spencer, Doncaster. Highly Commended, G. White, Thorne; J. Holmes,
Hatfield. Buck.—First, W. Trimingham, Thorne. Second, J. Sunderland,
Balifax. Doe.—First, J. Creaser, Thorne. Second, J. Sunderland, jun.
Highly Commended, R. Grayil, Thorne. or weight.—First, G. Woodley.
Second, J. Gregory, Hatfield.

Dixon, Bradford. Second, H. Merkin,

Second and Commended,

Second, H. Beldon,

PIGEONS.

CaRRIERS,—First, W. Carlton, Howden. Second, J. B. Hepworth, Bears-
wood Green. Highly Commended, S. Robson, Brotherton. Commended,
H. Beldon, Bradford; H. Yeardley, Birmingham.

Croprers.—First, H. Beldon, Bradford. Second, S. Robson, Brotherton.
Highly Commended, H. Yeardley, Birmingham; E. Brown, Sheffield;
C. W. Brierley, Rochdale.

TumBiLers.—First, H. Beldon, Bradford. Second, J. Mann, Pigburn.
Highly Commended, R. Gravil, Thorne.

Jacopins.—First, C. H. Brierley, Rochdale. Second, W. Riley, Belton.
Highly Commended, T. M, Stoker, Darrington; H. Yeardley, Birmingham.

Nuns.—First, F. Key, Beverley. Second, H. Beldon, Bradford. Com-
mended, H. Yeardley, Birmingham.

TRUMPETERS.—First, 8. Robson, Brotherton. Second, W. Carlton, How-
den. Highly Commended, A. Beldon, Bradford; — Yeardley, Birming-
ham; F. Key, Beverley,

Tursits.—First, H. Beldon, Bradford. Second, Messrs. Holding & Robin-
son, Beyerley. Commended, E. Jobling, Neweastle.

FANTAILs.—First, F. Key, Beverley. Second, E. Brown, Sheffield. Highly
Commended, E. Jobling, Newcastle.

Owts.—First, H. Beldon, Bradford. Second, E. Jobling, Newcastle.
Iighly Commended, H. Ravenhill, Doncaster; W. Hattersley, Sheffield.
Commended, H. Yeardley, Birmingham.

Extra Stock.—Commended, J. Creaser, Thorne.

Mr. Edward Hewitt, of Eden Cottage, Sparkbrook, near
Birmingham, awarded the prizes to poultry, Rabbits, and
Pigeons.

THE BRADFORD SILVER CUP BLACK
BANTAMS.

In your remarks last week relative to Bantams at the Bath
and West of England Poultry Exhibition you say, “ Black ones
secured the silver cup for the best pen of any breed of Bantams
shown. They were excellent; but it was rumoured among
amateurs the address of the owner was assumed—a report scarcely
credible, so long as even the number of the house is added to the
general address in the printed catalogue.”

Having given currency to an impression, which, taken in con-
junction with the late remarkable Black Bantam controversy, is
calculated to throw suspicion on either the exhibitor or the
birds, allow me to say the Bantams belong to my daughter, and
have been exhibited thrice, each time successfully. In addition
to your own report, a contemporary having characterised the
pen as “perfect Blacks,” it is, perhaps, unnecessary to say

more than to inform certain “amateurs,” that the name Kate |

Charlton is very little indeed of a myth, and that the ad-
dress in the catalogue is the residence of—., J, Cuaruron,
Bradford.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

468
DISTINCT VARIETIES OF DORKINGS.

Tr appears to me that the different breeds of Coloured Dork-
ings are very imperfectly classified. Although I do not pretend
to know all the varieties, yet I know that besides Silver-Greys
there is a variety in which the hens are of a light grey colour
with a light hackle, and another of a dark grey colour witha
dark hackle, and it is to these two varieties that I allude.

I think that it would be an improvement if each of these
varieties had distinguishing names of their own. For instance:
Parties advertising their stock for sale in THE JounNnAL or Hor-
TICULTURE should state which of these varieties it is they offer,
so that those wishing to improve their breed by a change would
have an opportunity of knowing from whom to purchase stock
of the same colour as their own.—A Norru Barron.

[The two birds you mention are not sufficiently distinct to
render necessary a separate Classification of them; as very often
the darker birds get much lighter after the first moult, and it
often happens that the two colours, as described by you, are seen
in the same brood, the produce of the same parents. |

BEH SEASON IN EAST LOTHIAN.

Ix complying with the request of “A. W.,” page 446 of Tur
JOURNAL oF HoRtIcuLTURE, on the bee season, and “our
success and failure” here, Hast Lothian, I have to state that this
season, though warmer than last, has been no better for the bees
obtaining food, owing to the frequent showers and dull days.
I had my first swarm on the 11th, the same day I had one
in 1862, one on the 14th, and one on the 17th from the
artificial Ligurian hive which I made last year, July 26th. I
expect other four as soon as the weather will allow them to
come, and these I intend to make artificial Ligurian hives, by
taking a bar-frame from my old Ligurian, depriving them of their
own queen. The first swarm I put into a Stewarton-hive,
being anxious to try that kind, believing it to be good for making
honey.

On the 12th I took out two bars, one full of young brood in
all stages, the other containing a good number of drones in all
stages likewise, and put them into an empty box along with two
empty combs, being determined to use every means to keep the
Ligurians pure. In giving the queen the black bees of the hive
I took the day previous, I did not want her to get any black
drones, and I thought we had fallen on a simple method of
doing this, as well asa secure one. J had the perforated zine
which some of your correspondents use for keeping out the
drones from the supers. With it I covered the box containing
the young brood, and by turning up the one containing the
bees, placing the other on the top, I expected a good many bees
would go into the upper one through the perforated zine. Being
aware, however, that all would not leave the queen, it would
still make it easier to keep back the drones and queen. Not-
withstanding a considerable amount of beating on the under
hive containing the bees and queen, we could only induce a few
to go through the zinc. We then had to resort to the old
method of shaking them out on a sheet, afew at a time, and
making them run into the hive, which they did at once, one
keeping a piece of the perforated zinc ready at the mouth of the
hive to prevent any drones entering. This was not much re-
quired, as there were only thirteen drones, which were easily
secured before entering, and the queen also. They were all into
the hive and on the stance in a quarter of an hour. I gave her
a good feed at once, and in the afternoon they had begun carry-
ing bee-bread, and although giving unmistakeable symptoms of
being in want of a queen till the following day, they are now
working as well as any.

I intend to do other five or six in the same manner, and then
send the whole of the Ligurians, old and young, away to a neigh-
bour’s garden, who has only two hives, which I will bring here.
They will then be two miles from the nearest black bees, and
where it is a considerable deal colder, being much higher and
at the foot of the hills. he Ligurian drones in their hymeneal
excursions may come this way, but I do not anticipate that the
black ones will go into such a cold place. At all events, it is
the only chance I have of keeping them pure, and had it not
been that so many around here had lost all their stocks, I could
not haye managed it. ;

Some wishing to purchase from me the pure stock I have been
at this trouble, otherwise J am disposed to think that a mixed
breed or hybrid woul2 be an improyement. I have obtained

64

three of Weodbury’s straw bar-frame hives from Neighbour
and Sons, and I consider them a great improvement on the
wood ones. I will never allow my bees to be all the winter in
these again. They may be used in the summer, when there is
no moisture to condense in the inside of the hive, or where the
movement of the bees prevents it; butin winter they are always
wet to a certain extent; but 1 intend to put straw tops on the
wood, which will help them a little.—ALEX,. SHEARER, Yester.

AGE OF QUEENS—DISTANCEH BEES FLY.

wr age of queens is sometimes difficult to ascertain when
bees are left entirely to themselves; they being able to replace
the mother of the hive with a young one at the proper season if
any accident happen to her. But in the case replied to at page
335 there is no foundation for doubt, and it served for an experi-
tment to prove that the impregnation of the queen lasts her
lifetime.

In 1848 I put two swarms together, leaving to themselves to
decide which queen should be the ruling sovereign. The sur-
viving queen appeared to be a little wounded in the conflict,
both her wings being peculiarly cut, and this prevented her
from flying. She had always to be watched at swarming time,
and she led off swarms for seven successive years. She was of
an unmistakeable appearance ; for besides her injured wings she
was very little larger than a worker, which rendered all my
attention necessary to detect her.

It is the custom here for people to remove their hives at
different seasons of the year. When they remove them in spring,
a mile or a mile and a half suffices to prevent their coming back
to the place they were removed from, and in summer two
miles will suffice; but in the month of August, when taken to
the heather, it is a regular thing for them to come back in great
numbers the distance of three miles and a half. They are not
s0 apt to come back in the height of the working season as
when it is past and when necessity calls them to a distance.

The nature of the case described at page 336 was of twelve
hives, which stood at Nemphlar in the parish of Lanark. ‘They
were removed at three different times, four at a time, on a hand-
barrow every other night to the parish of Carmichael fully six
miles, and a pretty straight road—almost a direct line. There
was a patch of heather about midway between these two places,
which was a little earlier in bloom than the heather was at their
new stand, This would entice them back to their old working-
place. Part of the bees from every hive came back to their old
stand and clustered till the following day, and then departed,
probably in search of their hives. The people in Arran say
that it is common to see bees on the Holy Island at Lamlash
Bay, which is allowed to be a distance of three nautical miles
from shore to shore, and no bees were kept on that island at
that time. I have seen bees at least two miles from the shore
between Arran and the Cumbraes alighting on the steamboats,
which will show how far a bee will fly without alighting.—
A LanarksHire BEE-KEEPER, Blantyre,

DEATH OF QUEENS—BEE-KEEPING IN
STAFFORDSHIRE.

I EncuiosE two Ligurian queens, and shall be glad of an
Opinion upon them. One is a supernumerary that came off with
@ swarm, and is a fine insect and fairly coloured. The second is
& very fine, well-coloured queen, and is, I fear, the old queen
—.e.,one reared last year, from a storified-hive. The hive is
densely peopled, but the bees have not yet taken to the super.

f my opinion is correct, I much regret her loss, as she bred
finer-coloured workers than any of my other queens—I think
fully equal to my original one received from “ A DEVONSHIRE
BEE-KEEPER.”

My four stocks all passed safely through the winter, and were
strong and forward in the spring, and during the blossoming of
the damson trees increased in weight. Since that time the
weather has been most unpropitious, and still continues so. My
experiments haye, however, been much more successful than
those made last year. I made my first swarm on the 9th, by
taking four frames with brood and bees out of the swarm of
June 4th, 1862 (as I believed that hive to contain the old
queen), and placing them in a four-frame hive. I then put this
and the parent hive side by side, when it was soon evident

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ June, 23, 1863,

that the queen wasin the small hive, asthere was great agitation
in the old one. I placed the swarm on ‘the stand of another
stock, and in a day or two shifted them into a ten-frame hive,
supplying them with four new frames of empty comb, and at the
same time giving the old stock two frames of empty comb to dis-
courage the building of drone-combs. . Had the queen not been
in the’ nucleus-box, I should have kept the bees in that hive
until the young queens made their appearance, and then ‘have
shifted them into a larger hive.

On the 20th I made a second swarm, by abstracting a single
comb with a sealed royal cell into a nucleus-box, and placing it
on the stand of another stock. On the 23rd a swarm came out
of the old hive, and another will, if the weather permit, come off
soon, as they have been piping strenuously.

Tam feeding the swarms liberally, as there is no honey to be
had, and a poor prospect for the future, as the land is sadly
burned up for want of rain. My hives were fully ventilated until
the 8th of February, and the boxes consequently were perfectly
dry, without the slightest condensation on the windows. In
March, the condensation was considerable, but did not produce
any evil consequences. Owing to the mildneas of the season, the
loss of weight in my hives was very considerable, about 10, 9,
8, and 7 lbs. in the four stocks respectively, from the Ist of
November to the 1st of February. Where would they have
been if they had only weighed 10 lbs. nett in September, as re-
commended by “G. F. B.?”

The advantages of the new arrangement in bars, and having a
space between the bars and crown-board are yery great, and
most materially contribute to the well-being of the bees. The
ventilation is rendered complete and perfect, as the current
passes through between all the combs, and out at the central
hole in the crown-board. Formerly I used to find a great deal
of damp at the sides of the hives away from the centre. At the
same time the approximation of the combs seems to greatly
fayour the breeding of the queen in the spring, as a much
smaller number of bees covers a greater surface of combs than
when the bars were placed at a greater distance from each other.
LT also find the indiarubber gloves invaluable.—J. E. B.

[The smaller of the two queens was a virgin, and was, doubt-
less, a supernumerary one that accompanied the swarm. The
larger we ascertained to have been unquestionably impregnated,
and regret, therefore, to confirm your fears as to her being the
old queen, This is not the first instance in which we have
found valuable queens fall victims to the rivalry of their
daughters, either immediately before or just after the issue of a
swarm, and we are inclined to believe that it is more common
than is generally supposed. |

OUR LETTER BOX.

Ducks Ar BATH AND WEST OF ENGLAND SHow.—The Cup for the best
pen of Ducks was awarded to Mr, Rodbard's Rouens, and not to Mr.
Fowler’s Aylesburys.

RoveN AND East Inpian Ducks (JV. I¥.).—The Rouen is much the
larger bird. The East Indian when pure bred is a small compact Duck.
Both breeds are prolific, and the early laying is much regulated by the age
and condition of the birds themselves. This season the Rouen Ducks gene-
rally have laid better than the East Indian.

PROFITABLE BeEeEDS OF Fowts (8S. 7.).—In the neighbourhood of large
towns, where new-laid eggs are in demand, either Cochin, Brahma, or
Spanish would be good birds for you, as they require but little range. If
you have a large space for them, then any breed will thrive with you.
Young healthy birds should be selected, as they lay earlier than older ones;
and pullets for early laying should be introduced annually, and the older
hens got rid of.

CoLovk oF Grey Dorgrine Cuicxens (£. A. C.).—Grey Dorking chickens
vary very much in colour when first hatched, many appearing almost white
and others as nearly black. The first feathers are often speckled with
white, which disappears as the birds get older, and others seem to be as
nearly black and then alter.

Cross BETWEEN [CANARY AND YELLOWHAMMER (JVooton). — We are
not aware of any instance of the Canary and Yellowhammer having been
cross-bred, but we see no reason why they should not breed together.
The most probable British bird that the Yellowhammer would pair with
would be a hen Greenfinch,

REARING YounG NiGHTINGALES (An Old Subscriber).—To rear young
Nightingales feed them on fresh beef, scraped fine, and hard-boiled eggs,
also chopped fine, with a little scalded bread; and when they are fledged,
leave off the bread and give them occasionally a few mealworms, Keep
them in a quiet place and shaded from the sun.

Ligurtan BEEs (W. W.)—If you write to T. Woodbury, Esq., Mount
Radford, Exeter, he will give you all the information you need.

Taxine Honey (S. B.).—Honey should be taken in the autumn, as soon
as gathering is over and breeding either diminishes or ceases entirely.
The mode of uniting bees by driving is fully described in pages 45 and 46
of ‘‘ Bee-keeping for the Many.”

June 80, 1863, ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND OOTTAGEH GARDENER, 465
WEEKLY CALENDAR.
ean ' sal WEATHER NEAR LONDON 3 1862. [OE ioe | Shoe
7 ay | | Moon ock
of of JUNE 30—JULY 6, 1863, | . Rainin| .S22 Sun | Rises |Moon’s, before Day of
M'nth Week, Barometer. |Thermom.} Wind. Tatas Rises, Sete. aa Sets! Age. | Sun, Year.
} L | | |
| degrees. m. h.} m. h.| m. h.| m. 5s. |
30 | Tu | Hormann born, 1640. B. 29,993~29.878 | 7140 | N.w.| — | 48ar3 | sats | 472.2] 14 | 3°14 | 181
1 | W | Princess ALIcE MaRRIeD, 1862. | 29.888—29.873 | 72—54 | N.W. = | 49 3/18 8} rises fe) 3) 25 |, 182.)
2) Tx Martin died, 1727. B, 29.803—29,779 70—43 N.W. OL 49° 3/18 8] 5B 8 16} 3/37 | 188
3 F Sea Lungwort flowers. 29.876—29.795 60—39 Ww. 23 Ey, VOR Wats ey ©) 17 38 48 | 184 |
4 Ss Jungermann born, 1572. B. 29.857—29.780 69—51 S.W. = 561 3/17 8)]54 9} 18 3 59 185
5 | Sun 5 Sunpay AFTER TRINITY. 29,653—29.543 74—52 S.E. 29 51 3/17 8/17 10 19 | 4 10 186
6 M O. Jacob born, 1550, B. 29.424—29,381 | 72—53 Ww. 02 52 3) 16 8 | 40 10 20 | 4 20 187
METEOROLOGY OF THE WeEEK.—At Chiswick, from observations during the last thirty-six years, the average highest and lowest
temperatures of these daysare 74.6° and 51.0° respectively. ‘The greatest heat, 97°, occurred on the 5th, in 1852; and the lowest cold, 35°,

i on the 30th, in 1849. During the period 152 days were fine, and on 100 rain fell.

PEAS, AND HOW TO GROW THEM.

~O serve the table no vegetable
contributes more than the
Pea—the Potato always ex-
cepted, It does moderately
well on all soils, and in all
parts of our climate, high ele-
vations excepted. Peas, however,
do best on lightish loams, and in-
differently on a clay formation.
For a very early crop the soil
ean hardly be too light, for it is
not quality nor quantity that is
aimed at, but extreme earliness.
A somewhat stronger soil is best
to afforda succession of early Peas,
and a deep, loamy soil is what
suits main crops. Heavy soils
with a good deal of marl in them
afford excellent Peas late in the
season, and in dry summers heavy
soilis better than light. Taken
in a general way, Peas delight in deep, rich, and friable
loamy soil, and by well exposing heavy soil to the in-
fluence of the weather, and forking it over on dry, frosty
mornings, the most tenacious soil may be brought into a
condition to suit this crop. Trenching is almost necessary
to secure good Yeas; and an open site, but sheltered from
strong gales, is essential. A liberal dressing of manure
is necessary, and should be well mixed with the soil, for
when the roots are very highly fed the Peas run too much
to haulm, become gross instead of sturdy, and never pro-
duce so abundantly as those on moderately rich soils.
Peas may be divided into numerous sections, but I
shall be content to deal with them in three ways. First,

in small gardens; Secondly, in moderate-sized gardens ;
and Thirdly, in large gardens. I will provide for a suc-
cession of this prime esculent in all three cases, and give
the earliest period they have come into bearing with me
and my neighbours, and the latest period at which they
may be expected.

The earliest period we have heard of Peas being
gathered in this county (Yorkshire), was the Early May,
on the 29th of that month, and I have gathered Peas
myself on the 17th of December, and have heard of their
being gathered on the 25th of that month. These, how-
ever, are extreme cases, and are no criterion to work by.
In well-sheltered, sunny localities, and on light soils, the
7th of June is a very fair time to gather early Peas, and
between that date and the 15th Peas may be expected in
quantity. On heavy soils they will bea fortnight later. and
in high, bleak, and cold soils, a fortnight later still. From
that time Peas can be had until the frost cuts them off.

Very much depends on the weather, and the condition
of the Peas, to determine the amount of frost that will
destroy them. If the weather has been hot or dry some
time before the frost occurs, 6° of frost will not harm
them, and in one case I knew them stand 10° of frost

No, 118,—Vor. IV., Naw Szers,

without sustaining any great injury; but if the weather
has been warm and moist prior to a frost, very few
degrees below freezing will destroy them.

Ist. Peas in Suatt GarpEens.—Large or tall growers
are not adapted to limited areas. They take up too much
room, and overshadow everything else. But, “I like
Marrowfats,”’ Ihear some one say. Well, and you shall
have them. Dig or trench the Pea-ground as early as-
possible in the autumn, giving a good dressing of manure,
and if the soil be heavy or tenacious throw it into ridges
as roughly as possible, throw it back early in February,
choosing a dry frosty morning for the operation, break-
ing and pulverising with a fork (spades are puddle-makers
on heavy soils), all the hard lumps not frozen, and leave
the whole as level as possible. Any time after the 15th
of February sow, when the weather permits, a gill of
Dillistone’s Early Prolific, and the same quantity of
Sangster’s No.1, or its synonyme Daniel O'Rourke,
choosing the warmest corner and most sunny part of the
land set apart for Peas. Allow 3 feet between the rows ;
and if you like Spinach, and have the ends of the Pea-
rows pointing north and south, sow a row between the
Peas, and a few Radishes may be sown between also.
The drills should not be deeper than an inch, and if the
Peas be covered that depth it is enough. Ifsown much
deeper the seed will rot, if the season be cold and wet,
and what we very often blame the seedsman for too often
is our own fault. Should any fear of mice being trouble-
some be apprehended, rub the moistened Peas in red lead
before sowing, and set a brick-trap or two to prevent their
nibbling the points of the shoots off when they appear,
and if slugs are troublesome sprinkle soot over and around
the Peas. There is another enemy, and that is my friend
the sparrow. Black thread strung about 6 inches above
the Peas hung with bits of glass, will keep him at bay ;
but pray do not kill him with poisoned wheat, he will
make amends for his thieving propensities by eating
thousands of caterpillars.

Early in March sow a row, a gill or a pint, according
to the quantity of ground, of Sangster’s No. 1, and the
same of Bishop’s Longpodded. Sow a little Spinach and
a few Radishes, or a bit of Lettuce seed between the
rows to gather or cut early. Never mind what this body
or t’other body says about their spoiling Peas, for I
follow this plan myself, and get a few nice dishes of
Spinach for my master’s table, some nice Radishes to eat
with cheese, and a few Lettuce plants to transplant, and
these are off before the Peas attain any great height, so
that there is no fear of their being smothered.

Prepare some Larch or Spruce branches, for those
make the best pea-sticks, Beech and Hornbeam are the
next best, and Hazels will do well. Point those neatly,
and set them in a corner to be ready against the time
when the Peas are 3 inches high, when draw some earth
to the Peas and put in the sticks on both sides of the
row, keeping them as wide at top as at bottom, and not
letting them meet at top, as if Peas were grown to be
huddled and smothered. The sticks are best when a
little longer than the specified height of the various kinds,

No. 770.—Vou, XXIX., Onn SuEr#,

466

for a wet season induces them to grow taller, and a dry season
dwarfer. But the main point of all in sticking Peas is to:place
them firmly in the soil. If placed so that they move to and fro
in a gale, well-filled pods need not be looked for. The pea-
haulm is so brittle and so liable to be broken, that good twiggy
sticks, and firm set, isa main point in Pea-growing. Sticks tor
sorts growing 3 feet high should be 4 feet long, and all 1 foot
longer than their height, so as to allow for the part thrust
into the soil, and a little above, to meet the exigencies of the
season.

Sow another crop on the 15th of March, employing Scimitar
and Perfection (Veitch), allowing 4 feet between the rows. On
ist of April sow Perfection and Flack’s Imperial Victory; again
on the 15th sow Alliance, and on the 1st of May, and 15th of
same, a sowing of Perfection to be made. June Ist, sow Hairs’
Dwarf Mammoth, and on the 15th, the Prizetaker, synonyme
Bellamy’s Improved Karly Green Marrow. Finally, sow Bishop’s
Dwarf, and Burbridge’s HKclipse on the 1st of July. The follow-
ing table wili show at a glance, the beginning, half-way distance,
and the end:—

Weeks Re-
quired to
Mature from
Sowing in
Time of Average Height
Sowing. Sort. Seasons. in Feet.
= Early Prolific sa... IWS BasA05 2
Feb. 15. ...... Sangster’s No. 1 17 4-3
March 1 Sangaters No. l4il bv aren) son ype era
Genes Bishop’s Longpod __...... 18S) on... 23—3
¥ 2 Scimita rae Gane Mele. eee Li Gleeien Pe 35
March 15. Rerfection) sy Wir eeni aeasee WO aaa 4
~ Perlection ass aiiminesses= LEP easter 4
April 1. ....., Flack’s Victory Tg 3
April 15. JNUWENIOS ET ins 14 3
May 1 Berfectiony i) (0) eiey giese-e 16 4
May 15. ditto 16 3
June 1 Hairs’ Mammoth 16 3
, June 15 Prizetaker 14 ae
Bishop’s Longpod 13 24-3
SUL yan leleesese Eclipse 14 25-3

All the varieties except Prolific (Dillistone’s), which yields its
pods together, will continue in bearing for fourteen days, and
the late kinds to nearly six weeks. Stick, earthing previously,
advancing crops, and in dry weather pour water freely—a
drenching twice a-week; but if dribblings can only be given,
sprinkle the haulms through a fine-rosed watering-pot. They
are sure to be refreshed a little by the operation. Copious
waterings prolong the bearing much, and weak guano or manure
water is a good stimulant in dry weather, provided enough be
given to reach the roots,

When the crop is fit to gather (which is when the Peas are
not so young as to be after boiling a hollow inside filled with
water, nor so old as to be mealy, but just between the two, and
when nicely boiled will melt in the mouth like so much butter),
do not pluck the pods off, for a sudden jerk frequently breaks
the pea-huulm to the great injury of the remaining pods. A
pair of scissors in the hand of the amateur will enable him to
gather his Peas without injuring the remaining pods better than
can be done with the hand by the initiated. Barren and half-
filled pods more frequently are caused by the careless manner in
which Peas are gathered than anything else. I have seen a
flourishing crop of Peas after the first picking with the haulms
broken, wrenched, and twisted about, and heard the owner
complain of the weather preventing his Peas filling. When the
pea haulm gets bent, to say nothing of broken, well-filled pods
need not be looked for.

No good results fro:n allowing pea-haulms to remain on the
ground after the crop is gathered, but positive injury. They are
4n eyesore, and rob the soil of the benefit derived from exposure
to the sun and air: therefore, remove all the haulm immediately
the whole crop is gathered, and manure, trench, and dig the
ground ready for the next crop; but as an amateur mostly paya
for his garden ground by the yard instead of, as in the country,
by the acre, it behoves him to look well after his fallows, and so
keep every inch of ground under crop. I am one of the very
few gardeners who contend vegetable-growing ought to pay, and
I consider a writer’s argument that few gardeners can, or em-
Ployers expect, or amateurs wish, to make their gardens pay an
absurdity. There is the gratification derived from gardening
pursuits ; but very few employers indeed would have a garden

* There is nearly a fortnight difference between these varieties, Prolific
being vhe earliest. If sown in or after April the varieties are only eleven
‘weeks [rom suwing to the pods being fit to gather. We have allowed for
the time of the year in all cases.

JOURNAL OF HORFICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

[ June 30, 1863.

if it coat more than the produce is worth, and many amateurs

)purchase their vegetables because they find it more profitable to

do so than to grow them. A writer bringing out an ides
with a flourish of trumpets in fruit or vegetable matters, and
acting on’ the idea, “‘nobody expects gardening to pay,’’ not
only deceives himself but those who make gardening a profitable
recreation. — j

Few amateurs grow Peas because writers tell them they can
purchase them cheaper than they can grow them. I ask those
who have been thus influenced to grow Peas but for one year ;
and if they do not like the Peas of their own growing better,
because more sweet, tender, and well-flayoured than those pur-
chased and for half the money, reckoning nothing for passing a
few delightful hours in garden pursuits after the busy duties of
the shop and office are over, set me down for a bungler. If
the vegetables grown do not save the bread loaf, prevent the
necessity for physic, place a stumbling-block before the dram
and beershop door, and give smiling wives and happy homes, I
will on evidence from the mouth of one witness make a public
retractation and apology. :

The land that we daily see set apart for building-ground lying
idle for years, would, if properly fenced in, let readily to artisans
and others for garden purposes, and yield good interest to the
owner for the little money expended in fencing; whereas, as it
is at present, it only forms a playground for the gambler. ‘The
difficulty in obtaining garden ground in towns, and the very
little encouragement given to the cottage and amateur gardener
by horticultural societies, is a great hindrance to town-gardening.
Many horticultural societies that were formed to promote and
encourage a love for gardening amongst cottagers and amateurs,
have been perverted to serve the interest of the gardener. Asa
gardener, I hold this to be an injustice to those that contribute
to the funds, and a direct discouragement to the amateur and
cottage gardener. I do not see the propriety of giving £10 for
twelve stove and greenhouse plants to be competed for by gentle-
men’s gardeners and nurserymen by a provincial society whose
professed aim is to promote a love for garden recreations
amongst the working classes. If those plants are shown as
specimens at which the amateur is to aim, I must confess that it
is as bad as teaching a child Euclid before he has learnt the
alphabet. A few good prizes given by such society for subjects
that any amateur can grow as well as gentlemen’s gardeners is,
no doubt, good; but to get subscriptions under the condition
that they are to be applied to the object for which the society
was founded, and fully two-thirds of the subscriptions appro-
priated to be competed for by gentlemen’s gardeners, leaving but
one-third to be competed for by amateurs and cottagers, is as
wanton as it is wrong. I do not wish to hurt any one’s feelings,
but to give, as a public writer ought, a clear statement of cir-
cumstances that hinder or promote the interests of that we all
seek—the advancement of horticulture.

Large prizes in any such society not only hinder many ama-
teurs and cottagers for competing, but tend to make the
amateur’s garden a costly appendage, for he aims at growing
things that are totally beyond his means, and so instead of being
8 blessing it becomes aninjury. But these matters are so foreign
to Pea-growing that I must leave them until a favourable oppor-
tunity offers; still, as they tend to make gardens costly, I wish
to put the saddle on the right horse and not on the primest of
garden vegetables. I will endeavour to show that Peas are a
paying crop even where land is high-rented.

I have not allowed anything for time and labour, for I con-
sider the time and labour so spent more like pleasure than any-
thing else, and I think that any individual will agree with me that
the pleasure derived f:om gardening is more profitable than the
alluring and deceiving delights of the many attractions and
temptations in which towns abound.

Dr. £s. d Cr. £sad
Good garden ground can 30 pecks of Peas at 1s. per
hardly be had near large peck (but where can
towns under ld. per yard they be bought for the
per annum, and, as the MOREY 2) erences 110 0
annexed rough sketch 216 sticks of Celery at 4d.
will show, 100 yards aie GE recap err canon eseec 090
taken up with Peas ...... 0 8 4/1] 60 Cauliflowersatld.each 9 5 0
5 quarts Peas ........... 6 | 15 dishes of Greens at 14d.
Manure for allcrops 0 0 1104
Pea-sticks 7s. 6d., half for
one year’s wearandtear 0 3 9 020
Celery plants, Cauliflower, 4 quarts Strawbe 02 8
and small seeds ......ss0+« 0 5 0} Lettuce, Radishes, &ec., not
GOAT Ab. iissesseseserenseee » 0 26
£112 7
£213 03

Tune 30, 1863, ] JOURNAL

Edging of Chamomile, Mint, Thyme, or
what not, :

ECO Cc hCECOCLEDEOLECECOM A CECE PERE COCO LA PEP EL ced —Early Prolific Peas. u
—Sangster’s No, 1,

—Ditto.

—Bishop’s Longpod.
seeees '—Scimitar.
—Veitch’s Perfection,

—Ditto.

F Spinach, followed by Greens

Mf (seancsasceasconaqseossasuncacaesensscpacnncepsecennsescarens 3: —Flack’s Victory,
on Lettuce, followed by Greens

= | ccececosceccacnon boscoaueeccuone DeRe e eeee eocoeacco —Alliance.

eo Lettuce, followed by Greens,

ied teavacsecey eg isgesscciceasssdaccccavssceaasescaesare ++] —Perfection.

i Lettuce, followed by Greens

: —Ditto.

: «»,/—Hair’s Mammoth,
: —Prizetaker,

: Early Cauliflowers.

F | | peccecteonncchoacendanecone Far Cacr oP RECCROYO) CCEEECERONC OY '— Bishop's Longpod,
: Early Cauliflowers.

©} |sceceaachosncassecoopbapocécobonpacebononecpn so sgcoqos5usaRcisod '—Eclipse,

a rr
Edging of Parsley. i)
Raeteeaeecnenanencne sty S\ieeten ewe ee as
S

wm

=

Pp

3

o

ic

5

>

=

A friend tells me that he used to spend at least 3d. every
night, often more, on a friendly glass, and every Saturday night
over rather than under a shilling. By chance he took a house
with a bit of garden ground attached to it. He had now what
he never had before—something to employ his time. Well, he
accidentally fell in with an advertising sheet of THe CorracE
GARDENER, and nicely asked the gardener to lend him a copy.
He says he read all of it, and found what he wanted—what,
when, and how to sow and plant, in Mr. Keane’s weekly calendar.
Unlike us gardeners, he did not wait until his employer bought
him a copy, but ordered one at once. The other side of the
picture is soon told. He spent his time and hard-earned money
in his garden, learnt to see more beauty in nature than the beer-
shop, and spent his evenings at home.

It was uphill work for a time, weeds were troublesome, land
was poor; but now, in his own words, “I am a member of the
Mechanics’ Institute, havea few cocks and hens, a nice profitable
garden, a Fern-case made on winter nights, and a little green-
house.” For what? ‘The money that used to go in drink.”
And, he added after a pause, ‘‘I have a few pounds in the post-
office saving’s-bank.” With this case before me, I will uphold
gardening to be a most profitable business. No matter what the
crop, I consider it can be cheaper grown than hought. Digression
upon digression must continue no longer, and I return to my
theme.

One quart of early Peas will sow a row 15 yards long, and of
Marrows 20 yards long. It is a bad practice to allow Peas to
grow too thickly, but a good plan to sow thick rather than thin ;
for in one case it is an easy matter to thin, whilst in the other
the crop is lost. My advice is, Sow moderately thick in all
instances, and so be prepared for the enemies and adverse climate
that may thin the crop. Mildew, however, is engendered by
allowing the Peas to stand too thickly, and the yield is not so
good from thick as from those moderately thin. A small grub
very often attacks Peas in the pod; but I am no entomologist,
and I only know that the sparrow is the best cure for it. A pod
that we think has nothing in it of a hurtful nature the sparrow
will open and take the grub out, and because he does this he
must be destroyed by the sparrow-club members! Can any
entomologist throw light on the cause of old Peas being infested
by 8 small weevil, which completely destroys their vitality ?
and does the grub in the peapod change to the weevil that de-
stroys the Pea in its dry condition? Information on this sub-
ject would, I think, be acceptable to more than one reader of
this Journal. Old Peas never ought to be sown; they come up
weak, and are more liable to mildew and to be eaten by grubs
than new seeds. Steeping Peas in water before sowing we do

OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

467

not like, for no amount of steeping will cause them to vegetate
if sown in dry soil; and, depend upon it, if the Pea seeds required
& morass to vegetate in we should find more of the Pea family
by the side of swamps than we do. A far better plan than
steeping Peas'is to water the drills after the Peas are sown, and
then cover up, and no amount of drought will then prevent
those Peas from germinating.

Before ‘quitting Peas in small gardens I should like to say a
few words on another cause that hinders cottagers from growing
Peas even in the country—the difficulty in procuring pea-sticks,
Although noblemen and gentlemen are liberal in providing allot-
ment gardens for their poor tenants, I must say they are very
niggardly—at least their servants are—over a few pea-sticks,
T have seen thousands of cords of brushwood lying rotting in
the woods, and known every applicant to be denied taking a few
by the steward who had control over them. I am firmly per-
suaded that if'our worthy landowners were aware that a few
pea-sticks would contribute to the happiness of the cottager they
would as freely give them as they do their customary Christmas
gifts. Wedo not ask leave for people to go when they please
into game-covers disturbing the game, but that they may be
allowed to take a few when the woodman plies his axe.

I speak from experience on this subject; for the first Peas
that I ever grew were when I was a lad at home. Very good
were they, as everything won with difficulty is. My father could
not spare the land—he wanted it for something else; hares and
rabbits would eat them, and the land would not grow them.
But I set my mind on having them, and I remember my grand-
father giving me sixpence to buy a pint of ** Poor Man’s Profit.’
I went to York, a distance of seven miles, avd asked a nursery-
man (Mr. Clarkson, who lived in Fulford Road), to supply me
with the famous Poor Man’s Profit. He gave me a pint of Blue
Prussian for 3d., and I went home and sowed them that night.
An old gardener told me to dig-out a trench, and put some
manure in as I would for Potatoes, cover with a little soil, and
then sow the Peas upon it. In nine days my Peas were up—
April-fools-day—and as soot was placed round some Cabbages
near, put some round my Peas. No snail or hare touched
them; and hearing some farmers telling what a famous thing
guano was for making crops grow, I thought I would try it.
My father had a few bags of the best Peruvian, and I just “ for-
got” to give a Potato-row its due share. This was sprinkled
over the Peas, a smart shower afterwards saved the back of the
purloiner, and in a few days my Peas were 6 inches high. They
wanted sticking, but where were the sticks? In a plantation
adjoining were fir-branches enough to stick an acre; but the
keeper would not give me any. Every branch and twig had a
pheasant’s nest under it! A farmer at last gave me leave to cut
some willow branches out of his trees. Slasher in hand, | had
the branches quick, dressed, put in, and before I had done T
fancied the tendrils had begun to twist round them, and the
Peas had grown “ever so much.” What a fine row and fine
bloom had I! And, best of all, that very year my mother’s
birthday fell on a Sunday (July 11th), when we had a famous
boil, and shall I say atreat? No, not one, nor two, but nine
pecks from a nine-yard row! Thus I learnt to grow Peas on a
small scale, and knowing some of the difficulties under which
cottagers labour, I have endeavoured to pave the way for their
removal. I shall not be so particular about the other two classes,
as it is expected many of those know considerably more than
myself. Suflice it to say I noted how to grow them in a twelve-
acre field, have sown them in a gentleman’s kitchen garden by
the half-acre and one-eighth of an acre.—G. A.

(To be continued.)

RIBSTON PIPPIN TREES CANKERING.

In No. 115, one of your_correspondents asks if Apple trees of
this excellent sort can be cultivated without that terrible disease,
canker. I reply, Yes. My Ribston Pippin and Nonpareil Apple
trees, two sorts notoriously addicted to canker, are growing and
doing well, without a spot of canker uponthem. Whey were
planted seven years ago where they now stand, in a heavy, cold,
wet soil, purposely selected, and the only peculiar culture they
have received has been taking them up every alternate year in
November, cutting-off closely any roots inclined to perpendicular
growth, and carefully replanting, spreading all the young roots
so as to lie near the surface, and giving to each tree two shovelfuls
of manure spread on the surface round the stem, As a dry

468,

season sometimes follows the removal year it is prudent to have
your trees alternately removed, so that if six trees are planted
three should be moved, say, in 1865 and three in 1866; you
will thus have three trees established and three as little liable to
being affected by their removal the previous autumn ; but this,
of course, depends much upon the nature of the soil and the
season.—I’. R.

THE ROYAL BOTANIC SOCIETY’S SHOW.
June 247H.

Tats was the last Show for the season at the Regent’s Park,
and it was fully equal if not superior to any of its predecessors ;
and the weather being favourable, though giving every token of
an approaching thunderstorm, there was a large attendance of
visitors. A storm, in fact, did come, but not till the great ma-
jority of the company must haye reached their homes—then, in
some parts round London, flash and peal followed each other in
close succession, and the rain fell in torrents.

Stove and Greenhouse Plants constituted a principal feature
of the Show, and of these numerous fine collections were ex-
hibited, including most of those which were at Kensington in
the previous week. By far the finest was that of sixteen from
My. Whitebread, gardener to H. Colyer, Hsq., of Dartford, the
plants which ho exhibited being equally remarkable for their
great size and the abundance and beauty of their flowers. Par-
ticularly noticeable among them were Ixora javanica and Ple-
roma elegans, both of immense size, and the flowers of the latter,
from their fine mauve purple colour, excited genéral admiration.
There was also a remarkably fine Hrica Cavendishii, though
rather past its best as regards flowers. Polygala Dalmasiana,
Rondeletia speciosa, and Vinca alba rosea were likewise very
fine. Mr. Peed waa second; his Hrica Parmenticriana rosea
was a blaze of the deepest rose-coloured bloom ; his Allamanda
grandifiora was covered with numerous flowers; and, besides
these, he had Ixora salicifolia and others, which formed part of
~ the fine collection which he previously exhibited. Mr, Green
was third ; his Hrica obbata was a splendid specimen, and lis
Azaleas Hxtranei and Juliana were densely clothed with bloom.
Mr. Baxendine, who was fourth, had in his collection Combretum
purpureum and Bignonia grandiflora.

In the Nurserymen’s Class of ten Messrs. J. & Fraser were
first; and here the two Kalosanths, Angelina and puniceus, lent
a rosy tinge to the whole of the plants, in which were included
a fine Stephanotis, and an Ixora javanica with some very large
heads of flowers. Mr. Cutbush, of Barnet, was second; Mr.
Rhodes third. In the Amateurs’ Class for a like number, Mr.
Chilman came in first ; included among his plants were Hrica
Cayendishii, fine Aphelexes, Dipladenia ciassinoda, and Heda-
roma tulipiferum. Mr. Ingram, gardener toJ.J. Blandy, Wsq.,
Reading, was second, having Hemanthus puniceus, the yellow
scarlet flower-heads of which were striking ; his Pimelea mirabilis
and Rbyncospermum jasminoides were also fine. In collections
of six the first prize was gained by Mr. Page.

Plants remarkable for their foliage were contributed by Mr.
May, gardener to I. P. W. Butt, Hsq., .f Arle Court, Chelten-
ham, who had the same immense specimens shown last week ;
by Mr. Hutt, of Highgate, among whose plants were a magnifi-
cent Dicksonia antarctica, a large Latania borbonica, Alsophila
australis very large and fine, Rnopala corcovadensis, and Alocasia
metallica ; and by Mr. ‘Vaylor, of Highgate, in whose collection
were Dion edule, Encephalartos latifrons, Chamerops huiilis, and
Cycas revoluta. Mr. Wheeler had likewise an excellent collection.

In the Nurserymen’s Class for the same description of plants,
remarkably fine collections came from Messrs. A. Henderson
and Co., and Mr. Bull. The former had Alocasia macrorhiza
variegata, Jacaranda filicifolia, Croton variegatum pictum and
angustifolium, Caladium Chantini, Dracsna ferrea, Maranta ya-
riegata, and some others, whilst Mr. Bull had a Rhopala corco-
vadensis which reached to the top of the tent; ubianthus
calyptratus, also of very large size; Araucaria Bidwilli, Pan-
danus javanicus variegatua, Hippomane longifolia, Areca rubra,
Latania borbonica, and Yucca aloifolia variegata. The plants in
both collections, it is almost unnecessary to remark, were of large
size, and without exception in excellent condition.

Cape Heaths were shown in abundance and great beauty, some
of the most conspicuous being Bergiana, naturally a free-flower-
ing kind; yentricosa superba, grandiflora, Bothwelliana, and
magnifica; Aitoniana turgida and Turnbulli, Massoni, nobilis,
obbata, Candolleana, Spenceriana, and metuleeflora bicolor.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

shown at Kensington.

[ June 80, 1868:,

Messrs. Jackson & Son were first in the Nurserymen’s Class
for ten, Mr. Rhodes second; and in the Classes for eight and six
plants, first prizes were awarded to Mr. Peed and Mr. Chilman,
and seconds to Mr. Page and Mr, Ingram.

In Orchids, of which there was a good display, there was
nothing in the various collections much different from what has
been previously. noticed.

In collections of twenty, Mr. Baker'was first, and Mr. Milford
second, the latter having an extremely fine Vanda tricolor
superba, and Cypripedium villosum, also fine; and in twelves
Mr, Penny and Mr. Woolley had first, and Mr. Green and Mr.
Page second prizes. Maks

Of Ferns, excellent collections both of exotic and British were
shown by Mr. Lavey, of Fetcham, and of the former by Mr.
Bull, and Messrs. A. Henderson, the plants in the last two ex-
hibitions being the same as those noticed last week as being
Messrs. Ivery and Miss Clarkson had
also collections of hardy Ferns. Some fine pans of Lycopods
were likewise shown by Mr. Lavey, and by Mr. Young, of
Highgate. i

Fuchsias were exhibited by Mr. Gardener, of Clapham Park,
Mr. Cannell, Mr, Treen, and Mr: Weston, who received prizes
in the order in which their names stand. Mr. Gardener had
Senator, Madame Cornelissen, Prince Imperial, Rose of Castille,
Isa Craig, and Pair Oriana, all of which were handsomely grown,
and in fine bloom. :

Mr. Canneli’s plants were—Always Ready, Reine Blanche,
Prince Alfred, Lord Elcho, Schiller, and Madame Cornelissen.
My. ‘’reen’s were larger but not so compact, and among them
were Souvenir de Chiswick, White Lady, Lord Clyde, and Master-
piece.

Pelargoniums both Show and Fancy varieties were of surpass-
ing excellence. The best in the Nurserymen’s Class of twelve
were from My. Durner, of Slough, the kinds being Lhe Belle,
Osiris, Marie, Bijou, Glowworm, Bacchus, Ariel, Nestor, Viola,
William Buli (a glowing carmine), Perdita, and Spotted Gem.
Messrs. Hraser were second.

In the Amateurs’ Class of ten nothing could be finer than the
plants exhibited by Mr. Nye, gardener to Miss Foster, at Clewer,
and which consisted of ‘the Belle, Ariel, Ursula, Golden Hue
(splendid), Perdita, Viola, Empress Hugénie, Hastern Beauty,
Bacchus, and Matilda. Mr. Wiggins, gardener to W. Beck.
Esq., Isleworth, was second with some nice plants.

In Fancies, Mr. Turner and Messrs. Fraser were equal first in
the Nurserymen’s Class. The kinds shown by the former were
Oloth of Silver, Delicatum, Sarah Turner, Cheerfulness, and
Claudiana, all of them splendid plants; whilst Messrs. Frasers’
were Delicatum, Cloth of Silver, Acme, Bridesmaid, Marionette,
and Arabella Goddard. In the Amateurs’ Class Mr. Bailey, of
Shardeloes, was first with Crystai Beauty, Negro, Lady Craven,
Arabella Goddard, Rosabella, and Musjid, all of which were
exceedingly fine; as were also those from Mr. Shrimpton, who
was second,

Prizes were offered for Pelargoniums, the test merit in which
was to be health, large size, and abundance of bloom, and the
highest award was made to Mr. Nye, gardener to Miss Foster,
jor truly magnificent planta, some of which could not be less
than 4 feet across. They were Viola, Desdemona, Sanspareil,
Bracelet, Fairest of the Fair, and Sir C. Campbell. Some large
and well-grown plants of Scarlet kinds were also shown, as well
as several collections of Pelargoniums sent out in the autumn of
1861, or since, in which Mr. Turner was first, Messrs. Fraser
second, and Mr. Wizgins third. Mr. urner’s were Novelty,
Fair Rosamond, Royal Albert, Timon, Celeste, and Lord Chan-
cellor.

Cut Flowers, principally Roses, constituted an exhibition of
themselves. For fifty Roses, Mr. Turner had first prize for a
splendid collection, awards being also made to Mr. Mitchell,
of Piltsdown Nurseries, and Messrs, Paul & Son. Miss Craw-
shay, of Caversham Park; Mr. Yerry, of Youngsbury; Mr.
Turner; Mr. Hollingworth, of Maidstone; and Messrs. Paul
and Son were likewise successful exhibitors in other clasees; and
Mr. Francis, of Hertford, with pot Roses on the Manetti stock.
Pinks were shown by Messrs. Turner, Bragg, Parker of Wal-
thamstow, and Hooper of Bath; Pansies by Messrs. Downie,
Laird, & Laing, Bragg, August, Fraser of Edinburgh, and others,
here was likewise a good show of Verbenas from Mr. Turner,
Messrs. Perkins, and Mr. Perry of Castle Bromwich. Messrs,
Barr & Sugden had Irises, early Gladioli, and Ixias. Some
Sweet Williams were also staged.

Tune 30, 1863. ]

Among Miscellaneous Plants, many new ones were exhibited
which have been already noticed in our columns, such as Messrs.
Veitchs’ handsome Cyanophyllum-like Spherogyne latifolia,
Miconia pulverulenta, and the blotched-stemmed Alocasia zebrina.
They hud besides a new and very ornamental! Hscallonia from
Chili, of free-flowering habit, and which may prove hardy ; also,
the new Ferns Selliguea pothifolia, and Alsophila Tsenitis den-
ticulata, a crested form of Pteris serrulata, a hybrid Cattleya
between Loddigesi and Acklandiz, Pancratium amboinense, the
variegated Rhyncospermum, &c. Mr. Williams, of Holloway,
had a collection of fine-foliaged and new plants, in which were
Cibotium Schiedei, Gleichenia semivestita, Agave filifera, Pan-
danus reflexus, and Guzmannia picta; also, his new Cypripe-
dium Stonei. Mr. Bull contributed the handsome new Athy-
rium Filix-fwemina diffissum, Centaurea argentea, the Golden-
powdered Gymnogramma Laucheana, Latania Verschaffelti,
Sparkler, and other new Mimuluses ; also, hisnew Pelargoniums
and Petunias.

Messrs. Low & Co. had the handsome Alocasia Lowii, also
Dendrobiums Parisbii and nodatum; Messrs. Ivery & Son,
Athyrium F)lix-foamina glomeratum; Messrs. Carter, Snowball
Geranium, white; Mr. Turner, Bougainvillea; Messrs. Hender-
son, Mimulu:se:, Centaurea argentea, and an interesting collection
of Ivies ; and Mr. Standish, his beautiful new Deutzia, Lychnis
Senno, and other new Japunese plants.

FRUIT.

The exhibition of Fruit was very extensive and generally
excellent. Pines were both numerous and of large size; and of
Peaches and Nectarines there were many remarkably fine ex-
hibitions besides those which received awards. The most de-
fective part of the Fruit Show was the collections, not one of
which was up to the mark.

Mr. Kuffett, gardener to Lord Palmerston, was first with
Black Hamburgh and Muscat Grapes, a Melon, a Pine, Elruge
Nectarines, Galande Peaches, and Lee’s Perpetual Figs. Mr.
Henderson, of Trentham, was second with four Pines, Trentham
Black and Buckland Sweetwater Grapes, two Melons, Royal
George and Violette Hative Peaches, Violette Hative Nectarines,
Circassian Cherries, Brown Turkey Figs, and some inferior
Strawberries. Mr. Young, of Havart; Mr. Masters, of Sher-
burn Castle; and Mr, ‘turnbull, of Blenheim, were the only
other competitors.

Of Pines, excellent collections of four and more fruits were
shown by Mr. Young, of Aberaman, and Mr, Bailey, of Shar-
deloes, among which were two Providences, from Mr. Young,
of 9 ibs, 6 ozs. and 8 lbs. 11 ozs. respectively, and several
Queens weighing more than 4 lbs. In Providences, Mr. Young
had an immense fruit of 11 Ibs. 6 ozs., but which being over-
ripe had to be passed over in favour of one weighing 8 lbs. 3 ozs.
from Mr. Cawhill, of Tickhill. Mr, M. Henderson, of Cole
Orton Hall, had one of 73 lbs., which stood next on the prize
list; and Mr. Muggleton, gardener to W. Cubit, E=q., Andover,
had also a fine fruit. Mr. Hall, gardener to Lord Scarborough,
had five fine Queens, one of which weighed 4 lbs. 11 ozs. ; Mr,
Smith, of Norwood Grove, one of 441bs. Fine fruit of the same
kind were likewise shown by Mr. Moore, of Redland Lodge,
Bristol, and Mr. Young, of Aberaman, the latter having also
an Enyille of 7 lbs.; whilst Mr. Bailey had Prickly Cayennes,
an Enyille, and Lemon Queen; Mr. Chalmers of Drayton
Manor, a fine Moscow Queen; and Mr. Taylor, of Temple New-
sam, a very good Black Prince.

Melons were extensively shown, and both as regards appear-
ance and, we believe, flavour, were excellent. The best in the
Green-fleshed class was a hybrid Persian from Mr. Meredith, of
Garston ; King’s Green-flesh from Mr. Tegg, was second; and
in Scarlet-fleshed kinds Mr. Chilman had first prize; the second
being awarded to Mr. Mounsden, of Moreton Hall, Congleton,
for a kind called Moreton Hall.

The display of Grapes was not only large, but of great excel-
lence. In three dishes of distinct varieties by far the finest were
those from Mr. Hill, of Keele Hall, who had Buckland Sweet-
water, Black Hamburgh, and Black Prince; all were fine, but
the bunches of Black Prince were magnificent, the finest of
the three was not less than 20 inches in length, compact, even
in size of berries, perfect in colouring, and covered with a
beautiful bloom. Their weight was 9lbs. 50zs. Mr. Hender-
son, of Trentham, was next with Black Hamburgh, Victoria
Hamburgh (very fine), and Buckland Sweetwater. Mr. Peachy
had Grizzly Hrontignan, and Golden and Black Hamburgh.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGH GARDENER,

469

Several baskets were exhibited, the best being Black Ham-
burgh from Mr. Meredith, weight 161bs.; the same kind, also
very fine, from Mr. Hill, and Bailey’s Muscadine from Mr,
Bailey.

In Black Hamburghs, three bunches, Mr. Meredith was again
first with splendid bunches and berries; and for Black Prince
Mr. Hill had the highest prize for three bunches weighing
7 lbs. 12 ozs., and equally fine in appearance with those already
noticed. For Muscats Mr. Turner had the first prize, the
bunches and berries though fine were not ripe enough; and
Mr. Turnbull, Mr, Embray, and Mr. Olements had also good
exhibitions.

In the Any variety class, Mr. Hill had very fine bunches of
Buckland Sweetwater, the three weighing 61bs., for which he
had the first prize; Mr. Drewett, Chasselas Musqué; Mr.
Peachy, White Fronticnan; Mr. M. Henderson, Grizzly Fron-
tizgnan; Mr. Smith, Norwood, Golden Hamburgh; and Mr.
Constantine, Chayoush. Fine but unripe bunches of the Black
Alicant were also shown by Mr. Petch.

Peaches and Nectarines, as already observed, were extremely
fine, and to particularise all that were worthy of notice would
oceupy more space than we can afford. Mr. Dawson, gardener
to Parl Cowper, Panshanger, had Downton and Hunt’s Tawny
Nectarines, and Violette Hative and Galande Peaches, all of
which were very fine. He received a first prize, the second
going to Mr. Turner, of Slough. In two dishes, one of Nec-
tarines and one of Peaches, the best came from Mr. Wills, of
Oulton Park, consisting of Royal George Peach and Elruge
Nectarine, both very large and perfection in ripening. Mr.
Constantine, of Hillingdon Court, was second for Royal George
Peach and Violette Hiitive Nectarine, which were also very
large and fine.

Of other fruits, good Figs were exhibited by Mr, Smith, of
Syon; Cherries, by Mr. Snow, who had Elton and Circassian,
and by Mr. Turner, who had the latter kind; and Strawberries,
by Mr. Widdowson, who had Sine dishes of Empress Eugénie,
Admiral Dundas, Sir C. Napier, and Sir Harry. Some excellent
Vines in pots were shown by Mr. Stone, Mr, Young, of Highgate,
and Mr. Humby, of Brentford ; those of Mr. Stone in particular
being very fine, and bearing good-sized bunches. Lastly,
Messrs. Fraser had Peaches and Pears, and Messrs. Lane & Son
Figs, Cherries, Apples, Pears, and Plums in pots.

PREPARING STRAWBERRY PLANTS FOR
FORCING.

L INTEND potting some Strawberry plants from runners. Is
it better to do so in small pots and repot into six-inch pots in
the spring, or strike them from runners into six-inch pots at
once, as the latter would save trouble if there is no disadvan-
tage P—A. Z.

[Both modes are good in proportion to the management. We
frequently ourselves take off the runners as soon as made, and.
the roots are shown in embryo, and plant about 34 inches apart
in light soil above a slight hotbed, and as soon as they form
roots and balls, lift them and pot in six or seven-inch pots.
Owing to the dry weather our runners are scarcely fit for using
any way as yet, but in a week we hope they will be so. Of the
two modes suggested by you—layering in a small pot, or layering
in a large one at once, we prefer the first mode, and on the whole
we do not think we incur more trouble or labour, whilst we
think we obtain some advantages. By the small-pot process at
first there is little primary care needed, whilst by potting at
once in large pots much care in preparing the pots is necessary,
if good success is to be obtained ; and there is a great trouble in
wheeling to and rewheeling from a quarter 32 or 24-sized pots
instead of 60's.

Our general process is to take a barrow nearly filled with light
loam and leaf mould, and the top filled with large 60 or 54-sized
pots to the Strawberry-quarter, put a crock in the pot, fill with
soil, and fasten the layer in the middle of the pot either with the
fingers or by placing a pebble or good-sized crock over it. These
fairly watered will soon fill the pots with roots, and when that is
done the runner is cut, aud the pots and plants wheeled to a shady
place for a few days, in order that by watering and syringing
they may get over the partial check of being severed from the
runner. ‘Then they are finally potted, using rather stiff rich
loam, and placing the plant so that the bud shall be at least as
high as the rim of the pot, and potting as firmly as fingers and

470

a wood rammer can make the soil. The two advantages of this
plan are—first, the security that the bud or centre of the plant
shall not be too much sunk, as in that case the plant will rarely
fruit well; and, secondly, the making sure that the pot all
through will be filled with fine fibry roots, so that the whole
ball shall be matted with them; and thus the second potting
disconcerts a natural tendency of the plant to send its roots at
once to the sides of the pot, and to cluster there while the centre
of the ball is comparatively free from fibres.

By the second mode—putting the runner at once in the fruiting-
pot, there will be as much care required as in the second potting
by the above mode, and thus at least at first and in the
busiest season more of first trouble will be necessary. True, we
have seen thousands so done without much trouble. The pots
(large 32’s) were taken to the place and drained, the plant placed
on the surface of the soil, growing well, making fine foliage, and
moved some time in autumn, with the runner a rather nice plant
sunk down an inch or two or more below the rim of the pot, and
all looked nice, though we seldom heard much of their wonder-
ful fruitfulness, The mode by which we have succeeded best by the
at-once-layering in the fruiting-pot, is as follows:—The pot was
suitably drained, a little moss and soot placed over the drainage,
and the soil packed in firmly, leaving a small cone a little loose
on the surface for the runner, that cone being from half an inch
to an inch above the rim of the pot, for before autumn the soil
would have sunk, perhaps, half an inch below it. So treated these
plants did well, though not better or hardly so well as those laid
in small pots and again repotted. Our chief reason for not fol-
lowing the plan oftener is, the much greater time and trouble it
takes for securing rooted plants in the first instance, and that at
a season of the year when it is a serious question to decide what
should be done first. By the period the layera need repotting
we generally have a little more breathing time. If our corre-
spondent “A. Z.”’ decides on the layering in the fruiting-pot
at once, we would draw his attention to the above conditions; if
he layers in a pot filled lightly with soil, we would not hold out
great hopes of a fine crop. We have seen hundreds of instances
in which such quick work was done, and other more tedious
processes decried, but we have heard few boastings at gathering-
time under such circumstances, and especially if the fruit was
wanted at all early.—R. Fisu.]

CRYSTAL PALACE ROSE SHOW.—Junz 27.

Tr any doubt could have existed as to the increased and in-
creasing popularity of the queen of flowers, such doubts would
have been inevitably removed at the sight which the frequenters
of the Crystal Palace were permitted to witness. Whether
one looked at the vast number of entries, especially amongst
amateurs, amounting in some of the classes to upwards of thirty
stands, or the immense crowd of people assembled to see them,
it must surely be conceded that no flower is so universally ad-
mired or more widely grown than the Rose. And notwithstand-
ing the awful thunderstorm which swept over the south and east
of England on Wednesday night, shattering the hopes and the
Roses of many an exhibitor (for many who had given notice
were unable in consequence to attend), and severely injuring
others that were exhibitore, I think one can safely say that,
although there have been years when many much finer Roses
have been exhibited, yet on the whole the collections were in fair
average condition, while some of the blooms were of surpassing
excellence. The backwardness of the season, too, was against
them ; for although we have had almost forcing weather for the
last ten days, yet until then Roses were in some districts not in
bloom. My esteemed friend, Mr. Hole, told me on the 17th he
had not any in bloom save Gloire de Dijon; and Mr. Paul of
Cheshunt, and Mr. Francis of Hertford, both complained to-day
of the backwardness of their flowers; it was, however, a most
grand display, and their fragrance, freshness, and beauty well
merited the superiority of her floral majesty. f

Amongst the first questions asked at a Rose show is, Which is
the best new Rose? and hence the boxes of new flowers of 1861
and 1862 first claim a notice. There were, from whatever
cause, not any finely exhibited. There were only three stands,
and in one of them hardly a new Rose of last autumn was to be
seen. The same causes which affected the general aspect of the
Show may have been at work here, and we may, perhaps, look to
see them better a little later. The first prize was awarded to
Messrs. Paul & Son of the Old Nurseries, Cheshunt, for Peter Law-

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

[June 30, 1863.

son (1862), a new Rose of promise; Souvenir de M. Rousseau ;
Wilhelm Pfitzer; Turenne, very bright; Duchesse d’Alengon,
worthless ; Lord Clyde (1862), a splendid bloom with fine foliage,
decidedly the beat new Rose exhibited there; Monte Christo;
Louise Darzins, very white, but wants the substance of Mdlle.
Bonnaire; Paul Feval; Etienne Lecrosnier; Archeyeque de
Paris; Madame Caillat, bright, but thin; Prince Camille de
Rohan, very dark, good; Gloire de Chatillon, will not do;
Maurice Bernhardin, a fine Rose; Madame Helye, bright; Olivier
Delhomme, very good; Professor Koch, double and good ;
Maréchal Vaillant, very bright; Souvenir de Comte Cavour
(Margottin), very fine; Richard Smith; Vulcaim, slaty; Le
Rhone (1862), promises to be one of the best of the new Roses ;
Jean Gousson (1862) ; Triomphe de Caen; Beauty of Waltham,
a fine Rose but soon flies ; Princesse d’Orleans ; Madame Charles
Wood, a bright, large, and good Rose. Mr. William Paul was
second, with Charles Lefebvre, good; Triomphe de Caen;
Turenne; Madame Caillat; Wilhelm Pfitzer; Duc de Rohan,
good; John Cranston (Moss); Gloire de Chatillon; Christian
Piittner, good; Souvenir de Lady Hardley, good, but not in
character; Emile Dulac, pretty imbricated Rose; Professor
Koch ; Seedling Mdlle. Emain ; Francois Lacharme, very fine and
good, one of the best of the Roses of 1861; Reynolds Hole,
bright pink; Vulcain; Comtesse de Seguieur ; Prince Camille de
Rohan; André Desportes, good; Souvenir de Comte Cavour ;
Beauty of Waltham. Mr. Standish was third, with Madame
Charles Wood ; André Leroy (1862), good; Madame Standish ;
Mrs. Dombrain (1862) ; Vulcain; Vicomte Vigier; Turenne;
André Desportes ; Gregoire Bourdillon ; J. ¥. Lombard (1862) ;
Madame Boutin, Reynolds Hole, and Souvenir de Comte Cavour.

It is, I believe, hardly worth while to give in so large a
number as ninety-six varieties the names of the flowers in each
winning-stand. I believe that while the best flowers are generally
selected for these stands, the more generally useful ones are in
those of smaller numbers. I shall, therefore, simply give the
names of the most remarkable flowers in the two winning-stands.
The first prize was awarded to Mr. J. Mitchell, of Piltdown
Nurseries, near Uckfield, Sussex, and amongst his flowers I
particularly noticed Prince Imperial, Duc d’Ossuna, Madame
Caillat, Madame Charles Crapelet (a beautiful bloom), Souvenir
de Comte Cayour, Evéque de Nimes, Catherine Guillot, General
Washington (a beautiful bloom), Homére (a fine Tea), Paul
Ricaut, Louis XIV, Senateur Vaisse, Triomphe de Rennes,
Général Jacqueminot, Gloire de Dijon, Souvenir de la Mal-
maison (very good), Peter Lawson, Comtesse de Chabrillant,
and W. Paul (1863, a very promising Rose). Mr. C. Turner, of
Slough, was second. His best blooms were Paul Ricaut, Baron
Gonella, La Brillante (very fine), Souvenir de l’Hlise, Madame
Willermoz, Jules Margottin, Professor Koch, Narcisse, Anna
de Diesbach, Niphetos (a splendid bloom), Madame Charles
Crapelet, Celine Forestier, Madame Furtado (excellent), Souvenir
de Comte Cavour (a wonderful bloom), Louis XIV (very fine),
Darzins, Coupe d’Hébé, Mrs. Kivers, Vicomte Vigier, Francois
Arago, and Francois Lacharme.

In Class 2, forty-eight varieties, three trusses of each, the first
prize was awarded to Mr. B. RK. Cant, of Colchester, for
Mathurin Regnier, Grégoire Bourdillon, Jules Margottin, Madame
Willermoz, Souvenir d’un Ami, Olivier Delhomme, Eugéne
Appert, Comte de Paris, Baronne Prevost, Comte de Falloux,
Général Jacqueminot, Comtesse de Chabrillant, Pauline Lanze-
zeur, Adam, Victor Verdier, Madame Bravy (fine Tea), Francois
Lacharme, Orderic Vital, Lord Raglan, Wm. Griffith, Charles
Lawson, Souvenir de M. Rouseau, Senateur Vaisse, Mrs. Rivers,
Anna de Diesbach, Duchess of Norfolk, Monte Christo, Bougére,
Rubens (a very fine Tea, exhibited in several stands to-day),
Duke of Cambridge, Lelia, Madame Boll, Victor Trouillard,
Madame Knorr, Frangois I., Madame Domage, Paul Ricaut,
Modéle de Perfection, Devoniensis, Empéreur Napoléon, Triomphe
de Lyon, Souvenir de Comte Cavour, and C. Lefebvre (very fine).

Mr. Charles Turner, of Slough, was second, with Général
Jacqueminot, Comtesse de Chabrillant, Gloire de Dijon, La
Ville de St. Denis, Madame Charles Wood, Baronne Prevost,
Géant des Batailles, Madame Vidot, Hugéne Appert, Souvenir
de Comte Cavour, Madame Bravy, Jules Margottin, Ma-
dame Quinnoisseau, Devoniensis, Alphonse Damazin, Triomphe
de Rennes, Anna Alexieff, Catherine Guillot, Francois Arago,
Victor Verdier, Louis XIV., Vicomte Vigier, Coupe d’Hébé,
Madame de Cambacéres, Souvenir d’un Ami, La Brillante,
Duchess d’Orleans, Madame Knorr, Jean Bart, Hvéque de
Nimes, Madame C.Crapelet, Celine Forestier, Modéle de Perfec-

June 30, 1863. ]

tion, Paul Ricaut, Lord Raglan, Mathurin Regnier, Narcisse,
La Reine, Senateur Vaisse, Wm. Griffith, Buffon, La Fontaine.

In Class 3, twenty-four blooms, three trusses of each, Mr.
Francis, of Hertford, was first with Colonel de Rougemont, Jules
Margottin, Kugéne Appert, Mademoiselle Bonnaire, Louis
XIV., Madame Boll, Anna de Diesbach, Général Jacqueminot,
Charles Lawson, Souvenir de la Malmaison, La Reine, Catherine
Guillot, Anna Alexieff, Mrs. Rivers, Senateur Vaisse, Victor
Verdier, Wm. Griffith, Paul Perras, Paul Ricaut, Gloire de Dijon,
Lord Raglan, Baronne Prevost, Géant des Batailles. Messrs.
Paul & Son were second with Paul Perras, Senateur Vaisse, Victor
Verdier, Parmentier, Mathurin Regnier, Triomphe des Beaux
Arts, Madame Caillat, Triomphe de Paris, Anna Alexieff, Lord
Clyde, Général Jacqueminot, Maile. Bonnaire, Général Cas-
tellane, Transon Goubault, Jules Margottin, Madame Charles
Wood, Madame Boll, ia Ville de St. Denis, Comtesse de Bar-
bantanne.

In Class 4, twenty-four varieties, one of each, Mr. W. H.
Treen, of Rugby, took first with Baronne Prevost, Général Jac-
queminot, Louis Buonaparte, Anna Alexieff, Paul Ricant, Lord
Raglan, Brennus, Lanei (Moss), Madame Helye, Mrs. Rivers,
Senateur Vaisse, Coupe a’ Hébé, Sidonie, Gloire de Dijon, Hugéne
Appert, Jules Margottin, Charles Lawson, Reynolds Hole, Empé-
reur de Maroc. Mr. C. Turner took first in twelves.

I must pass on to the Amateurs, who came out nobly, both
as to the number and blooms, Mr. Hedge, of Colchester, still
bearing all before him, obtaining three first prizes and one third
with some excellent flowers, but on the whole not quite up to
what he had last year. Of the thirty-six varieties [ have no
note, but in twenty-fours he had Comtesse de Chabrillant,
Madame Vidot, Rubens, Madame de Cambacéres, Leo X.,
Comtesse de Kergorlay, Madame Boll, Triomphe de Lyon (Tea),
Madame Masson, Coupe d’Hébé, Senateur Vaisse, Mrs. Rivers,
John Hopper, Gloire de Dijon, La Reine, L’Enfant Trouvé
(grand), Paul Ricaut, Letitia, Lord Raglan, Jules Margottin,
and Cynthée.

In Class 8, Mr. Hedge was again first with Comtesse de
Chabrillant, Madame Vidot, Charles Lawson, Adam (very fine),
Madame de Cambacéres, Souvenir d’un Ami, Boula de Nanteuil,
T’Enfant Trouvé, Jules Margottin, Mrs. Rivers, Madame Mas-
son, Rubens, Madame Boll, Gloire de Dijon, Lord Raglan,
Ls Fontaine, William Griffiths, and Madame Sertot. Mr. Ingle,
gardener to C. G. Round, Esq., of Colchester, was second, with
Pauline Lanzezeur, Devoniensis, Col. de Rougemont, Jules Mar-
gottin, Anna Alexieif, Elise Sauvage, William Griffiths, Gloire
de Dijon, Prince Léon, Imperatice Eugénie, Hugéne Appert,
Madame Furtado (splendid), Baronne Prevost, Général Jacque-
minot, Souvenir de la Malmaison, and Comtesse de Chabrillant.

In Class 9, twelve blooms, the first prize was obtained by
new competitor, Rev. V. Knox Child, of Dunmow, with Madame
Knorr, Madame C. Crapelet, Victor Verdier, Napoléon, Comtesse
de Chabrillant, Senateur Vaisse, Souvenir de la Malmaison,
Jules Margottin, Gloire de Dijon, Général Jacqueminot, and
Triomphe de Lyon. Whe second by Mr. Pullinger, gardener
to F. G. Wilkins, Esq., Leyton, with Louis XIV., Gloire de
Dijon, Madame Boll, Madame Guinnoisseau, Madame Bravy,
Comtesse de Chabrillant, Madame Rivers, Senateur Vaisse,
Victor Verdier, Gén. Jacqueminot, Baronne Prevost, and Turenne.

There were several objects of interest, but my hand tires and
my head wearies, and so, with many a pleasing thought of a
hard day’s work, I must draw to a close. I cannot do so
without again saying that the comfort of all concerned was
amply provided for by the Company, and that the indefatigable
exertions and constant courtesy of Mr. Houghton, were again
rewarded by a most brilliant and successful Show.—D., Deal.

Prizes were offered in Class 11 for thirty trusses arranged
for table decoration; Mr. Turner, Mr. Hedge, and Mr. Cran-
well, Penge, were the successful prizetakers. However Roses
are employed for decorative purposes, the effect is seldom other-
wise than pleasing, and these arrangements certainly were so;
but though the stands varied considerably in character, there
seemed to be too much of sameness in the mode in which the
flowers themselves were disposed.

In Class 12, Mr. W. Paul had the first prize for twelve varieties
of pot Roses in large pots. Among them were included magni-
ficent plants of Lelia, La Reine, Madame de St. Joseph, Gloire
de Dijon, Coupe d’Hébé, and other kinds which that distin-
guished cultivator has so successfully exhibited this season.

In the next, Class 13, for twenty-five Roses in eight-inch pots,

JOURNAL OF HORTICULIURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

471

he had also first prize, a similar award being made to Messrs.
Paul & Son; and a second prize to Mr. Turner. s

Some miscellaneous objects were also shown, among which
were included a Cucumber, called Paul’s Emperor, from Mr. W.
Paul; fruit trees in pots from Messrs. Lane ; Irises from Messrs.
Barr & Sugden and Butler & McCulloch ; double dwarf Poppies,
which might easily be mistaken for Hollyhocks, from Hooper
and Co.; also a fine stand of Pinks from the same. Messrs.
F. & A. Smith had in addition Fuchsia Pillar of Gold, with
yellow variegated foliage; Messrs. Downie, Laird, & Laing,
Antirrhinuma, Pansies, seedling Phloxes, &c.; and a Japanese
flax for tying purposes came from Mr. Allison, of Laurence
Pountney Lane, City.

PRUNING AND MANURING ROSE TREES.

Sox time ago Mr. Beaton gaye your readers some advice
respecting the treatment of Roses raised from cuttings, which
he said should be cut down in the June after they were planted
out, to encourage the growth of one or more strong shoots from
near the ground. I have already tried this advice on half-a-
dozen plants, and with complete success so far, for they have
thown-out very strong shoots, some from 8 to 10 inches long,
and very robust.

Now, I want to know how I am to treat them when they are
full grown. I suppose they are to be headed-down, but at what
height, and whether are they to be trained as standards or as
bushes ?

May I also ask what manure is best for Roses where neither
stable nor farmyard manure is available? I am in the habit of
collecting all the weeds, leaves, stalks and other vegetable refuse
of my garden, and mixing it with lime: would this suit Roses?
Would it be improved by the addition of a little salt? My soil
is a stiff loam on yellow clay.—S. M.

[You do not say what your Roses are—Perpetuals, Bourbons,
Chinas, or Teas. Mr. Beaton intended Rose trees from cuttings
to be treated as dwarfs; for we never knew him recommending
any one to put Roses on stilts, as is the fashion now-a-days.
He always advocated that there was no stock good enough for
the queen of flowers, nor any root so likely to feed it as its own-

Presnming your Roses are Perpetuals, you must cut a strong
shoot down to five eyes, and a weak one to three, always cutting
very weak shoots close off. You must not allow any shoot to
overlap another; keep the centre of the tree somewhat open,
and so arrange the shoots that next year’s growth will forma
compact bush. In future years the shoots may be cut down to
a couple of eyes, or if you want size, to five or six. If you would
prefer a pyramid, and they are handsomer than standards, choose
a strong shoot in the centre of the tree, and if the tree has three
or more shoots over and above the centre shoot cut them to six
eyes each, and the centre one to four. All this pruning should be
done as soon as the trees are leafless or from that to the middle
of March. In July stop the centre shoot and the side shoots
from the leader of the previous yearto six leaves; but the lower
shoots must not be stopped at all—they cannot be too vigorous,
yet as you will have six shoots on each branch, reduce them to
three, taking away the two lowest and every other afterwards.
Should the leader break strongly after stopping, stop it again at
the fourth joint, and soon. In the autumn you will have the
basis of a pyramid, and you will then prune the centre shoot or
leader to eight eyes, take three of them away in spring, and stop
the leader the same as the year before, soas to encourage the side
shoots to make good wood. All the other shoots should be cut to
two or three eyes according to their strength, taking care to
prevent crowding, and to admit plenty of light and air into the
centre of the tree.

If you are anxious to have a standard, put a stake to one
of the strongest shoots, removing all the others, and let it
grow to the required height and as much longer as it may
the first season. Cut the shoot down to the required height at
pruning time, and in spring disbud the stem, taking away all
the shoots except three at the top, or five at the most may be
left. In summer stop any shoot that is more rampant than its
neighbours, and in winter prune to five eyes the first, three the
second season, and so on, always pruning so that a compact
head will be formed. Standard Roses on their own roots would
be quite a novelty, and if they are longer-lived than those on
the Dog Rose it will prove a fact in gardening (as yet but
asserted) worth knowing. After all your Roses may be Bour-
bons, but if they are the treatment recommended for Perpetuals

472

will suit them ; strong growers of either require moderate, and
weak growers close, pruning. China Roses do not require much
pruning, but a thinning or regulating of the shoots. ‘leas, too,
do not like the knife; they flower better with moderate than
close pruning.

Under the circumstances we do not think you could have a
better dressing for your Roses than decayed vegetable matter;
a little Peruvian guano sprinkled around the trees in March
would do them no harm; it would be washed down to the
roots with the first strong shower, and they would not be long
before they showed its effects. We never use salt, and we should
be cautious about doing so. A little might do no harm, but we
think anything like a large quantity would be hurtful. ]

MIMULUS CUPREUS.

Tuis recently imported plant is a gem in the class to which it
belongs—an acquisition for small greenhouse and conservatory
decoration. Let its bedding properties be what they may, owing
to its slender and somewhat delicate habit I fear it would not
stand well out of doors in this part of Ireland, although we have
moisture enough, if that is of any advantage; and I likewise
fear it will not be found to stand well in the south, if the
seasons prove at all dry, for the Mimulus, delighting in plenty of
moisture, nothing suffers so quickly from drought. Its.cultiva-
tion is simple enough. Seed if sown in February and carefully
attended to, will produce blooming plants by May. I purchased
a packet of seed from a London house. ‘Lhe plants are now
beautifully in bloom and promise to remain so for some length
of time.

The three new kinds, crosses from cupreus, figured in last
month’s “ Florist and Pomologist,” without doubt are pretty;
but in my opinion fall far short of the original, for which we
have to thank the Messrs. Veitch—Joun Epiineron, Crom
Castle.

DESTROYING INSECTS—DEODORISING.

RECENTLY you stated that soot (half a peck to twenty gallons
of water), is good to wash trees and plants infested with insects.
Do you prefer it to tobacco water? and does the latter, or Gis-
hurst compound, or Neal’s plant soap, injure the foliage or
flowers of plants, as Geraniums, Calceolarias, &c., on which it
falls? and can you recommend a wash to syringe Roses covered
with green fiy that would be effective and not injure the foliage
and fiowers beneath them ?

Would a little chloride of lime take away the smell from liquid
manure for in-door use? And if so what proportion should
be put to a gallon and not to injure the plants p—H. G.

[The greater our experience the more fully are we convinced
that the man who discovers any effective wash that will destroy
all insects, and yet be perfectly harmless to plants, may soon, if
he chooses, be able to ride in a coach and six, and have a mansion
and establishment to match with such external grandeur. We
have also proved repeatedly that what will destroy insects
at one time will not do them much injury at another time,
and hence the importance of not relying upon any one spe-
cific. Hence also the importance of using liquids which are
distasteful to insects, and which will rather tend to increase
the vigour of the plant than otherwise. Soot water of the
strength mentioned above will not kill insects so effectually as
tobacco water, if it be strong enough to kill at once, but it will
be as effectual as very weak tobacco water. Our own experience
tells us that tobacco water, strong enough to kill the insects at
once, will also injure the shoots and fotiage, and so with all the
other things named—Gishurst and the rest of them. Careful
people, therefore, prefer weaker doses repeated instead of a strong
dose at once. We have cleared many Kose bushes of green fly
with clear soot and lime water alone, and left no marks on the
plants beneath them, and this could hardly be said of Gishurst
or tobacco water. We have, moreover, seen days taken in dip-
ping and washing shoots of Roses in tobacco and other waters,
and the leaves getting almost a3 much injured as the insects;
when the same time would have enabled a person to run his
fingers along the shoots, crush all that came in his way, and
then wash off all the remains either with clear soot water or
clear soft water.

_ There is this objection to all washings—that some of the
insects will most likely escape, and they will soon give you a
fresh brood ; and therefore smoking with tobacco is the most

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ June 30, 1863.

certain cure, as the smoke will ges into every hole and cranny.
Even that, however, must not be too strong, continued too
long, or presented in a hot state, or the tobacco may do more
harm than the insects. A glazed cloth covering to put over
bushes is a good mode for smoking them, only the smoke must
be cool. The green fly is easily killed, but we have noticed the
viviparous progeny come from the dead bodies of their parents,
and thus, independently of eggs, occasioning fresh necessity for
the smoke and the wash. Nothing that has come in our way
equals in this respect the brown and black insects of the Aphis
persice, and the evil is that they get in wood, on walls, in pots,
in the earth anywhere and everywhere; and when you have settled
one generation, in a short time you have several more to try
your patience and resignation. Ona hot day recently we found
a hard gravel walk swarming with them. Last night we smoked
them, and on examining an infested shoot with a microscope
could not discover one alive. We placed the shoot and leaves in
a cup, covered it up securely, and find that out of some hundreds
two or three have recovered so as to be just sickly; many others
that last night were plump and fat-looking are now thin and
shrivelled as well as dead; but lots of little. brown things are
sticking about, too large to have come from eggs, and showing
every sign of having come from the dead bodies of their parents.
Plenty of young, but not living, could be squeezed from the
dead bodies of their parents; so we must just smoke again.
These trees have had washings of almost everything, and with
the fingers too; but if the wash was very strong the trees
suffered, and if weak they only tended to lessen the evil; and
even when the fingers were used, and they and the liquids killed
where they touched, a very small point—even a quarter of an
inch missed—would, from containing some scores, soon give you
millions to kill and destroy. Smoking is, therefore, the most
effectual remedy next to catching them and killing them. In
most cases, whether by smoking or washing, one or two appli-
cations will generally be ineffectual, because, though strong
enough to kill all which are alive, it will not kill those not then
alive, or even the eggs that may be deposited. Our opinion is
that there is but little production in summer by eggs, but that
most new races are produced in a viviparous state; but infor-
mation on this subject is necessary.

One word more. When the fingers are used to squeeze such
insects—and an active boy will soon thus go over a Kose tree—
care must be taken to wash off all such remains of the insects
with syringe or engine, or the famed hydropults, as such squeezed
remains are as hurtful to the plants as a strong dose of tobacco
or Gishurst. Dusting the insects with nux vomiea, hellebore,
snuff, &c., will soon settle those on which it lights; but the
difficulty is that the quickest eye cannot see them all, and them
there is just more room for those that are left to breed all the
faster. Very few of such insects will stand 130° of hot water
syringed on them; but then, whatever part is missed will
give you occasion for another repetition, and growing plants
will not stand that long without injury—in fact at this season
120° is high enough. Of course the water gets cool a little by
being thrown on—a different affair from dipping. If dipped at
once, even in 120°, few insects will live; but the branch must
not remain above half a minute or a minute in the water. The
natural history of some of those insects by one of our first-rate
entomologists, such as those whose initials sometimes honour
these pages, would be extremely interesting.

A little chloride of lime would remove the smell from liquid
manures, as sewage, guano, &c., and should be given in pro-
portion to the strength of such manure. Superphosphate of
lime is one of the best manures for inside purposes, and when
in small quantities on the surface soil, or mixed up with water,
hardly retains any smell after the watering. For all out-door
purposes the earth is the best deodoriser.—R. F.]

CYANOPHYLLUM MAGNIFICUM.—I give you the dimensions of
a plant which I have of this. I bought it in June, 1862, with
one pair of leaves about 6 inches in length, and the stem not
more. The stem is now 3 feet high from the surface of the pot,
and the following figures give the length and breadth of the last
four pair of leaves respectively, beginning at lowest :—244 inches
by 114, 27% by 124, 29% by 132, 274 by 14%. This last pair
have not yet attained their full growth. ‘The plant is in most
vigorous health, having received from the first moist stove treat-
ment, a rich compost, and frequent waterings with weak liquid
manure water.—A SUBSORIBER.

Tune 30, 1863. ]

THE PROPOSED GARDENERS’ SOCIETY.

I nave from week to week anxiously conned your pages, fully
expecting to meet with some short article from more than one,
giving their opinion as well as their full concurrence in the
proposed Society, the prospectus of which appeared in your
columns a few weeks ago. I was loath to take up my pen to
advocate its claims to the notice of the craft generally, for the
simple reason that I know there are plenty of older and more
able hands who could set the Society in motion if they would
only put their shoulders to the wheel, which if once fairly started
I think there need be no danger apprehended.

That some such society is required few will deny ; and I am
only more astonished to see it is not by this time in working
order, You have as journalists done all that could reasonably
be expected; but the apathy displayed by those for whose
benefit it was intended, I fear shows that the scheme was only
received with the “cold shoulder.’ Notwithstanding all this,
T still trust the Society will go on and progress; and you may
rest assured if once fairly started it would not suffer for want of
members and subscribers to its funds.

Tt was only the other day I had the question put to me by a
neighbouring gardener, “‘ What society do you belongto?” My
reply was, ‘‘ Well, none at present. 1 am waiting to see what
was to be the upshot of the proposed new Society.’ “ Exactly
the same with me; and farther than that, should the Society
not go on I shall join another in connection with our profession.”
Through him I was induced to write thus briefly on the subject ;
and although the suggestion remains dormant I hope there is
life in it, and that it will spring up into vigorous action. Is it
not possible to secure at once two hundred members and start
the Society? Remote as we are, and cut off to a considerable
extent from the society of gardeners, I still fancy Ireland would
furnish her quota of members.—A PracticaL GARDENER, North
of Ireland.

[We can only remark upon the above that we are quite as
much surprised as our correspondent by the apathy evinced by
gardeners towards a society so calculated to secure for them
comfort in sickness and old age; but the apathy is as manifest
as it is lamentable.—Eps. J. or H.]

“PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.”

THE June Number of this Journal, and a list of the Society’s
Fellows, Committees, &c., are suggestive of a few commentaries.

It is satisfactory to find announcements in the Journal indica-
tive of an attention to economy. The “ Proceedings”’ are not
to be published in August, September, October, and November—
“that part of the year when most of the Fellows are abroad or
out of town.” This will be a saving, though a small one, and if
it stood alone would be on a par with ceasing to purchase
“ Moore’s Almanac,” which a spendthrift announced as a begin-
ning of economy ; but the next itezn of retrenchment is larger—
Mr. Weir, the Society’s collector in Brazil, is recalled.

In addition to the above official announcements, there are
rumours afioat that the expenditure on the Kensington and
Chiswick Gardens is to be very largely reduced, but having no
specific information we refrain from commentary further than
to say that wages, forming a large item in the last balance sheet,
other than those given to the Society’s garden staff, might be
reduced without decreasing the Society’s efficiency.

THE MERITS AND DEFECTS OF ANNUALS.

T am glad to see that you have lately drawn so much attention
to annuals in your yalaable Journal; I haye given much time
and trouble to them for several years. No other tribe of plants,
in my opinion, combines such a brilliancy of colouring with a
graceful and slender habit of growth. I fear I must add, no
other plants require so much care and attention.

Annuals haye so many enemies, and are liable to so many
diseases unless they get exactly the treatment they like, that I
have often been almost disheartened with the failure of many
once-promising pets. 1 persevere, however, always trying by
experiment to find out those which are at once hardy and beau-
tiful, requiring no protection from slugs, and not liable to damp-
off. I keep a list of such to which I am continually adding the

JOURNAL OF HORTICULIURE AND OOTTAGE GARDENER.

473

results of my experiments. This list is especially valuable to me
in one way. Eyery spring I give the children of our national
school, and also those cottagers who are in the habit of exhibit-
ing flowers or vegetables at our horticultural show, packets of
seeds of annuals, &c., and I find it is almost useless, except ina
very few cases, giving such as the slugs are particularly fond of,
or such as require very careful and delicate handling.

Every year I am deluged with catalogues of annuals from
the different London houses in common with every one else who
has the good fortune to possess a garden, I am often, indeed,
astonished at the liberality, or generosity, or whatever it may be,
of those firms who year after year present me by post with a
book got up generally in a most elaborate way, with a great deal
of literary and scientific skill, and to whom, notwithstanding, I
have never given an order even for a threepenny packet of seeds.
It may afford them some gratification, at least, in return for their
liberality, to know that the perusal of their catalogues is a source
of great enjoyment. The Saturday Review says that you may
enjoy your continental tour twice over, first of all in turning
over the leaves of your “ Bradshaw,” seeing therein all the
places to which you might go, and finally choosing which you
will visit, and secondly in the actual travelling. In the same
way I, for one, thoroughly enjoy looking over the lists of annuals,
“new,” ‘good bedders,”’ “ showy,” &c., which may be bought at
prices varying from 3d. to 2s. 6d., even though I have resolved
at the outset not to spend more than one guinea in the purchase
of the same.

While on the subject of catalogues, I cannot help remarking
that they are very far from being what they might be, and that
describing almost every annual as an excellent “ bedder,” simply
because “bedding” is the fashion, is more likely to do harm
than good.

One catalogue gives a very useful list of “ineffective annuals.”
With regard to this character, there must, of course, be-always
two opinions. For instance: your correspondent, Mr. W. Harley,
Digswell, places Nolana prostrata in a list of “twenty select
annuals,” while Messrs. E. G. Henderson & Son place it among
annuals not worth growing. In this case 1 am myself inclined
to side with Messrs. Henderson, while I would not with them
exclude the golden showers of yellow Hawkweed.

But why should not the catalogues give us a little more prac-
tical information, marking, for instance, with an asterisk those
annuals which open only in sunshine, and again distinguishing
those to devour which a slug will walk or crawl a hundred yards
even in dry weather; in fact, those plants which are to them
what toasted cheese is to mice—a treat of peculiar flavour and
delicacy, and scented from afar? If any one of your readers
has been unforiunate enough (a long while ago, of course, but
perhaps not quite forgotten yet), to put his Portulacas ina shady
situation, or discovered a fine, fat, black slug eagerly devouring
his French Marigolds, he will understand the value of such
information as I have suggested.

As Mr. W. Earley, Digswell, says that he makes the attempt
to select twenty annuals “rather in a spirit of inquiry,” I would
venture to criticise his list thus: Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 14 open in the
sun only, and are, consequently, not, I think, generally useful,
although there can beno two opinions with regard to the beauty
of 1, 3, 14.

Again: Nos. 3, 6, 8,9, 15, are fit for the greenhouse only,
and are, therefore, subject to the same remark. No. 16 is too
much like, and at the same time too inferior to, the Verbena to
be a select annual. No. 10 is, as I have already said, unworthy
of such a position, and, I think, in selecting twenty out of the
great numbers of truly select annuals, there is no occasion for
giving, as in Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, two different species of the
same genus.

Were I to give a list of annuals at once generally useful and
select, confining myself to annuals strictly so called, it would be
(omitting Mignonette and Sweet Pea, as universally acknow-
ledged to be both) the following :—

1. French Marigold * 11. Saponaria calabrica

2. Clarkia of kinds + 12. Poppy of kinds

3. Collinsia bicolor 13. Linum grandifiorum °

4. Lavatera 14. Love-lies-bleeding

5. Ten-week Stocks 1é. Lobelia gracilis

6. Malope grandiflora 16. Silene pendula +

7. Perilla 17. Candytuft of kinds +

8. Convolvulus minor °+ 18. Eschscholtzia +

9. Virginian Stock + 19. Sunflower of kinds
10. Nemophila insignis * 20. Ipomza ;

Those marked thus *, readily devoured by slugs; thus j, left altogether
untouched by them; thus °, open in sunshine only.

474

Of the above, Nos. 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 15, 16, are alone of any
use for bedding purposes. Nos. 4, 6, 14, 19, are especially
beautiful in those glorious old borders of tall herbaceous plants
which are still to be found in some gardens. Some may be
astonished at my inserting No. 16, which so very much resembles
common Robin-in-the-hedge, but if sown in autumn it makes in
April and May what the children call a “pink pie”—that is, a
perfect semi-ball of pink flowers, which can be seen half a mile
off, and, as far as colour goes, quite equals the well-known
Saponaria; the latter sown in spring will immediately succeed
the Silene, with another pink pie.

I make these remarks in the same spirit of inquiry as Mr. W.
Earley, Digswell, and shall he glad to see any further suggestions
from correspondents of wider experience than—S. L. J., Cornwall.

P.S.—Mr. W. Earley, Digswell, may, perhaps, say that while
striking out 5 from his list because of opening in the sun omy,
L have myself suggested two which do so. But the usefulness
in other ways, and the great beauty of the scarlet Linum, and
the minor Conyolyulus, more than make up for this great de-
ficiency.

ALYSSUM SAXATILE.

I am glad your correspondent, “ Rustic Roprn,” at page 414,
has called attention to the merits of this fine spring-flowering
plant. With regard to the variety called compactum, I might
add that we haye had it in general use for several years, and
the past spring we had some hundreds of plants of it in flower.
Hitherto we have simply called it A. saxatile, dwarf, not know-
ing it was dignified with a distinct name ; it is of very compact
habit, and the whole plant is covered with a half-globe of the
closest-packed golden flowers, which also continue much longer
than many other flowers of similar hue. With us it bears
cutting-in and transplanting at any time of the year, and always
yields its myriads of blossoms at the proper time.

For many years we were in the habit of propagating the
Alyssum extensively for planting in the beds that are in summer
devoted to bedding plants, the plant itself looking well all winter,
and flowering early in spring. Occasionally beds of evergreens
are edged with it, and nothing could look richer than some beds
of newly-planted thododendrons that had an edging of the
dwarf variety the past spring. I find it is most easily cultivated
from seed, and the dwarf one comes true raised in that way ; it
also strikes very freely from cuttings, but of late years we have
adopted the mode of saving a little seed and raising a stock.
A variegated yariety we are obliged to propagate from cuttings,
and as a variegated plant it looks well, and flowers freely; it is
less compact than our dwarf, but less lanky than the old A. saxa-
tile. Of all spring-flowering plants none excel this for general
utility in dry soils.

The Hepaticas are deservedly fayourites, but somehow we can-
not get them to do here; they will not endure moving twice
a-year and fiower well, as this Alyssum does. On the merits of
other plants I shall at a future time more tuily enter, but none
are greater favourites with me than that spoken so well of by
Rustic Ropry.’—J. Ropson.

THE TRAINING OF THE PELARGONIUM.

Av the metropolitan exhibitions there are few things which
excite more surprise among the uninitiated in gardening matters
than the training of Pelargoniums, and, strange as if may appear,
eyen some of those who might be considered au fait in such
matters have not hesitated to confess their want of knowledge,
for but a few years back, we heard the late Mr. M’Nab remark
at Chiswick, “I think nothing of your Heaths, haying better at
home; but how those magnificent Pelargoniume are produced I
cannot understand ;” and, certainly, when we look at the small
pots and vast mass of foliage and flowers, it does almost appear
incredible that they could be so produced; and, great as may
be the merit in growing a fine Heath, it is quite certain that
More expense and attention are requisite to grow a comparatively
fine specimen of Pelargonium. Those who haye not tried the
experiment will laugh at the idea of Pelargoniums requiring as
much skill as Heaths; but we have grown both, and conse-
quently can speak from experience ; and we are quite sure more
attention for the time is required to grow a perlect specimen of
Pelargonium than to grow a specimen Heath; and it is rather
remarkable that the man who may excel in the management of

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGH GARDENER,

[ June 30,1863,

one plant is rarely first-rate at the other. In fact, hardwooded
and softwooded plants require treatment entirely distinct from
each other; the firet requires time and attention, the other little
time, great attention, and rich manure, for it is only by much
nutriment and careful management in watering, by seeing the
plants receive sufficient, and yet are never glutted, that success
in the management of softwooded plants can be rendered
certain. If larger pots are allowed, less attention would be
required, but merit would decrease in the same proportion, and
consequently small pots are preferred. We all know that a
Heath or any other hardwooded plant with its indurated
foliage, and comparatively small respiratory powers or surface,
cannot require so much aqueous support as a Pelargonium, but
yet they are generally grown in larger pots, and consequently in
larger masses of soil. How is this? Let those who haye their
Management inquire, and we have no doubt the investigation
will repay the trouble.

Various plans have been recommended for training the Pelar-
goniums, aud doubtless the low busbes generally seen are not of
the most elegant form that could be conceived, but possibly they
are the most suitable, and hence necessity, our great preceptor,
has compelled us to adopt that form. Anything, however, is
better than the long-leggy formless things we used to see, and
which in some places are seen even at the present day. he
pyramidal form would certainly be the best, but nature rebels
against it, and it is found impossible to get plants equally
covered with bloom or of equal growth. It is well known that
the sap of a plant in its progress riees always to the most vertical
point, and that in consequence it is impossible to get equal
growth over the whole surface of the plant; for pinch, top,
depress, or do what you will, the flow will still be upwards, and
the growth must be strongest at the most vertical points, and
there will be bloom, while the lower branches will scarcely pro-
duce a flower. Even on the dwarf system of training it is found
yery difficult to insure an equal distribution of sap, as some
shoots, especially those upon the most central and vertical
branches, are always disposed to produce the strongest shoots,
and it is only by occasionally removing them, or tying the
points below the level of the weaker shoots, that an equal die-
tribution of sap and growth can be insured: therefore, great
watchfulness is necessary, and considerable practical knowledge
to guide aright the energies of the plant.

lt is sometimes remarked that Pelargoniums require neither
training nor staking, indeed there are certain writers who would
Interdict the use of stakes altogether. Such writers, howeyer,
are more to be pitied than laughed at; they belong tu a race of
arm-chair gardeners, who find it more convenient to teach by
precept than example, and whose lucubrations are more remark-
able for detailing what they would do than what they have
done. Such men are useful in their way, for eyen slovenly
gardening is better than no gardening at all. But, once for all,
we may say Pelargoniums cannot be grown to any size without
supports ; when in free growth a rough wind would blow them
limb from limb; and as for carrying them to an exhibition
without smashing them to pieces, it would be impossible. That
less stakes than are generally used may suffice, and that they
may be used of a much smaller size is quite true; but to attempt
to carry a plant without staking is quite out of the question.
Do not, however, use any more than are absolutely necessary,
and let them be as thin and unobtrusive as possible. The best
are the young shoots of the Snowberry (Symphoria racemosa),
and the next small tough, dry, young Willow shoots. Hither of
these kinds will stand for a season, and when dry they are so
tough and wiry that they may be bent in any direction, and will
retain their form.

The annexed engravings show a set of young plants from the

Fig. 2.

first start in October in small pote, up to a fully-formed plant.
¥ig.1 is » young plant just purchased from the nurseries, the

Fig. 1.

June 30, 1863, ]

head of which has been taken off to form a cutting, and the buds
of which are breaking into young shoots. Three shoots are pro-
duced, and those after growing to the length of 4 or 6 inches
are stopped by pinching out the points, produce their lateral
shoots and flower in the autumn; and after being thoroughly
ripened by exposure to the full sun, are cut down as represented
in fig. 2. Ubis is what, in nursery parlance, is termed a young
stool or bottom, and is the sort of plant which an amateur
should select to grow into a nice specimen, In jig, 3 we have

Fig. 3.
the same plant grown another season and cut down; and here
it will be seen it has added materially to its size, and has

become a really fine ground-work for a specimen plant. But to
form these bottoms is not quite so easy as to write about them.
Young Pelargonium shoots are formed of brittle material, and
hence considerable care and patience are necessary to get the
shoots into the requisite form. We first begin with long hooked
pegs, and peg the shoots into their places a little at a time, say
depressing each shoot a little every three or four days until it
gets into proper shape; always, if possible, taking advantage of
the sunny part of the day, and allowing the plants to be rather
dry at the time. In the afternoon of a sunny day, and before
watering the plants, you may take much greater liberties with
the young shoots of a Pelargonium than would be safe in the
morning ; and hence that time should always be chosen. When
the plants get too large for pegs, small sticks of the necessary
strength are used, placing them wherever it is necessary to draw
the. branches to, and to avoid using many stakes a band of bass,
mat, or wire is passed round below the rim of the top and made
fast; a piece of fine matting or string is then tied to the various
branches, and each is drawn into the position it is destined to
occupy. When the branches are depressed below the level of
the rim of the pot, an arrangement of this kind is indispensable,
and independently of that, if ia a very neat way ot accom-
plishing our aim. Without a properly formed stool it is
impossible to get a perfect plant; and, therefore, no pains must
be spared to arrange the branches properly before they get too
much crowded with foliage. Sometimes branches are liable to
split in the fork—that is, where they start from the parent stem,
and then, before attempting to train them, the branches must be
tied together by means of strong pieces of soft matting. Thus
arranged, with perseverance and patience, the plants may be
made to assume any form you please, but they must be gently
handled; and hence, never attempt to train a plant except
when you have leisure to do so carefully, and without hurry.

WWAS

7 i
g J
ig (A
J G

Fig. 4. |
In fig. 4 we have the plant advanced another year, and it is

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

475

now of a size sufficiently large for all ordinary purposes. Such
8 stool, with proper management, and if of a free-growing kind,
such as Queen Superb or Reine des Frangais, would form a plant
from 4 to 6 feet in diameter, and should produce more than 4
thousand trusses of flowers—a sight worth seeing, and an ample
recomapense for the trouble that has been taken in its formation.
Such stools are rarely to be bought; those who have them do
not like to part from them. ‘The stools represented in our
engravings are not ideal sketches, but actual portraits of plants
growing in our own establishment, which we shall be happy to
show to any one who may call upon us. No. 2 is a young stool
of Jenny Lind; 3, that delicate kind called Picturata; and 4,
Queen Superb. Larger stools of the same kind may be found,
but not more perfect than Nos. 3 and 4. Of such free-growing
kinds as Queen Superb, it is possible, by sacrificing the flower,
to grow a plant of the size in one season; but of Picturata,
Formosa, or Fairy Queen, it would be good work to get them of
the same size in three seasons. The reason is this, they only
produce wood-buds at or near the base of the shoots, and hence
we have no choice but to cut back to them; but the Queen-bred
ones, as they are called, grow more vigorously, and hence may
be cut much longer.—W. P. Ares, “ The Fancy Pelargonium.”

LEAVES OF BEGONIA GRIFFITHII ROOTING.

On the 4th of June, 1862, some of the leaves of Begonia
Griflithii, along with numerous others of the same class of plants,
were given to a lady in this vicinity. I was surprised to learn
about three months ago that one leaf of Griffithii was still
fresh as the day when it was taken off the plant, and had actually
made roots in the glass of water wherein it was put at the time
the others faded and died. But to have a full conviction of the
fact I examined it on the Sth of this month, being one year and
five days since I took it off the plant. Well, its silky-looking roots
fold round the inside of the glass which contains nothing but
pure rain water; and all up the stem, which of course is con-
stantly immersed in water, there are a dozen or more young
plants showing themselves, but none at the base of the leaf,
where it is generally propagated from. Griffithii was in close
succession after Rex was introduced. It is a well-known face
that Begonias like.a moist close place; but becoming an aquatic
is another matter.—ALPHA.

[Lhe fine-leaved Begonias have, many of them, singular powers
of vitality. We have found slips and pieces of leaves rooting on
damp floors, where they had been accidentally dropped. They
will do even with little water if the atmosphere is at all moist. |

TYING MATERIAL.

Havine read Mr. Robson’s article in No. 116 of your Journal
I beg to inform him that I have received from Messrs. Dickson,
Hogg, & Robertson, of No. 22, Mary Street, Dublin, three
samples of different materials as substitutes for matting and
Cuba bast. They are labelled, ‘Japanese Flax,” “Green
China Grass,” and ‘‘ White China Grass.” The two latter are
best; they are cheaper than bast, and much superior to it for
both in-door and out-door work. They are first-rate for tying
pot-plants, as they can be drawn to a hair-like fineness ; they
are much improved by being put in water for an hour before
use.

I think when they become better known they will entirely
supersede Cuba bast and matting for garden purposes.—G. G,,
Wells.

JOTTINGS FROM PARIS, 1863.

UnpeEr this head there is in page 432 of THE JOURNAL OF
HorTICULTURE a sort of account rendered by ‘“‘ D.’’ of Deal, of
the vegetable part at the last horticultural show in Paris. Having
been absent from home I only yesterday became acquainted with
the article in question, the real motive of which I leave others
to appreciate.

Had.my Strawberries really been such as “D.”’ of Deal finds
particular pleasure in representing to the readers of THE JOURNAL
or Horricunture, I am sure that not only the Judges would
not have given them a first prize, but they would not even have
been admitted by the parties charged with the arrangements of
the Exhibition. If “D.” of Deal did possess a little more

476 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE
practical knowledge of gardening he would not have considered
it strange that in France, on the 8th of May, some of the sorts
composing my lot were not of the same size as those frequently
shown in London by Mr. Smith and others. ‘This is easily
explained. Of course on the 8th of May no out-door Straw-
berries are ripe in this part of France, and consequently my lot
consisted chiefly of what is called “ afterfruits *’ of forced plants,
the finest of which were then gathered. Thus it is quite natural
that the berries generally could not be of enormous size. Had
the Exhibition taken place a fortnight earlier, when my crop
was at its best, the fruit would have been very near the size
attained by the best growers round London early in June.
This, I think, sufficiently proves that in France there is some-
thing better than the “‘ Praise des quatre saisons ;” and that upon
the whole it would have been wiser of “D.”’ of Deal to abstain
from his satirical report.

As to his observation of my having written “ prodigious
things” on Strawberries, I leave my fragarian friends in England
to decide whether there was any exaggeration in what I humbly
submitted to the public. Whatever I wrote was done in the
most impartial spirit, and never exceeded the truth. FERDINAND
Guonpn, Les Sablons, Moret-sur-Loing, France.

SUCCESSION OF FLOWERING HERBACEOUS

PLANTS.

I sEx in the gardening world those who, like myself, are not
so passionately fond of so much bedding stuff. Why should
we? Are there not many hardy herbaceous plants equally
beautiful that would require but little care? Like our bedding
plants, the more care taken of them the better they would be-
come.

We have great men who take economy for their motto.
Would it not be more economical if they were to turn their
attention to those plants that are much hardier? We now have
to find pits, frames, covering, besides a great deal of labour and
some firing, to protect them. Surely that is not economy.

I have talked to some about this matter. Whey say ‘We
should not haye the great variety of colour which we have in
the bedding stuff.” No, neither do we want it. Where is the
need of a number of shades? In my opinion we only want
distinct colours, and we have these in the hardy plants.

I think if our nurserymen and cross-breeders were to spend
half of the time and money on the hardy class that they do on
the most tender things, we should soon have them much better
than they already are. Or have they been so much improved
that there is no more room for improvement ?

Why I thus plead the cause of hardy plants is this. I am
writing in the middle of June when bedding plants have scarcely
made a move, and before they get properly into bloom it will be
at least mid-July; or, supposing we count from now, there
will be June, July, August, and then comes September, when
we may expect frost to cut them off. So we have to nurse them
from eight to nine months, and we have only three months: of
pleasure from them. What would not be the case with the more
hardy plants. There are many that bloom early and late. I will
give a list ; every one wishing to have bloom all the year round
might select from them and their varieties :—

J ANUARY.—Hranthis hyemalis, Helleborus niger.

Frepruary.—Arabis albida, Bulbocodium vernum, Cyclamen
coum, Helleborus foctidus, Hepatica triloba, Scilla sibirica.

Marcu.—Anemone apennina, Anemone nemorosa, Arabis
alpina, Aubrietia deltoidea, Aubrietia purpurea, Cyclamen eu-
ropeum, Hrythronium dens-canis, Gagea glauca, Helleborus
atro-rubens, Leucojum vernum, Narcissus T'azetta, Scilla amcena.

Aprit.—Alyssum saxatile, Arabis rosea, Atragene canadensis,
Doronicum caucasicum, Erythronium grandiforum, Fritillaria
imperialis, F. precox, Gentiana acaulis, Iris pumila, Leucojum
estivum, Libertia grandiflora, Narcissus jonquilla, Omphalodes
verna, Ornithogalum umbellatum.

May.—Achillea ptarmica, Achillea tomentosa, Ajuga alpina,
Ajuga genevensia, Ajuga reptans alba, Armeria dianthoides, Ar-
meria maritima alba, Asperula odorata, Believalia operculata,
Corydalis sibirica, Czackia liliastrum, Dielytra spectabilis, Do-
decatheon integrifolium, Hesperis matronalis, Hoteia (Spirea)
barbata, Iris cristata, Iris sub-biflora, Lupinus macrophyllus,
Lupinus polyphyllus, Ornithogalum montanum.

JuNE.—Adenophora verticillata, Allium Moly, Asphodelus

luteus, Camassia esculenta, Cerastium tomentosum, Gladiolus | mouse.

AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ June 30, 1863.
byzantinus, Iris amcena, Iris florentina, Iris sambucina, Ixio*
lirion montanum, Lilium bulbiferum, Mimulus variegatus.

Juty.—Acanthus spinosissimus, Aconitum variegatum, As-
clepias syriaca, Asclepias tuberosa, Epilobium spicatum, Hpilo-
bium spicatum albiflorum, Liatris squarrosa, Lilium tigrinum,
Lychnis chaleedonica, Mimulus cardinalis.

Aveust.—Aconitum japonicum, Chelone’ obliqua, Coreopsis
grandiflora, Funkia subcordata, Liatris spicata, Solidago humilis.

SEPTEMBER.—Acis autumnalis; Allium azureum, Amaryllis
belladonna, Anemone japonica, Bulbocodium versicolor, Col-
chicum byzantinum, Colchicum yariegatum, Liatris elegans,
Oporanthus luteus, Solidago canadensis, Tritoma pumilis.

NovreMBer.—Aconitum autumnale, and many more might be
added. I have given the time of these coming into bloom;
some of them will last two or three mouths.

In giving the above list let it be understood it is not intended
to exclude the bedding plants altogether—far from it. They
will make a good addition to herbaceous plants. I hope some
of our more experienced men will give their opinion on the
subject.

P.S.—I forgot to put in the proper place the following well-
known favourites, which might be added to the above list :—
Asters, Phloxes, Dianthus, Larkspurs, Foxgloves, Snapdragons,
Hyacinths, Tulips, Daisies, Polyanthuses, Pansies, Violets, For-
get-me-not, Hollyhocks, Pentstemons, Campanulas, Crocus,
London Pride, &c.—G. H.

HOT WATER versus FLUES.

I THinx that the gardening world is much indebted to Mr.
Robson for bringing this subject so prominently forward. I
am perfectly satisfied that the more it is ventilated the more
good will be derived from it. I, like Mr. Robson, am situated.
im a dear coal country, with coal at 19s., and steam coke at 21s.
per ton without cartage, which adds 2s. Gd. per ton to the cost.
T cannot advocate the cause of flues against hot water from ex-
perience, having had the working of flues and hot water in the
same place, for the vineries followed in succession, thereby
depriving me of the data which are necessary to arrive at a
correct estimate. I always felt certain that, making allowance
for the difference in temperature, a third less fuel was consumed.
by the vinery heated with hot water.

T perfectly agree with Mr. Robson, that the best boiler is not
yet obtained. I have a No. 5 tubular boiler from an eminent
firm in London, that when we are in the full tide of forcing,’
consumes more than two tons of coke a-week. Some time ago,
out of curiosity, I placed a thermometer in the top of the
chimney, about 16 feet high, in eight minutes it indicated 260°.
How high it would have read I do not know, as the ther-
mometer split to pieces the instant I replaced it.

I feel convinced I could work a small vinery of 25 feet by 12,
with the waste heat of this boiler. Such isthe opinion t have
formed from four years’ experience of its working here. As far
as my experience goes, I am inclined to think that boilers are
not so much at fault as the contractors for the heating ap-
paratus.

If more piping were allowed—say a third more than what is
now considered to be sufficient, the apparatus after becoming
heated would not require so great a combustion to keep up the
desired heat. A more steady and moist heat would thus be
obtained, and if a third less fuel could be saved, which I think
might be the case in those counties where coal is so dear, the
balance will do far more than outweigh the first cost of piping.—
W. Mc. L.

MILLIPEDES--CLUB ROOT—GARDEN MICE.

How could I destroy the insect which I have enclosed? It
is most destructive to my Strawberries. I have gathered quan-
tities of these with holes eaten quite through, and have found
the insects curled up in the middle of the berry. With meI
think they are more destructive than the slugs.

Ts it the same insect that causes the Cabbage and Broccoli to
club? I cannot plant anything of the kind that has to‘stand in
the ground long, without a large ball being formed at the root
to the size of a half-pint cup, and I find from two up to twenty
or more of these insects when I take up the roots.

T am also very much troubled with what is called the grass
This mouse has destroyed nine Melons, the largest one

June 30, 1863. |

at the time being the size of a good Apple. Four of them were
nibbled in two or three places, and the leaves and runners [I
could take out of the frame by handfuls, till one light was
literally cleared of the foliage altogether, I tried to trap them,
but could not catch one, and to poison them, but they would
not eat the bread that I put the poison on.

If any of the readers of your Journal could instruct me as to
the best way to get rid of these pests, I should receive the infor-
mation with thankfulness.—A Constant Kraven.

[The specimen sent is the snake millipede. We have seldom
found them so destructive. The centipede is more fond than the
millipede of getting into fruit and coiling itself up, as in Apples,
Peaches, &c. You can do little now with your Strawberries,
unless in the way of prevention. We have tried beanstalks
cut into six-inch lengths, and dipped in a weak solution of sugar
and water. ‘They will at times lodge in these, and you must
dislodge them as you would do an ecarwig. A dressing of lime
and soot would help to keep them also from the Strawberries, as
they do not like travelling over such materials, The egga are
deposited in holes in early summer, and are soon hatched with
the heat. Lime and soot are very disagreeable to them. This
is all we can say. Would some friends be kind enough to help
in this, and also the following cases ?

The Cabbages are clubbed by quite a different animal—a small
weevil; and the chief cures for it are examining the plants
before planting, removing all the small clubs or knotk, if any,
and killing the small grub weevil; then dip the roots in a
thick paste mortar formed of soot, lime, and soil, three parts of
the latter to one of each of the former, before planting, and use
soot in the first watering afterwards. If a little soot and lime
are put on the ground atter the plants begin to grow all the better.
This weevil seems to shun all nitrogenous matter and ammonia.
It will also be good policy to change the Cabbage ground ey-ry
year. If so looked over at planting time, and the ground 13
freshly and well dug, and well manured, and if soot and lime
are used in watering, there will be little of the club in old or
young plantations. In places where the weevil has become very
numerous, it is a good plan to let the plants grow to a fair size,
and to well examine them before final planting.

We can sympathise with you as to the grass mouse. He is
not easily trapped, and is also difficult to poison. We have
poisoned him by throwing with a brush, not with the hand, a
little arsenic into the pieces of Melon or Cucumber he had been
tasting. Generally, traps baited with bread, or poisoned «heat,
&c., are useless, he will not look at such hard materials; but we
have caught him in figure-four traps, by placing some tempting
green delicacy below the overhanging heavy tile, and nibbling
about it brought it down. If he lodges in a hole of the bed,
he can also be brought out thence as a half-drowned mouse, by
pouring pailful after pailful of water in the hole, and, having
previously removed the glass from the frame, there is little diffi-
culty in pouncing upon him, The most certain way, however, is
to notice his runs, and place in his route either small steel traps,
less than for rats, or hair traps, made of a stout hair, with a
running noose, exactly on the same principle as the poacher
adopts for rabbits, hares, and pheasants. We have used all these
Means with fair success, when we have been troubled with such
visitors. It is useless, in general, to present such a mouse with
anything tempting, unless it be green. We once had a pit of
Calceolarias levelled with the ground. The frost was intense out-
side, and they had not been uncovered for three weeks. The
worst of it was; the mouse had eaten but little, and he seemed
to have hit upon cutting over for diversion. Most of the roots
broke again though weak, and the cut tops made good cuttings,
if not too much nibbled. |

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY’S MEETING.

THE June Meeting of the Entomological Society was rendered
@ special one, the members having been especially summoned for
the purpose of taking into consideration the following report of
the Library and Cabinet’s Committee, dated the 30th March
last :—“ That the present income and the financial prospects of
the Society do not warrant this Committee in believing that the
Society is or will be able to provide the sums requisite for
forming a collection of British insects which shall be worthy of
the Society, and for maintaining the same in a satisfactory state.
This Committee, therefore, recommends to the Council that the
Society’s collection be discontinued, and that proper steps be

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

477

taken for the disposal of the specimens and cabinets. ‘The Com-
mittee, however, further recommends, that the type specimens
be not dispersed but placed in some public institution where
they will be readily accessible and available for scientific pur-
poses, and the Committee suggests the feasibility of some arrange-
ment by which the specimens in question might be placed in the
British Museum.”

At its first foundation the Society’s chief objects were—1, the
formation of an entomological collection; 2, the formation of
an entomological library; 3, the publication of the Society’s
“Transactions.” ‘The valuable collection of the late Mr. Kirby
was presented entire to the Society by its venerable possessor,
and large additions were made by the late Messrs. Children,
Hope, und many other members. It was, nevertheless, found
after the experience of many yeurs, that a small society like that
of the London Hntomological Society was only encumbered by
the possession of a collection which required the attention of a
Curator, mvolving considerable expense. In addition to which
it was found that the col.ection did not keep pace with the pro-
gress of the science, whilst the expense it entailed on the Society
crippled the more serviceable objects of an entomological library,
and especially the publication of the Society’s ‘‘ Transactions.”
Several years ago, uccordingly, it was proposed by some of the
members that the entire collection should be disposed of (as had
been done by the Entomological Society of France, and has since
been done by the Zoological Society ot London, and is also pro-
posed at the pre-ent time to be done by the Linnean Society),
but the proposition was only partially adopted by the sale of the
exotic portion of the collection. Circumstances have since, how-
ever, shown that it would be advisable to carry the proposition
fully out, especially as the original constitution of the Society
contemplated the study of exotic as well as British entomology,
and the objections against retaining any part of the collection
were equally strong against the British as against the exotic
portion of the collection. Under these circumstances, and with
the examples of so many other Societies before them, it is not
surprising that the proposition of the Library and Cabinet?s
Committee was adopted by the Society at large, and we have
since hud the pleasure to learn that the type specimens, including,
of course, Mr. Kirby’s collection of British Bees and other
insects, rendered vaiuuble from having served as the type of the
descriptions published by other entomologists, have been trans-
ferred to the British Museum, where they will have a much surer
chance of being preserved and made available for the use of
students than they would have had if tuey had remained in the
possession of the Entomological Society.

At the general Meeting of the Society held on the same even-
ing, the President in the chair, Mr. Stainton exhibited some
small Lepidopterons larvse which had been found mining in the
leaves of the Hazel. ‘’he same larve having been also found on
Kibes sanguineum and in Birch leaves. hey were supposed
to be those of Incurvaria pectinea.

Mr. @. R. Waterhouse exhibited specimens of an apparently
new British species of Homalota (a genus of minute Staphy-
linidee).

Mr. F. Bond exhibited hermaphrodite specimens of the
Orange-tip and Swallow-tail Butterflies; in both of which the
right side of the individual exhibited the female, and the left
side the male form, contrary to the usually observed state of
such specimens.

The President also exhibited drawings of two hermaphrodite
specimens of the Honey Bee, the different parts of the body
exhibiting sexual differences of the male and worker Bees; also,
specimens of Braula coca, a small wingless parasite infesting
the hives of the Honey Bee, which had been imported into this
country with the Ligurian Honey Bee, in a hive of which variety
these parasites had been found.

Mr. McLachlan read descriptions of three new British species
of Caddice Flies {Trichoptera), of which he exhibited specimens.

Mr. Stainton read some notes on a curious Lepidopterous
insect, Tinea vivipara (Scott), described in the “ Transactions of
the Entomological Society of New South Wales,” as being vivi-
parous in its habits; also, notes on the “ Proceedings of the
Entomological Society of Philadelphia.”

The Secretary also read a letter from Mr. C. A. Wilson, of
Adelaide, giving an account of the entomological captures of
Mr. F. G. Waterhouse, the naturalist attached to the South
Australian Expioring Expedition under Stuart, which had
recently succeeded in crossing the Australian continent from
Adelaide to the north-west coast and back again, :

478

SOME PLANTS AND GARDENING OF
AFFGHANISTAN.

Tue dwarf Palm, which mainly composes the “jangal,”’ or
brushwood, in this district, and is called in the vernacular
“* Maizarri,” or “ Mzarrai” (Tiger-grass), is,applied to a great
variety of useful purposes by the natives. From the entire leaf
are made fans ; from the leaves cut into strips are plaited mats ;
from the fibres of the leaf and its stalk, which are first prepared
by maceration in water and bruising, so as to separate them from
the parenchyma, ropes are made; and from the finer fibres are
made the sandals commonly worn in the country, and termed
“chapli.” The chapli is usually worn by all the hill tribes of
Afghans, instead of the ordinary shoe, and though not so dur-
able perhaps, is much better adapted for walking over rocky
ground. The downy hair found in the axil of the sheathing leaf-
stalk of the dwarf Palm is used as tinder, and is sometimes
soaked in the sap of the Mulberry tree to make it more inflam-
mable. ‘The delicate white embryo leaves in the centre of the
leaf-bud have a sweet and astringent taste, and are in great
repute, and of common use, as a domestic remedy in cases of
diarrhoea and dysentery. ‘These same leaves, however, when
they become more developed, lose their sweet taste and become
very sour, and are still astringent. In this atate they are used
tas purgative medicine, but chiefly, however, for horses and
cattle.

a) 7 4 .
The Logar district produces corn in great abundance, and,

together with Ghazni, is one of the principal granaries of Kabul.
It also produces great quantities of Apricots and Grapes, both
of which are extensively exported to Hindustan. The Vines in
this district are cultivated in the same manner as in Turkey,
and differently from the method usually adopted in other parts
of the country. Here, instead of being grown in deep trenches,
and their branches supported on the intervening ridges of earth,
or on frameworks of wood, the Vines are planted in regular
rows, and trained like bushes by pruning and clipping their
branches and tendrils. The Grapes are chiefly of the varieties
Known in the country by the names of “ Hussaini” and “Shaikh-
khalli.” They are gathered before they are quite ripe, and
packed in “drums” of poplar wood between layers of cotton
wool, and in this State exported to Hindustan. So great is the
trade in these fruits that the Poplar tree is regularly cultivated
in copses for the supply of the material for these “drums.” The
trees grow to a great height, and very straight, and no branches
are allowed to grow except near the summit. About the eighth
or ninth year the trees are fit to cut down. The wood is very
white and soft, and from want of durability is never used for
building purposes when other timber is procurable.

Besides these fruits, all the vegetables commonly met with in
England, except the Potato, are largely cultivated; and among
others a kind of Leek, called by the natives “Gandanna,’ The
leaves of this plant are used as a vegetable in these parts, in the
same way as Spinach is with us. The plant is perennial, and
cultivated in a peculiar way. The roots are never dug up, but
the leaves are cut away two or three times in the year, a new
crop succeeding in due course of time after each cutting. In
the spring and autumn the surface earth is carefully turned,
mixed with a top-dressing of manure, and freely irrigated. Some
of these Gandanna-beds continue to yield for an astonishing
number of years. In Logar we were credibly informed that.
several fields of this vegetable were twenty-five and thirty years
old, and that in Kabul there is still flourishing a field of Gan-
danna which was sown in the time of Nadir Shah, upwards of a
century ago. Clover and Lucerne are extensively grown in
Dogar as fodder. The crops, after being cut and dried, are
rolled into thick cables, and thus stored for winter use.

During our march thro3gh this district our camp was daily
supplied with quantities of Rhubarb, of which our troops and
camp-followers consumed several bullockloads, both raw and
cooked. Rhubarb is a very favourite article of food amongst the
Afghans, by whom it is eaten both in the fresh and preserved
state. In the former case it is as often eaten raw as cooked, but
in the latter it is only added as a relish to other dishes, meat or
vegetable. The plant is never cultivated, but grows wild on the
neighbouring hills and in the stony soil at their base; and in these
localities it is collected by the neighbouring villagers, who bring
itinto the populous districts for sale. We met with the plant in
two forms. In the one the leafstalk was greenish-red externally,

Coarse and stringy within, and altogether extremely acid and dis-
agreeably bitter.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

[ June 30, 1863.

by the natives, and it is simply the natural condition of the plant.
The other form was quite different from this. The stalk was white
and smooth, very juicy, and of a pleasant subacid taste. This
is called “‘rawash,” and is the blanched leafstalk of the wild
plant. ‘This condition is produced artificially by the villagers,
who, in the spring, when the leaves are just commencing to
sprout, cover them over with a heap of loose stones and gravel,
so as to shut out the access of light. This “rawash,” when
cooked, has a delicate flavour, and is much superior to the Rhu-
barb commonly met with in Kngland.

The Vine is very extensively cultivated in the suburban gpar-
dens of Kandahar, and they produce no less than nineteen
different kinds of Grapes. In two or three of the largest vine-
yards there are wime-presses, but the quantity of liquor pro-
duced is very limited, as its use is entirely confined to the chiefs
and wealthy classes, who can indulge in the forbidden drink
with less fear of obloquy or punishment than the poor people,
who are more amenable to the discipline exercised by the priest-
hood. Lhe wine made at Kandahar is red, and is prepared from
Grapes’of the same colour, which are known to the natives by
the terms of “ Rocha-i-Surkh,” “ Sahibi Surkh,” ‘* Lal i Sufaid,”
‘Tal i Surkh,” &e. The Hindu population consume large
quantities of a fiery spirit distilled from dried Grapes, called
“ Kishmish i Sufaid,” and ‘“ Kishmish i Surkh;” and they are
helped in this by many of the Mussulman inhabitants of the
city, who, however, do sosecretly. “he Khatin Grapes produce
the well-known Manakka Raisins, met with in India. The Sahibi
Surkh and Sahibi Ablak produce the sun-dried raisins, called,
from the fact of their being void of pips, “ Kishmish i bedana.”
These raisins are very small, of a light green colour, and very
sweet taste. They are largely exported, and also consumed at
home in immense quantities, ‘Che ‘“ Rocha i Surkh” and
Rocha i Sufaid,” as also ‘‘Toran,” are Grapes of an inferior
kind, and are mostly consumed in the fresh state by the poor.
The ‘‘ Hasaini” and “Shaikh Khalli” Grapes are of great size,
of a pale green colour, and very delicate flayour. They are
gathered before they have quite ripened; and, packed in drums
of poplar wood between layers of cotton wool, are exported to
Hindustan in vast quantities, and even find their way down to
Calcutta. The ‘‘ Acta”’ Grape is also of large size, but its fayour
is inferior. It produces, however, excellent raisins, called “‘ Kish-
mish i daghi,” or “‘abjosh,” which very much resemble the best
kinds of the bloom-raisin met with in the English market. They
are prepared by dipping the fresh and ripe bunches for a moment
or two into a boiling solution of quicklime and potash, previous
to drying in the shade. Besides the Grapes noticed, there are
other varieties, which are either altogether consumed in the fresh
state, or else are converted into raisins by drying in the sun.
And in this form they are largely exported to Hindustan.

Besides Grapes, the gardens around Kandahar produce many
other kinds of fruit, such as the Apricot, Plum, Peach, Cherry,
Apple, Pear, Quince, &e.

Of the Apricot (Zard-alu) eleven varieties are to be found
in the Kandahar district. The ‘“ Kaisi,’ “Charmaghz,’ and
‘“‘ Charbaghi ” varieties are those most esteemed. They are
largely consumed in the fresh state, and are also preserved for
exportation to Hindustan by drying in the sun. But previous
to this process the fruit is sliced Open, its stone removed and
split, the kernel extracted,and then replaced in the fleshy part
of the fruit. In this form the Apricot is called “ Khubani.”
The variety named ‘‘ Pas-ras”’ is, as its name implies, the last
to ripen. There are two kinds, a large and small. ‘hese, to-
gether with other varieties, named ‘‘Surkhcha,” “‘ Sufaidcha,”
“Plan,” “Shams,” and “Shakarpara,” though generally con-
sumed in the fresh state, are also dried; but the stone (or
putamen) is not removed: in this state they are called ‘‘ Taifi.”
To the taste they are very acid, being generally dried before
quite ripe: they are chielly used as a relish to many Afghan
dishes, and as a component of some kinds of sharbat. Gold
and silyer-smiths use a hot decoction of these fruits for the pur-
pose of cleaning and giving a bright lustre to their metals.

Of the Peach (Shaft-dlu) there are only two kinds at Kan-
dahar. The one called “ Babri” is an inferior fruit, of small
size and acerb flavour; but that known as “‘Tirmah” is a yery
splendid fruit, of great size and luscious flayour, and much supe-
rior to any I have ever met with elsewhere.

Of the Quince (Bihi) there are three kinds—yiz., the ‘‘ Shakar,”
or sweet Quince, the “ Tursh,” or sour Quince, and the ‘“ Miana,”
or Quince of medium quality. The first kind is generally con-

In this state the Rhubarb is called “ chukri” | sumed fresh, and is also often carried about the person on ae=,

June 30, 1863. ]

count of its agreeable perfume. The other kinds are generally
candied, made into jams, or cut into slices and dried for future
use as an adjunct to other dishes, The seeds of each kind are
demulcent, and are added to sharbats. Both the fruit and the
seed are exported.

Of the Pomegranate (Anar) there are six or seven varieties.
Those grown at Panjwai are the finest, and most highly es-
teemed ; they are of great size; the pips are of blood-red colour,
very juicy, of excellent flavour, and perfectly sweet, without any
of the tartness belonging to other kinds of this fruit. he
Panjwai Pomegranates are justly celebrated throughout the
country, and large quantities are carried from this to the Kabul
market. The fruit-rind of all the varieties is an article of
export, as well as of home consumption, for the use of tanners
and dyers. The root bark is a common domestic remedy for
diarrhoea, and is also used as a vermifuge.

Of the Fig (Anzir or Anjir), which mostly grows wild, there
are two varieties: one bears a black fruit called “ Makkai 3? the
other a white, called “Sada.” The fruit of both kinds are
small and sweet, ‘Lhe former are strung on thin cords and
exported ; the latter are consumed at home.

Of the Mulberry (Tut), which also grows wild, there are nine

or ten different varieties. Some of them are preserved in the
dried state, and eaten with Almonds and raisins, or with Wal-
nuts and parched Maize or Lentils. In the northern parts of
Afghanistan the Mulberry tree is very abundant, and the people
of these districts use its fruit as a substitute for corn flour. The
bread made from the flour of dried Mulberries is said to be
sweet, wholesome, and fattening.
_ The abundance and consequent cheapness of all sorts of fruits
in this country is quite astonishing. he natives indulge in
them often to excess, always most freely, and suffer in conse-
quence, especially the poor, who, for several weeks of the summer
season, know no othicr food.

Before taking our leave for the night, Fattah Mohammad
Khan arranged a shooting party for the early morning, to beat
over the corn fields around the city walls, which were now
Swarming with quail, and proposed that on the conclusion of
the sport we should join his breakfast party in the garden of the
Sardar Rahmdil Khan, where he promised we should have an
illustration of the Afghan style of feeding.

_ Uhe invitations for both were accepted, and accordingly day-
light found our party, gun in hand, on the quail ground, where
shortly afterwards we were joined by Fattah Mohammad and
his suite. Our dispositions were soon arranged, and by sunrise
we commenced beating the fields outside the Kabul gate of the
city. Gradually working our way round tne southern walls, we
at length struck off towards Rahmdil Khan’s garden, where we
arrived at about ten o'clock. Here we found a large assemblage
of guests awaiting our arrival in a tastefully decorated “ bara-
darri,” or summer-house, the upper balconies of which over-
looked a piece of ornamental water that seemed to extend nearly
the whole length of the garden, and terminate below another
baradarri at the other end. We had hardly commenced ex-
amining the fairyland scene before us when our attention was
drawn oft to the noisy activity of a small army of cooks, who
were busy under an adjoining clump of Mulberry trees prepar-
ing the various dishes that were soon to regale us, and the
savoury odours from which vied with those from the flower-
stocked parterres that in one continuous strip of fringe bordered
on either side of the tank already referred to, whilst both com-
bined to perfume the air with most grateful and appetising
effect on the olfuctories—warning of the good things that were
coming.

_ Whilst breakfast was being prepared, we seated ourselves on
divans in an open balcony that overlooked the greater extent of
the garden, and faced another but smaller summer-house near
US Opposite end. The garden itself is a walled enclosure of,
perhaps, six or eight acres in extent, and of an oblong shape.
Near the centre of the distant sides stand the two summer.
houses. Each is a tastefully-devised but gaudily-painted build-
ing, consisting of two stories; the lower is occupied by stabling
and servants’ houses, whilst the upper contains a principal cen-
tral room that cpens on to the balcony, on each side of which
are the projecting windows of the side rooms; the walls of
these rooms are decorated with flowers, arabesque patterns of
risgale, and figures, principally, however, of dancing girls and

oys.

Along the centre of the garden, and extending from one
summer-house to the other, is a shallow masonry reservoir full

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER.

479

of water ; it is so arranged that at intervals of 50 or 60 yards or
more, the reservoir rises in a step of 4 or 5 feet, producing a
small cascade by the falling of the water from the one to the
other below it. On the sides of these reservoirs are series of
fountains, the perforated tubes of which indicated the variety of
elegant patterns in which they were araanged. Beyond the
fountains and the border of the reservoirs the ground was laid
out im one long continuous strip of flower-beds on either side,
which at this time were in full bloom, and from the variety of
their bouquets and hues imparted to the scene a most charming
appearance and delightful fragrance. ‘he fountain-tubes were,
unfortunately, greatly out of repair from long neglect, “ or,” as
Fattah Mohammad said, “he would have made them play, for
their not working was the only thing that detracted from the
resemblance of this garden to ‘ Bihisht,’ or ‘ Paradise.” On
either side, and beyond the flower-beds, were straight gravelled
paths, some 4 feet or more wide. Hach extended the whole
length of the garden from one summer-house to the other, and,
like the reservoirs, &e., rose in terraces, by a few steps at a time,
at intervals of 50 or 60 yards. These walks were flanked on
the outer side by single rows of stately Cypress and white
Poplar trees, which formed a boundary wall, as it were, to the
ornamental portion of the garden, for the rest of the space
beyond them was laid out in vineyards, orchards, and corn fields.
The orchards were composed mostly of the Apricot tree; but
there were also the Plum, Cherry, Quince, Mulberry, Fig, and
other fruit trees. Notwithstanding the delights of this garden
in its fresh and fragrant youth of spring, there was great room
for improvement in that portion of it allotted to the pleasure
and ornamental grounds. On this part the artist’s labour was
certainly very deficient, for there was a painful absence of variety
or taste in the disposition and arrangements of the different
terraces.

Looking from the balcony of the large summer-house to the
one at the opposite end of the garden, the intermediate space
was occupied by a series of rigid straight lines. In the centre lay
a narrow and long sheet of water, which stretched away in low
terraces to the other end of the garden, where it seemed to end
in a point under the opposite summer-house. On either side of
this was a band of variegated flower-beds, then a plain path, and
finally s single row of tall slim Poplar and Cypress trees that
ranged after each other in alternate succession. Beyond these
the space was one confused mass of foliage. ‘he little cascades
in the centre of the prospect, produced by the water falling from
one terrace to the next below it, were the only exceptions to the
otherwise stiff and monotonous appearance of the garden.—
(Bellew’s Mission to Affghanistan.)

WORK FOR THE WEEK.

KITCHEN GARDEN.

Hox in dry weather between all crops in rows if they are not
mulched with grass or short dung, to kill weeds and to loosen
the soil around the plants. We strongly recommend the mulch-
ings between the rows of vegetables, for wherever the ground is
at all stiff and exposed at this season to the powerful action of
the sun, it is apt to crack and rend in several directions, by
which the roots of vegetables are in many instances destroyed.
Beans, 1 few Mazagans may yet be put in, which will produce
late in the season, if the weather proves favourable. Broccoli,
Cape and Grange’s Cauliflowers may now be planted where the
early Peas have been gathered. If the weather continue dry
they will require an abundant supply of water. Cabbage, sow a
little more seed immediately, if the sowing recommended last
month has failed. Chervil, another sowing to be made for suc-
cession. Dwarf Kedney Beans, the last principal sowing to be
made, LHarth-up the advancing crops. ‘hose, in flower would
be benefited by a good soaking of water. Endive, continue to
plant out a few once a-fortnight to keep up a succession.
Another sowing to be made. Leexs, those sown in drilis to be
thinned to a foot apart in rich ground. The thionings will do
to plant out. Parsley, a sowing to be made so as to get strong
plants by the winter. Peas, earth-up and stick the advancing
crops ; water those that are in bearing. A few more may be
sown, which will come into bearing if the autumn is favourable.
Radishes, make a sowing of the various sorts. The Turnip-
rooted are generally preferred at this season. Vegetable Marrow,
these plants will require a liberal supply of water during the
continuance of dry weather. Stop the main shoots to cause

480

them to throw cut laterals, In all cases of earthing-up crops
in dry weather, give them a good soaking with water previously,

FLOWER GARDEN.

The Roses should now receive particular attention, the stand-
ards to be well staked, the shoots disbudded and stopped, and the
roots mulched or supplied with liquid manure as they may re-
quire. Budding to be commenced on all stocks from which the
bark will rise freely, and such as are more sluggish in their cir-
culation to be excited by a copious supply of liquid manure.
Do not be afraid of thinning the free-blooming sorts of » Per-
petual character. The old Bourbon Queen and the Crimson
Perpetual, for instance, will produce twice as many blooms as
they can permanently maintain. By a judicious and constant
attention in this way, fine blooms will be insured until the frost
sets in. ‘lake up Tulip-bulbs whenever the weather will permit.
We do not imagine that the late excessive rain has been of avy
service to them. When lifted do not separate the offsets from
the parent bulb, or remove the roots.or skin. These had better
remain to a Iater period. ‘ie carefully the spindling shoots of
Carnations and Picoters, not too tightly. Lay Pinks and Cloves
for potting. Ruesian Violets may be separated and fresh plant-
ations made. Remove all decayed flowers and seed-vessels from
American shrubs. This will not only give them a neat appear-
ance, but will in a great degree add to their strength, and as a
result of this,an abundant bloom next season will be secured. Now
is a fine time for layering Rhododendrons, Belgian Azaleas, &c.,
just as they are coming into full growth. Push Dahlias on by
watering freely when the weather is dry; also, assist them by
mulching the ground with decayed stable-manure. Take care
that the plants do not chafe where attached to the blooming-
sticks. The present is a favourable time for putting in cuttings
of all the most showy herbaceous plants, selecting for the pur-
pose the small shoots not furnished with bloom. A north border
is a suitable place to strike them, and a hand-glass will facilitate
their rooting. Pansies for autumn-blooming may be treated in
the same way. Attend to the staking such of the herbaceous
plants as require it before they get blown about and injured by
high winds that sometimes occur about this time, and do not
huddle the stems together as is too frequently done. Give plants
infested with green fly a liberal washing with the engine, or
syringe them with tobacco water. Mildew sometimes becomes
troublesome after this season ; it may, however, be kept in check
by applying sulphur to the parts affected the moment it makes
its appearance, first wetting them with water in order that the
sulphur may stick.

FRUIT GARDEN.

Proceed with nailing-in the young wood of wall trees, and see
that they are perfectly clear of insects; also stop any gross shoot,
and endeavour to secure a fair supply of bearing wood all over
the tree. Gross shoots that were stopped early in the season
should be divested of all the laterals if not wanted to fill up
vacant spaces. Strawberry-runners to be procured for new
plantations. Those who cannot spare ground for a new planta-
tion may prick them out in prepared beds about 6 inches apart,
and remove them with balls in October. Also complete as
quickly as possible the layering of runners for forcing next
season, bearing in mind that one week now is worth two at the
end of the month, and that strong well-matured plants are only
to be obtained by early layering and good after-culture, and that
no amount of care next spring will compensate for late, and,
consequently, badly-rooted plants.

GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY,

Should these plant-structures require repairs or cleaning, the
stock may be removed with greater safety at this than at any
other period; it is injudicious to leave the completion of such
work until late in the season. This is generally a critical month
with greenhouse plants out of doors. The fervid heat is some-
times so great as to produce the tropical winter of vegetation
when the parching heat of the sun acts upon and produces in
some degree a dormancy in the system of plants, and at other
times when showers fall and we see the surface of the soil in the
pots moist, we are satisfied until the drooping or withering
foliage upbraid us for our neglect, and, perhaps, with Heaths,
New Holland, and other such plants it is noticed when too late
to save. These ill effects may be avoided by plunging the pots
in coal ashes, and by syringing the plants overhead of an
evening, and examining them when doubtful on the subject by
gently turning one or two out of their pots to see the state of

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGH GARDENER, .

[ June 30, 1863.

the ball, as it requires some experience to distinguish whether a
plant wants water or not from the ring produced by rapping
the knuckles against the side of the pot. W. KEANE.

DOINGS OF THE LAST WEEX.

Mocu the routine of previous weeks, such as staking Peas,
hoeing ground, pricking-out as well as planting-out Celery,
Broccoli, Cauliflower, &c., earthing-up slightly Po atoes to pre-
vent the tubers being greened, cleaning Mushroom-bed, spawn-
ing fresi piece, regulating Cucumbers, and giving manure water
to Capsicums, Tomatoes, &c,

FRUIT GARDEN, :

Went over trees as much as we could get at thei ; thinning
and fastening-in Apricot and Peach shoots; ditto Pears against
walls ; thinning shoots and picking the points off from dwarf
standard Apple, Pear, and Plum trees; washed and engined
Cherries and Plums against walls, usivg rather strong clear soot
water; put the litter closer up to rows of Strawberries, and
netted them from birds. Crops pretty fair, single specimens not
so magnificent as usual. Whose m tront of an orchard-house
are still rather the best for flavour. Have never seen, however,
Black Prince finer out of doo’s, and whut is better, many house-
keepers are thanking Mr. Cutiuill it has proved such a firm good
preserving Strawberry, and though darker in colour, yet superior,
on the whiule, to the old scarlets generally so used. Keens’ Seed-
ling used to be very much in vogue for preserving, but it is
much inferior to the Prince, being much more soft and juicy.
Some late kinds, as Elton and Eleanor, preserve well, if not too
much ripened. ‘hese do well whole in Currant juice. Find
that from strewing the ground slightly with soot anu lime, there
is little probability ot trouble from slugs or other crawlers.
Planted-out forced plants as room could be found, as such plants
turned out last year are by far the finest and most fruitful now.
Was obliged to smoke the Peach-house, though the fruit is ripe
and ripening, and we would have avoided it if possible, as the
fruit will last us for some weeks yet. We, therefore, pulled all
that were ripe, that they might not be tainted with the laurel
and tobacco smoke; we found we could not keep the Aphis
persicx, that horrid brown and black insect, in check without it,
as some of the fruit was getting discoloured from their excrement.
Had to do the same with the orchard-house, after being pretty
well beaten with the dusting and washing progess. ‘The orchard-
house was kept in suoke {rom two to three hours, but the smoke
was chiefly from burning laurel leaves that had previously been
well bruised. Smoke from tobacco alone for that period would
have been dangerous. Last night we could not find an insect
alive, but to-day a few have revived, und lots of small ones have
appeared, so that we shall smoke again to-night. Some that
were put into a close vessel, seemingly dead, appear so this
morning, with the exception of a very tew very sickly, but there
also appear a number of small dots of young ones that were not
there the night before, no doubt viviparous productions. We
never had this aphis before last year, and thought we had got.
rid of it in the autumn; but if spared another winter we will
look after it even more sharply. All other insects we have met
with are triflesto it. The hot weather, and being busy else-
where, enabled it to reproduce itself quickly, and its powers of
increase are almost fabulous.

In the Peach-house we syringed well where we could do s9
without uisplacing the fruit, as the few aphides left alive were very
sickly; and as that syringing would bring them to the floor,
strewed the floor with lime and soot, and watered slightly all
over with hot water froma rose. Watered Fig trees heavily, as
we knew we could not make the water stagnant. Late ones in
orchard-house are showing well, and were also watered. Ifa
Fig in a pot gets at all dry when it has very young fruit, they
will drop to a certainty. ‘his is one reason why without this
care Figs in pots are more uncertain than those planted out. .
With this precaution, comparative dryness to ripen the wood in
autumn, and more dryness and freedom from severe frosts In
winter, water gradually given until all the ball is moistened in
spring by the time the fruit shows, and regular moisture at the
roots afterwards, without stagnant water, no tree does better in a
pot than the Fig. Without these cares it will be better planted
out, and stubby shoots secured by confining the roots, and
pinching the shoots. Went over the trees in orchard-house;
and as respects Peaches, Nectarines, Plums, &., gave them
pretty well their final thinning of fruit, as most of them are set,

June 30, 1863. ]

and altogetiner have set some ten or twenty more fruit than could
be left. We fear we have pretty well overdone the Cherries with
crops, yet the trees do not show it. We must try and get some
more plants another year. We hear that such kinds as we
have been growing in an open house, and gathering for three
weeks, and which in ordinary seasons would not be ripe for
nearly a month, out of doors, are considered better flavoured
than when grown out of doors—such as Bigarreau, Napoleon,
Belle Magnifique, Reine Hortense, or even Empress Hugénie, to
say nothing of May Dukes now over, unless a few late ones.
These have scarcely been touched by an insect, though the
beetle was so troublesome on the Peaches. It is right to state,
however, that some of the trees of the Peaches were in rather an
unhealthy state before they were covered with glass.

Gatherd Melons from frames before they were too ripe, and
potted-off others for succession, as we have kept the soil so dry
that there is no great chance of the old plants breaking strongly.
In planting afresh, will put in small drain-tiles upright, that we
may moisten the soil beneath without wetting the top as the
fruit approaches maturity. Placed the fruit thickly set in a
brick pit on saucers. hey had previously been elevated in pots,
but we like the fruit to be shaded by the foliage instead of
exposed. Proceeded with cutting-out bunches of Grapes, and
thinning those left in a late vinery as we could get at them, as
the bunches will have to hang through most of the winter.

ORNAMENTAL DEPARTMENT.

Proceeded with potting, &c., as detailed in previous weeks:
Ranunculuses ripening should be taken up. Wied herbaceous
plants; prepared for doing so with Hollyhocks. Hoed the beds
on lawn, and tied and pegged where necessary. Mowed and
machined the grass on lawn; find that ‘Green’s single-man
machine of 16 inches is liked better than a two-man machine
of 22 inches. One of our neighbours works a twenty-two-inch
one with one man; but I should not like to be the man. The
lesser machines are so beautifully hung that one man uses the

sixteen-inch one with less toil then two men do the twenty-two of |

most makers. We find that the objections we made a year or two
ago about the chains do not apply to the nice steel chains now
sent out. Weare glad to say that our men prefer them by far,
and as being easier work than the scythe. At the same time
people who send men to cut long grass, and the ground is all up
and down and unlevel, need not be surprised if the machine is
thrust into a corner, and the men cannot and will not use it.
We must, however, pass this and a great many other matters
Over to say a few words on

SHADING.

Owing to the extreme heat and force of the sun, we shaded
the upright front of our conservatory by painting the glass with
jelly size made hot to boiling, putting in a quart of jelly, a half
quartern of turpentine, and the same of boiled oil, and about
the size of a walnut of pounded whiting. his is put on pretty
hot and very thinly on the glass when dry, and thena dry brush
daubs it, and it looks neat like ground-glass, and will keep on
until the dark days of autumn. Some pits needing a dense
shade had the same material put on with a whiting-brush,
and no nice daubing given afterwards. For a slight shading in
an extra hot day, we find nothing better than just colouring
some water with whiting and throwing it on the glass with a
syringe; and thus the glass may be pretty well covered, or just
slightly spotted to blunt the force of the rays. Some people
object to all such simple modes, and equally object to blinds and
Tollers outside; but would like a neat permanent shade for their
greenhouses inside, so as to be independent of rains, winds, &.
Well, the best we know for this purpose is bleached calico or
linen, or white canyass made into pieces to suit one or two
lights. On such pieces place small rings top and bottom, and
every 18 or 24 inches along the sides, and place these rings on
hooks at similar distances in the rafters and sash-bars. Such
nice blinds may remain up from the month of April to October,
and even then it would be easy to unhook them if required in
dull weather. If the material is thin and white, this unhookin
will seldom be necessary during the summer, and the method
has much of neatness and even of economy in comparison with
Outside blinds to recommend it. Of course, such blinds might
also be made to roll; but that would increase the intricacy and
the expense, and for particular places we would prefer these
Yermovable blinds.—R. F.

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

481

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

We cannot reply privately to any communication unless under
very special circumstances.

Worms in Srrawperries (Zyro).—The ‘* worms”’ are Snake Millipedes
(Julus). We know of no mode of preventing them eating the fruit. ‘They
breed in the soil, and the only effectual remedy would be to pare and burn
6 inches depth of the entire surface soil.

Works on GARDENING (A Young Begtnner).—‘‘The Orchid Manual,”
2s. 6d., ‘*The Fern Manual,” 5s., and ‘*In-door Gardening,” 1s. 6d., are
all published at our office, and can be had free by post if sixpence additional
issent. ‘They contain all the information you mention.

SEEDLING VERBENAS (H. Barham).—They were totally shrivelled.

Insecr on Cucumber Lear (C, P., St, Margaret’s),—It is a small erab-
spider (Chelifer cancroides), which, doubtless was among the red spiders
on the Cucumber leayes for the purpose of devouring them. ,

Improvine A Licur Sorn (A. L., Birmingham).—Clay, chalk, marl, and
bricklayers’ limy rubbish are the only additions to your light soil that will
permanently improve its staple, and thus enable it to retain moisture better
insummer, In the absence of those improyers cocoa-nut fibre dust, half-
decayed tanners’ bark, and the vegetable mould you mention, would be good
additions. If you cannot permanently improve the staple of the soil the
best compensation is mulching the surface. If this were done between the
rows of crops and over the roots of trees with spent tanners’ bark, or, still
better, cocoa-nut fibre dust 2 inches deep, we believe that with liberal
manuring any hardy plant may be well grown on a light soil.

Guano Water (A Cottage Gardener).—Half an ounce to a gallon of
water is strong enough for potted plants, and one ounce to the gallon for
plants in the beds.

CameEttia Sort (Jdem),—Turfy loam and sandy peat in equal quantities
form the best soil for Camellias. What is written in ** Work for the Week,”
and ‘ Doings of the Last,” except as to the stoye and greenhouse depart-
ments, are as applicable to the cottage as to the mansion, and we are always
prompt to answer queries. Amateurs should have our ‘* Garden Manual,”
and our ‘* In-door Gardening,”’ and ‘‘Out-door Gardening.’’ In them will
be found all the usual routines of culture for common plants; and with
these and answers to queries in our correspondent columns no one need
find gardening difficulties frequent and never insuperable.

Mow1nc Macuine (Civis),—Any one of the machines will do its work
well. We cannot recommend any maker.

APPLE Biossom (John Shaw).—The Apple blossom is a fine semi-donble
flower, which we suspect is not permanent, Has it comeso before? If it
has, graft the shoot which produces them on an Apple stock, and you may
be able to secure this new torm.

MaNAGEMENT OF ANEMONE-BED (JV. B.).—If the foliage of the Ane-
mones be quite yellow, take them up at once. When left in the ground
the matured root is prone to start into growth. Choose a fine day to take
them up, dry them in the sun, and keep them in a dry cool place until
October, when they may be planted in the bed again. After the Anemones
are taken up add alittle fresh soil to your bed, fork it in, and you may then
plant,eny kind of bedding plant in the bed, as Geraniums, Verbenas, &c.
lf you do not like the trouble of taking up the Anemones every year, and
have not the convenience to keep bedding plants, we would advise sowing
some of the showiest annuals between the Anemones the last week in May,
scattering a little fine mould over them. Any of the following make good
beds:—Blues.—Nemophila insignis, Nolana atriplicifolia, and Convolyulus
minor. Reds,—Centranthus macro-iphon, Saponatia calabrica, and Candy-
twit. YVellows.—Venidium calendulaceum, Erysimum Peroffskianum, and
Bartonia aurea. Whites.—White Candytutt, Sweet Alyssum, and Nemo-
phila insignis alba and maculata. The best plan, however, would be to
take the Anemones up and plant Stocks, Asters, French Marigolds, or any=
thing of that kind immediately.

SeEpriInc Prac (Alice.)—After waiting so long, it would be a pity to
destroy the Peach tree now; but you might insert a number of buds in it
near the base of the shoots. It may be worth nothing when you get it;
but to prove what the fruit would be, we would thin tne wood of the tree
liberally, so as to give sun and air to the shoots left, and thus induce the
ripening process. Then, in the middle of September, we would either
root-prune, or replant this tree, and keep the tree shaded from sun until
the leaves would stand without flinching. This would also encourage
ripening of the wood, and lessen mere growth the next season.

CrOss-BRED GERANIUM (Christine).—We discovered only a small leaf,
of which we can say nothing; but, from the description, we should haye
doubts as to its being a cross with Geranium. We can, therefore, as yet
say Lothing as to the hopes entertained.

Cross-BRED VERBENAS (Jdem).—As to the crossed Verbenas, we expect
something of the kind took place that our valued coadjutor, Mr. Beaton,
demonstrated as respects YVerbenas. Perhaps, however, your dwarfs might
be made to grow. It not, like the pigmy Geraniums, they will be more
interesting than useful, Such facts, however, are most valuable for
enabling us to form correct theories. Your deductions from this and
general facts are quite correct; but the more care in hybridising, the
better may the results be expected to be. We earnestly hope that our
friend Mr. Beaton will be able soon to enlighten us on all such matters.

Gruzs oN VinE Leaves (X. ¥. Z.).—It is useless sending a leaf with
insects wrapped up in an open letter. They ought to be securely enclosed
in a box, or, at least, covered up securely with oiled paper. There were no
insects on the leaf, but marks as if thrips had been there; but then we are
doubtful if it was thrips from your saying that they eat into the leaves and
the berries ; for, though the thrips will soon suck the juice out of leaves and
render berries very unsightly, it is seldom they make holes that can be
easily seen. Your best remedy is to persevere with the smoking, unless
you would go over the lower side of the leaves with a sponge and water,
when you would most likely catch them.

Hoves in Vine Leaves (A Subscriber, Kilmarnock). — We think the
leaves are injured by a caterpillar or some kind of weevil. Watch the
place with a lantern at night, wrap the stem round with wool and oil, and
that may keep them off. ;

Error.—At page 416, last line of first column, for *‘5 inches” read
“5 bars.” ’

482

EXHIBITING STRAWBEERIES (Ei/len).—At the Royal Horticultural Society’s
Kensington Exhibitions the Society provides dishes; but the exhibitor, or
the exhibitor’s deputy, must attend to arrange the fruit.

SEEDLING Pansies (Zaffy).—We do not think that the flowers sent are
equal to many of the same character which are now in cultivation. The
Geranium was so fallen to pieces that we could make nothing of it.

Biacx Dvyposir on PELARGONIUM LeEaves (Hlizabeth). — The black
appearance is chiefly the excrement of insects, as green fly and thrips,
particularly the former. The leaves had better be removed. We dis-
covered no live insects. The warty appearance on the back of the leat is
almost a sure sign of stagnant water and insufficient drainage, or a too low
close atmosphere. Good root-action and a dryish airy atmosphere are the
best antidotes for this, and also for securing a healthy vegetation and
freedom from insects. If the plants are in bloom and green fly on them,
you had better remove them by the fingers, as smoking is apt to injure the
blooms. If not in bloom smoke, but do it judiciously—not too much
tobacco, nor yet allow the smoke to be hot.

VINE-BORDER COVERING—TREBBIANO GRAPE (B. J. J.).—You do not
furnish us with enough of evidence to decide whether the gangrening
of the berries has anything to do with the condition of the outside
border. If, as you say, that the Vines are healthy and the rcots near the
suface, then we should be inclined to think that the fault was to be found
in management, overcropping, &c. However, there can be no question
that covering the border with glass will tend to the well-being of the Vines,
as the light will get to the soil and co'd rains be excluded. We have never
yet done so ourselves, but we can see what an advantage such a
covering would be; but that advantage will chiefly depend on the ground
of the border being exposed beneath the glass in summer. If at sucha
time you cover the border with plants, either in pots or otherwise, then we
have no great faith in the advantages you will attain. We know one case
where Vines were much injured by such a giass covering, but the border had
its top in a sloppy state all the summer trom watering plants upon it, and
the dense foliage kept the sun’s rays from reaching it. The Trebbiano
Grape is a strong-growing kind producing large white bunches, which, if
well ripened in autumn, will hang all the winter with ordinary care, and
the flavour is rich and sweet. Some people are very fond of it, It is
chiefly useful in a late house.

CucumBERS DFFORMED AND YELLOW (A Perplexed One).—We fear you
are expecting too much fruit from your Cucumbers. Though some varieties
show three or four fruits at a joint seldom more than one swells, or should
they all swell they are short crooked things, but more frequently they turn
yellow at the point, as in your case. This 1s owing to the roots being unable
to supply nourishment to the young fruit in sufficient quantity to keep
them swelling freely. One Cucumber at a joint, and that in every foot of
space, isenough. Cucumbers seldom turn yellow at the point in the early
stages of their growth, or not until a good many have been cut, which we
attribute to a little over-greediness on the part of the cultivator. Although
we consider too heavy cropping the chief cause of Cucumbers failing, yet
anything like a check to the roots will bring about quite as unsatisfactory
results. Too little bottom heut, too much or too little watering, or wateriug
with water considerably lower in temperature than the heat of the bed
causes an inactive state of the roots, and that will cause the young Cucum-
bers to die-off at the point. Syringing the plants with cold water, and
allowing water to drip off the ends of the young fruit, and the sun striking
them in that state, scalds them. Allowing a current of cold air to suddenly
reduce the temperature will throw the sap back and hinder the fruit from
swelling. Should none of the above account for the failure, water with
weak liquid manure twice a-week, warmed to the temperature of the bed;
for, if the fruit forwarded be a fair specimen, your Cucumbers lack nourish-
ment. Keep the house moist by sprinkling every available surface twice
a-day with tepid water. Guve alr early in the morning, and shut up early,
never allowing the thermometer to tall much before you shut up. From
75° to 85° is quite hot enough for bottom heat in any stage.

Guass (W. X. W., Bingley).—The sample enclosed by you would do
very well for pit-glazing.

Names oF MosszEs (J. HE. Dangstein).—1, Hypnum splendens; 2, Hypnum
triquetrum ; 3, Dicranum unduiatum.

Names OF Prants (Z. S., Hampton Court).—One of the Hippeasters,
but not recognisable (if, indeed, it be not one of many wholly unrecognisable
seedlings) after being squeezed flat. (J. K. Rossiter).—Cannot teil a plant
from a mere leaf like that. (James McBey).—It is what is called Echites
picta in gardens. Wedonot know E. rutilans. Camellias sometimes go
spotted like yours; itis a sign of deficient vigour. (JV. B.).—Looks like
Erigeron philadelphicus. (Omega).—1, Lotus corniculatus; 2, Orchis
pyramidalis; 3, bad, some crucifer without leaves; 4, Matricaria cha-
momilla.

POULTRY, BEE, and HOUSEHOLD CHRONICLE.

EGGS SAT UPON AND THEN CHILLED.

I swaxt feel obliged by any of your correspondents giving me
their opinion, from experience, as to the time when eggs being
under a hen and then left would be bad. I put fifteen Sebright eggs
under a hen at ten o’clock at night. She appeared to sit close.
In the morning at six o’clock she was off the nest and the eggs
quite cold. At eight o’clock the same morning they were put
under another hen, and every egg proved addled. Would the
six or seven hours be sufficient time to cause this? How soon
does vitality commence, so as to spoil eggs if afterwards left to
get cold ?—HvrsHaM.

[Whe fact that at six o’clock the eggs were quite cold, and
that they were not put under another hen until eight, would
account for their being addled. ‘The hen should always be tried
for three days on common eggs to see that she is really broody.
Upon the question how long eggs may be sat upon and yet not

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

[ June 30, 1863,

be spoiled if chilled, we should like to hear the results of the
experience of our readers; and shall be obliged by such results
being communicated, stating at the same time the variety of
fowl by which they were laid. ]

A FACT FOR NATURALISTS.

‘To-day I have an opportunity of reading of two cured speci-
mens of the “Pintailed Sandgrouse” (Pterocles setarius), being
in the possession of Mr. Wm. Emmett, of Pudsey, having been
“murdered” by him only last Wednesday, at a neighbouring
village called Farsley, and, so far as I can see, if all “ naturalists”
are of Mr. Emmett’s stamp, both these and a!] other rare animals
will continue to be very scarce, both on the undulating hills of
Farsley and all other parts of these dominions. No doubt, now
that Mr. Emmett’s exploits haye been duly chronicled, other
naturalists (and members of the sparrow-shooting societies) will
be on the look-out for the fortunate twelve out of the fourteen
which so far have escaped therange of Mr. Emmett’s rifle ; and it
seems very probable that the whole covey of fourteen will be
utterly destroyed or driven to more barbarous climes to seek
that existence which they are denied in this civilised land of
ours.

Tt seems a great pity—nay, I may say, it is a national mis-
fortune—that so many of my countrymen should exhibit such
selfish propensities (I cannot use a milder term), in destroying
those rare specimens of the ieathered tribes which occasionally
visit these shores, in order that they may have the gratification
of exhibiting in their private collections stuffed and inanimate
specimens of what but for them would be living types of the
species to which they belong, and be a means of instruction and
a source of pleasure to thousands.

I haye not the slightest knowledge of Mr. Emmett. No doubt
he is an enthusiastic if not a distinguished naturalist, and I give
him credit for the best intentions; but I put it to him, whether
he is not contracting rather than expanding a knowledge of
nature by such acts? If the ‘‘Sandgrouse”’ are common on the
arid plains of Persia, and found in plenty on the coasts of the
Mediterranean, we have no occasion to shoot the few which visit
us in order to procure specimens for our instruction.

Thanks to Mr. Emmett for preserving for us the plumage of
the “‘ Pintailed Sandgrouse”’ stuffed with “shoddy,” with in-
telligence beaming from a pair of glas@ eyes; but no thanks to
him for depriving us of the pleasure of seeing our native woods
and valleys adorned with living specimens of these persecuted
beauties, and debarred the pleasure alike of studying their habits,
and admiring the splendour of their living forms.—PRo Bono
Pupwico.— (Leeds Mercury.)

[ Heartily do we coincide in this condemnation.—Ebs. J.
or H. ]

Prouiric Ducks.—I can add my testimony to your corre-
spondent’s relative to Ducks laying soon after having hatched a
brood. One of my Ducks brought out a brocd on Monday,
May 4th, and on the following Sunday had laid three eggs.
Even while sitting she did not avoid the drake. My other Duck
was then sitting, and brought out her brood on the 2nd instant,
and yesterday laid her first egg. The Duck that hatched her
eggs on the 4th of May had on Friday last, the 12th of June,
twenty-one eggs in her nest, and is now sitting on seventeen or
more. She began to sit on Sunday last. A shopkeeper in this
village informs me that one of his Ducks laid several eggs under
the coop, and he has already (June 23), had two broods from the
same Duck this year—K, O. T..

LarcGe Hees or Spanish Fow1s.—The Rey. C. A. Moore,
of Sutterton Vicarage, Spalding, bought some Spanish poultry
about two and a half years since of Mr. Fowler, of Aylesbury,
He says, ‘I have been very particular in keeping up the breed,
and have had some very remarkable eggs from my stock. One
egg which a hen produced about a fortnight since weighed
340zs.; but the most remarkable one is that which the same
fowl laid on Saturday, and which actually weighs nearly 43 ozs,
This egg I have had painted white in order to preserve it. My
fowls have every disadvantage—being confined to within a yery.
small space.”

June 30, 1863. ]
EXPULSION OF YOUNG BEES.

I wap on the Ist of May a very strong hive of bees, a swarm
of 1862. I cut a hole through the top of the hive (an old
conical one) about the above date, and put on a super about the
last week in May, when it was immediately filled, and the bees
began to work. On the let of June it was abandoned, and the
hive threw an immense swarm the next day. On the 13th the
hiye threw a second swarm, of which I cannot tell the weight;
but there were about three quarts of bees. ‘Iwo days after this
I saw quantities of young bees unable to fly, ejected from the
hive; and these were carried out again directly if returned.
Two days later (the 17th) the hives threw a third swarm nearly
or quite as strong as the last. And today (the 18th) Lagain see
scores of young bees under the hive—evidently ejected. There
were also three young queens which were dead. ‘Ihe other bees
were all alive and crawling about. 1 returned some dozens, but
they were directly seized, carried out, and dropped on the
ground. I am certain that many hundreds have thus been
destroyed and cannot account for it, as food is very plentiful,
and the hive though much weakened by throwing three swarms,
has plenty of bees in it, and a very large number of drones.
Indeed, 1 was almost led to fancy the destruction of young bees
was because the drones took more food than the workers could
provide; but there may be some other cause, and I shall be
most glad to learn it.

The following incident occurred here a few days since. A
swarm left a hive belonging to a bee-owner, and fortunately was
seen to go off. ‘hey flew direct to a deserted hive full of old
comb, standing in a cottage garden nearly half a mile off, where
they entered and remained. The owner saw them go in and
recovered them, making some compensation for the hive, in which
I saw them to-day working beautitully.—Roserr Levert.

[Although we never met with a similar instance, we should
be disposed to attribute this wholesale expulsion of the rising
generation to unfavourable weather setting in immediately after
swarming had taken place, and thus calling into play that re-
markable instinct which leads bees in extremity to sacrifice the
weaker members of the community. Liberal feeding would
probably have put a stop to this massacre of the juveniles.
Nothing is more common than a swarm taking possession of a
deserted hive. ]

TRANSPOSING STOCKS—A QUEENLESS
SWARM—DRIVING.

I wap, on the second Wednesday in June, a second ewarm,
which 1 hived into a box about one-third full of comb and
honey ; in fact, all the upper part, the lower having been cut
away because of its age. Having read of some of your corre-
spondents transposing hives in order to strengthen weak stocks,
I thought I would do the same with this, and therefore in the
middle of the first fine day, the fifth after being hived, I changed
places, the swarm with a strong old stock. ‘lhe result was
much fighting for two days and the weakening of the old stock
as though a prime swarm had left it, without a very perceptible
strengthening of theswarm. I now fear the swarm has no queen,
because no pollen is carried in; nevertheless, as they are quiet,
I infer they have some brood from which to raise a sovereign,
but comb-building does not go on.

Now, were I to feed copiously, would the bees, having no
fertile queen at liberty, build drone-comb only, permanently
injuring the stock, a common square box with close top? And
would it not be better to wait till pollen is carried, and then
feed? What precautions are necessary in transposing hives to
strengthen weak ones? What precautions are necessary in
artificial swarming in consequence of the tendency of bees to
build drone-comb while raising a queen, honey being abundant ?
How are the impressed wax plates fixed in frames, and is it
desirable to employ them when perfect combs cannot be had?
In the Woodbury straw hive are the bands of straw horizontal
or perpendicular, and is it fitted with a straw cover?

There is one thing more. I made two unsuccessful attempts
at driving to form an artificial swarm. ‘he stock was a square
box packed full of bees; the time 1 selected 5a.m. The stock
was carefuily turned up and another box the same size put on, the
box with comb afterwards tenanted by the second swarm above
referred to. After drumming about ten minutes and thinking
about half the bees had gone up, from the view I had through
the box windows, [ lifted the upper one off and put it in what

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER,

483

was to have been its place on the board of the old stock, treating
the old stock according to the Bee-book, I congratulated
myself on having cleverly accomplished my object; but in about
an hour it was evident I had tailed. I was, therefore, obliged
to restore the hives as before. Nothing daunted, I tried again
next morning and drummed longer, taking about half an hour
in the process. Again 1 thought I had succeeded, though the
bees were more savage; but again time showed it was another
failure. I tried no more, It does seem to me there is some
mystery in driving. I thought I was very careful, gentle, and
precise in adhering to the directions. I am half inclined to
suppose the stock had no queen at liberty, being engaged in
rearing one, which would account for the failure; but L have
had no experience in driving, and do not like to be beaten.
The stock was populous, but has been at a standstill for a
month, although rich in sealed honey. Does driving usually
succeed, if continued long enough, in getting all the bees out ?
Are there some things to be carefully avoided in driving ?—
A. B.C.

[Transpo-ing stocks succeeds best in the middle of a fine day,
when honey is very plentiful. This is the grand secret of
success. Every bee returning full of honey is usually a welcome
visitor to any hive, and in this case little or no fighting results ;
but when honey is scarce and strange bees return with empty
pouches, they are ignominiously expelled as a race of paupers
attempting to saddle themselves on the resources of the com-
munity. No such transfer, however, should be attempted with
a second swarm until it is certain that the young queen has
commenced egg-laying. In your case the natural result has
evidently followed. ‘he queen, on her return from one of her
excursions, has gone to the old spot and has been put to death
by the strangers. As no brood can now exist in the hive, the
colony must speedily dwindle away unless it is supplied with
brood-comb, or, better still, a couple of royal cells; or, best of
all, a fertile queen. If you wish the latter, and cannot obtain it
on the spot, write to I. Woodbury, Esq., Mount Radford,
Exeter. Bees without a queen build drone-comb only. Do not,
therefore, feed copiously until this all-important deficiency has
been supplied. Artificial should generally imitate natural
swarming in this respect, that the swarm has the old queen and
consequently builds worker-comb, whilst the queenless bees
remain in the old hive, which is already filled with comb.
Artificial partition-walls are easily fixed in frames by means of
melted wax. The vendors will give you full instructions on this
point. ‘They are a great assistance when natural combs are un-
attainable. In the Woodbury straw hive the bands are hori-
zontal. It is usually fitted with a wooden cover. We can add
nothing to the usual instructions for driving bees. You should
Operate in the middle of a fine day, and persevere until you
succeed. When once you have accomplished it all difficulties
will vanish—at least, it was a0 in our case. ]

LOSS OF A SWARM—DISTANCE BETWEEN
BARS—ABNORMAL BEES.

Havine procured a stock of bees last February, and being
light, I fed them well through the spring till May 23rd, when
they swarmed, weighing but 25 lbs. Hearing piping two days
before, I concluded the prime swarm had escaped unobserved.
I wish to know if it isas my books tell me, that piping is never
heard till after the first swarm. There has been no appearance
of another. Am I to expect more from it?

I have used bar-hives 13 inch from centre to centre, but found
them too wide. What is the proper breadth, as bar-frame-hives
are useless if each bar does not exactly contain a comb on its
centre?

‘there is on some of my bees the unusual appearance (at least to
my eye), of an extra pair of antenne of a yellow colour, growing
irom the insertion of the real antenne. Have any of your
numerous apiarian correspondents noticed it, and what may the
cause be ?—BEE FRIEND.

[Piping is so rarely heard prior to the issue of a first swarm,
that you may be tolerably certain that yours has escaped un-
observed, nor can you expect that another will now issue. Our
bars are avout a sixteenth under 14 inch from centre to centre;.
but we consider the latter a very good distance. Singularly
enough the proceedings of the bees themselves do not always
afford the best guide as to distance, as they are so much in-

484, JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE
fluenced by the requirements of the moment.
plentiful they are apt to build ‘thicker combs (almost to the
exclusion of brood), than when honey is scarce, and the queen
lays an egg in every cell as soon as it is braced ont. We should
be glad if you would forward in a small box by post a few
living specimens of bees possessing an extra pair of antenne. |

BEES DYING IN, JUNE.

' Last year I had not a single swarm out of four hives. This
year I have not had any yet, but expect three daily out of the
three hives I have living. Last week a stock died, and I do not
know the cause. ‘hey came out of the hive, and died on the
board. When I saw this I took up the hive and saw but a very
few bees left in, and they seemed quite stupified, and they all
dropped on the board dead. I took out two combs, and
found very few of the cells with young bees in them, these had
grubs in them, but they were dead. The hive in May seemed
quite well, and worked hard. What was the cause of death P

Last year | had a stock which died in March, with plenty of
honey in store, but they were in a Nutt’s hive. The bees were
well and strong in February, and in March they died, and when
I came to look at them the combs were quite mouldy. I thought
that I must have taken the hive from under cover (I have a
wooden shed) too soon, as it was very wet and cold in March
last year.—W. W. C.

. [Whe first-mentioned stock died of starvation—pretty strong
evidence that the honey season in Lancashire is a bad one. ‘The
second was probably destroyed: by that pest of wooden hives,
internal moisture. Feeding would, of course, have been the
obvious remedy in the one case, whilst ventilation might have
palliated the evil in the other. |

VARIATIONS IN COLOUR OF THE COMMON
HIVE BEE.

Havine a wish to improve the circumstances of a poor
neighbour in the country, I empowered him to purchase a hive
and stock of bees, for which he (or rather I) paid 14s., that is
2s. for the straw hive, and 12s. for the bees. On going to see
them a few days afterwards, { was surprised to find them so
unlike my notions of bees— yo slim, so small, so colourless,
they answered to the French word of mouches é miel, but not
of abielles. The man, however, declared he was used to this
sort, and that they were making honey very fast. The situation
lies’ between two parks, where, although there will soon be many
lime trees in bloom, there are not many other flowers. Some
mignonette and some borage have been sown, and I am told
that buckwheat is a great favourite. Ido not find these par-
ticulars mentioned in, Tux JourNaL or HorticuLTURE; and
certainly the description of bees, whether Ligurian or British,
by no means seems to correspond with these. Can they be wild
ones?—A. A. Y.

[Apis mellifica is the only species of hive bee, whether wild or
domestic, indigenous to Great Britain; and to this species the
bees in. question undoubtedly belong. They sometimes vary
slightly in colour; and Mr. Lowe, of Edinburgh once possessed
a. variety of a lighter tint than usual, but these appear to
be mere accidental variations. The Ligurian bee (Apis Ligustica)
which has lately been so successfully introduced into this country,
differs so notably from the ordinary bee, that it is ranked as a
distinct species. | E

SIMULTANEOUS ATTACKS ON DRONES.

Ow the only fine day of this week (or month), I received an
expected first swarm from a, Woodbury bar-hive, two hours after-
wards whilst looking on I observed a great and general issue of
drones from A, B and Cc, and B and C having swarmed once and
twice respectively, the workers appeared to attack the drones,
riding on them curled up as they attack robbers. Being severely
stung, I did not observe much more, but was surprised. First,
Why should drones be turned out of a hive divectly after the first
swarm issues? Secondly, Why should the drones issue, if A, B
and c be simultaneous, or were they all merely at play? I
obeerye a few but not many dead drones about, and can still see
them in « through the glaes.

If honey be yery |

AND COTTAGH GARDENER. [{ June 30, 1863.

Thave an old straw hive that was nearly burnt out by the}
accidental firing of my Vine-border when covered with litter.) |
The bees issued for a moment on the 17th of June, but returned.
They have clustered out largely for: some weeks, and so con-
tinue. I purpose taking it when the proper time arrives? To-
day I have added a glass-frame bar-super’ covered, to induce
them all to enter and make comb: Is that right? TI should like,
on the issue of this swarm to join it’ (by sprinkling) to Wednes-| |
day’s A swarm in a new complete frame-hive bought from Messrs.
Neighbour. Will this answer with’a housed swarm that has
done nothing? I have fed them.—T. P. ie

[If the young queens in B and c were impregnated, the attack
upon the drones is all in due coarse, and will probably be per-
severed in until all are expelled; but with a the case is different,
the assault seeming to be a mistake, which when found out was
at once discontinued. Owing to the bad honey season after the
issue of the swarm, the bees found themselves with a sparse
worker population, and scanty stores, which there was no im-
mediate prospect of replenishing. These are just the circum- |.
stances which lead to the destruction of drones, which would, |
doubtless, have been consummated had not the virgin condition
of the queen necessitated a reprieve. That all three stocks |
should inaugurate a simultaneous attack was a remarkable in-
stance of like causes producing similar effects. Adding a super
may be of use, if the weather improves; at any rate it will do
no harm. The probability is, that the two swarms will unite
peaceably. |

BEES NOT ENTERING A SUPER.

I HIVED a swarm of bees on the 17th of May, and in Jess
than a month the hive appeared by its weight to be filled. For
more than a week the bees haye clustered out round’ the mouth
of the hive, and small particles of comb are scattered about it
also. ‘There does not appear any diminution in the activity of
the bees. In order to prevent a maiden swarm, as I believeit is
called, I put on a good-sized glass super. The bees make no
attempt to fill it. I should not have intruded upon you, but I
cannot explain the cause of the scattered particles of comb in
the front of the hive, and shall feel obliged by a notice of if in
your paper.—A BEE-KEEPER.

[The particles of comb arise from the unsealing of the brood,
thousands of young bees having quitted their cradles during the
past few weeks. ‘ry inserting two or three pieces of guide-
comb in the super, and filling the cells with honey or syrup. ]

PRESERVING PEAS GREEN FoR WinrTER UsE.—This desirable)
result has certainly not yet arrived at the state of perfection we
expect of it, and we have heard of many failures; but the follow,
ing mode has been reported to us by a person well qualifie-
to judge of such matters, as being very successful :—Carefulld
shell the Peas—then put them in tin canisters, not too largy
ones; put in a small piece of alum, about the size of a horsebeane
to a pint of Peas. When the canister is full of Peas, fill up the
interstices with water, and solder on the lid perfectly air-tight,,
and boil the canisters for about twenty minutes; then remove
them to a cool place, and they will be found in January but little
inferior to fresh, newly-gathered Peas. Bottling is not so good—
at least we have not found it so; the air gets in, the liquid turns
sour, and the Peas acquire a bad taste.—(American Gardeners?
Monthly.)

OUR LETTER BOX,

Txx-succrss In Hatcaine (B. H,).—Your case is that of many this season,
and is in a great measure attributable to the sharp frosts during the spring.
The outer eggs get chilled, and then assume the wppearance you describe.
I: is a good plan to put not more than seven or nine eggs under the hens
for early hatching.

Dorxine CockErEts (If. D.).—If you wish to show Silver-Grey DorkingFy
none of those you mention ure fit for the purpose, It is imperative that
cocks in those classes shall have black breasts and tails. No, 1 has not
either. They must also have pale, almost white. hackles and saddle, No. 2
is here at fault; and asin amatter of colour (atleast so Jar as poultry is
concerned), comparison is not allowed, the fact of No. 3 being blacker than
No. 1, but nevertheless not quite black in breast und tail, will not help
you. If you are hent on showing ina Silver-Grey class, if you have hens
or pullets of faultless colour, and if No. 2 is perfectly black where required,
that 1s the bird toshow. If you are showing for general competition, take
No 1 by all means. Itis the height of absurdity 10 be deterred by a few
white feathers on the breast, or 2 white shade on the tail. You have to
look for symmetry and size, and saye in a White or Silver-Grey class, colour

4 has nothing to do with decisions,

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